The level of awareness of Vietnamese small enterprises on responsible business practice is lower than that of large ones, according to a latest survey.

Delegates are discussing about the responsible business practice in Vietnam. Photo: Phi Nhat

More than half of total Vietnamese enterprises at all scales plan to advance responsible business practice (RBP) in accordance with international standards, according to the latest study released by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Embassy of Sweden in Vietnam,

It is part of the Study on Corporate Awareness and Implementation of Responsible Business Practice in Vietnam in 2020.

Advancing responsibility

According to the UNDP, the concept of RBP is considered as the minimum compliance with regulations in business activities to prevent and address negative impacts on people and the earth, making contribution to the sustainable development of society.

Specifically, about 71% surveyed State-owned enterprises (SOE) will surely accelerate the implementation of RBP in the near future. Nearly 60% small and medium businesses plan to adhere to RBP in three key pillars of management, labor and environment, Vu Van Tuan, the team leader of the survey, told Hanoitimes at the announcement ceremony on April 22 in Hanoi.

Exporting businesses make up 11% of the respondents, who best applied domestic and international RBP for working with leading foreign groups and having to meet the high requirements of their partners.

The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected global supply and international brands, requiring Vietnamese suppliers to meet high social and environmental standards, Do Quynh Chi, Director of the Research Center for Employment Relations, said.

Among the respondents, about 81% of the State-owned enterprises (SOE), mainly large-scale ones, fully understood the concept and the implications of RBP. Meanwhile, the level of awareness of Vietnamese private small enterprises on RBP is much lower.

Towards National Action Plan 2022

Vietnam has made a lot of progress in adhering to labor responsibility compared to the previous 20 years. In the past, local enterprises considered applying RBP as a deed of charity, Chi added.

Local enterprises are still facing with barriers to implement RBP. Adhering to RBS comes at a huge cost for businesses in the textile industry, placing them in disadvantageous positions.

Most of respondents agreed that a National Action Plan would be the best way forward to provide support and consistency for RBP implementation in the future, Tuan said.

"The role of the government in directing and leading the process of advancing RBP is very important, meanwhile relevant ministries and branches need to work together to draw up the plan.

Addressing the launch, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Sitara Syed highly appreciated the Ministry of Justice for leading the formulation and adoption of Vietnams first National Action Plan on Responsible Business Practices by 2022.

The National Plan will be guided by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, in which UNDP will support this process and convene ample consultations with key stakeholders on the priority areas of the National Action Plan.

Tuan commented this would also allow for longer term investment plans in Vietnam, giving communities and other stakeholders the confidence, they need to be sure their rights are being protected.

hanotimes
As newly confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to plateau across the state, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental control reports 424 new cases as of April 25.

This is after federal health officials announced the removal of a pause on the distribution of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine. The vaccine was paused following the reports of six cases of blood clots from people who had received the vaccine.

The decision came after a detailed safety review by the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

By April 25, most counties in South Carolina are recording a "moderate" two-week incidence rate with less than 200 cases. Newberry, Oconee, Pickens and York are the only counties witnessing a "high" rate.

Statewide numbers

New cases reported: 424 confirmed, 304 probable.

Total cases in S.C.: 479,207 confirmed, 95,778 probable.

Percent positive: 3.9 percent.

New deaths reported: 16 confirmed, 1 probable.

Total deaths in S.C.: 8,304 confirmed, 1,126 probable.

Percent of ICU beds filled: 69.7 percent.

How S.C. ranks

South Carolina ranks 43rd in the nation in the number of vaccines administered per 100,000 people as of April 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Hardest-hit areas

In the total number of newly confirmed cases, Greenville County (57), Charleston County (53) and Spartanburg County (28) saw the highest totals.

What about tri-county?

Charleston County had 53 new cases on April 25, while Berkeley County had 24 and Dorchester County had 20.

Deaths

Six of the deaths from COVID-19 confirmed April 25 were patients age 35 to 64. Ten were patients 65 or older.

Hospitalizations

Of the 506 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of April 25, 131 were in the ICU and 62 were using ventilators.

What do experts say?

Dr. Danielle Scheurer, chief quality officer at the Medical University of South Carolina, said with demand for the vaccine beginning to wane, the health system needs to switch strategies.

Scheurer said in an internal publication that mass vaccination sites at MUSC are not filling up as much as they used to, so it has become imperative for the hospital to go to the people instead of having them come to us.

Instead of us looking at this as if we build it, they will come, we need to get it to them, she said.
It has become mantra at The New York Times, whether in "news" articles or opinion pieces (but, as the cliche goes, I repeat myself) to assert the falsity of claims the 2020 presidential election "was stolen." Now Republican efforts to ensure that elections are not only free and fair, but that they comply with the Constitution's recognition that state legislatures determine election law, are being traduced into the mendacious assertion that honest elections sought by Republicans "nonetheless represent a huge threat to American democracy itself."

The quote comes from an op-ed article of the "day is night" variety, written by a University of California, Irvine, law professor (no less) by name of Richard L. Hasen. (Does he hold the George Orwell Jurisprudence chair at UCI?)

The title of this mind-twisting screed is: "The G.O.P. Isn't Done Messing With Elections." The following untruth is highlighted in the midst of this op-ed equivalent of O'Brien forcing Winston Smith to agree that four fingers are visible, when only three are: "Republicans are threatening the integrity of vote counting itself.

Behold The New York Times: Not only is it prohibited to say that the left stole the election from President Trump, it must now also be said that Republicans failed to steal the 2020 election and that they will make another attempt in 2024.

How soon the political show trials of hapless Republicans in the dock, with Merrick Garland in the role previously filled in 1930's Moscow by Andrey Vishinsky?

But this is not all, the outrageous Hasen smear of the GOP sent this writer scurrying to Google, to see what the Times said when it first brought forth the Op-Ed page, September 21, 1970. It had been this writer's recollection that the Times touted the op-ed page as a "marketplace of ideas." That phrase did not appear in the paper's statement of intent announcing the op-ed page. Here is what the Times archives brought up at the end of the statement accompanying the birth of Op-Ed:

In furtherance of our belief that the diverse voices of our society must be given the greatest possible opportunity to be heard, we are at the same time approximately doubling the weekday space devoted letters from our readers. The two pages togetherEditorial and Op. Ed.are designed to create an intellectual forum from which, paraphrase Terence, nothing will be foreign that relates to man and his society.

Behold how greatly The New York Times has reneged on its stated commitment to provide "the diverse voices of our society" on the op-ed page, said more than half a century ago to be "an intellectual forum" for "man and his society." (That last assertion would never appear today, for the rank sexism it proclaims.)

Even the most radical of the Times' most radical base would have to acknowledge that there is nothing diverse about the voices today given the opportunity to be heard in the pages of the paper. Indeed, diversity of voice would likely unleash an avalanche of protests from the paper's anti-American base.

Gone is the paper's commitment to be an "intellectual forum," replaced by its totalitarian commitment to ideological spewing, turning truth on its head, reduces The New York Times to a journal of projection or, to use a newly-favored word among the left's cognoscenti, "gaslighting."

It should indeed be the epitaph of The New York Times: Never in the history of American journalism did so many leftist editorialists publish so many falsehoods indicating so much contempt for the common man.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
A new study by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has revealed that the risk of being exposed to COVID-19 is as great at 60 feet as it is at six feet indoors.

The research questions COVID-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, which both suggested early last year that people should socially distance themselves by six feet in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

However, the study, which was published last week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States of America, shows that even while wearing a mask in well-mixed spaces, 'one is no safer from airborne pathogens at 60 ft than 6 ft'.

The study came to this conclusion using calculations that factored in several issues that could affect transmission, including air filtration, immunization, variant strains, and the amount of time spent inside.

A new study by researchers of Massachusetts Institute of Technology has revealed that the risk of being exposed to COVID-19 is as great at 60 feet as it is at six feet

This graphic shows a typical school classroom with 20 persons that is assumed to have 'low relative transmissibility and moderate risk tolerance and a nursing home shared room with a maximum occupancy of three elderly persons and a lower risk tolerance

Researchers also looked at respiratory activity such as breathing, eating, speaking or singing, which are activities that could allow a person to send pathogen-laced droplets (activity depicted) through the air. The study found that no matter if you're more than six feet away from an infected person who is singing, you're still at risk indoors

Researchers also looked at respiratory activity such as breathing, eating, speaking or singing.

MIT professor Martin Bazant told CNBC: 'We argue there really isn't much of a benefit to the 6-foot rule, especially when people are wearing masks.

'It really has no physical basis because the air a person is breathing while wearing a mask tends to rise and comes down elsewhere in the room so you're more exposed to the average background than you are to a person at a distance.'

Bazant noted that the important variable that the CDC and WHO missed is the amount of time spent indoors.

The researchers also said that their analysis shows that many establishments that were shut down throughout the pandemic 'don't need to be'.

'Often times the space is large enough, the ventilation is good enough, the amount of time people spend together is such that those spaces can be safely operated even at full capacity and the scientific support for reduced capacity in those spaces is really not very good,' Bazant told CNBC.

'I think if you run the numbers, even right now for many types of spaces you'd find that there is not a need for occupancy restrictions.'

In the case of outdoor dining, researchers said it doesn't much sense because 'the infected air would be swept away and very unlikely to cause transmission'

In addition, the study looked at pathogen-laced droplets which travel through the air when people talk, eat or breathe indoors.

Charts from the research show how people sitting in a room while a person is singing could be impacted by the droplets even if an infected person is wearing a mask.

For instance, if a person with COVID-19 is wearing a mask and singing indoors, another person sitting across the room is not more protected than someone who is sitting six feet away from the infected individual.

This is an indication of why the time a person spends indoors with an infected person is so important, according to researchers. However, masks do help by blocking plumes of air.

In the case of outdoor dining, Bazant said it doesn't much sense because 'the infected air would be swept away and very unlikely to cause transmission'.

On Sunday, Dr Fauci said that he expects the CDC to issue updated guidelines on wearing masks outside.

'Obviously the risk is really very low, particularly if you're vaccinated,' Fauci said of outdoor activities during ABCs This Week.

On Sunday, Dr Fauci said that he expects the CDC to issue updated guidelines on wearing masks outside. 'Obviously the risk is really very low, particularly if you're vaccinated,' Fauci said of outdoor activities

According to data from the CDC, Michigan reported 390.2 cases of the virus per 100,000 in the last seven days, Pennsylvania reported 221.4 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days and New York recorded 176.4 cases per 100,000 in the last week

Bazant also believes that the findings of his research could explain why states like Texas and Florida haven't seen huge spikes in transmission despite being fully open.

Texas and Florida, which have completely reopened, are reporting fewer coronavirus cases than Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York, which have COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates in place, according CDC data.

Texas Gov Greg Abbott ended a mask mandate on March 10 and fully reopened the state. In Florida, which doesn't have a mandate, Gov Ron DeSantis allowed businesses to fully reopen in September.

However, there are still restrictions in place for Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan, which for the last few weeks led the daily increase in COVID-19 cases.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Michigan reported 390.2 cases of the virus per 100,000 in the last seven days.

In Pennsylvania, health officials have reported 221.4 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days.

New York City alone has recorded 206.1 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days with the remainder of the state reported 176.4 cases per 100,000 in the last week.



However in states where there aren't any restrictions, it appears that cases are lower. Texas health officials reported 70.4 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days while Florida recorded 186.8 cases per 100,000 in the last week.

Bazant also believes that the findings of his research could explain why states like Texas (above) and Florida haven't seen huge spikes in transmission despite being fully open. Texas and Florida report less daily cases than states like New York where there are still restrictions

Despite the number being lower than Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York - which all have mask mandates - the Sunshine State's increase in infections keeps it in the top 10 states with the highest daily cases.

Fauci said that he believes the US is 'doing very well' on vaccinations though the level of infections remain high with an average of nearly 60,000 daily cases in the last week.

'We dont want that to go up,' he said.

Meanwhile, more than five million people who have received their first COVID-19 shot have skipped out on their second dose.

According to the New York Times, that estimate represents nearly eight per cent of the American population who received the first shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

Some people have opted out of the second dose because they believe they're sufficiently protected with a single shot. Others are fearful of the flulike side effects.

But the fault isn't just on the millions who haven't received their second dose. Vaccine providers have been forced to cancel second-dose appointments because they ran out of supply.

In one example, several Walgreens customers were unable to get their second because they didn't have the right vaccine on hand, according to the Times.

'I'm very worried, because you need that second dose,' Dr Paul Offit, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told the newspaper.

Some states are also finding that people aren't interested in getting the shots and are having to turn down vaccine deliveries. Louisiana has stopped asking the federal government for its full allotment of COVID-19 vaccine.

About three-quarters of Kansas counties have turned down new shipments of the vaccine at least once over the past month. And in Mississippi, officials asked the federal government to ship vials in smaller packages so they don't go to waste.

As the supply of coronavirus vaccine doses in the US outpaces demand, some places around the country are finding there's such little interest in the shots, they need to turn down shipments.

'It is kind of stalling. Some people just don't want it,' said Stacey Hileman, a nurse with the health department in rural Kansas' Decatur County, where less than a third of the county's 2,900 residents have received at least one vaccine dose.

More than half of American adults have received at least one vaccine dose, and President Joe Biden last week celebrated eclipsing 200 million doses administered in his first 100 days in office.

Biden also acknowledged entering a new phase to bolster outreach and overcome hesitancy.
The UK will send more than 600 pieces of medical equipment to India, the Government has announced.

The first nine planeloads of kit, which will include oxygen concentrators and ventilators, are set to arrive in Delhi on Tuesday.

"We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19," Boris Johnson said in a statement.

"We will continue to work closely with the Indian government during this difficult time and I'm determined to make sure that the UK does everything it can to support the international community in the global fight against (this) pandemic."

It comes on as India broke the global record for daily coronavirus cases for the fourth day in a row, as it announced a further 349,691 infections, with 2,767 new fatalities also confirmed.

Switzerland today confirmed its first case of B.1.617, the Covid variant first discovered in India, while Italy has followed the lead of the UK by adding India to its travel ban list.

Follow the latest updates below.

04:16 PM

Wales reopening will see next steps taken tomorrow

Pubs, restaurants, cafes and other hospitality businesses will be allowed to offer outdoor service again in Wales as of tomorrow as part of a phased reopening.

Organised outdoor activities will also be permitted for up to 30 people from Monday, as well outdoor wedding receptions for the same number, while outdoor visitor attractions can open.

It will come after other restrictions were eased yesterday, which permit up to six people to meet up outdoors.

04:00 PM

'I can't be the only one overstimulated by our newfound freedom'

I went out for dinner with a friend this week, writes Bryony Gordon. In normal times, going out for dinner with a friend would not be considered a blistering opener for a weekly column in a national newspaper, but we are not in normal times.

Story continues

So: I went out for dinner with a friend. And by going out for dinner, I obviously mean shivered on a pavement next to a busy road, picking at a bowl of olives, as a waiter did his best to conjure an atmosphere of being in the south of France, as opposed to south London.



It was wonderful. A real treat. The third time in a week I had found myself sitting near a rubbish bin, trying to enjoy the company of friends over the roar of traffic.



I reached to mute my friend, before realising she was actually there, and I couldnt use dodgy Wi-Fi as an excuse to bail on social events that felt a little overwhelming.



The next day, I felt a little like I used to all the time in my twenties, before I stopped living on a diet that consisted mostly of Quavers, beer, and class A drugs. Which is to say: awful. Shocking. Overtired, as I might say to my daughter.

03:47 PM

Details of equipment UK will airlift to India revealed, as Labour urges Government to go further

The UK's assistance package to India includes 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators from surplus UK stocks, the Government has said.

It added that it is currently in contact with authorities in India to establish what they need, as the Labour Party has called on ministers to go further in their support.

"Defeating this virus anywhere means defeating it everywhere," said Lisa Nandy, the shadow foreign secretary. "We have seen how quickly Covid-19 variants that have been identified in one country are able to spread rapidly across the globe.

"The UK can offer expertise and capacity in crucial areas like genome sequencing and epidemiology that have already proven vital in mapping and restricting the spread of coronavirus. It is vital, not only for protecting the lives of millions in the subcontinent, but also in limiting the spread of potentially vaccine-resilient variants to our own shores."

03:30 PM

US actively looking at ways to curb 'terrible situation' in India, says Dr Fauci

The US is actively looking at ways to send aid to India, Dr. Anthony Fauci has said.

Measures currently being considered by the Biden administration including sending oxygen supplies, PPE and tests for coronavirus, Dr Fauci told the ABC television network.

Another option, Dr Fauci added, would be to help India "to essentially make vaccines themselves.

"Bottom line, it's a terrible situation that's going on in India and other lower middle-income countries, and there is more we can do," he said.

03:09 PM

Further 1,712 cases and 11 deaths confirmed

A further 1,712 people have tested positive for coronavirus, today's figures from the Department for Health show.

There have been a further 11 deaths within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test.

Meanwhile, more than 46.25 million vaccine doses have now been administered across the UK, with 33.66 million adults (63.9 per cent of all UK adults) having had their first dose and 12.58 million vaccinated with both doses.

A total of 640,645 vaccines were given across the UK yesterday, which breaks down into 142,215 first doses and 498,430 second doses.

03:00 PM

India Covid crisis: Boris Johnson's statement as aid announced

We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19.



Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus.



We will continue to work closely with the Indian government during this difficult time and I'm determined to make sure that the UK does everything it can to support the international community in the global fight against (this) pandemic.

02:51 PM

Breaking: UK Government to send 600 pieces of medical equipment to India

More than 600 pieces of medical equipment will be sent to India, the British Government has just announced.

The first packages, which will include oxygen concentrators and ventilators, are set to arrive in Delhi on Tuesday.

02:43 PM

Why now is the perfect time to explore Britain's finest cities

In all the excitement about domestic holidays restarting, Britons have booked up self-catering stays in the country or by the seaside, while perhaps neglecting our cities.

Demand for cottages, campsites and other accommodation has exploded for spring and summer  surely it will be the busiest year ever for staycations.

A view of Thermae Bath Spa - Matt Cardy

While most of us head for the hills and beaches, places like York, Bath and London  normally besieged by overseas visitors at this time of year  will be much, much quieter than usual.

This may be your only chance to enjoy the luxury of exploring Edinburgh Castle without the crowds - Sylvain Sonnet

Perhaps only a trickle of tourists will come from Europe, maybe almost none from the US and tiny numbers from the rest of the world.

In short, this spring and summer look like an opportunity to avoid the crowds on the coast and in the National Parks and see our most beautiful cities devoid of the tourist crush.

So, to help you make the most of them, Telegraph Travel has come up with mini-guides to five cities.

02:25 PM

602,866 vaccines given in England yesterday

A total of 38.79 million vaccinations have now been administered across England, according to NHS data, which is up by 602,866 on yesterday's total.

124,858 people received the first doses of a coronavirus vaccine in England yesterday, while 478,008 second doses were given out across England.

This means that 10.56 million in England have now had both doses of a vaccine against the virus.

02:10 PM

'We no longer need to fear Covid'

The whole aim of practical politics, said HL Mencken, is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary, writes Matt Ridley.

It is hard to avoid the impression that officials are alarmed rather than pleased by the fading of the pandemic in Britain. They had a real hobgoblin to hand, and boy did they make the most of it, but its now turning into a pussy cat.



So they are back to casting around for imaginary ones to justify their draconian  and deliciously popular  command and control over every detail of our lives. Look, variants!



And yes, the pandemic is fading fast. The vaccine is working better than we could possibly have imagined, according to Calum Semple, of the University of Liverpool, based on a study which found that it reduced hospitalisation by 98 per cent.



With deaths from the virus now falling by more than 20 per cent a week and with overall mortality from all causes now below the long-term average, weve moved from a pandemic to an endemic situation, according to Sarah Walker, Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology at Oxford and Chief Investigator on the ONSs Covid-19 Infection Survey.



The UKs covid positivity rate at 0.2 per cent is now the fifth lowest in the world and lower than Taiwan and Israel.

01:58 PM

Covid lockdown roadmap: key dates for when restrictions will end and what rules will change on May 17

The next step in lockdown easing will take place no earlier than May 17, when a further reopening of indoor hospitality venues is expected to take place, should the data allow.

It comes as experts have said Britain is no longer in a pandemic, as new data showed the vaccination programme is reducing symptomatic Covid infections by up to 90 per cent.

England moved into step two of the roadmap out of lockdown on April 12, leading to the reopening of pubs, restaurants, gyms and non-essential retail across the country.

Boris Johnson called the easing of lockdown on April 12 a major step forward to freedom, but warned people must still behave responsibly.

These measures are part of the four key steps that will bring the UK out of lockdown and reopen the country, over the course of four months.

Ben Riley-Smith has more on the next steps.

01:31 PM

'Take the jab when you're offered it', urges PM

Sharing out a video made by Downing Street documenting the UK's vaccine roll-out, Boris Johnson wrote:

A huge thank you to everyone involved from the scientists, to our NHS, the Armed Forces and the many volunteers.



I urge everyone to take up the jab when youre offered it.

01:19 PM

Alber Elbaz dies of Covid-19

The celebrated fashion designer Alber Elbaz has died at the age of 59, writes Tamara Abraham.

Best known for his tenure at the helm of Lanvin from 2001 to 2015, Elbaz was a beloved figure in the fashion industry and this year launched a new label backed by Richemont, AZ Factory.

The designer died at a Paris hospital on Saturday, WWD reports. A Richemont spokesperson said the cause of death was Covid-19.

Alber Elbaz, who has died after contracting Covid-19 - Pascal Le Segretian/Getty Images

In a statement confirming Elbaz death, Richemont founder and chairman Johann Rupert said: "I have lost not only a colleague but a beloved friend.

"Alber had a richly deserved reputation as one of the industrys brightest and most beloved figures. I was always taken by his intelligence, sensitivity, generosity and unbridled creativity."

01:00 PM

India's crematoriums overwhelmed by 'war-like' conditions as virus surge hits new record

India's crematoriums and burial grounds are being overwhelmed by the devastating new surge of infections tearing through the populous country with terrifying speed, depleting the supply of life-saving oxygen to critical levels and leaving patients to die while waiting in line to see doctors.

Governments around the world pledged support as, for the fourth straight day, India on Sunday set a global daily record for new infections. The surge is spurred by an insidious new variant, undermining the government's premature claims of victory over the pandemic.

Funeral pyres burn at a makeshift crematorium in New Delhi - Altaf Qadri/AP

The 349,691 confirmed cases over the past day brought India's total to more than 16.9 million, behind only the United States globally. The Health Ministry reported another 2,767 deaths in the past 24 hours, pushing India's Covid-19 fatalities to 192,311.

Experts say that toll could be a huge undercount, as suspected cases are not included, and many deaths from the infection are being attributed to underlying conditions.

Read the full story here.

12:45 PM

London's luxury shops and restaurants try to lure customers back after lockdown

Ogden Nash wrote: Poets arent very useful because they arent consumeful or very produceful.

Cadogan Estates, the landlord to some of the swankiest shops in Chelsea, would beg to differ. It has commissioned Ella Frears, whose debut collection Shine, Darling was shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize, to mark the reopening of Sloane Streets luxury boutiques.

Her poem They Speak to Her is a lockdown lament: This long, draw-strung year shes kept her wardrobe on ice. But it is also an ode to consumerism: A buttery leather bag sings to her from a nearby shelf.

Most of all it is a paean to the serendipitous discoveries and impulse purchases that can only be made in an honest-to-goodness actual, physical shop: When you arent looking for the dress, the dress will appear.

Covid wiped 56bn off the value of the luxury goods market last year and sales for 2020s spring season were 70pc lower than the year before. As lockdown ends, luxury brands, bars and restaurants are doing everything they can think of - up to and including putting the verse into Versace - to lure us back out into the light and down to the shops.

Ben Wright has the story.

12:31 PM

'One year into Covid, testing is as vital as ever'

Here in Geneva, where many global health organisations (including our own) are headquartered, we now have access to five self-administered tests a month, free of charge, and the only effort required is a short walk to a local pharmacy, write Emma Hannay and Peter Sands.

In England, everyone is now eligible for free rapid Covid-19 tests, twice a week.

Compare two tests per week per person in England to the average of seven tests per week available per 100,000 inhabitants in low-income countries, and the inequity in access to testing is suddenly brought into stark contrast.

A health worker takes a nasal swab sample to test for COVID-19 in Jammu, India - Channi Anand/AP

The numbers are bleak. According to our latest data, for every test conducted in a low-income country, more than 86 are being conducted in high-income countries.

Spot-checks in health facilities across 24 countries in Africa revealed that in 2020, only 11 per cent of health facilities could conduct Covid-19 antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag RDTs). Just eight per cent could conduct molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.

12:15 PM

Online security beefed up for an Oscar party season like no other

For years, enterprising gatecrashers have tried to steal their way into Hollywoods most glamorous Oscar parties by evading bouncers, falsifying invitations or pretending to be waiters, writes Jamie Johnson.

But in 2021, the galas are being hosted online instead of in person and security teams are preparing for a different kind of trespasser: Hackers.

In a year when online classrooms have been infiltrated, court proceedings have been live streamed illegally and world leaders struggled to find the mute button, cybercriminals have exploited weaknesses at an alarming rate according to an Interpol report.

Cyber experts acting as this year's 'bouncers' to virtual VIP parties told The Telegraph hackers will likely be planning to access the cameras and microphones on computers of some of the world's biggest stars.

Organisers will be hoping to prevent a repeat of high-profile hackings of Madonnas Madame X tour last year, which led to a $42 million ransom, and an attack on a private gig by British Grammy award-winner Dua Lipa in November.

12:07 PM

Hancock 'delighted' as figures show more than half of UK population has had first Covid-19 jab

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has released a video message saying he is absolutely delighted that figures show more than half of the UKs total population has received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

NHS data up to April 23 shows that of the 45,580,400 jabs given in the UK so far, 33,508,590 were first doses - a rise of 119,953 on the previous day.

The UK population is estimated to be 66,796,807, so the latest figures show that more than half the population have now had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

11:54 AM

Mystery shrouds growth in Covid cases in young people

Messages of support flooded Brazilian social media circles last week after news that 35-year-old actor Thomas Aquino, star of the critically acclaimed 2019 western thriller Bacurau, had gone into intensive care with a severe case of Covid-19.

He suffered a pulmonary embolism but was eventually discharged after spending 10 days in intensive care.

"It is Thomas' wish for me to inform you," tweeted Bacurau director Kleber Mendonca Filho, "take care of yourselves, wear a mask, remain isolated whenever possible, ignore this government."

Those under 40 have borne the brunt of Brazil's most recent surge in coronavirus cases - Sebastaio Moreira/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Young and healthy, Thomas contracted the disease amid Brazil's worst wave of coronavirus infections yet, which has claimed an increasing number of younger victims.

A recent study from the Brazilian Intensive Medicine Association showed that patients aged under 40 now make up the majority of those hospitalised in the country's ICUs.

Read more from our Global Health Security team.

11:29 AM

Treatment of police will be referred to Met 'with utmost urgency'

The treatment of police officers at an anti-lockdown protest will be referred to senior Met management with "utmost urgency", a police leader has said.

The irony of the complete silence from the Saturday night sofas of the armchair critics when police officers come under brutal attack will not be lost on our colleagues," Ken Marsh has said.

We can assure everyone that we shall be raising the scenes we witnessed in Hyde Park yesterday with senior management in the Metropolitan Police with utmost urgency.

The safety of our police officers should be top of the agenda. We wish all our injured colleagues a swift recovery and will be supporting them as best as we can.

Martin Evans has more here.

11:22 AM

'Britain needs to push forward with its Covid reopening'

It should not be the case that British politics is dominated by a bitter, fascinating row between members of the former Vote Leave campaign, the team that got Britain out of the EU and put Boris Johnson in Number 10, says the Telegraph View of this weekend's news.

The timing is doubly unfortunate given the list of things the Government needs to address, urgently, and that this affair now threatens to derail.



Britain needs to push forward with its post-Covid reopening. Part of the row between Dominic Cummings and Boris Johnson relates to the initial timing of the lockdown.



Yet what matters now is that we should be lifting the lockdown far more quickly: while we have to keep an eye on the threat of new variants, vaccination does slow transmission, some parts of the country are almost Covid free, and the reward of an individual being vaccinated should be the immediate return to a genuine normality.

Read the full column here.

11:12 AM

Covid restrictions mean Australians have never looked so imprisoned

The other evening, a normally robust, stiff-upper-lipped friend came round for a nocturnal picnic in a nearby communal garden, writes Zoe Strimpel.

Suddenly, almost in tears, she let rip about the terrible toll of being stuck in a tiny flat with her husband and (now) two-year-old for a year, all bar a week in Scotland in the summer. Ill never forget the moment when, glassy-eyed, she stared ahead and said: I need a holiday. I need to get out.



And by out, she meant out of the UK. No staycation gives you the resuscitation my friend needed. She needs  we all need  to leave from time to time, and immerse ourselves in a different culture, different food. And no, Yorkshire and Norfolk dont cut it.



Thankfully, my friend will be able to take just such a trip soon. This is more than can be said for the residents of Australia and New Zealand, countries that chose the path  much lauded by the everyone-must-suffer-to-the-max control freaks of the Left  of total imprisonment in perpetuity.

Brisbane was placed into a three-day snap lockdown in March - Patrick Hamilton/AFP

Countries which, as the rest of the world looks for ways to return to normal in the Covid era, have chosen to remain prisons, with nobody out and very few in.



They have no other way left to them  and whats more, theyre smug about it.

Read Zoe's full column here.

10:59 AM

Indian variant: Switzerland confirms first case

Switzerland has confirmed its first case of the Indian variant of coronavirus, the country's leading public health body has confirmed.

The case was not brought in directly from India, the Federal Office for Public Health (BAG) said, and the case - which was confirmed at the end of March - involved a transit airport passenger who entered Switzerland from another European country.

Switzerland has confirmed its first case of the Indian variant - Denis Balibouse/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Swiss ministers are now contemplating whether to follow the lead of countries including Italy, which today imposed travel restrictions on India, and the UK, which added India to its 'red list' on Friday.

India has reported more than 300,000 new cases each day for the past four days, setting new records for daily cases.

10:46 AM

Germany set for lockdown until June amid Covid surge

Germany is set to face lockdown restrictions until June, one of its most senior ministers has said, amid a third wave of infections which has increased over the weekend.

Olaf Scholz, the Finance Minister, told Bild am Sonntag: "We need a timetable how to get back to normal life, but it must be a plan that won't have to be revoked after just a few days.

He said that "clear and courageous opening steps" would be in place by the end of May, which would set out a roadmap for summer holidays, restaurants reopening, and the return of concerts, theatres and live sport.

Germany's seven-day average of cases per 100,000 people rose to 166 this weekend, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

New rules recently signed off by Angela Merkel allow for a 10pm-5am curfew in areas where cases exceed 100 per 100,000 residents for three days in a row, while stricter limits on retails and private meetings have also been implemented

The closure of schools will also be enforced when case rates in a district reach 165 per 100,000.

10:31 AM

Get set for 'very rapid' recovery, says Bank of England's Broadbent

Like thousands of us all over the country, Ben Broadbent is struggling to find a restaurant as Britains economy thaws out from its latest Covid-19 deep-freeze. I tried four at the weekend and cant get anything for a month, says the Bank of Englands deputy governor.

His struggles are a microcosm of the challenges ahead for Threadneedle Streets policymakers: when to take the foot off the monetary pedal after unprecedented support since March last year.

Broadbent and his rate-setting colleagues have the unenviable task of judging the delicate balance of supply versus demand. People have a mountain of savings piled up during the pandemic - 150bn according to the Banks chief economist Andy Haldane - but will they be able, or want, to spend them?

The deputy governor doesnt share Haldanes love of coiled spring soundbites but is edging towards the chief economists camp on the strength of the expected recovery.

Russell Lynch has more on this story.

10:15 AM

How a single-pill home cure for Covid could be available this year

At two anonymous Pfizer buildings, one in the US and one in Belgium, a remarkable experiment is under way. Up to 60 volunteers, all clean-living adults aged between 18 and 60, are being given the first pill specifically designed to stop SARS-CoV-2, Paul Nuki can reveal.

If the trial is successful, it is just possible that a home cure for Covid-19 will become available later this year. The Prime Minister, who announced the formation of a UK Antivirals Taskforce last week specifically to invest in such products, will no doubt be scanning his text messages for early updates.

Up to 60 volunteers, all clean-living adults aged between 18 and 60, are taking part in Pfizer trials of the new Covid treatment - Carlo Allegri/Reuters

The molecule being tested is a bespoke antiviral codenamed PF 07321332. Classed as a "protease inhibitor", it has been formulated to attack the "spine" of the SARS-Cov-2 virus and stop it replicating in our noses, throats and lungs.

It was protease inhibitors that turned the tide on the spread of HIV in the UK and around the world.

Now, researchers hope they may be on the brink of a similar pandemic-busting breakthrough.

10:00 AM

Police condemn violent anti-lockdown 'thugs' after eight officers injured

Violent anti-lockdown demonstrators have been described as thugs after eight police officers were injured - including two who had to be take to hospital - during disturbances in Hyde Park, writes our crime correspondent Martin Evans.

Trouble flared after thousands of people marched through London to protest against continued coronavirus restrictions and the use of face masks.

As police moved in to break up large crowds that had descended on Hyde Park on Saturday evening they were attacked with missiles and weapons.

Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation said the scenes were disgraceful and he called for more action to protect officers from such violence.

Police officers came under attack in Hyde Park - SSGAN

He said: Peaceful protest may well be the cornerstone of democracy - and police officers have a role in facilitating that - but the scenes we saw in Hyde Park yesterday of a thin blue line of brave and sadly bloodied police officers coming under attack from thugs were anything but peaceful.

Police officers are human beings who go out every day to keep people safe. Many people seem to have forgotten that right now but we will keep reminding them. Our colleagues have every right to go home to their families at the end of their shifts. Not to hospital."

09:46 AM

Oxford team behind Covid jab develops 'landmark' malaria vaccine

The end of malaria is one step closer as the team behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has developed the first jab against the mosquito-borne disease to show more than 75 per cent efficacy, Anne Gulland reports.

Scientists at Oxford Universitys Jenner Institute have published preliminary results from a phase two trial in 450 children in Burkina Faso that show the vaccine - called R21 - is 77 per cent effective against malaria.

This is the first vaccine to achieve such a high efficacy rate against a disease that kills roughly 400,000 people in sub Saharan Africa every year, more than half of whom are children under the age of five.

The Serum Institute of India - which is manufacturing the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and is the largest producer of vaccines in the world - has agreed to make the jab as soon as it gains approval. Researchers hope this means the vaccine will be available at large scale and low cost.

09:35 AM

Railways face shortfall of up to 2m passengers a day for years to come

The railways are on track for a shortfall of as many as two million passengers per day for years to come as office workers abandon their commutes, according to a worst-case scenario privately prepared for the industry.

The rail network carried 1.7bn passengers per year before the pandemic struck, or about five million each weekday. But forecasts prepared for Network Rail by the industrys Covid forecasting group show passenger numbers may be no higher than 60pc of pre-Covid levels for the next four years, transport sources revealed.

The potential deep slump comes as banks like HSBC and JP Morgan move to a more flexible working model, while accountant KPMG this week confirmed plans to close its Manchester office.

During the first lockdown last year rail usage dropped as much as 95pc to just 250,000 passengers a day. Demand has ebbed and flowed as restrictions are eased. It currently still stands at around 30pc of pre-pandemic levels.

Russell Lynch and Oliver Gill have more details.

09:16 AM

Over half of UK now vaccinated, NHS figures show

More than half of the UK's total population has received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, new figures show.

NHS data up to April 23 shows that of the 45,580,400 jabs given in the UK so far, 33,508,590 were first doses - a rise of 119,953 on the previous day.

The UK population is estimated to be 66,796,807, so the latest figures show that more than half the population have now had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

Anyone aged 45 and over can still arrange their jab in England, as well as people who are clinically vulnerable or health and care workers.

Max Stephens has the story.

09:00 AM

Novel coronavirus discovered in British bats

A type of coronavirus related to the virus which causes Covid-19 in humans has been found in British horseshoe bats.

The bats are thought to have harboured the virus "for a very long time", new research from the University of East Anglia, the Zoological Society of London and Public Health England has revealed.

But there is no suggestion that the novel virus has been transmitted to human, or that this could happen unless the virus were to mutate.

The research, which is yet to be peer reviewed, advises those who come into contact with bats should wear PPE in order to prevent any possible incidents of transmission.

These bats will almost certainly have harboured this virus for a very long time  probably many thousands of years," said UEA's Professor Diane Bell. "We didnt know about it before because this is the first time that such tests have been carried out in UK bats.

"Our findings highlight the need for robust genotype testing for these types of viruses in bat populations around the world. And it raises an important question about what other animals carry these types of viruses."

08:50 AM

India Covid catastrophe heralds dawn of two-tiered world

As people in London, Tel Aviv and New York start to move past the excitement of getting coronavirus jabs and turn their thoughts to booking summer holidays, it might appear for many that the world is at last returning to normal, writes Ben Farmer.

In countries which have been able to harness the scientific marvel of rapidly-developed vaccines, the jabs have had a profound effect on future prospects.

With infections, hospitalisations and deaths plummeting and study after study highlighting the protective power of vaccines, forecasters are daring to predict the good times will roll again after a miserable 16 months.

Yet the harrowing scenes this week in countries like India and the Philippines tell a very different story. In these countries where vaccines roll outs have yet to take off, recent weeks have seen an explosion in cases and deaths.

08:30 AM

Scrap social distancing in June to give people control of their lives, say scientists

Social distancing should be abolished in June to allow people "to take back control of their own lives", a letter signed by 22 leading scientists and academics says.

The open letter states that "a good society cannot be created by obsessive focus on a single cause of ill-health" and calls for all restrictions to be lifted on June 21  the final date in Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown.

Mass community testing is also unnecessary, say the signatories, who favour a more targeted approach along with encouraging hand-washing and surface cleaning.

Social distancing has been one of the constants of the UK's coronavirus response for the last year - Chris Dorney/iStock

They are also urging the Government to scrap vaccine passports as Covid "no longer requires exceptional measures of control in everyday life".

Ending social distancing restrictions would allow family members from different households to meet up inside and give many grandparents the opportunity to hug their grandchildren for the first time in months.

Camilla Tominey has this exclusive report.

08:15 AM

Bill Gates: UK foreign aid spending should be restored

Bill Gates has urged the UK to restore its foreign aid budget and expressed his concern that countries "will forget about" global health issues including pandemic risks.

The British Government will act on its decision to cut the UK's annual foreign aid spend from 0.7 per cent of GDP to 0.5 per cent in 2021-22.

"The UK was great in supporting CEPI and Gavi, the Prime Minister was key to pulling that together," Mr Gates said of two vaccine preparedness organisations.

Bill Gates has urged the UK to restore its previous level of foreign aid spending - Getty Images

"For us, the quicker the UK can get its aid level back to 0.7 per cent, the better. The aid levels there are dramatic and its been very important in getting behind vaccines, and with the cutbacks we wont be able to do as much."

While coronavirus is not set to be eradicated completely, Mr Gates said that it will be brought down "to very manageable levels by the end of 2022".

08:01 AM

Pandemic preparation was 'not nearly' what it should have been, says Bill Gates

The global community did not prepare for the pandemic "nearly like we should have done", Bill Gates has said in an interview.

"As the pandemic struck a little over a year ago, there was a realisation that this was a global problem and we needed to orchestrate resources on a global basis," Mr Gates told Sky News.

"Because we didn't prepare for this pandemic nearly like we should have, we've been learning as we've been going. But the good news is partly because of the ACT Accelerator effort, partly because of US money, we have the vaccines and we can see the end will come in this pandemic."

New therapeutics to treat the virus have "scientifically not yielded as much as we would have liked", Mr Gates said, but he hailed the progress of the vaccine roll-out as "amazing".

"Now the volumes are going up and for the first time ever we're transferring that vaccine to factories like at [the] Serum [Institute]

" We want to vaccinate all the elderly in the world, and in most countries we want to get over 80 per cent population. So that's mind-blowing when we did very little to prepare in advance."

07:45 AM

Labour calls for 'root and branch' inquiry after Boris Johnson's Sir James Dyson texts

Labour has called for a "root and branch" inquiry around procurement and deal-making in the Government's response to the pandemic.

Speaking on the Sophy Ridge Show, shadow domestic violence minister Jess Phillips said that the arrangement reached by Boris Johnson and Sir James Dyson was "good management, but good management that was not available to people in my constituency."

"This is about what is happening right now and the contracts that have been given out, unfairly," she said. "It seems unfair to businesses who can just get in touch with the Prime Minister.

"Businesses in my constituency should be able to lobby to get contracts just as easily as the Prime Minister's mates.

"It has to be open that that is what is happening, so when my companies in Birmingham Yardley wanted to look at contracts for PPE or ventilators, which many of them did, I was given a generic address for them to email, which led to absolutely nothing.

Boris Johnson said this week he made "absolutely no apology" for text messages between him and Sir Jame , after it emerged he would "fix it" so that staff would not have to pay more tax while they were building ventilators.

07:27 AM

Protest against Covid restrictions turns ugly

The Met said missiles, including bottles, were thrown at officers - ZUMAPRESS.com/MEGA

Two police officers were taken to hospital on Saturday evening after an anti-lockdown demonstration in London turned violent.

The Metropolitan Police Service said eight officers were injured as they worked to disperse crowds in Hyde Park.

Read the full story here.

This officer was injured when a protest turned ugly in Hyde Park as police tried to disperse the crowd in line with restrictions to protect people from coronavirus - Mario Mitsis/WENN

Police attempted to move the crowd on - May James/ZUMA Wire/Alamy Live News

Police try to control the crowd - May James/ZUMA Wire/Alamy Live News

The protest in Hyde Park - Dominic Lipinski/PA

The Met warned people on Twitter ahead of the event: "Anyone coming into London for a protest must make sure their gathering is lawful, with a risk assessment carried out by the organiser" - Lucy North/MI News

06:47 AM

Mallorca man arrested for infecting 22 people

A Mallorca man who infected 22 people with Covid-19 has been arrested on suspicion of assault for going to work and the gym despite signs he had the virus, police said on Saturday.

Police on the Spanish island started investigating at the end of January after an outbreak in the town of Manacor, following reports an employee had "become infected but hidden his illness".

Days before the outbreak was detected, he began to show symptoms, causing his colleagues concern, but did not want to go home.

At the end of the day, he went for a PCR test but didn't wait for the result, returning the next day to his job and also attending his local gym.

Police allege the man walked around his workplace, deliberately lowering his mask when he coughed and taunting them by saying: "I'm going to infect you all with coronavirus."

When his positive result came through at the end of the day, his colleagues were also tested. Five were positive, and they infected several of their family members, including three one-year-old babies.

At the gym, three people who had been in direct contact with the man were also infected and passed on the virus to family members.

06:23 AM

India sets new global record for infections

A boy reacts next to the body of his father, who died from coronavirus, at a crematorium in New Delhi, India - REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

India set a new global record of the most number of coronavirus infections in a day, as the United States said it was racing to send help to the country.

India's number of cases surged by 349,691 in the past 24 hours - the fourth straight day of record peaks - and hospitals in Delhi and across the country are turning away patients after running out of medical oxygen and beds.

A crematorium ground in New Delhi, India - REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

"Our hearts go out to the Indian people in the midst of the horrific Covid-19 outbreak," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted today.

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The US has faced criticism in India for its export controls on raw materials for vaccines put in place via the Defence Production Act and an associated export embargo in February.

India's total tally of infections stands at 16.96 million and deaths at 192,311 after 2,767 more died overnight.

06:16 AM

Thailand sets daily record for Covid deaths

Staff at the Elegant Airport Hotel, a hotel converted into a field hospital for Covid-19 patients in Bangkok - BANGKOK METROPOLITAN ADMINISTRAT/AFP

Thailand today set a record for the daily number of Covid deaths for the second consecutive day, just as authorities step up the response to a rapid third wave of infection after about a year of relative success slowing the coronavirus' spread.

The government reported 2,438 new cases and 11 deaths, bringing the total number of infections to 55,460 and fatalities to 140.

Authorities in the capital city of Bangkok have ordered the closure of venues including parks, gyms, cinemas and day-care centres from April 26 to May 9.

Shopping malls remain open but with restricted opening hours in Bangkok and 17 of the country's 73 provinces.

Thailand kept its number of infection cases far lower than many other countries throughout last year, but a new outbreak, spurred partly by the highly transmissible B.1.1.7 variant, has resulted in more than 24,000 cases and 46 deaths in just 25 days.

05:12 AM

Blood clot victims must show they're '60pc disabled'

Blood clot victims of the coronavirus vaccine are being told they will have to prove they are at least 60 per cent disabled to receive damages from the Government of up to 120,000.

The threshold has caused concern among some families affected, and MPs said ministers had a moral duty to review a requirement which could bar a lot of deserving people from any compensation.

People can apply for damages under the Government-run vaccine damage payments scheme.

Read the full story here.

05:09 AM

Intensive care units back from the brink in England

England's intensive care units are coming back from the brink, with more than one third of NHS hospital trusts now without a single Covid patient in a critical care bed.

Only 6.6 per cent of critical care beds were occupied by Covid patients on April 20, the latest NHS England data shows  a tenfold fall from the worst days of the second wave in January, when more than 60 per cent of beds were occupied by people with the virus.

Respite from an overwhelming public health crisis comes as the NHS faces an unprecedented treatment backlog after resources were diverted to support virus patients during the pandemic.

READ MORE: More than one third of England's NHS trusts now have no Covid patients in intensive care

03:06 AM

Today's top stories
By Danish Siddiqui

GHAZIABAD, India (Reuters) - Indian coronavirus patient Vidhya Devi, 70, should have been in emergency care at a New Delhi hospital, but instead she lay on the backseat of a car outside a Sikh temple, battling for breath, as she was connected to an oxygen tank on the street.

A massive surge in COVID-19 cases in India, which set a new global record of the most number of infections in a day on Sunday, has left many infected people struggling to find treatment, with hospitals overcrowded and many running out of oxygen.

Total infections stand at 16.96 million and deaths at 192,311, health ministry data showed.

At the Sikh gurudwara (temple) in Ghaziabad city on the outskirts of the capital Delhi, the humanitarian tragedy is visible on the street.

Sikh aid group Khalsa Help International has been buying small quantities of oxygen as and when it becomes available to help those in urgent need.

Cars, vans and rickshaws plying COVID-19 patients and their families choked the street outside the temple on Saturday, as volunteers holding black oxygen cylinders spread out to help.

"I came here because I didn't get help anywhere else," said Manoj Kumar, who sat next to his mother Devi in the car as a volunteer monitored the flow of oxygen from the tank to her masked mouth.

"I called the gurudwara and they asked me to reach here fast," said Kumar.

A middle-aged woman in a van appeared to be palpitating as her adult son, holding her arm tried to keep her conscious, calling out: "Mummy? Mummy?"

In another van, a man lay unconscious on a car seat, legs stretching out of the door, as one volunteer vigorously rubbed his feet, while another pumped his chest to try to revive him.

Rummy, who is president of the gurudwara and founder of Khalsa Help International, said he began providing the service three days ago as cases started spiking in New Delhi.

"People are dying on the streets. That's why we started this," said Rummy.

Story continues

Over 36 hours up to Saturday evening, Rummy estimates the Khalsa Help International group has saved around 700 patients, but some didn't survive.

Reuters witnessed two deaths there that evening.

As breathless patients arrived seeking oxygen, the street outside the temple resembled the emergency ward of a hospital, but crammed with cars not bed trolleys.

Rummy called out to those gathering, requesting them to disperse.

"Please remove the cars from the middle of the roads. Please keep to one lane," he said.

"You will all get oxygen."

(Writing by Zeba Siddiqui in NEW DELHI, Editing by Michael Perry)
American TV Personality Oprah Winfrey recently revealed that she was equally flabbergasted as the rest of the world when Meghan Markle accused the British Royal Family of racism and callousness. Speaking on Nancy ODells recently launched Talkshoplive channel, the 67-year-old reckoned that he was absolutely no idea that her interview would have such a reverberating impact that it has had and continues to have. "I was surprised," Oprah said during the first episode she also added that one of the most shocking moments of the two-hour tell-all came when Meghan revealed that an unnamed member of the royal family had "conversations with Harry about how dark [Archie's] skin might be when he's born".

On March 8, Winfrey hosted a bombshell interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, garnering a viewership of over 50 million worldwide. During the jaw-dropping one-on-one, two of the most significant allegations Meghan made concerned the palaces alleged indifference to her mental health struggles as well as her claim that palace officials expressed "concerns" over their son Archies skin colour while she was pregnant. In the interview, Meghan, however, had refrained from naming the specific royal who had hurled racial slurs against her son alleging that it will be "too damaging" for that person. After the interview, Buckingham Palace released a statement on behalf of the Queen that 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."

'Truthful, open, vulnerable'

The media mogul went on to say that she and the couple had a "shared intention" for the interview, which was to tell "the truth". Reflecting on the conflab, she said that it was not only truthful but also open and vulnerable. In addendum to the former Suits actor revealing that she had suicidal thoughts during her time in the UK, Prince Harry also stated that that the royal family had slashed his finances after they announced to step back from their royal duties in 2020. But he was able to afford security for his family because of the money his mother, Princess Diana, left behind.

(Image Credits: The Associated Press)
Dhaka, April 25 : The National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) of Bangladesh on Covid-19 has stressed the need to introduce strict cross-border travel restrictions amid an alarming surge in coronavirus cases and deaths in the neighbouring country India.

The committee's chief, Professor Mohammad Shahidullah, warned about a 'definite risk' of the infection spreading further in the country unless travel to and from India is not regulated.

Shahidullah laid strong emphasis on restricting and limiting the movement of people between the two countries. "If we can't restrict the movement of people from India and quarantine them, it (Covid-19) will certainly spread in Bangladesh." He said that the members of the NTAC have already discussed the matter. "We'll inform the government. However, we have not yet placed any recommendation before the government. But, we'll certainly do it. It has been discussed at a meeting of the members." "We want strict border controls. Cross-border travel between the countries must be limited. This means that no one should travel without a necessity. Travel for tourism, recreation, or other similar reasons may be suspended." He said that members of the national committee had already discussed the matter and the panel intends to make a formal recommendation about it.

Mushtuq Husain, former Chief Scientific Officer of the Institute of Epidemiology and Disease Control, suggested imposing institutional quarantine requirements on arrivals from India.

He also said, "If the border cannot be closed completely, then those who come from India should be kept in a 14-day institutional quarantine. There is no alternative." He noted that most of incoming travellers from India are citizens of Bangladesh and they cannot be stopped by shutting down the border.

"But they must get their samples tested 72 hours in advance (of travelling). They must carry a coronavirus-negative certificate and quarantine upon arrival. If possible, everyone should be kept in institutional quarantine. If that is not possible, we must ensure that they quarantine at home." Mushtuq, however, played down concerns over the coronavirus variant that is running rampant across India and said that it has not yet been proven to be more harmful than other strains.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Germany and Italy have restricted entry to Indian citizens in the wake of the second wave of Covid-19 in the country.

and will continue to operate flights to Germany despite the change in regulations which come into effect on Monday.

Indian citizens holding short-term and long-term visas, and student visas will not be allowed into Germany from Monday. German nationals and resident permit holders would be allowed entry. There are restrictions on transit too and only transit to non-Schengen destinations will be permitted to all nationalities.

Maintaining flights between India and Germany, among other things, ensures a minimum level of connectivity. In this way, people are still able to perform socially, economically important tasks or to get home. Additionally, diplomats are relying on our flights. Furthermore, is using the belly capacities on its passenger aircraft for essential cargo and to maintain important value chains, said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Italy's health Minister Roberto Speranza said he had signed an order barring foreign travellers who have been in India in the past 14 days from entering the country.

Italian residents will be allowed to return from India with a negative test result at their departure and one at their arrival and then have to go into quarantine, the minister said. Those already in Italy and who travelled from India in the past 14 days were requested to undergo a swab.
Turkeys foreign ministry has summoned the U.S. Ambassador in Ankara to protest Joe Biden's political provocation - the U.S. decision to recognize the Armenians during the Ottoman Empire as genocide.

As France 24 reports, Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal met with David Satterfield late Saturday to express Ankaraa strong condemnation. The statement does not have legal ground in terms of international law and has hurt the Turkish people, opening a wound thats hard to fix in our relations, the ministry said.
A British-flagged tanker ship with Covid-positive crew is making its way towards Australia and has been given permission to anchor off Brisbane.

The Inge Kosan is scheduled to arrive about 10am on Tuesday, an official from Brisbane's Vessel Traffic Services, which is responsible for maritime safety, told AAP on Sunday.

Online vessel tracking shows the ship heading towards the Queensland capital, having departed Port Vila.

'There is a booking for the vessel to come into an outer anchorage,' he said.

Tanker ship Inge Kosan is scheduled to anchor off Brisbane at 10am on Tuesday. Pictured is a file image of the Port of Brisbane

It is understood arrangements were being made for the tanker to be boarded by Australian health and other officials, a maritime official said.

It is expected that they will all be wearing full protective safety gear.

Workers boarded the Inge Kosan at Sydney's Port Botany on March 31 and April 1.

There was a health scare at that time, but the dock workers were wearing protective gear and did not contract the virus.

The tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas has come from PNG, where the coronavirus pandemic is escalating.

It travelled from Port Botany to deliver fuel to the sprawling Pacific nation of Vanuatu.

A Filipino crew member of the Inge Kosan was recently found in the Vanuatu sea. Pictured, Vanuatu Police Force at the scene

Blood samples were sent to Sydney and 11 of the 12 crew - and another crew member whose body washed up on a Vanuatu beach - all tested positive to coronavirus.

There have been calls in Vanuatu for a thorough investigation into why the body of the middle-aged Filipino national crew member was in the sea as well as into how he died.

'There is no question that the circumstances are highly suspicious,' a journalist based in Vanuatu, Canadian Dan McGarry, told AAP.

The ship had been scheduled to deliver fuel to the Solomon Islands, but it was reportedly refused entry.

When asked about the vessel, Australia's Department of Home Affairs said only that the Australian Border Force has responsibility for customs and immigration clearance and works closely with local state and territory health officials.

'Quarantine arrangements, and exemptions from them, are a matter for each state and territory,' a spokesman said.

A spokesman for the shipping company BW Epic Kosan said last week that members of the crew were 'asymptomatic' and the company was continuing to monitor their status.
We are proud to announce our personal endorsements of Congressman Lee Zeldin for governor of New York. While we are all officers of the Cayuga County Conservative Party, these represent personal endorsements at this time. Our party will meet later in this election cycle at which time committee endorsements will occur.

We are making these endorsements now, because the upcoming race for governor is crucial. For decades outrageous taxing, spending and borrowing have driven New Yorkers from their homes to lower tax states. Now, with single-party control, the Democratic majority has added shocking social policies into the mix, including extremely dangerous reductions in the use of cash bail, and efforts to defund police departments. At the same time they work to allow serious criminals to remain on the street, the Democratic majority does everything possible to limit gun ownership and carry rights for law-abiding citizens. Democrats have also implemented heinous abortion laws demonstrating outright hostility to the rights of the unborn.
(CNN) -- Vice President Kamala Harris was huddled with other White House officials in President Joe Biden's private dining room last week when the room let out a "collective exhale." A Minnesota jury had found Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd.

As the large flat-screen television mounted on the north wall flashed three "guilty" counts, the room was overcome with a "sweeping sense of relief," an aide said. Harris joined Biden and the first lady moments later in the Oval Office, where Floyd's family was patched in by speakerphone.

"She wants to say something," Biden told the group, gathered in a hallway at the courthouse in Minneapolis, before ceding the line to his vice president.

"I'm just so thankful to the entire family. Your courage, your commitment, your strength has been a strength. This is a day for justice in America," Harris told the group. "In George's name and memory, we are going to make sure his legacy is intact and that history will look back at this moment and know that it is an inflection moment."

For Harris, it was also a moment that underscored her history-making presence within the young administration. She has often said she didn't know a Black man growing up in Oakland that hadn't faced a level of profiling and discrimination. Speaking to the Floyd family, Harris was presented an opportunity to tap into their collective grief in a way no vice president before her could.

Nearly 100 days into their tenure, Biden and Harris have worked to deepen their relationship, spending five hours or more together per day in meetings at the White House, according to aides. Both Biden and Harris shunned work travel in the early days to set an example during the pandemic -- forcing them into closer proximity than their predecessors.

She began her tenure attending nearly every one of Biden's events, provided her own speaking slot and always in-frame as the President delivered remarks, an unmissable -- and intentional -- level of visibility.

Her position as the country's highest-ranking woman of color, she said in an interview last week, brings with it a heavy weight.

"I carry a great sense of responsibility, if not the seriousness of the responsibility, to be in this position and be a voice for those who have not traditionally been in the room," Harris told CNN's Dana Bash in an exclusive interview.

A deepening relationship

Her presence at Biden's side while the verdict was read, and later in the Grand Foyer as each delivered a statement, was the culmination of weeks of private conversations between Biden and Harris about the trial, which officials said had been a subject of increasing concern for the President as he weighed potential outcomes and the prospect of renewed unrest around the country.

More than at any previous point in Biden's presidency so far, the issues of race and policing that had galvanized his presidential campaign were emerging again. The President, his aides and even the first lady watched developments with intense interest, aware a leadership test awaited upon its conclusion.

Biden consulted a wide array of voices about how to respond to a verdict in the Chauvin trial and new incidents of police violence against Black Americans, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus and members of his senior staff, including senior adviser Cedric Richmond and Domestic Policy Council Director Susan Rice, according to people familiar with the conversations.

He also turned to Harris. Over the course of several group meetings and in their weekly private lunches -- held in the same dining room, which features a painting of President Abraham Lincoln meeting with Union generals during the Civil War -- the two discussed the situation at length, according to people familiar with the matter.

It was the type of moment Biden seemed to anticipate when, in the wake of Floyd's killing last summer and the protests that ensued, he selected Harris as his running mate. More than achieving any political objective, Biden appeared to recognize the imperative in having an authoritative voice on issues of systemic racism and law enforcement at the highest level inside the White House.

He selected Harris, a former California attorney general with whom he had sparred on issues of race when they were primary competitors, and declared she would act as his closest partner in an attempt to repair a country riven by racial and political divisions.

"You'll recall that when Joe Biden asked me to join him on the ticket, he did so with a sense of intentionality, of purpose, knowing that he and I may have very different life experiences but we also have the same values and operate from the same principles," Harris said in the interview. "It was something that I know he was very intentional about in terms of asking me to run with him and to serve him, which is that I will bring a perspective that will contribute to the overall decisions that we make."

Harris declined to say exactly what she'd discussed with Biden in the lead-up to the trial's conclusion -- "I'm not going to talk about private conversations, of course" -- but she did provide a glimpse into her rapport with a President she spends hours with every day.

"He and I are in almost every meeting together, have made almost every decision together," she said, adding later: "It is often the case that as I will ask his opinion about things, he will ask my opinion and through that process I think that we arrive at a good place. And ultimately, of course, he is the President and he makes the final decision."

She said she remains the last person in the room when big decisions are made -- including, she said, when Biden decided earlier this month to withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

And while she shares few political traits with her immediate predecessor, Mike Pence, she too is quick to heap praise upon the man under whom she serves.

"This is a president who has an extraordinary amount of courage," she said, referring specifically to the Afghanistan decision. "I wish that the American public can see sometimes what I see, because ultimately -- and the decision always rests with him -- but I have seen him over and over again make decisions based exactly on what he believes is right. Regardless of what maybe the political people tell him is in his best self-interest."

A fraught assignment

So far, Biden has assigned her one major portfolio: Attempting to stem the flow of migrants from Central America arriving at the southern border through diplomatic engagement with leaders in the region. It was a task some of her advisers appeared wary of taking on, people familiar with the matter said, given its political pitfalls. One source close to Harris' staff said some aides felt that the assignment "wasn't ideal."

But Harris made clear the assignment was a request from Biden, not a dictate: "He asked me to do it. Just as he was asked to do it," she told Bash.

And two sources familiar with the matter said she did not pause or push back before accepting the role.

"When President Joe Biden asked her, she did not hesitate," said one of those sources, who requested anonymity to discuss internal conversations.

Inside the White House, the immigration issue has caused deep anxiety as Biden's advisers worry the situation could worsen over the coming months, potentially torpedoing legislative momentum. A confusing back-and-forth this month over the number of refugees allowed into the United States underscored the perils on the issue, and showed the struggle the administration is facing finding its footing.

Already, Republicans have used the assignment to paint Harris as the face of the problem, questioning why she hasn't visited the border. Some of the backlash prompted the White House to make clear multiple times her role is limited to diplomatic efforts in curbing the migrant flow -- and not the entirety of the problem.

Those close to Harris acknowledge she wanted to own a foreign policy portfolio item. Despite any political perils it might carry, she sees it as an opportunity to beef up her foreign policy bona fides.

Harris does plan to travel to Central America in June, officials said, and will meet virtually with leaders from Guatemala this week. "I can't get there soon enough," Harris told Bash.

While details of the trip are still being configured, a source familiar with discussions said she's been urged to not only meet with government officials in the region, but to also engage with civil society organizations, anti-corruption organizations and women's groups, shining a light on Afro-descendants and indigenous people.

"There was a real sense that she knows when she goes that she will be curating these visits in ways that look very different than her predecessors," the source said.

Still, in the interview, even Harris acknowledged the problem was not something she'll be able to solve in the short term.

"We're making progress," she said, "but it's not going to evidence itself overnight. It will not. But it will be worth it."

Harris models herself after her boss

Still, for all the attention paid to Harris' assignment on immigration, it is her broader assignment as Biden's sounding board -- which, over the last weeks, has included racial issues -- that is emerging as her primary role inside the West Wing.

She's looked to Biden's own vice presidency as a model. Biden determined early in his own vice presidency that having regular access to President Barack Obama -- through their weekly lunches and entrance to whichever meetings he felt it necessary to attend -- would help define his role and strengthen their working relationship.

And Harris has worked to emulate their relationship at every step.

She regularly attends morning intelligence updates alongside Biden in the Oval Office, preferring to read the daily briefings on a secure iPad. In meetings with members of his Covid and economic teams, Harris has pressed senior advisers for progress reports on vaccinations and economic relief for vulnerable communities, a White House official said.

But she has also begun stepping out on her own, including a domestic travel schedule that brought her to New Hampshire on Friday, touting the administration's efforts to expand broadband internet in front of large grey fiber-optic cable spools and rows of electric transformers.

She's held rounds of solo telephone calls with foreign leaders, and met individually with Japan's Prime Minister when he visited the White House earlier this month. Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has briefed her separately in her office ahead of calls and meetings, in addition to joint briefings with Biden.

And earlier this month, she moved out of the presidential guest house across Pennsylvania Avenue and into the vice presidential residence at the Naval Observatory after a construction-prolonged delay -- meaning she and Biden are no longer neighbors.

On her trip to New Hampshire, she stopped at a local bookstore and bought two books: "Of Women and Salt," by Gabriela Garcia, whose themes of migration and family could inform her new policy role; and the "Complete Mediterranean Cookbook," which could inspire meals at her new, more private dwellings, where -- in theory -- she can reinstitute her well-known Sunday dinners.

Just as Biden and his speechwriters began drafting statements for the end of the Chauvin trial in the days ahead of the verdict, Harris' team set to work preparing her own statement, recognizing her voice would be a critical one no matter the result.

"Here's the truth about racial injustice," said Harris, speaking ahead of Biden from the same lectern after the verdict. "It is not just a Black America problem or a people of color problem. It is a problem for every American. It is keeping us from fulfilling the promise of liberty and justice for all. And it is holding our nation back from realizing our full potential."

As a senator, Harris co-sponsored policing reform legislation named for Floyd and has led calls from the White House to see it passed. Talks between Republicans and Democrats have intensified in the past week, though it wasn't clear how involved Harris has been in the discussions.

Rep. Karen Bass, a California Democrat who's a leading proponent of the bill, said last week the White House is being kept informed as things move forward. Officials from the Office of Legislative Affairs, along with Rice and Richmond, are keeping track of developments.

When Harris was asked whether she was open to compromise on the issue of qualified immunity for police officers -- a key sticking point in negotiations -- she demurred.

"I need to be fully briefed on it," she said when leaving the Senate floor on Wednesday after casting a tie-breaking vote. "I haven't made a decision about it. But as you know, I was part of the language -- I helped write the language."

Where the bill, which supplanted Biden's campaign promise to convene a policing commission at the White House, fits within the administration's overall legislative priorities isn't necessarily clear. The President is in the midst of advancing a major infrastructure package, and plans to introduce a secondary American Family Plan bill soon.

Biden will push for the George Floyd bill when he addresses a joint session of Congress this week, according to officials. If tradition holds, Harris will be seated directly behind him on the rostrum alongside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- the first time two women have filled the iconic television shot behind the President.

With the history, however, comes a burden.

"I carry a great, great weight of responsibility knowing that there are so many people -- the generations of women who fought for and imagined that there would be a woman vice president or a woman on the ticket -- I think of that all the time in terms of the responsibility I have to hopefully make them proud," Harris told CNN.

She's also acutely aware of the legacy she'll leave behind for Black and Brown kids.

"I carry a great sense of responsibility for all of the young girls and boys of color," she went on, "those who identify in some way because maybe no one expected something of them but they expect a lot of themselves, to do well and to do right and to do good."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Kamala Harris cements her place in Biden's inner circle during a consequential week"
Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reached a consensus on five points towards resolving the crisis in Myanmar at a meeting on Saturday, including starting a dialogue and ending violence, reported Reuters citing two anonymous diplomatic sources.

The consensus also included allowing humanitarian help in the country, releasing political prisoners and appointing a special ASEAN envoy for the Myanmar crisis, according to Reuters reports.

The meeting held in Jakarta in Indonesia was attended by leaders of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services and chair of the country's newly formed State Administration Council Min Aung Hlaing.

Foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines joined the meeting as representatives.

Myanmar's military must restore democracy and stop committing violence against citizens, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said after the meeting.

"The violence must be stopped and democracy, stability and peace in Myanmar must be restored," he added.

(CGTN)
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwas government has bowed to pressure and agreed to consider another adjustment on civil servants salaries after teachers threatened a full-blown strike last week as their employer moved to effect a no-work-no-salary policy.

Last Thursday, Public Service minister Paul Mavima confirmed the development in Senate, saying government was considering another slight adjustment to the staggered 70% wage offer tabled last month, which civil servants have rejected.

He, however, insisted that the salaries would be in local currency as government had no capacity to pay United States dollar-indexed salaries.

With regard to salaries, government is working out to ensure that workers are motivated properly, but the workers should also appreciate efforts that are being made by government. According to our revenue at the moment, it is not possible for us to go beyond what we have already offered, Mavima said.

We may actually adjust or increase, but not with a big percentage because we stand guided by the Finance ministry. I know that there is a problem that some teachers report for duty, but do not teach and children are being denied the education they deserve.

The government team went back to the negotiating table so that our offer may be reconsidered, hence Treasury and Public Service Commission technical people are meeting to see how they can increase the offer to the civil servants. We are saying that since government has opened the negotiation forum, may civil servants, especially teachers go back to work while negotiations go on, he said.

Last November, Mavima accused civil servants of making outrages demands. Teachers, who make up the bulk of civil servants, are demanding between US$520 and US$550 or their equivalent in the local currency.

Teachers are currently earning between $17 000 and $22 000, which they say is below the poverty datum line.

In March, government agreed to adjust its workers salaries, offering a 70% staggered adjustment, which saw civil servants this month getting 25% of the offer. Their unions told NewsDay yesterday that they had lost faith in the negotiations.

We have negotiated enough and nobody seems to care. We are being considered as workers who do not deserve attention as if to mean we are a nuisance. The best we can say is that we are condemned employees. We have been neglected like mercenary prisoners of war and the only solution before us is to show that we are human beings worth surviving, like the members of Parliament who are demanding more than $72 000. We need to rise up and be counted, Zimbabwe National Teachers Union chief executive Manuel Nyawo said.

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou said: This is no time for rhetoric and empty promises, but a time for realism and pragmatic action that can restore meaningful learning and teaching in schools. Our plea is that government must invest in quality public education and the payment of a living wage to teachers must be high on the government agenda, moreso in light of Agenda 2030 aimed at revolutionising education through life-serving skills revolution. Well-paid teachers in safe schools are a must for quality public education.

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) claimed government of using terror tactics to force teachers back to class. Artuz claimed that its members in Zaka, Masvingo province, had been assaulted by parents on the incitement of some ruling Zanu PF party members.

We are gathering that a school head and his deputy at Mapanje Primary School in Zaka have been attacked by parents. We are also advised that the ruling party has launched a campaign to incite parents against teachers. Our schools must be safe, Artuz said on its Twitter handle yesterday.

But Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday dismissed the reports, adding that if it were true, then the union should report the perpetrators to the police.

Why Should Zanu PF involve itself in school affairs? Those who claim they have been assaulted should report the matter to the police. But that is not how we behave in Zanu PF,Moyo said.

PTUZ secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said victimisation of teachers by politicians was not a new phenomenon.

Teachers have been victimised for ages. Politicians should never interfere with educational issues. Those who are meddling with the issues happening in schools should stop forthwith, Majongwe said.

Last Thursday, labour representatives stormed out of the Tripartite Negotiation Forum meeting in Harare in protest after government said it would not intervene in salary negotiations between employees and employers. Newsday
Imperial Valley News Center

Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Offense for Assaulting Inmate

Atlanta, Georgia - A Georgia correctional officer pleaded guilty today to violating the civil rights of an inmate.

According to documents filed in connection with the guilty plea, Jamal Scott, 33, an on-duty correctional officer at the Valdosta State Prison (VSP) in Valdosta, struck an inmate with his fist multiple times while the inmate was handcuffed and lying on the ground on Dec. 29, 2018. Specifically, Scott, along with Correctional Officer Brian Ford, Sergeant Patrick Sharpe, and other prison officials, escorted the handcuffed inmate to an outdoor area on the grounds of the prison for the purpose of assaulting the inmate in retaliation for an earlier altercation between the inmate and a female officer. Scott and Ford, carrying out a directive from their supervisor, Sharpe, took the inmate to the ground and struck him multiple times in the body. The inmate was handcuffed and compliant at the time of the assault.

Ford previously pleaded guilty on Nov. 9, 2020, to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, for his role in this incident. Scott and co-defendant Sharpe were indicted in a four-count indictment on Dec. 11, 2020.

When Scott assaulted this inmate, he violated the inmates civil rights and betrayed his oath of office as a correctional officer, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Pam S. Karlan of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. The Justice Department will continue to protect the civil rights of all individuals, and work to ensure that officers who abuse their power are held accountable.

Damaging repercussions are felt across our community and beyond whenever a sworn officer violates the civil rights of a person in their charge, said Acting U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary for the Middle District of Georgia. Our office will work tirelessly to protect the civil rights of all people, and we will hold abusive officers accountable for breaking the laws they are sworn to uphold.

There is never a reason for a correctional officer to resort to violence that violates an inmates constitutional rights, said Special Agent in Charge Chris Hacker of the FBI Atlanta Field Office. The FBI understands that working in a correctional institution is stressful and dangerous work, and that the vast majority of the men and women working in these institutions do their jobs honorably on a daily basis. When an officer violates the rights of inmates in their care, it erodes public trust in these important positions and damages the reputation of the hard-working officers who continue to serve.

Scott faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled at this time.

This case was investigated by the FBI and was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Katherine G. DeVar and Nicole Raspa of the Civil Rights Division, with assistance from Criminal Chief Michael Solis of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Georgia.
(@FahadShabbir)

Prime Minister Imran Khan Saturday expressed solidarity with the people of India battling a dangerous wave of COVID-19 pandemic with 2.5 million active cases in the country

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Apr, 2021 ) :Prime Minister Imran Khan Saturday expressed solidarity with the people of India battling a dangerous wave of COVID-19 pandemic with 2.5 million active cases in the country.

"Our prayers for a speedy recovery go to all those suffering from the pandemic in our neighbourhood & the world," the prime minister said on Twitter.

With around 346,000 fresh cases and grim new record of 2,600 deaths in single day on Friday, India has now reported around a million new cases in just three days, while Friday was the fourth day in a row when India reported over 2,000 deaths in 24 hours.

"We must fight this global challenge confronting humanity together," the prime minister remarked.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also expressed Pakistan's support and sympathy to the Indian people.

"We express our support to the people of India in the wake of the current wave of COVID19 infections, that has hit our region hard. On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I extend our heartfelt sympathies to the affected families in India," Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Twitter.

He said COVID-19 pandemic was yet another reminder that humanitarian issues required responses beyond political consideration.

Qureshi said that Pakistan continued to work with SAARC countries to foster cooperation to tackle the pandemic.
Northern Irelands assistant fire chief has paid tribute to all the support received as firefighters spend a third day tackling a major blaze in the Mourne Mountains.

Thirty firefighters and four appliances have been at the Co Down peaks since first light on Sunday.

Aidan Jennings, assistant chief fire and rescue officer, said the operation will continue across the day.

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Firefighters efforts have been supported by police, Coastguard, Mourne Rescue Team, Forestry Service, National Trust, NIEA and Sky Watch Patrol.

Coastguard helicopters from the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain allowed fire chiefs an aerial view of the blaze to help inform tactics, transport personnel to remote locations and plan resources.

Local people and businesses have been providing food and support.

Mr Jennings thanked all for their support and firefighters for their hard work and resilience in extremely difficult conditions.

Your dedication and commitment in working tirelessly to resolve this incident and maintain our response across Northern Ireland during this period is at the very heart of what it means to be a firefighter, he said.

Aidan Jennings asked people to be extra fire aware (Rebecca Black/PA)

He added his thanks to local people and businesses for food and refreshments: Your support has been a great source of encouragement for our firefighters and partner agencies as we work to resolve this incident.

On Saturday Mr Jennings said it is undoubtedly one of the most challenging gorse fires firefighters have ever had to deal with.

He said fire crews will be available to those who need them despite the operation in the Mournes, but asked the public to be extra fire aware.

I want to reassure everyone that we have put contingency measures in place and if you need us in an emergency we will respond, he said.

However, I am asking everyone to be extra fire aware at this time both in your home and in particular in the countryside.

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The blaze in the Slieve Donard area started in the early hours of Friday.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident on Saturday.

There is no indication yet of how it started.

Dramatic images of the mountains ablaze sparked concern, with First Minister Arlene Foster tweeting: This is devastating and tragic. The impact on wildlife and flora is unimaginable. Full support to those battling the flames.

Deputy First Minister Michelle ONeill voiced huge admiration for the firefighters and all responders.

Photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @DeeJayDready showing a huge gorse fire spreading across the Mourne Mountains in Co Down, as seen from Newcastle, Co Down

Environment Minister Edwin Poots visited the scene on Saturday.

He described horrifying damage is being done over a widespread area, particularly to wildlife and biodiversity.

On Saturday the flames spread from Bloody Bridge, across Thomas Mountain and the base of Slieve Donard, as well up Northern Irelands highest peak to less accessible ground.

On Sunday the focus of firefighting efforts were in the Bloody Bridge area following overnight winds.
Another high-profile Instagram influencer has been slapped on the wrist by Australia's advertising watchdog over a sponsored post that wasn't properly distinguished as an advert.

Rozalia Russian's post on January 14 promoting a Tom Ford perfume was determined to be an advert - but there was no hashtag indicating this and so it was in violation of the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) Code of Ethics.

According to marketing website Mumbrella, the panel noted Ms Russian's post was 'clearly' a paid advertisement for Tom Ford but 'lacked transparency' in regard to this.

Scrutiny: Instagram influencer Rozalia Russian has been slapped on the wrist by Australia's advertising watchdog over a sponsored post that wasn't properly distinguished as an advert

The advertising watchdog ruled the post - which showed Ms Russian holding a perfume bottle alongside the caption 'summer in a bottle @tomfordbeauty' - was intended to promote Tom Ford fragrances to her Instagram followers.

But the post lacked a hashtag such as #spon or #ad to confirm it was indeed a paid advertisement, which the AANA Code of Ethics now requires.

However, it should be noted Ms Russian's post was uploaded on January 14, which was before the new rules came into effect on February 1.

Rule-breaking: Ms Russian's post on January 14 promoting a Tom Ford perfume was determined by the panel to be an advert - but there was no hashtag indicating this and so it was in violation of the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) Code of Ethics

When contacted for comment by Daily Mail Australia, Ms Russian's management company and Tom Ford Beauty disputed Ad Standards' ruling, saying the post in question was not in fact sponsored.

It comes two weeks after Anna Heinrich, who won Tim Robards' season of The Bachelor in 2013, also breached the new rule about distinguishable advertising.

AANA's updated Code of Ethics came into effect on February 1, and Ms Heinrich's post from February 11 was found to be in violation of the new rule.

Rules: Anna Heinrich also landed herself in hot water with the advertising watchdog over a sponsored Instagram post from February 11 that wasn't clearly distinguishable as an advert

Not sufficient: The Ad Standards Community Panel ruled that simply tagging the brand did not sufficiently indicate the post was sponsored, and the complaint was upheld

The post in question was an advertisement for clothing brand Runaway The Label.

The photo showed Ms Heinrich, 34, in a strapless green dress from the label, alongside the caption: 'Turning my apartment into a Runway. Then back to my PJs I go! Wearing: @runawaythelabel.'

The Ad Standards Community Panel ruled that simply tagging the brand did not sufficiently indicate the post was sponsored, and the complaint was upheld.

Regulations: AANA's code states that influencers must include hashtags such as #sp, #spon, #gifted or #collab to make it clear when their content is sponsored, which Ms Heinrich did not in this instance. Pictured here with her husband, former Bachelor Tim Robards

AANA's code states that influencers must include hashtags such as #sp, #spon, #gifted or #collab to make it clear when their content is sponsored, which Ms Heinrich did not in this instance.

Ms Heinrich was also the subject of another complaint, regarding a post from February 17 promoting Crown Resorts, which was not upheld.

This complaint was dismissed because the February 17 post - unlike the February 11 post - used the hashtag #CrownPartner, which clearly distinguished it as advertising.

Second complaint: Ms Heinrich was also the subject of another complaint, regarding a post from February 17 promoting Crown Resorts, which was not upheld

Dismissed: This complaint was dismissed because the February 17 post - unlike the February 11 post - used the hashtag #CrownPartner, which clearly distinguished it as advertising

It comes as influencer marketing faces growing scrutiny over its lack of regulation, with a special investigation by SBS's The Feed shedding light on the lack of clarity from brands regarding partnerships and contra deals, in addition to the impact of buying 'fake followers'.

There is no suggestion Ms Heinrich has bought Instagram followers.

Ms Heinrich's agent, David Dalton at Chic Talent Management, told Daily Mail Australia earlier this month: 'We were completely unaware, as was Anna, that one of her posts had even come before Ad Standards until Thursday last week when we were contacted for comment regarding the alleged breach.

'Unfortunately the brand never disclosed to us that they had been contacted by Ad Standards, so it was quite a surprise.

'We contacted the brand immediately and amended the post. Unfortunately the "paid collaboration with" didn't appear until the Friday.

'Anna Heinrich has always been very open and honest with her audience and we certainly would have addressed this had we become aware of it sooner.'
New Delhi, April 25 : As part of the nation's fight against Covid-19, Indian Navy ships are progressing with "Oxygen Express" mission to support the Union Territory of Lakshadweep's administration.

On Sunday morning, INS Sharda, based at Kochi, undertook transfer of essential medical supplies to Lakshadweep's Kavaratti. The stores consisted of 35 oxygen cylinders, rapid antigen detection test (RADT) kits, personal protective equipment (PPE), masks and other items to fight the pandemic.

"The disembarkation of stores was coordinated by personnel from INS Dweeprakshak at Kavaratti. The ship then continued with her mission to the island of Minicoy for disembarkation of Oxygen cylinders and medical supplies," Commander Vivek Madhwal said. Additionally, 41 empty oxygen cylinders from the islands have been embarked onboard Indian Navy's hired vessel, Meghna.

The vessel is now headed to Kochi for refilling of the empty cylinders and will head back to Lakshadweep with filled cylinders soon to ensure that the Oxygen Express continues unabated. The operations are being progressed under the supervision of the Naval Officer-in-Charge at Lakshadweep in coordination with the Lakshadweep administration.

To assist the civil administration in fighting Covid at the island of Kadmat, a Naval contingent comprising one doctor, two medical assistants and one additional sailor reached Kadmat. The personnel have been deputed from Southern Naval Command, Kochi as well as from INS Dweeprakshak, Kavaratti.

Southern Naval Command headquarters has also reserved ten beds including ICU facilities for patients from Lakshadweep at INHS Sanjivani, Kochi to cater for shortages in beds at the islands. Also, Naval Air Station INS Garuda has also been placed on alert to extend Naval airfield facilities for UTL helicopters ferrying patients.

Air evacuation pods developed indigenously by the Naval Aircraft Yard, Kochi to airlift Covid-19 patients from the islands as well as from elsewhere are also being made ready for emergency requirements.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi:

A cab driver has been arrested by the Cyberabad police for allegedly misbehaving with a woman passenger during a ride.

The woman, who is a resident of Hyderabads Kondapur, booked the cab on October 19 for airport to catch a flight to Delhi, the police said in a release.

The driver started behaving strangely as soon as the car entered the Outer Ring Road. He slowed down the car and drove in an odd manner. He started staring at her through the rear view mirror and to her shock she realised that the driver unzipped his pant and was masturbating in full public view, the police release said.

After the woman noticed him doing indecent act, she threatened him to call the police after which he behaved himself and dropped her to the airport, the release further said.

After landing at the Delhi airport, she took no time and called 1091 helpline number and also lodged a complaint at Safdarjung police station. She took the incident to the social networking site, it said.

ALSO READ: Delhi man arrested for masturbating on IndiGo flight

Later, the complainant was contacted by the Cyberabad police and they requested her to send the complaint via e-mail.

A case of sexual harassment and other concerned charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered by the police.

The DCP, Madhapur formed two special teams and identified the car and the accused driver. The owner-cum-driver has been arrested within no time and he is being remanded to judicial custody, the release said.

The negligence of the cab service would also be probed, police said.

In this connection it is very pertinent to mention that Cyberabad police attach a great importance to the aspect of women safety and security especially in the IT Corridor Area. The police have promptly registered the FIR and swiftly brought the offender to book, the release added.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ: Woman delivers baby in Ola cab; check out what company did after that

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Turkish flags and banners depicting Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, decorate a street outside the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, April 25. AP-Yonhap



Turkey's foreign ministry has summoned the U.S. ambassador in Ankara to protest the U.S. decision to mark the deportation and killing of Armenians during the Ottoman Empire as "genocide."



Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal met with David Satterfield late Saturday to express Ankara's strong condemnation. ''The statement does not have legal ground in terms of international law and has hurt the Turkish people, opening a wound that's hard to fix in our relations,'' the ministry said.



On Saturday, U.S. President Joe Biden followed through on a campaign promise to recognize the events that began in 1915 and killed an estimated 1.5 million Ottoman Armenians as genocide. The statement was carefully crafted to say the deportations, massacres and death marches took place in the Ottoman Empire. ''We see that pain. We affirm the history. We do this not to cast blame but to ensure that what happened is never repeated," it said.



The White House proclamation immediately prompted statements of condemnation from Turkish officials, although Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is yet to address the issue.



Turkey rejects the use of the word, saying both Turks and Armenians were killed in the World War I-era fighting, and has called for a joint history commission to investigate. For years, American presidents have avoided using ''genocide'' to describe what Armenians call "Meds Yeghern," or the "Great Crime."



The announcement comes as Turkish-American relations suffer from a host of issues. The U.S. has sanctioned Turkish defense officials and kicked Turkey out of a fighter jet program after the NATO member bought a Russian-made S400 defense system. Ankara is frustrated by Washington's support of Syrian Kurdish fighters linked to an insurgency that Turkey has fought for decades. It has also demanded the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric accused of orchestrating a bloody coup attempt against Erdogan's government in 2016. Gulen lives in the U.S. and denies involvement.



Erdogan and Biden spoke on the phone Friday for the first time since the U.S. elections.



Ibrahim Kalin, the spokesman to the president, tweeted Sunday: ''President Erdogan opened Turkey's national archives and called for a joint historical committee to investigate the events of 1915, to which Armenia never responded. It is a pity @POTUS has ignored, among others, this simple fact and taken an irresponsible and unprincipled position.'' (AP)


Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, say goodbye to law and order Joe.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 08:40:32|Editor: huaxia

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A man wearing a face mask walks past closed shops during restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19 in Rawalpindi of Pakistan's Punjab province, April 24, 2021. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday urged the Pakistani people to wear masks in public and follow the other standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the government to control the virus spread and stop the third wave of COVID-19 from getting worse. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)
FILE PHOTO: Tourists at Upper Barrakka Gardens admire the view of Grand Harbour in Valletta, Malta

VALLETTA (Reuters) - Aiming to revive its tourism industry and get ahead of rival destinations, Malta plans to offer foreign visitors a handout of up to 200 euros ($238.10) each if they stay at least three days on the Mediterranean island this summer.

Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo announced the scheme on Friday, saying that with most COVID restrictions expected to be lifted by June 1, tourists booking summer holidays directly through local hotels would receive the handout.

World Travel and Tourism Council data show the tourist industry directly and indirectly accounts for more than 27% of Malta's economy, but the sector has been hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country attracted more than 2.7 million foreign visitors in 2019 but figures have fallen by more than 80% since the virus was detected in March 2020.

Bartolo said tourists booking accommodation at a five-star hotel will get 100 euros from Malta's Tourism Authority, which will be matched by the hotel for a total of 200 euros.

In a similar arrangement, those opting for a four-star hotel will receive a total of 150 euros and those booking a three-star hotel will receive 100 euros.

The grant grows by 10% when bookings are made with hotels on the smaller Maltese island of Gozo, three kilometres (two miles) north of the mainland.

"The scheme is aimed at putting Malta's hotels in a very competitive position as international tourism restarts," Bartolo said.

It is expected to benefit some 35,000 visitors.

Malta has the highest virus vaccination rate in the European Union, having given at least one dose to 42% of adults.

It has seen a sharp drop in new COVID-19 cases, with the positivity rate - the percentage of tests that show a positive result - down to 2.6%, and the government has been urging the EU to introduce vaccine passports to facilitate travel.

Bartolo said he was also having talks to encourage travel between Malta and Britain, whose inhabitants account for a third of tourists in the former British colony.

($1 = 0.8400 euros)

(Reporting by Christopher Scicluna, editing by Gavin Jones and Susan Fenton)
Television

The 93rd Academy Awards: Best picture nominees The Father, Judas and the Black Messiah, Mank, Minari, Nomadland, Promising Young Woman, Sound of Metal and The Trial of the Chicago 7 are among the features that will be celebrated. Because of the pandemic, the 2021 Oscars will be held at Union Station Los Angeles and the Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center, plus international locations that will beam in via satellite. The producers are promising this will be an awards-show-as-a-movie . (5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET Sunday, ABC; stream on Hulu + Live)

Related: Oscars 2021 red carpet coverage, pre-awards shows: Time, TV channels, how to watch online

People Presents William & Kates Royal Anniversary: A special marking the 10-year wedding anniversary of Prince William and Kate Middleton. (8 p.m. Thursday, The CW)

Lets Be Real: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris and Mike Pence are among the figures in a satirical puppet series, described as covering politics and pop culture through topical sketches, celebrity cameos and remote pieces. (8:30 p.m. Thursday, Fox)

Streaming

The Handmaids Tale: For some of us, the longer this series inspired by Margaret Atwoods novel has gone on, the more depressingly dystopian it has been to watch. But for devoted fans of the series, its lengthy absence has also been distressing. After more than a year away, the fourth season is finally here, with the producers and star Elisabeth Moss promising that the story of Junes fight against oppression will pick up speed. I think we set up a lot of things, but we are making progress, Bruce Miller, an executive producer and showrunner told critics during a virtual Television Critics Association session. And I think thats very satisfying. It is something that has to do with COVID, and the pandemic, and life is short, and all of that kind of stuff. But I think, in this season, we werent waiting around. (Available to stream beginning Wednesday, Hulu)

Headspace Guide to Sleep: The meditation app Headspace presents an animated series that offers information about why getting a good nights sleep is important, along with tips on how to ease into a healthy snooze. (Available to stream beginning Wednesday, Netflix)

Duffs Happy Fun Bake Time: A new series in which Food Network star Duff Goldman gets some help from Jim Henson Company puppets to explain some of the science involved in cooking and baking. (Available to stream beginning Thursday, Discovery+)

Already streaming

Shadow and Bone: A new series adapted from Leigh Bardugos bestselling novels. The storyline, according to the Netflix site: Dark forces conspire against orphan mapmaker Alina Starkov when she unleashes an extraordinary power that could change the fate of her war-torn world. (Available to stream beginning Friday, Netflix)

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-- Kristi Turnquist

kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-26 00:34:50|Editor: huaxia

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By Tafara Mugwara

HARARE, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Early in the morning in Mbare, a low-income township south of downtown Harare, a group of women were tidying up their neighborhood.

One of them whisked away a wheelbarrow load of mainly plastic and cardboard trash as the others continued cleaning up the dusty place.

The women were among several groups of residents in one of Harare's oldest townships who had taken initiative to make their environment clean as a means to protect their community from diseases, not just from the coronavirus.

"When the pandemic hit, we were told that there is a lockdown, we should stay indoors. We realized that if we stay at home in unclean surroundings, maybe this disease (COVID-19) might infect us because we had no prior knowledge about this disease," said Maria Tambure, a resident of Mbare flats.

She said groups of women have embarked on a cleaning exercise as a way to welcome the vaccination drive in the community.

In Zimbabwe's capital and largest city Harare, the inoculation drive gained momentum following the rollout of vaccine to townships to ensure that no one will be left out in the vaccination exercise.

At Mbare Polyclinic, a medical center that caters to the local community, the queue for people receiving their jabs was moving fast. A senior medical worker told Xinhua that more than 300 local residents are receiving their jabs daily since the beginning of April when the center was opened as a vaccination point.

In a statement earlier this month, the Harare city council announced that 24 centers including hospitals, polyclinics and satellite clinics had been designated as vaccination points to speed up the vaccination drive in the city.

Zimbabwe aims to achieve 60 percent herd immunity with the vaccination of 10 million people by the end of 2021. So far, more than 325,000 people in the southern African country have received their first doses of Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines from China.

Jane Magombo, another Mbare flats resident welcomed the vaccination program following the decentralization, saying she hopes that vaccines will bring much-needed economic stability following a year of subsequent lockdowns.

"We are anticipating that if people get vaccinated, things will normalize further because at some point children were not going to school, we all stayed at home. But now they are going to school, even though for a few hours, it's much better, we hope to be vaccinated so that life can normalize," Magombo told Xinhua.

With the advent of the pandemic, it is low-income communities such as Mbare where the vast majority of residents depend on informal trade that have been hardest hit.

Due to the threat of the third wave of the pandemic, authorities hope that speeding up the vaccination program can revive the economy.

With the inoculation drive seemingly moving forward at full speed following the decentralization, and with the vaccination now open to all willing citizens, there is hope that residents of Zimbabwe's most populated urban area will show up for their jabs in numbers.

Justice Matsatsira, a business owner, capitalized on the vaccine decentralization to receive his second jab early in the morning before heading to work. He said he felt protected having been vaccinated.

Mordesta Macheri took the vaccine to encourage his family to take the jab amid vaccine hesitancy in townships.

"I have to come because my kids should learn from me. Because I have this vaccine, they are also going to come and have it," she said.

Zimbabwe launched its nationwide vaccination campaign on Feb. 18 with Sinopharm vaccines donated by China. Enditem
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Christian group praises Biden for standing up to Turkey in recognizing Armenian genocide

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A U.S.-based Christian group has commended President Joe Biden for standing up to Turkey and becoming the first president since Ronald Reagan to recognize the 1915 Armenian genocide on Saturday, the 106th anniversary of when the Ottoman Empire (modern Turkey) began to massacre its Armenian Christian minority, resulting in 1.5 million deaths.

President Biden is the only president since Ronald Reagan to refer to this mass atrocity perpetuated by Ottoman-era Turkish authorities against Armenian Christians as a genocide, persecution watchdog group International Christian Concern said in a statement.

Bidens predecessors have chosen not to use the word genocide in annual statements on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day due to pressure from the Turkish government, ICC charged.

Biden, ICC said, discussed his decision to make the designation on a call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday, the first call between the two since Biden took office in January.

The designation is significant, ICC suggested, because the Turkish government has failed to take responsibility and has actively denied their role in this, allowing them to pursue genocidal policies against Armenians such as in Nagorno-Karabakh, a conflict that started in the 1980s when the Soviet Union began to fall apart.

The Nagorno-Karabakh region, a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, is recognized internationally as part of Muslim-majority Azerbaijan even though it has a majority Armenian population and is controlled by ethnic Armenians. Turkey supported Azerbaijans aggressions against Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh, ICC noted.

Azerbaijani troops alongside Turkish-paid Syrian mercenaries invaded the region and took control after a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement in December, ICC added. Evidence of violence against Armenian civilians and destruction of religious sites during this conflict suggests some religious and ethnic hatred towards Armenian Christians still held by many, reminiscent of the genocide over a century ago.

While Russia brokered a ceasefire in 1994, clashes reignited last September, with both sides accusing each other of targeting civilian communities. The fighting ended in November with Armenia agreeing to a peace deal brokered by Russia.

Speaking to PBS, Alex Hinton, director of Rutgers Universitys Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights, called the recognition absolutely momentous for the victims.

He added, But I think more broadly, it's something that's momentous for all of us, you know, in terms of human rights. One of the principles that guides us and guides our countries, it's centered around respect for the dignity of the person.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom also welcomed Bidens move.

As we remember and commemorate the many lives lost, we also recognize the tireless efforts of survivors, their descendants, and so many others to finally and firmly place the United States on the right side of that terrible history, USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin said in a statement.

USCIRF Vice Chair Tony Perkins added, While we hope that this brings some solace and consolation to Armenians around the world who have fought for this day, we also hope that it will portend greater reflection and a renewed commitment to speak up and stand against the perpetration of crimes against humanity everywhere.

ICCs Advocacy Director, Matias Perttula, explained that Armenian Christians continue to suffer because of the systematic Ottoman campaign of 1915, and the United States owes it to the Armenian community to stand with them in solidarity by recognizing their suffering.

As heirs to the oldest Christian nation, Armenians are an integral part of the global community of Christians and ought to enjoy freedom from persecution, Perttula added.

Turkish officials condemned Bidens statement.

We have nothing to learn from anybody on our own past. Political opportunism is the greatest betrayal to peace and justice. We entirely reject this statement based solely on populism, Turkeys Minister of Foreign Affairs tweeted.

Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had said in a television interview Tuesday that such a declaration by Biden would only harm ties, The Wall Street Journal reported.
WITH the summer holidays looming, when can we realistically start to think about travelling safely again, including booking our trips abroad, and what are our consumer rights with regards to last-minute cancellations?

These topical questions will be among those answered when Open For Business returns for a new series on RTE1 on Thursday (April 29) at 7pm, presented by Ella McSweeney and Richard Curran.

The series will highlight the big themes affecting both businesses and consumers over the last 12 months since the onset of Covid-19  our ways of working, shopping and eating have been transformed, but will they last after lockdown is lifted? The series also examines the real impact Brexit is having on businesses, both big and small, across the country.

Episode one looks at vaccines, exploring what it takes to mass produce such a vital drug, and highlighting Irish manufacturers playing their part.

From the dry ice that keeps vaccines chilled to the machinery that processes its raw materials, Open For Business follows the complicated supply chain that could make or break Irelands bid to vaccinate the entire country.

The episode will feature ABEC in Fermoy, Co. Cork, and Polar Ice in Portarlington.

Despite boasting one of the largest pharmaceutical industries in the world, the hosts discuss why Ireland cant produce a vaccine overnight and why it often makes more sense to produce medicines abroad.

The episode also looks at the different financial supports the Government put in place to help businesses weather the pandemic. Which grants worked and which one didnt go far enough?

We hear from the owner of Begleys pub in Co. Longford and a beauty products company in Co Louth.

We also meet people who have changed direction. Marcus OLaoire, a DJ, MC and pub owner, bought and recommissioned an ambulance, and turned it into a food truck  The Sambo Ambo, lifesaving sandwiches. It is now in the old horse yard of the Iveagh market in Dublin and Marcus wants to pass on the opportunity that was passed to him and create a hub in the area.

Later in the series, Ella and Richard take a look at sport and sponsorship  has the old business model for this sector changed for good?

On the domestic front, one of the unexpected consequences of the pandemic is the big rush to buy property outside Dublin.

The presenters promise to tell us the truth about rising house prices and securing a mortgage during a global pandemic.
Former premier Campbell Newman believes the now-demolished Toowong property Linden Lea, owned by the family behind the Shingle Inn and Websters Biscuits, should have been listed with the Queensland Heritage Register.

As Brisbane lord mayor, Mr Newman worked with his Labor deputy mayor, David Hinchliffe, to rebuild the Edward Street Shingle Inn inside the new City Hall as part of its $215 million redevelopment.

Linden Lea in Archer Street, Toowong, was built in 1938 in the English Tudor style. Credit:Domain

I would consider Linden Lea to be part of that story, he told residents of Toowong last week.

Linden Lea was built in 1938 by James Webster, who asked Brisbane architect Horace Driver to build the Archer Street house in the English Tudor style.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Amid the celebrations in some quarters over the states legalization of recreational marijuana, let me be Debbie Downer and remind everyone that marijuana is still a controlled substance under federal law.

Not that the feds are going to come knocking down your front door while you enjoy a cannabis brownie watching Dr. Who reruns or Buckaroo Banzai for the 16th time.

But they could.

Legal recreational use of marijuana will raise some of the same conflicts with federal law that have been long-standing with legal medical cannabis.

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................................................................

Take guns, for example.

Nearly 50 percent of New Mexicans own a firearm, according to some studies.

But if you use marijuana regularly, simply owning a gun is a felony under federal law.

Buying one also is against federal law.

It says so right on the background application.

Question 11(e) asks:

Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance? Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or decriminalized for medicinal or recreational purposes in the state where you reside.

The applicant is asked to check yes or no.

If the answer is yes, you cant buy a firearm from a licensed gun dealer.

Before signing the form, the firearm buyer is reminded:

I also understand that making any false oral or written statement or exhibiting any false or misrepresented identification with respect to this transaction is a crime punishable as a felony under Federal law and may also violate State and/or local law.

Violations of these federal laws are punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison.

Of course, enforcement of these laws could get a bit absurd.

More than 100,000 New Mexicans hold a current medical cannabis card issued legally by the state. If half of them own a firearm, that means 50,000 people could be subject to federal prosecution for illegally owning a firearm.

There have been a handful of federal cases since medical cannabis was legalized more than a decade ago involving federal crimes and medical marijuana users  the key issue in most of those cases was whether the card was expired at the time they were arrested.

Although a marijuana user is considered a prohibited person when it comes to possessing a firearm, people in this category are much lower on the federal law enforcement priority list than other prohibited persons, such as those with felony convictions, people in the country illegally and even foreigners visiting the country on various types of visas who also are prohibited from buying a gun under federal law.

The few hundred federal law enforcement agents and the 70 or so federal prosecutors in New Mexico are in no position to prosecute 50,000 people.

Nor are they so inclined.

Federal agents dont talk on the record about such things, but the ones I talked to said they have more important things to worry about than the average medical marijuana user who owns a firearm.

They are far more interested in dealing with the violent crime that haunts our communities.

They are interested in arresting gun owners who have prior felony convictions  and they are making that type of arrests daily.

They are more interested in making cases against drug dealers peddling methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl or cocaine.

And they are interested in the intersection between guns and drugs.

A lot of the drug dealers seem to have armories in their living rooms to protect their contraband and their profits.

Some also trade guns for drugs. Some ship guns to Mexico for drugs.

Drug dealers in Albuquerque have told agents repeatedly that they need firearms for protection because the city is so dangerous.

Under the new state recreational marijuana law, anyone over age 21 will be allowed to start growing up to six marijuana plants and possess up to two ounces of cannabis outside their homes starting June 29.

Next year, recreational cannabis sales start at state-licensed dispensaries.

So if youre a gun owner enjoying a cannabis brownie later this year, you might be violating federal law. But if you hear a knock on the door, its probably a UPS or FedEx delivery and not a federal agent.

UpFront is a regular Journal news and opinion column. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.
UPDATE: Loved ones say final goodbyes to Colonial Regional Police Sgt. John Harmon (PHOTOS)

The Colonial Regional Police Department is mourning the death of a 25-year veteran after a four-month bout with cancer.

Sgt. John Harmon, 55, of Bushkill Township died Thursday at home surrounded by family, according to his obituary. He leaves behind his wife, Sandra (Szekely) Harmon, of 21 years; a daughter, Claire; sister, Rosemarie Gitch of Bethlehem; brother-in-law, Steve Gitch, of Kunkletown, Monroe County; brother, Delmar E. Harmon, Jr., of Whitehall; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Born in Rota, Spain, Harmon served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1984 to 1990. He started with Colonial Regional in 1995 and served in a number of roles, the department said in a social media announcement Saturday morning. Harmon also worked part-time with the Northampton County Sheriffs Department.

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Sgt. John Harmon, badge #910. Sgt. Harmon lost a sudden... Posted by Colonial Regional Police Department on Saturday, April 24, 2021

Harmon was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and a congregant of Holy Family Catholic Church of Nazareth. He was a diehard Pittsburgh Steelers fan and proud season ticket holder of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He also enjoyed rocking out to 1970s and 1980s music, his obit says. The family vacationed in Rhode Island.

John was a hardworking good man, who always made sure he provided for his family, the obituary states. He was a devout husband, father, son, brother, and friend. John was most proud of his daughter, Claire, who bloomed into a successful young adult through his guidance. He always wanted the best for her and to show her how to survive the winding paths of life.

John adored his wife Sandy and set a wonderful example of the true meaning of love for his daughter, Claire, the obit added.

Harmon one of four sergeants in the regional departments force of 24 that covers the Northampton County townships of Hanover and Lower Nazareth.

Another nearby department, Slate Belt Regional Police, offered their condolences to the CRPD, saying Sgt. Harmon was the kind of officer we strive to be. Professional, determined, prideful, dependable, with a warm caring heart.

Services are being handled by the Joseph F. Reichel Funeral Home in Nazareth. A walkthrough visitation is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. A Mass is scheduled at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 410 W. Center St., Nazareth. A burial with Military Honors will follow at Holy Family Cemetery in Nazareth. A police escort is expected for Tuesdays services, the funeral home said.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Harmons memory to Wounded Warrior Project and mailed to: P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. Online condolences also may be offered on the funeral homes website, under his obituary.

Reporter Pamela Sroka-Holzmann contributed to this report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
Representative Image

Beijing [China], April 25 (ANI): In yet another case of illegal intrusion by Beijing, China is expected to deploy its ship in the disputed South China Sea.

Military observers said the ship, named the Hainan, may also be deployed in missions around Taiwan but was likely to cause particular concern among countries that have ongoing maritime disputes with China due to its offensive capabilities, reported South China Morning Post.

Although the Z-8J and Z-20J armoured helicopters that it will carry are not yet ready for use, Song Zhongping, a Hong Kong-based military affairs commentator and former PLA instructor, said the ship can carry various types of helicopters, including airborne early warning helicopters.

"The ship is deployed to the South Sea Fleet under the Southern Theatre Command. It does not mean it will only be responsible for the South China Sea. It will also be used for missions around Taiwan and other cross-theatre command tasks," he said. "But presumably it will mainly be for the South China Sea", reported South China Morning Post.

Earlier, the US and the Philippines raised concerns over the presence of China's maritime militia vessels near the disputed Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea.

"The Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines has a lot of explaining to do. There are still 44 Chinese vessels that are in Julian Felipe Reef (Whitsun). I am no fool. The weather has been good so far, so they have no reason to stay there. These vessels should be on their way out," Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.

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)
A medical assistant administers a COVID-19 vaccine dose to a woman at a clinic in Los Angeles on March 25, 2021. Mario Tama/Getty Images

A hospital system in Texas is now the first in the nation to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for staff.

Houston Methodist set a June 7 deadline for all employees to get vaccinated, a spokesperson said.

So far, 89% of all 26,000 employees have complied and received a vaccine.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

The Houston Methodist system - made up of 26,000 employees across one medical center and six community hospitals - is the nation's first hospital system to require that all employees get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Houston Methodist is mandating that all employees get vaccinated by June 7, a spokesperson confirmed to Insider. Managers were instructed to get fully vaccinated by April 15.

"Mandating the vaccine was not a decision we made lightly, but science has proven that the COVID-19 vaccines are very safe and very effective. Like I say to everyone who asks-whether they are reporters, the public, patients or our employees, it is our sacred obligation to do everything possible to keep our patients safe," Dr. Marc Boom, president and CEO of Houston Methodist, said in an email to employees Friday, which Insider viewed.

"By choosing to be vaccinated, you are leaders-showing our colleagues in health care what must be done to protect our patients, ourselves, our families and our communities," he continued.

Boom also said other hospitals in Texas will follow the lead of Houston Methodist.

So far, the mandate has been vastly successful, with 89% of all Houston Methodist employees having received the vaccine, Boom said in his email.

In March, before the mandate was instituted, the hospital system offered employees who got the vaccine a $500 incentive.

Since then and since requiring vaccination, some employees have pushed back.

After requiring that all employees receive the vaccine, Houston Methodist saw two managers leave. There are about 1,200 employees in management positions there.

An unnamed person who says they're an employee at Houston Methodist started a petition to force the hospital to rescind its vaccine mandate. So far, it has more than 3,800 signatures.

Story continues

"Many employees are scared that they will lose their job or be forced to inject the vaccine into their body against their will to keep their jobs and feed their family," the petition says. "We just want the power to choose for ourselves and not take this basic American right away from us! Please help our cause to fight for all the nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, pharmacy staff, phlebotomists, etc."

Employees who do not get the vaccine have been warned they could be fired, Insider's Grace Dean reported.

So far, more than 26% of the US population has been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to data published by Johns Hopkins University.

Have a news tip? Reach this reporter at ydzhanova@insider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 19:31:50|Editor: huaxia

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Aerial photo taken on Oct. 18, 2018 shows tourists taking a boating trip on Lijiang River in Yangshuo County of Guilin, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin)

NANNING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Upon arriving at a scenic spot on the Lijiang River, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Li Fang took out a 20-yuan paper note to use in a photo with her husband.

Printed on the back of the note is the landscape she and her husband stood in front of in Yangshuo County in the city of Guilin. The hot tourist destination was first printed on the 20-yuan note in 2000, one in the fifth set of China's currency banknotes.

"The green mountains and lucid waters are picturesque, and I really enjoyed the environment while taking a raft downstream," said Li, 32.

Hailed as one of the most beautiful rivers on earth, the Lijiang River stretches more than 400 km through scenic karst mountains, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

CNN once posted a travel article on the world's 15 best rivers for travelers, with Lijiang being listed along with the Amazon and the Danube.

According to a national water assessment result released by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment in mid-April, the Guilin Lijiang River ranked among the top 10 in the country's water environment quality in the first quarter of this year.

The idyllic scenery is a sharp contrast to some 20 years ago when the area suffered from pollution and deforestation. Pig farms and restaurants discharged wastewater in the river, and sand-mining vessels also contaminated the water.

"We were not willing to wash vegetables in the river," Li Yingrong, a local villager, recalled.

To pursue higher economic benefits, local villagers used to burn plants on unclaimed hills along the river to grow cash crops such as sugar orange trees.

"Deforestation and reclamation harmed the soil and water. After heavy rains in the flood season, the river water became muddy," said Yang Lihua, Party chief of Xingping Township of Yangshuo County, recalling the scene years ago when he took office.

In 2012, China raised the vision of building a "Beautiful China," with ecological progress included in its integrated plan for development. In the same year, the first regional regulations on ecological and environmental protection of the Lijiang River came into force, emphasizing the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

To protect the river, local governments rolled out a series of policies and measures and made all-out efforts to reduce pollution, including closing polluting plants and cracking down on illegal sand mining. Quarries, fish restaurants, piggeries and aquaculture farms near the river banks were shut down.

Mo Bikun, an official in charge of sewage treatment from the Guilin Drainage Project Management Office, said the city spent 619 million yuan (about 95 million U.S. dollars) building and improving the sewage pipeline network from 2015 to 2020 to prevent dirty water from flowing into the Lijiang River.

"After vigorous treatment, water in Guilin, including the Lijiang River, is getting cleaner and cleaner," Mo said.

The improved environment has also brought tourists and revenue. In 2019, Guilin received 138 million tourists, generating consumption totaling 187.4 billion yuan, up 26.7 percent and 34.7 percent, respectively, compared with the levels in 2018.

"The cleaner river has not only delighted tourists from home and abroad, but also improved citizens' living satisfaction," said Mo. Enditem
A decade since devastation

Ten years ago, much of Smithville disappeared.

At roughly 3:47 p.m. on April 27, 2011, an EF-5 tornado tore a path through town. Its winds, which reached 205 miles per hour, devastated the small town and the people who had built their lives there. The storm destroyed 150 homes, 14 businesses and four churches. It injured at least 40 people. Sixteen were killed.

Memorial ceremonies reflect on April 27, 2011 Smithville tornado SMITHVILLE  Ten years after the April 27, 2011 EF-5 tornado claimed 16 lives, caused mass destruction and reshaped the town, people still ponder, Why? Ten years later and that horrific day is still bringing out the locals spirits.

Although the town has slowly rebuilt itself in the decade since its devastation, the scars are still there. For those who survived it, they may never fully heal.

Johnny Parker learns his fate

Johnny Parker has been fascinated by weather since he was a first-grader.

A passing storm blew down an apple tree that stood outside the family home, and Parker was immediately enthralled. As he grew, his parents fostered and encouraged his thirst for knowledge of all things weather.

While Parker was still nurturing this interest, he thought of tornadoes in the abstract. They were just another part of the weather; he was more intrigued by how they were created and sustained than scared of their destructive power.

That changed after April 27, 2011, when an EF-5 tornado devastated his hometown of Smithville. He was a high school junior at the time.

"It showed that I had a lot more to learn and to be honest I was in shock because I really didn't expect to be hit by a tornado," Parker said. "It's a very different feel from seeing it on television. I wasn't prepared enough."

Parker was keenly aware of the potential for bad weather that day. For days, meteorologists had been discussing what would later become known as the Super Outbreak of 2011  four days of severe weather.

He got up on the third day, checked the radars and the National Weather Service forecasts and had "an uneasy feeling about the day." Because of the weather, school was dismissed at 2:30 to allow the students time to get home before the storms hit.

Parker, his sister, Chloe, and father, Randy Parker, arrived home a little after 3 p.m. As they turned into their driveway, the tornado sirens sounded. Parker ran inside to look at the weather and saw that a strong tornado had been spotted south of Calhoun City and was headed their way.

When his father spotted some rotation over the area and they heard a loud rumbling, they headed inside and into an interior hallway. He and his sister crouched on their knees and covered their heads, just like they had been taught in school. Their father grabbed them and threw them into the hall bathroom.

"No sooner had we gotten in there than the door to my parents bedroom came flying down the hallway," Parker said. "Glass from windows and wood paneling followed behind it. We could feel ourselves momentarily lifted off the floor."

Days later, his father explained that a very clear, very emphatic voice in his head told him to move the children to safety.

"The tornado lasted no more than 10 seconds," Parker said. "Miraculously, we all got up and walked out of our house, which was now severely damaged. I walked out to what used to be our front porch. It was now covered with bricks and all manner of debris. What I saw was complete devastation."

When he walked around to the back of the house where his room was, there were only two walls still standing. He was amazed  and thrilled  to see that all of his clothes were still hanging in the closet.

"This tornado certainly changed my perspective on the weather," Parker said. "It was the final piece of the puzzle that solidified my pursuit of a meteorology degree."

In the decade since, Parker graduated from high school and college with a degree in Geoscience and Operational Meteorology. While he has learned a lot more about tornadoes, he realizes he doesn't know everything.

"I understand them better and I've taken necessary steps to be better prepared," Parker said. "There is a storm shelter in my house and I have more weather software plus being on social media. You can never be 100 % prepared for everything but I do feel better prepared than where I was 10 years ago."

Chief Hathcock survives the worst

Police Chief Darwin Hathcock doesnt believe anyone who survived the Smithville tornado will ever be over it. Those scars will never fully heal.

"When they start talking about tornadoes, my stress level goes off the chart, the veteran police officer said. Anyone who lived through it was through the grace of God is a walking miracle, he said, then added, Me being one of them.

Hathcock remembers that day started with a tornado warning as students were arriving at the school. He helped get kids off of busses and safely inside the building. Throughout the day, the weather service issued a series of thunderstorm warnings and tornado watches.

"We had talked about it the day before, so we knew it could get bad," Hathcock said. "But we didn't have any idea how bad. You could just feel the weather. You could feel that something was up. There was a dread in the air."

That afternoon, Hathcock was among seven people who sought shelter inside the police department. The roar of the tornado was so loud, he thought his eardrums would burst. The vacuum of the tornado made it hard to breathe. The force of it destroyed the building.

"There were only a few pieces of the wall left," Hathcock said. "It blew me and my son outside the building. When we got out and looked around, it was like a giant bush hog had leveled the town.

The town was gone. Death and destruction were everywhere.

"I honestly thought we were the only people who lived through it, he said. It was deathly quiet. Then all at once, you started hearing people screaming and hollering."

The process of searching for survivors and victims was hampered by the destruction. All of the visual landmarks were gone.

"I didn't know one street from another," Hathcock said. "You had to go back to Highway 25 to get your bearings to figure out where you were. I had worked in the town for 18 years patrolling, and I couldn't tell one street from another."

On the second day, officials started making handmade signs to mark the streets. That simple effort made the search process easier and more efficient.

Hathcock said the damage caused by the tornado remains, even a decade later. Young trees are a constant reminder of the destruction, as are the empty lots where buildings were never rebuilt or families moved away.

"The town was doing good and growing," Hathcock said. "The tornado set us back a lot, maybe 20 years. We lost about 150 houses. Some people moved away because they didn't want to be around it.

Hathcock said it was as if Smithville had been completely wiped from the map. It would have to be rebuilt.

For the town, it was like starting over, he said.

Vere Gardner starts over

Vere Gardners life had pretty much hit bottom for nine years before he had an epiphany of sorts.

The landscaper from Marion, Indiana, previously migrated south in a kayak on various rivers to Memphis, where he lived in a tent community with fellow homeless adventurers on Mud Island for eight years. He found work as a restaurant manager and eventually opted for a solitary existence on a creekbank in Olive Branch.

The canoeing enthusiast, with the nickname River Rat tattooed on his arm, was planning to eventually travel on down to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast until an event happened that changed his course.

I was a drunk living on a creekbank contemplating suicide after a string of shattering reversals in my life when I saw news coverage on television at a bar about the tornado that hit Smithville, he said. My arm raised up and pointed to the screen. I told myself that I was going there, and I didnt even know where it was.

Gardner had a feeling it was the right time to move on since a windstorm nearly blew his tent into the creek. He asked the way to Smithville, loaded up his belongings on his back and set out. He walked the entire distance from Southaven to Smithville.

What I found in Smithville was bad, but it was still better than what I had left in Olive Branch, he said. When I came to Smithville, everybody helped me. I started out working as a volunteer at the distribution center. I felt led to come help people who had lost everything. I was telling the people that lifes not over.

At first, things didnt look any better for Gardner than the image he portrayed as a travel-weary vagrant walking along the side of the road.

When I came to Smithville, people took one look at me and thought, Hes got to go. A police car passed me, circled around and stopped to check me out  it was police chief Darwin Hathcock, he said.

Hathcock said Gardner turned out to be the kind of person that could be easily befriended.

I asked him what his business was here, and he told me he knew what it was like to have nothing. He just said he felt led to come here to give back since people had shared things with him, Hathcock said, adding that was the beginning of a strong friendship. He proved himself to be a good worker who didnt shy away from anything.

Gardner was moved to tears as he walked through the town surveying the destruction and determined to do what he could to help the community recover.

A volunteer offered Gardner shelter in a hunting cabin out in the woods across Bull Mountain Creek in Itawamba County by a worker he met at the distribution center. He lived there for more than two years.

He demonstrated his organizational skills working with others to turn a furniture manufacturing plant into a supercenter of supplies for the victims who lost everything to the storm. He took crayons and pieces of poster board to draw maps for the people to find their way around the warehouse and the community.

They had all their landmarks removed, he said, adding he used his artistic skills with crayons and poster board to provide some comic relief to mitigate the trauma the people were suffering.

Gardner walked everywhere he went except for when he was offered a ride.

In the years since the recovery effort in Smithville, Gardner has worked as a groundskeeper for a family in Amory.

I was approached by an engineer who offered me room and board to be a caretaker for his property, he said. Hes lived and worked there since.

Whatever lies ahead for him, Gardner feels satisfaction in that he followed that inner prompting in his spirit to come to Monroe County and get reacquainted with the meaning of life.

The Smithville folks said I was a blessing to them, he said. I had to learn that part of being a blessing is being willing to receive a blessing in return. I have no rearview mirrors  I just keep looking forward.

Kim Johnson looks forward

While working in disaster recovery following April 27, 2011s EF-5 tornado, Kim Johnson, who ultimately became town clerk, was told the recovery period would take a long time.

She didnt realize a long time would be a decade.

Its been a long haul, said Johnson, who began working with the United Way through a grant for initial response to the tornado. Five years in, we were still reeling. Basically, were still reeling financially from the tornado. In the last year, weve had so much residential growth and, of course, thats huge.

One decade after the historic storm, she thinks growth has been Smithvilles biggest accomplishment.

Smithvilles always been a small town, but the tornado diminished its population even further. Prior to the tornado, Smithvilles population was 942, a number that shrank to the mid 600s after the storm. A 2020 estimate indicates the town has approximately 717 residents.

There were home rebuilds shortly after the tornado, but many residents moved elsewhere.

Some of them, with the devastation, said, We dont want to be where its too hard to be a part of it, Johnson said, adding the last year and a half have provided the biggest surge of growth.

There are currently new homes and duplexes under construction inside the towns limits.

I guess its the quaintness and charm of our small town that has brought people in from other places, which makes us proud, she said. For the people who have built, Im just glad they took a chance on us.

Smithville was incorporated as a town in 1949, and the majority of homes behind Town Hall destroyed by the tornado were built during that era. Many homes in town were also built in the 1960s.

The increase in new home construction adds an updated look for the town.

Prior to the tornado, we didnt have a building code. We didnt have zoning. We didnt have property maintenance or any type of land development ordinances, Johnson said. When FEMA and MEMA came in, that was something we had to have to get assistance.

Businesses have come and gone in the years since devastation, including two markets to meet grocery needs. Since the tornado completely destroyed Smithvilles Piggly Wiggly, town officials have courted other grocery stores in North Mississippi and North Alabama to try attracting new locations to Smithville.

Were not trying to be this big metropolis, Johnson said. Were fine with our quaint, small, charming little town.

Johnson believes thats part of what draws people to Smithville, then keeps them there.

Weve got a lot of positives in Smithville and just have to build on it, she said. This town was not rich by any means prior to the tornado, but we had what we needed and were able to do what we needed to be able to do. Were still feeling the pinch of it, but its getting better.
: chace (Time is money, friend!), : Military

 : Re: 

: BBS  (Sat Apr 24 22:27:19 2021, )



http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/biden-should-withdraw-unjustified-xinjiang-genocide-allegation-by-jeffrey-d-sachs-and-william-schabas-2021-04



The Xinjiang Genocide Allegations Are Unjustified

Apr 20, 2021

Jeffrey D. Sachs , William Schabas



US President Joe Biden's administration has doubled down on the claim that

China is mounting a genocide against the Uighur people in the Xinjiang

region. But it has offered no proof, and unless it can, the State Department

should withdraw the charge and support a UN-based investigation of the

situation in Xinjiang.



NEW YORK/LONDON C The US government needlessly escalated its rhetoric

against China by claiming that a genocide is being mounted against the

Uighur people in the Xinjiang region. Such a grave charge matters, as

genocide is rightly considered the crime of crimes. Many pundits are now

calling for a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, dubbing them

the Genocide Olympics.



The genocide charge was made on the final day of Donald Trumps

administration by then-Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, who made no secret

of his belief in lying as a tool of US foreign policy. Now President Joe

Bidens administration has doubled down on Pompeos flimsy claim, even

though the State Departments own top lawyers reportedly share our

skepticism regarding the charge.This years State Department Country

Reports on Human Rights Practices (HRP) follows Pompeo in accusing China of

genocide in Xinjiang. Because the HRP never uses the term other than once in

the reports preface and again in the executive summary of the China

chapter, readers are left to guess about the evidence. Much of the report

deals with issues like freedom of expression, refugee protection, and free

elections, which have scant bearing on the genocide charge.There are

credible charges of human rights abuses against Uighurs, but those do not

per se constitute genocide. And we must understand the context of the

Chinese crackdown in Xinjiang, which had essentially the same motivation as

Americas foray into the Middle East and Central Asia after the September

2001 attacks: to stop the terrorism of militant Islamic groups.As the Hong

Kong-based businessman and writer Weijian Shan has recounted, China

experienced repeated terrorist attacks in Xinjiang during the same years

that Americas flawed response to 9/11 led to repeated US violations of

international law and massive bloodshed. Indeed, until late 2020, the US

classified the Uighur East Turkestan Islamic Movement as a terrorist group,

battled Uighur fighters in Afghanistan, and held many as prisoners. In July

2020, the United Nations noted the presence of thousands of Uighur fighters

in Afghanistan and Syria. The charge of genocide should never be made

lightly. Inappropriate use of the term may escalate geopolitical and

military tensions and devalue the historical memory of genocides such as the

Holocaust, thereby hindering the ability to prevent future genocides. It

behooves the US government to make any charge of genocide responsibly, which

it has failed to do here.



Genocide is defined under international law by the UN Genocide Convention (

1948). Subsequent judicial decisions have clarified its meaning. Most

countries, including the United States, have incorporated the Conventions

definition into their domestic legislation without any significant

alteration. In the past few decades, the leading UN courts have confirmed

that the definition requires proof to a very high standard of the

intentional physical destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious

group.



The definition specifies that one of five acts must be perpetrated.

Obviously, killing tops the list. The State Departments report on China

says there were numerous reports of killings, but that few or no

details were available, and cites only one case C that of a Uighur man

detained since 2017 who died of natural causes, according to the authorities

. The report doesnt even explain why the official explanation should be

questioned.Technically, genocide can be proven even without evidence that

people were killed. But because courts require proof of intent to destroy

the group physically, it is hard to make the case in the absence of proof of

large-scale killings. This is especially true when there is no direct

evidence of genocidal intent, for example in the form of policy statements,

but merely circumstantial evidence, what international courts refer to as a

pattern of conduct.International courts have repeatedly said that where

genocide charges are based only upon inferences drawn from a pattern of

conduct, alternative explanations must be ruled out definitively. Thats

why the International Court of Justice rejected in 2015 the genocide charge

against Serbia and the counter-charge against Croatia, despite evidence of

brutal ethnic cleansing in Croatia.So, what else might constitute evidence

of genocide in China? The State Department report refers to mass internment

of perhaps one million Uighurs. If proven, that would constitute a gross

violation of human rights; but, again, it is not evidence, per se, of intent

to exterminate. Another of the five recognized acts of genocide is 

imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group. The State

Department report refers to Chinas notoriously aggressive birth-control

policies. Until recently, China strictly enforced its one-child policy on

the majority of its population but was more liberal toward ethnic minorities

, including the Uighur.Today, the one-child policy is no longer applied to

the majority Han Chinese, but stricter measures have been imposed on

Xinjiangs Muslim minority, whose families are traditionally larger than

Chinas average. Still, Xinjiang records a positive overall population

growth rate, with the Uighur population growing faster than the non-Uighur

population in Xinjiang during 2010-18.



The genocide charge is being fueled by studies like the Newlines

Institute report that recently made global headlines. Newlines is described

as a non-partisan Washington, DC-based think tank. On closer inspection,

it appears to be a project of a tiny Virginia-based university with 153

students, eight full-time faculty, and an apparently conservative policy

agenda. Other leading human rights organizations have refrained from using

the term.



UN experts are rightly calling for the UN to investigate the situation in

Xinjiang. Chinas government, for its part, has recently stated that it

would welcome a UN mission to Xinjiang based on exchanges and cooperation,

 not on guilty before proven. Unless the State Department can

substantiate the genocide accusation, it should withdraw the charge. It

should also support a UN-led investigation of the situation in Xinjiang. The

work of the UN, and notably of UN Human Rights Special Rapporteurs, is

essential to promote the letter and spirit of the Universal Declaration of

Human Rights.





--

 :WWW  mitbbs.com [FROM: 2607:fb90:839:5]


The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Mpraeso constituency in the Eastern Region, Mr. Davis Opoku Ansah has called on the government to stop Soon Mining Company Limited from mining for gold along the Praso River.



Mr. Ansah Opoku made the call during the first ordinary meeting of the second session of the eighth assembly of the Kwahu South Municipal.



The Mpraeso lawmaker said the activities of the mining company if not checked will affect Ghanas cocoa production.



The effect of mining on the people of Praso will not only destroy the river body and lands but also negatively affect our cocoa production, and we all must make a decision today as we have met here.



The assembly members also unanimously rejected Soon Mining for the operational permit.



They questioned why the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minerals Commission would grant access to the company when they know that it will affect the only river body that serves the people of Kwahu.



The Kwahu municipality suffers water challenges, and the people rely on river bodies for drinking and farming purposes and this is a threat to our very existence here, one of the aggrieved assembly members said.



Ban

The government on Thursday, April 22, 2021, ordered persons undertaking prospecting activities in forest reserves across the country to indefinitely suspend such activities.



It also directed the Minerals Commission to desist from processing or granting any request for the renewal of prospecting licences in forest reserves.



The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources hereby directs persons and/or companies engaged in reconnaissance and/or prospecting in Forest Reserves, with or without legal authorization, to suspend such activities until further noticeThe Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has further directed the Minerals Commission, with immediate effect, not to accept, process and/or recommend the grant, including the renewal and/or extension, of reconnaissance and prospecting licences in Forest Reserves, a statement from the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry said.

Source: Citinewsroom









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Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on all ASEAN member nations to seek suitable solutions to the crisis in Myanmar during the ASEAN Leaders Meeting organized in Indonesia on Saturday.

During the meeting, PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam, as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2020-21, has worked to create favorable conditions to work out the right resolution for the Myanmar situation.

The premier asked all ASEAN member nations to collaborate closely at UN forums to mobilize support for the blocs efforts in approaching and finding suitable solutions to the issue.

Leaders of ASEAN member states expressed their concern over the deteriorating situation which seriously affects the lives of citizens, calling for self-restraint and end of force, according to the Vietnam Government Portal.

Under the spirit of solidarity and non-interference in internal affairs, the leaders agreed that ASEAN representatives will be sent to Myanmar to learn about the situation, contact the relevant sides, and propose ways and measures to promote dialogue and reconciliation.

The bloc will continue boosting humanitarian assistance efforts to help Myanmarese people via the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA).

Regarding the ASEAN Community building process, the leaders agreed that the bloc is facing a range of challenges that threaten peace, stability, and development in each member country.

ASEAN must work together to forge ahead with solidarity, unity, and mutual assistance to lead the region to overcome this hard time.

They considered that stepping up efforts in containing the COVID-19 pandemic and achieving comprehensive recovery is the top priority.

COVID-19 response initiatives, which were adopted last year, need to be effectively implemented, including putting into operation the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund to purchase vaccine shots and support recovery efforts.

On external relations, the leaders agreed to further strengthen effective, practical, and balanced dialogue and cooperation with partners based on basic principles.

On the sidelines of the ASEAN Leaders Meeting, PM Chinh also had bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Singapore, Malaysia, and Cambodia on Saturday.

He wrapped up his first overseas trip since his election earlier this month and returned to Hanoi later the same day.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
An independent strategic review into the future of the agri-food sector in Northern Ireland has been announced by former NFU president Sir Peter Kendall.

The six month review will consider the challenges facing food processing and farming, as well as making recommendations on how to take advantage of new opportunities.

It comes as the sector faces new post-Brexit trading arrangements, the impact of Covid-19 and the effects of climate change.

Agri-food is a key economic asset to Northern Ireland, accounting for 16% of the entire local economy.

It employs some 100,000 people, making it the region's largest manufacturing industry and one that has continued to grow even as other sectors have contracted.

The Independent Strategic Review of the NI Agri-Food Sector (ISRAF) will be led by former president of the NFU and AHDB, Sir Peter Kendall.

Sir Peter received a Knighthood for his services to the agricultural industry in England and Wales in the Queens 2015 New Years Honours.

He said: As a farmer, Im more excited about the future than I have been at any time in my career in the food industry.

"Leading a project that looks at how Northern Ireland agri-food makes the most of its unique position is a real privilege.

Im looking forward to hearing from all parts of the supply chain so that we can come up with a shared, evidence-based vision that is ambitious but doable if we all play our part.

"Theres no denying that the climate change challenges are massive but they also give NI agri-food a chance to set itself apart as a sector."

The team will look at how the industry can improve productivity, market opportunities, regional branding and the development of an independent UK Trade policy.

NI's farming minister Edwin Poots said farmers must unlock the new opportunities ahead to 'build a thriving, more sustainable, resilient and profitable agri-food sector'.

ISRAF will consider the future development of the entire NI agri-food sector, including both farm producers and food processors.

"The review will consider the strategic challenges and opportunities that the sector now faces from Covid, consumers trends and new trading arrangements, as well as the development of an independent UK trade policy.

"It will make recommendations for both industry and government."
His name might not be remembered now, but his work lives on in West and South Scranton.

For a time, Tudor Williams was well known in Scranton, thanks to his community-minded spirit. The structural engineer and builder of exceptional talent, as one news story published in July 1942 called him, was born in Scranton on Sept. 4, 1881, to W.R. and Gwen Rosser Williams. After graduating from Lackawanna School, he attended Cornell University, where he earned a degree in civil engineering in 1903.

After jobs at Scranton Railway Co. and Washburn-Williams Lumber Co., which was owned by his father, and a brief foray into owning his own firms  first Williams & Richardson, then a builders supply company called LaBar and Williams  he began his lifes work.

Involved in a number of charitable activities throughout his life, Williams is perhaps best known for his design and supervision of West Scranton Intermediate and South Scranton Intermediate schools. The designs were complicated by challenging surface conditions, thanks to the large network of underground mines that left the surface unstable. Williams used floating foundations, as one news story put it, to make sure the schools would not collapse in a mine subsidence.

By his direction, (both schools) were erected under plans which are intended to prevent destruction or serious damage of these huge buildings by mine caves, his obituary in The Scranton Times reported.

In addition to those visible, lasting achievements, Williams was responsible for a large number of smaller projects as part of then-President Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal program. The engineer served as the federal civil works administrator for Lackawanna County  a position that carried no salary. His role included surveying county needs to identify projects that would provide work for the jobless, according to news articles. He was so successful, he was appointed as deputy administrator for 15 counties in Central and Northeast Pennsylvania.

His charitable projects didnt end there. Williams also drew all plans and specifications for remodeling of certain portions of the Home for the Friendless, according to the July 25, 1942, Tribune story. He also supervised the repairs there for free, the story added.

Williams served as the countys fuel administrator during World War I. During World War II, he surveyed the safety of various buildings in the area for soundness in case of a war-time bombing and quietly turned over his findings to the County Citizens Defense Corps, headed by M.J. Martin, an attorney.

Among his civic activities, Williams was a member of both the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Northeast chapter of the group. He had been a member of the Scranton Rotary since it began, attended Westminster Presbyterian Church and was a 32nd degree Mason, according to The Scranton Times.

Williams was just 60 when he died in 1942 after an illness. His obituary noted that he had been in ill health for several years. He is buried in Dunmore Cemetery.

Erin L. Nissley is the assistant metro editor at The Times-Tribune and the editor of The Valley Advantage. Shes lived in the area for 15 years.
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More than 600,000 half-price flights have been snapped up in just three weeks following the federal government's $1.2billion package to help tourism bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said on Sunday the mass uptake of cheap domestic holiday trips is a big win for the aviation industry, with carriers 'now doing a roaring trade'.

'Australians are taking trips in large numbers with airlines reporting sales dwarfing previous records - our aviation industry is in a remarkable position compared to where it was just one year ago,' Mr McCormack said.

'The proof is there in the sky today, as we see Qantas, Virgin, Rex and so many other smaller airlines flying proudly, carrying Australians to their dream holidays.'

More than 600,000 half-price flights have been snapped up in just three weeks following the federal government's $1.2 billion package to help tourism bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic

The government last month announced 800,000 half-priced flights to a number of destinations across the country

The government last month announced 800,000 half-priced flights to a number of destinations across the country.

It was criticised at the time for choosing the locations of the discounted trips instead of allowing travellers to decide themselves.

Australian Tourism Industry Council spokesman Simon Westaway said the subsidised airfares were a good start, but also just one stepping stone needed to help the sector back onto its feet.

The industry lost about $90billion last year due to the pandemic, with hospitality and accommodation jobs plunging into freefall.

Trade Minister Dan Tehan said on Sunday the government was making the right investments at the right time to help Australia's economic recovery.

'More than seventy-five per cent of our half-priced tickets have been sold and the rest will go like hot cakes,' he said.

'My message to Australians is take advantage of this opportunity to book a cheap holiday through your travel agent and when you're on holiday spend on a tourist activity and a night out to support tourism jobs and business.'

Holidaymakers hoping to take advantage of the discounted flights can book the tickets by going onto the Qantas, Jetstar or Virgin websites or through travel agents.

The fares will be for economy travel only.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said on Sunday the mass uptake of cheap domestic holiday trips is a big win for the aviation industry, with carriers 'now doing a roaring trade'
Chandigarh, April 25 : Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday directed the health department to order 30 lakh Covishield doses for vaccination of the 18-45 age group, with directions to use the CM Covid Relief Fund for meeting the vaccine requirements of the poor.

The Chief Minister asked the department to immediately place order for the 30 lakh doses with the Serum institute of India (SII) so that the supplies can start coming in at the earliest, even though as per information provided by the central government for delivery of vaccines for 18-45 age group is not expected before May 15.

To ensure free vaccination of the poor in government hospitals, Amarinder Singh said in addition to the CM Covid relief fund, CSR funds should also be tapped into.

The ESIC should be asked to support the vaccination of industrial workers covered in the scheme, and the Board for Welfare of Construction Workers for construction labourers, he added.

Reviewing the vaccination strategy, the Chief Minister requested the expert group led by Gagandeep Kang to submit the strategy for prioritisation of 18-45 years group (vulnerable groups in high risk areas) in its first report by April 29.

He also made it clear that in pursuing the 18-45 age group vaccination strategy, the state government will not compromise on vaccination of 45 plus age group.

The Chief Minister further said the government will consider approaching Astrazeneca (India) directly to allow the Punjab government to avail the lower price of Rs 162 per dose available to the global community.

The state has so far received 29,36,770 doses of Covishield (including 3.5 lakh doses meant for AFMS and Central healthcare workers) and 3.34 lakh doses of Covaxin.

Out of the available stock of vaccine till April 22, a total of 25.48 lakh doses of Covishield and 2.64 lakh doses of Covaxin had been utilized, leaving the state with only 2.81 lakh doses of Covishield and 27,400 doses of Covaxin in its stock.

The Health Department had on April 22 written to the Union Health Ministry seeking additional supply of 10 lakh doses of Covishield, to be made available on priority to enable the state to meet its immediate requirement.
Univar Solutions Inc. (NYSE: UNVR) ("Univar Solutions" or "the Company"), a global chemical and ingredient distributor and provider of value-added services, today announced an agreement to expand its existing global relationship with Novozymes, a world leader in biological solutions, to include Latin America. Under terms of the new agreement, Univar Solutions will distribute enzymes for the dairy and protein ingredient sectors in Brazil and the protein ingredient and brewing sectors in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Meanwhile, in Mexico and Central America, Univar Solutions will distribute Novozymes' entire food and beverage enzyme portfolio.

"Our strategic collaboration with Novozymes demonstrates our commitment to providing customers with the finest raw materials and solutions from world-class producers and this affords Univar Solutions a significant opportunity to expand our food ingredients business into Latin America," said Kevin Hack, vice president of global Food Ingredients at Univar Solutions. "We see significant growth potential for Novozymes' portfolio as we continue to expand our partnership and strengthen our offering to customers across Latin America."

Novozymes is a global leader in the production and development for the food and beverage industries and impacting the sustainable growth of these markets. Novozymes and Univar Solutions started their business relationship in 2004. Since then, the companies' partnership has expanded across geographies and serving several food ingredients market segments to now include Latin America.

"We are proud to be one of the leading global food ingredient distributors, but the value we bring to partners like Novozymes goes far beyond distribution," commented Jorge Buckup, president, Latin America, for Univar Solutions. "Our value-added services offering is fueled by our team of food scientists in test kitchens and Solution Centers around the world. By providing customers and partners with insight regarding top market trends, access to best-in-class ingredients and unmatched services and solutions, we create value and advance go-to-market efforts."

Across Latin America, Univar Solutions helps customers create streamlined, highly efficient production cycles and offers deep experience across a vast range of industries. Through our partnerships with suppliers like Novozymes, we're well-positioned to help customers anticipate, navigate and leverage growth opportunities.

"As we continue to bring innovative enzyme products to market, we recognize the importance of a successful and expansive distribution partnership," said Viviane Pereira de Souza, director of Consumer Biosolutions-AS at Novozymes South America.

"We are happy to expand our relationship with Univar Solutions in Latin America and to be able to build the same model of success that we have already achieved around the world, providing solutions and innovation in biotechnology for food and beverage industries," added Angel Cortes, sales manager at Nozozymes Mexico, Central America & Caribbean.
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Even the most casual film fan knows that James Bond prefers one particular brand of car above all others: an Aston Martin brimming with gadgets.

So the decision by Rege-Jean Page, widely tipped to replace Daniel Craig as 007, to star in an advert for the rival Audi marque might cause a bit of a stir in Q Branch.

Dressed in matching navy-blue trousers and jacket, the actor, who shot to prominence last year as the Duke of Hastings in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton, was pictured next to one of the company's 40,000-plus Q4 e-tron cars.

Dressed in matching navy-blue trousers and jacket, the actor, who shot to prominence last year as the Duke of Hastings in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton, was pictured next to one of the company's 40,000-plus Q4 e-tron cars

He was accompanied on the shoot in Docklands, East London, by his real-life duchess, Emily Brown, 30, with whom he shares an 800,000 flat in the capital

He was accompanied on the shoot in Docklands, East London, by his real-life duchess, Emily Brown, 30, with whom he shares an 800,000 flat in the capital.

The Audi deal is thought to be the 31-year-old's first endorsement project since he was catapulted to fame, thanks largely to a series of steamy love scenes with his Bridgerton co-star Phoebe Dynevor.

As the face of Audi's fully electric new model, the actor has already featured in an achingly woke promotional film entitled A Story Of Progress.

So the decision by Rege-Jean Page, widely tipped to replace Daniel Craig as 007, to star in an advert for the rival Audi marque might cause a bit of a stir in Q Branch

During the two-and-a-half-minute clip, he doesn't mention the name 'Audi' but instead appeals to viewers to improve themselves.

'There is an element of the work I do that feels like a constant love letter to the people that I see in the world,' he says in sentiments rather unlikely to be uttered by James Bond.

'That's the thing that inspires me most  it's finding people who have a story to be told. And thinking how can I contribute to that?'
One of AstraZeneca's most senior bosses has defended his chief executive's decision to run the British pharmaceuticals giant from Australia as it rolls out its Covid vaccine.

Pascal Soriot has faced criticism for working from his family home Down Under amid concerns about the Astra jab's links to blood clots.

Under pressure: Pascal Soriot has faced criticism for working from his family home Down Under amid concerns about the Astra jab's links to blood clots

Ketan Patel  a fund manager at EdenTree, which has a stake in Cambridge-headquartered Astra  said 'being halfway around the world doesn't give the right signal'.

But finance chief Marc Dunoyer hit back, telling The Mail on Sunday: 'I see [Soriot] many times a day at different times of the day [on video calls]. He's in absolutely close contact.

'It's a fallacy to think that the business is run from any one place. When you're a global company like we are, we have people who are in many different parts of the world, different time zones.'

Dunoyer is charged with overseeing the 28billion takeover of US peer Alexion. The deal, announced in December, is due to complete between July and September.

Astra's shares fell after the announcement but have rallied in recent weeks. 'It's because the probability of implementing [the deal] is now so high,' said Dunoyer.

Alexion specialises in rare diseases and Astra hopes to grow the American firm's presence in Asia.

Dunoyer said the tie-up could allow Alexion and Astra scientists to use research into rare diseases  defined as affecting fewer than one in 2,000 people  as a platform to create treatments for more common problems such as chronic kidney disease and congestive heart failure.
is shipping 80 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen to India as the country is running low on supplies due to an unprecedented spike in cases.

India logged a record of 3,49,691 new infections in a day on Sunday, taking its total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,69,60,172. The death toll increased to 1,92,311 with a record 2,767 daily new fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The supply shipment is being undertaken in cooperation with the Adani group and Linde company.

"Embassy of India is proud to partner with Adani group and M/s Linde in shipping much-needed 80MT liquid oxygen to India. Our heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Health Kingdom of for all their help, support, and cooperation, the Indian mission in Riyadh tweeted.

"Thank you @IndianEmbRiyadh Indeed, actions speak louder than words. We are on an urgent mission to secure oxygen supplies from across the world. This first shipment of 4 ISO cryogenic tanks with 80 tons of liquid oxygen is now on its way from Dammam to Mundra, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said in a tweet.

India is struggling with a second wave of the pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new cases being reported in the past few days, and hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds.

To combat the growing demand for oxygen in the country, India has reached out to various countries to procure containers and oxygen cylinders under operation 'Oxygen Maitri'.

The Indian Air Force on Saturday brought four cryogenic tanks, to be used for transporting oxygen, from Singapore. The containers were airlifted from Singapore by C17 heavy-lift aircraft of the IAF.

The aircraft "with 4 cryogenic containers for storage of liquid O2 from Singapore landed at Panagarh airbase" in West Bengal on Saturday, a home ministry spokesperson tweeted.

The IAF was also transporting essential medicines as well as equipment required by the designated COVID-19 hospitals in various parts of the country.

On Friday, the Union Home Ministry said it was in talks for the import of high-capacity oxygen-carrying tankers from Singapore and the UAE.

Meanwhile, President of the European Council Charles Michel said in a tweet, "The EU stands in solidarity with Indian people amidst resurgent COVID19 pandemic. The fight against the virus is a common fight. We will discuss our support and cooperation at EU-India Leaders' meeting on 8 May with @narendramodi and @antoniocostapm".

French President Emmanuel Macron has also extended support to India.

In a tweet shared by the Indian embassy in France, Macron said, "I want to send a message of solidarity to the Indian people, facing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. France is with you in this struggle, which spares no one. We stand ready to provide our support.

(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.)
More than 80 people died Sunday in a fire that ripped through an Iraqi Covid-19 hospital, sparking anger and prompting the suspension of top officials in a country with a long-dilapidated health infrastructure.

Many of the victims were on respirators and were suffocated or burned in the smoke and flames when the blaze at eastern Baghdad's Ibn al-Khatib hospital started with an explosion caused by "a fault in the storage of oxygen cylinders", medical sources said.

The health ministry said 82 people were killed and 110 wounded, while the Iraqi Human Rights Commission said 28 of the victims were patients who had to be taken off ventilators to escape the flames.

The blaze spread quickly across multiple floors in the middle of the night, as dozens of relatives were at the bedsides of the 30 patients in the hospital's intensive care unit where the most severe Covid-19 cases are treated, a medical source said.

"The hospital had no fire protection system and false ceilings allowed the flames to spread to highly flammable products," Iraq's civil defence services said.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi suspended Health Minister Hassan al-Tamimi -- who is backed by the powerful Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr -- amid angry calls on social media for him to be sacked, as part of a probe that would also include the governor of Baghdad.

Kadhemi also declared three days of national mourning, while parliament said it would devote its Monday session to the tragedy.

Witnesses said the evacuation was slow and chaotic, with patients and their relatives crammed into stairwells as they scrambled for exits.

"It was the people (civilians) who got the wounded out," Amir, 35, told AFP, saying he saved his hospitalised brothers "by the skin of his teeth".

Iraq's hospitals have been worn down by decades of conflict and poor investment, with shortages of medicines and hospital beds.

But many also said negligence and endemic corruption were to blame for the deadly inferno.

Negligence

"The tragedy at Ibn al-Khatib is the result of years of erosion of state institutions by corruption and mismanagement," President Barham Saleh tweeted.

The fire triggered outrage on social media, with a hashtag demanding the health minister be sacked trending on Twitter, a demand echoed by the human rights commission.

Baghdad governor Mohammed Jaber also called on the health ministry "to establish a commission of enquiry so that those who did not do their jobs may be brought to justice".

The Iraqi Human Rights Commission denounced a "crime against patients exhausted by Covid-19 who put their lives in the hands of the health ministry and its institutions.

"Instead of being treated, (they) perished in flames," it added.

Witnesses and doctors told AFP many bodies had yet to be identified, the remains too charred by the intense flames.

One of the victims, Ali Ibrahim, 52, had been treated for coronavirus at the Ibn al-Khatib hospital and was buried by his family on Sunday at Zaafaraniya, a neighbourhood near the hospital.

"He had spent 12 days in hospital and was due to be discharged on Saturday evening after recovering. He was just waiting for the result of the last Covid-19 test," one of his relatives told AFP.

Kadhemi also suspended the head of the health department in eastern Baghdad, the hospital director as well as those in charge of security and maintenance at the medical facility.

All of them are being questioned, he said, adding that no one would be released "until those who have done wrong are brought to justice".

He also pledged to submit the results of the investigation to the government within five days.

- Mounting virus cases -

The UN's top representative in Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, expressed "shock" at the tragedy and called "for stronger protection measures to ensure that such a disaster cannot reoccur".

Pope Francis, who paid an historic visit to Iraq in early March, called for "prayers" for all the victims of the fire.

On Wednesday, the number of detected Covid-19 cases in Iraq surpassed one million, the highest of any Arab state.

The health ministry has recorded more than 15,000 deaths since the pandemic broke out last year, and has carried out around 40,000 tests daily from a population of 40 million.

Iraq rolled out its vaccination campaign last month and has received nearly 650,000 doses of different vaccines -- the majority by donation or through the Covax scheme for low and middle income nations.

Around 300,000 people had received at least one dose as of Sunday, the ministry said.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  A late Friday crash in the South Valley escalated into a shooting, leaving one man dead and another charged with murder, according to court records.

Ruben Sanchez, 22, has been booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center and charged with an open count of murder and shooting at or from a motor vehicle in the death of 35-year-old Miguel Gonzales-Munoz.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court:

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Bernalillo County deputies responded around 9:20 p.m. to the 2300 block of Bridge SW, near Old Coors, for reports of a crash and shots fired. They found Gonzales-Munoz shot in a crashed SUV.

Deputies detained Sanchez at the scene, and the Sheriffs Office said Gonzales-Munoz died from his injuries on Saturday.

A witness told deputies the two vehicles had gotten into a wreck before he heard Sanchez yell, really? and fire several shots at the SUV driver.

Sanchez told deputies he had gotten into a crash with the SUV before the driver cursed at him and tried to leave the scene. He said he replied, (expletive) you, too, and the driver put his hand out the window.

Sanchez told deputies he was scared the driver pointed something at him and he drew his gun and fired at the driver.

Fridays shooting occurred four days after two men were shot to death after being pursued for miles  and then crashing  in the South Valley. Witnesses told deputies that after the dark vehicle crashed in the 1900 block of Coors SW, two or three men in the white sedan fired several rounds at it.

BCSO has not announced any arrests in that case.
KLM Boeing 777-300 (PH-BVV, built 2020) sustained minor damage during pushback at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport (EHAM), Netherlands. It is understood the adjacent "avio bridge" was not removed properly. https://t.co/VfgB4Ao24f  JACDEC (@JacdecNew) April 23, 2021

The brand-new Boeing 777-300ER belonging to KLM has suffered wing damage after hitting a jet bridge that hasnt been correctly removed after being connected to one of the airports boarding gates.The bad news is the damaged aircraft is a three-month-old Boeing 777 that has only recently joined KLMs fleet, and as you can see in a photo published on Twitter by JACDEC, the incident ended up with the left wing getting right under the jet bridge.The good news, on the other hand, is that only minor damage has actually been recorded, and in theory, theres a chance the new Boeing was back for duty pretty fast.KLM Boeing 777-300 (PH-BVV, built 2020) sustained minor damage during pushback at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport (EHAM), Netherlands. It is understood the adjacent avio bridge was not removed properly, JACDEC tweeted on April 23.On April 22, a Boeing 777 aircraft hit the bridge during pushback, which was in too low a position due to a malfunction. This caused minor damage to the wing of the aircraft. This damage is now being repaired, a KLM spokesperson reportedly confirmed.While this particular aircraft is brand-new, the Boeing 777-300ER actually joined KLMs fleet back in 2004. Since then, the airline has expanded its lineup of Boeing 777 to no less than 27 aircraft, out of which 14 of them are the 300ER model like the one that hit the jet bridge.The 300ER has enough room for no less than 408 passengers and allows for a maximum take-off weight of 351,543 kg / 775,019 lbs. It can travel for a maximum distance of 12,000 km (6,479 nmi), with the cruising speed said to be 920 kph (571 mph or 496 kts).
A 22-year-old fashion lover has left the internet in hysterics, after she shared a clip of her online shopping fail.

Brooklyn Taylor, from Perth, fell in love with a stylish halter-neck dress by the popular Australian designer Natalie Rolt, but when she discovered that the dress was a staggering $560, she knew she couldn't afford it.

A few days later, the 22-year-old stumbled upon a $20 nearly-identical version of the same outfit by an unnamed brand.

The dress features the same daring thigh high split, ruching and cut-out midriff section as the one by Natalie Rolt.

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A 22-year-old fashion lover has left the internet in hysterics, after she shared a clip of her online shopping fail (Brooklyn Taylor pictured)

Brooklyn Taylor, from Perth, fell in love with a stylish halter-neck dress by the popular Australian designer Natalie Rolt (pictured), but it cost $560

'Obviously I knew it was a fake [when she saw the cheap dress],' Brooklyn posted on TikTok.

'I could see that the dress was $20 and the actual dress retails for like $560... but I also thought, let's order it and see what comes.'

She then held up a long piece of white fabric to the camera and said: 'This is what arrived, let's try it on'.

A few days later, the 22-year-old stumbled upon a $20 nearly-identical version of the same outfit by an unnamed brand, but Brooklyn later found the dress was see through (pictured)

After trying the outfit on, Brooklyn returned to the camera with her hands covering the cut-out area around her breasts to protect her modesty.

'It's see through. It's completely see through but like, wow, they got the shape,' she said.

'They absolutely got the shape. But who can wear this out? Baby girl, it is SEE THROUGH.'

Many said they thought the outfit looked pretty good for the price, and Brooklyn (pictured) could easily add a liner and pasties to make it wearable

The clip left thousands in hysterics, with many saying they too have suffered massive online shopping fails in the past.

Others shared their tips to make the dress wearable, including lining the dress with another fabric or wearing a white skirt and pasties on her nipples.

'Get a liner put in, like $20 at the local alterations place,' one woman wrote.

Another said she could consider renting out the real dress via a business called Let's Get Dressed Hire.

Many said they thought the outfit looked pretty good for the price, but Brooklyn wouldn't reveal where she bought the $20 version.
Le gouvernement a donne son accord pour la signature dun protocol daccord entre la Road Development Authority and the Commission for Public Infrastructure, Transport and Water Resources de la Rodrigues Regional Assembly sur divers points de cooperations.

Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Road Development Authority and the Commission for Public Infrastructure, Transport and Water Resources of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, on a framework for collaboration and mutual cooperation. The main objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding are to:

(a) share project information and data to streamline design, construction standards, construction methodologies and ways of conducting supervision, in order to transfer knowledge and experience between technical staff of both organisations;

(b) set up an Exchange Programme for Engineers and Technicians from Rodrigues to come over to Mauritius and vice versa, such that the technical officers benefit from appropriate on-site training, especially on major projects being implemented by the Road Development Authority;

(c) provide assistance to the Commission in the design, procurement and supervision of projects in Rodrigues, for a term of two years as from the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding;

(d) set up a road classification system in Rodrigues; and

(e) formulate a Strategic Master Plan for the road network in Rodrigues, taking into consideration future sustainable developments on the island.
The pandemic also exposed the fragility of Egypts health care system, with doctors lamenting shortages in protective equipment and testing kits while patients died from lack of oxygen. With over 12,000 deaths, Egypt also recorded one of the highest fatality rates from the virus in the Arab world.

With a growing number of cases, health officials in Egypt have recently warned of a third wave of the virus. Authorities have also canceled large gatherings and festivals, and promised to fine those not complying with protective measures like mask-wearing, but many Egyptians do not abide by these rules.

Travelers are required to have a negative Covid-19 test taken 72 hours before arriving in Egypt, and hotels are mandated to operate at half capacity.

The crisis affected not just big companies like Travco but also smaller ones that had started betting big on the growing tourism industry.

Passainte Assem established Why Not Egypt, a boutique travel agency, in 2017 by interviewing prospective travelers and customizing itineraries for them. But after the pandemic began, most of her clients, who are from Australia, Canada and the United States, canceled their plans, she said, pushing her to suspend the business for now.

The experience left her feeling that tourism is not stable at all, she said. It cannot be the only source of income. I have to have a side hustle.
Cross Town News is the no. 1 Weekly Newspaper and Online News Portal in J&K in term of serious News. The rugged Newspaper & Portal is with a substantial difference to read and presence to feel. This newspaper has a vision to deliver the real side of truth to the public . Since its inception in 2013 March, It has become No. 1 News medium for people of J&K. Cross Town News has a mission to deliver high quality news across the nation within fraction of time.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 00:20:05|Editor: huaxia

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LONDON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- More than 12 million people in Britain are fully vaccinated by Saturday, the official figures said.

The British government said that 12,071, 810 people are fully vaccinated, having had their second dose.

The total number of people who have had a first dose is 33,508,590. More than half Britain's population has had one jab, according to the official figures.

A total of 38,189,536 COVID-19 vaccinations took place in England between Dec. 8 and April 23, according to National Health Service (NHS) England data, including first and second doses, which is a rise of 501,800 over the previous day.

Government data up to April 23 showed that of the 45,580,400 jabs given in the country so far, 33,508,590 were first doses, a rise of 119,953 over the previous day.

Some 12,071,810 were second doses, an increase of 448,139, according to the official data.

Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, Britain is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants, particularly those first emerged in South Africa, Brazil and India, and the third wave of pandemic on the European continent.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines. Enditem
ANAMOSA, Iowa (AP)  A correctional officer at Anamosa State Penitentiary was assaulted this weekend about a month after two workers died at the prison.

The Iowa Department of Corrections said a female officer was handing out medications to inmates around 7:22 a.m. Saturday when an inmate put her in a chokehold and assaulted her. Department spokesman Cord Overton said additional staff in the area responded and helped take control of the attacking inmate. The officer suffered bruising but was not seriously injured.

Just over a month ago, a correctional officer and a registered nurse were beaten to death by two prisoners during a failed escape attempt on March 23.
Britain's Cindy Sember won the women's 100m hurdles on Saturday at the Drake Relays

Britain's Cindy Sember won a world-class women's 100-meter hurdles showdown Saturday at the Drake Relays while four-time defending champion and world record-holder Keni Harrison fell at the second hurdle.

Sember, who has battled back from a ruptured Achilles tendon, surged late to win in 12.57 seconds with American Christina Clemons second in 12.59 and Britain's Tiffany Porter, Sember's sister, third in 12.80.

"The journey has been a long road, but I'm very blessed to get back to where I knew I could be," Sember said. "My focus wasn't the best today but I kept focused to the end of the race and that really helped me."

Sember, who finished fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was two lanes over from US standout Harrison, who struck the first hurdle with her trail leg and ran into the second hurdle before tumbling to the track.

She did not finish but rose and walked off apparently uninjured.

American Dawn Harper-Nelson, the 2008 Olympic champion and 2012 runner-up attempting a 100 hurdles comeback at 36 after having a baby, was seventh on 13.28 in her 2021 debut.

"I'm here to prove it's possible to be a mother and be out here," she said. "I'm not too pleased with the time but I'm happy to be out here."

About 2,800 spectators -- about 20% of Drake Stadium capacity at Des Moines, Iowa -- were allowed to attend under local Covid-19 safety protocols.

Reigning Olympic champion Ryan Crouser won the shot put with a heave of 21.93m, the best in the world this year. He has not lost since finishing second at the 2019 worlds.

Daniel Roberts, the 2019 US champion, won the men's 110 hurdles in 13.39 with Aaron Mallett second in 13.41 and Jamal Britt third to complete a US podium sweep in 13.45, edging Shane Braithwaite of Barbados by 0.003 of a second.

"I was really focused on attacking and that's what I did," Roberts said. "I feel like I'm fast and I'm strong. The only thing now is to be a better hurdler."

Story continues

Two-time world pole vault champion Sam Kendricks, who took bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics, won his speciality by clearing a 2021 world-best height of 5.86m on his final attempt. Fellow American Chris Nilsen was second on 5.80, the Olympic qualifying standard.

American Sandi Morris, who took the Rio Olympic silver medal, won the women's pole vault by clearing 4.70m.

American Clayton Murphy, who took a bronze medal at 800m at the 2016 Olympics, won the men's 1,500 in 3:39.12 with Canada's Charles Philibert-Thiboutot second on 3:39.34.

"It was tough to get back to the line but it was nice to feel that way," Murphy said. "It's April. We'll chip away at it day after day and continue to grind."

- Wins for Brazil, Panama -

Gianna Woodruff set a Panamanian national record by winning the women's 400 hurdles in 55.02, the fastest time in the world this year and a personal best by .58 of a second.

"I'm definitely very excited," she said. "It's nice to see all my hard work finally pay off."

Brazil's Alison Dos Santos, the 2019 Pan American Games champion, won the men's 400 hurdles in 48.15, a personal best and the fastest time in the world this year, with American Kenny Selmon second on 48.87.

American Kendell Williams, a 2016 Rio Olympian in the heptathlon, won the women's long jump with a leap of 6.54m to edge Canada's Christabel Nettey on 6.50.

js/bb
A Virginia State Trooper has been fired following a viral video that shows him threatening a black man during a 2019 traffic stop.

Trooper Charles Hewitt pulled over Derrick Thompson in Fairfax County on April 20, 2019.

Video of the incident went viral, showing Hewitt looking into Thompson's cell phone camera and declaring: 'Watch the show, folks.'

He then tells Thompson: 'You're going to get your a** whooped!'

Thompson's lawyer, Joshua Erlich, said he was told in talks held during settlement of a lawsuit that Hewitt was fired for cause in February.

A spokeswoman for Virginia State Troopers, Corinne Geller, confirmed that Hewitt was no longer with the force, but said she was prohibited from releasing further details.

Erlich said the federal lawsuit claiming Thompson had been assaulted and had his constitutional rights violated by the trooper was settled this month for $20,000, with no admission of wrongdoing by the state.

'Mr. Thompson filed this case because Trooper Hewitt's behavior was unconscionable, and Mr. Thompson is happy with the outcome,' Erlich told The Washington Post.

'He thought he deserved  and received  monetary compensation.

'And although the VSP did not admit to any wrongdoing, Mr. Thompson is heartened Trooper Hewitt is no longer on the street and thinks Virginia is safer for it.'

Thompson was pulled over by Hewitt and several other troopers while driving to his job at the Cheesecake Factory in Tysons Corner.

One of the troopers claimed they smelled marijuana and ordered Thompson to step out of his vehicle, at which point he began filming the encounter on his cell phone.

The two-minute video which Thompson filmed went viral.

'He just illegally entered my car,' Thompson tells the camera, referring to Hewitt, who is seen at the window of the vehicle.

Hewitt replies: 'Take a look at me. I'm a f**king specimen right here, buddy. You are getting on my last nerve. You are gonna get your a** whooped!'

Thompson says: 'Sir, my hands are up, I'm not threat... I feel unsafe. I have just been threatened by an officer as two other officers stand by and say absolutely nothing.'

Thompson refuses to step out of the car, repeatedly saying that his hands are up and that he is no threat to the officers.

At that point, Hewitt reaches over and unlocks Thompson's seat belt and yells: 'I'm giving you to the count of three!'

He then looks directly into the camera and states 'Watch the show folks!'

Hewitt grabs Thompson around the neck and removes him from the car. At that point, the phone falls and the vision is obscured, but audio is still able to be heard.

'Sir, get off my neck! I am not resisting! You are harming me!' Thompson repeatedly says.

After Thompson refuses to step out of his vehicle, Trooper Hewitt reaches over and unlocks Thompson's seat belt and yells: 'I'm giving you to the count of three!'

Hewitt grabs Thompson around the neck and removes him from the car. At that point, Thompson drops the phone and vision is obscured

Thompson was subsequently arrested for misdemeanor obstruction of justice without force, and pleaded guilty in a district court in early 2020.

Thompson told The Washington Post that the encounter with Hewitt was 'honestly the worst thing I've gone through in my life'.

Virginia State Police superintendent, Col. Gary T. Settle released a statement at the time saying he had watched the video and found that 'the conduct displayed by Trooper Hewitt during the course of the traffic stop is not in agreement with the established standards of conduct required of a Virginia trooper. '
(Natural News) Over two hundred doctors and scientists have come together in support of worldwide distribution of vitamin D to help treat covid infections and reduce hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths. The doctors are calling on all governments and healthcare systems around the world to immediately recommend and distribute vitamin D to adult populations.

Long before covid-19, most of the worlds population was physically primed to suffer from infections. This is because 70 percent of the worlds population is deficient in vitamin D and have subpar immune function. All current medical research shows that vitamin D deficiency is the common denominator behind covid hospitalization, ICU admission, severe illness and death.

Vitamin D is both inexpensive and nontoxic. It could have already been delivered worldwide to people throughout the pandemic, but public health authorities from the NIH to the CDC shamefully took the opposite approach, leading to needless suffering and death.

Addressing vitamin D deficiency should be top priority for governments around the world

Vitamin D deficiency is medically defined as less than 20ng/ml (50nmol/L) and affects over 33 percent of the population. Vitamin D insufficiency is defined as less than 30ng/ml (75nmol/L) and affects over 50 percent of the population. In order to get circulating vitamin D to a minimally sufficient level (30ng/ml), most people are recommended to consume 6,200 international units (IU) of vitamin D each day.

Vitamin D deficiency is more common in people with dark skin, due to their high melanin content, which blocks sunlight absorption. Deficiency is also common for people who are overweight or obese. Vitamin D is fat soluble; therefore, circulating vitamin D levels are higher in people who have a healthy weight. People who live in the Northern Hemisphere are commonly deficient, especially in the winter, when they are indoors and away from the sunlight. The elderly population is also deficient, especially if they are stuck in nursing homes that cordon them off from sunlight.

The doctors .have analyzed over 188 scientific papers on vitamin D and concur:

 Higher vitamin D blood levels are associated with lower rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

 Many papers indicate that vitamin D affects COVID-19 more strongly than most other health conditions, with increased risk at levels less than 30ng/ml (75nmol/L) and severely greater risk at levels less than 20ng/ml (50nmol/L).

 Higher D levels are associated with lower risk of a severe case (hospitalization, ICU or death).

 Intervention studies and randomized controlled trials indicate that vitamin D can be a very effective treatment.

 Many papers reveal several biological mechanisms by which vitamin D influences COVID-19.

 Causal inference modelling, Hills criteria, the intervention studies & the biological mechanisms indicate that vitamin Ds influence on COVID-19 is very likely causal, not just correlation.

 COVID-19 pandemic sustains itself in large part through infection of those with low vitamin D, and that deaths are concentrated largely in those with deficiency.

Addressing underlying immune deficiency is the most important health responsibility

The doctors and scientists agree that all adults should take 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 every day for at least two weeks to get circulating vitamin D levels to a sufficient level in their blood. They also recommend that every adult take 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 every day afterward to maintain a healthy level. They recommend that high risk groups (dark skin, excess weight) should take double that amount. Patients who are hospitalized with covid-19 should be administered a higher dose, which was instrumental in helping patients recover in two important 2020 studies. Patients who received 60,000 IU vitamin D daily for 7 days were more likely to recover without complications or death.

The doctors also recommend vitamin C intake at 500 mg, twice daily. Since vitamin C is water soluble, its best to ingest it intermittently throughout the day. Whole food sources include citrus fruits, camu camu, and amalaki berry. Most people are also deficient in the mineral selenium. These doctors suggest 200 micrograms of selenium per day. Zinc is equally important for stopping viral replication and can be consumed in doses of 30 mg per day.

Quercetin, a natural plant pigment and antioxidant, can help zinc assimilate in the cells. The doctors recommend 250 mg, twice daily. Because severe covid illness shows signs of blood coagulation and thrombosis, the doctors recommend aspirin (325 mg/day) while symptoms lasts. Nitric oxide is also important for keeping oxygen levels up in the blood. The doctors recommend whole food B-complex vitamins, which are highly concentrated in foods like beet root and spirulina. For further treatment, the doctors recommend a prescription of ivermectin, a proven antiviral.

For more on conquering infection, check out VitaminD.News.

Sources include:

VitaminDForAll.org

VitaminD.News

NaturalNews.com

BMJ.com

ScienceDirect.com

NaturalNews.com

PubMed.gov

NaturalNews.com
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-26 03:55:14|Editor: huaxia

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TIRANA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Albania's ruling Socialist Party is set to win the parliamentary elections held on Sunday, according to an exit poll organized by the Euronews Albania TV Station and MRB Market Research Company.

The first results of the exit poll published by Euronews Albania showed that the ruling Socialist Party wins 67 to 71 seats out of the 140 seats in the parliament, followed by the main opposition Democratic Party, which wins 61 to 65 parliament seats.

The Socialist Movement for Integration party wins six to eight seats in the parliament and the Social Democratic Party wins one to two seats.

The results of the exit poll have come out of the citizens who were asked on Sunday about their political choice, while maintaining anonymity.

MRB representative Dimitris Mavros said that the result from the exit poll data showed a very close competition between the Socialist Party and the main opposition Democratic Party.

There were nearly 3.6 million eligible voters for the elections, including those living overseas. The voting turnout at national level, according to official data published by the Central Election Commission, was about 48 percent.

Speaking at the end of the voting, the head of the Central Election Commission Ilirjan Celibashi said that the voting process went in accordance with the electoral code.

The voting process is considered crucial for Albania as the Balkan country seeks to launch full membership negotiations with the EU later this year.

Over 23,000 Albanians currently positive with COVID-19 are prohibited from voting due to isolation requirements. Enditem
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Its a bright morning in Perths south-east. Unphased by *Davids reluctance to roll out of bed after the customary morning cuddles, Milo races out of the room like lightning and re-emerges with a sneaker hanging from his mouth. Come on mate, its time to get on with life. When the sneaker trick doesnt work, he often brings worn-out toys to play. David knows theres no point in arguing; Milo doesnt take no for an answer. For two years David struggled to leave his home. Things that once sparked joy like going to his neighbours place for a barbecue or celebrating with friends had become the enemy he couldnt subdue, despite his three-decade-long military career. The crowds, the noise. It was all too much to handle. David and his service dog at their home in Serpentine. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola His anxiety had become so unbearable he needed medication to sleep. Then, he needed pills to stay awake. His wife, scared for his wellbeing, didnt dare to leave him alone and everywhere David went, the black dog followed. You get to the stage where you go to bed almost dreading it because youre fearful of whats going to be going on when you go to sleep, David said.

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He was at his lowest point when Milo came into his life. David vividly remembers the day he fell in love with the golden labrador. He had travelled to Bathurst to join a ten-day program by Defense Community Dogs aimed at pairing trained assistant dogs with veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. He was skeptical of the program. Leaving service had been tough but he should be able to handle his struggles by himself. Thats what medication was for. Besides, how was a pet dog going to help? How can I explain it? It sounds silly but theres a mutual knowing. He gets me. Veteran David. He was sitting on the grass with another assistant dog that wasnt listening to his commands when Milo abandoned his handler and raced towards him. He came straight over and just sat right next to me and put his head on my leg. We just sat there for 10 or 15 minutes, or whatever it was, David said. From day dot I fell in love with Milo and we clicked.

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The labrador is one of 52 rescue dogs assisting veterans across Australia struggling with anxiety and PTSD under the Defense Community Dog program. The canines are trained by inmates at the Bathurst and Numinbah correctional centres in NSW and Queensland for over eight months with the help of professional handlers as part of a rehabilitation program. Milo knows more than 50 tricks that stretch way beyond the usual sit, catch, and roll commands. He can turn lights on and off, fetch walking sticks, take clothes out of the washing machine, flick a switch, pull blankets, blow bubbles with his nose, and act as a barrier in crowded spaces. But perhaps, his most invaluable skill is waking David up in the middle of the night by jumping on his chest whenever he is having night terrors. Milo is so in tune with his owner that rapid breathing or a quiet moan is all it takes for him to swing into action. Milo often puts his head on Davids leg or shoulder to soothe his anxiety. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola Whenever David is having a bad night, which are now few and far between, Milo cuddles him in bed until his anxiety subsides. He then turns the lights on with his paw or muzzle and guides David to the kitchen for a soothing cup of tea. The night often ends with the pair curled on the couch. In crowded spaces, all it takes is for David to tap his foot and Milo will position himself as a barrier between his owner and other punters. Sometimes hell just come in, drops his head on my leg, and just leaves it there. Its just so I can pat him on the head. And it just distracts me, you know, that type of stuff, he said.

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Its a bond David struggles to put down in words. Loading It sounds silly but theres a mutual knowing. He gets me, he said. Since Milo moved into his home two years ago, Davids medication intake has dropped by about two-thirds, sleepless nights are now a rare occurrence and he has mended his relationship with his children. He no longer loses his temper at the drop of a hat and going out in public isnt such a burden. Milo has saved his marriage too. My wife now feels comfortable going out on her own and leaving me where it got a stage where she wasnt, David said. She now gets a bit of her life back which is great.

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The Australian Defence Force has more than 89,000 service members, 6000 of which leave each year, often with PTSD along with depression and addiction. According to estimates by Open Arms, the federal governments counseling service for veterans founded in the wake of the Vietnam war, up to 20 per cent of ex-servicemen and women will develop the disorder in their lifetime. Loading In 2015 alone, more serving Australians and veterans took their lives than were killed in Afghanistan during 13 years of war. Between 2001 and 2016, 373 serving, ex-serving and reserve Australian Defence Force personnel died by suicide, prompting calls for a Royal Commission from grieving family members. While Milo isnt the solution to all of Davids problems, the veteran said he couldnt imagine life without him. Hes absolutely my best friend. My wife is my rock and theres no two ways about it, but he is definitely my best friend, he said.

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David Cameron's name was being used to promote disgraced financier Lex Greensill's company to the NHS just four months before its collapse, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Greensill Capital, which filed for insolvency in March, was touting Cameron as its senior adviser as recently as November, according to confidential documents.

The finance firm was offering NHS trusts its business app Earnd as a way for staff to receive their salaries before payday. But last month, Earnd fell into administration with 10.2million of debt, some of which is owed to NHS entities. Earnd was used by several NHS trusts with thousands of staff.

Food for thought: Greensill Capital was touting David Cameron as its senior adviser as recently as November, according to confidential documents

Cameron, who was Prime Minister until 2016, was appointed as a paid senior adviser to Greensill Capital in 2018. A spokesman for Cameron said he became aware that Greensill was on the brink of collapse in December  just a month after his name was used in the documents.

'David Cameron was not on the Greensill Board, and was not on the credit or risk committees,' the spokesman said. 'He emphatically did not think or know that the company was in any danger of collapse until December 2020.'

The documents from November 2 state: 'We would like to mention that the Earnd Advisory Board members would be happy to talk with you. Similarly, so would Lord Bernard Hogan-Howe who is an advisor to us, David Cameron is a senior adviser to our main Board, and we can provide references from various public sector leaders as to our bona fides.'

Lord Hogan-Howe was Commissioner of the Metropolitan police until 2017 and was appointed as a paid consultant to Earnd last May  the same month he entered the Cabinet Office as a non-executive director. He said he was unaware that Earnd was using his name in documents sent to NHS trusts.

Lord Hogan-Howe said: 'I can confirm that I did not take part in the Health Service procurement process. I was unaware that Earnd were using my name in this way and I was not asked to give a reference.'

The Cabinet Office said: 'Lord Hogan Howe transparently declared his interests, which were published online, and he had absolutely no role in any procurement or policy relating to these interests.'

Greensill's advisory board for Earnd had included Lord Blunkett, the former Home Secretary, who stepped down from his paid position in February.

Reports had emerged by November that Greensill was facing financial troubles. Some of its borrowers had failed to repay loans, including collapsed healthcare group NMC Health and the lender Brighthouse.

Bridget Phillipson, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: 'It's staggering that the Government was still letting Greensill Capital hawk its wares around the NHS at a time when the warning lights were flashing red on its financial future.'

Greensill declined to comment.
In March of last year, California National Guard members awaited orders from Sacramento headquarters to make preparations for any civil unrest that might arise from the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The members expected directives to ready ground troops to help state and local authorities respond to disturbances triggered by resistance to stay-at-home rules or panic over empty store shelves.

But then came an unusual order: The air branch of the Guard was told to place an F-15C fighter jet on an alert status for a possible domestic mission, according to four Guard sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

Those sources said the order didn't spell out the mission but, given the aircraft's limitations, they understood it to mean the plane could be deployed to terrify and disperse protesters by flying low over them at window-rattling speeds, with its afterburners streaming columns of flames. Fighter jets have been used occasionally in that manner in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, they said.

Deploying an F-15C, an air-to-air combat jet based at the Guard's 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno, to frighten demonstrators in this country would have been an inappropriate use of the military against U.S. civilians, the sources said.

They said the jet was also placed on an alert status  fueled and ready for takeoff  for possible responses to protests over the murder of George Floyd by a police officer and to any unrest sparked by the Nov. 3 presidential election.

"It would have been a completely illegal order that disgraced the military," one source said. "It could look like we're threatening civilians."

"That's something that would happen in the Soviet Union," said a second of The Times' sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared retaliation from their superiors. "Our military is used to combat foreign aggressors."

The sources said the directives from Guard headquarters made their way down orally or in text messages, rather than in formal written orders, which was unusual and heightened their concerns that the jet would be used inappropriately.

Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, who leads the California Guard, did not respond directly to interview requests for this story. A spokesman for Baldwin, Lt. Col. Jonathan Shiroma, denied that the F-15C was placed on an alert status for a potential response to civil disturbances.

"We do not use our planes to frighten or intimidate civilians," Shiroma wrote in reply to emailed questions from The Times.

Shiroma also said that assigning jets at the 144th Wing to respond to civil unrest would have required the approval of First Air Force, which oversees the air defense of the continental United States for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). He said the California Guard "never made such a request."

He released a list of aircraft that he said were "postured to support any potential civil unrest missions" leading up to the election; it included two planes  a C-130J and an HC-130J  but no fighters.

"No F-15s were contemplated," Shiroma wrote.

But The Times reviewed other internal Guard documents that show the jet was placed on an alert status for a possible election-week mission and that officers discussed concerns in March 2020 as well as that summer about using the F-15C for domestic purposes, including to intimidate civilians.

The week before the election, a lieutenant colonel sent a message to Guard members who maintain the F-15C, advising them that a jet must be "ready to take off within two hours," beginning the Monday morning before the election. That meant a pilot and launch crew had to be available to reach the Fresno base within 90 minutes or so of receiving an order to deploy the jet, the sources said.

The message also said "aircraft availability" for a domestic mission would be "at a premium next week with the election. We may need to work on Saturday and maybe Sunday to ensure we have ... aircraft availability" for the potential mission. The sources said the aircraft in question was the F-15C.

With concern mounting among Guard officers and others, the then-commander of the 144th Wing, Col. Jeremiah Cruz, sent an email to several officers, saying that "there is no expectation that the F-15C will be used in any way in support of civil unrest." He went on to instruct the recipients to keep him apprised of "any requests or upcoming requests" from California Guard headquarters in Sacramento.

While that order never came, the sources said, the fact that their leaders might even consider using the F-15C over civilian crowds alarmed Guard members.

"It's a war machine, not something you use for [suppressing] civil unrest," a third source told The Times. He said readying the F-15C for potential deployment over a protest was "definitely unprecedented" in his experience.

Cruz did not respond to interview requests.

The F-15C can hit supersonic speeds, fires air-to-air missiles and is outfitted with a 20-millimeter cannon. It is expensive to operate, costing nearly $25,000 per flight hour, according to the Guard.

At Fresno, the jets are used to train pilots for combat, and a few are kept on around-the-clock alert to respond immediately to attacks by enemy aircraft on orders from the Pentagon as part of NORAD. That federal alert mission is separate from any use of the jets for civilian purposes.

"That jet has one mission and one mission alone  to go up and shoot down other airplanes," said retired Gen. Dave Bakos.

The Defense Department and First Air Force were not involved in any decision to place the F-15C on an alert status for civilian disturbances, military spokespersons said. Army Lt. Col. Christian Mitchell, a Pentagon spokesman, said deploying the jet "for dispersing crowds would not be an appropriate use of the F-15."

As the head of the California Guard, Baldwin reports to Gov. Gavin Newsom. A spokeswoman said that Newsom never authorized the use of the F-15C for a response to civil unrest, and that the possibility of that type of mission for the jet "was never a consideration before the governor's office." If it had been, the spokeswoman added, Newsom "would not have approved it."

This isn't the first time questions have been raised about the Guard's use of aircraft in times of civil unrest. In October, The Times reported that the Guard had sent an RC-26B reconnaissance plane to monitor Floyd-related protests in June in the affluent Sacramento suburb of El Dorado Hills, where Baldwin lived.

Other states' Guard units deployed RC-26B planes to fly over protests in Minneapolis, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. Unlike the small and peaceful protests in El Dorado Hills, however, the demonstrations in those cities were large and sometimes included property destruction and street clashes.

Members of Congress voiced concerns that the planes were used inappropriately to surveil civilians. A resulting investigation by the Air Force inspector general's office concluded in August that the RC-26Bs did not violate rules barring the military from collecting intelligence on U.S. citizens, and said the aircraft wasn't capable of capturing "distinguishing personal features of individuals."

Baldwin told The Times last fall that he didn't recall whether he had approved the deployment of the RC-26B to El Dorado Hills. He said the fact that he lived there had "nothing to do with" the mission.

A Newsom spokesman said later that the deployment of the surveillance craft "should not have happened. It was an operational decision made without the approval  let alone awareness  of the governor."

In the case of the F-15C, the sources said Guard officers told crews during the coronavirus lockdown to have the jet fully fueled and assigned a pilot around the clock. Who in the Guard chain of command would have had the authority to order the jet dispatched on a civilian mission was not clear in the directives, the sources said. They added that the jet designated for the task was not armed with missiles and its cannon was not loaded.

In addition to the preelection message, The Times reviewed two written communications circulated among Guard members that referred to the order to ready the jet for a domestic mission known as Defense Support of Civil Authorities. That category of mission includes the deployment of troops and equipment for nonmilitary emergencies, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, as well as to help police agencies respond to violent protests.

The first communication, circulated shortly after the COVID-19 outbreak, posed the question of whether the Guard was preparing to use the F-15C as a "show of force," which the sources said was a reference to flying it low over crowds.

A second communication in July contained a discussion of using the F-15C to survey infrastructure damage, but it also refers to the possibility of the jet being used as a "show of presences." The sources said that phrase also refers to using aircraft to intimidate people on the ground.

In his statement to The Times, Shiroma said the F-15C has been used in the past to survey earthquake damage because it can reach remote locations faster than other aircraft.

Retired and active officers who spoke to The Times said it would make no sense to place an F-15C on a 24-hour alert to respond to earthquakes or other natural disasters. That task, they said, is far better suited to the Guard's helicopters and surveillance aircraft, which are cheaper to operate.

Dan Woodside, a retired Guard pilot who has flown the F-15C, said that on the few occasions the fighter jet was deployed to assess earthquake damage, it proved nearly useless because it isn't designed for that purpose. The jet has a camera-equipped targeting pod to zero in on enemy aircraft in flight, but F-15C pilots are not trained to use it for air-to-ground surveillance, Woodside said.

The sources said the targeting pod was ordered removed from the F-15C for the domestic mission after the Guard was criticized for deploying the RC-26B spy plane over El Dorado Hills.

Woodside, who held the rank of major, said he "absolutely would have disobeyed" any order to use an F-15C to buzz a civilian crowd during unrest.

"The decibel level alone from an F-15C demonstrating a show of force can break windows, set off car alarms and cause more fear than shouting 'fire' in a crowded theater," he said.

If the Guard leaders were allowed to deploy the jet to help quell civil unrest, Woodside added, "you could have these warplanes buzzing all around the state of California."
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Kaelan Castetter has plans for the unusued offices next to his factory: dedicate all 35,000 square feet of it to growing marijuana, which just became legal for recreational use in New York state.

"We are going to build out a state-of-the-art and world-class genetics and cultivation facility along with our finished goods manufacturing," said Castetter, whose company Empire Standard has since last year made products using already legal cannabidiol (CBD) at a facility in the town of Binghamton that he now wants to expand.

The company produces and sells oils, salves, smokes, gummies and drinks containing CBD, a cannabis substance prized for its relaxing properties that Congress allowed to be cultivated in 2018.

However, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, is illegal federally, but a number of US states have nonetheless green-lit its recreational use.

New York's governor last month signed a law allowing its possession and use for adults aged 21 and older, and expanding its distribution for medical purposes.

That allows companies like Empire Standard, which already are well-versed in cannabis cultivation for use in CBD, to now sell products with high concentrations of THC.

"How often do you get a chance to be in an established market

with a product that has not been allowed to be sold? That's not even a once in a lifetime," said Jim Castetter, the company's sales chief.

- Historic opportunity -

At the Binghamton factory's assembly line about three hours from New York City, Jim, Kaelan Castetter's father, watches as employees in white lab coats assemble small boxes of CBD flowers.

The 55-year-old is a pioneer in the New York cannabis industry, after having been involved in several more or less legal business ventures over the years.

He sees legalization as a historic opportunity.

"It's that change in generations, that change in mindset, the change in political structure, that now we've arrived at this point where everyone says 'This is no big deal,'" he said.

Story continues

Among Americans, legalization has never enjoyed such strong support: 68 percent of respondents to a Gallup survey conducted at the end of last year are in favor of it, compared to less than half a decade ago.

Kaelan Castetter believes New York is primed to become a marijuana mecca on par with California, the most-populous state in the nation which legalized its recreational use via a voter-approved ballot measure in 2016.

"This can't be a better time for New York to legalise adult-use cannabis and create an industry that's 30,000 or 50,000 jobs and billions of dollars pumped into the economy," he said.

- The road ahead -

With the expanded factory, the 24-year-old plans to increase his workforce to more than 100 employees from 15.

However, the economic benefits of legalization may not be felt immediately.

To p

roduce, distribute or sell cannabis, professionals will need to have a business license granted by a state commission currently being set up.

"I think we'll see licenses at the very end of this year, that would be the earliest, and that's like putting on a jet pack and all systems go," said Cristina Buccola, a New York lawyer specializing in the industry.

Recreational cannabis is now legal in 16 US states and the capital Washington, but remains prohibited at the federal level, meaning people who consume it could still face trouble under federal law.

"In face offs between state and federal government, the federal government pretty much always wins," Buccola said.

Supporters of nationwide legalization have taken heart from

New York Senator Chuck Schumer, who leads the Democratic majority in the Senate and has said he is in favor of federal legalization.

- Beyond business -

New York's law stands out from other American states in its focus on social justice.

The law would direct part of the estimated $350 million yearly tax revenues from cannabis sales to communities most affected by drug enforcement in the United States, particularly Blacks and Latinos.

The criminal records of those convicted of illegal cannabis possession will be purged, and half of businesses licenses will be set aside for minorities, women-owned businesses, wounded ex-military personnel or farmers affected by disasters.

"New York has set these priorities in legislation, but yet they're going to have to follow through and make an industry that truly is accessible to all," Kaelan Castetter said.

dho/juj/cs/jh
Derrick Thompson films his interaction with Virginia State Trooper Charles Hewitt. (Derrick Thompson)

A Virginia State Trooper who played to the camera before violently removing a Black man from his vehicle has left the agency.

Former officer Charles Hewitt can be seen in a 2019 viral video telling Derrick Thompson: You are going to get your a** whooped, before forcefully removing him from his car.

Virginia State Police Communications Director Corinne Geller told The Washington Post that her agency couldnt give any further details, but could divulge that Mr Thompsons lawyer said he was told during the settlement of a lawsuit prompted by the incident that Mr Hewitt had been fired for cause in February.

Months passed while the video was public before Mr Hewitt had to leave his position. Mr Thompsons attorney Joshua Erlich said the federal lawsuit had been settled for $20,000 this month. The state admitted no fault on their part.

The lawsuit claimed that Mr Thompson, 29, had been assaulted and that his constitutional rights were violated by the Trooper.

The Virginia Attorney Generals Office confirmed that the lawsuit had been settled but didnt comment any further, according to The Post.

Mr Erlich told the paper: Mr Thompson filed this case because Trooper Hewitts behaviour was unconscionable, and Mr Thompson is happy with the outcome.

He thought he deserved, and received, monetary compensation. And although the VSP did not admit to any wrongdoing, Mr Thompson is heartened Trooper Hewitt is no longer on the street and thinks Virginia is safer for it.

Mr Erlich first posted the video to Twitter last July. It has received thousands of retweets and has been used many times in news reports.

The video prompted an investigation into the incident by VSP. The agency said no complaint was made about the traffic stop and that they had no records showing that an incident had taken place, WJLA reported. A statement said Mr Thompson was stopped because of an expired registration tag and that officers discovered that he was driving with a suspended license.

Story continues

Mr Thompson was pulled over on the Beltway in Fairfax County in April 2019. While a Trooper who began the traffic stop said she could smell marijuana coming from the car, Mr Erlich said no drugs were found.

Mr Hewitt was one of three troopers at the scene, and he did all of the talking seen in the subsequent video. Mr Thompson filmed the incident with his mobile. In the video, hes sitting behind the wheel of his car saying that hes not a threat and that the request that he leave his vehicle was not in accordance with the law.

He calmly resists Mr Hewitt in large parts of the video. At one point, Mr Hewitt leans in close to Mr Thompson and yells: Take a look at me. I am a f*****g specimen right here, buddy. You have gotten on my last nerve, all right?

Mr Thompson tells the Trooper that he has his hands up. Responding, Mr Hewitt says: You are going to get your a** whooped.

He then adds: Im going to give you one more chance. You can bring that with you, Ill let you film the whole thing.

Mr Hewitt later tells Mr Thompson that he is under arrest. The Trooper looks into the camera and says Watch the show, folks, and proceeds to violently remove Mr Thompson from the car and arresting him.

Mr Thompson pleaded guilty last year to misdemeanour obstruction of justice.

Virginia State Police superintendent Colonel Garry Settle said in July: The conduct displayed by Trooper Hewitt during the course of the traffic stop is not in agreement with the established standards of conduct required of a Virginia trooper.

Nor is it characteristic of the service provided daily across the Commonwealth of Virginia by Virginia State Police personnel.

An internal investigation had previously cleared Mr Hewitt of any wrongdoing and Fairfax County prosecutors didnt press charges against him.

The Independent has reached out to Virginia State Police for additional comment.

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New Delhi: Amid the raging second wave of COVID-19 in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (April 25, 2021) said that this storm has shaken the country.

During the 76th Episode of 'Mann Ki Baat', the Prime Minister said, "After successfully confronting the first wave of Corona, the country was full of enthusiasm, full of self-confidence, but this storm has shaken the country."

PM Modi also said, "Today, I am expressing Mann Ki Baat at a time when Corona is testing our patience; it is testing the limits of all of us at enduring misery. Many of our near and dear ones have left us untimely."

The Prime Minister stated that this time, for emerging victorious in this battle, everyone should accord priority to expert and scientific advice.

"The Government of India is applying its entire might to give a fillip to the endeavours of State Governments. The State Governments too are trying their best to fulfill their responsibilities," PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi also said that during the COVID-19 crisis, everyone is getting aware of the importance of the vaccine and appealed to people to not get swayed by any rumour about the coronavirus vaccines.

PM Modi expressed that the country is once again united and fighting against COVID-19.

"These days, I see that someone is delivering medicines to families living in quarantine, someone is sending vegetables, milk, fruits etc. Someone is offering free ambulance services to patients. Even in such challenging times, in different corners of the country, voluntary organizations are coming forward and trying to do whatever they can to help others," he stated.

PM Modi said that this time, a new awareness is also being seen in the villages.

"On the one hand, the country is working day and night for hospitals, ventilators and medicines and on the other hand, the countrymen are also fighting the challenge of Corona with a lot of heart. This resolve gives us so much strength, so much confidence. Whatever efforts are being made are of great service to the society. They strengthen the power of society," he said.

The Prime Minister said that he has kept the entire conversation of 'Mann Ki Baat' on COVID-19, because, today, the country's biggest priority is to defeat this disease.

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Daniel Kaluuya earned his second Oscar nomination for Judas and the Black Messiah. However, landing this role was a little more complicated than just auditioning for the director. Kaluuya played Black Panther leader Fred Hampton. The family of Hampton, including his son Fred Jr. and widow Mama Akua, tested Kaluuya to make sure he could play the Chairman.

Daniel Kaluuya, top, Lakeith Stanfield, bottom | Glen Wilson/Warner Bros. Pictures

Kaluuya spoke about playing Chairman Fred Hampton at a Judas and the Black Messiah virtual summit on Feb. 2. He went into great detail about his experience with the Hampton family.

Who is Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah?

Fred Hampton was Chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther party in 1969. The FBI ran a sting operation, installing William ONeal (Lakeith Stanfield) to inform on the Black Panthers. ONeals tips led to the FBI assassination of Hampton when he was only 21. Kaluuya wouldnt have played the part without meeting the Hamptons.

Daniel Kaluuya | Warner Bros Pictures

RELATED: Daniel Kaluuya Wasnt Invited to the Premiere of Get Out

I thought meeting the family was necessary, Kaluuya said.  A story like this and how, the perspective that we wanted to tell it through, meeting the family and having them a part of the process and having them, to be honest, enrich what were doing, to imbue the narrative with truth was imperative to me and to everyone a part of the process. It felt like everyones just aligned with the same kind of outlook in terms of the importance of having Chairman Fred Jr, having Mama Akua just saying things and redirecting us and coming onto set and educating us during lunchtime.

The family made sure Daniel Kaluuya was ready to play Chairman Fred Hampton

Kaluuya went to the Hamptons house with co-star Dominique Fishback, who played his wife, Deborah Johnson. Johnson now goes by the name Mama Akua.

L-R: Daniel Kaluuya, Dominique Fishback | Warner Bros. Pictures

RELATED: How Did Oscar-Nominee Daniel Kaluuya Become Famous? 1 Amazing Early Gig Influenced His Career

So we went to their home, went to the office, Kaluuya said. We had a seven-hour, eight-hour meeting where Chairman Fred Jr. spoke to us and asked us to declare our intentions along with the story, who we are. Chairman Fred Jr. took us to a place in Chicago. I remember what he was saying, I want to see what youre made of. If youre playing the Chairman, I want to see what youre made of.

Judas and the Black Messiah was a team effort

Kaluuya recalled a visit to the memorial to Hampton. The actor saw the destruction of the monument.

Chairman Fred Jr. was explaining to me about how the police come and kind of wrecked those kind of places, Kaluuya said. For me, it was a microcosm of whats been done for centuries. Its the destruction of necessary healing from the powers that be. I saw that there.

RELATED: Will Golden Globe Winner Daniel Kaluuya Be in Marvels Black Panther 2?

Ultimately, Kaluuya worked with Hampton Jr. and Mama Akua in partnership to keep the Chairmans memory alive in Judas and the Black Messiah.
One of the eternal questions in entrepreneurship is why do so many startups still fail. Is it a bad idea, poor execution or are many just not cut out to be their own boss?

On The Small Business Radio Show this week, Tom Eisenmann, a Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School discusses the real reasons in his new book, Why Startups Fail. He has interviewed over 470 entrepreneurs and has case studies including an ice cream maker, a concierge dog-walking service, and a sophisticated social robot.

Interview with Tom Eisenmann

Tom believes that too many experts focus on examples of success rather than failure. He explains that we can learn more from the many companies that have failed rather than mocking them. Tom says that knowing what these patterns are can save startups in the future.

Tom points out six key patterns of failure:

Bad Bedfellows. Startup success is thought to rest largely on the founders talents, experience and general instincts. But the wrong team, investors, or partners can sink a venture very quickly. Tom says that startups need human Swiss army knives with people that can perform many different functions. False Starts. In following the typical advice to fail fast and to launch before youre ready, founders risk wasting time and capital on the wrong solutions early on. Tom believes that you have to do up front research and test with customers and stop just pitching your product. Alternately, perfectionists want to keep polishing the product and never want to expose it to customers. False Promises. Success with early adopters can be misleading and give founders unwarranted confidence to expand. Early adopters are just that and may not represent the needs of a broader mainstream market of customers. Speed Traps. Despite the pressure to get big fast, hypergrowth can spell disaster for even the most promising ventures. Not every business has the leadership, money, market or infrastructure to expand rapidly. Help Wanted. Rapidly scaling startups need lots of capital and talent, but they can make mistakes that leave them suddenly in short supply of both. Cascading Miracles. Silicon Valley tells entrepreneurs to dream big. But the bigger the vision, the more things that can go wrong fast. In fact, Tom says that the huge entrepreneurial success stories like Facebook and Tesla had to have a million things go right to succeed.

Coming back from failure according to Tom takes three steps:

Recovery: Find new distractions and rebuild neglected relationships in your life. Reflecting: Understand what happened a few months later and what can be learned. Rebound: Learn what was your role and what will you do differently next time.

Tom also talks about the 100 Harvard Business School case studies he has authored.

Listen to the entire interview on The Small Business Radio Show.
The founder of the world's biggest semiconductor fab says it may be impossible to replicate what has been done in Taiwan in other parts of the world, including the US.

Morris Chang, the man behind Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, told a seminar last week that his company was at the top due to certain fundamentals which he was unsure could be repeated in other parts of the world.

In particular, Chang said, there were challenges to setting up a plant in Arizona, a US$12 billion (A$15.5 billion) plan which was pledged during the days of the Trump administration as the US sought to sideline China in its pursuit of chip sources. The Arizona plant was announced in May last year.

Asia Times, which had access to a transcript of Chang's speech, said he had praised the work culture in Taiwan and also the pool of talent devoted to the semiconductor sector. But he did not have anything similar to say about the US.

The United States stood out for cheap land and electricity when TSMC looked for an overseas site, but we had to try hard to scout out competent technicians and workers in Arizona because manufacturing jobs have not been popular among American people for decades, Chang said.

He also warned against sending people from Taiwan to run plants overseas. Computers of different brands can often be hooked together but not people of different culture, he said.

The fact that TSMCs top-flight executives can deliver top results in Taiwan is no guarantee of similar performance when they are posted overseas.

Asia Times pointed out that just one Westerner sits on TSMC's 26-member board.

TSMC has assumed an increasingly important role in the sector, being just one of two firms  the other is Samsung Electronics  that can make the most advanced semiconductors. Supply chain issues during the pandemic have led to an acute shortage of chips in many industries, putting production quotas at risk.

In November last year, TSMC reported it had completed work on a 3nm process fab and would start production in 2022. At the time, TSMC executive chairman Mark Liu described the plant as the most advanced in the world, adding that it would help the company stay ahead of all its competitors.

The trade war against China initiated by Donald Trump has continued under a new administration, and this has led to stockpiling of semiconductors by many Chinese companies which are unsure of what to expect next from Washington.

Chang said Taiwan's infrastructure was well suited for the semiconductor industry and the high-speed rail network and expressways allowed quick access between TSMC's headquarters in Hsinchu, near Taipei, and other plants located in Taichung and Tainan.

It was a breeze for us to rotate technicians and staff among the three fabs across the island and when employees change over from one location to another, they even do not need to move their homes, thanks to Taiwans bullet trains and highways and well-rounded transport and logistical support, he was quoted as saying. Its unlikely we can replicate all these in Arizona.

Chang also said that products made in America would cost more, even after government subsidies.

His remarks were in contrast to those made by Liu earlier in April, with the latter holding out hope that the Arizona project would take over part of the task of supplying 5nm chips that was now fulfilled by the plant in Hsinchu.

Chang said competition in the semiconductor sector was only between South Korea and Taiwan, adding that despite billions of dollars in subsidies pumped into Chinese projects, TSMC would always be five years ahead of the Chinese semiconductor sector.
The mutual fund industry added more than 81 lakh investor accounts in 2020-21, taking the total tally to 9.78 crore,and experts hope that the healthy growth in folios would continue in the ongoing fiscal also.

The industry had added 72.89 lakh investor accounts in 2019-20, according to data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India.

Investors are increasingly acknowledging the importance of making investments in mutual funds for meeting financial goals both long term and short term,Kaustubh Belapurkar, Director Manager Research, Morningstar India said.

"The awareness about investing in mutual funds has been on the rise over the last many years with the investor awareness programmes, ground work done by mutual funds, financial advisors and distributors in educating and shepherding investors through their investing journey," he added.

Folios are numbers designated to individual investor accounts. An investor can have multiple folios.

According to the data, the number of folios with 43 fund houses rose to9,78,65,529 at the end of March 2021 from 8,97,46,051 in March 2020, registering a gain of 81.19 lakh folios.

The mutual fund space saw an addition of 1.13 crore investors account in 2018-19, 1.6 crore accounts in 2017-18, over 67 lakh folios in 2016-17 and 59 lakh in 2015-16.

Prateek Mehta, co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Scripbox, said there are a number of reason owing to the folios growth, and some of the significant ones are due to the surge in digitisation driven by proliferation of technology, financialisation of savings and ease of transactions.

In addition, there is a clear migration from real estate and gold to financial products. Improved offerings and larger distribution networks have also accelerated adoption, he added.

Investor account in equity oriented schemes surged by 24.3 lakh to 6.68 crore at the end of past fiscal from 6.44 crore in March 2020. Besides, debt-oriented scheme folios count rose by 16.16 lakh to 88.4 lakh.

Within the debt category, liquid funds continued to top the chart in terms of number of folios at 22.3 lakh, followed by low duration fund at 12.26 lakh and corporate bond at 7.13 lakh.

The mutual fund industry had assets under management (AUM) of Rs 31.43 lakh crore at the end of March compared to Rs 22.26 lakh crore in March 2020.

"We expect the healthy growth in folios to continue in the coming years as newer investors continue to start their investing journey by investing in Mutual funds," Morningstar India's Belapurkar said.

He, further, said that the growth should come from not just the larger cities, but increasingly from the smaller B-30 cities.

Harshad Chetanwala, co-founder Mywealthgrowth.com, said mutual fund industry should do well this year too, as mutual funds continue to be one of the best options to invest across asset classes for every segment of investors.

"There is potential for mutual fund industry to reach out to wider investor base despite of the growth in last few years. There are 9.78 crore folios at present and if we consider an average of 3 or 4 folios per investor, there are just 2.5 crore to 3.25 crore unique investors in mutual funds," he said.

He, further, said that market conditions will be playing an important role in the growth of the industry as investors will try to chip in more during volatile market conditions.

Also as things get settle down after current Covid crisis, personal finance and savings of many investors will get back on track again, this will also help the industry, he added.

Gautam Kalia, Head - Investment Solutions, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, said the industry is reaping the benefits of greater retail investor understanding and participation. As more people understand and realise the power of long term wealth creation through mutual funds, this business shall only continue to grow.

"While there certainly are risks that can impede this growth (regulatory changes, downturn in market, escalation in the pandemic, etc) in the short term," 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.)
Chicago Man Charged in Killing of 7-Year-Old at McDonalds Drive-Thru: Police

Police in Chicago charged a man with murder for allegedly killing a 7-year-old girl in a McDonalds drive-thru earlier this month.

Marion Lewis, 18, was charged in the slaying of Jaslyn Adams, 7, as she was waiting along with her father at a drive-thru in Chicago. Lewis was charged with, among other counts, first-degree murder.

Lewis shot and killed Jasyln while he was allegedly attempting to carjack the familys vehicle, according to police. They said that Lewis was trying to run away from authorities on the Eisenhower Expressway when he crashed his vehicle just moments before.

Jaslyns father, Jontae Adams, was also shot and seriously injured in the incident, according to local reports.

Supt. David Brown @ChiefDavidBrown and Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan announce the arrest and charging of Marion Lewis, 18, in the shooting death of 7-yr-old Jaslyn Adams on 4/18, and in the police involved shooting on I-290 on 4/22. @Area4Detectives #ChicagoPolice pic.twitter.com/H56hRKAdtC  Tom Ahern (@TomAhernCPD) April 24, 2021

A video uploaded at the time from Chicago Street Newz showed the aftermath. They killed a baby, said a person off-camera.

You can run, but you cant hide, Chicago police superintendent David Brown said at a press conference on Saturday. We are going to bring you to justice for this crime. The Adams family deserves nothing less. Police said that two guns were recovered from Lewis.

The girls family also reacted to the shooting.

It just dont make no sense that a 7-year-old baby lost her life in this McDonalds driveway. Seven-year-old, the girls grandmother, Lawanda McMullen, told local affiliate station Fox32. Six bullets riddled her little body because someone did a cowardly act.

Authorities said that other suspects may have been involved in the shooting.

At this point, [Lewis] was involved in the murder of Jaslyn Adams. Thats our specific statement and thats the way you should word it, Brown said in the news conference.

Brown also said details about how officials captured Lewis will not be provided at this time.

Were limited in what we can say because we have other offenders to bring in on this horrific crime, but I will say the hard work of Area Four detectives and collaboration not only with suburban department officers as well as our district officers and a lot of technology has got us to this point, Brown said. But were not done.
The family of Andrew Brown Jr have joined mounting calls for North Carolina officials to publicly release the police bodycam footage of his fatal shooting.

Brown Jr, 42, was shot and killed in his car Wednesday morning in Elizabeth City, 160 miles east of Raleigh, while officers were serving a drug-related search warrant.

His death spurred an outcry from community members who demanded law enforcement accountability and the immediate release of deputies' body camera footage.

On Saturday, Brown's family was joined by the local clergy and civil rights leaders including the Rev. William Barber II in Elizabeth City as they put further pressure on officials to make the videos public.

Racial justice advocates joined Andrew Brown's relatives on Saturday in reiterating calls for police to release bodycam footage of his fatal shooting in North Carolina this week

Reverend William Barber addresses the media with the family of Andrew Brown Jr. during a press conference at The Mt. Lebanon A.M.E Church in Elizabeth City

Brown, 42, father of 10 children, was shot and killed in his car at around 8.30am in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, while police were executing search-and-arrest warrants for drug offenses, officials said

'America, here is the issue: a warrant is not a license to kill, even if a suspect supposedly drives away,' Barber said at the news conference attended by several of Brown's children and other family members.

'A warrant is not permission to shoot someone.'

'We're sick and tired of all these deaths happening that don't have to happen,' Barber added. 'Release the tapes!'

Keith Rivers, president of the Pasquotank County branch of the NAACP also spoke at the conference to call for Sheriff Tommy Wooten II's resignation.

Wooten has said deputies from his department including a tactical team were attempting to serve drug-related search and arrest warrants when Brown was shot.

He said multiple deputies fired shots but he disclosed few other details.

In a video statement released later on Saturday, Wooten responded to 'false claims' that his office had the power to release the footage and said he plans to ask a local judge as early as Monday to make the videos public.

Pasquotank County Sheriff Tommy Wooten II (right) said he will ask a judge to allow the release of bodycam footage of Wednesday's shooting death of Andrew Brown Jr next week

Wooten said that he would first check with the State Bureau of Investigation, which is probing the shooting, to make sure that releasing the video would not hamper their efforts.

'Only a judge can release the video. That's why I've asked the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to confirm for me that the releasing of the video will not undermine their investigation,' he said.

'Once I get that confirmation, our county will file a motion in court, hopefully Monday, to have the footage released.'

Asked for comment on Wooten's remarks, SBI spokeswoman Anjanette Grube referred back to a statement earlier in the week that said 'it is not the SBI's decision as to when and how body camera video is released.'

The statement directed questions about the footage back to the sheriff and local prosecutor.

Under North Carolina law, a judge must generally sign off on the release of law enforcement body camera footage.

Seven deputies have been placed on leave amid indications, including emergency scanner traffic and an eyewitness account, that Brown was shot in the back as he tried to drive away in an Elizabeth City neighborhood.

Leaders of the Elizabeth City government have demanded the release of the footage, and a coalition of media filed a petition in court to make it public.

Andrew Brown, 42, was shot and killed by sheriffs in North Carolina on Wednesday morning

Kirk Rivers, president of the Pasquotank County chapter of the NAACP, leads a group of demonstrators as they block Ehringhaus Street, a main retail avenue in Elizabeth City, N.C., on Friday

Demonstrators march on Thursday in Elizabeth City in reaction to the death of Andrew Brown

The Elizabeth City Council held a press conference after an emergency meeting to address the shooting

On Friday, the state's Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statement calling for the swift release of the footage.

'Initial reports of the shooting in Elizabeth City and death of Andrew Brown, Jr. this week are tragic and extremely concerning,' Cooper tweeted.

'The body camera footage should be made public as quickly as possible and the SBI should investigate thoroughly to ensure accountability.'

Police described Brown as someone who was well known to police, with a criminal history dating back to the 1990s, including past drug convictions.

On Friday, newly-released dispatch audio revealed Brown had been shot in the back while driving away from sheriff's deputies.

'Be advised EMS has one male, 42 years of age, gunshot to the back,' the dispatcher says in the recording obtained by Broadcastify.

A demonstrator wears a shirt with an image of Andrew Brown Jr. on it during a march, Thursday

They added: 'We do have a viable pulse at this time.' Later on, another transmission shared that Brown, a father of 10, had suffered 'gunshot wounds.'

Neighbors Demetria Williams, who witnessed part of the shooting, said she never saw Brown carry a gun, and that deputies fired into his car as he was trying to get away from them.

He crashed his car moments later, with Williams saying she saw Brown 'slumped' in his vehicle as he died of his gunshot wounds.

Wooten on Friday told WAVY-TV that footage from multiple body cameras would be released 'in the next couple days' after protesters took to the streets for two nights in a row demanding that officers release the footage.

Protesters gathered across North Carolina Friday night as police in Raleigh declared one protest an 'unlawful assembly' at 8pm after a group allegedly threw trash cans into the street, WRAL reported.

'We appreciate protestors resuming peaceful demonstrations and ask that they continue to do so until the end of the protest,' Raleigh police tweeted.
Caitlyn Jenner, the former Olympic champion and also a member of the Kardashian clan on April 23 announced that she plans to run against California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom in the scheduled recall election later this year. Taking to her social media accounts, the reality TV star declared Im in! while calling the state worth fighting for in a bid to replace Newsom. The Transgender icon has always been a longtime Republican supporter and as per the official release, she filed the paperwork in Los Angeles County and announced her intent. Her election bid is also one of the most high profile campaigns by a transgender person in the United States.

"California has been my home for nearly 50 years. I came here because I knew that anyone, regardless of their background or station in life, could turn their dreams into reality," Jenner said in a news release.

She added, "But for the past decade, we have seen the glimmer of the Golden State reduced by one-party rule that places politics over progress and special interests over people. Sacramento needs an honest leader with a clear vision."

Im in! California is worth fighting for. Visit https://t.co/a1SfOAMZQ3 to follow or donate today. #RecallNewsom pic.twitter.com/9yCck3KK4D  Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) April 23, 2021

Jenner denounced Newsoms impact on California

In the announcement, Caitlyn Jenner described herself as a disruptor and denounced Newsoms impact on California, also known as the Golden State. Jenner had begun exploring an entry into the politics only this year and has been working closely with the group of GOP strategists in a bid to lay the groundwork for her gubernatorial bid. Her allies include Brad Pascale who ran former US President Donald Trumps 2020 quest for reelection and Ryan Erwin, a former senior to Senator Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign.

Of Newsoms leadership, Jenner said, Small businesses have been devastated because of the over-restrictive lockdown.

She added, An entire generation of children have lost a year of education and have been prevented from going back to school, participating in activities, or socializing with their friends. Taxes are too high, killing jobs, hurting families, and putting an especially heavy burden on our most vulnerable people."

Our campaign will be powered by everyday Californians who deserve leadership that is accountable to them, not the special interests in Sacramento.

Donate today and join the fight! https://t.co/lNGPyr1dxu #RecallGavin  Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) April 23, 2021

Image credits: AP
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 19:40:02|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday exchanged congratulatory messages with Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Lao president, over the 60th anniversary of the founding of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In his message, Xi said China and Laos are friendly socialist neighbors and an unbreakable community with a shared future.

Since the two sides established diplomatic relationship 60 years ago, China and Laos have maintained mutual understanding and enjoyed sincere exchanges, with both sides sticking to the practice and promotion of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, said Xi.

That has brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries, set up a model for inter-state relations, and made positive contributions to pushing ahead the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said.

After the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, China and Laos have stood together and worked hand in hand fighting the pandemic, vividly illustrating the spirit of a community with a shared future which features supporting each other through thick and thin.

Stressing that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Laos bilateral relations, Xi said that he stands ready to work with Thongloun to implement the action plan on the China-Laos community with a shared future as the main line, promote high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation, and consistently promote the building of such a community in the next 60 years, so that people of the two countries can forever be good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners. Enditem
Kentucky was nobodys model of voter access when Republican Michael Adams was elected secretary of state in 2019. As in Texas, the GOPs calls for election integrity had become a battle cry, and the myths of widespread voter fraud grew as thick as the bluegrass all over the states famed horse country, despite nary a blade of evidence.

The fears stoked for years by President Trump and his party only intensified after a historic surge in turnout among urban voters toppled Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, a brash businessman turned populist politician whose twitter tirades, contempt for the political establishment and personal wealth had drawn endless comparisons to Trump. It wasnt just that he lost by a mere 5,136 votes but that he lost to a nemesis of sorts: the attorney general with whom he had so frequently clashed as governor who just happened to be the son of Bevins predecessor, the Obama-supporting Gov. Steve Beshear.

Many Republicans were convinced of shenanigans.

Adams knew better  We had a clean, fair election. Andy Beshear won, but half of the state felt otherwise, he says. Still, he hadnt hesitated to campaign that year on the fertile issue of ballot security, making promises for reforms that would ward against voter fraud, and won handily, becoming only the third Republican secretary of state since 1973.

In a way, it doesnt matter if its real, he said of widespread voter fraud, about half our voters believe it. So my job was to try to restore that confidence.

What he did next separates him from Republican leaders in Texas, who ought to heed his example. As the states top election official, he could have sowed doubts about Beshears win. Instead, he vouched for its legitimacy and pushed an agenda in the state legislature aimed at making it both harder to cheat and easier to vote.

Instead of going around and attacking Democrats, I developed legislation that could win support from Democrats and Republicans, Adams told the editorial board last week.

Adams knew he had to deliver on his promises to beef up security, starting with the states first voter ID law, which Democrats had been blocking for years: Doing so would also give me street cred with the Republican base and lawmakers  and I could use that to then go and get additional voting access.

But he chose to invite in critics of the proposed voter ID bill to kick the tires and make it a humane law that did not disenfranchise voters. One of those critics? The American Civil Liberties Union, which wed venture a guess is not on Gov. Greg Abbotts list of advisers.

At first, it was tough sledding in the General Assembly. Republican lawmakers in the early 2020 session tolerated the compromise voter ID bill but they would not pass the other voting reforms Adams had hoped would boost Democrats trust in the system. His proposals would have added early voting, made requesting absentee ballots easier, and other measures aimed at bringing what he conceded was Kentuckys restrictive, antiquated voting system into the modern era.

As the pandemic began spreading last spring, things began to change. Lawmakers left town early, and suddenly the governor had new emergency powers to make temporary changes in voting for the 2020 primaries and general election. Beshear soon decided to work with Adams and develop a bipartisan framework for those changes.

Such compromise is nearly unheard of in Texas, where Republicans have dominated state government for decades and see no reason to consult with the minority party representing nearly half the state, including every big city. But just imagine how such collaboration would work here, how much fairer and effective policies could be if the governor would just show Mayor Sylvester Turner or Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo the courtesy every once in a while to ask for their opinions.

Beshear explained in a recent interview with the editorial board how it worked in Kentucky: When the pandemic hit, I was able to have a face-to-face sit-down with our secretary of state, a Republican. It was a meaningful conversation that didnt have anything to do with party.

Beshear said they agreed on two priorities: To have a safe election that didnt put voters or poll workers at risk of getting COVID, even if that meant delaying the hotly contested 2020 primary, and to boost turnout despite the obstacles raised by the virus.

The changes worked well.

Our two elections had more options for Kentuckians to vote than ever in our history, the governor said.

Like Texas, Kentucky embraced early voting. Unlike Texas, Kentucky officials added the no-excuse absentee ballot. They also created a portal where voters could submit and track their absentee ballots, and set up regional voting centers where voters could have more space to cast their ballots in person. And while Texas governor limited even the largest counties to just one drop box for absentee ballots, Kentucky established drop boxes wherever they were needed, including 20 locations in Louisville alone.

The response was incredible, Beshear said.

Given the partisan fever of the 2020 elections, which included then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells re-election, many in the GOP bashed Adams for working so closely with the governor. They preferred the approach of Kentuckys new Republican attorney general, who had taken to suing the governor whenever he could. Party leaders began referring to the secretary of state as Benedict Adams.

They thought I had betrayed them in the midst of a heated election season, Adams recalled.

In promoting genuine election integrity, he had taken a risk that could have easily backfired for his party and his own political future.

But when the 2020 votes were counted, a funny thing had happened. Voting had surged, but the results had solidified the GOPs hold on the state, not weakened it. Trump and McConnell had both won by a landslide, and the GOP picked up seats in both the House and the Senate.

By the time lawmakers had returned for the 2021 session, that reality had begun to tamp down anger over Adams working with Beshear on voting issues. They were able to see, when you make voting easy, it doesnt change who wins or loses. It just makes it so more people participate, Adams said.

This session, Adams was the leading force behind new efforts to expand the franchise permanently. Some things, he said, had no chance and he didnt try. Keeping no-excuse absentee voting was out. But other efforts became law as Kentucky adopted early voting. Lawmakers also created new voting centers that would allow for increased options for in-person voting, and made permanent the online portals introduced during the pandemic to register and request ballots. The new law also allows absentee voters to correct or cure ballots when they discover a mistake.

Adams and Beshear both call that progress, and Adams notes GOP lawmakers might still have quashed the efforts if U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, wholl be on the ballot next year, hadnt signaled his support. Beshear is especially proud of work restoring voting rights to those who have completed felony sentences. Beshear still argues voter ID was unnecessary. Wide-spread fraud doesnt exist. And these new statutes and limitations are not only not necessary, they do run the risk of disenfranchising people. We have to resist that.

Adams says he knows perfectly well fraud in Kentucky is rare  but he also says its foolish for Democrats to insist it never happens. It does, sometimes. But when it does happen, its almost always in rural areas, in small elections and usually in primaries. So its Republicans stealing from Republicans or Democrats stealing from Democrats.

It should be prosecuted when discovered, he said, but its almost never aimed at elections that go beyond local concerns about jobs and patronage.

Kentucky, despite the modest changes, is still hardly a model for voter access. But by working with Kentuckys Democratic governor, Adams was able to make progress, and head off the worst instincts of hyper-partisans in his own party to restrict access further.

He did it by compromise, and by prioritizing a forgotten virtue of election integrity: that all eligible voters should find it easy and worthwhile to participate.

That ensures elections are truly a reflection of the entire electorate, and not a curated assemblage one party self-selects to preserve power.

Across America, some states are following Texas path and making it harder to vote. In other places, including in New Jersey and Virginia and in the U.S. Congress, robust voter expansion efforts are underway.

Kentucky offers a middle path, one that should be more acceptable in deep red Texas. But then, that would require Texas leaders to get in the ring and fight fairly for voters support. That would mean breaking the voter suppression habit  easier said than done for a party that has developed a dependency on it, compensating for an insecurity so profound Republicans feel threatened by something as benign as late-night voting, among the practices theyre trying to ban this session.

If Kentucky shows us anything its that a party neednt cheat to win. They just need a vision that appeals to a broad coalition of voters. And in Texas, theres the rub.
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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-26 00:28:55|Editor: huaxia

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ATHENS, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Under the shadow of eucalyptus trees, gray-haired locals are reading lyrics of Greek poets of the 19th and 20th century inscribed on benches, while mothers pushing baby-strollers stop to recite poems "hidden" under small windows on the pavement.

The newly opened Lambraki pedestrian street in the municipality of Glyfada, a southern seaside suburb of Athens, is offering a different experience, with poems of Nobel laureates and others, to residents and visitors suffering from COVID-19 lockdown fatigue.

While Greek people have been stuck at home due to the pandemic, for about two months last spring and six months since Nov.7, 2020, local authorities seized the opportunity to redevelop parks, construct pedestrian bridges over busy avenues and lay new asphalt on roads.

Running from the lively commercial center vertically to the beach, the pedestrian street in Glyfada has been transformed in recent months from a narrow road flooded with cars, with a tiny strip of poorly maintained greenery in the middle, to a wide, modern pedestrian path which people now call "Street of Poets."

The initial idea of the project was to create a pedestrian oasis like the famous Las Ramblas boulevard in the center of Barcelona in Spain, Giorgos Papanikolaou, mayor of Glyfada, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

When architects started mulling where to move the existing two busts of Greece's Nobel laureates for literature, the late poets George Seferis and Odysseas Elytis, the idea of the "Street of Poets" was born.

The two busts are now more visible, surrounded by a "sea of lyrics" by great representatives of modern Greek poetry like the two Nobel laureates, Kostis Palamas, Constantine Cavafy, Maria Polydouri, Kiki Dimoula, Manolis Anagnostakis, Andreas Kalvos and many others.

"We often talk around the world about our ancient cultural heritage, but we have a great modern Greek (cultural) heritage as well. This is what we want to highlight here," the mayor explained.

Since December, sections of the street have gradually opened to the public.

In the final phase in the coming months, the municipality plans to extend the project across the coastal front and create a four-km route, selecting also excerpts of works by foreign writers who loved Greece, Papanikolaou told Greek national news agency AMNA recently.

Locals and visitors have warmly welcomed the project. "The image of the most central part of Glyfada indeed changed," Dimitris Bentos, a resident of Glyfada, told Xinhua.

"People could not walk among the cars. Now pedestrians can come here for a walk with their children, they are bringing their babies here," Stathis Svolakis, another local, added.

"It is always a great joy and excitement for us seeing that during this period of the pandemic, at times of great difficulties, our fellow citizens are walking here, smiling, reading lyrics," the mayor told Xinhua.

"People come from everywhere. Lyrics have been written also in English, as we have many tourists. We are very happy that here on this street we also see many families from China taking a walk," he said.

With its prime waterfront location, vibrant commercial center and modern business district, Glyfada, as a famous seaside tourist destination, receives a large amount of domestic and foreign tourists every year, especially in the summer.

"In our city, we have the honor and the joy to have welcomed dozens of families from China ... and we are very happy that they are in our city," he added.

Papanikolaou learned from parents that children often return home to search for more information about the poets after taking a glimpse at their work on the street.

Such stories reminded Papanikolaou of the lyrics of Maria Polydouri: "This time, like no other, I think of you, lonely soul, stranger passerby." Enditem
Israeli fashion designer Alber Elbaz (pictured in 2019) has died of COVID-19 at the age of 59

Israeli fashion designer Alber Elbaz, the former head of Lanvin, has died of COVID-19 at the age of 59.

Luxury conglomerate Richemont announced Elbaz's death in Paris in a statement on Sunday, sparking a flood of tributes from stars including Kim Kardashian and Anna Wintour.

'It was with shock and enormous sadness that I heard of Alber's sudden passing,' Richemont Chairman Johann Rupert said.

'Alber had a richly deserved reputation as one of the industry's brightest and most beloved figures.

'I was always taken by his intelligence, sensitivity, generosity and unbridled creativity. He was a man of exceptional warmth and talent, and his singular vision, sense of beauty and empathy leave an indelible impression.'

Elbaz served as the head of Lanvin from 2001 and was beloved by A-listers including Kim Kardashian (pictured together)

Elbaz is pictured with Meryl Streep and Louisa Gummer at The Fashion Group International Night of Stars Gala in New York in October 2015

The Richemont group paid tribute to Elbaz' 'inclusive vision of fashion' that 'made women feel beautiful and comfortable by blending traditional craftsmanship with technology.'

Elbaz started to work in collaboration with Richemont in 2019 with the aim of launching his own label, AZfashion.

Women's Wear Daily, without giving a source, said Elbaz died on Saturday at a Paris hospital. Richemont later confirmed coronavirus as the cause of death.

Born in Morocco in 1961, Elbaz grew up in Israel before moving to New York in the 1980s.

He first became known to the public when he was named to the helm of French house Guy Laroche in Paris in 1996. In 1998, he became creative director at Yves Saint Laurent.

Elbaz went on to become the fashion director of Lanvin in 2001 and served in that role up until his firing in 2015.

He was credited with reinvigorating the veteran French fashion house for a new age with styles worn by stars such as Meryl Streep, Beyonce, Lupita Nyong'o, Harry Styles and Michelle Obama.

Elbaz was credited with reinvigorating the veteran French fashion house Lanvin for a new age with styles worn by stars such as Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, Lupita Nyong'o, Harry Styles and Michelle Obama. He is pictured at a show in September 2012

Models are seen on the catwalk in Elbaz's designs for Lanvin in September 2012

Elbaz is pictured with Carine Roitfeld, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian at The Daily Front Row Fashion Los Angeles Awards Private Dinner in Beverly Hills in March 2016

Elbaz is seen with Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour at the Jeanne Lanvin exhibition at the Palais Galliera in Paris on March 6, 2015

Elbaz is seen at a dress fitting with Kim Kardashian in a photo posted on her Instagram

Elbaz was highly regarded in the industry as an empathetic and generous designer, with peers including Stella McCartney and Pierpaolo Piccioli of Valentino calling him one of fashion's 'biggest treasures'.

Wintour, the global chief content officer for Conde Nast and editor of Vogue, paid tribute to Elbaz on Sunday, telling the New York Times: 'Alber always thought of fashion as an embrace of life at its best.

'When we wore his clothes, or were in his wonderful, joyful presence, we felt that too.'

Kardashian also paid tribute to Elbaz on Instagram, posting several photos of the pair together over the years.

'When I heard the news of his passing today my heart broke,' she wrote. 'My first time to Paris I was surprised with a lunch with Alber and I almost fainted when I walked in. He was the most warm and welcoming.

'Alber dressed me for my first Vogue cover and gifted me with the cover dress to hold onto that memory forever. Then Alber and Lanvin dressed me to the first Met Ball I was invited to on my own. Our fittings were filled with laughs and hugs! What a sweet soul. I will cherish all of our memories forever.'

Elbaz had long been open about his insecurities with his weight and spoke about how being skinny was a fantasy that influenced his work, the Times reported.

He sought to create lightness through his designs, which were always comfortable and often eccentric.

He shared his philosophy in 2015 when he accepted the Fashion Group International award, saying: 'We designers, we started as couturiers: "What do women want? What do women need? What can I do for a woman to make her life better and easier? How can I make a woman more beautiful?"'

'[We became] creative directors, so we have to create, but mostly direct. And now we have to become image-makers, creating a buzz, making sure that it looks good in the pictures.

'The screen has to scream, baby. Thats the rule. Loudness is the new cool, and not only in fashion, you know. I prefer whispering.'

Actress Natalie Portman shared a close relationship with Elbaz, once calling him the 'ultimate fashion philosopher-mentor'.

When Elbaz landed on Time's 100 most influential people list in 2007, Portman told the magazine: 'He says things to me like: "Wear flats. Youre short. Its much cooler not to pretend."'

Elbaz is survived by his brother and two sisters, as well as his partner Alex Koo.

Elbaz is pictured with Diane Von Furstenberg at the Exhibition Opening of L'Exibition by Christian Louboutin as part of Paris Fashion Week in February 2020
It has been 10 long years since we bid farewell to the Harry Potter franchise, which was an integral part of most of our childhoods.



Be it the seven books or the eight movies, we grew up experiencing the story about the lives of "the boy who lived", Harry Potter, and his two close friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

 Warner Bros.

There was not a single fan who wasn't disappointed in not being born as a witch or a wizard, so that they could receive their very own letter to study at the British boarding school of magic called the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.



Well, while you may not have had the chance of sipping pumpkin juice at one of the house tables in the Great Hall or to visit the picturesque village of Hogsmeade on weekend trips just like in the movies, there may be good news for you.

 Warner Bros.

You finally can. There are some state-of-the-art Harry Potter World Experiences that have been established across the world to give Potterheads the best magical experience of the Wizarding world:



1. Warner Bros Studio Tour of Harry Potter, London

 Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

One of the most popular tourist locations in the UK, the award-winning Warner Bros Studio Tour of Harry Potter is a go-to place for any Potterhead on the planet.



If you ever pictured yourself sitting on one of the armchairs near the fireplace in the Gryffindor Common Room or walking through the enormous doors of the Great Hall, you will love what Warner Bros. has in store for you in Leavesden, Southeast England.

Be it The Diagon Alley, the famed Platform 9 to board the Hogwarts Express, or the Forbidden Forest, the studio tour has all the iconic sets from the movies to give you the ultimate Harry Potter experience. So, grab on to the nearest Portkey to transport yourself here.

2. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios Florida

 Wizardingworld

Wondering whether you should buy a wand that has a core of unicorn tail hair or the feather of the Phoenix (just like Harry's)? Well, wonder no more.



Just walk into the Ollivanders Wand Shop in Diagon Alley at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida and the man will fix you up.

Yes, the Harry Potter experience at this particular theme park is like no other. One can explore the insides and the exterior of the magnificent Hogwarts Castle, buy amazing Harry Potter merchandise, and later top it all off by walking into the Three Broomsticks pub at Hogsmeade to sip on some delicious foamy Butterbeer.

So, what are you waiting for? Apparate yourself if you're above 17 or else use the Floo Network to get here.

3. The Harry Potter Store, New York

 Warner Bros.

The entire Harry Potter franchise may have been shot across the picturesque locations of the United Kingdom, however, Warner Bros., the American production house behind it all, has made sure that there are plenty of fun experiences across the US, and the New York store is one of them.



Set to open up to fans on June 3, 2021, the three-floor, 21,000 square feet building in New York will house the largest collection of products from the Harry Potter as well as the Fantastic Beasts franchise.

The store will provide fans with 15 different theme areas that include an interactive wand table, where fans can take their wands on a test run.

Fans at the store will be able to get their hands on unique items that cannot be purchased elsewhere, while also being able to experience virtual reality experiences of the Hogwarts Castle and of flying on a broomstick over the River Thames in London.

4. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios Hollywood

 Wizardingworld

While we may not have been able to take part in the Triwizard Tournament held at Hogwarts, fans at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios Hollywood, can witness the Triwizard Spirit Rally.



Under the experience, fans can cheer for the students of Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang as they carry out the vibrant precession in the lead-up to the Triwizard Tournament.

 YouTube

If that isn't all, you can take the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey theme ride, where along with Harry, you will soar above the Hogwarts Castle and explore Dumbledore's office, the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, the Gryffindor common room, the Room of Requirement, and other iconic passageways and corridors of the school.



5. The Hogwarts Express or The Jacobite Stream Train, Scotland

 Vanlifetribe

If you are a true Potterhead, then there is no way that you never wanted to go through the red brick wall underneath the Platform 9  sign at London's King's Cross Station to board the Hogwarts Express train.



Well, you needn't have to break a bone or two while attempting to go through a wall as you can experience the train ride by boarding the Jacobite Steam Train AKA Hogwarts Express from Scotland.

West Coast Railways, which provided the steam engine and carriages for the 'Hogwarts Express' in the films, run the train from a period of April to October every year, offering fans a journey of a lifetime.

Similar to the Hogwarts Express, the train takes you through the incredibly scenic Scottish countryside and is one experience Potterheads would not want to miss.

And don't you worry, there won't be any Dementors on this train.
The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths met with Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in Cairo on Sunday.

Griffiths, whose visit to the country was expected to last several days, is expected to meet with senior Egyptian officials and members of the Arab League to discuss developments to solve the Yemeni crisis.

In mid-April Griffiths appealed to the warring parties to implement a nationwide ceasefire and agree on a date for peace talks, in line with the plan to end the ongoing conflict.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Just a few days after talking about iOS 14.5, which brings support for Apple AirTags, the company has now released beta versions of iOS 14.6 for the public. This version for iPhone falls at the same time as iPadOS 14.6, and tvOS 14.6. As per the report, the first public beta of version 14.6 should be exactly the same as the developer beta version, which was rolled out earlier this week. In case you are interested in downloading the public beta version, you can head over to Apples Beta Software Program website to install it on the eligible iPhones.

Apple has not yet revealed what changes it has made in iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6. However, it is speculated that most of thewill be under-the-hood as we have already seen a feature-packed version in iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5. These are in final beta stages and are expected to be released in the next few days.

Also read: Apple iOS 15 to bring new iMessage features, iPad home screen widgets and more: Report

Besides iOS 14.5, Apple is expected to release watchOS 7.4 and macOS 11 as well. The firm has already rolled out the RC version of an upcoming macOS Big Sur 11.3 update to developers. The OS version includes more customisation options for Safari browser, new ways to rearrange different sections on the Start Page and optimisations for running iOS apps on M1 Macs.

Apple seems keen on pushing out updates for iPhones, Macs and others as it wants to get over with current-gen software versions before it launches its next major ones at the WWDC 2021 conference. The annual conference will be taking place on June 7. This year, the firm seems set to introduce iOS 15, tvOS 14, watchOS 8, iPadOS 15 and macOS 12.
Derek Chauvin deserves to die in prison for the murder of George Floyd, but Myron Williams wont call it justice.

Justice would be George Floyd restored to his family, Myron said Tuesday after a racially diverse jury found the former Minneapolis police officer guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

George Floyd is never going to walk through his familys door again, Myron said. Theyre not going to see him anymore, just like my sister. I havent seen my sister in 11 years, and Im not going to see her until I make the transition to the other side.

So I dont see (the verdict) as justice, but it is accountability. Finally, someone was held accountable. It gives me hope that things are getting better.

Myron and I became friends through tragedy  the fatal shooting of his sister Brenda by Scranton police on May 28, 2009. She was a 52-year-old mother and Air Force veteran diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. She was also Black. A neighbor called police to report Brenda was in the throes of a manic episode.

Police knew Brenda was schizophrenic and likely off her meds. Four Scranton police officers were thrust into a situation they werent trained to handle and shot Brenda five times in her North Scranton apartment. The police said she lunged at them with a knife. Myron doesnt believe that, or much else in the official narrative.

The shooting was ruled justified. The family filed a civil rights suit against the city and the officers. A federal judge tossed the suit, ruling that Brendas behavior caused the shooting. There was plenty of blame to go around, but Brenda is the only soul ever held accountable for her death.

I spoke with Myron last spring as the cellphone video of George Floyds murder played on an endless loop. He said then that he hoped the footage of a white police officer murdering a handcuffed Black man would be a call to action for Americans of all colors.

Myron called me Tuesday evening to say his hope was rewarded.

We finally won one, he said of the verdict. Someone was finally held accountable for treating Black folks like our lives dont matter.

Juries are notoriously loath to convict cops. I asked Myron if he was surprised by the verdict.

I was cautiously optimistic, but I wasnt really expecting this outcome, he said. I thought hed be convicted of manslaughter, but not murder, or all three counts. ... So many of these incidents have happened, and time after time after time, police have immunity from prosecution. Until bad cops know they will be held accountable, these incidents will keep happening.

Qualified immunity protects government officials from legal liability for bad acts  accidental or intentional  in the course of their official duties. It protects police who make honest mistakes, but also shields bad cops who abuse their authority with a sense of impunity. The Ending Qualified Immunity Act was introduced in Congress last summer. It has languished since.

Bad cops are also protected by unions and peers who look the other way and maintain a thin blue line of silence. Chauvin was involved in three police shootings and had 18 complaints on his record before he ground his knee into George Floyds neck.

At trial, the Minneapolis police chief and several fellow cops testified against Chauvin. Myron  who is no cop-hater and belongs to police associations and law enforcement reform groups  praised the officers who stepped forward to uphold their oaths and defend a noble profession stained by criminals like Chauvin.

The key is that the blue line broke down, Myron said. That was the turning point because going all the way back to the Rodney King incident, you see it with your own eyes and then it comes to court and they say, Dont let your eyes fool you. What happened is not what you think happened.

Well, these officers stood up and said, We saw what you saw, and what you think happened did happen and it was wrong. This is not the way we train people. This not acceptable. 

This week, more than 130 Scranton police officers resumed ongoing training in recognizing and rejecting bias in policing. Myron called the program a good step forward, but said its no substitute for familiarity and connection with the community.

The militarization of policing  the us against them mindset thats promoted in some departments, the good guys vs. bad guys mentality, make police the good guys and everyone else the bad guys,  Myron said.

These departments take these kids, and thats what they are 20-some-year-old kids  with all this military training and they have them policing communities where they dont live and dont know anybody and theyre scared. They see people like me as the enemy.

Proof of bias in policing  and its lethal consequences  is everywhere, Myron said. Just this month in Minnesota, Daunte Wright, an unarmed 20-year-old Black man, was shot to death as he tried to drive away from police. Contrast that with the experience of Luke Alvin Oeltjenbruns, a white Minnesota man who rammed two police cruisers and dragged an officer clinging to his pickup truck. He hit the officer in the head with a hammer. He was arrested.

Kim Potter, the 26-year veteran officer who killed Wright, claimed she confused her gun with her Taser. She was arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter, but Daunte Wright is dead.

If you cant tell the difference in weight between a gun and a Taser after 26 years on the force, you shouldnt be a cop, Myron said. You shouldnt have the power of life and death in your hands.

Good cops exercise that power reluctantly. We agreed the officer who fatally shot MaKhia Bryant, a 16-year-old Black girl in Columbus, Ohio, was justified, but Myron questioned whether it was necessary to fire four times. Maybe it wasnt but body camera video appears to show Bryant wielding a knife as she lunged at another girl. Her death is tragic, but the officer had little choice but to fire.

Nearly a dozen years later, Myron still believes officials covered up the circumstances of his sisters death. No one was there to film. If a 17-year-old girl named Darnella Frazier hadnt captured George Floyds murder on video with a cellphone, the initial official narrative  that Floyd died in a medical incident  would likely have stood. Chauvin would probably still be a cop, terrorizing those he swore an oath to serve and protect.

Myron takes some comfort in knowing his sisters death led to reforms. Scranton police now wear body cameras and receive frequent training in de-escalation, bias awareness and community engagement.

Hes thankful the equipment and training that might have saved his sisters life is standard now, but she will never walk through her familys door again.

Call it progress, Myron said of the Chauvin verdict. Call it accountability. Call it a reason for hope. Just dont call it justice.

CHRIS KELLY, the Times-Tribune columnist, is proud to call Myron Williams a friend. Read his award-winning blog at timestribuneblogs.com/kelly.




The Mekong River is Southeast Asias longest, passing through China, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.

But dams have changed the path of the river system. Now there are droughts during the rainy season and high water when it should be dry. That has affected the lives of people, including those in northeastern Thailand where locals depend on the river for food and work.

Recently, Rodjana Thepwong searched for flecks of gold on the edge of the Mekong River in the northeastern part of Thailand. She said the waterway has been her playground, food supply and way to earn a living for all of her 64 years.

But it is changing at a speed she can hardly believe. When she was younger, the water was so low during dry season that she could walk to the Lao side a few hundred meters away. Now, she said, the water rises in the dry season so she stays on the Thai side and searches for very small amounts of gold.

Upstream dams have destroyed the natural processes of the river. About 60 million people depend on the river for food and survival. Many of the dams were built by China.

The land along the river used to provide farmland to the poorest Mekong villagers. But now, when the dams are closed to produce electricity, water levels rise and fall without warning. And the land will not grow much of any food crop.

Campaigners say many kinds of fish have disappeared. They say the river downstream now lacks needed sediment. This has sent a shock through the whole river system.



A new $2 billion hydroelectric dam, financed by China, is being planned for the town of Sanakham in Laos. It is just two kilometers from northern Thailand. Locals fear it will rob the river of nutrients and the sediment that provides nutrients for fish. They say it will be the end of the living river in northern Thailand.

The Mekong River Commission is in the process of examining the Sanakham dam proposal for possible effects on the environment and communities. But such steps are seen by locals as being unserious.

From a conservation area on the Thai side of the river, local researcher Apisit Soontrawirat records the destruction. The conservation area is a few kilometers downstream from the proposed dam.

He said the Chinese and Lao dams have ruined the river system. Apisit said nearly 70 kinds of fish have disappeared because of the lack of sediment. But the dams also affect plant species, which help provide food for fish.

Dam operators say they have put in place measures to reduce environmental damage, including building a passage for the fish. The structure permits fish to move upstream during mating season.

But Apisit said big companies in China, Laos and Thailand are taking everything and leaving the common people with nothing.

Villagers are not getting any benefits from these dams, he said. The only people that gain are the big businesspeople involved in the hydropower.

From a small village home, a network of fishermen defends the river from the hydropower centers. But they stand little chance against the business interests that oppose them.

Chaiwat, one of the fishermen, said locals call the Mekong the River of Life. All they want, he said, is for it to be returned to them, so they can live off of it, even if it is not the same as before.

With fish populations greatly reduced, many fishermen have left the waterway for work in rubber fields or factories in the city.

Another proposed dam in Pak Chom could further hurt the people who still eat, live and work along its waters. It would be the first dam across the Thai stretch of the Mekong.

Fisherman Sudta Insamran has a simple plea to the dam builders:

It is time to stop building dams, he says, and return the Mekong River to the people.

Please stop, Sudta says. Enough is enough.

Im Alice Bryant.

And Im Bryan Lynn.



Vijitra Duangdee reported this story for VOA News. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

drought n. a long period of time with little or no rain

fleck n. a small spot or mark

upstream adj. the direction that is opposite the flow of water in a stream or river; opposite of downstream

sediment n. the material that sinks to the bottom of a liquid

conservation n. the protection of animals, plants and natural resources

benefit n. a good or helpful result
Welsh comedian, actor and presenter Griff Rhys Jones OBE, 67, is best known for his BBC comedy sketch shows Not The Nine OClock News and Alas Smith And Jones. He lives in Suffolk with his wife, Jo, and has two grown-up children.

HOW TO PERSUADE ALAN SUGAR TO GIVE YOU 1M!

Ive never been good at asking for what I need, which, as I fundraise for charity from time to time, can be a problem.

In the 1990s, I had to raise 20 million to restore the Hackney Empire. I took a potential donor, a famous heir to a fortune, out to lunch but he was dismayed when I asked him, over the creme brulee, if he would like to contribute. He thought I was his new best friend. Now I was asking for his money.

Next I tried gathering individuals with a combined net worth of 8 billion for a dinner on the stage. I made a moving speech, but didnt directly ask for contributions. I thought the cause was obvious, until no one coughed up.

Welsh comedian, actor and presenter Griff Rhys Jones OBE, 67, who is best known for his BBC comedy sketch shows Not The Nine OClock News and Alas Smith And Jones, said that you have to be bold and ask for what you need

I soon learned that you have to be bold and ask for what you need. One Christmas Eve when I was still struggling to raise money for the theatre, Alan Sugar rang and asked: How much are you short? I found it hard to be so direct, but replied: One million. He said: Put me down for that. The theatres artistic director, Roland Muldoon, was overjoyed, but the sum required was in fact 1.25 million.

I had to summon up the courage to ask Lord Sugar for more money  and, if youve seen The Apprentice, you can imagine how hard that was. But finally, I managed to be direct. He was very good about it and paid up.

My best friend once called me a coward, and to be honest I still feel like one, and a bloody nuisance for asking for help  until I think of the good charities do.

In the recent Celebrity Bottom Drawer auction for East Anglias Childrens Hospices, we raised 150,000 by getting celebrities to auction off some of their possessions. So many of the people we approached directly sent something.

Many wealthy Brits find giving an embarrassment. I had to reassure people working alongside me on that auction that rejection is their problem, not ours. You have to keep going and be un-British to succeed.

East Anglias Childrens Hospices care for those with life-threatening conditions in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk (each.org.uk).
Peshawar (Pakistan), Apr 25 (PTI) Members of the Sikh community protested in Pakistan's Peshawar city, demanding the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government find a local youth from their community who has been missing for the last one month.

Speaking at the protest outside the Peshawar Press Club on Saturday, community leader Sardar Parvinder Singh said Avinash Singh was well-educated and his family had no ill-relations.

Scores of protesters, including women and children, demonstrated, holding banners and placards. They alleged Avinash had been kidnapped by anti-social elements.

They demanded to know how could Avinash be missing for over a month and yet the local police had knowledge in the matter. Avinash is believed to be about 25 to 30 years old.

The demonstrators said Avinash was missing from the jurisdiction of Gulberg Police Station, here.

They demanded the provincial government take all possible steps to find Avinash. PTI AYZ IND

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
A teenager has been charged with murder over the shooting death of a seven-year-old girl who was killed as she sat in her dad's car at a McDonald's drive-thru.

Marion Lewis, 18, faces a first-degree murder charge after Jaslyn Adams was killed on April 18 in Chicago's West Side.

Her father, rapper Jontae Adams, was seriously wounded in the attack.

Lewis also faces three counts of attempted murder and aggravated assault of a police officer, police Supt. David Brown said during a news conference.

A total of 19 counts have been filed against the teenager.

Other suspects who also are believed to have been involved in the killing of Adams remain at large, Brown said.

Lewis was captured Thursday while trying to steal a car on the Eisenhower Expressway after crashing his own trying to elude police, Brown said.

A murder charge and 18 other counts have been filed against Marion Lewis, 18, pictured

Lewis is charged in the killing of Jaslyn Adams, left, who was shot April 18 while sitting in her fathers car at a McDonalds drive-thru on the citys West Side, Brown said. Her father, Jontae Adams, right, was seriously wounded in the attack

He added: 'You can run, but you can't hide. We are going to bring you to justice for this crime. The Adams family deserves nothing less, no question at all.'

Brown would not say what investigators believed Lewis role was in the shooting.

He told reporters: 'We are saying at this point in the investigation that he was involved in the murder of Jaslyn Adams. That's our specific statement.'

Images from the scene show the car sprayed with bullet holes and shell casings all around the vehicle.

Distressing video showed police pulling Jaslyn's body from the car and putting her in a police car to rush her to hospital.

A person can be heard shouting: 'Oh s***! They killed a baby!'

Cook County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Jaslyn was shot several times. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Her father, who is a rapper with prior drug convictions, was shot in the torso and has since been released from the hospital.

Police said they believe the shooting was gang related.

Police investigate a crime scene where Jontae Adams, 28, and his daughter Jaslyn, 7, were shot

The shooting unfolded at about 4.20pm on Sunday, April 18 in the McDonald's parking lot

Just hours before the shooting unfolded, Adams had posted to Facebook:

'Opps prolly downstairs waiting on me,' he wrote. 'Opps' is a slang word for opposition.

His mother, LaWanda McMullen, confirmed after the deadly shooting that her son was involved with gangs.

'I'm not going to sit here and lie and say he wasn't involved in gangs,' McMullen told the Chicago Sun Times. 'It was gang related and just stupidity.'

According to court records, Adams was convicted of an unspecified drugs offense in 2016 and was arrested for possession of heroin in 2018.

He was out on parole for the 2018 conviction at the time of the shooting.

In 2012, he was also one of several suspected gang members arrested for operating an open-air heroin market in a Chicago neighborhood.

Jaslyn Adams, 7, was hit multiple time and rushed to hospital where she was pronounced dead

Lewis was captured Thursday while trying to steal a family's car on the Eisenhower Expressway after crashing his own trying to elude police, Brown said.

He is expected to survive being shot several times by a police officer who was trying to arrest him, police have said.

Investigators had the man under surveillance on Thursday and saw him get into a car and drive off, Brown said.

As he tried to elude them, the man drove onto the expressway west of the city's business district. After he crashed his vehicle, the man tried to carjack a family traveling in the same direction.

Police confronted him and an officer shot him several times, Brown said.

Lewis was captured Thursday while trying to steal a family's car on the Eisenhower Expressway after crashing his own trying to elude police, Brown said

He is expected to survive being shot several times by a police officer who was trying to arrest him, police have sai

Jaslyn's grandmother Lawanda McMullen told NBC Chicago she felt 'overwhelmed' upon learning of the suspect's capture.

'I hope and pray to God that this is him,' McMullen said. 'We can live in peace, just a little bit, and have a little peace in our hearts and in our minds for [Jaslyn].'

A day before the arrest, Jaslyn's family and friends held a vigil for her, which was attended by the girl's father, Jontae Adams, who is still recovering from his injuries.

'I got shot once. My baby got shot six times,' he said while leaning on crutches. '[Her] last words, "Daddy." I see my daughter face down in my car. ... I want justice for my baby.'
(Alliance News) - More than half of the UK's total population has received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, figures show.

Government data up to April 23 shows that of the 45.6 million jabs given in the UK so far, 33.5 million were first doses a a rise of 119,953 on the previous day.

The UK population is estimated to be 66.8 million, so the latest figures show that more than half the population have now had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

NHS England data up to April 23 shows that of the 38.2 million total doses given in England so far, 28.1 million were first doses a a rise of 107,656 on the previous day.

Anyone aged 45 and over can still arrange their jab in England, as well as people who are clinically vulnerable or health and care workers.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he is "absolutely delighted" about reaching the "brilliant" milestone, adding: "This vaccination programme is our way out of this pandemic. It's clearly saving lives."

Hancock said he is thrilled that the uptake amongst everyone aged 50 and above is over 95%.

Deputy chief executive of NHS Providers Saffron Cordery said: "It is an astonishing achievement that half of the UK population has now had at least one Covid-19 jab.

"In under five months, frontline NHS staff in trusts and primary care and volunteers have done an incredible job giving out over 33 million first jabs and more than 11 million second doses.

"We owe each and every one of them our thanks. We've made truly significant progress, but we've still got a long way to go until we reach our next major milestone of offering all adults their first jab by the end of July.

"In the meantime, we'd encourage everyone to have their Covid-19 vaccines when they are offered it and to continue following the rules on social contact.

"These measures are key to keeping Covid-19 infection rates under control and helping ensure this current lockdown is our last."

The milestone was announced as anti-lockdown protesters gathered in central London almost two weeks after the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

Demonstrators took to Oxford Street, Park Lane and Hyde Park where they held banners with messages such as: "You don't need proof to know truth."

Others said "Covid-19 Vaccine Holocaust" and "No To Vaccine Passports".

Meanwhile, the government said a further 32 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Saturday, bringing the UK total to 127,417.

Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies show there have been 151,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

The government also said that, as of 9am on Saturday, there had been a further 2,061 lab-confirmed cases in the UK.

Experts have said vaccines should be able to control the Covid-19 pandemic as they published new real-world UK data showing that jabs slash infection and are likely to cut transmission.

Just one dose of either the Pfizer/BioNTech or Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine leads to a two-thirds drop in coronavirus cases and is 74% effective against symptomatic infection.

After two doses of Pfizer, there was a 70% reduction in all cases and a 90% drop in symptomatic cases a these are the people who are most likely to transmit coronavirus to others.

Experts are still collecting data on two doses of AstraZeneca but say their findings show that both vaccines work and are effective in the real world.

One of the new studies, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, is based on data from the national Covid-19 Infection Survey run by the University of Oxford and the Office for National Statistics.

It included a random sample of more than 373,000 adults from across the UK, who produced more than 1.6 million swab test results between December and April.

Professor Sarah Walker, from the University of Oxford and chief investigator for the survey, said the study suggested vaccines could reduce transmission and were also effective against the Kent variant of coronavirus.

source: PA

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
The rich history of the big screen has produced some massive stars over the last century. While some Hollywood royalty rises and falls, some stars stay at the top of their game for decades. While many leading ladies from Hollywoods golden age have long left the limelight, Jane Fonda is just as active as ever. Not only is this beloved star still acting into her 80s, but is more tenacious and passionate about social issues than ever. Fondas activism has, however, run her afoul of the law several times. While shes made the news in recent years for her arrests, they certainly werent the first for this Hollywood legend.

Jane Fonda | John Lamparski/Getty Images

Legend of the screen

RELATED: What is Jane Fondas Net Worth?

Fonda was born in New York in 1937. Born to early film legend Henry Fonda, according to IMDb, she was at first hesitant to follow the family trade. Eventually, after appearing casually several times alongside her father, she made her first big-screen splash in 1960s Tall Story. Fonda would go on to have a 3-decade career garnering her millions of fans worldwide and critical praise.

Out of the 131 major awards shes been nominated for, shes won 59 to include two Oscar wins for Best Actress. Though Fonda would formally retire from acting in 1991, she would make a return in 2005s Monster In Law alongside Jennifer Lopez. This return to acting would mark a return to public life in many ways for Fonda. The films release was accompanied by re-releases of her famous workout videos, her time on Grace and Frankie, and a return to vocal activism.

The long-time activist

Though Fondas been known lately for being an outspoken critic of the Trump presidency, or climate change policy, her roots in activism go back much further. In the 1970s, Fonda was a constant voice in the protest against the continued war in Vietnam. In November 1970, Fonda was on a speaking tour for a series of anti-war demonstrations. At a Cleveland airport, several officers arrested Fonda for fraudulently bringing drugs into the country and assaulting a police officer, according to Cleveland.

The drug charges were later dropped after authorities later revealed that the pills Fonda had were indeed prescribed medication and vitamins. Fonda often expresses that she believes it was a set-up to discredit her. She explains on her website in a 2009 article, I think they hoped this scandal would cause the college speeches to be canceled and ruin my respectability. I was handcuffed and put in the Cleveland Jail, which is when the mug shot was taken.

The whole affair was surely stressful for Fonda, but the iconic photo of her fist-up mugshot has become thoroughly embedded in our culture. I sure got a lot of mileage out of that arrest, Fonda told the LA Times in 2018.

How many times has Jane Fonda been arrested?

Californians: together, we can end fossil fueled racism in CA. #SB467 would ban extreme drilling & mandate a 2,500 foot public health buffer zone for communities living near drilling  join me in calling on CA lawmakers to support this crucial bill: https://t.co/3hTdAFLBT8  Jane Seymour Fonda (@Janefonda) March 25, 2021

RELATED: Jane Fondas Hollywood Experience Includes Rape and Assault

Fondas activism didnt end with the Vietnam War. Fonda was loudly and frequently opposed to former President Donald Trump on social mediaand was a leading voice in exposing the underbelly of Hollywood during the #MeToo movement. Shes been a staunch supporter of emissions reforms and legislation to combat climate change. Recently, shes even moved to Washington DC to be able to hold and participate in more activism and demonstrations.

Her October 2019 protests in Washington over climate change policy led to some familiar outcomes. Fonda had been protesting every Friday for weeks in cooperation with Greenpeace for Fire Drill Fridays on the need for sustainable climate change legislation and policy. According to Distractify, Fonda was arrested five separate times during the protests, once with Grace and Frankie co-star, Sam Watertson, bringing her total arrests to six.
SCRANTON  The past meets the present at the new Dutchies Subs, Pizza and Take Away that has taken over a Green Ridge neighborhood landmark.

Dutchies opened April 15 in the former Brunettis Pizza and Deli at 1924 Sanderson Ave. and business has been brisk, said owners Jim and Carrie Mayer.

Its been going fantastic. The community has been awesome, Jim Mayer said.

Brunettis closed in July after celebrating 62 years in business on St. Patricks Day 2020. Two days later, the COVID-19 pandemic spurred a statewide business shutdown. Brunettis later did some front-door pickups but never fully reopened, as Brunetti family members with health issues decided to close for good.

Mayer family members in Scranton alerted native son Jim Mayer, a chef for 20 years in Virginia Beach, Virginia, about Brunettis closure. He decided to move back to Scranton and reopen the neighborhood mainstay to go into business for himself and be closer to his family.

Its really a blessing to be here, Carrie Mayer said. We really want to bring good, fresh, healthy options to Green Ridge.

Some customers who had long frequented Brunettis were sad when it closed, but theyre glad that Dutchies revived it.

As a college student in the 1980s, Gary Hetsko, 55, of Sullivan County, lived in an apartment across the street from Brunettis and became a loyal customer. Over the years, he returned often to Brunettis and now counts himself a patron of Dutchies, Hetsko said during a visit Saturday for pizza to-go.

I love it, Hetsko said of the new business.

Fawn Cruz, 39, of nearby Richmont Street, who also got food from Dutchies on Saturday, reminisced about growing up in the neighborhood and going to Brunettis.

My whole family came here. This was my (school) bus stop, Cruz said of the Sanderson Avenue spot at Deacon Street.

A family operation, Brunettis was family friendly, Cruz said. She gets the same vibe about Dutchies, as the Mayers and their daughter, Sadie, 19, busily went about making food and serving customers.

Its the same atmosphere (as Brunettis), just more modern, Cruz said.

There are some nods to the past.

The name of the new establishment is the nickname of Jims late father.

Mayers parents, Donald Dutch Mayer, a former city deputy fire chief who died in 2018, and Mary Louise Mayer, who died in 2012, had owned and operated a neighborhood bar, Mayers Place, in North Scranton, in the 1970s.

An exterior sign features an image of Dutch Mayer.

The Mayers also found in the basement an old counter dating to Prohibition, when the building was originally known as Dirty Marys, likely a reference to a speakeasy in the cellar run by Mary Riccardo, according to archives of The Scranton Times.

The Mayers restored the countertop relic into a showpiece, moved it upstairs to the first floor and turned it into a functional register checkout counter. Ancient burn marks from cigarettes that once smoldered on the edge of the counter are now preserved under a thick, clear-coat layer of epoxy.

I saw this and said, I have to have this as my (checkout) counter,  Carrie Mayer said.

We wanted to save the history, Jim Mayer said.

Saturday at Dutchies Subs, Pizza and Take Away restaurant in Scrantons Green Ridge section, formerly Brunettis Pizza and Deli. Clockwise, from top left: the remodeled interior; Carrie Mayer helps a customer at the register; owner Jim Mayer carries pizza dough; the outside of the 1924 Sanderson Ave. business; and Jim Mayer grabs a wrapper for a hoagie.
The Institute for AI International Governance (I-AIIG) of Tsinghua University has vowed to address the ethical issues of AI technologies and help unleash AI's potential in a trustworthy, transparent, and responsible manner, according to a symposium held in Beijing on April 22.



The symposium, which discussed the role of government, enterprises, and the public in AI governance, marked one of a series of events held this week to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the founding of China's prestigious Tsinghua University.

"The institute has always been dedicated to studying the advancement and application of AI technologies as well as its impact on the country, society, and human beings," said Xue Lan, dean of I-AIIG. "It also seeks to establish fair and reasonable governing systems and orders, while putting forward suggestions for how China should participate in global AI governance."



To improve Tsinghua's global academic influence and pool wisdom for China's participation in global AI governance, the institute has set up an academic committee in which AI masterminds around the world can work together and facilitate sci-tech research, policy consultation, and global communication.

Yang Bin, vice president of Tsinghua University and board director of I-AIIG, hopes that such a committee can help explore new cooperative mechanisms for AI governance and better contribute to global AI development.



The institute also appointed leading experts in the fields of public policy, jurisprudence, ethics, and technology management to bring interdisciplinary views on the issue. Meanwhile, industrial leaders from major Chinese AI companies were appointed to help better translate academic research into practical applications.

Turing Award winner Andrew Chi-Chih Yao recognized the interdisciplinary nature of the institute. Yao, also an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and dean of Tsinghua's Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences, hoped that while the institute's main focus is on academic research, it should aim to serve national development and the public's welfare.

The approach of I-AIIG and Tsinghua University is in line with the Chinese government's overall AI governing policies. In the past few years, China has increasingly worked on how to develop responsible AI technologies for the future.



For example, back in May 2019 the Beijing AI Principles was published, setting ethical standards for AI research and seeking international cooperation on the issue. A month later, China's Ministry of Science and Technology issued a series of principles to better coordinate the development and governance of booming AI technology and ensure that it is secure, controllable, and reliable.

In addition, the need for regulation of AI technologies was addressed in Article 127 of China's Civil Code. The country's legislative efforts on the issue look to be renewed as it mulls the introduction of a new law to strengthen data security.
Driven by consumer spending and foreign trade, Chinas economy surged in the first quarter of the year as the huge economy bounced back from the effects of the pandemic and provided a much-needed boost to exporting companies in many countries.

However, Irelands traders showed little sign of benefiting from this rapid growth, unlike other European countries.

Exports into China climbed 36% in the EU, despite long-running concerns regarding human rights' breaches in Chinas Xinjiang province and the treatment of Uighur Muslims there.

There have been campaigns on Chinese social media against H&M and other western clothing companies against their statements on human rights in the region.

However, US exports in the early months of the year appear to have grown significantly.

The US and China have put aside their trade war issues, with US exports in the first quarter climbing to 140bn.

By contrast, Irelands exports to China fell sharply in the first two months of the year, suggesting that last years stellar sales to China are at risk.

There may be a few issues in play and the lack of diplomatic clout is one factor. This became evident in January, when the Taoiseach appealed to the head of the Chinese government to reopen its market to Irish beef exports as a matter of urgency.

Irish beef has been banned from the Chinese market since May 2020 due to a case of BSE, or Mad Cow Disease, having been identified during an inspection

Its a major loss of sales for the agri-food sector. Chinas meat consumption has steadily increased over the last several years and is now the largest single importer globally.

However, to control epidemics and support the domestic beef industry, the Chinese government has tightened import regulations. Only countries included on its eligible list can export beef to China.

Along with only 21 countries  including the US, Brazil, Australia, Canada and Uruguay  Ireland is not on the list.

Lack of interest by Chinese investors in the Irish market is also an issue.

Investment by Chinese corporations into foreign markets has increased substantially. However, only a paltry amount has been invested in Ireland.

Chinese companies investing in Ireland are mostly involved in aircraft leasing, financial services, and information and communications technology.

There is a strong interest in investing in the agri-food sector, but the industry here has not been able to tap into it

One of the few recent investments was Huaweis announcement of plans to inject 80m into research and development projects.

The company has come in for strong criticism in the US over its 5G technology, while the UK government alleged that Huawei technology could be used to spy on companies and their intellectual property.

This may indicate an opportunity for the IDA to provide an open door to Chinese companies, if possible.

Making up for the lack of clout in diplomatic activity or the attractiveness of Ireland to Chinese investors may be a long game. However, more overseas companies are sensing the potential of the Chinese market.

Even the Covid-19 global epidemic has not stopped foreign firms entering and ramping up sales in China. Over 200,000 new products launched in the first three months on the Chinese Tmall Global platform, where Bord Bia lists Irish produce.

Glanbia, the Kerry Group and Ornua, are leading the push into the Asian market and all have facilities or partnerships in the continent.

However, these Irish multinationals have manufacturing facilities in many jurisdictions and the products that they sell to the Chinese market do not necessarily come from Ireland.

In the case of Glanbia, besides its baby food sales, it is also tapping into Chinas national fitness plan and increased interest in health and wellness. However, while the baby food supplies originate in its Irish plants, other products for the Chinese market come from the US and other plants.

Kerry Group opened its first office in Shanghai in 2000 to target the flavours and fragrance market.

More recently, it established a manufacturing and a bio-science division in China.

Again, the sales in China will primarily be met from their local facilities and, hence, will not show up in Irish export statistics.

Five years ago, Ornua acquired the Shanghai-based dairy manufacturer Ambrosia Dairy to provide sour cream, yoghurt and speciality cheeses to upmarket stores and foodservice companies in the Shanghai region.

The acquisition was Ornuas first base in China and showed that China is one of the most important dairy markets in the world.

Ornua aims to provide locally produced premium cheeses to its existing range of Kerrygold Irish milk products on sale in China.

While Chinese companies have been slow to set up in Ireland, the number of Irish companies investing in China has increased, with around 400 firms operating in the populous Asian country

Meanwhile, China is purchasing land in foreign countries to make up for its own lack of arable land. It was the worlds fourth-largest buyer of foreign land between 2000 and 2018, mostly farmland in Australia, where it owns up to 3% of the countrys soil for cattle farming.

Like in the past, the Chinese government recently released the 14th of its five-year plans to make agriculture and food security a central part of the directive.

Its central government drafted a food security plan to increase domestic capabilities and diversify sources for agricultural imports.

Chinas ambition to reduce the market share of international suppliers of baby food in the country was made clear with its aim to increase domestically owned, locally produced formula milk products to over 60% from the existing share of 40%.

No date was set for the target, but it clearly presents a rising challenge for producers of baby food formula based in Ireland, which have large shares of the China market.

Nestle, with its major facility in Askeaton in Co Limerick; Danone in Macroom in Co Cork; and Abbott in Cootehill in Co Cavan, all have significant shares of the baby food formula market, according to Statista.

The story of Chinas trade with Ireland can be told and interpreted in many ways, but one thing is undeniable  companies from countries such as China and Ireland, which are over 8,000k apart, wont come together if there are no mutual benefits.
Australia's ambassador on Sunday attended an Anzac Day memorial in Villers-Bretonneux in northern France.

The ceremony at the Australian National Memorial marked the 106th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign of World War I.

On 25 April, 1915, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and other Allied troops waded ashore on the peninsula.

Their aim was to take control of the peninsula in order to weaken the Ottoman Empire.

The landings marked the start of a fierce battle that lasted for eight months and left around 44,000 Allied troops and 86,000 Ottoman soldiers dead.

Sunday's sombre memorial was kept small due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(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)
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/25/2021



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[ Spoiler Warning: This report includes spoilers revealing if Jovi and Yara are still together now or if the couple has split up.]

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So are Jovi and Yara still together now? What's the latest on the couple's relationship?

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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.

's eighth season ended with Jovi Dufren and Yara Zaya seeming happy and in love with their new baby girl, but did their marriage take a turn for the worse? Is the new : Happily Ever After? couple still together now? What do spoilers reveal about the latest on their relationship?Jovi, a 29-year-old who works in underwater robotics from New Orleans, LA, met Yara, a 25-year-old makeup artist from Kiev, Ukraine, through a travel app.The couple began traveling the world together, and Jovi also visited Yara in the Ukraine multiple times.Yara got pregnant six months into their relationship, and Jovi admitted he was "dumbfounded" at first and worried Yara was trying to "trap" him and get a ticket to the United States."But after the shock wore off, it actually pulled us pretty closer together," Jovi said.Jovi decided to propose marriage to Yara during a trip to Cuba and then apply for a K-1 visa once he returned to America. However, Yara unfortunately experienced a miscarriage.Yara unfortunately experienced a miscarriage, but Jovi still wanted his life to be with her.Once Yara arrived to America, she and Jovi argued a lot over his partying and how Yara didn't feel she could trust Jovi to stand by her through tough times and be around for their future children given he works so much.Yara also heard from one of Jovi's friends, Sara, that Jovi used to sleep with exotic dancers and had a wild and crazy side.Yara then discovered she was pregnant again and vented in shock to the cameras, "I am not ready yet. I don't even know if I want to get married and live here."She later added, "I honestly don't even know if [Jovi] wants to settle down with me and [stop] partying all the time. It just makes me feel crazy."As for Jovi, he said he couldn't picture himself living anywhere but New Orleans and raising his kids there.The pair even fought at their engagement party, with Yara wishing she could return to Ukraine a single woman and calling Jovi "an alcoholic."Yara felt she deserved more from Jovi and questioned whether he really cared for her at all. She didn't feel taken care of, or that she was Jovi's No. 1 priorityAfter the party, Yara gave Jovi and ultimatum and said if he wanted to be with her, he needed to stop his frequent drinking.Yara gave Jovi permission to drink on special occasions but not every day or else he'd be visiting with his child on weekends while living apart from her.Jovi agreed to drink a little bit less and take better care of his wife-to-be, and Yara demanded respect.Jovi definitely stepped up to the plate, according to Yara, but he got himself into trouble at his bachelor party.At the stripclub, Jovi flirted with a dancer named Carter and his buddy instructed Carter to take Jovi "upstairs" and show him a good time. Jovi joked that his pal was forcing him to interact with the entertainer, but Jovi didn't seem to mind.Jovi also came home much later than promised and Yara cried about wanting to return to Ukraine, especially when she realized Jovi wasn't prepared for their wedding at all.Yara didn't know if she was making the right decision in marrying Jovi and wished she had more time to decide, although she loved Jovi "so much.""If I was not pregnant, I would just leave everything and go home," Yara said. "But it's not that simple."Jovi realized if he couldn't make his relationship work, he'd lose his wife and his baby. He said he was going to try to listen, pay attention to her all the time and try to understand what she needs in order to keep her happy.Jovi even let Yara pick out whatever expensive wedding ring she wanted."[I feel] a ton of pressure on my shoulders and I'm just worried am I making the right decision? Have I had enough time to think this through? I don't know," Jovi lamented.But when Jovi saw Yara in her sparkly form-fitted wedding dress, he told her that she looked "amazing."Yara admitted in the limo she didn't feel ready to get married, but the ceremony was about to happen regardless."Even though I want Jovi to be a better husband, I still want him to be my husband," Yara admitted."I just hope Jovi is not lying and he will really do what he tells me, that he will be a man... I really hope he will change and he will be nice."Jovi and Yara got married by an Elvis impersonator and the couple enjoyed a good laugh at the altar in their wedding chapel.After exchanging vows and officially getting married, Yara gushed about feeling happy.Jovi said his next step would be to apply for Yara's Green Card and move her over to the United States permanently. He also looked forward to welcoming his baby.: Jovi and Yara's Baby Special in early April featured Yara and Jovi learning they had a baby girl on the way and Yara still trying to tame Jovi and make him more domestic.Yara said she needed Jovi's help around the house and hoped he'd stick around -- and not go out with his friends all the time -- once the baby arrived.Jovi swore that he'd stick by Yara's side once the baby came and wouldn't go anywhere.Yara then gave birth in a hospital and the couple named their daughter, who weighed seven pounds and nine ounces, Mylah Angelina."Beautiful just like her mommy," Jovi gushed.Jovi said everything the couple had gone through together was worth it, and Yara said of her newborn, "I always want to cry when I look at [my daughter]. I love her so much... I [didn't] think I could love somebody so much in just a little bit of time."On 's Season 8 Tell-All special, Yara said being a parent was "amazing" and gushed about how Jovi is a loving and caring father, which makes her fall deeper in love with him every day.But then Yara was forced to watch back footage of Jovi going upstairs with an exotic dancer in a stripclub at his bachelor party as well as Jovi failing a lie detector test when asked whether he's ever slept with a stripper before."Jovi never told me nothing [about] what he was doing," she complained.Yara admitted she felt "mad" and Jovi receiving a lapdance was "disrespectful" to her.Yara pointed out, however, that Jovi is "a grown-ass man" and she can't control his actions. Jovi said it was difficult to see Yara upset but "the past is the past" and all of that was behind them.Jovi promised Yara that he'd never do something like that again because he loves her "so much."Jovi and Yara appear to still be together and will be starring on the upcoming sixth season of : Happily Ever After? premiering Sunday, April 25 on TLC.There is also evidence on social media the couple is doing well.On April 21, days after Part 2 of the Season 8 Tell-All aired, Jovi posted a selfie with Yara and their sweet baby girl and captioned it, "Just chillin."And shortly after Part 1 of the Tell-All special aired, Yara took to Instagram and uploaded two photos of Jovi and herself pushing their baby in a stroller on a nice day outside with big smiles on their faces."Wonderful day," Yara wrote alongside the images with multiple heart emoticons.On April 14, Jovi posted a photo of himself holding his daughter and wrote, "I can not commend Yara enough on how healthy she stayed throughout the pregnancy, and how much of a good mom she has been to my baby girl. I could not ask for anything better!"Yara shared that she was enjoying "family time" on April 11.The couple haven't been shy about sharing their love for one another on social media for months now.Yara, for example, posted a picture of a bedside table decorated with candles and flowers in March. It appeared Jovi may have served Yara cake and coffee in bed in honor of International Women's Day."Happy International Women's Day, my girls, I hope you made your man buy you flowers," Yara captioned her post."In my country, March 8 is a great holiday when women are treated like queens. Women, be sure your man treat you the right way, buy for you flowers, take you to dinner. I do not feel like this is celebrated enough in America."Jovi simultaneously shared a picture of himself on the same day and advised men to treat their girlfriends or wives the way the women deserve to be treated.According to a screenshot posted by Instagrammer John Yates, Jovi and Yara obtained a marriage license on February 13, 2020, In Touch Weekly reported.Yara and Jovi reportedly exchanged vows in a wedding ceremony in Las Vegas, NV, that same month.Yara told Us Weekly in January 2021 she was "so happy" upon learning she was pregnant because she hoped her baby would look as "handsome" or "beautiful" as Jovi, whom she gushed about being in love with "so much."Jovi and Yara reportedly welcomed their first child together only a few months before Season 8 of premiered on TLC in December 2020, according to In Touch.It appears Yara delivered the couple's child in September 2020.Before viewers saw Yara take a positive pregnancy test on 's eighth season, pregnancy rumors began floating around on December 31 when Yara posted an Instagram photo that appeared to show two unique ornaments on a Christmas tree she was posing next to. (Eagle-eyed fans also pointed out the tree looked like it was in Jovi's New Orleans apartment).One of the ornaments was a baby and the other was a pink heart with the word "mom" written on it.Yara also reportedly created an Amazon baby registry last year under the name "Yara Dufren." The baby registry was posted on January 4, 2020, according to In Touch, and the items Yara listed were for a baby girl due in September 2020.The registry has since been removed from Amazon.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
By Emad Hamdeh

It has been over a year since COVID-19 impacted all of our lives. It suddenly disrupted the regular day-to-day activities we once knew as normal. With over 500,000 deaths in the U.S. and over 2.5 million worldwide, many question if we can ever go back to what we considered normal. This year will be the second year Muslims celebrate Ramadan during the pandemic and many things have changed.

This year, Ramadan started on the evening of April 12 and will end on May 13. Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar and all adult and able Muslims are required to fast from sunrise to sunset. In most parts of the United States, this means refraining from food and drink, even water, from about 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Although it can be quite challenging, there is a spiritual fulfillment Muslims experience when breaking away from materialism for a month. It helps them reconnect with themselves, their families and most importantly God.

Last Ramadan, religious services and sermons were conducted through Zoom and livestreams on YouTube and social media. Being physically socially distant allowed us to become virtually close. But the human engagement was missing. Last year, most Muslims broke their fasts alone or limited it to their immediate household. During the evenings of Ramadan, mosques throughout the country were closed due to COVID.

There is a large communal element to the month of Ramadan. The time of breaking the fast is often done with family and friends. It is kind of like Thanksgiving for 30 days. It is a festive time of year for Muslims where they fast throughout the day and collectively get together in the evening for night prayers in the mosque. During this time, families catch up, children play outside while adults listen to a sermon or perform their prayers.

Traditionally, Muslims stand shoulder to shoulder in rows during the prayer transitioning positions in unison behind the imam from standing to bowing to prostrating to sitting. In the evening, mosques are usually full of worshippers, but this year many mosques will reopen with limited capacity due to social distancing. They will do this by offering several congregational prayers instead of one or by providing prayer spaces outdoors.

With a vaccine available, gathering with family to break fast or for evening prayers in mosques is starting to feel safer for many. Most Muslim scholars have explained to congregants that taking a vaccine does not invalidate the fast. This will allow those who are scheduled to get the vaccine to take it without worrying about breaking their fast during the holy month.

At the end of Ramadan, there is the holiday of the feast  Eid al-fitr. During this holiday, Muslims usually visit families, gather for meals, exchange gifts, and go to the mosque for a morning prayer. Last year, Eid prayers were canceled and many mosques had drive-through events where children received gifts from their windows. Many families exchanged holiday greetings through facetime or Zoom and COVID-19 disrupted many family traditions.

Given that large gatherings are prohibited due to CCOVID-19, it remains unclear how Muslims throughout the country will celebrate the Eid prayers this year. Perhaps, they may be able to celebrate it in a limited capacity while remaining socially distant.

In addition to fasting, Muslims give most of their charity during Ramadan. It is a time of year when Muslims are most generous. Most fundraisers and charity events are held in person, but last year we saw a surge in online fundraisers. Online fundraisers appear like they will remain a staple of Ramadan giving in the future. Ultimately, COVID-19 has drastically changed how Muslims observe Ramadan, but they remain hopeful to return to normal in the near future.

Emad Hamdeh is from Clifton and has a Ph.D. in Islamic studies.

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STAMFORD  All throughout the pandemic, Liz McKay watched children come to The Ferguson Library, pick up massive stacks of books, and go home.

Kids books always make up a large part of a librarys circulation. The books are short, and children finish them quickly. Parents turn to the library often to save their wallets from death by Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, for example.

If youve got young kids, and you go through a book every day  thats a lot of books, said McKay, who serves as the youth services supervisor. Even more bagfuls disappeared as COVID dragged everyone indoors. Everybodys child needed more distractions.

But it is not just kids who leaned into finding new worlds through literature. Adults craved it too, according to library president Alice Knapp, and it was evident in the books they chose.

If were talking adults, you have a lot of suspense fiction and historical fiction, she said. Thats escapism.

Books like The Silent Patient, a psychological thriller by Alex Michaelides, and Camino Winds, another thriller by the prolific John Grisham, ranked high among the librarys most read books over the past year. A Gentleman in Moscow, a 2016 novel set in 19th century Russia, was another popular pick during the pandemic.

Adult readership at the library was also guided by one of publishings dominant forces: the celebrity book club.

For years now, celebrity book clubs have driven sales. Big-name celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon have made major marks on the industry and library readership alike. The Guest List by Lucy Foley  named Witherspoons book club pick for June 2020  and Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens  another member of the Witherspoon roster  both topped the librarys overall list of most-read books.

Across the librarys 15 most popular fiction books during the pandemic, seven had received a celebrity stamp of approval.

Knapp noticed other big trends during the pandemic too. E-books, for example, dominated the demand for books, especially when people were still uncomfortable visiting the library to get a physical hardcover or paperback.

We have a lot of people who are using our e-resources, our e-books and e-magazine, she said. During the summer months, the clamor for e-books collided directly with another force: the Black Lives Matter movement.

As protests for racial justice erupted in almost every major city during May, June and July, people turned to their bookshelves. Books about race stormed onto national best seller lists. Authors like Ibram X. Kendi, Ijeoma Oluo and Robin DiAngelo went from respected thinkers to household names in a matter of weeks.

The fervor for stories and resources dedicated to anti-racism made a heavy impact on non-fiction circulation during the pandemic. Sociologist DiAngelos White Fragility was among the most popular non-fiction books for adults, along with Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Pulitzer Prize-winner Isabel Wilkerson.

Over the summer months, you could not, on our e-book platform, get a book by (W.E.B.) DuBois or Ibram Kendi. The waitlists were so long, Knapp said. Im reading Caste now and I had to wait 13 weeks for it.

Most checked-out books during the pandemic Top 10 adult fiction "Where The Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens "The Dutch House" by Ann Patchett "The Guest List" by Lucy Foley "28 Summers" by Elin Hilderbrand "American Dirt" by Jeanine Cummins "Camino Winds" by John Grisham "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett "Such a Fun Age" by Kiley Reid "Walk the Wire" by David Baldacci "The Order" by Daniel Silva Top 10 adult non-fiction "Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man" by Mary L. Trump "Educated: A Memoir" by Tara Westover "Becoming" by Michelle Obama "The Room Where It Happened" by John Bolton "The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz" by Erik Larson "White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson "Rage" by Bob Woodward "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah "From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home" by Tembi Locke Source: The Ferguson Library See More Collapse

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, late night host Trevor Noahs memoir about growing up biracial in South Africa, ranked high on popularity lists for both teens and adults at the library.

For readers at the library, Knapp called it a turn towards soul searching.

It was all about finding taking the time during the pandemic to be reflective and learning about our past, learning about our society now, Knapp said. Heavy hitters like Becoming by Michelle Obama and Educated by Tara Westover also fit that mold, she said.

Even with the avalanche of e-book readers, soul searches and fiction connoisseurs, one group still dominated the librarys readership during the pandemic: kids.

Above any other genre, visual novels for children and teens dominated the list of most-read books during the pandemic. The top seven most popular titles during the pandemic were written by two childrens authors: Jeff Kinney of Diary of a Wimpy Kid fame and Dav Pilkey, the cartoonist behind Captain Underpants and Dog Man.

Every time a new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book comes out, we buy 30 or 40 of them, and then we dont see them for a while, said childrens librarian McKay. The pandemic only exacerbated that trend, and even more of the cartoon novels flew off the shelf.

The childrens librarian and the library president both agreed that The Ferguson provided patrons with a world apart from the pandemics reality, one that could be both enriching and entertaining.

If I dont necessarily want to watch TV, Knapp said, I can still escape into another world.

veronica.delvalle@hearstmediact.com
Chelsea are reportedly preparing to offer club captain Cesar Azpilicueta a new contract.

The Spaniard, whose current deal expires in June 2022, joined the west London club in the summer of 2012 for around 7million and has made 420 appearances for the Blues since then, winning two Premier Leagues, two Europa League titles, an FA Cup and a Carabao Cup in that time.

Azpilicueta has been a trusted starter under Thomas Tuchel since the German replaced Frank Lampard in January - with the 31-year-old selected in the starting XI 17 times in 20 matches since the former Paris Saint-Germain manager was appointed at Stamford Bridge - and Chelsea are lining up a new deal for their long-serving right back, according to AS.

Cesar Azpilicueta is enjoying a new lease of life at Chelsea since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel

The dependable Spaniard has started 17 of the 20 games in which Tuchel has been in charge

Azpilicueta had somewhat fallen out of favour under Lampard due to the emergence of Reece James, but Tuchel has found a way to accommodate both players, using Azpilicueta more often as a wide centre back while James' attacking instincts are unleashed as a wing back.

The former Marseille defender's longevity puts him 10th on Chelsea's all-time appearances list. Former team-mates Petr Cech, Lampard and John Terry sit sixth, fourth and third respectively.

As well as providing defensive stability, Azpilicueta has popped up with the odd goal at crucial times, scoring the opener in a 2-0 win over Burnley in Tuchel's opening game in charge and goals in draws against Ajax and Lille in last season's Champions League group stage as Chelsea finished one point above the Dutch giants.

Azpilicueta sits 10th on Chelsea's all-time appearances list and has won six trophies at the club

Azpilicueta's experience will be useful as Tuchel's side look to win the FA Cup and Champions League, as well as trying to finish in the top four.

Saturday's 5.30pm kick-off against fifth-placed West Ham, who sit just below Chelsea on goal difference, is massive, with two of legs of a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid to follow before successive Premier League games against Manchester City and Arsenal.

The FA Cup Final against Leicester then takes place on May 15, with Chelsea facing the same opponents at Stamford Bridge in the league at a rearranged date due to the Wembley fixture.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-26 03:06:37|Editor: huaxia

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AMMAN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Jordan and Egypt on Sunday denounced all violent actions by extremist Israeli groups against the Palestinians in the Old City of Jerusalem, calling on Israel to stop such activities immediately.

During a phone call, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry discussed the recent developments in Jerusalem, stressing the necessity of stopping all attacks and provocations to end tension and resume calm, according to a statement by Jordan's foreign ministry.

The two ministers emphasized the need for continued bilateral efforts and communications with the international community to oblige Israel to shoulder its responsibility to protect the Palestinians under international law.

Also on Sunday, Safadi discussed with the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland the efforts to halt Israeli provocations and the extremist groups' attacks, according to a separate ministry statement.

They agreed to continue coordination to prevent the situation from escalating and create a political approach to resuming negotiations. Enditem
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There have been many pivotal points in American history. The murder and manslaughter convictions last week for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin feel like another tipping point. And this opportunity for meaningful police reforms and repairing the fabric of America mustnt be squandered by political divisions.

Chauvin murdered George Floyd on May 25, 2020, while Floyd was in police custody, plain and simple. Thanks to a teenagers grit to record that abuse of power, the whole world saw it and heard Floyds last words pleading for help.

Floyds killing was an American tragedy, a stain on American jurisprudence and a wake-up call about the need for police reforms. For decades weve heard about police using excessive force against people of color and profiling African American men and teens in particular. The Chauvin trial proved the validity of many of those complaints never caught on video. Now is the time to act, while racial injustice and police brutality are at the forefront of the American conscience.

Party politics get in the way

Chauvins convictions have renewed efforts for police reform that had been stalled, including changing the kinds of force officers are permitted to use.

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Republicans accuse Democrats of jeopardizing public safety by handcuffing police. Democrats argue Republicans want to protect an inherently racist institution. Theres got to be a middle ground, and Congress needs to find it.

Last year Democrats proposed curbing qualified immunity, banning chokeholds and no-knock warrants, establishing a public database of problematic officers who misused force or used racial profiling, limiting transfer of military-grade equipment, requiring body cameras and limiting force to when needed, not when reasonable.

Republicans wanted more study and data gathering in these areas while continuing to allow no-knock warrants and chokeholds in situations where deadly force is authorized.

And while some far-left Democrats calls to shut down police departments are ridiculous non-starters, most of the recommendations in last years Democratic bill are reasonable and deserve serious discussion. Now.

Yes, there will be the extremists, like U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, who recently tweeted that policing is inherently and intentionally racist. I am done with those who condone government funded murder, Tlaib tweeted. No more policing, incarceration, and militarization. It cant be reformed.

Watch George Floyd die on the video and you understand where her sentiments come from. But they are wrong-headed and miss the point that those most reliant on prompt and professional policing are those who live in the most dangerous areas of our nation, like Tlaibs 13th Congressional District, which includes portions of Detroit. Detroit Police Chief James Craig called Tlaibs tweets a disgusting knee-jerk response.

Reasonable reforms exist

Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, whose district includes all of Minneapolis, says troubled police departments should be dismantled and their funding redirected toward community-focused solutions. That sounds good, but who do you want answering when you hear gunshots or see a prowler?

There are strong arguments for and smart applications of calls for service better handled by social workers and counselors, an approach in its infancy in Albuquerque. But violent crimes and potentially explosive situations are not among them. Meanwhile, for everyones sake, departments must take on their unions to clear out problem officers. Civilians should comply with lawful police orders. Officers must follow department policies.

Nobody should be afraid to call 911 for help, and no officer should be afraid to respond.

Better hiring, better training, better policies and better policing are possible. Support for our dedicated, professional officers is essential. Our nation has momentum now to implement reasonable and meaningful police reforms.

We can find a path forward together. Or we can remain in our respective corners and bemoan the lack of positive change and wait for video of the next tragedy.

editorial

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.
A first time mum has been diagnosed with breast cancer eight days before giving birth after believing she just had a blocked milk duct.

Brega van Vugt, from Melbourne, went to the doctor at 33-weeks pregnant after noticing a small lump on her breast.

After a smooth pregnancy she presumed it was nothing sinister but decided to get checked when it failed to go away.

But on March 3, while 39-weeks pregnant, the 33-year-old was dealt the shocking news the seemingly innocuous lump was a 4cm tumour.

Brega van Vugt (pictured with her partner Angus Hume) was diagnosed with breast cancer at 39 weeks pregnant after noticing a lump in her breast

She was diagnosed with hormone receptive-positive breast cancer - a type of cancer that is powered by oestrogen.

'I've never been in hospital in my life before. I've never had any health issues. I'm young and I don't have a family history,' Ms van Vugt told 7News.

'Then they just dropped the bomb that it was breast cancer ... I was inconsolable.

'I felt so well but to be told that you're gravely ill is just so hard to fathom and so hard to accept.'

On March 11 Ms van Vugt and her partner Angus Hume welcomed their little girl, Etta Hope, into the world.

Twenty days later, the mother-of-one started chemotherapy and was placed on monthly hormonal therapy treatment, which will continue for five years and spark early menopause, to stop her hormones from fueling the cancer.

She has undergone four out of 18 rounds of chemotherapy and will later require surgery, with doctors yet to decide whether she will need a lumpectomy or mastectomy.

Ms van Vugt said she had a 'dream' pregnancy and could never have imagined she was secretly battling ill health.

The 33-year-old was diagnosed with hormone receptive-positive breast cancer - a type of cancer that grows in response to oestrogen

The new mother said she is blessed with a 'great sleeper' but feels guilty her daughter Etta Hope's first year of life will be overshadowed by her illness

While most new mothers get to enjoy the excitement of doting over their newborn, Ms van Vugt has been in hospital each week, bringing Etta along with her, as she gears up for the fight of her life.

The unexpected illness is the source of much guilt for Ms van Vugt, who feels her little girl's first year of life should not be overshadowed by her sickness.

Fortunately, Ms van Vugt said she has been blessed with an 'absolute angel' and a 'great sleeper, softening the hardship of adjusting to life with a newborn and undergoing gruelling cancer treatment.

Friend Scott Tierney has launched a GoFundMe page to help support the young family financially with the cost of therapy, which has so far raised more than $22,000.

Mr Tierney is also taking part in a 240km bike ride on Sunday from Torquay, south west of Melbourne, to Skenes then back, to raise funds for the cause.

Ms van Vugt, whose cancer was detected early, is urging others to be in touch with their bodies so they can immediately get checked should they notice a change.

She said early detection is the 'best weapon' and everyone's health is in their 'own hands'.

Ms van Vugt has undergone four rounds of chemo and has 14 left to go before she will require further surgery on her breasts
New Delhi: Around 93 students of a Government Nursing college at Sursingh Dhar in Uttarakhand have contracted the COVID-19 infection.

The students' hostel has been declared a containment zone, following the infection. Nearly 200 students were tested for COVID-19, of which 65 students who tested negative are being sent home. The reports of the rest of the students are still awaited.

As per the order of the District Magistrate Tehri, the hostel has been declared as a containment zone, ANI reported.

Meanwhile, in order to curb the prevailing COVID-19 crisis, the state government has closed all government offices from April 23 till April 28. The officers have been directed to be present in the headquarters and keep their mobile phones switched on at all times.

Uttarakhand reported 5,084 new COVID-19 cases and 81 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 2,102. The total number of active cases reached 33,330, as per the official statement from the State Health Department. The total caseload in the state has reached 1,47,433 while with 1466 recoveries in the last 24 hours, total recoveries stand at 1,08,916.

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Australia and New Zealand nationals are honoring their fallen on Turkey's Gallipoli Peninsula, where thousands of commonwealth soldiers died in the First World War, as the countries mark their national day of remembrance this weekend.

Matthew Henry and Tom Letty, two New Zealanders based in the United Arab Emirates, visited the memorials and graves on the Anzac Coast in Gallipoli on Saturday.

Henry, a grandson of a World War 2 veteran, recounted his experiences to the Associated Press, "My grandfather fought in the second world war and so I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to get here and pay my respects to the ANZAC soldiers."

Henry added that seeing and standing in the trenches where both Turkish and Allied fought over 100 years ago was "quite sad and somber" and that he feels grateful for what he has now.

On Sunday, Australians and New Zealanders will mark Anzac Day to remember their fallen soldiers.

A dawn ceremony will be held in Turkey.

The Gallipoli Campaign of 1915 by Allied forces aimed to take control of the peninsula to weaken the Ottoman Empire.

The campaign failed and Allied forces withdrew after eight months of fighting on the ground and some 250,000 casualties on both sides.

The Ottoman victory at Gallipoli did not prevent the end of the Ottoman Empire but propelled Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a commander at Gallipoli, to lead Turkey's independence war.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout may have seen its ups and downs, but some U.S. officials have declared that the sought-after return to normalcy is right around the corner.

Perhaps the most notable hurdle health officials have faced during the vaccine rollout was the rare but fatal side effect that caused blood clots, which was observed in AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson's vaccines.

People may have their own interpretation of what it would look like, but what do the experts say about the matter?

COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout: What It Means to Cross the Proverbial "Finish Line"

U.S. officials, including Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and Oregon Governor Kate Brown, declared that their respective states are close to the "finish line."

However, experts said that no one knows what is going to happen after the world crosses the "mythical finish line."

According to CNN's report on Sunday, Apr. 25, the finish line many have been craving for will not be a sudden return to normalcy.

"Think about it more as a dial and not like an on-off switch, the way that we should have thought about reopening in the first place," said emergency physician and CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that about 41% of the US population received a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and only about 28% received the full dose.

The health agency clarifies that they declare a person fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose of vaccine. With these numbers in mind, people have to expect that going back to normal would be a personal time-frame rather than a societal one.

Dr. Megan Ranney, director of the Brown-Lifespan Center for Digital Health, said that an individual must first focus on their personal vaccination before releasing some of their own restrictions.

An individual can then focus on their attention to the vaccinations of the people around them, such as family and friends, before considering the community's vaccination.

"The more that your community is vaccinated, the more protected you are," Ranney said.

Also Read: Pet Cats, Dogs May Need COVID-19 Vaccine, New Study Suggests

Passing on AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Poses Higher Risk

Dr. Menaka Pai, hematologist and thrombosis medicine physician at Hamilton Health Sciences and an associate professor of medicine at McMaster University, emphasized that the benefits of taking the COVID-19 outweigh the potential side-effects associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

She took to Twitter on Apr. 24 to explain that the event is rare and that hospitals are prepared to identify and treat the severe blood clot reported by individuals who took the COVID-19 vaccine.

So you read todays NACI advice - AZ ok if youre 30+! Unless you can wait for mRNA ! And then you read the MANY hot takes from experts, non-experts, and para-experts. And you are SCARED. Lets work through it. (The required reading is below). 1/n https://t.co/glxRy1O2V5  Menaka Pai, MSc MD FRCPC (@MPaiMD) April 23, 2021

"Risks don't matter unless you weigh them. Put the 1/50-100K risk of taking AZ on one side of the scale. What's going on the other side?" she challenged. "The risk of not taking AZ. Are you scared of dying of COVID? Being hospitalized?"

Pai's sentiment seems to be shared by GenXers from Canada, who reportedly rushed to vaccination sites after receiving word that they are eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Related Article: Moderna Vaccine's Ingredients Vs. Pfizer's: Experts Explain the Difference

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Leigh Mercer

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
According to unconfirmed reports, recently the so-called President of the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, which died after the end of the Second Karabakh War, one of the leaders of the occupation authorities of Karabakh, Arik Harutyunyan, was "summoned" to Moscow.

According to the Armenian press, the separatist should have been brainwashed in Moscow for being "helpful to the Armenian authorities." Representatives of the Russian special services were going to have a conversation with Harutyunyan, who wanted to explain that "the fulfillment of every desire / order of Pashinyan does not follow from the interests" of Karabakh, the Armenian media write.

The news of the visit to Moscow of the head of the illegal occupation regime created by Armenia on the occupied Azerbaijani lands in Nagorno-Karabakh caused understandable bewilderment and indignation in Baku as well. Azerbaijani public figures, mainly journalists, have already sent a letter to the Russian embassy on this matter. "Even if Harutyunyan's trip to Moscow is purely private, to cross the border he must present a valid, that is, having legal force, document issued by the country of origin - Azerbaijan. Were these norms observed during Arayik Harutyunyan's visit to Russia, for whom Azerbaijan is the country of origin? ? ", - Azerbaijani social activists ask a question.

They remind that during the 44-day war Arayik Harutyunyan openly claimed responsibility for the war crime - rocket attacks on residential areas of Ganja. Recall that as a result of the shelling of Ganja, Barda and other settlements, civilians died and were seriously injured, and serious damage was caused to civilian objects. Now Harutyunyan has been put on the wanted list by the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan on charges of several crimes, including against humanity.

Azerbaijan and Russia have signed agreements on legal assistance, which also provide for the extradition of wanted persons, therefore, Harutyunyan's trip to Moscow is in clear contradiction with the letter and spirit of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, and also casts a shadow on the peacekeeping mission carried out in Karabakh by Russian military personnel. ...

In Baku, they expressed hope that the embassy would clarify and answer the questions of the Azerbaijani public, especially since the situation worried the deputies of the Milli Mejlis. So Aydin Huseynov reminded Trend that several international organizations condemned Harutyunyan's criminal actions, and officials of foreign countries, representatives of the diplomatic corps, who visited the bombarded territories, called what they saw a crime against humanity.

This trip indeed raises serious questions: who organized it, what it is aimed at, which countrys passport used Harutyunyan to enter Russia, and, judging by the reports, not for the first time.


Rajasthan announces free Covid vaccination for 18-45 Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday announced free vaccination for people above 18 years of age in the state for the next vaccination round which starts from May 1. "Rajasthan govt has decided to vaccinate its young population of over 18 year free of cost. The state will bear the expense of Rs 3000 crore on this drive," he said in a tweet.



Gehlot also said that it would have been better had the Central government borne the expense of vaccination of 18 years plus group the way it was doing for those over 45. The state's budget would not have been disturbed, he added.



The state government, like other opposition ruled states, was also in a face-off with Centre over the vaccine pricing issue, asking it to bear the expenses of the drive.




Here are todays leading news stories:

Politics

-- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the ASEAN Leaders Meeting held at the ASEAN Secretariats headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia on Saturday, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

-- The sixth Vietnam - China border defense friendship exchange took place in Chinas Guangxi Province and Vietnams Quang Ninh Province on Saturday. The event was co-chaired by Vietnamese Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang and his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe.

COVID-19 Updates

-- Nearly 200,000 people in Vietnam have received COVID-19 vaccine shots since inoculation began in the country on March 8, according to the Ministry of Health. Vietnam has documented 2,833 COVID-19 cases as of Sunday morning, with 2,516 recoveries and 35 deaths.

Society

-- Torrential rains and thunderstorms are forecast to hit northern and north-central Vietnamese provinces on Sunday and Monday, posing high risks of flash floods, landslides, and inundation, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

-- The north-to-south railway route was paralyzed for multiple hours on Saturday afternoon after a train derailed in the south-central province of Binh Thuan at around 12:47 pm.

-- A seven-year-old boy drowned in a swimming pool in a tourist area in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak late on Saturday afternoon.

-- Two people were hospitalized with serious injuries after a pickup truck crashed into three automobiles and two motorbikes along a street in Hanoi on Saturday afternoon.

-- Police in the south-central province of Binh Thuan have launched an investigation after a burned body was found by local residents on a sand dune on Saturday morning.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Authorities say a Bay Area doctor spent more than $270,000 on off-brand products from abroad that she resold over about four years as Botox and Juvederm in treatments worth more than $1 million.

In a federal grand jury indictment unsealed on Friday, Dr. Lindsay Marie Clark faces allegations that from early 2016 to early 2020 she received misbranded and unapproved drugs and devices and provided them to her patients.

Clark, who lives in San Francisco and practices there and in San Mateo, told her staff to conceal the true identity of the products from her patients, according to a statement issued late Friday by Acting United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds, the lead federal prosecutor for the Northern District of California.

Botox, made from botulinum toxin, is marketed as a remedy for sagging and wrinkled skin. Juvederm, made from hyaluronic acid, is promoted as a skin "filler."

Both products are Class III medical devices. That means they are regulated like pacemakers and breast implants because of the risk of illness or injury they pose if things go wrong, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's website.

Los Angeles Special Agent Lisa L. Malinowski said in the U.S. Attorney's statement that dispensing "prescription drugs and devices of unknown origin put the health of ... patients at significant risk."

If convicted on the felony charges filed this month, Clark could be sentenced to three years in prison and required to pay a $10,000 fine.

Any action by the Medical Board of California, which regulates doctors' licenses to practice, would be separate from the criminal case.

Clark, who appeared in court in San Francisco on Friday, remains out of custody on bail, according to the prosecutor's statement.

The Case number is 3:21-cr-00132-SI

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In his role as Superintendent Hastings, he has helped keep fans on the edge of their seats as they await the highly anticipated conclusion of Line Of Duty's sixth series.

But Adrian Dunbar was enjoying the more everyday elements of life over the weekend, when he was spotted catching a bus in north London.

With a shopping bag in hand, the Northern Irish screen star, 61, made a quick dash for the bus after he stepped out to pick up some goods.

Speedy: Line Of Duty's Adrian Dunbar, who plays Superintendent Hastings in the show, was spotted making a quick dash for the bus in north London over the weekend

Adrian traded the gaffer's dress shirt for a more relaxed ensemble, as he donned a black jacket, chinos and trainers for his outing.

He held onto some shopping bags as he sprinted for the bus before heading off.

His outing comes as Line Of Duty fans are convinced the series six trailer gives away who survives the shoot out between DI Fleming and PC Pilkington.

Last Sunday's instalment of the hit police drama  which drew in an eye-popping 10million viewers  saw Kate [Vicky McClure] locked in a tense showdown with Ryan [Gregory Piper], with two gunshots heard as the screen faded to black.

Chat: With a shopping bag in hand, the Northern Irish screen star, 61, was enjoying the more everyday elements of life as fans eagerly await the conclusion of Line Of Duty's sixth series

The day job: Adrian is best known for playing Ted Hastings in BBC police drama Line Of Duty

Yet keen fans have claimed they already know the outcome from watching the trailer, while Adrian Dunbar has revealed that there's already been 'a very big clue' about what happens in next week's episode.

Putting their amateur detective skills to the test, several Line of Duty fans took to Twitter after Sunday's show to suggest that the series six trailer had the answers.

They were quick to point out one blink-and-you-miss-it scene which sees Kate standing next to Acting Detective Superintendent Jo Davidson [Kelly Macdonald] - which has yet to air on the show.

Fans thus deduced the scene must happen in the aftermath of the shooting - indicating Kate survives. Although nothing is known of Ryan's fate.

Errands: Adrian was spotted leaving a dry-cleaner's near his home with a smile on his face

Fan theories: The actor looked relaxed as he waited for the bus after he appeared to back up the theories as he appeared in the Good Morning Britain studio on Monday

Star sighting: Adrian looked in good spirits as he waved at a pal before heading off

One person declared: 'Screen grab from #Lineofduty session 6 @BBC trailer. #katefleming looks p***ed, #jodavidson has her hands in the air. THIS SCENE HASN'T OCCURRED YET. #katefleming lives for at least 1 more episode.'

And another wrote: 'Nah shes no dead! Major spoiler if you Look back at the original season 6 trailer - both Jo and Kate get stopped by armed police, exact same clothes they were wearing just now. I reckon Ryan either missed or the second shot was Jo.'

Adrian appeared to back up the theories as he appeared as the first guest back in the Good Morning Britain studio on Monday, pointing fans away from the misspelt 'definately' but insisting many 'already know' her fate.

In typical AC-12 style on Sunday's show, a twist emerged in the form of a throwback clue to the 2019 series showing the word definitely misspelt as 'definately' in Jo's messages - a clue that previously suggested Hastings could be one of the bent coppers he is so hellbent on finding.

Have they cracked it? Line Of Duty fans are convinced the series six trailer gives away who survives the shoot out between DI Fleming and PC Pilkington

Interesting: Adrian revealed that there's already been 'a very big clue' about what happens to Kate in Line of Duty while appearing on GMB on Monday

Drama: On Sunday's instalment of the hit police drama, Kate [Vicky McClure] was seen locked in a tense showdown with Ryan Pilkington [Gregory Piper]

Reflecting on Sunday's dramatic show, Adrian said: 'Great cliffhanger again, Jed loves his cliffhangers. And a lot of LOD fans know [what's coming next for Kate].'

Presenter Adil Ray then jumped in asking: 'Theyve worked it out you mean?'

Adrian continued, knowingly nodding his head: 'A lot of Line of Duty fans know whats going on. All will be revealed in the fullness of time.'

Susanna then despaired as she said: 'I feel like you're giving us a really heavy piece of information that I can't for the life of me work out.'

Adrian then dropped the bombshell: 'Yes, theres been a very big clue. Im giving you a scoop. As the first guest back on the show, I am giving you a massive scoop.

'Theres a clue out there as to what happens next.'

Hints: While appearing as the first guest back in the Good Morning Britain studio, the Ted Hastings actor, 62, pointed fans away from the misspelt 'definately' as they searched for clues

Trying to keep up! Speaking for many across the nation, Susanna told Adrian: 'I feel like you're giving us a really heavy piece of information that I can't for the life of me work out'

Susanna then probed about another huge moment in Sunday's show which saw the misspelt word 'definately' pop back up in messages Jo Davidson was receiving.

She said: 'When Jo Davidson was exchanging texts, they sent back a message that including a spelling mistake. Definitely is not spelled with an A.'

And Adrian told her: 'Correcto. Youre getting there. Youre still not there where this present clue is concerned.'

Elsewhere in his GMB interview, the actor continued: 'Line of Duty does seem to be a bit old school. People are happy to watch it, talk about it, wait for the next episode.

'Jed structures it so its like that, so we have the cliffhangers. Youre going to come across somebody whose talking about it during the week.

Detective work: Several fans made the connection between the trailer and the fact we have yet to see the scene where Kate and Jo are seen walking around a car

'The BBC people send me notes and they say, "you cant talk about this, this and this". Now and again, leaks do happen. Its a show that depends on collusion with the public.'

Adrian also chatted about how the cast are kept in the dark about the show's ending when they start filming, with Jed giving pointers on how they should act.

He explained: 'Once you see the episodes lining up, you think, weve covered that well, the audience knows that know.

'Regarding the ending, Jed always gives himself a bit of leeway. The ending is never set in stone and we dont get that episode until late in the day.

'We dont know for the first three eps. Sometimes he may turn around and decide to say to one of us, can you just do a look over here or a look over there.'

Adrian also remained coy about whether he'd be in another series, telling Adil he has 'no idea', but admitting that 'if the numbers are good and the BBC are happy Im sure there will be [another season]'.

Turning back to Kate, Adrian stayed tight-lipped about her role in next week's episode and beyond when asked if she'll be in another series.

He said: 'Its hard to tell. I wish I could tell you.'

Line Of Stress! Line Of Duty fans were sent wild on Sunday evening as the latest episode ended on a nail-biting cliffhanger as Kate and Ryan were locked in a showdown

Adrian added: 'We have a character whose old school like Ted who puts it out there, we should be adhering to those old fashioned values like loyalty and integrity.'

His interview comes after Line Of Duty fans were sent wild on Sunday as the latest episode ended on a nail-biting cliffhanger with Kate and Ryan locked in a showdown.

After viewers learnt that Jo was related to gangster Tommy Hunter, the fifth episode ended with Kate in a tense showdown with Ryan.

Soon after the show aired, Twitter was flooded with wild reaction from fans, who demanded bosses show the next episode now, as the suspense was too much to wait another week to see the outcome of the shoot off.

Wah! After viewers learnt that Joanne Davidson, played by Kelly Macdonald, was related to gangster Tommy Hunter, the fifth episode ended with Vicky McClure's character Kate Fleming in a tense showdown with Ryan Pilkington, played by Gregory Piper

Fans soon flooded social media in both shock and outrage.

Viewers penned: 'The whole of the U.K. right now after another cliffhanger #LineOfDuty... I mean, that cliffhanger is next level. But honestly, this was my fave part #LineOfDuty... #LineOfDuty another cliffhanger...

'I'm fuming after that Line Of Duty cliffhanger...was Kate able to get Jo an almond croissant???!... When #LineofDuty leaves us on another cliffhanger... The Line of Duty producers leaving the episode of that cliffhanger #LineofDuty...

'Having to wait a week after that cliffhanger #lineofduty... Ummm. Excuse me. Im going to need the next episode of that now. That is a cliffhanger. And my mouth does not know how to close. #LineOfDuty...

Look what you've caused: Davidson seemed genuinely distraught when she thought Kate could be shot, however it was her messages that got her in the position

Nail-biting: Soon after the show aired, Twitter was flooded with wild reaction from fans, who demanded bosses show the next episode now, as the suspense was too much to wait another week to see the outcome of the shoot off

What's going to happen next? Fans soon flooded social media in both shock and outrage

'Im in NYC watching every episode. Just finished tonights cliffhanger. You must be a creative internet user. ie seek and ye shall find. #LineOfDuty #lineofdutyday... Another Line of Duty cliffhanger I cant take it anymore Robbie...

'another week of "line of duty", another week of a cliffhanger... So I just watched last nights @Line_of_duty And yet again its ended on a cliffhanger (of course) what an episode honestly absolutely brilliant acting PS; I hope Kate doesnt die...

'Mother of God, I dont think I can take another week waiting on the outcome of yet another cliffhanger literally heart pounding out of my chest at the end of episode 4 and 5...

'Mother of God, I dont think I can take another week waiting on the outcome of yet another cliffhanger for literally heart pounding out of my chest at the end of episode 4 and 5 of #LineofDuty6 Whilst Im here...Patricia Carmichael for H''.

What's next? Although fans were already reeling with the twist, the show ended with shock, with the tense cliffhanger seeing PC Pilkington drawing his gun at DI Fleming
India on Sunday reported a net increase of 129,811 in active cases to take its count to 2,682,751. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 14.22 per cent (one in 7). The country is second among the most affected countries by active cases. On Sunday, it added 349,691 cases, the highest in a day so far, to take its total caseload to 16,960,172. And, with 2,767 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 192,311, or 1.13 per cent of total confirmed infections.

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April 25, 1956

Casey, Carrigg win primary elections

April 24, was primary election day in Pennsylvania.

Here in Lackawanna County and the five other counties that make up the 10th Congressional District, voters went to the polls to select their nominees to represent them in Congress.

On the Democratic side, the candidates were attorney Jerome P. Casey, Lackawanna County controller and county Democratic party chairman; and Gene Basalyga, president of the El Rancho Dairy, East Benton. With one districts vote total unavailable, Casey received 30,793 votes and Basalyga received 8,075 votes.

On the Republican side, incumbent U.S. Rep. Joseph L. Carrigg, of Susquehanna, was unopposed. He received 33,179 votes.

In the general election in November, Casey would face off against Carrigg.

Stevenson beats president in countyAdlai Stevenson, Democratic candidate for president, received more votes than President Dwight Eisenhower in the primary race in Lackawanna County.

Stevenson received a total of 30,629 votes, Eisenhower received 21,553 votes and U.S. Sen. William Knowland, a Republican from California, received 964.

There were reports of write-in votes for former President Harry Truman, New York Gov. Averell Harriman and former Postmaster General James A. Farley.

Statewide, Stevenson received 642,172 votes and Eisenhower received 951,932 votes.

Jeeps, motorcycles

to deliver mail

Scranton Postmaster Bernard Harding had proposed using Jeeps and motorcycles to aid in the delivery of mail in downtown Scranton and the hilly residential sections of the city.

In a letter to the Post Offices district operation manager, Arthur Mattern, Harding wrote that time and money could be saved by approval of use here of one jeep, five motorcycles, three satchel carts and three container carts.

For example, the motorcycles could have been used to help the carriers that had to deliver mail to East Mountain by alleviating the long climb with heavy mail bags. The Jeep would be used to deliver mail in the winter to the more thinly populated section of the city. The carts would be used by carriers delivering mail in downtown Scranton.

Harding and Mattern would meet to discuss the proposal.
NPP National Youth Organizer, Nana Boakye has clarified President Nana Akufo-Addo's position on mining in the country.



The fight against illegal mining (galamsey) is one of the toughest fights in the country as any government that attempts to clamp down on the illegal miners rather incur the wrath of the people.



Assuming office in 2017, the President promised Ghanaians he will eradicate illegal mining and further put his Presidency on the line should he fail to honor his promise.



Despite the efforts of the President, galamsey is still operational.



However, the newly appointed Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has pledged to deal with the situation.



The Minister, during a two-day National Consultative Dialogue on Small Scale Mining, cautioned against illegal mining stressing sanctions and penalties imposed by the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995) should be applied to all those who infringed the law, irrespective of political colour, socio-economic status or class.



In a communique, Hon. Abu Jinapor charged all political parties, stakeholder groups and individuals to join the development and execution of this national, not parochial, agenda to rid ourselves of the long-standing issue of illegal small-scale mining and the need to implement measures to eradicate it from our society.



Speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', Nana Boakye applauded the Minister for his efforts to combat the menace of illegal mining in the country.



In commending the Minister, the NPP Youth Organizer clarified that ''Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, he is not against legal mining. Small-scale mining, he's not against it but he is against illegal mining and activities that are polluting our waterbodies and forest'' and hoped the citizenry will assist him to end the menace.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The West Bengal government on Saturday made wearing face masks mandatory in public places amid surging COVID-19 cases and directed the police to initiate legal action against the violators under the Disaster Management Act, according to an order.

"Since the COVID-19 pandemic crisis is grave, all persons are to strictly comply with COVID-19 safety norms of wearing facial mask and maintaining social distancing whenever they go out in public place," the order issued on Saturday evening stated.

Administrative and police authorities are directed to enforce the orders and take legal actions against the violators of social distancing and mask norms under Section 51 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, it said.

The Section 51 of the Act states that violation of restrictive measures will attract imprisonment for a term which may extend up to a year or a fine or both.

"Cases shall be started and prosecutions should be initiated strictly," it said.

The police on Saturday booked at least 698 people in Kolkata for not wearing masks, a senior officer said.

State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently ruled out the possibility of lockdown in the state and urged people to wear masks, maintain social distancing norms and use sanitisers.

Meanwhile, with Remdesivir getting approval for emergency usage for COVID-19 patients, the state health department on Saturday asked nursing homes and hospitals not to give a prescription for the drug to a patient but to arrange it for them.

The department also said that the drug should only be supplied to hospitals by the manufacturing companies or their vendors and cannot be sold to patients.

The department said in an order that it has been observed that the drug is used indiscriminately "which is not only appropriate but has also created an artificial crisis in the market".

"It must be noted that all COVID cases do not qualify for use of Remdesivir. It has been found that roughly 10-20 per cent of all the COVID cases fulfil criteria for treating with the drug. It should be used after a shared decision on a case-to-case basis," the order said.
Sunday, April 25, 2021

Sounds like a game of Clue, no?

Jack Martin

James DiEugenio, in his book Destiny Betrayed, writes: (page 389, see also page 112 for the same story)

"In a stolen December 14, 1966, Garrison memorandum, Jack Martin revealed that David Ferrie had introduced him to Oswald in Banister's office. With Ferrie at the time was Sergio Arcacha Smith."

His source? None other than Probe Magazine, Volume 4, No. 4, page 8.

That issue of Probe Magazine indicates that his source is "handwritten notes of one of the earliest interviews Garrison's office had with Jack Martin." DiEugenio found this in Edward Wegmann's files, and they are based on a 12/14/1966 interview between Martin and Garrison.

Tom Bethell mentions this interview in his diary entry for March 12, 1968 :

"Garrison in briefly with Gary Schoener from Minneapolis, and Mark Lane. Schoener has been collaborating with Salandria and Katen. Talked to him briefly in my office. In afternoon I read the transcript of a v. interesting interview Garrison had with Jack Martin, on Dec 14, 1966. It lays down much of the subsequent case, as he links Oswald with Ferrie, and also, obscurely, Sergio Arcacha Smith, whom Garrison evidently had not heard of until Martin mentioned him. The interview was tape recorded."

That tape is at the National Archives - I will see if I can make a copy on my next trip to Washington D.C.

However, there are two major problems with Jack Martin's allegation. First, he was insane, and no one took him seriously in New Orleans. Secondly, Sergio Arcacha Smith was not living in New Orleans in 1963.

DiEugenio then cites another Jack Martin interview held a day earlier. Here is that document: (be aware of disgusting racist language)

Some comments on this memo:

Like many Garrison interviews, this was one was recorded. I doubt Martin knew that Gervais was wired. Martin uses some pretty horrible language. Martin claims that Oswald had an office in the Newman building and that James Arthus "had all of Oswald's paraphernalia." Other Jack Martin claims: Oswald learned how to order guns from Ferrie. Ferrie was in Dallas and lied about it. He had his Stinson plane in Dallas. The police found foreign made guns, "just like the one that killed President Kennedy" when they raided Ferrie's house. Martin says he met Oswald at Ferrie's house and Morris Brownlee was also there. A black man, Phillips, associated with Brownlee was in the Texas School Book Depository. Ferrie was in Dallas two days before the assassination. He was to fly three people to Laredo, TX or Mexico. Towards the end, he changes the story and says he never saw Brownlee with Oswald when Ferrie was around. Earlier, he said he met Oswald at Ferrie when he was with Brownlee.

DiEugenio doesn't ignore this memo - but he only quotes the part about Oswald having an office at Camp Street. He ignores all the other Martin craziness. DiEugenio never questions Martin's credibility.

Martin's story would always change. Here is his formal statement to the Garrison investigation made a few weeks later.

Now, a different story, and one that Martin did not tell the FBI or the Secret Service back in 1963 - he did not mention Oswald back then.

Here is a short FBI memo that mentions Jack Martin from 1963.

Here is some background information on Jack Martin from an FBI report from 1963:

The Richard Billings Diary has two interesting entries on Jack Martin from December 1966 - January 24, 1967 :

"Garrison says he has a witness (Martin) who says he saw Oswald and Ferrie in Banister office, 'But he's a liar who hates Ferrie.' . . ."

"Garrison says that when Oswald in New Orleans in 1963 (April to September) he was seen two or three times with Ferrie -- at office of W. Guy Banister, former FBI agent (SAC, Chicago), right wing extremist, later a private eye in New Orleans until he died in June 1964 . . . Information apparently came from Jack Martin, the man who had tipped DA's office that Ferrie had known Oswald, had taught him to fire a rifle and had flown him to Dallas in September-October, 1963 . . . interesting point about Banister-Martin: police report shows Banister pistol whipped martin on day of assassination, reportedly -- by a secretary in office -- in an argument over JFK . . . Charges dropped by Martin, who turns out to be an undependable drunk and a totally unreliable witness . . ."

And, here is an excerpt of a tape recording of a conversation between Hugh Exnicios (Q). lawyer for Al Beauboeuf, and Lynn Loisel (A), a Garrison investigator. Loisel has a pretty low opinion of Martin:

And finally, here is a memo that Aaron Kohn, head of the Metropolitan Crime Commission wrote about Jack Martin:

Jack Martin was interviewed by the HSCA. Here is their conclusion :

Tomorrow: Jack Martin talks to the press with more stories.
BROOKFIELD  Construction on the towns newest senior living facility is expected to be completed by Oct. 1.

The new 51,170-square-foot, three-story facility, located at 291 Federal Road, will be the towns second senior living facility and is expected to have 136 beds. Of those, 26 beds will be in a memory care unit for residents with Alzheimers and dementia. There will also be 69 parking spaces on site, called Brookfield Senior Living.

The Village at Brookfield Common, the towns other assisted living facility, is located a half mile down the road.

There is need for additional senior housing where people who want to move out of houses dont want to do lawns and gutters and things like that and still want to stay in their community, First Selectman Steve Dunn said.

Sales offices will be open a few months prior to the opening of the new facility, he said.

Building plans show project costs estimated around $21.1 million. Developer Columbia Pacific Advisors, based out of Washington state, is building the new facility.

The first floor of the facility will include a lobby, large dining room, private dining area, living room, craft/exercise area, and a wellness room, according to architectural plans filed. The second floor will have its own living room, salon, cafe, card and activities rooms, lounge and media room, as well as a separate dining area.

A sample menu from another Columbia Pacific Advisors facility in Lake Worth, Fla., filed with other town document suggests residents might be able to enjoy dishes like: croissant club, chilled shrimp, fresh salmon and The Chefs Daily Special. Site plans show capacity to serve 136 meals enough for all the beds three times a day.

During a Board of Finance meeting Wednesday, officials discussed the impact of the new facility on the towns emergency medical services, with Dunn noting that its arrival could result in about 3.4 EMS calls per week, increasing the towns total calls by about 180 a year. Dunn said those numbers were just estimates for now.

But senior living centers have been known to have an impact on the towns emergency medical services in the past.

Fire Chief Andrew Ellis said that when The Village at Brookfield Common arrived, calls increased significantly, causing the town to pivot from a fully volunteer ambulance corp to the blended career and volunteer paramedic team they now have.

It was just way too busy for us, Ellis said.

Ellis also expects an increase of about 200 calls annually once Brookfield Senior Living is up and running.

A proposal for the new facility was first raised in 2018 and approved in 2019. The increase in calls to fire and police were also a concern at that time.

Still, Dunn feels confident the town will be able to handle the increase in calls.

Since beginning construction in the fall of 2020, the site has faced problems with the state related to contractor misclassifications of out-of-state workers as independent contractors who were then not paid overtime. Construction has since continued and the stop work order did not delay the projected Oct. 1 completion date, said Fran Lollie, a Brookfield zoning enforcement officer.

I think theyre prepared and ready to help people wherever they are in that process of aging, Dunn said. And thats a good thing because people dont like moving.
Derek Chauvin's conviction for the murder of George Floyd this week is 'not a cause for celebration,' the lead prosecutor said on Sunday.

Keith Ellison, the attorney general of Minnesota, told The Star Tribune that there was little jubilation at securing the conviction of the 45-year-old former police officer for the May 25 death of George Floyd.

'It's sad, very sad,' said Ellison.

'One man's dead and another man's going to prison for a long time.'

Keith Ellison, the attorney general of Minnesota, led the prosecution of Derek Chauvin

Jerry Blackwell, special assistant attorney general, delivered powerful a opening statement

Jerry Blackwell, special assistant attorney general - who delivered powerful opening and closing statements - agreed.

'It's a tragedy, and there really are no winners in a tragedy,' he said.

The team gathered to speak to their local newspaper, and admitted that they were still reeling from the intensity of the three-week trial, and the 10 months of preparation that went into it.

Lola Velazquez-Aguilu, special assistant attorney general, said: 'I asked these guys when we got here, 'Are you sleeping yet?' and for all of us the answer is no, we're not sleeping yet.'

Chauvin is currently in Oak Park Heights prison - Minnesota's only maximum security facility - and will be sentenced on June 16.

The prosecutors will be back in court in August, pursuing the conviction of the other three officers involved in Floyd's fatal arrest - J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao.

Ellison led the prosecution, with assistance from Hennepin County attorney's office.

Derek Chauvin, in his booking photo on April 21, will be sentenced on June 16

Chauvin knelt on George Floyd's neck during arrest, leading to the 46-year-old's death

He brought together an 'all star' team of 13 attorneys from around the nation, working remotely and meeting via Zoom owing to the pandemic.

They were assigned to committees covering different topics, including law enforcement and policing; medical issues and the cause of death; plus the art of presentation.

Central to the case was the video, filmed by Darnella Frazier, of Floyd's arrest, and they said they carefully weighed how much to use it.

'We felt that the most potent, powerful evidence there was the video and let people see it for themselves, judge it for themselves, reach their own conclusions and be able to say to them, 'There's no optical illusion in this; you can believe your eyes,' ' Blackwell said.

He said their aim was to craft an argument based on logic, rather than emotion.

Ellison added: 'Even though the video was incredibly powerful, I always was thinking about how we need to present this case if we somehow didn't have the video.

'I thought we needed to try the case imagining we didn't have the video and that was important, because I was always mindful, 'Are we playing it too much? At what point do you desensitize?''

Ellison said that key to their successful operation was assigning attorneys as leaders in one committee, and followers in others, to empower everyone to contribute.

Blackwell and Steve Schleicher, one of the trial prosecutors, said Ellison's guidance, weekly Zoom meetings, organized groups and clearly outlined tasks and purposes eased the process.

'It was not a pirate ship,' said Schleicher.

'It was a warship, and it was ready to go.'

Chauvin is pictured in court during the three-week trial, which saw him convicted on Tuesday

Blackwell (far left) and Ellison (second left) with Chauvin (far right) and his attorney, Eric Nelson

Velazquez-Aguilu, who focused on medical issues, preparing experts and outlining questions behind the scenes, said that the sense of teamwork was strong.

'Everybody was willing to take out the trash, to literally do anything large or small,' she said.

'At no time did I see anyone with a hint of ego say, 'Well, I'm too important to do this thing.' '

All agreed that working remotely was not easy - some of them did not meet in person until they had been working together for six months.

'There were times it felt like trying to mix oil, water and a brick,' Blackwell said.

'You take deep breaths and you keep working at it. Everyone was committed to finding the best way to win. We understood we couldn't take anything for granted. These cases are difficult.'

A complicating factor was the $27 million settlement paid to the Floyd family by the City of Minneapolis, just as the case was beginning.

Yet Ellison said it was not a concern for him.

'I don't believe I knew anything about it. I certainly didn't factor it in. I didn't have any authority over it,' he said.

'Didn't care, didn't matter to me.'
New Delhi:

The Karnataka government has decided prohibit pillion riding on two-wheelers with an engine capacity of less than 100cc. The decision came in wake of the safety of pillion riders who are often seen as easy victims of road accidents.

Transport Department issued a notice to this effect on October 16 in compliance of the Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. The rules clearly states, "No pillion seat shall be attached to motorcycle with less than 100 cc engine".

Read more: Modi to visit home state, will inaugurate project worth Rs 2000 crore

The report also says that the ban won't affect two-wheelers that are already in use, but only the new vehicles that are being sold and the upcoming models.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Modi says Covid "storm" has shaken India

Masked relatives offer prayers for a victim of Covid-19 in the Indian city of Gauhati on Sunday. Photo: AP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all citizens to be vaccinated and exercise caution, saying on Sunday the "storm" of infections had shaken India, as the country set a new global record of the most number of Covid-19 infections in a day.



The United States said it will immediately provide raw materials for one of the Covid-19 vaccines, medical equipment and protective gear to help India respond. France, Britain and Germany also promised rapid support.



The number of cases in India surged by 349,691 in the past 24 hours, the fourth straight day of record peaks. Hospitals in Delhi and across the country are turning away patients after running out of medical oxygen and beds.



"We were confident, our spirits were up after successfully tackling the first wave, but this storm has shaken the nation," Modi said in a radio address.



His government has faced criticism that it let its guard down earlier this year, allowed big religious and political gatherings to take place when India's cases fell to below 10,000 a day and did not plan for boosted healthcare systems.



Hospitals and doctors have put out urgent notices saying they are unable to cope with the rush of patients.



Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal extended a lockdown in the capital that had been due to end on Monday for a week. Covid-19 is killing one person every four minutes in the city.



The United States has faced criticism in India for its export controls on raw materials for vaccines put in place via the Defense Production Act and an associated export embargo in February.



The Serum Institute of India (SII), the worlds biggest vaccine maker, this month urged US President Joe Biden to lift the block on exports of raw materials that is hampering its ability to ramp up vaccine production.



On Sunday, a White House spokeswoman said the United States would send raw materials required for India to manufacture Covishield, the AstraZeneca vaccine licensed by SII. It would also send therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and protective equipment for frontline workers. (Reuters)
Alappuzha: Time and tide wait for none, not even coronavirus. And this prompted Abhirami to walk down the aisle with her boyfriend at the COVID-ward of Alappuzha medical college and hospital after the groom tested positive for coronavirus a few days back. The girl ditched her traditional bridal wear and tie the nuptial knot wearing a PPE kit as the families did not want to skip the auspicious 'muhurtham.'

The duo got hitched in a hospital ward in a small ceremony in presence of limited family members at a time when COVID cases are spiralling in the southern state. Abhirami, a native of Thekkan Aryad in Alappuzha, donned the disposable wear and get married at a COVID ward at Alappuzha Vandanam Medical College on Sunday. Marking the ritual, the groom, Sarathmon S, tied 'thali', the mangal sutra, and garlanded her with a simple tulsi garland in the presence of his mother, also covid positive and another close relative of the bride at a special room in the ward. Fixed a year ago, the wedding happened on Sunday, after permission from authorities.

Sarathmon, who works in the Gulf, and his mother Jijimol were recently admitted to the hospital after they tested positive for the virus. Though he had placed himself in quarantine after arriving here from the Middle East for the wedding and showed no symptoms for the initial 10 days, the two developed breathing difficulties on Wednesday evening. They tested positive for the virus at a private hospital at Thathampally and were later shifted to the COVID ward of the medical college, family sources said.

As both the families wanted to carry out the wedding ritual on the pre-fixed 'muhurtham' (auspicious time of a day), they approached the authorities with the request to get married at the hospital itself.

Both the district collector and hospital authorities granted permission for the function adhering to strict COVID protocols. In compliance with the health department guidelines, the bride was asked to wear the PPE kit and directed that only one or two relatives should attend the wedding. After the function, Abhirami went back to her uncle's house while Sarathmon continued his stay in the hospital. The couple would begin a new life after the groom turned COVID negative, family sources added.

(With PTI inputs)
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Zain Bahrain, a leading telecommunications operator in the Kingdom, announced an exclusive Double Blessings promotional offer to facilitate connectivity and provide customers with a range of benefits across all products and services during the holy month of Ramadan.

Each year, during Ramadan, Zain Bahrain focuses on providing its customers with something unique; this year, customers can avail of double benefits and enjoy uninterrupted mobile and broadband services while staying connected with their loved ones.

The Ramadan exclusive Double Blessings promotional offer includes two months free rental on subscription to 5G Home Broadband services and Fiber; double the customer data (GBs) upon subscribing for a postpaid or prepaid plan.

Zain Bahrain customers can purchase not one, but two iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Mini devices on one plan and save up to BD 96 on both devices. iPhone 12 Bundles start at BD 21 per month.

Also, any customer purchasing a device from Zain can trade in their old device for a new device and save up to BD 319. Customers can also avail of the mobile broadband offer during Ramadan where they can receive two free SIM cards for mobile broadband SIM Sharing and get double benefits for the Zain Passes.

Further, customers will get an opportunity to double their points for every correct answer during Ramadan on the Zain Mega contest 3 which offers customers opportunities to win exciting cash prizes monthly and a BMW (218i Series 2) car quarterly until 31st March 2022. Ammar AlKetbi, Director of Consumer Marketing & Sales at Zain Bahrain, said, The holy month of Ramadan is about giving back, and therefore we wanted to make it extra special by announcing the Double Blessings offers which shows our appreciation to our customers while catering to all segments.
Guwahati, April 25 : The Assam government, which has installed eight oxygen plants, would also provide support to private hospitals and nursing homes for setting up their own generation units, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday.

After the Covid-19 pandemic hit the state, the government has installed eight oxygen plants in five medical colleges and hospitals including Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, producing 5.23 metric tonnes of oxygen per day, he said.

Sarma told the media that five more oxygen units are in the process of being installed and two more units would become operational in the next three-four days.

The minister held a meeting with private nursing homes, hospitals, hoteliers and members of their association in Guwahati and discussed preparedness to deal with Covid-19 situation in the state.

Sarms, who also holds the Finance and PWD Departments, urged the private health institutions to set up their own oxygen units, offering any assistance needed.

Meanwhile, the Assam government has directed the Deputy Commissioners of all districts to constitute area-wise 'home quarantine committees' comprising representatives of prominent public bodies and societies necessary to supervise the standard operation procedures, and take the help of the local police and administration, if needed.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, left, shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump at the InterContinental Barclay hotel during the United Nations General Assembly on Sep. 23, 2019, in New York. AP-Yonhap



Former president Donald Trump on Friday accused his South Korean counterpart of ripping off the United States, while continuing to highlight his supposed friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.



"Kim Jong-un of North Korea, who I have gotten to know (and like) under the most trying of circumstances, never respected the current President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in," Trump said in a statement.



"President Moon was weak as a leader and as a negotiator, except when it came to the continued, long term military ripoff of the USA... We were treated like fools for decades, however, I got them to pay billions of dollars more for the military protection and services we render."



"The Biden Administration is not even going to ask for the additional billions South Korea agreed to pay us," Trump added, referring to current President Joe Biden.






Apple's Spring Loaded event brought forth a cornucopia of announcements. This is easily the most action-packed event we have had from Apple in the Spring and certainly beats last year's announcements. There was a new iMac, two new iPad Pros, an updated Apple TV, AirTags, and even a new color for the iPhone 12. Oh, and there were also Apple Card Family and Apple Podcasts Subscriptions announcements.

We covered all of these announcements, but some of them deserve a closer look because there are a lot of questions that need answers. For example, does the new iMac look good or is it just colorful? Is there even any point to the mini-LED display on the iPad Pro? Is spending $99 on a four-pack of AirTags easier than being careful with your things? Does the $449 Hermes version find you when you lose it? Read on to find out.

AirTag

After living in people's minds rent-free for the last couple of years, the AirTag was finally announced during the event that will henceforth be known as the AirTag event. Finally, people can deliberately start losing things instead of just accidentally.

For what it's worth, the AirTag is a simple, no-nonsense device that does one thing and one thing only: profit off clumsiness. All facts jokes aside, it's a neat little device for which there clearly is a market, considering Apple wasn't the first to the segment. If you want to keep track of your belongings in case you misplace them, and you use an iPhone, then the AirTag can come in handy.

Having said that  and not that it is advertised as such  but I doubt it will do much to deter theft. It's a pretty obvious looking thing if just dangled outside of whatever it is attached to and any clever thief would be careful enough to detach it immediately before pilfering your belongings. So it should probably not be purchased to keep track of potentially stolen goods. Although you can always count on a dumb thief.

The pricing is pretty decent considering it's made by Apple and even supports standard button cells that last over a year, making them more reliable in the long term than AirPods. But the cost of the Hermes edition seems like a crime against humanity. With a starting price of $299 and going all the way up to $449, I'd be more worried about losing the AirTag than whatever it is attached to.

Purple iPhone 12

I just have one thing to say about the purple iPhone 12. It's violet. You don't have to agree with me, but you'd also be wrong.

iPad Pro and Proer

Apple had two new iPads to show during the AirTag event, both updates to the previous 11-inch and 12.9-inch. The main new feature of the 11-inch model is that it now comes with the M1 chip. The M1, if you remember, was such a monumental leap forward in laptop hardware that Apple's previous supplier Intel, having run out of actual hardware to compete with, launched a new CEO instead. And even that wasn't enough.

The switch to M1 alone would have been a game-changer, especially since the iPad hardware was already industry-leading in many ways. But while Android tablets are still going through the several year-long phase of deciding whether or not they need to exist, Apple decided it wasn't enough to just be light years ahead but be so far ahead that the mere thought of buying any other tablet would produce the heartiest of chuckles and a knee slap.

So now the 11-inch iPad also gets up to 16GB memory, up to 2TB storage, Thunderbolt 4 with support for an external 6K display, 5G, and a new 12MP ultra-wide front camera that follows your movement and watches you sleep . All of this on top of an already impressive design and spec-sheet.

Then there's the 12.9-inch model, which decided it wasn't content just being the bigger version but that it's literally going to outshine its smaller sibling. The display now has mini-LED backlight with over 10,000 lights clustered in 2596 zones across the entire panel. For those who don't know, mini-LED is currently the best way to get localized backlight on an LCD and while it's not as pixel-precise as a self-emitting display technology like OLED, it can get much brighter because it's made from non-organic materials. The iPad Pro display can reach 1600 nits peak brightness while displaying HDR content and 1000 nits full field.

Apple calls it Liquid Retina XDR, which of course it does even though it doesn't make any sense. But that's not important. What's important is that this is likely the brightest and most well-calibrated HDR display you can get for under $1100. And this includes professional monitors.

However, beyond just bragging rights, the point of such a display on an iPad is somewhat lost on me. As much as Apple wants to will it into happening, most people aren't producing and editing professional HDR videos on their iPad. And most other types of workflows, such as drawing and image editing don't require an HDR display, let alone one this bright.

Moreover, HDR workflows and mastering is something that's done under controlled light environments. This is why professional HDR monitors lock their brightness depending upon the chosen color space, including Apple's own Pro Display XDR, because you are expected to use them in a dark room with ambient lighting of just a few nits above zero. An iPad is meant to be used on the go outdoors, which isn't the best place to grade HDR videos.

Moreover, Apple still hasn't given the iPad Final Cut Pro, which would at least give you an excuse to use the display the way it's intended. But right now, the best use for it that I can see is to just absolutely sear your eyeballs out while watching the latest Netflix or Apple TV+ show in Dolby Vision.

Maybe I'm being cynical and perhaps there is a real-world use of this display that goes beyond just watching content. I've seen and heard of enough people who use their iPads as computers. But as has been the case for a while now, the iPad hardware department just seems several steps ahead of the software department and the device is still lacking several key apps that would make it a worthwhile replacement for a computer. But right now it still just comes across as a tablet with ambitions, not an actual replacement for a computer.

iMac

The last thing announced at the AirTag event was the new 2021 iMac. I'm just going to go ahead and say the thing everyone has been too shocked and dazzled by the colors to notice. This thing is ugly. It just is. You could disagree with me but it's just going to be the purple thing all over again.

When I say it's ugly, I don't mean it's ugly in a Windows desktop PC kind of way. Those things obviously have very little effort put into them so it makes sense they are ugly. The new iMac very obviously looks like designers at Apple spent months designing it. Which is why it's so hilarious that it's so ugly. They really thought they were on to something with this thing but they just weren't.

The redesign is also weirdly degrading and infantilizing. The previous iMac was a classy workhorse of a machine. It had customizable hardware, lots of ports to connect a bunch of things, and looked like it was made to get stuff done. The new iMac looks like it was designed to sit on a receptionist's desk or a hotel front office. A computer you buy for your kids who will be more impressed by the color than what the computer can actually do. It looks like what characters from other franchises look like when they get added to Fortnite.

I know that the iMac once came in various colors in the G3 era. But macOS also had the Aqua UI back then and there's no way we would tolerate that today. Also, I'd argue the colors on the iMac today are more in line with Apple's current products (iPad Air, iPhone 12) than any past product. And while I can get over the colors (there is a silver model after all), the front looks like they forgot to design it because they were so busy with how it would look from the back when you walk into the office and see the receptionist using it.

The only hope for those who loved the old iMac and especially the now-defunct iMac Pro is that this new model is just a replacement for the old 21.5-inch model, which means there may be a larger or even a Pro version in the making with possibly faster, newer generation Apple silicon. A black one perhaps? With a matching black front bezel? I'd be willing to excuse the iPad-on-a-stand design for that. Until then, this thing can go back to the Fisher-Price catalog, from where it came.
For democracys sake, should military leaders be ostracised and barred from the UN? By Thalif Deen View(s): View(s):

UNITED NATIONS  The recent military coup in Myanmar and an attempted palace coup in Jordan hark back to the days when insurrections by armed forces came along a veritable assembly line  particularly in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

And at least one political leader  a former Prime Minister of Thailand  was ousted from power when he was at the United Nations to address the General Assembly.

After he finished his address, he was homeless and had no country to go to, and sought political asylum in a Middle Eastern country. And that country was known to welcome several world leaders on the run  even as a newspaper cartoon caricatured an EXPRESS lane at its arrival lounge in the airport, with a sign reading: FOR VIPsAND OUSTED WORLD LEADERS ONLY.

Meanwhile, the dethroning of a Prime Minister during a UN session prompted one official to sarcastically advise all visiting world leaders to bring  along with their bag and baggage  their army, navy and air force chiefs as part of the countrys UN delegation to avoid potential military coups back home.

Regrettably, military coups also come with heavy losses in human lives. In Myanmar, the UN Country Team has remained deeply concerned over the continued loss of life following the military takeover of the government on February 1.

As of last week, at least 224 civilians have been killed at the hands of security forces, including those in custody. But the real figure could be more than 250, as hundreds more, including women and children, have been injured, according to the UN Human Rights Office.

Besides Myanmar, there were two attempted bloodless coups in February this year in Haiti and Armenia. But they never got off the ground.

The late Kofi Annan was the only UN Secretary-General (1997-2006) who challenged the General Assembly, urging member states to deny the UN podium to political leaders who come to power by undemocratic means or via military coups.

In 2004, when the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor to the present African Union (AU), barred coup leaders from participating in African summits, Annan singled out that landmark decision as a future model to punish military dictators worldwide.

Annan went one step further and said he was hopeful that one day the General Assembly, the highest policy making body in the Organisation, would follow in the footsteps of the OAU, and bar leaders of military governments from addressing the General Assembly.

Annans proposal was a historic first. But it never came to pass in an institution where member states, not the Secretary-General, rule the Organisation. However, any such move could also come back to haunt member states if, one day, they find themselves representing a country headed by a military leader.

The outspoken Annan, a national of Ghana, also said that billions of dollars of public funds continue to be stashed away by some African leaders  even while roads are crumbling, health systems are failing, school children have neither books nor desks nor teachers, and phones do not work. He also lashed out at African leaders who overthrow democratic regimes to grab power by military means.

Needless to say, the UN does not make any distinctions between benevolent dictators and ruthless dictators. But as an international institution preaching multiparty democracy and free elections, it still condones military leaders by offering them a platform to speak  while wining and dining with them during the annual General Assembly sessions.

Meanwhile, some of the military leaders who addressed the UN included Fidel Castro of Cuba, Col Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, Amadou Toure of Mali (who assumed power following a coup in 1991 but later served as a democratically elected President), and Jerry Rawlings of Ghana (who seized power in 1979, executed former heads of state but later served as a civilian president voted into power in democratic elections).

As the International Herald Tribune (IHT) pointed out years ago, Rawlings was Africas first former military leader to allow voters to choose his successor in a multi-party election.

The erratic Gaddafi made a historic visit to the UN in September 2009. In its report, the London Guardian said he grabbed his 15 minutes of fame at the UN building in New York and ran with it. He ran with it so hard he stretched it to an hour and 40 minutes, six times longer than his allotted slot, to the dismay of UN organizers.

Gaddafi fully lived up to his reputation for eccentricity, bloody-mindedness and extreme verbiage, said the Guardian, as he tore up a copy of the UN charter in front of startled delegates, accused the Security Council of being an al-Qaeda like terrorist body, called for (US President) George Bush and (UK Prime Minister) Tony Blair to be put on trial for the Iraq war, demanded $7.7 trillion in compensation for the ravages of colonialism on Africa, and wondered whether swine flu was a biological weapon created in a military laboratory.

In October 2020, the New York Times reported that at least 10 African civilian leaders refused to step down from power and instead changed their constitutions to serve a third or fourth term - or serve for life.

These leaders included Presidents of Guinea (running for a third term), Cote dIvoire, Uganda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Ghana and Seychelles, among others. The only country where the incumbent was stepping down was Niger.

Condemning all military coups, the Times quoted Umaro Sissoco Embalo, the president of Guinea-Bissau, as saying: Third terms also count as coups

According to the Times, the governments of several Southeast Asian countries have the hallmarks of authoritarian military governments.

The leader of Thailands last coup, Prayuth Chan-o-cha, a former chief of the Thai army, is still the Prime Minister of the politically volatile country. In Cambodia, Hun Sen, described as Asias longest-ruling leader, has set up a political dynasty, and in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte has presided over thousands of extra-judicial killings. The US has officially determined that Chinas authoritarian regime is committing genocide against Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic and religious minority groups.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law paving the way for him to run for two more presidential terms extending his rule until 2036, according to a report in Cable News Network (CNN).

In early April, the Lower House of the Somali Parliament extended the Presidents term for two more years. The Upper Chamber of the Somali Parliament says this is illegal and wants the international community to intervene.

Asked for his comments, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters last week: Weve seen these latest developments. I can tell you they are very concerning to us, what is going on in Somalia. Were assessing what exactly has been decided and the impact and so on.

And on the upcoming meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Myanmar, he said: ASEAN has a very important role to play in helping us achieve the goal that we all want, which is a return to civilian rule in Myanmar

*This article contains extracts from a newly-released book on the United Nations titled No Comment  and Dont Quote Me on That. Authored by Thalif Deen, Senior Editor at the UN Bureau of Inter Press Service (IPS) news agency, the 220-page book is peppered with scores of anecdotes from the serious to the hilarious and is available on Amazon worldwide and at the Vijitha Yapa bookshop in Sri Lanka. The links follow:

https://www.rodericgrigson.com/no-comment-by-thalif-deen/

https://www.vijithayapa.com/
Biden speaks in the Oval Office this month. The bust of Robert F. Kennedy is one of several art pieces he chose to symbolize influences that shaped his views. ( Andrew Harnik / Associated Press)

Throughout the 2020 campaign, pollsters in both parties said Joe Biden was well known, but not known well: Voters knew him as a former vice president and longtime senator but had only a rough sense of what he stood for.

As his presidency nears its 100th day, the blank spots are filling in. The resulting image is one most observers did not expect based on Bidens largely centrist, four-decade record.

"A couple of months before the election ... did I think he would be a transformational president? I would have laughed at that idea," said Democratic strategist Cornell Belcher.

"I would have been mistaken.

Biden has governed in these opening months as a progressive  significantly to the left of his three Democratic predecessors on the issue of government's role in society. With proposals such as expanded aid to families to cut child poverty nearly in half, a sharp cut in U.S. emissions of gases that warm the climate, and a major increase in spending on domestic programs, he's gone well beyond what prior Democratic administrations backed.

"Government doing something for people ... that was an idea that was disabled," said Princeton historian Sean Wilentz. "He's trying to bring it back."

Republicans have accused Biden of a bait-and-switch.

He promised to work across the aisle  to work with Republicans in Congress. But so far, those words have been completely empty promises," Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana, the vice chair of the Republican conference in the House, said on Wednesday, kicking off a series of GOP speeches criticizing the administration.

To their publicly expressed frustration, Republicans have had little success with that line of attack. They've gotten more traction by focusing on the administration's troubled handling of an upswing of mostly young migrants trying to cross the southwestern border.

Biden's activism amounts to a strategic bet that flips an idea that guided the last two Democratic presidents. Both Presidents Obama and Clinton were acutely aware of the risk of overreaching  alienating centrists by pushing plans seen as going too far. Biden has adopted the opposite view  that troubled times have made voters more open to activist government.

Story continues

I believe the American people are looking right now to their government for help, Biden said in a White House speech a couple of weeks after the inauguration. The way I see it, the biggest risk is not going too big  its if we go too small.

That set the tone for key early decisions, especially Biden's refusal to cut down his $1.9-trillion COVID-19 relief package when a group of centrist Republicans offered a counterproposal roughly one-third as big.

That decision was not only substantively important, "it sent a signal" for future legislative battles, said Adam Green of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.

Voters might not have expected so activist a program, but so far they like what they see: Roughly two-thirds of Americans, including about a third of Republicans, approve of the relief package, recent polls show.

The pandemic appears to have made many voters more supportive of government action, Democratic strategists say. Biden is a "Democrat who believes in the art of the possible, and whats possible would have been a lot lower in normal times," Green said.

But Biden also has an ability to put forward progressive ideas in a way that strikes centrist voters as nonthreatening, said Belcher.

You cannot underestimate how comfortable Uncle Joe is for a lot of people. They give an old, white guy the benefit of the doubt," he said.

Even as Biden has pushed activist policy, he's succeeded in lowering the temperature of Washington's political debates. That reduced partisan intensity has helped him, strategists in both parties say. But it could create a problem down the road, depriving Biden of the fervent support that can sustain a president in bad times.

President Biden garners strong ratings, in part because hes doing exactly what he said he would do when he ran," said Democratic pollster Anna Greenberg: "Getting shots in arms, expanding COVID relief, improving the economy."

"To some degree, he has let the work be his message. The only danger with that approach is that may not forge a deep tie with the voter that helps him through tougher times.

The president's identity, moreover, poses a challenge.

"Biden doesnt personify the Democratic Party," said Julia Azari, a political science professor at Marquette University in Milwaukee. "Older, white men  just by the numbers  are a very slim part of the Democratic coalition."

Obama, as the first Black president, embodied change in a way that drew Democratic voters to him, Azari said. Biden has to cement their allegiance by what he can deliver.

He's "made politics transactional again," she said.

The president has carefully attended to that, publicly stressing the diversity of his appointments to federal offices and emphasizing racial and ethnic equity in COVID-19 vaccinations.

But his ability to deliver on major Democratic priorities beyond his spending plans remains a question mark. Biden has left unclear how much energy he'll devote to measures on immigration, voting rights, gun regulation and changes in policing.

What were all most interested in is the next 100 days," said Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice, a group that advocates for immigrant rights.

They have to decide if theyre really going to fight" for legalization, Sharry said.

The House has passed two bills that together would legalize roughly 4.5 million of the estimated 11 million people living in the U.S. without authorization. Getting those, or any broader legalization measures, through the Senate would almost certainly require bypassing Senate rules that require most legislation to get 60 votes to pass.

Will they spend political capital? I dont know. I suspect they dont know," Sharry said.

Similarly, while Green praised Biden's accomplishments, he pointedly added that the president's proposals to counteract global warming fall far short of what he promised during his campaign.

So far, Biden has kept his options open, sticking to a few core topics  mainly the pandemic and economic recovery  with a discipline that contrasts with his longstanding image as garrulous and gaffe-prone.

As youve all observed, successful presidents better than me have been successful in large part because they know how to time what theyre doing. Order it, decide and prioritize what needs to be done," he said in a news conference in late March that provided a glimpse of how he sees the job.

First among those priorities has been the pandemic, the area on which he can claim his biggest success. More than half the adult population has gotten at least one vaccination shot, and the number of deaths dropped sharply, from a peak of roughly 3,500 a day in the week before his inauguration to an average of under 700 a day.

That achievement has helped reinvigorate the economy and rekindled a sense of optimism. The share of Americans who say the country is on the right track has risen to levels not seen in a decade.

That, in turn, has helped keep the Democratic Party united.

"Success begets success," said Lanae Erickson of the centrist Democratic organization Third Way. Democrats of all ideological factions are "extremely motivated" to see Biden succeed because they know their own political survival hinges on his, she said.

Instead of Democratic infighting, it's the opposition that remains divided.

"He's governing in a very liberal way" but has "benefited from a big leadership vacuum in the Republican Party," Republican strategist Alex Conant said of Biden. "Were seeing Republicans spending a lot of time attacking each other, not the administration."

With the successful vaccination campaign and the passage of his relief package, Biden has succeeded at changing voter expectations shaped by a decade of political gridlock in Washington, said Democratic strategist Joe Trippi.

After the chaotic clamor of Donald Trump's presidency, Biden faced a situation similar to the one Jerry Brown confronted when he followed Arnold Schwarzenegger into California's governor's office, said Trippi, who worked as a senior advisor to Brown's 2010 campaign.

Voters started with fairly low expectations in both cases  they simply wanted a basic level of competence and experience. Brown used to say of Californians in 2010, "They wanted someone who would turn down the temperature and know how to turn the lights on in the Statehouse, Trippi recalled. Similarly, in 2020, many voters would have been happy with any president who wasn't Trump.

Brown quickly exceeded that threshold expectation, and Biden has done the same, Trippi said: On the two things that matter the most to voters right now  the vaccine and getting the economy moving  hes been effective."

Biden's supporters say that image of competence is a key attribute in voters' eyes.

"Competency is his strongest selling point," said Steve Schale, who runs the main pro-Biden super PAC, Unite the Country.

About 50 days into Biden's tenure, the group polled roughly 5,000 voters in 10 swing states. Voters appreciated the fact that he was head-down, doing the work," Schale said.

That's one big reason the continued problems at the border pose a problem for Biden. Not only do the images of teenagers crowded into Border Patrol lockups revive public concerns about illegal immigration  an issue on which Republicans have traditionally held an edge  but the chaotic scenes have the potential to undermine the administration's goal of low-drama, steady execution.

The border problem is also a reminder of how easily external events can derail a president's agenda.

The big question voters ask is, Did you get anything done? Trippi said. A president has only limited time to answer that question.

Biden "knows more than anybody who has been there in a while how little time hes got."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Jiravit Rachatanan - C.P. Vietnam vice president taking over golden prize at VNQA 2020

C.P. Vietnam received the gold prize and five other awards at a joint ceremony for the Vietnam National Quality Awards (VNQA) and the Global Performance Excellence Awards (GPEA), which covered both 2019 and 2020 and were handed over by the prime minister.

The awards aim to honour businesses that have made outstanding achievements in improving the quality of products and services, competitiveness, operational efficiency, and regional and international economic integration. The prime minister signed decisions presenting the awards to 61 companies in 2019 and 55 companies last year.

Five branches of C.P. Vietnam were honoured with prizes covering all sectors in the feed-farm-food (3F) closed chain, with swine business of Branch 3 receiving the gold prize at VNQA 2020. C.P. Aqua Feedmill in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre and a livestock feedmill plant in the southern province of Dong Nai were also named in VNQA 2020, while Branch 3 of the food business in Ho Chi Minh City and Factory branch 6 in Dong Nai were honoured for the 2019 edition.

List of companies receiving the golden prize, including C.P. Vietnam

C.P. Vietnam president Montri Suwanposri said, The corporation always innovates in producing and doing business to enhance the quality of products, services, and competitiveness, to maximise productivity, and to integrate into regional and international economies. Applying the standards of the VNQA will raise C.P. Vietnam branches awareness of advantages and disadvantages, opportunities and challenges, and then find solutions to accelerate productivity and build a sustainable development roadmap.

In the swine business of Branch 3 in Dong Nai, all farms apply modern and environmentally-friendly industrial husbandry, and its pig total makes up the largest proportion of pigs in the province, known as the Vietnamese capital of husbandry. The branch was also awarded VNQA recognition in 2018.

Branch representative Kieu Minh Luc said, We are so honoured to receive the gold award as recognition of the companys efforts to strengthen production and enhance product quality.

C.P. Vietnam president and branches' representative

In the animal feed business, C.P. Aqua Feedmill in Ben Tre is one of the three-largest feed mills for the corporation, with annual capacity of nearly 250,000 tonnes. This is also the first mill in Ben Tre to apply various ISO and GMP-certified standards, and all its products are traceable. The mill in Dong Nai meanwhile provides feed for various animals using modern technologies that match international standards in nutrition, safety, high efficiency, and traceability.

Elsewhere, Branch 3 in Ho Chi Minh City provides ready-to-eat products like sausages, dumplings, and fast food, while Factory 6 in Dong Nai processes chicken and other meats. In the 3F model, all outputs of these two factories are ensured with clean materials for breeding, feed, and processing in collaboration with modern tech for the most hygienic environment.

C.P. Vietnam president and branches' representative

With the vision of being a Kitchen of the World, C.P. Vietnam has been contributing sustainable values to the countrys agriculture sector. Numerous branches have been acknowledged in the VNQA in addition to other awards that celebrate enterprises accompanying farmers, sustainable businesses, and overall best enterprises.
More than four years after the first payments bank started operations in India, the banking regulator has doubled the maximum limit of funds that a depositor can keep with such a bank to Rs 2 lakh. This has been done to help financial inclusion and expand the ability of payments banks to cater to the growing needs of their customers.

How will doubling the deposit-taking ability help such banks? First, lets take a look at the performance of this set of banks. In August 2015, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) gave conditional licences to 11, including a few ...
A Catholic Church stands just off the road in Hachita, N.M., on Feb. 19, 2017, near the U.S.Mexico border. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

New Mexico Restores Indoor Worship Services to Maximum Capacity

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is allowing places of worship around the state to operate at maximum capacity, about a year after the state started limiting capacity because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since last April, when the lockdowns were first initiated, there have been restrictions based on tiered guidelines for places of worship.

The change was made in light of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that enjoin states from enforcing capacity limits on churches that are more restrictive than other entities like factories and schools, Nora Meyers, the governors press secretary, said in a statement over the weekend. Schools in the state were allowed to completely reopen on April 5.

The move comes after a Supreme Court ruling on April 9 that California couldnt enforce pandemic-related restrictions on places of worship, prayer meetings, Bible studies, and other affiliated events. It came after faith groups and residents filed lawsuits against Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat.

Applicants are likely to succeed on the merits of their free exercise claim; they are irreparably harmed by the loss of free exercise rights for even minimal periods of time; the State has not shown that public health would be imperiled by employing less restrictive measures, an unsigned opinion of the high courts majority in mid-April states.

It is unsurprising that such litigants are entitled to relief. Californias Blueprint System contains myriad exceptions and accommodations for comparable activities, thus requiring the application of strict scrutiny.

But Meyers, in statements to the press, said, Houses of worship are strongly encouraged to protect their congregants and communities by enacting social distancing measures to bolster public health and minimize risk of viral spread of their own accord.

Various religious groups said they were pleased with the decision.

If it has been a while since youve been in church or youve been thinking about faith again after this difficult year, we have a simple message for you: come worship with us this Sunday, Pastor Skip Heitzig of Albuquerques Calvary Church said in a statement to Fox.

The Archdiocese of Sante Fe on April 23, meanwhile, issued a statement to the Albuquerque Journal, saying, It is of paramount importance to remember that the church values everyones safety and well-being.  Life is sacred and we are taking every precaution to protect our people from the coronavirus.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, also known as the novel coronavirus.
Hand clasped in his as she takes the evening air with her US boyfriend, a clearly smitten Lily James is a sight to gladden her friends and fans.

Few will be quite so cheered though as Dominic Wests wife Catherine  who faced the humiliation of her husband being photographed in a clinch with the actress last year after the pair finished filming in Rome.

Now, Downton Abbey star Lily has been spotted enjoying a romantic break with rock star lover Michael Shuman, 35, at the luxury LHorizon Hotel and Spa in Palm Springs, California, and out enjoying the sun-drenched citys street life under the palm trees.

Lily James and Michael Shuman from Queens of the Stone Age hold hands on their stroll in Palm Springs, California

The hotel was a favourite celebrity destination in the 1950s and 1960s, attracting the biggest names in Hollywoods golden era, such as Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable.

And Lily, 32, looked every inch the modern screen star on her evening stroll, wearing a denim and suede jacket, a Burberry crossbody bag over a camisole, high-waist buttoned trousers and 750 Dior kitten heel slingbacks.

An onlooker said: They looked very happy and relaxed, smiling at one another and looking very much in love.

Lily James and married actor Dominic West pictured during a weekend in Rome in 2020

Dominic West and his wife Catherine Fitzgerald later insisted all was well with their marriage

The mini-break was a chance for Lily to take time out before work on her new TV mini-series, Pam & Tommy, being filmed two hours drive away in Los Angeles, in which she plays Baywatch star Pamela Anderson.

Lily and Michael, bass player with rock group Queens Of The Stone Age, were first spotted together in February when she was filming romcom Whats Love Got To Do With It in the UK.

Last autumn, photographs emerged of Ms James and Mr West, 51, together in Rome, in a clinch over lunch and sharing a scooter ride around the city.

West and his landscape designer wife Catherine FitzGerald, 49, later insisted that all was well with their ten-year marriage.
TDI

EV

Using the sketches we mentioned, Russian website Kolesa was able to create a set of realistic renderings which look almost like a real product. The highlights of this model include a larger grille and creases at the bottom of the doors, which remind us of Lamborghini.Sadly, even though this looks like a dynamically competent car, the 2022 Fabia could be the slowest generation yet. The first model had an RS version powered by a 1.9with 128 horsepower (130 PS), while the one after that came with the potent but not that well-engineered twin-charged 1.4 TSI.But an updated VW Polo came out earlier this week, and all its engines are 1.0-liter ones. While Ford pushes its equivalent three-cylinder turbo pretty hard, Skoda will undoubtedly only go up to about 110 hp. That is obviously due to the ultra-low emissions targets Skoda has to deal with.Over the years, there have been rumors of the Fabia RS returning or Volkswagen developing a 1.0-liter hybrid engine. But from where we stand, the segment is dead, and the upcoming Fabia should be the last Skoda to wear this badge, at least for a while. In fact, were it not for contracts with dealers and factory unions, we doubt they'd have bothered to develop the 2022 model.The new Fabia will probably have the largest trunk and the most amount of legroom in its class. But the Skoda Scala might still be better in those regards. What do you guys think the tiny Skoda needs to stand out?Right now, Peugeot has secured an interesting lead, with the Fabia-sized 208 and the 2008 based on it being the most popular cars in Europe. The subcompact segment is losing ground to the similarly priced but more practical compact models, while electric cars are rapidly becoming the urban vehicle of choice.Volkswagen Group is undoubtedly aware of this and is currently working on the ID.2 , a small electric car that will take the job of the Polo. Skoda might make its own version, but it will probably have a dedicated name and marketing strategy. So no "Fabia."
Hands of the Week: Big Pots and Bad Beats in the GGPoker Spring Festival

April 25 2021 Chad Holloway

PokerNews is known throughout the world for our industry-leading live updates for both live and online events. In fact, right now we're offering various updates right here.

Over the years, weve captured memorable hands, many of which have become a part of poker history. In this new column, we will bring you some of the biggest hands of the week as reported in the PokerNews Live Updates.

Remember, if youre playing an event PokerNews is covering, you can get in the updates via the MyStack App. You can download the app for iPhone or Android now to get started. Then, create a new PokerNews account or update your current one to start updating your status immediately. Your followers can see all the live action that you're involved in.

Click here to download the My Stack app for iPhone, or click here to download the My Stack app for Android.

Sousa Scores Big Double Through Parssinen

In Level 12 (1,800/3,600/450) of the 2021 GGPoker Spring Festival Super MILLION$$ ME-H: $10,300 NLH, $10M GTD, Rui "OlliOctavius" Sousa raised to 7,920 in the hijack and Eelis Parssinen called out of the big blind. The flop was checked by both and the followed on the turn. Parssinen opted to check and Sousa made it 14,130 to go, only for Parssinen to check-raise to 60,030 total.

Sousa came along for the ride to the river on which Parssinen used his time bank and jammed for 255,046 into a pot of 141,300. Sousa also activated his time bank and then called for 206,963 total!

Parssinen rolled over for just a pair of eights and Sousa scored a big double with for top set on a straight and flush board.

That hand helped propel Sousa to a 67th-place finish for $34,147.

A Big River for Baron

In the same tournament in Level 15: 3,500/7,000/850, Isaac Baron raised to 14,000 in middle position and Daniel Dvoress called one seat over. Action folded to Aliaksandr Hirs in the small blind, who three-bet shoved all in for 91,300.

Baron came over the top for 301,700, almost all of his remaining stack, Dvoress shoved, and Baron called it off for 26,758 more.

Aliaksandr Hirs:

Isaac Baron:

Daniel Dvoress:

The flop kept the kings of Hirs in the lead, while Baron was trailing Dvoress for the side pot. The on the turn was a brick, but the on the river certainly not. Baron spiked one of his three outs, crippling Dvoress and eliminating Hirs in the process.

Burns Busts to Angelou-Konstas

In the GGPoker Spring Festival H-75: $25,500 Sunday 5 Million, it was Level 11 (1,750/3,500/450) in a min-raised pot to a flop of .

Kahle Burns check-called for 4,500 against Ioannis Angelou-Konstas and the turn was checked by both.

On the river, Burns check-raised from 20,240 to 47,155 and Angelou-Konstas moved all-in for 228,248.

Burns had 128,632 behind and called it off with for a straight only to get shown the for the nuts by the Greek.

Straight Flush versus Nut-Flush for Parssinen

In the GGPoker Spring Festival H-72: $5,250 Bounty Hunters Main Event, it was Level 17 (10,000/20,000/3,000) when Artur Martirosian raised to 44,000 from the button and Eelis Parssinen defended his big blind.

The flop came , Parssinen check-called the 39,270 continuation-bet of Martirosian.

The turn was the and both players checked to the on the river.

Parssinen checked again but Martirosian bet 174,000 for the Finn to shove for 773,650 and get called by Martirosian who held the for the nut-flush but Parssinen held the for the straight flush and the double.

Miracle Survival for Kolonias

In the Super MILLION$ ME-H: $10,300, $10M GTD it was Level 32 (70,000/140,000/17,500) when Stevan "Steve Austin" Chew opened for 280,000 in the hijack and was called by Julian Stuer on his left. 2019 WSOP Europe Main Event champ Alexandros Kolonias called off his last 24K in the big blind.

On the , Chew check-called 252,000. The turn was a and Chew checked again. Stuer bet big this time with 939,702. Chew again peeled, bringing an . Stuer fired a final shell worth 2,126,993 into the side pot, and Chew quickly folded.

Kolonias likely figured he had zero shot of survival as he showed but his hand was, amazingly good. Stuer held and scooped the larger side pot with his bluff.

Kolonias went on to finish in 12th place for $105,155.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi

Islamabad [Pakistan], April 25 (ANI): As a gesture of solidarity, Pakistan has offered relief and support to India in the wake of the current wave of COVID-19, said Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday.

"As a gesture of solidarity with the people of India in the wake of the current wave of COVID19, Pakistan has officially offered relief & support to India, including ventilators, Bi PAP, digital X ray machines, PPEs & other related items. We believe in a policy of Humanity First," Qureshi wrote in a tweet.

Spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri in a tweet said, "As a gesture of solidarity with the people of India in the wake of the current wave of COVID-19, Pakistan has offered to provide relief support to India including ventilators, Bi PAP, digital X ray machines, PPEs and related items."

"The concerned authorities of Pakistan and India can work out modalities for quick delivery of the relief items. They can also explore possible ways of further cooperation to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic," the Spokesperson said.

While on Saturday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his solidarity with the people of India amid the "dangerous" second wave of COVID-19.

"I want to express our solidarity with people of India as they battle a dangerous wave of COVID19. Our prayers for speedy recovery go to all those suffering from pandemic in our neighbourhood and world," Khan wrote in a tweet. (ANI)
The company has recently announced that the car manufacturing operations at two German plants will be put on hold for seven days, while the nearly 18,500 employees will face reduced work hours as Mercedes-Benz struggles to deal with the lack of chips for its vehicles.Car production lines at both the Bremen and Rastatt plants have been suspended on April 23, with the operations projected to return to the typical schedule on April 30. Daimler, however, says the decision will not impact special projects.The company has also explained that its impossible to tell when the whole thing will return to normal as the lack of chips is still a major concern for everybody in the industry.The global chip shortage is a result of the growing demand for electronics, which in turn has been caused by the international health crisis that hit the world in early 2020.With a significant number of people moving from their corporate offices to ad-hoc working environments at home, the demand for electronics, such as PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and others, all of which were supposed to keep them productive even from the safety of their own homes, has substantially increased chip orders for the biggest foundries.Most chipmakers are already operating at 100 percent capacity, but they still cant align the production with the current demand, especially because device manufacturers are now trying to build inventories that would help them deal with any potential shortage that could still be encountered.In the meantime, other companies are stepping in to help carmakers. Intel has recently confirmed that it will start building chips specifically for the automotive industry, with its production lines to be ready in approximately 9 months.
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LINCOLN  Howd Billy get the gun?

It will be 140 years ago on Wednesday, April 28, that outlaw Billy the Kid shot jail guard J.W. Bell on a staircase in the Lincoln County Courthouse, setting in motion his escape from the gallows, and adding another layer of gloss to his legend.

Bell stumbled down the steps and out the courthouses back door before dying. Only moments before, the hapless guard and his prisoner, the Kid, had entered the building through that door after a visit to the outhouse.

Some people think a Kid ally put a pistol in the privy for the outlaw. Others believe Billy overpowered Bell and took the guards gun.

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Tiffanie Owen, instructional and volunteer coordinator for the Lincoln Historic Site, is among the latter. Pressing her back against the courthouse wall, she showed how Billy might have waited for Bell to get to the top of the stairs before slamming his manacled hands into the guards head. Thatd work.

But in his 2004 novel Law of the Land: The Trial of Billy the Kid, Santa Fe author Johnny D. Boggs goes with the outhouse theory.

Because someone hiding a gun in the privy makes a better story, Boggs said. We all like a good conspiracy.

But I dont think we will ever know. One thing that makes the Billy the Kid story so popular is there are so many things we dont know about him.

Bloody business

One thing for sure is the Kids story has made the town of Lincoln, 33 miles east of Carrizozo, the most visited of the historic sites administered by New Mexicos Department of Cultural Affairs.

When people think about the American West, they think about the Lincoln County War and Billy the Kid, said Wesley Meiss, regional manager of the Lincoln and Fort Stanton Historic Sites. That is one of the essential stories of the West and definitely part of American history.

The Lincoln County War, 1878-1881, pitted two commercial factions  one headed by Lawrence Murphy and Jimmy Dolan, the other by John Tunstall and Alexander McSween  against each other in a bloody battle for the dry goods and cattle business in the area.

Billy the Kid threw in with Tunstall and McSween, but Lincoln County Sheriff William Brady sided with the Murphy-Dolan camp.

Tunstall was killed by a posse deputized by Brady on Feb. 18, 1878. Brady was riddled with bullets in Lincoln the following April 1 by men, including the Kid, taking revenge for Tunstalls slaying.

Convicted for his role in Bradys assassination, the Kid was sentenced to hang and was awaiting execution when he escaped from the Lincoln County Courthouse on April 28, 1881.

Walking with ghosts

Walking Lincolns main street, which is also U.S. 380, its not difficult to feel the stirrings of the ghosts from its violent past.

Theres the marker showing where Brady died.

Thats where McSweens house was before a Murphy-Dolan mob burned it down at the end of a five-day siege in July 1878. McSween was shot and killed in his backyard as he fled the flaming house.

Theres the graves of McSween and Tunstall behind the Tunstall store, which still stands.

Johnny Boswell, 68, a Mississippian in the communications business, and his wife, Maureen, live in a house that was once the office of Lincoln County War-era justice of the peace J.B. Wilson.

According to my mother, they took me on a trip out West when I was 4 and I never got over it, Boswell said while explaining why he has a house in a tiny New Mexico town. She said all I ever talked about was the West and (movie cowboy) Roy Rogers. Ive been coming to Lincoln since 2004 and have owned this house since 2016.

Boswell said that it was in the building that is now his home that Wilson swore in the Kid and others in the Tunstall-McSween tribe as constables to give them some legal standing in the feud. Not that there was much lawful about any part of the conflict.

Welcome back

Lincoln Historic Site reopened on Feb. 13 after a long shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Meiss said the site has not yet regained pre-pandemic visitor numbers but is getting about 300 visitors a week now.

We had some incredible numbers during spring break, people from Texas, even international visitors, he said.

Historic sites open to the public include:

The Anderson-Freeman Visitor Center: Displays here give visitors a primer on Lincolns colorful history.

The Luna House: Built before 1869, it is now a gallery of Western art.

The Montano Store: Used as a stronghold by Tunstall-McSween gunmen during the five-day battle in July 1878. New Mexico Territorial Gov. Lew Wallace stayed here in the spring of 1879 when he discussed a pardon with the Kid.

The Convento: Constructed in the 1860s, this building has been a saloon, a courthouse, a Catholic chapel and a home for Catholic religious sisters who taught school.

San Juan Mission Church: Dating back to the mid 1880s, this church was Lincolns first permanent place of worship.

The Lincoln County Courthouse: Built in 1874 as a general store and headquarters for L.G. Murphy & Co., it became the courthouse in 1881.

The Tunstall Store is usually open to the public but has been closed for repairs that are part of a $350,000 renovation of Lincoln Historic Site buildings.

Gunsmoke justice

The day Billy the Kid escaped from the Lincoln County Courthouse, Pat Garrett, sheriff at the time, was in the town of White Oaks collecting taxes.

When the Kid shot Bell, Deputy Sheriff Bob Olinger was across the street at the Wortley Hotel tending to the feeding of the countys other prisoners. Hearing the shot, Olinger ran to the courthouse only to be killed by a blast from his own shotgun, fired by the Kid from a second-story window.

People come in (the courthouse) and say, I dont understand why you people idolize this psychopath,  said Owen, who is the great-great granddaughter of John W. Owen, Lincoln Country sheriff in the early 1900s. But we dont see Billy that way because we know his history. If you listen to what people who knew him had to say, he was loyal.

And he was about the only person in Lincoln who was not snockered all the time.

Paul Hutton, distinguished professor of history at the University of New Mexico and guest curator of the 2007 Albuquerque Museum exhibit Dreamscape Desperado: Billy the Kid and the Outlaw in America, is an unrepentant admirer of the Kid.

Corruption was swirling all around him, Hutton said. Others are going along with that, but the Kid is not going to. Hes going to administer gunsmoke justice.

Hutton said if the Kid had been hanged his story would not shine as brightly as it continues to do.

The escape takes Billy into the stratosphere of outlaws. And it means Garrett has no choice. He has to hunt down the Kid and kill him.

If you go

What: The Lincoln Historic Site, in the town of Lincoln, gives visitors the chance to walk in the footsteps of Billy the Kid and Sheriff Pat Garrett, and explore buildings that date back to the deadly Lincoln County War of 1878-1881.

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Monday. Directions: From Albuquerque, drive 88 miles south on I-25 to San Antonio and then 98 miles east on U.S. 380 to Lincoln.

WHERE: Lincoln Historic Site, Highway 380, Lincoln

HOW MUCH: $5 at Anderson-Freeman Visitor Center. Free for those 16 and younger. Free to all New Mexico residents the first Sunday of the month. Information at 575-653-4025.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Martin and Nancy Yado have long dreamed of owning a home.

But the Grand Rapids couple faced financial challenges, and instead spent years raising their four children in apartments or while doubled up with family.

Often, its meant little room and no privacy. Once, when staying with Nancys parents, they shared a room with their two daughters, and the home had just one bathroom and little space for their childrens clothes, toys and other belongings.

It was really, really crowded, Nancy Yado said. It was my parents home, and my younger brother lived there with his girlfriend as well. It was a lot of people for one household.

Today, thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, the couple now has a place to call their own.

Theyre living in one of 17 newly constructed Habitat homes at Plaza Roosevelt, a 6-acre project in Grand Rapids Roosevelt Park neighborhood led by several community nonprofits.

In addition to the Habitat homes, the project includes a new Grand Rapids Public Schools middle/high school and two 24-unit income-restricted apartment buildings built by Dwelling Place.

A neighborhood park and a new pharmacy at Mercy Healths Clinica Santa Maria are also planned.

It gives me chills to know that Grand Rapids believes in Roosevelt Park, said Reggie Smith, an African American pastor who led a Christian Reformed Congregation in the neighborhood for more than 20 years and now serves as the board president of the neighborhood association.

The development represents a transformation of part of the neighborhood, Smith said, and it provides the affordable housing and expanded education services that so many residents need.

Seventy-three percent of Roosevelt Parks estimated 5,615 residents are Hispanic, and the median household income is $26,991, according to a report. The neighborhood is located at the southwest edge of downtown Grand Rapids, and neighborhood leaders say concerns over gentrification are high as new development creeps further into the area.

We see these as opportunities that lead towards heres how people can actually stay and not be nomadically pushed out of the city because of income or other economic factors, Smith said, describing what he sees as the impact of Plaza Roosevelt.

Work on the project, located at the corner of Grandville Avenue SW and Rumsey Street, began about a decade ago, said Bev Thiel, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Kent County.

Habitat acquired the properties that would one day house the development, including the former Joseph the Worker Catholic Church and a garage at the corner of Rumsey Street and Grandville Avenue. And after years of planning, the project layout was unveiled in 2017. Demolition and site work at the properties, which once housed a winning ArtPrize exhibit, began shortly thereafter.

The idea was to take a holistic approach to neighborhood revitalization, Thiel said. It was crucial to not only provide housing, but expanded education and, hopefully, health services as well, she said.

It provides hope to a community that we can continue to house folks, Thiel said, describing the impact of Plaza Roosevelt. And then it provides an opportunity for folks to live and work and be excited in their neighborhood.

Habitats portion of the project, which includes four single family homes and 13 condos, cost about $3.8 million, Thiel said. Construction of the properties started in July 2018.

While many have praised Plaza Roosevelt, at least one neighborhood leader had mixed feelings about the development.

Eleanor Moreno, director of the Cook Arts Center at Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, a nonprofit based in the neighborhood, said the project is a great accomplishment.

But, at the same time, shes disappointed that the projects two housing providers, Habitat and Dwelling Place, were unable to mandate that a certain portion of the housing be reserved for current neighborhood residents, some of whom are undocumented immigrants.

Some of the structures or some of the policies within the organizations or the partners who built stuff didnt make it accessible to a lot of our families in the neighborhood, said Moreno, who has lived in Roosevelt Park for just over 20 years.

Now theres all these housing units, now theres all these apartment units, but because of policies through funding, folks who are under documented dont have access to that, and it just kind of continues to create a barrier.

Habitat and Dwelling Place said Fair Housing laws prohibit them from reserving units for neighborhood residents or undocumented non-citizens.

However, while they couldnt reserve units for specific groups, both organizations said they took steps to ensure that neighborhood residents were aware of the project and knew how to apply for the housing.

We actually paid the Hispanic Center to help us to get the word out about these units, said Dennis Sturtevant, CEO of Dwelling Place. We worked closely with the neighborhood association. We actually put lots of information way, way in advance of opening our waiting list. We put advertising in Spanish and English in the neighborhood association newsletter.

Sturtevant did not immediately have access Friday afternoon to the exact number of neighborhood residents who applied for and received one of the Dwelling Place apartments. But he said he didnt expect that it was a large number. That might be the case because some existing neighborhood residents might not want to leave their existing home or apartment.

Two families from Roosevelt Park neighborhood are slated to be among the owners of the 17 Habitat homes, Thiel said.

The two Dwelling Place apartment buildings, Suroeste Brillante and Avenida Brillante, cost roughly $17 million and are now mostly leased-up to residents. The buildings are comprised of two- and three-bedroom units and are largely reserved for residents who make up to 60 percent of Kent Countys area median income.

That equates to $38,400 for a two-person household and $43,200 for a three-person household.

While the buildings are now complete, that doesnt mean Dwelling Places work ends on Plaza Roosevelt.

For us to be taken seriously, weve got to keep a commitment up to stay engaged with the neighbors, and to do it one terms they can live with too, Sturtevant said. Even though we did outreach, we did all these things, its never the end. You have to keep working at it, and working at it, and working at it.

In addition to housing, the development includes the new Grand Rapids Public Schools Southwest Middle High School Academia Bilingue.

The $20 million, Spanish-English dual-immersion school officially opened virtually in August 2020 but students were able to attend class in-person in January. It has 202 students enrolled in grades 7-9, and it will expand to grades 10-12 as current students progress through high school. Southwest is a theme school, which means students must apply to enroll.

GRPS spokesperson John Helmholdt said the district worked to build relationships with neighbors in Roosevelt Park to see what elements they wanted to see included in the new school. He said he and others learned that neighborhood residents wanted Southwest to serve as a community middle and high school so that all children could attend and there was no application process.

A compromised was reached that extended the schools attendance zone to include the whole neighborhood, Helmholdt said. Doing so was beneficial because students who live in the schools attendance zone are given preference when they apply to the school, he said.

The best part about the entire project has been how GRPS and the neighbors in that Southwest corridor have truly worked to develop relationships, create two-way communications, and really listen and respond to the concerns and wishes of the neighbors, Helmholdt said.

While we certainly were not able to accommodate all requests, we really worked to build those relationships and the trust within that neighborhood.

Another Plaza Roosevelt partner, Mercy Health, had discussed in 2017 adding a 5,000 square foot addition, including a new 1,500 square foot pharmacy and additional exam rooms, at Clinica Santa Maria, 730 Grandville Ave. SW.

Mercy officials declined an interview request.

Mercy Health is actively designing a Pharmacy addition to Clinica Santa Maria, which will include a drive-through, Mercy said in a statement. We are not pursuing an additional expansion of clinical space at this time, but could at a point in the future.

The healthcare organization declined to answer additional questions, such as when it expects to begin work on the project and the reasons behind the delay.

Back at the Yados, the family of six whos living in one of Habitats 17 homes, life is much more comfortable now that they have their own home and are no longer doubled up with family. They have more privacy. Their children have a yard and full basement to play in.

Most importantly, Nancy Yado says, its a place to call their own.

I think thats the biggest thing  they get to call this theirs, she said, motioning to her children. They can tell their friends this is our home. Its not oh, we live with my grandma and grandpa. This is my house.

This article has been corrected to show that the new Grand Rapids Public Schools building opened to in-person instruction in January, not March

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The United States will immediately provide raw materials for COVID-19 vaccines, medical equipment and protective gear to help India respond to a massive surge in COVID-19 infections, a White House spokeswoman said on Sunday.

"The United States is working around the clock to deploy available resources and supplies," National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said in a statement.

She said the United States would send raw materials required for India to manufacture the Covishield vaccine, as well as therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and protective equipment for frontline workers.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all citizens to be vaccinated and exercise caution, as the country set a global record for new COVID-19 infections in a single day.

The United States is also pursuing options to provide India with generation and related supplies.

Washington, which has faced mounting pressure to help the world's largest democracy, would also send a team of experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Agency for International Development to work with India on the crisis, Horne 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.)
Four men have been rescued from the ocean after a freak wave capsized their boat, leaving them stranded and desperately clinging to its hull.

The boaties were attempting to cross the Wide Bay bar when their vessel was overturned north of the Sunshine Coast on Saturday morning.

The Tin Can Bay Coast Guard were alerted to the rescue by water police and arrived to find the men clinging to the hull of the six metre boat.

The Queensland boaties were hit by a freak wave while attempting to cross the Wide Bay Bar, north of the Sunshine Coast on Saturday

The men spent 45 minutes in the water before they were located by the coast guard, who were aided by their release of a flare inshore of Rainbow Beach.

The boaties had also activated their EPIRB to send an alert to emergency services.

'They gave us some coordinates to go to and we went out and found them,' Skipper Kev Hufschmid told the Sunshine Coast Daily.

'They expected to be in the water a lot long than what they were. They were pretty glad to see us.'

The group of four men were forced to cling to the overturned vessel in the deep sea for 45 minutes before they were rescued by the coast guard

The coast guard crew attempted to tow the overturned vessel to shore using a rope but were unsuccessful and decided to leave the boat behind.

The group were dropped off at the Bullock Point ramp at Inskip where they were reunited with concerned family and questioned by police.

Luckily none of the men were injured.

Mr Hufschmid - who has been a coast guard skipper for seven years - commended the men for their handling of the high-pressure situation.

The group (pictured) were dropped off at the Bullock Point ramp at Inskip where they were reunited with concerned family

'They had their EPIRB and they let off their flare which was good,' he said.

'I'd say their lack of experience on bar crossings probably led to it so I would encourage most boaties to do a bar crossing course.'

The boat was later rescued by Rainbow Recovery, Repairs and Services around 8am on Sunday morning.
NEW FAIRFIELD  A quieter than usual budget process has members of the towns finance board wondering what taxpayers thoughts are on the proposed 2021-22 budgets.

The Board of Finance has decided to once again postpone its final budget markups two weeks  not only to see if there are any updates on federal grant funding, but to give residents a final opportunity to weigh in on the towns proposed $58.3 million spending plan.

Theres been hardly any opinions or interest from the public on what were doing, finance board member Mark Werner said during the boards virtual meeting Wednesday evening.

We always wrestle with whats an increase we feel is appropriate  but even last year, when six of us voted, there was more public input, he said. Were serving 14,000 people and its hard to tell what they think when they dont speak to us.

The school operating budget currently stands at $45.4 million, reflecting a nearly 4 percent year-over-year increase; while the nearly $12.9 million municipal operating budget reflects roughly 4.9 percent increase.

If approved as is, the combined budget would result in a 3.66 percent mill rate increase, which would raise the towns rate to about 31.7.

The major reason for the 3.66 percent increase is the debt service for the recent $25 million bonding for the two new school projects, said Finance Director Ed Sbordone, adding that bonding would account for 2.81 percent of the mill rate increase.

With a 31.7 mill rate, the owner of a New Fairfield home with an assessed value of $400,000 would pay approximately $12,680 in taxes.

Finance board members said theyd feel uneasy recommending a $58.3 million budget for 2021-22 without knowing how much federal relief is coming and whether or not the funds could help ease the financial burden on taxpayers.

I dont really want to see the operating budgets cut back much more, but I just feel its an awkward position for us to be in to recommend that kind of increase, finance board member Cheryl Reedy said.

I realize a percentage our population wasnt much affected by COVID and might be hoping we go forward  but if we look at all the businessowners in town and the contractors and the people who couldnt work, we still have a significant percentage of taxpayers who are struggling to get back on their feet, she said.

While school officials said they do not believe the anticipated federal education grants for COVID-related expenses will allow for a reduction in the districts 2021-22 expenditures, First Selectman Pat Del Monaco said the impact of federal relief on the municipal operating budget is unclear.

Its out there that our allocation for the town is somewhere around $1.3 million or $1.4 million, plus the county allocation  but what makes me nervous is I dont know whats going to be eligible for reimbursement, she said.

Del Monaco said she shares Reedys concern because although the town expects to receive a significant amount of federal funds, its unclear how much it would actually be able to use due to limitations on the types of expenses towards which the money can be used.

Theres just a lot up in the air with that American Rescue Plan money, she said.

Lack of public input

Several finance board members expressed hesitancy about recommending a budget at this point due to not only the uncertainty surrounding federal funding, but the lack of feedback and input from taxpayers.

I feel weve got nothing from the public to help us make our decision. Weve not been encouraged one way or the other, Reedy said. Its very frustrating to struggle with these questions of how long do we wait, and do we take into account the federal money or dont we (without) any guidance at all offered form our taxpayers.

Reedy said feedback from New Fairfields taxpayers is an important part of the budget process and she would prefer they voice any concerns they have now instead of at the ballot box.

Some board members said the lack of input could translate into support of the budget work being done.

Jane Landers said she thinks taxpayers silence could be read as an endorsement, and Chairman Wes Marsh agreed.

Were not hearing (from people), so Im going to take it that theyre in agreement with what theyre doing, Marsh said. If they really disagree, theyd move heaven and earth to get to these meetings.

With some time left before a budget needs to be recommended for referendum, the Board of Finance decided to reschedule its final budget markup for May 5.

Not only would that give taxpayers a chance to weigh in before a vote is made to bring the 2021-22 spending plan to town meeting, but it also gives the town time to see if any guidance comes in regarding the American Rescue Plan.

Del Monaco said guidance is expected to come a week or two before May 11, when the federal funds are scheduled to be released to the states.
Usefulness Functionality Price Ooma Office is an easy to install and manage small business phone system. Affordably priced, its able to scale with your growing company

Ooma Office is a complete small business phone system that offers a virtual receptionist, conference call hosting, multi-device access, number porting, and much more; all at a price your small business can afford.

Why You Still Need a Small Business Phone System

Despite the rise of online search and ecommerce, a small business phone system continues to be an important key to your success:

In addition, 61 percent of mobile users call a business when theyre in the purchase phase of the buying cycle: 59 percent would call because theyre looking to get a quick answer while 57 percent want to talk to a real person. Customers are more likely to call when making a high-value purchase, especially in verticals such as auto, finance, or travel.



Given these numbers, your small business cant ignore the phones. And, when customers do call, you need to ensure that their experience matches their expectations. Thats where Ooma comes in.

How It Works

Getting started with Ooma Office is straightforward and fast. The company will ship your equipment along with a customized Quick Start booklet that knocks off certain steps, such as setting up your online administration account, if theyve already been completed.

Once you connect the Ooma Base Station to your network, you can add both digital and analog phones to the system. Using an Ooma Linx, you can even connect existing analog phones without using wires. And, if you use IP phones, you can skip the base station altogether and go cloud-only.

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No matter your equipment, the whole system is managed via an online administration portal. Here, you can add, remove and manage extensions and users. You can also manage the many features that come bundled with Ooma Office.

Ooma for Business Features

Ooma Office is chock-full of features, most of which are included in the regular low price of $19.95 per user per month.

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Incoming Call Handling

One of the handiest features is the ability to configure how incoming calls are initially handled. There are three options:

Ring a specific user: If you have a dedicated receptionist, you can direct all incoming calls to their phone.

If you have a dedicated receptionist, you can direct all incoming calls to their phone. Ring a group of users: If you do not have a receptionist, but want to have all calls answered by a person, you can route incoming calls to a ring group. The person who answers first then handles the call.

If you do not have a receptionist, but want to have all calls answered by a person, you can route incoming calls to a ring group. The person who answers first then handles the call. Use a virtual receptionist: As shown below, the virtual receptionist lets you set up a message (either text-to-speech or a voice recording) that routes calls based on the key press options you set.

In addition to the default greeting and key press assignments shown above, you can set both a regular and holiday schedule during which the After Hours/Holiday Menu, with its own greeting and key press assignments, is used instead.

Ring Groups

This feature lets you assign specific extensions (e.g. everyone in sales) to one group.

When that group is called, either through an assigned direct number or via the virtual receptionist options (key press 3 as shown above), those extensions are rung. Depending on your needs, they can all ring at once or sequentially, one by one.

Virtual Fax

The virtual fax feature makes it easy for you to both send and receive faxes. You can send PDF or TIFF faxes using the web portal. Received faxes are forwarded to your email, which means you get them anywhere, at any time.

Conference Server

If your small business holds a lot of conference calls, youll like this next feature. You can create up to 10 conference rooms, each with its own direct call-in number and optional PIN.

The conference lines can be used at the same time by up to 10 people each.

Music on Hold

While your customer is on hold or being transferred, you can play an audio file for them. This file can be music or a recorded message about your business, its offerings, and any specials youre running.

Number Porting

If you already have a business phone number, Ooma for business lets you port it to your new small business phone system for free. That way, your existing customers can keep using the number they know and you wont have to change any of your advertising, business cards or other collateral.

Toll-Free Number

The Ooma Office package includes one toll-free number for your small business to use. The number comes with 500 free inbound minutes per month. Additional minutes are charged a usage rate.

Mobile App

Ooma for business offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android phones. This app gives your mobile phone many of the same features as your desk phone including caller ID which shows your business number and the ability to transfer calls to other employees.

In addition, you can make all your devices ring at once, so you wont miss a call no matter where you are.

Lastly, you can do all this over WiFi, saving your mobile minutes for other uses.

Regular Calling Features

In addition to the features listed above, you also get everything youd expect from an office phone system including:

Unlimited incoming calls (no busy signals);

Dial by extension;

Do not disturb;

Call transfer, to both extensions and straight to voicemail;

Call parking;

Three-way conferencing;

Call forwarding;

Call flip (transfer calls from one device to another);

Virtual extensions;

Caller-ID and the ability to block your ID;

911 service

Personal voicemail, accessible both in and out of the office and including voicemail audio email attachment functionality.

Ooma for Business Pricing

This is where Ooma Office really shines. You get all the features listed above, as well as unlimited outbound calling in the U.S. and Canada, for $19.95 per user per month. There are no contracts. Billing is month-by-month.

Additional costs include one time hardware purchases for the Ooma Base Station and any phones or Linx units, if needed. Also, direct-call lines for features like ring groups and second lines for existing users are billed at $9.99 a month.

Finally, international calls are billed using rates as low as Ooma can secure.

Conclusion

Ooma Office is an easy to install and manage small business phone system. Its priced affordably for small businesses and is robust enough to handle your needs.

In addition, Ooma offers 24/7 customer support, a lifesaver for busy small business owners.

Last but certainly not least, Ooma for business is scalable, able to grow with your company, both in terms of features and costs.

Now that you know all about Ooma Office, if youd like to learn more simply fill out the form on this page.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa)s Distribution Power Division Complex in Al Ruwayyah has received the Platinum Rating for green buildings from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED v4).



The rating was awarded by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), with the division achieving 86 points. This is a new global recognition of Dewas success in implementing the highest international standards in green buildings.



Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa noted that Dewa promotes the concept of Net Zero Energy Buildings to support sustainable development strategies. This is part of a framework that promotes economic growth without harming the environment and its resources.



Al Tayer noted that in 2019, Dewa achieved a global milestone with Dubai getting the Platinum Rating in the LEED for Cities certification awarded by USGBC. Dubai is the first city in the Arab World and the MENA region to receive this prestigious certification.



Abdullah Obaidullah, Executive Vice President of Water and Civil at Dewa said that the Complex adds to Dewas growing list of green buildings. These include the Sustainable Building in Al Quoz, the first sustainable government building in the UAE and the largest government building in the world to receive the Platinum Rating for green buildings by the USGBC, the Innovation Centre, the R&D Centre, the Smart Grid Station, and Data Hub Integrated Solutions (Moro).



He added that the Distribution Power Division Complex saves nearly 30% of energy, 51.46% of indoor water, and 60% of outdoor water compared to conventional buildings. 41% of the building materials have an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and 26% of the building material have Cradle to Cradle/Health Product Declaration certificates. The Complex features a 663KW solar photovoltaic system.



Rashid Bin Humaidan, Executive Vice President of Distribution Power at Dewa, said that the Distribution Power Division Complex underlines Dewas commitment to providing a convenient environment for employee happiness, spreading positive energy among them. This increases individual and organisational competency according to the best international practices.



The building provides a healthy work environment to enhance the happiness of employees through several features. These include maintaining the highest indoor air quality through a high-efficiency air filtering system, and periodic CO2 measurement and monitoring.



The building includes parking for 1,335 vehicles, three happiness lounges, a nursery, and a library. It also includes 36,754 sq ft of green areas on its rooftop that are easily accessible by employees, in addition to facilities that support Dewas value-added services to its employees. The building achieves significant savings on the long-term in electricity and water consumption compared to conventional buildings.  TradeArabia News Service
The U.S. Army says it will wait for criminal charges against a suspended soldier to be resolved before deciding if it will take internal action.

Jonathan Pentland, a sergeant 1st class and instructor at Fort Jackson, was charged with the assault of a young Black man that was captured on a widely shared video.

We are allowing the civilian system to finish their judicial process first, Fort Jackson spokeswoman Leslie Ann Sully said Sunday in a news release.

Pentland was suspended by the Army after he was arrested on the criminal charge. Additionally, the Army opened an investigation on Pentland and can take action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Sully said.

Despite that, Fort Jackson is letting the legal system play out first.

SFC Pentland has been charged by Richland County for his actions on April 12th. While I have the authority to take action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice or take other administrative actions, I have the utmost confidence in our civilian criminal system and trust that it will reach a fair and just resolution of this case, Fort Jackson Commanding Gen. Milford Beagle Jr. said in a statement. I do not want to take any actions now that could interfere with the fair resolution of civilian criminal charges.

Your Army is committed to confronting racism, extremism, and corrosive behaviors, but I must remain mindful of protecting due process in both the civil and military jurisdictions as this proceeds.

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The video, which has gained national attention, shows Pentland interrogating the Black man about what he is doing in the Columbia neighborhood and then repeatedly telling him to leave, police said. He pushes the Black man at one point.

On April 14, the 42-year-old Pentland was charged with third-degree assault and battery, Richland County court records show.

It was terrible. It was unnecessary, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said. The young man was a victim. The man we arrested was the aggressor.

Story continues

After being booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on the assault charge, Pentland was released on a $2,125 personal recognizance bond, court records show. A condition of his release is that he avoid all contact with the victim, and Pentland must stay 1,000 yards from the victims place of work, home, school or place of worship, according to court records.

If convicted on the misdemeanor assault charge, Pentland could face a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail and a $500 fine, according to South Carolina law.

On April 15, protesters marched from the South Carolina State House to the Richland County Judicial Center, calling for Pentlands charge to be upgraded to kidnapping. They also wanted federal prosecutors to bring a hate crime charge against Pentland.

In spite of his suspension, Pentland continues to serve the Army in an administrative capacity, according to Beagle.

I want to reiterate that the command in no way condones the behaviors and actions depicted (in the video) posted to social media, Beagle said. Those behaviors are absolutely counter to the Army values and professionalism expected of soldiers, both on and off duty.

Pentland has been stationed at Fort Jackson since 2019, where he has worked as a drill sergeant, the Associated Press reported.

Fort Jackson is the Armys largest training installation, with more than 50,000 recruits assigned there each year.

The reputation and esteem of your Army at Fort Jackson has taken a terrible blow these past two weeks. I intend to work closely with (community leaders) to reestablish the mutual trust and kinship engendered by years of determined cooperation, Beagle said.
UK records another 2,061 coronavirus cases, 32 deaths

Xinhua) 11:18, April 25, 2021

LONDON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Another 2,061 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,403,170, according to official figures released Saturday.

The country also reported another 32 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 127,417. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

More than 33.5 million people have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures.

The data were revealed as about half of Britain's population has had first jab, with more than 12 million being fully vaccinated.

On Saturday, six people are able to meet outdoors in Wales, while outdoor hospitality will be allowed to reopen from Monday.

Outdoor attractions including swimming pools, funfairs and theme parks, as well as outdoor organized activities and wedding receptions, both for up to 30 people, are also allowed to go ahead in Wales.

In England, all shops reopened from April 12 as lockdown eases, along with hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services.

Restaurants and pubs were allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors. Meanwhile, gyms, spas, zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centers can all open.

On May 17, restaurants and pubs are expected be allowed to resume indoor service and see most rules on gathering outdoors lifted.

The British government's four-step plan is expected to see all legal restrictions in England being removed by mid-June.

Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, Britain is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants, particularly those first emerged in South Africa, Brazil and India, and the third wave of pandemic on the European continent.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
In lieu of the ongoing pandemic, the Haryana government has directed corporates operating in five districts, Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Hisar, Karnal and Panchkula, to work from home till May 3 to curb the spread of coronavirus in the state. Corporates, including several IT companies, will have to follow the directions.

The guidelines from the Harayana government directs Deputy Commissioners to impose prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CRPC to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the spate, according to a report by Economic Times. The prohibitory orders prohibit the gatherings of more than four people.

All IT/ITES units and Corporate offices in these six districts shall operate their offices through work from home up to 3 May, 2021 at 9:00 AM, the order reportedly said.

Currently, India is faced with a second wave of Covid-19 that is proving to be way deadlier than the first one. Hospitals are gasping for oxygen in many cities across the country, while thousands are dying daily.

Over 300,000 Covid-19 cases are being reported every day at the moment. In the past 24 hours, over 10,400 cases were reported in Haryana, including 60 deaths. Taking note, the Haryana government has reduced the maximum capacity in indoor spaces to 50%. The rule applies to cinemas, theatres, multiplexes, bars, hotels, clubs and gyms. Likewise, the maximum capacity in open spaces has been reduced to 50 persons.

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NEW DELHI  With a devastating second wave of Covid-19 sweeping across India and lifesaving supplemental oxygen in short supply, Indias government on Sunday said it ordered Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to take down dozens of social media posts critical of its handling of the pandemic.

The order was aimed at roughly 100 posts that included critiques from opposition politicians and calls for Narendra Modi, Indias prime minister, to resign. The government said that the posts could incite panic, used images out of context, and could hinder its response to the pandemic.

The companies complied with the requests for now, in part by making the posts invisible to those using the sites inside India. In the past, the companies have reposted some content after determining that it didnt break the law.

The takedown orders come as Indias public health crisis spirals into a political one, and set the stage for a widening struggle between American social media platforms and Mr. Modis government over who decides what can be said online.
Le ministere des TICS a obtenu laval du gouvernement pour le developpement dun chatbot afin de repondre plus efficacement les demandes/doleances des membres du public dans lavenir avec les differents services du secteur public.

Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation implementing a project for the development of a Government chatbot, an intelligent virtual assistant, which would be a state-of-the-art solution to respond to citizens queries.

Chatbots are meant to streamline interactions between people and services through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. They interpret queries using Natural Language Processing, an advanced form of artificial intelligence, to come up with reliable answers or solutions. The implementation of the chatbot would prove to be a major milestone as:

(a) citizens would have access to instant responses to their queries;

(b) the service would be available 24/7 from anywhere;

(c) with customer feedback, the services would be continuously improved;

(d) citizens would be relieved of administrative hassles such as emails or phone calls;

(e) it might become one of the main point of contact for agencies or citizens to interact with Government; and

(f) a Whole-of-Government knowledge base would be created through inputs from Ministries and Departments, leading to enhanced public service delivery.

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Pimlico Plumbers notched up a record year during the pandemic as the lockdown put extra strain on homes.

The London plumbing and heating company, which counts actor Daniel Craig among its clients, is on track for revenues of 48million in the year to the end of May.

Profits are forecast to hit 8 million and founder Charlie Mullins told The Mail on Sunday that he intends to take a dividend of '4million to 5million'.

Driving force: Charlie Mullins said his business had benefited because people use their plumbing more while at home

The tycoon said his business had benefited because people use their plumbing more while at home. In addition, many customers had diverted their holiday money into making home improvements.

Mullins caused a stir earlier this year when he announced he was requiring all his employees to be vaccinated against Covid.

Some anti-vaxxers labelled him 'a dictator' over his 'no jab, no job' policy.

The businessman, who is chairman of his company, credited his Covid-safe stance for much of the surge in business. 'We've been very safe,' he said. 'Customers have been aware of that and it has paid off.'

As employees begin to return to workplaces, Mullins forecast an improvement in the commercial side of his business which had 'taken a hit' during the pandemic.

Mullins was speaking from his home in Spain after flying in from Dubai where he is assessing whether to launch a new venture.
Al Salem Johnson Controls (York) has manufactured over 95,000 HVAC Units over the past 20 years, since the opening of its Jeddah York Factory in addition to designing and manufacturing the units corresponding control panels.



The company also plans to carry on toward achieving the "Made in Saudi" Programs goals, and to contribute to raising the Saudi non-oil exports from 16% to 50% by 2030, said Dr Mohanad AlShaikh, CEO of York.



Dr. AlShaikh said that the "Made in Saudi" program is in line with Vision 2030, and will contribute to starting a new era for the Saudi industry, enabling and increasing the competitiveness of the national product locally, as well as increase production for export.



He stressed that the company aspires to localize the manufacturing of HVAC Units, in line with Kingdoms directives to manufacture high-efficient products, as one of the key pillars of the national non-oil economy. Furthermore, the company will work towards attracting Saudi engineers and technicians, who will play an active role in achieving the goals of the "Made in Saudi" Program.



Al Salem Johnson Controls (York) has succeeded in exporting 30% of its Saudi-made Units to more than 20 countries in the region, as part of several strategic projects, including: Abu Dhabi International Airport, Hurghada International Airport, Atlantis Dubai, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Bahrain International Circuit, Patchi factory in Lebanon, and Microsoft offices in India.



Moreover, the relocation of Al Salem Johnson Controls (York) Factory - scheduled for the second quarter of 2021 - to King Abdullah Economic City, will play a role in transforming the Kingdom into a leading industrial destination, as it is the largest York Factory in the Middle East.



Through this factory, the Company seeks to expand local manufacturing by doubling its production lines, and raising the percentage of locally made product exports to Regional and international markets. The move is in line with the Kingdoms plan to localize the industry, aiming to raise the quality of the local products and paint a positive image about locally made products to grow the sense of pride of local consumers.



Al Salem Johnson Controls (York) is exerting all efforts to develop and implement an integrated strategy with the aim of increasing local content and export revenues, in terms of products, services, assets, technologies, and manpower, enabling the Company to play a pioneering role in achieving the goals of the "Made in Saudi" Program and Vision 2030.



The Company is keen to develop the national cadres working in the HVAC Sector, both inside and outside the Company; through implementing of a number of training and development programs, such as the Saudi Engineers Development Program and the Saudi Technician Development Program. In recent years, it has also conducted a number of training courses and workshops for engineers and technicians working for clients, in addition to signing several memorandums of understanding with a number of technical colleges around the Kingdom.



To enhance local specialized manufacturing capabilities, the Company's R&D and Product Management Departments developed two Infection Control Units, the first of their kind in terms of local manufacturing. The Units eliminate viruses, bacteria and airborne contaminants that exist on surfaces and are airborne, in order to combat infectious diseases in general, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, in particular.



A memorandum of understanding has been signed with the Saudi Company for Ground Services to provide one of these Infection Control Units to disinfect and sterilize all Saudi airports and aircraft cabins, using ultraviolet light, in order to ensure a safe and healthy environment for travellers and airport staff. - TradeArabia News Service
A Lackawanna County judge is holding an Old Forge junkyard owner in contempt for disobeying court orders to clean up his property and comply with borough zoning.

Judge Thomas J. Munley permanently barred Walter Stocki Jr., owner of Scrap Enterprises, from operating a junkyard on his property at Rear 105 N. Keyser Ave., according to an opinion and order filed Thursday. Munleys order applies to the sale and storage of nonoperational equipment, vehicles, machinery, scrap and parts. Old Forges zoning ordinance prohibits junkyards in Stockis commercial zoning district.

Attempts to reach Stocki were unsuccessful Thursday.

Munley, who has previously threatened Stocki with jail time for failing to clean up his illegal junkyard, ordered him to remove all nonoperational equipment, vehicles and machinery on his property by June 15, and he has until June 30 to bring his property into compliance with Old Forges zoning ordinance.

According to Munleys order, Stocki is prohibited from bringing any nonoperational equipment onto his property unless it can immediately be fixed, and he is barred from importing equipment, vehicles and machinery onto his property to salvage or dismantle them for parts. Stocki must also pay a $20,000 bond that will immediately be forfeited to Old Forge to partially cover fines and costs, in addition to paying $7,500 to cover the boroughs legal fees.

In February 2018, Old Forge officials went to county court to shut down Scrap Enterprises as an illegal junkyard for violating zoning.

Munley subsequently ordered Stocki to clean up his property twice.

On July 31, 2018, he gave Stocki six months to do so. Stocki received multiple continuances and extensions, and on May 9, 2019, following an in-person inspection of the site, Munley gave Stocki 100 days to immediately cease all business, clean up his property and post a $20,000 bond. In August 2019, the Old Forge officials petitioned the court to hold Stocki in contempt for repeatedly violating both court orders.

In a February court filing, Stockis attorney, Edmund J. Scacchitti, contended Munley should deny the petition. Among his arguments, Scacchitti cited testimony from a zoning and planning expert who said the property is not a junkyard but rather a machinery rental and sales business, which is permitted in its zoning district. The property is more organized and consolidated, any junk is in a dumpster, all parts are stored in a trailer and everything is for sale, for rent and is usable, according to the testimony.

Stocki has not ceased his junkyard operations, nor has he removed nonoperational equipment, Munley wrote in his opinion. Stocki has failed to: cease cutting and torching on the property; cease causing fires, contain fuel, oil and chemical spills; and contain and significantly mitigate noise, odor and debris from emanating from his property  among other violations, Munley wrote.

Violations are a frequent, daily occurrence and are not isolated events, he wrote. Violations are a nuisance to the community and residents.
New Delhi: West Bengal to vote for its seventh phase of Assembly elections on Monday (April 26, 2021) which will decide the fate of 284 candidates in the fray contesting for 34 assembly constituencies, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's home turf Bhabanipur. More than 86 lakh voters will likely cast their vote.

Polling will take place across 12,068 polling stations spread over nine constituencies each in Murshidabad and Paschim Bardhaman districts, six each in Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda and four in Kolkata. All eyes will be on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's current constituency Bhabanipur.

Veteran TMC politician and state power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay will contest from Bhabanipur and is pitted against a seasoned actor but a greenhorn in electoral politics, Rudranil Ghosh, who left the ruling party a few months ago to join the BJP.

State minister Firhad Hakim is also seeking re- election for a third consecutive term from the Kolkata Port constituency, while the BJP fielded Lt General (Retired) Subrata Saha from the Rashbehari seat in the metropolis.

Due to a surge in coronavirus cases, the EC has banned roadshows and vehicle rallies noting that COVID safety norms were being flouted in West Bengal during campaigning.

The Election Commission has curtailed daily campaign hours and extended the "silence period" from 48 hours to 72 in each of the remaining three phases of the assembly polls.

An Election Commission official said that the security measures in the state have been heightened to prevent violence like the Cooch Behar incident where five people were killed in the fourth round of polling on April 10. At least 796 companies of central forces have been in the seventh phase to ensure free and fair voting.

Also, measures to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols during the voting process willbe put in place, the official said.

The result will be declared on May 2.
A university committed to 'liberal education at par with the best in the world' became the butt of criticism recently -- in the circle of free thinkers -- for letting a senior academician and a reputed intellectual known for his political critiques on the ruling dispensation, part company with the institution. It is normally left to the 'autonomous functioning' of a university to determine where the dividing line lay between the intellectual freedom of a faculty member and his writings deprecating the democratic credentials of an elected government -- that went far beyond a legitimate analysis of 'policy flaws' and shortcomings of administration.

Universities are 'hubs of teaching and learning' which to an extent 'establish the terms of civilised engagement in democratic citizenship' and encourage an 'emancipatory, transformative impulse' -- these are the meaningful observations of a thinking academician commenting on the issue but the contention of the same writer that 'depoliticised classroom is an oxymoron' for it marred 'critical thinking' seemed to abandon the fine distinction between 'education' and 'politics' -- maintaining this separation should be the hallmark of a university.

Education is a positive phenomenon, different from indoctrination and political tint, and is really in no need for banking on an adjective like 'liberal' as a crutch. Someone once said that education is what is left behind when 'you read a book and forget about it'. The subtlety of education in a democratic state lies in spreading the awareness of the secular foundation of 'one man one vote' on which it rests and the twin principles of 'development without discrimination' and 'equal protection of law for all' that define its secular performance in terms of what the Constitution had mandated. The students would then be well equipped to make an evaluation of the existing governance.

In fact, the charter of educational institutions has been impacted by the transition of the world in the beginning of the Nineties, from Industrial Age to the Age of Information -- thanks to the success of the IT revolution that produced instant connectivity, borderless markets and a global mindset. In the new age 'ignorance is bliss' no more since 'being well informed' is the basic requirement of success in any sphere. There is a newfound importance of knowledge -- the new age has changed the concept of 'leadership', put a new emphasis on the word 'employee' and altered the organisational approach. A leader has to take knowledge-based decisions -- he cannot rely on 'charisma' or inheritance -- and an employee has to be regarded as a 'knowledge worker'.

Successful companies are aware of the importance of garnering all the 'tacit' knowledge that the members, high and low, carried with them as they realised that 'nobody knows everything but everybody knows something'. Places of learning have so much to give to their wards in a rather compressed time frame that education has of necessity to be anchored on acquisition of knowledge and the ability to analyse and absorb it. Understanding how the country was being governed is a part of that knowledge and the role of a student as an adult voter would reflect that awareness. However, the university days were not to be spent on political activism -- that could wait till the time for making a choice about the path ahead was reached at the end of the education phase. Universities are, of course, always open to researching on the current policies of the government in the higher realm of Political Science, Sociology or Human Psychology. A classroom is the place for defining principles, concepts and learnings from history that would govern public life but it is not a forum for discussing party politics.

The autonomy of a university is reflected in the wide spectrum of responsibilities that it has to undertake and the complex issues that it had to tackle in both academic and administrative spheres. There are no doubt questions raised about the quality of leadership at Indian universities as situations developed around campus discipline and fair evaluations and standards of teaching and research took a dip. If the professor becomes 'an entrepreneur and not a pursuer of truth' and the student comes off 'as a consumer and not a learner' then the forces of intellectualism available at the universities should get focused on this basic internal threat to the centres of higher education. The critique should also invite attention to any unhealthy links of the university with state power, the practice of putting placements for jobs above the inculcation of critical thinking and abandonment of the goal of excellence set by a globalised world.

The Vice Chancellor today does not look as 'big' as he or she did some decades ago -- the President of a university in a country like the US is, more often than not, a major influencer in regard to the socio-economic facet of the nation but without compromising with one's complete political neutrality. Centres of learning and politics do not go together and the role of intellectuals based there should be to keep the atmospherics politically 'clean' by not becoming a part of government-opposition rhetoric and narratives. Enhancing the capacity for contributing to reasoned dialogue and debate is a dividend of real education but this should happen without the university being drawn by its faculty into the politics of the day.

A university is benefitted by intellectualism that is rooted in academic excellence -- it may be disadvantaged by an excessive involvement of an intellectual on its rolls in controversies of public life, particularly those linked to political governance. There are always two sides of an argument in politics and one has to be ideologically neutral enough to support only the side that upheld such unexceptionable principles as 'largest good to the largest number', 'constitutional' obligation of the state to work for removal of gross inequalities and 'equal treatment to all' regardless of caste, creed and region. Bringing in political slogans like 'pluralism', 'majoritarianism' and 'intolerance' in the classroom debates can create avoidable confusion and ambiguities unless they figured in a natural structured discussion on democratic governance as a subject. The point is that the free-for-all that the intellectuals in public space enjoy cannot be the norm in a place of higher learning for those whose responsibility was to impart education -- howsoever prominent their standing might be as a speaker or writer on the real-time political matrix.

The challenge for India is to keep the universities out of politics. Some serious thinking needs to go into this. Socratic spirit of putting the known 'truths' to constant scrutiny on the strength of new knowledge is one thing but calls for agitation against 'uniformity' and 'totalitarianism' smack of politics and could not be at the core of university education. The role of public intellectuals in a society served by a democratic rule cannot be overemphasised -- they should be devoted fully to curing political life of the pitfalls of 'identity' divisions, 'doctrinaire' outlook and 'corruption' in all its forms. Let them not, however, stir up the campus of a university that had a full-time job of providing wholesome education to youth within a limited timeframe and preparing them to take on the world with all its complications for carving out a pathway of their choice, later. In the context of a university, intellectualism should not become a pursuit of politics by proxy.

(The writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau)
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Whatsapp emerged as the most widely used social media platform among Bahraini politicians for promoting Bahrain, a new study finds.

The University of Bahrain study also finds that Bahraini politicians are very well aware of the power of social media platforms in shaping public opinions.

The majority of the political elites in the Kingdom believe that social media exerts undeniable influence on the general public in developing opinion, the study by Maryam Hassan Al-Mahmid finds.

The study also points out that while most Bahraini politicians have social media accounts, some are not that active. Some of them had created accounts but is yet to take advantage of them or make a post, the study reveals. The study, a masters thesis, examined 28 individuals, where 13 are Shura council members and 15 are members of the House of Representatives, from 16 October 2016 to 20 July 2017.

Methodologies employed include content analysis of the accounts on Twitter and interviews. The researcher analysed 515 tweets of political figures, of which 233 tweets are of shura council members and 282 tweets are of parliamentarians, as part of the project. Al Mahmid said it provided a realistic picture of Bahrains image on social media platforms. According to her, this is also the first-ever attempt to analyse Bahrainis performance on social media platforms.

Tweets by most political elites focused on promoting the democratic image of Bahrain, citizen care and safety. Communication made via text messages reached 64.3%. Photos were in second place. To shape opinion, the politicians mainly employed WhatsApp (85.7%). Closely following were Instagram (75%), Twitter (71.4%), and then emails.

Respondents, 57.1%, said they prefer Facebook and YouTube. The study also points out that Bahraini politicians prefer Twitter for publishing news of Shura and Parliament.

The study also reveals that 43.9% of the tweets by politicians in the Kingdom were a repost, of which 37.3% were the personal opinion of Parliament or Shura council member.

Politicians, 18.8% of them, also made tweets quoting the source. Respondents, 32.1% of them, said that it necessary for the Kingdom to build an integrated government communication system to promote Bahrain. Meanwhile, 25% of respondents said it is crucial to rely on direct sources of individual contacts to promote the democratic image of the Kingdom. The study recommends Shura and Parliament members to create one or more officials accounts on platforms like Twitter and Instagram to reach out to the general public, in addition to their private accounts.

The study also suggests politicians set aside 10 minutes of their break time between sessions to communicate with the public.
Ben Affleck was seen taking a smoke break during a solo outing in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon.

The 48-year-old actor-director pulled his face mask underneath his chin before lighting up a cigarette and checking his phone while standing underneath his car's deck lid.

The Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice star was later seen taking a solo stroll and taking in the fresh springtime air after finishing his smoke break.

Doing his thing: Ben Affleck was seen taking a quick smoke break during a solo outing in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon

Affleck kept it very casual during his solo outing, as he wore a black hoodie on top of a graphic-printed t-shirt.

The performer was also dressed in a slim-fit pair of dark jeans and a set of green-and-white sneakers.

The Argo director wore a blue face mask to keep himself safe as he strolled around the city's streets, although he dropped the covering in order to enjoy his cigarette.

Although the actor appeared to be taking it easy while enjoying the springtime weather, he currently has several film projects in the pipeline.

Keeping it casual: The actor-director wore a zip-up hoodie on top of a graphic-printed t-shirt and dark jeans that were contrasted with a pair of green-and-white sneakers

Staying busy: Although the performer appeared to be making the most of the sunny springtime weather, he currently has several projects in the pipeline

Affleck is set to appear in the upcoming historical drama film The Last Duel, which is set to be released in October.

The Ridley Scott-directed feature is based on the 2004 book The Last Duel: A True Story Of Trial By Combat In Medieval France, which was written by author and professor Eric Jager.

The screenplay, which the actor co-wrote with Matt Damon and Nicole Holofcener, is centered around a trial by combat between a knight and his past friend that was spurred by an accusation of rape from the former's wife.

In addition to the Good Will Hunting stars, the cast of The Last Duel includes Jodie Comer, Adam Driver and Harriet Walker, among several others.

Principal photography began in February of last year but was quickly put on hold due to the onset of the global pandemic, with shooting eventually resuming in September and wrapping the following month.

Back at it: Affleck is set to reunite with his frequent collaborator, Matt Damon, for the upcoming historical thriller film The Last Duel

Stacked cast: In addition to the Good Will Hunting co-stars, the forthcoming movie will feature the talents of Jodie Comer, Harriet Walker and Adam Driver, among others; the actor is seen at the 26th Annual SAG Awards in 2020

Affleck is also set to star in the upcoming erotic thriller film Deep Water, which is based on the 1957 Patricia Highsmith novel of the same name.

The story follows an estranged couple who begin playing games with each other that quickly become dangerous for those around them.

The project entered the development stage in 2013, although a formal cast and crew was not brought together until six years later.

Flashdance director Adrian Lyne was brought out of retirement to helm the upcoming feature, which was originally supposed to be relased last year before it was pushed back to its current debut date of January 14, 2022.

Deep Water will feature the talents of performers such as Rachel Blanchard, Jacob Elordi and Ana de Armas, with whom Affleck was previously romantically connected.

Past flame: Affleck will also appear his former girlfriend Ana de Armas in the upcoming erotic thriller film Deep Water; they are pictured together in July of last year

The two began a relationship during the production of the upcoming film, and they took a trip to the 32-year-old's native country of Cuba in March of last year.

The former couple were then regularly spotted spending time together in Los Angeles over the next few months, with Affleck's former wife, Jennifer Garner, approving of her ex-husband's new partner.

However, the pair surprised many when they unexpectedly split up in January, shortly after the actress moved into the Argo director's home.

Shortly after the two separated, a source spoke to People and expressed that the former couple's decision to break up was 'something that was mutual and something that is completely amicable.'

The insider added that Affleck and de Armas 'are in different points in their lives; there is deep love and respect there. Ben continues to want to work on himself...They are both happy with where they are in their lives.'
As India struggles to battle the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pakistan has officially offered relief and support to the country, as a gesture of solidarity in times of crisis, said Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday.

The spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri in a tweet said, "As a gesture of solidarity with the people of India in the wake of the current wave of COVID-19, Pakistan has offered to provide relief support to India including ventilators, Bi-PAP, digital X-ray machines, PPEs and related items."

"The concerned authorities of Pakistan and India can work out modalities for quick delivery of the relief items. They can also explore possible ways of further cooperation to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic," he added.

As a gesture of solidarity with the people of India in the wake of the current wave of #COVID19, Pakistan has officially offered relief & support to #India, including ventilators, Bi PAP, digital X ray machines, PPEs & other related items. We believe in a policy of #HumanityFirst  Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) April 24, 2021

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday expressed his solidarity with the people of India amid the dangerous second wave of COVID-19. "I want to express our solidarity with the people of India as they battle a dangerous wave of COVID19. Our prayers for a speedy recovery go to all those suffering from the pandemic in our neighbourhood and world," Khan wrote in a tweet.

India grapples with COVID-19

In a new record, India reported the highest daily surge in the world with over 3.46 lakh Coronavirus cases and 2,624 deaths. As per experts, several mutant variants of the virus are responsible for the surge. People's laxity towards following COVID-19 guidelines have worsened the already delicate situation, forcing the states to reimpose the toughest lockdown measures to control the spread.

The massive spike in caseloads has triggered critical shortages of hospital beds, medicines and life-saving oxygen. Disturbing visuals from the worst-hit states show family members and friends of COVID-19 patients scrambling to arrange beds and medical supplies outside hospitals.

On Friday, France, Australia, and the European Union (EU) also offered support and solidarity to India amid an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases.

(With inputs from ANI)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 08:22:27|Editor: huaxia

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LAGOS -- Eleven people were killed and nine others injured on Saturday in a road accident in Nigeria's central north state of Kwara.

The accident occurred on the outskirts of Ilorin, the state capital as a result of speed violation, said Jonathan Owoade, sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Kwara, in a statement on Saturday. (Nigeria-Accident)

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WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday recognized the mass killing against Armenians more than a century ago as a "genocide," a move that could further worsen relations between the United States and Turkey.

"The American people honor all those Armenians who perished in the genocide that began 106 years ago today," Biden said in a statement issued by the White House on Saturday, the Armenian Remembrance Day. (US-Turkey-Armenians)

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BRUSSELS -- Security risks in the South China Sea mainly come from outside the region, a spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the European Union said Saturday, urging the EU to stop sowing discord.

"The South China Sea should not become a tool for certain countries to contain and suppress China, still less a wrestling ground for major-power rivalry," said the spokesperson. (China-EU-South China Sea)

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JERUSALEM -- Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz warned on Saturday that if rocket fire from the Gaza Strip would continue, the coastal Palestinian enclave "will be badly hurt."

Gantz said Saturday was mostly calm after Gaza militants fired 36 rockets towards southern Israel overnight between Friday and Saturday. "If the calm will not be kept, Gaza will be badly hurt," he said in a statement. (Israel-Gaza-Clashes) Enditem
Chrissy Teigen and husband John Legend enjoyed a family dinner with their children Luna, five, and two-year-old Miles and some pals at Nobu in Malibu on Friday night.

After their meal, the best-selling cookbook author, 35, could be seen holding hands with her eldest as Legend, 42, sweetly carried their little boy back to their car.

For the occasion, the doting mother-of-two rocked a floral robe, featuring faux fur cuffs, a pair of light-wash jeans and a coral headband.

Fun: Chrissy Teigen and husband John Legend enjoyed a family dinner with their children Luna, five, and two-year-old Miles and some pals at Nobu in Malibu on Friday night

As Teigen strutted out of the celebrity hotspot in yellow stiletto heels, she made sure to stay safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic under a gold face mask.

The former Sports Illustrated model completed her ensemble with a $890 pink Gucci bag with silver hardware.

Meanwhile, Legend wore a structured jacket over a patterned button-down and black trousers.

Family time: After their meal, the best-selling cookbook author, 35, could be seen holding hands with her eldest as Legend, 42, sweetly carried their little boy back to their car

Little Luna looked every inch the budding fashionista in a frilly pink and white dress, a hot pink mask, brown leather boots and a bow in her curly hair.

The social media personality, who recently returned to Twitter just 23 days after she had deactivated her account, first met her husband in 2006 on the set of one of his music videos.

After a few years of dating, the pair became engaged in 2011 and tied the knot two years later during a ceremony in the getaway destination of Como, Italy.

Chic: For the occasion, the doting mother-of-two rocked a floral kimono, featuring puff sleeves, a pair of light-wash jeans and a coral headband

During an interview for the podcast Armchair Expert, Legend spoke about how his perspective on maintaining a relationship changed as he grew older.

He expressed, 'at a certain point, you just realize you're happier being honest...You're happier being faithful and being in love with one person.

'At a certain point, I just decided that person was Chrissy. I decided I wasn't going to mess with somebody else anymore,' he added.

The Grammy winner went on to note that, although he and his now-wife did not take their relationship very seriously at its inception, they eventually grew closer.

'We were both seeing other people at the time. There was kind of a looseness at the very beginning, but we fell in love not long after that,' he recalled.
Multiple rockets were fired again at Israel from the Gaza strip on Saturday night after a mere day-long pause on attacks as Israeli police and Palestinians clashed outside Jerusalem's Old City walls overnight.

Militants fired rockets towards Sderot and Kibbutz Nirim towns in southern Israel, triggering sirens and sending residents rushing to bomb shelters, the Israeli army said.

It comes after thirty-six rockets were launched overnight Friday, the military said, the most in a single night this year.

Multiple rockets were fired again at Israel from the Gaza strip on Saturday night after a mere day-long pause on attacks

The Israeli army posted a video showing a rocket being fired from the Gaza strip towards Israel on Saturday night

Hundreds of police officers in riot gear deployed around the Old City after nightly clashes spilled into the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank

Pictured: Palestinians chant slogans as they burn tires during a rally in support of demonstrators in Jerusalem on April 24, 2021

As tensions flared in the capital during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan overnight into Sunday at least six Palestinians were injured and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed for 'calm on all sides'.

But the premier also warned that that Israel remains 'prepared for all scenarios' after dozens of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israel on Friday night, prompting Israeli retaliatory air strikes on targets operated by Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas.

But despite Netanyahu's threats, further rockets were fired towards Israel from the Gaza strip on Saturday night.

The Israeli army said a rocket fired towards Sderot was intercepted by air defences while the second landed in an open field, the military said. A third projectile failed to cross the border, detonating inside the Gaza Strip.

The barrage of fire come as hundreds of Palestinians clashed with Israeli police in east Jerusalem after Hamas voiced support for the protests.

Netanyahu made the remarks after attending an emergency security meeting with senior officials, including army chief Aviv Kohavi, hours after Israeli warplanes struck Gaza early Saturday and a second night of clashes between Palestinians and police in Jerusalem.

'First of all we want to ensure that law and order are respected... now we demand compliance with the law and I call for calm on all sides,' Netanyahu said in a statement after the security talks.

The clashes on Saturday evening were less severe than on previous days, according to an AFP journalist at the scene.

Some Palestinians threw stones and bottles as police on horseback dispersed the crowds, though the violence appeared less intense than on previous nights

Protests spread to several cities in the West Bank and along the Israel-Gaza border. The Israeli military said it dispersed hundreds of Palestinians, some throwing rocks and burning tyres

Six Palestinians were injured, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.

After Netanyahu's comments, the Israeli army said it intercepted another rocket launched from the Gaza Strip on Saturday evening.

There have been nightly disturbances since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on April 13, amid Palestinian anger over police blocking off access to the promenade around the walls of the Old City and a ban on gatherings.

A series of videos posted online have also shown young Arabs attacking ultra-Orthodox Jews, and Jewish extremists taking to the streets to bully Arabs.

A march into the heart of Arab east Jerusalem by hundreds of supporters of far-right Jewish nationalist group Lehava added fuel to the fire.

At least 125 people were injured Thursday when Palestinian protesters, angered by chants of 'death to Arabs' from far-right Jewish demonstrators, clashed repeatedly with police.

Skirmishes broke out again on Friday when tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers left Jerusalem's revered Al-Aqsa mosque after night prayers and found themselves confronted by dozens of armed police, some on horseback.

Protesters hurled water bottles at police, who fired stun grenades to disperse them.

The violence was the worst in years between Israeli police and Palestinians in the disputed Holy City.

Clashes and violent incidents have occurred almost nightly in Jerusalem - a city holy to Muslims, Christians and Jews - since the start of Ramadan on April 13

Pictured: Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian protester during clashes in Jerusalem's Old City on April 24, 2021

'We uphold freedom of religion... for all residents and visitors of Jerusalem,' Netanyahu said.

Expressions of concern and calls for restraint have come from the European Union, United Nations and other countries.

The United States, which has taken a more even-handed approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since President Joe Biden took office in January urged 'calm and unity'.

'The rhetoric of extremist protesters chanting hateful and violent slogans must be firmly rejected,' State Department spokesman Ned Price tweeted.

Meanwhile, Israeli chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, is weighing 'a series of steps for possible responses,' and preparations if the situation continues to escalate, the military said in a statement. He also postponed a trip to the United States that was scheduled for Sunday.

Hundreds of Palestinians also rallied Friday at the Qalandiya checkpoint between Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, police said.

In the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Palestinians threw stones and petrol bombs towards the tomb of biblical matriarch Rachel, a shrine venerated by Jews and Muslims.

The protests centre on Damascus Gate in the Old City's walls - and have flared in recent days as thousands pour out of the historic gateway after leaving the nearby Al-Aqsa Mosque following Ramadan nightly prayers

A member of the Israeli security forces bleeds from his mouth during clashes with Palestinian demonstrators in Jerusalem's Old City on April 24, 2021

Palestinians say police have tried to prevent them from holding their usual Ramadan evening gatherings outside the gate, where metal barriers have been put up in its amphitheatre-style plaza. Israelis have been angered by videos on social media showing Palestinians assaulting religious Jews in the city. Pictured: Officer points a stun gun at protesters

Jerusalem mayor Moshe Lion told public radio he was in talks with Palestinian community leaders in east Jerusalem 'to end this pointless violence' and that he had tried to cancel Thursday's far-right march.

The office of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas condemned 'the growing incitement by extremist far-right Israeli settler groups advocating for the killing of Arabs'.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi condemned 'racist attacks' by Israelis against Palestinians in east Jerusalem, and called for 'international action to protect them'.

'Jerusalem is a red line and touching it, is playing with fire,' he warned.

Israel's arch-enemy Iran also weighed in, with foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh praising Palestinian 'resistance' and condemning what he called the 'Zionists' savage actions'.

UN special coordinator for Middle East peace Tor Wennesland, urged all sides to 'exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation', adding 'the provocative acts across Jerusalem must cease'.

Pictured: Palestinians step on posters depicting Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an anti-Israel protest over tension in Jerusalem, in the southern Gaza Strip, April 24

Violence spilled over to Gaza overnight between Friday and Saturday, when Palestinian militants fired 36 rockets at Israel soon after Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas and other armed groups issued a joint call for Palestinian resistance in Jerusalem

An Israeli soldier escorts a Palestinian woman to safety as Palestinian youth clash with Israeli security forces in the city center of the occupied West Bank town of Hebron on April 24, 2021

Hamas's military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, voiced support for the east Jerusalem protesters.

'The spark you light today will be the wick of the explosion to come in the face of the enemy,' it said in a statement.

An alliance of Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas and its smaller ally Islamic Jihad, issued a statement warning we 'cannot remain silent' in the face of the violence.

Militants in Gaza fired a first salvo of three rockets at Israel shortly before midnight (2100 GMT) Friday, the military said.

Israeli tanks shelled Gaza in response and launched air strikes on the blockaded coastal enclave controlled by the Muslim militant group Hamas after more rockets were fired.

A Palestinian boy swirls a homemade sparkler as protesters burn tires during a rally in support of demonstrators in Jerusalem in Gaza city on Saturday night

Israeli police detain a Palestinian man during clashes between the police and Palestinian protester on Saturday night

The violence was the worst in years between Israeli police and Palestinians in the disputed Holy City

Defence Minister Benny Gantz said the army 'was ready for the possibility of escalation'.

The Israeli army said the 36 rockets fired at Israel were intercepted or hit open ground on Friday night.

In response, it said the air strikes, involving fighter jets and attack helicopters, struck Hamas military targets as well as underground infrastructure and rocket launchers.

'Concerning the Gaza Strip, I gave instructions that we be prepared for all scenarios,' Netanyahu said.

Hamas did not claim responsibility for the rocket fire, but Israel considers the group responsible for all fire emanating from the territory.

Jerusalem, home to holy sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, has long been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 2014, similar tensions erupted into a 50-day war between Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group.

Israel and Hamas, an Islamic group sworn to Israel's destruction, are bitter enemies that have fought three wars and numerous skirmishes since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007.

Although neither side appears to have an interest in escalating tensions, Hamas sees itself as the defender of Jerusalem and may feel obligated to act, or at least tacitly encourage rocket attacks by other groups, ahead of upcoming Palestinian parliamentary elections. Hamas' armed wing has warned Israel 'not to test' its patience.

At dawn, hundreds of people in Gaza challenged nightly curfews imposed by Hamas to curb the coronavirus outbreak and took to the streets in an act of solidarity with fellow Palestinians in Jerusalem, burning tires.

Palestinian protesters hold up the flag of Palestine during protests in eastern Jerusalem on Saturday night

Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian protester on Saturday night

The Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state. Its fate has been one of the most divisive issues in the peace process, which ground to a halt more than a decade ago.

Palestinians have clashed with Israeli police on a nightly basis since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan nearly two weeks ago.

The tensions began when police placed barricades outside the Old City's Damascus Gate, where Muslims traditionally gather to enjoy the evening after the daytime fast.

The clashes intensified Thursday evening when hundreds of Palestinians hurled stones and bottles at police, who fired a water cannon and stun grenades to disperse them. Dozens of Palestinians were wounded in the melee.

At the same time, a far-right Jewish group known as Lahava led a march of hundreds of protesters chanting 'Arabs get out!' toward the Damascus Gate. The group, led by a disciple of the late racist rabbi Meir Kahane, is allied with elements of a far-right party elected to Israel's parliament last month.

The show of force came in response to videos circulated on TikTok showing Palestinians slapping religious Jews at random. Other videos made in response to them appear to show Jews assaulting Arabs.

After keeping them a few hundred yards away from Damascus Gate, police used water cannon, stun grenades and mounted police to push far-right protesters back toward mostly Jewish west Jerusalem.

In all, police said 44 people were arrested and 20 officers were injured.
Big Dan Rodimer  pronounced RO-die-mer  is, well, big. Hes 6-foot-9, he says, and weighs a hefty 300 pounds. A former professional wrestler, hes also a Republican candidate for Congress, running in a special election to represent a Metroplex-area seat held by U.S. Rep. Ron Wright until his death in February after being diagnosed with Covid-19. Although Big Dan just arrived in the Lone Star State, he has burst onto the political scene as a brash and boisterous living incarnation of Big Tex, the howdy-waving cowboy towering over Dallass Fair Park.

Google Big Dans now-notorious campaign video posted to YouTube, where the red-bearded candidate sports a black cowboy hat, a vest, western shirt and Lee jeans as he stomps across a rodeo arena in well-worn cowboy boots, having just ridden a bull (allegedly). If his cowboy duds and his bull ride dont prove his Texan bona fides, then Big Dans barely understandable road-grader growl of a speaking voice certainly does.

Thats the way we Texans talk, Big Dan must have surmised when he was living in Nevada last fall and running for Congress as a clean-shaven, well-spoken suburban dad wearing a baby-blue polo shirt in his campaign ads. Following his loss, he hit the trail to Texas.

Big Dans not from Texas; hes not from Nevada. Remember the Made in New York City?!! ad for Pace Picante Sauce? Big Dans from New Jersey!!!

Fortunately, voters in the 6th District have plenty of choices beyond this full-of-bull faux Texan. A herd of candidates, Republican and Democrat, are vying to succeed Wright, including his widow. The election is May 1. Big Dan, Im guessing, will ride off into the post-election sunset like every lonesome cowboy Louis LAmour ever conjured up (although Big Dan is more likely to be wrangling a Chevy Suburban).

The only reason I mention a walking, talking Texas cliche running for Congress is because Craig Cohen, host of Houston Matters on KUHF-FM, mentioned him first. Last week Craig invited Houston writer Bryan Washington and me to ruminate a bit about Texas cliches and stereotypes. Where do they come from? Are they harmless anachronisms or something more sinister? Is there any truth to them?

One of Craigs listeners, Tanya, called in to tell us about a trip she took to New York City in the company of several Montanans. When she thinks of Montana, Tanya told us, she thinks of horses and hay bales, but in New York Tanya the Texan was the one who got the questions and comments about cowboy hats and bulls and riding a horse to school. Even from the Montanans.

In this overwhelmingly urban and suburban state, our cowboy heritage is a self-perpetuating myth. Thats why Texas politicians wear cowboy boots with their blue pin-striped suits. Perusing the current Texas Legislative Handbook, I think its safe to say that few of them, if any, have ever busted a wild bronc or punched a cow, but those boots make them real Texans.

I think of boot-wearing Ted Cruz, our junior senator. Hes from Houston, not exactly Dodge City on the bayou. Why not wear a drilling-rig hard hat and steel-toed work boots when hes on the job in DC, in honor of another iconic Texas endeavor? Sounds absurd, right? But why? Why would wildcatter regalia be any more absurd than boots and cowboy hat as fashion affectation for lawyers, bankers, politicians, maybe even a journalist or two?

Heres another fashion idea for Cruz the Houstonian while on the Senate floor: a space helmet and shiny white space coveralls. Absurd, yes, but as Astros and Rockets remind us, courageous NASA astronauts are just as Texan as cowboys, so why not?

Cowboy fashion is harmless fun, but the cowboy stereotype goes deeper than black tie and boots or cutoff jeans and boots. The stereotype has deep-seated rules. For the Houston Matters interview, I talked via cellphone from Rocksprings, the little Edwards County seat on the western fringe of the Hill Country. Rocksprings and environs are just as rural as you can get in Texas, but Edwards County is sheep and goat country, not cattle and horse. Sheep and goat raisers are not cowboys, so they were never corralled into the Texas myth.

And what about the Texas farmer? Residents of the congressional district Big Dan aspires to represent are primarily city- and suburban-dwellers. Those who dont live in Arlington, Waxahachie, Ennis or Corsicana live primarily on small farms, not Giant-sized ranches. But Big Dan wasnt wearing overalls and a gimme cap in his video. The farmer, ubiquitous in early Texas and beyond, never became an icon.

The late Ted Fehrenbach, author of the classic Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans, suggested in a 1986 essay that the states formative mythology. . . can all be traced back to the era of the Texas creation, a period lasting roughly from 1825 to 1875, during which the Republic and state and people and institutions of Texas were made.

Our myths and heroes from that era are almost impossible to displace, and, in a way, thats a good thing. Myth in the original sense of the word is not synonymous with untruth; its distilled history. Cowboys and frontiersmen, early-day lawmen and other larger-than-life heroes symbolize certain qualities we seek to emulate: Courage. Toughness. Self-reliance. Orneriness. An independent streak. Those qualities, we like to think, make us truly Texan, whether we live in Amarillo or Brownsville, El Paso or Beaumont. Thats why I can write a column dubbed Native Texan. Native Iowan for, say, the Des Moines Register, doesnt have the same ring to it.

The problem is the tendency for myths to congeal into confines too narrow for a state this big and diverse. Our heroes no longer can be merely, our kind - our kind mostly being Anglo and male. We need to welcome what Fehrenbach called newer, emerging mythologies.

Larry McMurtry, son of North Texas ranchers and cowmen, an urban sophisticate and intellectual, met the Texas fable-spinners challenge. He sought to expand what he considered straitened and outdated myths in such Houston novels as Moving On. In his own way, Katy native Bryan Washington is making a similar effort. A young, gay, African-American novelist and short-story writer who, as he mentioned on the radio last week, revels in Houstons diversity, is also trying to expand the notion of what it means to be Texan. Its not easy.

Some mythic Texas qualities wont change. And probably shouldnt. A few days ago a young AT&T clerk, courteous and friendly, mentioned that he grew up in East Texas, but his grandfather was a rural West Texan. Discussing a car break-in in a nearby parking lot, he said that now and then he has to deal, not with burglars, but with unruly customers. Im not the-customer-is-always-right kind of guy, he said, his eyes suggesting a sly grin behind his mask. Its the cowboy in me.

djholley10@gmail.com

Twitter: holleynews
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  It was a rabbi at Congregation Brith Emeth, a reform synagogue in Cleveland, who took a young Harry Rosenfeld under his wing  or prayer shawl  and predicted, perhaps nudged, the young man toward a life in the rabbinate.

Rosenfeld, 66, is retiring in June after 40 years as a rabbi and a decade as the religious leader of Albuquerques Congregation Albert.

His successor, Rabbi Celia Surget, will be the first female rabbi to lead the congregation of about 600 families, although the temple has had female cantors for many years.

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At Congregation Albert, Rosenfeld expanded adult education programs, revamped the temples Judaic curriculum, increased the temples outreach to the LGBTQ community, created inter-faith programs and spearheaded the first interreligious clergy group in Albuquerque.

Rosenfeld was also among the religious leaders consulted by the administration of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in determining the COVID-19 safety guidelines for houses of worship.

I dont care what religious institution you go to or where on the political spectrum you fall, I firmly believe that everybody ultimately cares about the community and wants whats best for it, Rosenfeld said. We can disagree on the details, but not the intent.

Rosenfeld was born an only child to parents of modest financial means and who were not particularly religious. Nevertheless, they joined a synagogue when their son was born so he could get a Jewish education.

According to family lore, Rosenfeld was 4 or 5 years old, when Rabbi Philip Horowitz looked at him and declared that young Harry was going to be a rabbi.

He really did take me in and mentor me through the years, and he and the congregation made sure I went to Jewish camp every summer, something my parents couldnt afford, Rosenfeld said.

While preparing for his senior year in high school, Rosenfelds father suggested that if his son didnt know what career path he wanted to pursue in college, that he should just get a job until he saw a clear direction.

That scared me no end, Rosenfeld said, but shortly after that conversation, the rabbi contacted him and asked,  Why dont you just announce that youre going to be a rabbi? In hindsight, they manipulated me, but it was the right decision. I started working at the synagogue that year and was basically a rabbinic intern my last year of high school.

During that time, Rosenfeld said, he became committed to the idea.

After college at John Carroll University in Cleveland, where Rosenfeld got a degree in psychology, he attended Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem for a year, and then the colleges Cincinnati campus for another four.

After he was ordained in 1981, Rosenfelds first job was as assistant rabbi at Temple Israel in Memphis, where he served for three years. He then took a position as rabbi of Beth Sholom in Anchorage, where he got hooked on salmon and halibut fishing.

I was single, and 28 years old, and if I was ever going to do something like that  go live in the middle of nowhere  that seemed like the time, and it was a great 16 years, he said.

He wasnt planning to stay that long, but he met Baltimore native Michele Hope, an archaeologist and environmentalist working for the federal government in Alaska. They married in May 1988, and we built a life together, he said.

In 2000, Rosenfeld became rabbi at Temple Beth Zion in Buffalo, where he remained for 11 years, but weary of living in cities that had too many months of cold and snow, he began looking for a place that I could finish my career and, hopefully, stay after we retired. When he learned that Congregation Albert was looking for a rabbi, he applied and got the job.

One of the biggest challenges of his tenure has been holding religious services and life cycle events in the pandemic-safe online environment.

The technology has allowed congregants families and friends who do not live in Albuquerque to join in  thats the silver lining, he said. When we eventually come back together (post COVID) were going to have to do both, online and in-person.

Another challenge has been coping with the rising tide of anti-Semitism in recent years, something that has affected Jewish communities around the country, Rosenfeld said.

It began with the bitter discourse leading up to the 2016 presidential election, he said. People thought it was OK to start expressing publicly what hadnt been expressed in America in 30-plus years, and fringe hate groups suddenly felt empowered.

The Jewish community can counter anti-Semitic, anti-religious and hate biases by remaining vigilant and educating people about who and what we are, in addition, to building alliances with other religious groups and groups who have been targeted by hate, Rosenfeld said.

What the Jewish community knows for certain, he said, is we cannot ignore it.

Online events

A number of events will be held in honor of the retirement of Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld. All events will be virtual and available on the Congregation Albert Facebook page. These include:

 May 7, Shabbat service, 6 p.m., with guest Rabbi Lisa Greene of North Shore Congregation Israel, Glencoe, Illinois.

 May 8, Torah study, 9 a.m.; Shabbat morning service, 10:30 a.m.; evening service, 6:45 p.m.; Rabbi Rosenfelds Opus, 7 p.m., prerecorded program honoring Rosenfelds 40-year career.

In addition, the temple is compiling a fundraising congratulatory and tribute book to Rosenfeld. Contributions will fund the confirmation class annual social justice trip to Washington, D.C., as well as the temples endowment fund. Further information is available at Congregation Albert, 505-883-1818.
The Rev. Sandra L. Strauss

President Joseph R. Biden delivered a spark of hope in the early days of his presidency when he signed an executive order promising a government-wide approach to the disproportionate pollution burdens placed on the poor and communities of color.

The Pennsylvania Council of Churches, along with partner faith and environmental organizations, are encouraged by the presidents nod toward environmental justice. His order promises to reshape how the federal government works across its many agencies, acknowledging the intersection of policies and issues across communities, regions, and populations that necessitates an integration of efforts across the board. We hope it delivers.

As people of faith, our greatest concern is for communities most likely to endure injustices related to unfair environmental policies and environmental degradation.

We have long known that communities of color (Black, Indigenous and People of Color, or BIPOC) and low-income persons suffer disproportionately from environmental pollution and natural disasters exacerbated by climate change. These populations are more likely to live in the shadow of landfills, power plants, and other pollution-generating industries because they lack the political power to stop these facilities from being located in or near their communities. They are also more likely to be relegated to living in marginal areas that are more susceptible to the impacts of climate change.

The NAACP found that BIPOC communities breathe in air that is 40% more polluted than in other communities. One result is higher asthma rates in BIPOC communities; a University of Minnesota study showed these communities are 38% more likely to be exposed to nitrogen oxide, closely linked to asthma. African Americans are three times more likely to die from asthma. Poverty is a factor as well: people living below the poverty threshold are just under 11% more likely have asthma.

Speaking of poverty, low-income families are less able to relocate or rebuild in the wake of climate-related disasters. This will be a growing problem for Pennsylvania, as our Department of Environmental Protection indicates that climate change means more flooding, and more low-income populations live in zones vulnerable to flooding. However, DEPs data also indicate more heat and respiratory deaths and impacts on our economy through increases in disease and pests and disruptions to agricultural systemsoutcomes that hurt all Pennsylvanians.

Finally, the United Nations refugee agency calls climate change the defining crisis of our time and disaster displacement one of its most devastating consequences. Many of the worlds poorest populations live in climate hotspots and do not have the resources to adapt to increasingly hostile environments that result from rising temperatures. The numbers of climate refugees are growing, and that growth is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

As people of faith, we call for changes aimed at ensuring environmental justice, halting devastating changes to our climate that injure the health of peopleparticularly BIPOC and poor populations. We call for changes that protect wildlife, preventing extinctions, mutations, and other changes that threaten the web of life. We call for actions that stop damage to our environmentdamage that jeopardizes the welfare of individuals and our society. We believe we have a moral obligation to protect our fragile planet for future generations everywhere.

We call upon our neighborspeople of faith, no faith, people of good willto join us in recognizing the need to act, and to act now, for environmental justice. We urge President Biden to stand behind the promise of his early executive order, and to incorporate environmental justice into every aspect of his proposed infrastructure plan. And we appeal to our elected officials at every level to act in support or stay out of the way.

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. May we end the havoc wrought on our most vulnerable neighbors and bend the arc toward a more environmentally just world for our children and beyond.

The Rev. Sandra L. Strauss is the Director of Advocacy & Ecumenical Outreach for the Pennsylvania Council of Churches. For more information regarding the Council, please CLICK HERE.
Richard Kirby of Campbelltown remembers when his daughter used to keep peafowl (C8), open range, and also Guinea fowl. When the peacocks would display the Guinea fowl would duck behind them and peck the peacocks behinds, much to their annoyance. We found it most amusing.

And we have an origin story for Nimbins most ostentatious birds. Peter Thom of Goonellabah writes, In the 1970s my partner and I purchased a breeding pair of peafowl from a bird fancier on Sydneys North Shore and took them to our farm at Blue Knob near Nimbin. Over the ensuing years, the flock grew in size and some of the birds sought less crowded areas. I would guess that some, if not all, of the birds in the Nimbin village are descendants of our original pair.

Nola Tucker of Kiama cautions Nimbin about encouraging peacocks (C8), as her experience reveals them to be pushy and ruthless. Nola details peacocks roosting in trees in Vienna and drowning out the orchestra in the public square, as well as being followed around by one in Veltrusy (Czech Republic) after buying cakes for herself and her small grandson, and having to hand over a generous portion of these cakes in order to be left alone. Warning Nimbin about pushy, ruthless, flamboyant wildlife? Sounds like theyre made for each other.

To an Earthling the answer is obvious, but to a Martian....? Joy Cooksey of Harrington is of the belief that, like Earthlings, the Martians would call remote-controlled helicopters (C8) egg-beaters, or maybe scrambled-egg-beaters because of the Earthlings scramble to beat any other yokels out there.

Marjie Williamson of Blaxland agrees about the egg-beater (C8), but adds that this assumes hens and eggs on Mars, of course. Which brings us back to which came first  the chicken or the egg, and onto road crossing, and so on.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

YEREVAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th April, 2021) Armenian Interim Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has discussed the conflict in the breakaway republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and the situation in the South Caucasus in a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, the prime minister's office said on Sunday.

During the conversation that took place on Saturday, on Armenian Remembrance Day, Pashinyan appreciated France's role in promoting the international recognition of the 1915 Armenian genocide in Ottoman Turkey. Macron, on his part, stated that France would continue supporting the Armenian people.

"The interlocutors discussed the regional situation in the South Caucasus and the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing format. Prime Minister Pashinyan stressed that he sees the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict exclusively under the principle of 'remedial secession,'" the office said in a statement, adding that the sides also touched upon the agenda of the Armenia-France relations as well as Armenia's current political situation.

This Sunday, Pashinyan resigned from office so that the country could hold snap general elections, expected to take place on June 20. Pashinyan is planning to run for the office again.

The resignation is the outcome of a prolonged political crisis that has gripped the country after Pashinyan signed an agreement on a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in November, which many in Armenian consider being detrimental to the national interests.
MONTREAL - The federal government has given notice on Sunday that it will table back-to-work legislation in response to a looming dockworkers' strike at Montreal's port that threatens to have widespread economic repercussions across the country.

Shipping containers are shown at the Port of Montreal, Sunday, April 25, 2021. A general strike at the port is set to begin on Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

MONTREAL - The federal government has given notice on Sunday that it will table back-to-work legislation in response to a looming dockworkers' strike at Montreal's port that threatens to have widespread economic repercussions across the country.

Labour Minister Filomena Tassi said on Twitter that forcing the resumption of operations at the Port of Montreal is the government's "least favoured option," but there is a responsibility to prevent serious national economic harm.

"We believe in the collective bargaining process," Tassi wrote.

"However, the Government must act when all other efforts have been exhausted and a work stoppage is causing significant economic harm to Canadians."

She added that the two parties remain far apart despite extensive support that included over 100 mediation sessions.

While the notice paper is dated for Monday, a spokesman for Tassi says the legislation won't come before the House until at least Tuesday and could be shelved altogether if the dockworker's union and the Maritime Employers Association reach a deal before then.

More than 1,000 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal are scheduled to go on strike Monday morning in a move that the port authority says will mean a total shutdown of operations.

The workers, who have been without a contract since December 2018, have been on an overtime strike since April 17 and have refused to work weekends since April 18.

A spokesperson for the union said it was aware of the pending legislation but as of Sunday afternoon the strike was still going ahead.

Montreal's port authority also acknowledged the government's action, which it said was a "clear signal" of the port's strategic importance.

"After several strike episodes in 2020 and 2021, which have had and continue to have serious economic and logistical impact, it is mission-critical that the Port of Montreal be able to fully and sustainably play its strategic role as an economic engine at the service of the local population," said Martin Imbleau, the authority's president.

Quebec Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon had previously called on Ottawa to intervene, stopping a strike that he said would paralyze the province's economy.

On Sunday, Fitzgibbon said on Twitter that he supports the federal government's move, but expressed hope that the two sides would manage to negotiate an agreement without the need for legislation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2021
Border Patrol Agent Apprehends a Four Time Felon Paisas Gang Member

Calexico, California - U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro Sector arrested a four time felon Paisas gang member Friday evening.

The incident occurred at around 6:10 a.m., when agents assigned to the El Centro Station apprehended a man approximately 22 miles west of the Calexico Port of Entry. The man was transported to the El Centro Processing Center for immigration and criminal history screening.

Agents conducted records checks, which revealed that the man, a 41-year-old man from Mexico, is a documented Paisas gang member with a criminal history. He has multiple felony convictions to include Grand Theft, Robbery, Evasion, and Re-entry of a Deported Felon, all of which are felony offenses. The man was sentenced to over 8 years incarceration for his crimes. He committed his crimes in Los Angeles and Imperial Counties.

Additionally, an immigration judge formally removed the man on August 10, 2004 back to Mexico.

As a convicted felon, the gang member faces a charge of 8 USC  1326  Re-entry After Deportation, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. He will be held in federal custody pending proceedings.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 25)  Metro Manila is seeing an improvement in its COVID-19 response after reverting to a strict lockdown last month, according to the independent research group OCTA.

In its report on Sunday, OCTA said the national capital regions new daily COVID-19 cases averaged at 3,841 during the April 18 to 24 period, which translates to a 20% decline from the week before.

This is also 30% lower than the 5,552 daily average recorded three weeks ago, when the area was still under the most stringent form of community quarantine due to a surge.

Despite the decline in daily COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila, OCTA fellow Guido David said it is still premature to decide if the region's status can be downgraded to general community quarantine.

"We saw a decrease in number of cases in NCR, but it's not stable. We haven't seen a sustained downward trend in the decrease in daily cases," David told CNN Philippines on Sunday.

The virus reproduction rate in NCR, or the number of people infected by a single patient, has also dropped to 0.93, the report showed. David earlier said the region had logged a reproduction rate of over 1 from March 11 to April 15.

Meanwhile, a decline has also been seen in NCRs positivity rate, or the percentage of infected individuals out of all tested. From as high as 25% three weeks ago, OCTA noted the rate stood at 19% over the past week. This is from an average of 26,120 tests conducted daily.

But while the figure has improved, this remains worrisome as the World Health Organization has recommended that the positivity rate be kept at 5% or lower for at least two weeks before considering easing quarantine restrictions.

Likewise improving, although remaining high, are bed utilization rates in the region. According to OCTA, the hospital bed occupancy has decreased to 61%, while the ICU bed occupancy has declined to 71%. Based on the Department of Health data, 41 of the 155 hospitals in NCR which accommodate COVID-19 patients have reached critical level occupancy or over 85% utilization of its beds as of April 23.

David said they are hoping for a reduction of daily average COVID-19 cases at below 3,000 infections in the next two weeks.

Besides Metro Manila, OCTA said other areas which recorded negative growth rates in daily cases over the past week include Western Visayas with -24%, Calabarzon with -12%, Central Luzon with -4%, and Cagayan Valley and Central Visayas with -2% each. The Cordillera Administrative Region, however, saw an increase of 5% in its daily infections.

David tagged Batangas and Pampanga, two provinces bordering the NCR, as "areas of concern" due to its increasing daily COVID-19 infections lately.

"The number of cases in each of the two provinces started to reach over 300 daily, close to the level of Laguna. We could start to look at cities in Batangas and Pampanga that are registering high number of cases," said David, who particularly mentioned Angeles City in Pampanga which records high cases recently.

The capital region, along with nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, transitioned to a more relaxed modified enhanced community quarantine on April 12 after being placed under the strictest ECQ for two weeks due to an exponential rise in COVID-19 cases. This MECQ status will be in place until April 30.

To date, nearly 990,000 people nationwide have fallen ill with COVID-19, according to the DOH's count. With more than 16,000 deaths and over 883,000 recoveries, the tally of active cases or currently ill patients stand at 89,485, or 9% of all those infected.

READ: OCTA urges public: Retain ECQ mindset to help sustain COVID-19 gains
Jersey City reimbursed two city council members for thousands of dollars in tuition for higher education courses, drawing criticism from a local good government group who say the expenses were an improper use of public money to further elected officials private careers.

Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman and Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey together received a total of $8,924 in publicly funded reimbursement for classes they attended, according to documents obtained by local government accountability group Civic JC through an open public records request.

Watterman received $5,000 in 2019 for a Ministry Leadership course, while Prinz-Arey received $3,924 in 2020 for an IT Management and Organizational Leadership class, the records show.

Jersey City spokeswoman Kim Wallace-Scalcione said the reimbursements were fully in line with city policy.

Tuition reimbursement is an effective program proven to benefit employers and employees with a more skilled workforce, Wallace-Scalcione said. Both council members went through the same process as any other employee.

But Jeanne Daly, a member of Civic JC, called the reimbursements an outrage, saying they benefitted the council members private careers at the expense of city taxpayers.

These are elected officials. Theyre also purportedly part-time officials, she said. When it comes to their status as council members, she said, they have one job, and that is to represent their constituents. Thats it.

Referring to the ministry course taken by Watterman, she added, I thought there was a separation of church and state.

Under Jersey Citys tuition reimbursement program, the city will pay up to $5,000 for an employees tuition per fiscal year. The city paid a total of $42,703 in 2019 and 2020 through the program.

According to the citys reimbursement policy, employees must be full-time, and the coursework must be job-related. The employees department director and the human resources department must sign off on the reimbursements.

Council members are eligible for the program based on long-standing city policy, Wallace-Scalcione said.

On Monday Wallace-Scalcione said that some council members consider the position full-time, noting that Prinz-Arey left her position with a non-profit agency to focus on her city duties.

Wallace-Scalcione said that both courses are relevant to the councilwomens work at the city. Prinz-Arey is learning better systems as to how local government can function more efficiently and effectively, and was able to immediately apply her coursework when the pandemic struck and everything went digital, she said.

Prinz-Arey could not be reached for comment.

Jersey City Ward B Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey.EJA

In an interview, Watterman said she took the course for a Masters Degree in Ministry and Leadership she earned last year from Pillar College. Watterman and her husband are pastors at the Continuous Flow Christian Center, a Jersey City church the couple founded.

But the class has a direct connection with her duties at the city, Watterman said, citing her work with the citys Chaplain Program, which is intended to provide ministerial support to residents impacted by violence.

I deal with people all the time, she said. (I) deal with people emotionally, I deal with small businesses, the community. All of that is related. I dont know why people cant see that.

The chaplains program was introduced with fanfare in 2017, but has not been utilized once, the Rev. Tami Weaver-Henry said in January 2021 during a meeting of the ad hoc committee looking in the civilian complaint review board.

The program was intended to provide assistance and counseling after tragic events, city officials said at the time. Watterman attended that meeting.
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[Posted below are statements by Telangana Praja Assembly and by the Human Rights Forum on April 24, 2021]

1.

Telangana Praja Assembly <prajaassembly.telangana[at]gmail.com>

Telangana Govt must withdraw GO-73 declaring 16 organizations as unlawful

Right to Association is a Constitutional Right

Govt must focus its energies on addressing the pandemic health crisis

24th April, 2021: We the undersigned signatories, belonging to the Telangana Praja Assembly, a coalition of many rights organizations as well as other peoples collectives and concerned citizens are alarmed at the arbitrary and sweeping decision of the Telangana Govt. to declare 16 democratic organizations as unlawful, that too when the entire country is reeling under the most extra-ordinary pandemic and nothing can be more important than saving lives and public health now. As organizations striving for human rights for all sections of the society and believing in the constitutional values, we unequivocally condemn this measure and call upon the State Govt. to immediately withdraw the said GO. No.73 declaring these 16 organizations as unlawful.

Telangana Government has issued G.O. No.73 on 30.3.2021 under the Telangana Public Security Act, 1992 with effect from 30th March, 2021 that 16 organizations have been declared as unlawful associations.

As democratic groups who strongly believe in the freedom of citizens to organize for social justice and on various issues of state policy, we wish to state that:

As per Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution of India, the freedom of association is available to every Indian citizen. Thus, the declaration as unlawful of entire organizations without any specific charge against specific individuals for violating law of the land is unacceptable and undemocratic.

To support the contention of the State that all these groups are front organizations of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist), some of the many questionable actions mentioned in the GO are that they have been encouraging or aiding persons to commit acts of violence, activists of these front affiliates are moving in urban areas, adopting urban guerrilla tactics, they have staged protests for repealing the UAPA, Farm laws and CAA/NRC, they have been demanding release of Vara Vara Rao, Prof. GN Sai Baba, Rona Wilson etc, they joined hands with several organisations and alluring the members into their folds inciting inflammatory statements, meetings, and rallies highlighting various issues against the Central and State governments etc. Some of these are vague and sweeping without any onus on the government to prove commission of unlawful actions. The others are actions which are the right of any Indian citizen to engage, in order to object to the actions of the central or state governments.

Many of the reasons listed clearly indicate that the Govt does not want public-spirited organizations to raise awareness on peoples rights and the responsibility of the State. How and why is it a crime to seek the release of political prisoners like Varavara Rao or Rona Wilson or Prof. Saibaba or protest against draconian laws like UAPA? When the entire country has been protesting the anti-farmer Farm Laws and even the Telangana Govt. initially took this stand, how is protesting against these destructive laws a crime? When the Telangana Assembly itself passed a resolution against the unconstitutional CAA-NRC-NPR, how does opposing this become a reason for declaring these organizations as unlawful?

Ever since the formation of Telangana in 2014, the attacks on the right to organize and dissent have been incessant. From the shameless closure of Dharna Chowk to the recent NIA raids on activists in the Telugu states, the democratic space to question the failures and excesses of the State in the past 7 years have shrunk completely. The actions of the Govt. are actually counter-productive and are infact pushing to the brink, organizations that seek to work in an open, democratic framework with no choice or space to organize.

Along with the rest of India, Telangana is also facing the most severe pandemic crisis and can ill-afford to divert its resources or focus elsewhere. Our Govt. must invest all its energies and attention in ensuring maximum vaccination, increasing beds, pharma & medicare support, blood, plasma, oxygen supply etc to the Covid affected.

We hope the State Govt. appreciates the seriousness of the current situation and does not resort to any undemocratic and ill-conceived actions in these extra-ordinary times.

We urge the Govt of Telangana to reconsider its decision and immediately revoke the GO declaring these 16 organizations as unlawful.

Signed by/-

Jeevan Kumar, Human Rights Forum

Meera Sanghamitra, National Alliance of Peoples Movements

Kanneganti Ravi, Rythu Swarajya Vedika

P.Shankar, Dalit Bahujan Front

S.Ashalatha, Mahila Kisan Adhikar Manch(MAKAAM)

Ambati Nagayya, Telangana Vidyavanthula Vedika

K. Sajaya, Caring Citizens Collective

M.Raghavachary, Palamuru Adhyayana Vedika

R.Venkat Reddy, Social Activist

2.

The Human Rights Forum (HRF)

Press Release

The Human Rights Forum (HRF) strongly condemns the declaring of 16 organisations by the Telangana government as unlawful associations for a period of one year. Among these organisations are the Civil Liberties Committee (CLC), Virasam, Telangana Praja Front, Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners, Tudum Debba and Chaitanya Mahila Sangam. HRF is of the opinion that this is a brazen attempt by the State to criminalise political belief and throttle dissent. It runs afoul of democratic principles.

The Telangana Public Security Act, 1992 that was invoked to declare these organisations as unlawful associations is nothing but a political instrument disguised as penal law. What it seeks to make unlawful is not violence  which has been proscribed ever since the birth of the State in history  but politics and social activism that is not palatable to the ruling dispensation. Such an approach impinges upon fundamental freedoms and is unacceptable in a democracy.

G.O. No. 73 of 30-3-2021, under which the 16 organisations were declared unlawful associations, has the effect of whittling away basic liberties and does enormous damage to the very notion of democracy. HRF sincerely hopes better sense prevails with the Telangana government and the notification is revoked forthwith.

VS Krishna S Jeevan Kumar

HRF TS&AP Coordination Committee members

24-4-2021 Hyderabad
Britain will not lower its food standards so that it can import hormone-treated beef, Trade Secretary Liz Truss has said.

Australia has been pushing for the move as part of a new trade deal with the UK in the wake of Brexit.

But the Cabinet minister said that this was one issue she would not be giving way on.

Miss Truss said: Im absolutely clear were not going to be lowering our food import standards.

Liz Truss said wine from Australia would be cheaper to buy in the UK if a trade deal is reached

The UK is also coming under pressure from the US to allow the import of hormone-treated beef and chlorinated chicken as the price for a trade deal

Asked whether that meant the import of hormone-treated beef would not be allowed, she told Times Radio: Correct. Its banned at the moment in terms of our import standards.

However, Miss Truss did say that wine from Australia would be cheaper to buy in the UK if a trade deal is reached.

Australian trade minister Dan Tehan left London last week following two days of talks with Miss Truss. Both sides believe an in-principle trade deal can be reached by June.

But there are worries about the potential effects on British farmers, with some concerned they will not be able to sell their meat as cheaply as produce that is imported from Australia.

The UK is also coming under pressure from the US to allow the import of hormone-treated beef and chlorinated chicken as the price for a trade deal.

In an interview with the BBCs Andrew Marr, Miss Truss reiterated that the UK would not lower its food standards in order to reach a deal with Australia.

I can absolutely promise that were not going to lower our excellent food standards in order to do this trade deal, she said.

But what we will do through this trade deal is make sure we get fantastic British products into Australia at a much cheaper price  so whether its whisky or cars  which will help drive jobs and growth across Britain.

And it also gives us access to fantastic fast-growing part of the world, the Asia-Pacific.

Were expecting 66 per cent of the worlds middle classes to be there by 2030.

So this is all about creating jobs and growth for the future and hitching Britain to the fastest growing parts of the world.

Asked about the price of wine on Skys Ridge on Sunday, she said: Well, that is one of the many benefits that there would be from the Australia trade deal.

Uncertainty was cast over the discussions last week when allies of Miss Truss described her Australian counterpart as inexperienced ahead of his visit to Britain. But Miss Truss said that the two had a very positive relationship.

She said: We are now within a glimpse of striking our first post-Brexit trade deal which is negotiated from scratch and Im looking forward to agreeing that in principle over the next few weeks. And this will bring huge benefits to the British economy, whether its the whisky industry, the car industry, the financial services industry and it also opens up huge opportunities for us in the Asia-Pacific market, one of the fastest-growing parts of the world.
Israel had a near-miss of potentially catastrophic proportions on Thursday. As it has done hundreds of times in the past decade, the Israeli air force attacked Iranian bases inside Syria. In response, Syrian forces fired anti-aircraft missiles of a rather primitive Soviet model, one of which overflew its target and landed some 30 kilometres from Israels Dimona nuclear reactor. Israel said recently that it was bolstering its defences around Dimona for just such an eventuality. As Middle East Eye writes, although an Iranian general taunted Israel, implying that Iran had some responsibility for the attack, that doesnt appear to be the case. But the missile landing inside Israel does show that if Iran wanted to attack Dimona, it has the capacity. And despite Israels best efforts, an Iranian missile could hit its target.

With that, one of the worst nuclear disasters in the regions history could unfold, including a Chernobyl-type radioactive leak that could endanger not only all of Israel, but also many of its neighbours.

A US general has assured a Senate committee that the Syrians werent intending to attack Israel. Rather, a misguided missile meant to target an Israeli warplane overshot its target. He blamed it on incompetence, as if that was supposed to be somehow reassuring; rather, it only reinforces how easy it is even for a mistake to cause a nuclear disaster.

Campaign of terror

Certainly, if either Israel or Iran wanted to bomb each others nuclear facilities, they could do so successfully. An Israeli attack would probably cause less catastrophic damage, but only because Irans nuclear programme is not nearly as developed as Israels. An Iranian direct hit on Dimona would cause incalculable damage due to the plutonium reactor at the facility.

Nor does this happen in a vacuum: Israel has maintained a decade-long campaign of terror attacks on Iranian military bases and nuclear scientists. Most recently, it bombed the Natanz nuclear facility, destroying the power generation source and damaging older-generation centrifuges. It also attacked an Iranian Revolutionary Guard spy ship off the Yemeni coast this month.

Iran has responded in its own limited way, restrained by its need to maintain good relations with nuclear-deal signatories. For Israel, the attacks are a low-risk proposition. It defies US opposition (if there is any) with a wink and a nod, and the attacks look good on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus resume. To weather his corruption trial and retain public support, he needs external enemies (and internal enemies, but thats a different story). Iran provides these in spades.

Eliminating Israeli leverage

The US could exert control over this scenario by eliminating Israeli leverage. If it agreed to lift sanctions in exchange for Irans return to low levels of uranium enrichment, as designated in the nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration, Israels rejectionist approach would become moot. The problem is that US President Joe Biden is running scared from Republican opposition to any nuclear deal with Iran. Besides, he has designated the Middle East a low priority for his administration.

There is some faint hope in the US announcement that it is ready to lift a partial set of sanctions. However, the list on offer is quite limited, and will certainly not satisfy the Iranians. Such half-measures present an example of the limitations of the Biden approach. He should instead make a full-throated commitment to end this dithering once and for all.

Israel is mounting a full-court press this coming week as it sends its Mossad and military intelligence chiefs, along with its army chief of staff, to Washington in an attempt to influence nuclear negotiations as they enter what may be a final stage. According to Haaretz, army chief of staff Aviv Kochavi will also raise other issues, including Irans military expansion in Syria and the instability of Lebanon. Israel is concerned about the possibility that Hezbollah will try to  [foment] conflict with Israel.

The hypocrisy of Israels refusal to acknowledge its own massive military interventions in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and even Iraq, while decrying Irans involvement in Syria, is almost breathtaking. There is next to no chance that any of this will enter into the considerations of negotiators in Vienna. Unlike Israel, they are interested in doing a nuclear deal, not engaging in wishful thinking.

Combustible Middle East mix

Returning to the Biden administrations global goals, the Middle East doesnt care about presidential priorities. It contains a combustible mix of corrupt elites and overbearing dictators who do not shirk from causing mayhem in their domains. And one of them, perhaps a desperate Israeli prime minister or an ageing ayatollah eager to preserve his honour and legacy, could inadvertently (or intentionally) set the entire region aflame.

If Biden doesnt act quickly and decisively, there is a sizeable risk that another missile from one country or the other will hit a target and cause devastation. That would mark a point of no return, like the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914, which led to World War One. The difference is that in 1914, armies fought with guns, bayonets and artillery. Today, they will fight with F-35s, ballistic missiles and possibly nuclear weapons.
Seasoned actor, director, dancer, choreographer and now musician Ishmael Litshe Muvingi feels robbed by the national broadcaster ZBC after he was part of a drama production in 2015.

Litshe was the lead actor in a Ndebele drama titled Ezako Mkhakha, which was produced by ZBC and where he featured in 13 episodes.

The actor told Standard Style that his services were invoiced in United States dollars back in 2015, but he never received a cent until he was paid in bond notes this year.

I was part of a drama produced by ZBC called Ezako Mkhakha in 2015 as the main actor playing the role of Pastor Msindo. I signed a contract with them for 13 episodes and I was supposed to receive US$60 per episode and a total of US$780, Litshe said.

We were made to travel to Harare and footed our own accommodation and food bills expecting to be rewarded for our hard work back in 2015, but nothing came out of the venture.

I made follow-ups for years without any success and they kept on telling me that they would pay whats due to me, but nothing was done.

Its only about four months ago when I received a total of $780 in my bank account from ZBC as payment of the work that I did in 2015 then rated in the United States dollar.

He added: When I asked why they had to do that, they said that was the rule and it was according to the bank rates. The way ZBC treats content creators is unacceptable, its disrespect to artistes and arts as a whole, we expect such institutions to help us live off the craft, but the same kill us.

The multi-award-winning artiste has worked with globetrotting Siyaya Arts, Iyasa, Sadalala, Amajekete and now plies his trade with Umkhathi Theatre Works.

To top the list, Muvingi has had stints on the worlds biggest theatre stages in the United Kingdom, Germany and United States.

Efforts to get a comment from ZBC head of public relations Rumbidzai Moyo were fruitless as she asked for questions in writing, but did not respond. Standard
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 20:45:54|Editor: huaxia

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LONDON, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Eight police officers have been injured as anti-lockdown protests in central London turned violent, the Evening Standard newspaper reported on Sunday.

Demonstrators hurled bottles as officers attempted to disperse the crowds in Hyde Park on Saturday evening, the London-based newspaper quoted the Metropolitan Police as saying.

Photographs posted on social media showed a female police officer bleeding from a cut to her head, while another suffered a similar wound on his forehead, the newspaper said.

Two officers were taken to hospital, although their injuries are not believed to be serious, the police said.

Five people were arrested for offences including assault on police and remain in custody, the police said.

The protests, which also took place on Oxford Street in central London, came almost two weeks after COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were eased.

The demonstrators refused to observe any social distancing rules and many people stood shoulder to shoulder, according to the newspaper.

Organisers had urged participants to "make as much noise as possible" during the rally but to "avoid making a crowd", the newspaper said.

However, they also encouraged people to "link arms if the police tried to intervene", said the newspaper.

The demonstrators were challenging lockdown measures, despite many being lifted earlier this month.

Shoppers flocked to high streets and drinkers downed pints as coronavirus restrictions were further lifted in England on April 12.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the nation to "behave responsibly" as indoor gyms, swimming pools, nail salons and zoos welcomed customers back.

The British government's four-step plan is expected to see all legal restrictions in England being removed by mid-June.

Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, Britain is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants, particularly those first emerged in South Africa, Brazil and India, and the third wave of pandemic on the European continent.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines. Enditem
BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday the opposition Greens candidate for chancellor, Annalena Baerbock, lacked political experience, describing himself as better placed to lead Europe's largest economy after a Sept. 26 election.

Scholz's comments show how the German election campaign is heating up more than five months ahead of the actual vote, which could also be seen in continued attacks on conservative candidate Armin Laschet from his Bavarian rival Markus Soeder.

The Greens said last week Baerbock would run to become chancellor, the first time the left-leaning ecologist party has sought the top job in its 40-year history.

Support for the Greens has surged over the past year to within a few points of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives. Two recent polls show the Greens overtaking the conservative CDU/CSU alliance.

Scholz, 62, running for his centre-left Social Democrats, the junior partner in Merkel's ruling coalition, said the race was open despite his party trailing in third place in polls.

"Germany is one of the world's biggest and most successful industrial countries. It should be run by someone who has experience in governing, who not only wants to govern, but can actually do it," Scholz told Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

"I am the candidate for chancellor who has the necessary experience and knowledge for this task," Scholz said.

Baerbock, 40, a former champion trampolinist, has held no government office but has promised voters a "new start" with a focus on investing in education, and digital and green technologies.

Baerbock told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung she would be tough on Russia and China if she became chancellor.

Merkel, who is stepping down after 16 years in power, has refused to openly endorse CDU party leader Laschet, 60, who saw off a challenge from his Bavarian rival Soeder to clinch the conservative alliance's candidacy last week.

Story continues

After the bitter leadership battle, support for the conservative bloc fell by two points to 27% which helped the Greens overtake the CDU/CSU alliance in a Kantar poll for Bild am Sonntag. The Greens surged six points to 28%.

Scholz's Social Democrats was third with 13%, followed by the far-right AfD with 10%, the business-friendly FDP with 9% and leftist Die Linke with 7%.

Scholz said he expected the CDU/CSU bloc to remain weak and achieve an election result well below 30% which would clear the way for a coalition without the conservatives.

Laschet brushed off renewed attacks from Soeder at the weekend in which the Bavarian state premier accused Laschet of representing "old school" policies and a lack of will to modernise the country.

Laschet told Radio Bremen public broadcaster that Soeder's comments had made him laugh as it had been Soeder's CSU party that repeatedly had criticised Merkel for her centrist policies over the past years.

(Reporting by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Edmund Blair and David Evans)
The Oscars are very different this year as the guest list has been cut from 3,000 people to only 170 thanks to the pandemic.

Celebrities seemed to miss the old ways as they shared flashback photos from when they went to the Academy Awards long before COVID-19 rocked the world.

The glittery gowns, the jammed red carpets and power networking will all be missed this year as the event will take place Sunday evening at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles with only a handful of celebrities - Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon and Zendaya are a few - who are not allowed to bring a plus one and must wear masks when not on stage.

Scroll down for list of nominees...

Flashback: The Oscars are very different this year as the guest list has been cut from 3,000 people to only 170 thanks to the pandemic. Celebrities seemed to miss the old ways as they shared flashback photos from when they went to the Academy Award long before COVID-19; Alicia Silverstone posted this look from 2020

Retro: The Clueless actress was at home with the fashion designer Christian Siriano, 35. The mother-of-one walked down the stairs and spun around, clearly loving her look

Alicia Silverstone shared a video where she was in a spectacular gray dress that was low cut and partially see through.

The Clueless actress was at home with the fashion designer Christian Siriano, 35.

The mother-of-one walked down the stairs and spun around, clearly loving her look.

Ready for a big party: Vanessa Hudgens shared a photo from when she was at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in a purple gown

A look back: Hugh Jackman of Wolverine fame was seen backstage at the 81st awards show

'Since @TheAcademy Awards are happening tomorrow, I'm thinking back to all the fun I had with @csiriano before last year's @VanityFair #Oscars Party!' she wrote in her caption.

'I think of that scene in Clueless where Cher is coming down the stairs for her date with Christian! Except in this moment it's for my real life Christian!

'What do you think of more? Shes All That? Or Clueless?'

The way she was: Cheryl Hines was lovely in a black dress at the Oscars. 'I really hope I win today. Oh, wait, Im not nominated. Write in????? Memory of going to the Oscars, Congrats to all the nominees!!!' she said. 'Have an amazing day! #oscars,' she said; seen in 2011

Florence Pugh treated fans to a new look at her Oscar outfit from 2020 as she shared several images to her Instagram Stories.

The 25-year-old actress was beautiful styled in a low-cut Tiffany blue satin gown with spaghetti straps.

There was a magnificent accent: a diamond necklace that curled around itself then dropped down with a radiant pink gemstone.

Lovely in 2020: Florence Pugh treated fans to a new look at her Oscar outfit from 2020 as she shared several images to her Instagram Stories

So one year ago: The 25-year-old actress was beautiful styled in a low-cut Tiffany blue satin gown with spaghetti straps

Fun bling: There was a magnificent accent: a diamond necklace that curled around itself then dropped down with a radiant pink gemstone

Her hair was worn back in a unique back do' as she wore heavy eye makeup.

Mandy Moore posted an image from when she was at the Oscars years ago. It was the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011 in Hollywood.

In her caption she wrote, 'Favorite Oscar moment.'

Vanessa Hudgens shared a photo from when she was at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in a purple gown.

Happy days: Mandy Moore posted an image from when she was at the Oscars years ago. It was the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011 in Hollywood

With the boys! Sarah Jessica Parker posted a party photo with pal Andy Cohen and her Sex And The City co-star Chris Noth while at The Vanity Fair Party at Morton's Restaurant After the 73rd Academy Awards in 2001

Fun at the show: Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos at the awards show in a throwback

The image was taken in 2020 just before COVID-19 became more widespread in the US.

Shoe designer Sarah Jessica Parker posted a party photo with pal Andy Cohen and her Sex And The City co-star Chris Noth while at The Vanity Fair Party at Morton's Restaurant After the 73rd Academy Awards in 2001.

Hugh Jackman of Wolverine fame was seen backstage at the 81st awards show.

Claudia Schiffer, the German born supermodel who is a Vogue favorite, shared an image as well.

So 90s! Claudia Schiffer, the German born supermodel who is a Vogue favorite, shared an image as well. From 1992

Model pose: Molly Sims was seen in a silver, curve-hugging gown that made the most of her slender frame. Seen in 2019

She was at the Oscars almost 30 years ago.

'The Oscars in 1992. In Chanel made from umbrella fabric,' she wrote in her caption as she looked dazzling in all black with her blonde hair swept back.

Vegas actress Molly Sims was seen in a silver, curve-hugging gown with a train that made the most of her slender frame in the year 2019.

Her husband Scott Stuber is a movie producer.

Cheryl Hines was lovely in a black dress at the Oscars in 2011.

'I really hope I win today. Oh, wait, Im not nominated. Write in????? Memory of going to the Oscars, Congrats to all the nominees!!!' she said.

'Have an amazing day! #oscars,' she said in her caption as she added, #oscars2021 #redcarpet #flashback #nominees #johannajohnson.

Blanca Blanco of the film Mission: Possible and the new HBO series Tale of Tails shared several of her red carpet looks from past Academy Awards shows.

'Some of my favorite viral Oscar red carpet looks,' said the girlfriend of John Savage of Deer Hunter fame.

NEW: A view of the red carpet before the start of the Oscars at Union Station in Los Angeles, California on Sunday
(CNN)  On the eve of US President Joe Biden's first 100 days in office, a 12-member jury in Minneapolis found Derek Chauvin, a White ex-police officer, guilty of all three charges against him for the murder of George Floyd, a Black man.

"Today, we feel a sigh of relief. Still, it can't take away the pain. A measure of justice isn't the same as equal justice," Vice President Kamala Harris said on Tuesday, referring to the political naivete that followed a verdict that was more an exception than a rule. "We still have work to do."

The verdict marks something of a shift for Biden. The President now transitions from the triage he faced immediately on assuming the Oval Office amid the coronavirus pandemic to the deeper task of fulfilling more ambitious campaign promises -- like advancing racial justice for the Black Americans who delivered him the Democratic nomination and, ultimately, the White House.

"As he's thinking about what his joint session speech looks like next week, he has every intention of using that as an opportunity to elevate this issue and talk about the importance of putting police reform measures in place," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

Indeed, if you want to understand some of the murky racial equity waters that the President must navigate in the months and years ahead, just look at how he and other Democrats are grappling with the policing crisis that disproportionately harms Black Americans.

Earlier this month, Biden's team quietly stood down on a campaign pledge to establish a White House-led commission on policing so that it could direct its attention toward something with more muscle: passing police reform through legislative channels.

"The Biden-Harris Administration strongly supports the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and is working with Congress to swiftly enact meaningful police reform that brings profound, urgently needed change," Domestic Policy Council director Susan Rice said in a statement.

The bill passed the Democratic-led House last month. But it faces long odds in the 50-50 Senate, where, even with the Democrats in power because of Harris' tie-breaking vote, most pieces of legislation need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.

Lee Drutman, a senior fellow in the Political Reform program at New America (where, full disclosure, I used to work), minced no words in describing the political hurdles that await Biden on a variety of social issues because of the difficulty of abolishing or changing the filibuster.

"(Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia) has been pretty clear that he's not going to break the filibuster," Drutman said. "It's hard to see anything getting 60 votes in the US Senate -- anything other than the most milquetoast initiatives, like a commission to see whether there's a problem of police violence in this country."

Importantly, in the US, the economy and race are bound up with each other.

"From 1619 until at least the late 1960s, American institutions, businesses, associations and governments -- federal, state and local -- repeatedly plundered Black communities," journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote in 2016. "So large was this plunder that America, as we know it today, is simply unimaginable without it. Its great universities were founded on it. Its early economy was built by it. Its suburbs were financed by it. Its deadliest war was the result of it."

The President, then, might be able to secure some degree of racial justice through his economic proposals, key parts of which he can pass through reconciliation, a budgetary process that requires only a simple majority vote in the US Senate.

"I see Democratic leaders structuring things so that they can lead on the economic and spending issues," Drutman said. "And they feel that they can accomplish certain elements of racial justice by investing money in poor, underserved, primarily minority communities -- but doing that as part of programs that are broadly popular and distribute benefits everywhere."

As I wrote earlier this month, at least part of what makes Biden's $2 trillion American Jobs Plan offer hope to many Black Americans is the fact that it doesn't shy away from confronting the racial inequity that's baked into the country's infrastructure.

For instance, Biden would spend $45 billion on replacing all of the US's lead pipes and service lines because, per the White House Fact Sheet, "no American family should still be receiving drinking water through lead pipes and service lines."

This stance illustrates that Biden has learned from the years-long water crisis that began in majority-Black Flint, Michigan, in 2014, when the city started to take improperly treated water from the Flint River and carry that water through aging lead pipes.

Democratic pollster Celinda Lake highlighted just how expansive and even radical Biden's economic strategy is.

"This economic agenda is not your grandfather's economic agenda: It is a very modern economic agenda with a 21st-century economic perspective," as Lake put it to CNN senior political analyst Ronald Brownstein. "This economic agenda has more equity and race and gender than any economic agenda I've ever seen in my lifetime for this party."

Lake went on: "It is not a colorblind economic agenda. It really intertwines, rightly so, effectively so, the race and gender components of our modern times."

Still, a crucial question has yet to be answered: Will whatever racial justice Biden secures through the more oblique means described above satisfy -- and fundamentally help -- the Black voters who won him the White House?

Forget the prognosticating. It's too early to tell.

This story was first published on CNN.com "As 100 days mark approaches, Biden must consider how he moves forward on racial justice".
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Police directorates yesterday urged citizens and residents to adhere strictly to COVID-19 measures to help battle the outbreak effectively.

The directorates urged people to continue wearing face masks, restrict gathering to members of the same family, following COVID-19 protocols at mosques and funerals, ensure social distancing to protect the society.

Until April 22nd, the Interior ministry had carried out 8,764 awareness campaigns, booked 72,804 people for not wearing face masks and pressed 9,010 charges against people not maintaining social distancing measures.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-26 00:13:41|Editor: huaxia

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DHAKA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Amid its second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangladesh has imposed a ban on the entry of travellers from India via land ports.

Bangladesh's Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen announced the COVID-19 border restriction on Sunday.

According to him, the ban applies to the personnel travel from India to Bangladesh and will last 14 days from Monday, but trade between the two countries will continue as usual.

The air travel between the two countries was suspended from April 14 following a steep rise in COVID-19 infections in India.

Bangladesh reported 2,922 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 101 new deaths from the coronavirus epidemic on Sunday, bringing its total tally to 745,322 with 11,053 deaths.

The official data showed that 21,922 samples were tested in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh.

The total number of recovered patients in the country rose to 657,452 with 4,301 new recoveries reported on Sunday, said Bangladesh's Directorate General of Health Services.

According to the official data, the COVID-19 fatality rate in Bangladesh is currently 1.48 percent and recovery rate is 88.21 percent. Enditem
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan resigned on Sunday while staying on in a caretaker capacity, setting the stage for a June 20 parliamentary election aimed at defusing a protracted political crisis.

Pashinyan has faced calls to stand down since his November signing of a Russian-brokered peace agreement with Azerbaijan that ended a war between the two arch-foes for control of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

"I am resigning from my post as prime minister today" to hold the snap vote on June 20, he said in an announcement broadcast on his Facebook page.

"I am returning to the citizens of Armenia the power they gave me, so that they decide the government's fate through free and fair elections," he said.

After Pashinyan announced his resignation, all members of his cabinet handed in their own resignations, as required by Armenian law.

Read | Armenia lifts martial law months after Karabakh war

Pashinyan said he would continue to fulfil his duties as head of the interim government before the vote, and that he would stand as a candidate for prime minister.

The move comes a day after Joe Biden became the first US president to recognise the 1915 killings of Armenians by Ottoman forces as genocide, in a landmark move that drew praise from Pashinyan and condemnation from Turkey's ally Azerbaijan.

Ex-Soviet Armenia has been embroiled in a political crisis in the wake of its humiliating defeat to Azerbaijan, which was backed by Turkey during the conflict.

The defeat spurred mass protests in the impoverished tiny Caucasus nation on the borders of Turkey and Iran, which came to a head in February after Pashinyan accused Armenia's top military official of staging a coup.

To defuse the crisis, Pashinyan last month announced the snap election, which was welcomed by prominent members of the opposition.

Fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh broke out in September and saw Azerbaijan's better-equipped army make steady gains against Armenia's military, which uses ageing Soviet-era hardware.

The six weeks of fighting claimed around 6,000 lives and saw Armenia cede swathes of territory to Azerbaijan under the peace deal signed by Pashinyan.

Pashinyan has insisted he handled the war correctly, saying he had no choice but to concede or see his country's forces suffer even bigger losses and that snap polls were the best way to end the post-war political stalemate.

Analysts say Pashinyan will likely retain his grip on power after the June 20 election.

His Civil Contract party "may not garner more than 50 percent of the vote needed to form new cabinet, but would retain a parliamentary majority in coalition" with other parties, political analyst Stepan Grigoryan told AFP.

The 45-year-old former newspaper editor came to power spearheading peaceful protests in 2018 dubbed the Velvet Revolution.

He launched an anti-graft crusade, initiated sweeping economic reforms and sidelined corrupt oligarchs and monopolies.

Analysts credited the policies with helping to accelerate economic growth, reduce poverty rates and create tens of thousands of new jobs.

But then the coronavirus pandemic struck, stopping the economic revival in its tracks -- followed by the outbreak of fighting in the decades-long dispute with Azerbaijan for control of Karabakh.
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Germanys Deckert Distribution, a world sales agent on two-time Oscar nominee Honeyland, has confirmed first deals on The Bubble, Bellum  Daemon of War and Les Enfants terribles, three world premiere standouts in International Competition at Nyon Switzerlands Visions du Reel.

Les Enfants terribles shared the prestige Swiss doc fests Special Jury Prize, announced at a prize ceremony on Saturday night.

The deals, with more in negotiation, prove the commercial fire power of the biggest new world premieres at Visions du Reel. Added to sales on Venice pre-opening film Molecules, the accords also confirm the strength of Leipzig-based Deckert Distributions current sales slate which includes six features at Visions du Reel and three at CPH:DOX. Sales details:

The Bubble, (Valerie Blankenbyl, Switzerland, Austria)

A measured portrait of the worlds biggest retirement community, Floridas The Villages, The Bubble has confirmed its potential as one of the festivals biggest commercial plays, closing first deals with Japans NHK, Swedish public broadcaster UR and Norways youth-targeting web TV, VGTV.

Produced by Catpics, Golden Girls Filmproducktion, Swiss public network SRF and Austrian state TV ORF, The Bubble will be released in Austria by Filmladen. A theatrical release in Switzerland will take place right after Visions du Reel.

Multiple more expressions of interest, from TV and theatrical buyers, are now under discussion. Very enjoyable, but still raising important questions and issues, The Bubble is proving to be a buyers favorite, said Deckert Distributions Liselot Verbrugge, who runs its sales & acquisitions operation.

Bellum  The Daemon of War, (David Herdies, George Gotmark, Sweden, Denmark)

Cutting between three stories  of Nevada PTSD combat victim Bill Lyon, Kabul-based American war photographer Paula Bronstein, and Swedish engineer Fredrik Bruhn, whos developing hush-hush A.I. for the U.S. defense industry  Bellum  The Daemon of War weaves a devastating portrait of the impact of war and its future potential.

Lead produced by Swedens Momento Film (Hamada), a top player on Scandinavias doc scene, it will be distributed in Sweden by Folkets Bio and in Denmark by DoxBio.

Made in Copenhagen, Nordic state networks SVT, DR, NRK, and regional fund Film i Vast complete a powerful producer package. Bellum is indeed very interesting. After the premiere in Nyon this week, it raised a lot of interesting discussions, its really a conversation starter, said Verbrugge, who added that, although Deckert has just started offering it to buyers, several have let it know that they are interested and first talks are taking place.

Les Enfants terribles, (Ahmet Necdet Cupur, France, Turkey, Germany)

A searing record of a generation chasm in modern Turkey, Les Enfants terribles sees the director called home to Keskincik, the Turkish family village, to back up his younger sister Zeynep in her desire to move to nearby big city Antakya and brother Mahmut, who wants to divorce his child-marriage wife. What he witnesses  and films for his first feature  are brutal arguments between the parents and children who are worlds apart.

You should be grateful Im still letting you talk to me, her father tells Zeynap. When she invokes her right to an independent life, her mother invokes God who created me to stay at home.

Made by Frances TS Productions, Germanys Jyoti Film and Turkeys Liman Film with the support of the Sundance Documentary Film Program, Les Enfants terribles is a beautiful, claustrophobic and highly moving family story that gets under your skin, said Verbrugge. France Televisions and Al Jazeera Documentary Channel have boarded as anchor broadcasters. Verbrugge is now waiting answers on first key distribution deals.

Molecules, (Andrea Segre, Italy)

Directed by Andrea Segre and the pre-opening film at last years Venice Festival, Molecules marks an unanticipated fruit of lockdown.

In Venice to shoot a film about its two main threats  mass tourism and rising tide levels  Segre is trapped by COVID-19 lockdown. As the city empties, its fragility, wonders and inhabitants open up to Segre as he does to his memories of his dead father, Ulderico Segre, whose hometown was Venice. Mixing interviews and discovered Super-8 footage shot by Ulderico which his son never knew existed, Segre is able to reencounter the city and move closer to his own father, whom he hardly knew in life, as they effectively shoot together Molecules.

Quietly affecting, and now bound for HotDocs, Molecules this week closed a theatrical deal for Germany, Austria and Switzerland with distributor Film Kino Text.

This is great for a film that had its theatrical run in Italy right before the lockdown, and now will be back in cinemas again, Verbrugge said. As the distributor described it, its a perfect after Corona-movie because the film gives time and space to think about what happens with us in this time, she added.

Produced by Zalab Film and Rai Cinema, Molecules has also clinched first TV sales with SRF for Switzerland and Sky Arts in New Zealand.

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Superintendent Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) was in a mood this week and no wonder. Ted doesn't have to look high in the sky to see the sun setting on his career, and the hard day's long night that awaits.

Thwarted at every turn, boxed in by malignant forces, and distrusted by his superiors, our man with the blouson jacket and trusty biblical exclamations is fast running out of options.

His forced resignation is looming while his beloved AC-12 department is being trimmed and taken over by Patricia Bloody Carmichael (Anna Maxwell Martin).

Arrested: Kate Fleming and Jo Davidson are cuffed in last night's episode

In addition, despite his oft declared obsession with bent coppers, he seems no closer to unmasking H or revealing the identity of The Fourth Man (or Woman)  who may or may not be the same person or persons.

Indeed, after six entire series, Ted appears no nearer to exposing the network of corrupt police officers involved with organised crime who have thrived on his Central Police pumpkin patch like, well, pigweed.

'Sometimes you don't lose, son, you just run out of time,' he sighed to DI Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) as he left the office after another hard day's grilling. It was Acting Detective Supt Jo Davidson (Kelly Macdonald) on the hot coals this week, insisting she was not bent, while admitting to a series of actions that were so pure dead bent that it was amazing she could sit up straight.

'Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the wee donkey!' cried Ted at one point. This would have been helpful if someone was asking for the names of all key witnesses and livestock present at the Bethlehem Inn about two thousand years ago, but nobody was, so let's move on.

The interrogation scene lasted nearly 30 minutes  the longest yet in LOD history and taking up half of the entire episode.

Perhaps it was not the best in terms of intensity and suspense  but it was notable for a lovely turn of tearful, ragged regret from Acting Macdonald acting as Acting Supt Davidson; her horror at discovering the real identity of her father was awful to behold.

If she is acting acting acting acting, I will eat my police hat but I fear it is too late for Davidson to gain much audience sympathy; burner phones, planted evidence, wine bar drinks, dead mum, annoying accent? All noted, officer, but it is hard to care about her. Or her story arc.

Can anyone really be coerced so comprehensively for so long? Into a career, a lifestyle, a regrettable tweed suit? We do care about the reptilian Carmichael, though. In a roll call of grotesques who have appeared in LOD over the years, she remains one of the most repellent characters of all, with a deadly line in punctilious malevolence and a lip curl that could put Elvis to shame.

Whether putting Ted in his place or shutting down a useful line of inquiry, Carmichael always smiles with the assurance of a woman who stores venom in her dimples. With such female firepower on display, there wasn't much for Ted and Steve to do during the cross-examination.

The former only shouted at the Police Federation Rep once, while Steve's strained expression suggested that inside his silky waistcoat, his back was still giving him gyp. How did we get here? At the beginning of the episode, Davidson and DI Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) had fled the scene of PC Ryan Pilkington's (Gregory Piper) killing  but why?

Surely not just because we could then enjoy a barmy ten minutes when they Thelma and Louise-d it in a car chase while being followed by at least a dozen police cars and a helicopter.

When the pair of them barrelled down Market Street, roaring around corners like Steve McQueen in Bullitt, I had to stifle a laugh. At the end, yet another vital witness had been conveniently shot dead by force or forces unknown before he could ever point a finger or utter a word.

PC Ryan Pilkington was shot dead

It is certainly true that unwelcome elements of pantomime have surfaced in this series  but what should we expect from a show that has given so much enjoyment and is now heading for the final curtain itself? This is the penultimate episode  and next week's finale might well be the last Line Of Duty ever.

So many loose ends to tie up! Is Kate in deep undercover? Why won't Steve answer his emails from Occupational Health? DS Chris Lomax (Perry Fitzpatrick)  what the hell is he all about? Is Carmichael the real Cruella de Vil? And who or what is the missing piece in the H-shaped jigsaw?

That is the thing about Line Of Duty. It always raises more questions than it answers and the biggest one for me is this; why don't the Organised Crime Group (OCG) just get on with organising crime?

Mother of God, the wasted man hours frittered away on infiltrating the police force when they could have just been getting on with being criminal and doing criminal things. Robbing convoys, workshopping firearms, scaring grannies  whatever the hell it is they do best, why don't they just get on and do it?

I suppose the answer is that if they did, then they could not get on with the core business of Line Of Duty  tormenting Old Testament Ted. Let us pray that he is not the guilty party. As you were. Until next week.
If it wasnt the bicycle license, it could have been the lack of helmets. Or the front lights. Or the rear lights.

The viral video of Perth Amboy police officers confiscating bikes from a group of mostly Black and Hispanic teens and putting one of them in handcuffs this week renewed debate over the role police officers should play in enforcing low-level offenses like bicycle ordinances.

Some viewers saw a group of young people behaving recklessly. Others saw overreach after the officers informed them they were violating an obscure local ordinance requiring licenses for bicycles and seized four of their bikes.

Charles Brown, a professor of planning and public policy at Rutgers University, saw the same dynamic that plays out on the streets of cities around the country.

This is a classic example of the laws, the policies, the policing that is in force that arrests the mobility of black, brown and low-income people, he said in an interview.

Brown said its important for communities to teach kids how to ride safely, but that local and state laws concerning bicycle safety are unevenly enforced against people of color  and often used as a pretext to stop and interrogate them for other reasons.

Brown noted that multiple studies focused on major cities around the country found Black cyclists were disproportionately ticketed for biking-related offenses.

We can all relate to the freedom we experienced being a kid riding a bike, he said. We dont want that to escalate to the confiscation of a bicycle, the detention of a teen or, worse, the death of a teenager using a bicycle.

The videos, posted on TikTok and YouTube, show a group of teenagers riding through the streets of Perth Amboy, at a few points weaving into the wrong side of the road and riding against traffic.

Police eventually intervene, with one officer telling the group they would not be taking their bikes, but that the group would eventually need to get licenses for their bicycles. In another video, a supervisor tells police at the scene to take their bikes. One of the teens was later handcuffed.

The videos rocketed around social media the same day Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty in the murder of George Floyd, a case that sparked a national debate over police practices.

Many of the deaths of Black men during police encounters that have drawn national scrutiny began with enforcement for low-level offenses.

Floyd was suspected of passing a counterfeit $20 bill. Eric Garner was killed in 2014 by New York Police Department officers arresting him for selling loose cigarettes. Last year, sheriffs deputies in Los Angeles fatally shot Dijon Kizzee, a cyclist accused of committing a traffic violation (a gun was recovered from the scene and police and the mans family provided conflicting accounts of whether he was reaching for it when he was shot).

There remain unanswered questions about what happened outside the view of the teens cameras in Perth Amboy. How many times did police engage with the group? How many of the young people were weaving through traffic? How many were local residents bound to a licensing ordinance versus visitors from other towns?

The Middlesex County Prosecutors Office is now investigating the local departments handling of the ordeal, which was sparked by multiple calls reporting the teens riding in unsafe and reckless manners, according to a statement from Mayor Helmin Caba.

Caba said one of the teens was arrested for disorderly conduct and later released to a guardian.

Brian Higgins, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York and former New Jersey chief, said the enforcement of local ordinances  from bicycle regulations to dog-leash laws  creates a difficult balancing act (for officers) between peoples rights, their safety and the publics safety.

It really is more difficult than its been in many years because of the current climate, he said. Its valid for us to continue this conversation about how we do things. But do we not take any police action ever?

John Shjarback, an assistant professor of criminal justice at Rowan University, declined to weigh in on the Perth Amboy incident, saying there needs to be a deeper dive into what led to the encounter.

He noted that ordinances like bicycle regulations often serve legitimate public safety purposes.

Theyre all complex and debatable, and I think its naive to just say theyre a tool to keep the powerless oppressed, he said.

Still, said Shjarback, reforms are needed and local governments should be taking a hard look at how enforcement is meted out, including better data collection to tamp down racial disparities and other problems.

I feel like a lot of local politicians are flying blind with no idea (either intentionally or negligently) what their police department is doing, he said.

Alexander Shalom, a senior attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, said there needs to be serious conversations about the threshold for when police are called.

There is tremendous harm that flows from assigning police all these jobs that dont make us safer, Shalom said.

Asking them to do everything  from noise ordinances, license violations, up to policing serious crime, theyre not compatible with each other, he said.

And I think we have to pick.

Brown, who has lectured nationally on the arrested mobility of Black cyclists, said he saw the Perth Amboy incident as a missed opportunity to teach the group of young people about safety.

I think its extremely disingenuous for law enforcement to expect teenagers to know that you need licenses for your bicycle when the vast majority of New Jerseyans dont know that to be true, he said.

Law enforcement and racialized minorities need to come together to educate rather than to lead with enforcement first.

Staff writer Rodrigo Torrejon contributed to this report.

S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Armenian Americans celebrated President Joe Bidens decision to formally recognize the massacre of Armenians during World War I as genocide, but the declaration infuriated Ankara, which accused the United States of trying to rewrite history.



Biden on April 24 became the first U.S. president to use the word genocide in a formal statement, and it was issued on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the start of the massacre in 1915 as the Ottoman Empire unraveled.



The American people honor "all those Armenians who perished in the genocide that began 106 years ago today," Biden said.



"Over the decades Armenian immigrants have enriched the United States in countless ways, but they have never forgotten the tragic history," Biden said. "We honor their story. We see that pain. We affirm the history. We do this not to cast blame but to ensure that what happened is never repeated."



The White House had avoided using the term genocide for decades for fear of alienating Turkey, a NATO ally and important power in the Middle East. But Biden had promised during his presidential campaign that if elected he would take the largely symbolic step.



Hundreds of people streamed to a hilltop monument in Montebello, California, about 16 kilometers east of downtown Los Angeles, a U.S. hub of the Armenian diaspora, to mark Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.



They laid flowers at the monument and recalled relatives who died in the slaughter and deportation of as many as 1.5 million Armenians -- a Christian minority in the predominately Muslim empire.



Ankara insists the deaths were a result of civil strife rather than a planned Ottoman government effort to annihilate Armenians. Turkey also claims fewer Armenians died than has been reported.

Turkey's angry reaction put the government and most of the opposition in rare unity.



"Words cannot change or rewrite history," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted moments after Biden announced his decision. "We will not take lessons from anyone on our history."



Cavusoglu said Turkey "entirely rejects" the U.S. decision, which he said was based "solely on populism," while the opposition denounced it as a "major mistake."



A Foreign Ministry statement issued separately said: "It is clear that the said statement does not have a scholarly and legal basis, nor is it supported by any evidence."



The ministry later summoned U.S. Ambassador David Satterfield to express its displeasure, noting that Biden's decision caused "a wound in relations that is difficult to repair, the Anadolu state news agency reported.



Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was less strident in his response, sending a message to the Armenian community and patriarch of the Armenian church calling on him not to allow the culture of coexistence of Turks and Armenians...to be forgotten."



The issue has been politicized by third parties and turned into a tool of intervention against our country, Erdogan said.



Erdogan and Biden agreed during a phone call on April 23 to hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a NATO summit in June in Brussels. Biden placed the call -- his first as president to Erdogan -- in an apparent attempt to soften the blow of his decision.



Biden's message was met with "great enthusiasm" by the people of Armenia and Armenians worldwide, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian wrote in a letter to the U.S. president.



Pashinian in a post on Facebook thanked Biden for "the powerful step towards justice and invaluable support for the descendants of the Armenian genocide victims."

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
When the deal was signed to move two U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies to downtown Kansas City in 2019, it was ballyhooed by local politicians, business leaders and then-President Donald Trumps administration as a victory for the heartland.

It meant 500 new, high-paying federal jobs for the Kansas City economy, which local leaders argued were worth the $26 million in incentives over 15 years pledged by the city and state.

Then there were the optics: two major pieces of a cabinet agency  the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)  actually decamping from Washington for the Midwest, a move proponents argued would bring them closer to the farmers they serve and that Missouri Gov. Mike Parson touted as draining the swamp.

But only a little more than a third of the agencies employees agreed to move. More than a year later, roughly 200 jobs remain vacant. And as the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the attractiveness and cost-efficiency of working from home, its possible that some of the jobs promised for Kansas City may never be filled as federal workers push for long-term location flexibility.

ERS had 223 employees and 106 vacancies as of the end of March, according to a USDA spokeswoman. NIFA had 218 employees and 126 vacancies. The blank spaces in organizational charts raise questions about Kansas Citys long-term future as the home for the two agencies under President Joe Bidens new administration.

During an appearance before the House Appropriations Committee this month, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack acknowledged the need to fill the jobs. But he hinted that some of the new hires would be in Washington rather than Kansas City.

Theres an aggressive effort to fill those positions, Vilsack told lawmakers.

Were going to keep an eye on it, as the president has instructed us to do so. And certainly its in our best interest to make sure we have as diverse and inclusive a workforce as possible, Vilsack said. And Im confident that were going to get many of those positions filled, some of them will be filled in Kansas City, and some of them will be filled in Washington  in the Washington, D.C. area.

Story continues

The USDA reported in January to Port KC, the local agency that oversees its incentives, that the department had 334 full-time employees based in Kansas City between the two agencies  less than the projected number of 500 that was announced in 2019.

People are still doing multiple jobs

The two agencies hemorrhaged staff in 2019 when the move was announced. Some went into the private sector. Others transferred elsewhere within the USDA or other departments in the federal government.

Others retired.

They didnt want to pick up their stakes and leave, said Daniel Hellerstein, an agricultural economist who opted to retire from ERS rather than move. Youre going to ask your wife to give up your job, pull your kids out of school?

Hellerstein ended up returning as a part-time employee based in Washington under a program that allows the USDA to hire recent retirees in emergency situations.

The emergency in this case was the staffing shortage caused by the move.

Were not at full staffing, so we cant be at full capacity. People are still doing multiple jobs, wearing multiple hats, said Laura Dodson, a representative for the union that represents ERS employees and one of the handful allowed to remain in Washington.

Dodson said former Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, the architect of the move, overestimated the speed with which the agencies could fill the positions after the wave of departures.

Theres just not that many ag economists, she said.

At a recent town hall meeting with the employees from the two agencies, Vilsack sought to calm the waters, Dodson said.

He told them that the department had invested in Kansas City and remained committed to the location. But he also indicated he didnt see why the agency would pass up hiring qualified people in Washington, Dodson said.

What the union still wants is location flexibility, Dodson said.

Employees at the two agencies have been working from home since last year  regardless of whether theyre in Washington or Kansas City. In upcoming contract negotiations, the union will push to make that a permanent option.

I think the pandemic did show that working remotely is feasible, Hellerstein said. Ive been into my office three times in the last year.

Making working from home a permanent option would allow USDA to hire people across the country regardless of their location, but it could mean far fewer employees in Kansas City than originally expected.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, one of many local politicians who championed the move, told The Star he still expects the USDA to keep that promise.

Kansas City made a substantial pledge to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, investing significant time and resources to bring operations for the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to the Midwest and Kansas City, Lucas said.

I would expect Secretary Vilsack, a native son of the Midwest, to know how important our region is to the agencys mission and that the promised goal of 500 new jobs in Kansas City will be met.

The total annual gross pay of the employees currently in Kansas City is more than $32 million.

Kansas City has already seen a positive net benefit with the presence now, and filling more positions will grow that benefit, said Jon Stephens, president and CEO of Port KC, who noted that the incentives USDA receives are tied to the number of new jobs in the city.

Tim Cowden, president and chief executive of the Kansas City Area Development Council, which helped land the USDA agencies in Kansas City, acknowledged that many organizations are placing a greater value on workplace flexibility after the last year. But he said he remains confident about the departments long-term presence in the region.

Theres no doubt in my mind that USDA will realize the many benefits of its Kansas City location decision for years to come, he said.

Politicians point to pandemic

The relocation was generally opposed by congressional Democrats with two notable exceptions, Kansas Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids and Missouri Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, whose district houses the agencies new headquarters.

Cleaver blamed the slow pace in filling vacancies in Kansas City on the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused lockdowns around the country roughly six months after the move.

My hope is an eternal presence of the USDA, but I also know that a large number of people refused to come to Kansas City with the move from the DC metropolitan area, Cleaver said. Just as they were getting ready to possibly start hiring COVID-19 hit.

Cleaver said hes still optimistic that universities in Missouri and Kansas can become a pipeline for new hires to the agencies.

Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, also said the pandemic had hindered the agencies ability to hire new personnel.

This is NOT a Kansas City issue, nor is it a lack of a labor force. USDA in general has hiring speed issues, Marshall said in an emailed statement. We know there is some breakdown between USDAs Business Center trying to handle HR issues, the hiring process and USDAs Homeland Security Division which make onboarding a new employee take months after they have been offered the job.

Marshall called on Vilsack to address inefficiencies in the hiring process. He said that if the USDA changes telework policies, as the union is proposing, that it must still prioritize locating employees in Kansas City.

Retiring Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt said last month that keeping the federal positions in Kansas City is one of his top priorities for his final two years in office. He reiterated that message on Tuesday when asked about the vacancies.

I would hope that the former governor of Iowa would understand the cost of living advantages of being in the middle of the country as well as the advantages if youre an ag research person of being within three hours of six land grant universities. Its a great location. It was chosen because it would be a great location, Blunt said, referencing Vilsacks Iowa background.

People made decisions both ways because thats where those jobs were going to be and Im going to continue to encourage Secretary Vilsack to move to fill those jobs there.
Gal Gadot accidentally cut off the tip of her left index finger with a knife while fixing a salad in quarantine, something she revealed during Friday's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!

And the Wonder Woman star, 35, told the late-night host that her husband Yaron 'Jaron' Varsano is the reason why she could not have it reattached, and that it is now lost forever.

Gadot recalled Varsano picking up her fingertip and being 'so disgusted' that he 'threw it into the garbage disposal.'

Gory mishap: Gal Gadot revealed that she accidentally cut off the tip of a finger while chopping up a salad during quarantine with her husband and two kids

The interview started with Gadot gushing about her announcement last month that she's pregnant with her third child with her longtime partner.

Eventually, the conversation turned to how she has been holding up after more than a year of COVID-19 quarantine and lockdowns.

'You know in the early days of pandemic when you start drinking mimosa or sangria or whatever at 11am? 'So I did that, and then I decided that I'm going to make a cabbage salad because that's what one wants to do,' she said before divulging the details of her bloody mishap.

'Anyway, I started to chop the thing and I chopped the top of my finger.'

Late night revelation: The Wonder Woman star, 35, made the confession about her finger mishap, and shared all the gory details, during an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Friday.

Gone forever: The actress revealed her husband picked up the tip of the finger, and almost immediately got 'so disgusted that he threw it into the garbage disposal'

That's when her husband stepped in and picked up the tip of the finger, and almost immediately got 'so disgusted that he threw it into the garbage disposal.'

'No he did not,' Kimmel yelled back, all while the two laughed in disgust along with the studio audience.

While still chuckling, Kimmel joked: 'What!? You can't any more kids with him.'

'I know, it was too late we already hugged,' she answered, in a reference to how she explained her pregnancy to her two young daughters: Alma, nine, and Maya, four.

Jokester: After hearing how her husband threw the tip of the finger in the garbage disposal, Kimmel joked that Gadot should not have any more kids with him

Grin and bare it: The former Miss Israel reveal she did not go to the hospital because 'it was in the garbage disposal and there was nothing to sew'

Kimmel then asked whether Varsano actually turned on the garbage disposal.

'And then we were both like, "what are we doing? What are we going to say?" It was a mess. We were a mess,' she explained, all while smiling and laughing.

When the host asked Gadot if she went to the hospital afterwards, the former Miss Israel said 'no because it was in the garbage disposal and there was nothing to sew.'

Gadot also revealed that she no longer has feeling in the top of that finger, and that she is constantly touching it because shes 'waiting for it to come back.' Kimmel also shared how he too cut off the top of a finger and that he doesn't have any feeling in it.

Gadot and Varsano, who have been married for more than 12-years, have confirmed they are expecting another baby girl.

Growing family: Gadot confirmed her third pregnancy with husband Yaron 'Jaron' Varsano with this photo of the family all touching her baby bump with the caption: 'Here we go again'
Mildred Matheny hardly left the house where she lived with her sister. The 78-year-old had dementia and needed help picking out her clothes.

But on April 27, 1985, the retired nurse wandered off. Witnesses said they saw her near a Burger King, getting into an Oldsmobile with a man who claimed he was a neighbor lending her a ride home, officials say.

She was found naked on a dirt road, beaten bloody, her pink pajamas and dentures strewn nearby. She died in a hospital.

For more than 35 years, her killing in coastal South Florida went unpunished. Her son said he gave up hope, even when authorities said they were working the cold case. Then, on Friday, police said that DNA from the victim's sexual assault kit had matched with a 61-year-old man in Boynton Beach, Fla.

Richard Curtis Lange is now charged with kidnapping, rape and murder, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office announced. He was 25 at the time of the alleged crimes.

"Thirty-five years. Thirty-five years he's out there," said the victim's son Gary Matheny, 88, now retired in Monticello, Ark.

In an interview Saturday, he said he was grateful for detectives' perseverance but also mourned the decades without answers.

"Law enforcement don't know the damage he may have caused in his communities," he said of Lange.

Lange pleaded not guilty Friday and is being held without bond, court records show. His lawyer said Lange "vehemently denies" the allegations against him.

"We look forward to aggressively challenging the forensic evidence attributed to Mr. Lange," attorney Scott Skier said in a statement. "Nothing in Mr. Lange's past indicates a propensity for such abhorrent behavior."

This week's breakthrough stemmed from a male DNA profile recovered from the victim's vaginal swabs, the sheriff's office said. In March, a forensic scientist entered that profile into a national DNA database called the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), drawing on "the recent emergence of DNA processing technology" at their crime lab's disposal, the agency said.

Investigators got a warrant to take a direct DNA sample from Lange at his home Thursday, the sheriff's office said in a statement, and that sample quickly confirmed their match.

"Lange denied knowing or having any involvement in the murder of the victim," the agency said.

It was one of many old investigations to leap forward with new genetic analysis - though police departments have sometimes struggled to ensure that evidence in long-buried, dead-end cases gets the benefit of modern technology.

The deadliest serial killer in U.S. history, Samuel Little, was locked away for life after decades of murders thanks to DNA hits. Police say they found the infamous "Golden State Killer" and many others through a relatively new technique called "genetic genealogy," which compares crime scene DNA against potential relatives of the suspect in online databases more commonly used for family tree research.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office did not respond to questions Saturday about their work on Matheny's killing and other cold cases.

Lange has been arrested multiple times over the years, according to county and Florida records, charged with offenses including aggravated assault. Most recently in Palm Beach County, in 2012, he was convicted of carrying a concealed firearm; possessing marijuana with intent to sell; and being a felon in possession of ammunition.

Skier, his attorney, said that given "Mr. Lange's age, health and scant criminal history, we will argue that he should be released to home detention" ahead of a trial.

Gary Matheny hopes to attend.

"It is a terrible crime, and you cannot extract out of him what he put my mother through," he said. "I mean, the law don't allow that."

His mother was a "wonderful little lady," he said - articulate, talented and thrifty. He laughed, remembering the eighth-grade shirts she made him out of sacks that had held hog feed.

"She could cut 'em up and make me a shirt as good as any shirt you could ever buy," he said.

Mildred Matheny was born in Arkansas not far from where her son lives now. Her mother raised her and five other children alone after her father died of a heart attack, Gary Matheny said - "back in the day when there's no Red Cross and no Medicare, no Medicaid, no nothing."

Mildred worked for more than 40 years as a psychiatric nurse at a mental institution in Little Rock, according to her son. She cared for her brother when his mental state began to deteriorate, and then faced struggles of her own in her 70s, he said. So she went to live with her sister in Lake Worth, Fla.

Gary Matheny remembers rushing down to Florida after his mother was attacked. When he went to see her in the hospital, he said, she was "black and blue" - beaten in the head with a blunt object, according to authorities. She died within days.

Her son said he cannot wrap his head around the idea that a 25-year-old would assault a 78-year-old woman. The crime still confounds him.

But now, at least, he has a name.

"That book is closed," he marveled Saturday. "It's really closed."
Investors are increasingly acknowledging the importance of making investments in mutual funds for meeting financial goals both long term and short term, Kaustubh Belapurkar, Director Manager Research, Morningstar India said

According to the data, the number of folios with 43 fund houses rose to 9,78,65,529 at the end of March 2021 from 8,97,46,051 in March 2020

The mutual fund industry added more than 81 lakh investor accounts in 2020-21, taking the total tally to 9.78 crore, and experts hope that the healthy growth in folios would continue in the ongoing fiscal also.

The industry had added 72.89 lakh investor accounts in 2019-20, according to data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India.

Investors are increasingly acknowledging the importance of making investments in mutual funds for meeting financial goals both long term and short term, Kaustubh Belapurkar, Director Manager Research, Morningstar India said.

"The awareness about investing in mutual funds has been on the rise over the last many years with the investor awareness programmes, ground work done by mutual funds, financial advisors and distributors in educating and shepherding investors through their investing journey," he added.

Folios are numbers designated to individual investor accounts. An investor can have multiple folios.

According to the data, the number of folios with 43 fund houses rose to 9,78,65,529 at the end of March 2021 from 8,97,46,051 in March 2020, registering a gain of 81.19 lakh folios.

The mutual fund space saw an addition of 1.13 crore investors account in 2018-19, 1.6 crore accounts in 2017-18, over 67 lakh folios in 2016-17 and 59 lakh in 2015-16.

Prateek Mehta, co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Scripbox, said there are a number of reason owing to the folios growth, and some of the significant ones are due to the surge in digitisation driven by proliferation of technology, financialisation of savings and ease of transactions.

In addition, there is a clear migration from real estate and gold to financial products. Improved offerings and larger distribution networks have also accelerated adoption, he added.

Investor account in equity oriented schemes surged by 24.3 lakh to 6.68 crore at the end of past fiscal from 6.44 crore in March 2020. Besides, debt-oriented scheme folios count rose by 16.16 lakh to 88.4 lakh.

Within the debt category, liquid funds continued to top the chart in terms of number of folios at 22.3 lakh, followed by low duration fund at 12.26 lakh and corporate bond at 7.13 lakh.

The mutual fund industry had assets under management (AUM) of Rs 31.43 lakh crore at the end of March compared to Rs 22.26 lakh crore in March 2020.

"We expect the healthy growth in folios to continue in the coming years as newer investors continue to start their investing journey by investing in Mutual funds," Morningstar India's Belapurkar said.

He, further, said that the growth should come from not just the larger cities, but increasingly from the smaller B-30 cities.

Harshad Chetanwala, co-founder Mywealthgrowth.com, said mutual fund industry should do well this year too, as mutual funds continue to be one of the best options to invest across asset classes for every segment of investors.

"There is potential for mutual fund industry to reach out to wider investor base despite of the growth in last few years. There are 9.78 crore folios at present and if we consider an average of 3 or 4 folios per investor, there are just 2.5 crore to 3.25 crore unique investors in mutual funds," he said.

He, further, said that market conditions will be playing an important role in the growth of the industry as investors will try to chip in more during volatile market conditions.

Also as things get settle down after current Covid crisis, personal finance and savings of many investors will get back on track again, this will also help the industry, he added.

Gautam Kalia, Head - Investment Solutions, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, said the industry is reaping the benefits of greater retail investor understanding and participation. As more people understand and realise the power of long term wealth creation through mutual funds, this business shall only continue to grow.

"While there certainly are risks that can impede this growth (regulatory changes, downturn in market, escalation in the pandemic, etc) in the short term," he added.

Also read: Support pours in from countries amid India's devastating second COVID-19 wave

Also read: COVID-19 second wave: Ladakh makes RT-PCR test mandatory for passengers at Leh airport
Arizona News

Tucson, Arizona - U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol agents collaborated with Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office (SCCSO) deputies to identify, arrest and charge the suspected rapist of a fellow migrant.

Border Patrol agents from the Nogales Station encountered a migrant east of Amado, Arizona, on the afternoon of April 14. During processing, the migrant told agents she was robbed and raped by a man previously traveling with her group. Agents contacted SCCSO, whose deputies interviewed the victim. With a description of her attacker, an all-points bulletin, or BOLO, was issued for the suspect.

In a separate incident the following morning, Border Patrol agents responded to a concerned citizen report of suspected illegal activity near the entrance to the observatory on Mt. Hopkins Road near Amado. Agents encountered a subject in the area and discovered he was in the country illegally. During processing, Nogales Station agents determined the subject matched the physical description of the rape suspect in the BOLO. While searching the subjects property, they found he was in possession of the victims personal effects.

This arrest exemplifies how Border Patrol and local law enforcement partners collaborate to ensure peoples safety and serve justice, said Nogales Station Interim Patrol Agent in Charge Alexander Blais.

SCCSO detectives responded to the Nogales Station to interview the victim, who was able to identify her attacker. The suspect was turned over to SCCSO for prosecution.
With Covid-related deaths mounting amidst a healthcare system stretched beyond its limit, the today extended the ongoing curfew by a week. The restrictions that were imposed on April 20 will now remain in place at least till 5 am on May 3.

The situation had worsened, which is why we started a six-day lockdown last week. It is scheduled to end tomorrow. But the infections are continuing to rise. In view of this, everybody agrees that we need to extend the restrictions to curb the spread further, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.

Since the curfew was imposed, while the number of reported cases has come down marginally, the number of deaths have increased. From 28,395 new Covid cases on April 20, the national capital registered 24,103 cases yesterday (April 24), but the daily death toll surged from 277 to 357, the highest ever recorded. Recent data suggests that the positivity rate has increased to 36 per cent from 25 per cent two weeks ago. An acute shortage of oxygen and hospital beds have caused the situation in Delhi to deteriorate further.

The extension of the curfew is, however, expected to take a heavy toll on retailers. According to Kumar Rajagopalan, chief executive of Retailers Association of India (RAI), a total ban on delivery of non-essential goods is causing havoc. This is now making it impossible for retailers to survive as they are unable to meet even their fixed expenses, he said.

According to RAI, various restrictions and localised lockdowns in metros across India are costing the retail industry 50 per cent of its overall business.

Estimates suggest the closure of all retail hubs for a week caused a loss of Rs 2,000 crore to Delhis retail business. As the curfew now gets extended, we are again staring at last years downward cycle, said Sanjiv Mehra, president of Khan Market Traders Association. Like last year, the retailers are now getting into the trap of overdue rent payment and payment to their staff. With all shops shut, the prime central Delhi market has already lost its entire business in the past few days.

While traders in Delhi have been in favour of extending the curfew, retailers argue that all delivery services should have been allowed so that they could recover some part of their costs. The government has so far allowed only essential deliveries through e-commerce in the capital. RAI has demanded that non-essential goods and offline retailers should also be included in the exemption list. Traders are, after all, voluntarily keeping their shops and markets shut, Mehra said.

To recover from this loss, retailers will need economic support from the government, said Rajagopalan. We would require some support in the form of rent or tax waiver in the coming days.



Traders bodies such as the Confederation of All India Traders have, however, appreciated the governments move to extend the curfew, which they believe will help break the chain of infection.

According to Bharat Ajuha, president of Delhi Electrical Traders Association at Chandni Chowk, traders at the largest electrical hub in North India were anyway prepared to keep their market shut for another week. Loss of lives is the most important issue at the moment that needs to be addressed, he said. We are taking all measures to help and support the workforce so that their loss of livelihood can be minimised.




New Delhi: India on Saturday (April 24, 2021) became the fastest country to give 14 crore coronavirus vaccine doses, a feat achieved on the 99th day of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive.

The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered across the country stands at 14,08,02,794, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's provisional report at 8 pm on Saturday.

These include 92.89 lakh Healthcare Workers (HCWs) who have taken the 1st dose and 59.94 lakh HCWs who have taken the 2nd dose. Over 1.19 crore Frontline Workers (FLWs) have also taken the 1st dose and 62.77 lakh FLWs have taken the 2nd vaccine shot.

Around 4.76 crore people aged between 45-60 have taken the first shot, whereas, 23.22 lakh people of the same age group have taken the second dose.

4.96 crore people above 60 years have also taken the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 77.02 lakh have taken the second shot.

Phase-I of the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination drive was launched on January 16, 2021, which prioritized the protection of the health care workers and front line workers.

Subsequently, phase-II was initiated from March 1 and April 1, which focused on protecting the most vulnerable, ie, everyone above 45 years of age.

Phase-III, scheduled to begin from May 1, will witness everyone above the age of 18 getting the vaccine against COVID-19.

In India, the Emergency Use Authorisation has so far been granted to two indigenously manufactured vaccines - COVISHEILD of Serum Institute of India and COVAXIN of Bharat Biotech, On the other hand, a third vaccine, Sputnik, which is presently manufactured abroad, will eventually be manufactured in India.



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A trailer released earlier this month confirms that Universal is sticking with the June 25 release date for Fast 9 . So, while movie fans and gearheads alike are finding alternative ways to deal with the still-long wait, heres another piece of good news: a Michelle Rodriguez-centric spinoff is already in the works. Michelle Rodriguez plays Letty Ortiz in the Fast franchise, and shes been a central female figure from day one. With the latest installments, her character got even more depth and screentime, but it will be nothing compared to her own movie, which, yes, is called Letty.At least, thats what one inside source tells Giant Freakin Robot . Production on Letty will use the momentum from Fast 9, but for the time being, theres no estimated start date for it, much less a possible release date. The insider notes that the script is handled by Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Captain Marvel) and Lindsey Beer (The Kingkiller Chronicle), while Vin Diesel serves as producer.This is very much in keeping with what Diesel himself was saying in February 2020, when he and the Fast 9 cast were just starting to promote the film. Back then, he confirmed the existence of plans for the all-female spinoff and the fact that the script was completed. Neither he nor Michelle would go into details, but Michelle was clearly psyched about the idea of offering the female fixtures from the FF universe more room to tell their stories.After Fast 9, Universal will do two more movies from the main series, before it wraps up. This means that spinoffs are the best way to keep the highly engaging and highly lucrative universe going.
Israeli police and Palestinians clashed outside Jerusalem's Old City walls overnight into Sunday as tensions flared during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed for 'calm on all sides'.

But the premier also warned that Israel remains 'prepared for all scenarios' after dozens of rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, prompting Israeli retaliatory air strikes.

Thirty-six rockets were launched overnight Friday, the Israeli army said, the most in a single night this year, after Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas voiced support for the east Jerusalem protests.

Israeli police and Palestinians scuffled outside Jerusalem's Old City walls overnight into Sunday as tensions flared during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed for calm

Netanyahu made the remarks after attending an emergency security meeting with senior officials, including army chief Aviv Kohavi, hours after Israeli warplanes struck Gaza early Saturday and a second night of clashes between Palestinians and police in Jerusalem.

'First of all we want to ensure that law and order are respected... now we demand compliance with the law and I call for calm on all sides,' Netanyahu said in a statement after the security talks.

The clashes on Saturday evening were less severe than on previous days, according to an AFP journalist at the scene.

Six Palestinians were injured, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.

After Netanyahu's comments, the Israeli army said it intercepted another rocket launched from the Gaza Strip on Saturday evening.

There have been nightly disturbances since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on April 13, amid Palestinian anger over police blocking off access to the promenade around the walls of the Old City and a ban on gatherings.

Hundreds of police officers in riot gear deployed around the Old City after nightly clashes spilled into the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank

Pictured: Palestinians chant slogans as they burn tires during a rally in support of demonstrators in Jerusalem on April 24, 2021

Some Palestinians threw stones and bottles as police on horseback dispersed the crowds, though the violence appeared less intense than on previous nights

A series of videos posted online have also shown young Arabs attacking ultra-Orthodox Jews, and Jewish extremists taking to the streets to bully Arabs.

A march into the heart of Arab east Jerusalem by hundreds of supporters of far-right Jewish nationalist group Lehava added fuel to the fire.

At least 125 people were injured Thursday when Palestinian protesters, angered by chants of 'death to Arabs' from far-right Jewish demonstrators, clashed repeatedly with police.

Skirmishes broke out again on Friday when tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers left Jerusalem's revered Al-Aqsa mosque after night prayers and found themselves confronted by dozens of armed police, some on horseback.

Protesters hurled water bottles at police, who fired stun grenades to disperse them.

The violence was the worst in years between Israeli police and Palestinians in the disputed Holy City.

Protests spread to several cities in the West Bank and along the Israel-Gaza border. The Israeli military said it dispersed hundreds of Palestinians, some throwing rocks and burning tyres

Clashes and violent incidents have occurred almost nightly in Jerusalem - a city holy to Muslims, Christians and Jews - since the start of Ramadan on April 13

Pictured: Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian protester during clashes in Jerusalem's Old City on April 24, 2021

'We uphold freedom of religion... for all residents and visitors of Jerusalem,' Netanyahu said.

Expressions of concern and calls for restraint have come from the European Union, United Nations and other countries.

The United States, which has taken a more even-handed approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since President Joe Biden took office in January urged 'calm and unity'.

'The rhetoric of extremist protesters chanting hateful and violent slogans must be firmly rejected,' State Department spokesman Ned Price tweeted.

Hundreds of Palestinians also rallied Friday at the Qalandiya checkpoint between Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, police said.

In the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Palestinians threw stones and petrol bombs towards the tomb of biblical matriarch Rachel, a shrine venerated by Jews and Muslims.

The protests centre on Damascus Gate in the Old City's walls - and have flared in recent days as thousands pour out of the historic gateway after leaving the nearby Al-Aqsa Mosque following Ramadan nightly prayers

A member of the Israeli security forces bleeds from his mouth during clashes with Palestinian demonstrators in Jerusalem's Old City on April 24, 2021

Palestinians say police have tried to prevent them from holding their usual Ramadan evening gatherings outside the gate, where metal barriers have been put up in its amphitheatre-style plaza. Israelis have been angered by videos on social media showing Palestinians assaulting religious Jews in the city. Pictured: Officer points a stun gun at protesters

Jerusalem mayor Moshe Lion told public radio he was in talks with Palestinian community leaders in east Jerusalem 'to end this pointless violence' and that he had tried to cancel Thursday's far-right march.

The office of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas condemned 'the growing incitement by extremist far-right Israeli settler groups advocating for the killing of Arabs'.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi condemned 'racist attacks' by Israelis against Palestinians in east Jerusalem, and called for 'international action to protect them'.

'Jerusalem is a red line and touching it, is playing with fire,' he warned.

Israel's arch-enemy Iran also weighed in, with foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh praising Palestinian 'resistance' and condemning what he called the 'Zionists' savage actions'.

UN special coordinator for Middle East peace Tor Wennesland, urged all sides to 'exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation', adding 'the provocative acts across Jerusalem must cease'.

Pictured: Palestinians step on posters depicting Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an anti-Israel protest over tension in Jerusalem, in the southern Gaza Strip, April 24

Violence spilled over to Gaza overnight between Friday and Saturday, when Palestinian militants fired 36 rockets at Israel soon after Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas and other armed groups issued a joint call for Palestinian resistance in Jerusalem

An Israeli soldier escorts a Palestinian woman to safety as Palestinian youth clash with Israeli security forces in the city center of the occupied West Bank town of Hebron on April 24, 2021

Hamas's military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, voiced support for the east Jerusalem protesters.

'The spark you light today will be the wick of the explosion to come in the face of the enemy,' it said in a statement.

An alliance of Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas and its smaller ally Islamic Jihad, issued a statement warning we 'cannot remain silent' in the face of the violence.

Militants in Gaza fired a first salvo of three rockets at Israel shortly before midnight (2100 GMT) Friday, the military said.

Israeli tanks shelled Gaza in response and launched air strikes on the blockaded coastal enclave controlled by the Muslim militant group Hamas after more rockets were fired.

Defence Minister Benny Gantz said the army 'was ready for the possibility of escalation'.

The Israeli army said the 36 rockets fired at Israel were intercepted or hit open ground.

It said the air strikes, involving fighter jets and attack helicopters, struck Hamas military targets as well as underground infrastructure and rocket launchers.

'Concerning the Gaza Strip, I gave instructions that we be prepared for all scenarios,' Netanyahu said.
A retired NYPD police officer was shot by a stray bullet leaving a Brooklyn party on Saturday amid a massive spike in shootings in New York City.

Police sources told the New York Post that the unnamed ex-officer, 30, was leaving a party in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn around 11.30pm when she heard gunshots and realized she had been hit in the stomach by a stray bullet.

The shooting is believed to have broken out after a group of men were turned away from the party, which was being held at an events space called The View on top of a Tesla dealership.

They got angry and started fighting nearby before the shooting, the New York Daily News reported. Nobody else was hit by the gunfire and there have been no arrests.

A retired NYPD police officer was shot by a stray bullet leaving a Brooklyn party on Saturday amid a massive spike in shootings in New York City

The party was held in an event space called The View Rooftop above a Tesla dealership

Policy identify evidence at the scene where the former police officer was shot in Brooklyn

The party had turned away a group of men who got angry and started fighting nearby before the shooting

Cups are placed on the sidewalk, which is typically an indication that bullet casings have been found

People are seen outside the scene of a shooting in Brooklyn over the weekend

The shooting happened at a party at a building on Van Brunt street and Summit Street

The former cop was one of 15 people who were shot in 14 separate incidents in the Big Apple on Saturday

Police said that about six shell casings were spread all over the sidewalk

Police said the woman was rushed to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital where she is expected to recover. She had left the NYPD in 2019 after seven years on the job.

'She just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and took a slug in the stomach,' a source told the New York Post.

The former cop was one of 15 people who were shot in 14 separate incidents in the Big Apple on Saturday, the New York Post reported. Only one person was shot on April 24, 2020 during the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic.

NYPD data shows that there were 210 shootings with 238 people injured from January 1 to April 24, 2020. Over the same period in 2021, there have been 372 shootings with 410 people who have been injured - marking a 77 percent increase.

Just before the woman was shot, a teen was killed by gunfire in the Bronx borough of New York City, the New York Daily News reported.

Jameik Bishop, 18, was shot in the face, chest and right shoulder outside of his home in the Wakefield neighborhood of the Bronx around 11pm on Saturday.

He was taken to Jacobi Medical Center where he died of his injuries.

Police believe Bishop has ties to a gang called the 20/30 Group which may have led to his death. He had been arrested 16 times previously for charges including assault, menacing and robbery, the outlet reported.

The NYPD praised one off-duty officer on Sunday who had come across another shooting victim in the Bronx.

Videos show police responding to another shooting in New York City this weekend in Harlem

Videos show police responding to another shooting in New York City this weekend in Harlem

Justin Sampath, an NYPD officer and U.S. Army veteran, found a shooting victim lying in the street on Webster Avenue.

'Without hesitation he sprang into action using his personal vehicle to shield the victim as he applied Quick Clot to his wound, saving his life,' the NYPD tweeted.

The victims in other shootings across the city this weekend range in age between 18 and 33, police told WNBC.

'Any shooting in our city is one too many, and we're determined to bring an end to gun violence in our city,' a spokesperson for Mayor Bill de Blasio told the outlet on Sunday.

On Friday, a woman was found dead in her bathtub covered in blood in Manhattan after she was shot in the head, the New York Daily News reported.

On Friday, a woman was found dead in her bathtub covered in blood in Manhattan after she was shot in the head. Ramona Rodriguez-Reynoso, 50, was pronounced dead inside her sixth-floor apartment around 10pm

Police are searching for boyfriend of Manhattan woman, 50, found dead in her bathtub with gunshot wound to the head

Justin Sampath, an NYPD officer and U.S. Army veteran, found a shooting victim lying in the street on Webster Avenue this weekend

Ramona Rodriguez-Reynoso, 50, was pronounced dead inside her sixth-floor apartment around 10pm while cops are looking to question her longtime boyfriend, police told the outlet.

Her bathtub was filled with blood and her head wound 'was so severe that cops first thought she was attacked with a machete,' the outlet reported, citing police sources.



Neighbors told the outlet that they heard screaming before cops showed up.

Ines Benitez, 36, said: 'I heard some screaming, not from her. It was a woman screaming really loud, that's why I knew something was wrong.'

German Reynoso, 57, was identified by police as Rodriguez-Reynoso's boyfriend and cops were distributing wanted posters with his picture on Saturday.

On Tuesday, Mayor de Blasio announced a new Safe Summer NYC initiative, which he branded 'a comprehensive plan to end gun violence and bring New York City back from the COVID-19 crisis.'

'Safe Summer NYC will deter gun violence with real consequences for picking up a firearm and create disincentives to turning to a life of crime by providing real, positive alternatives for young people,' a press release reads.

'With a focus on the Community, Cops, and Courts & Justice System, the plan has three distinct components: increased investment in communities, strategic police presence in targeted areas, and greater coordination across the justice system.'

The plan includes a number of policing initiatives, including moving 200 police officers from administrative posts to enhance patrols in key areas and target gangs and crews 'with a focus on the 100 blocks with the highest rates of gun violence.'

The NYPD will also strengthen its partnerships with federal agencies to rapidly trace firearms used in crimes in the city and launch a gun buyback advertising campaign.

City Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers said: 'No one wants to see last summer repeat itself.'

'This plan is a step in the right direction to prevent gun violence in our streets.'
Getting registered on the CoWIN web portal and taking an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccine jab would be mandatory for those aged between 18 and 45 years as walk-ins will not be allowed initially, official sources said on Sunday.

Those above 45 years can still avail the facility of on-site registration to get vaccinated, they said.

As India witnesses a sudden surge in cases, it has decided to allow everyone above18 years of age to get vaccinated from May 1.

"An increased demand is expected once the vaccination is opened for all. For the purpose of crowd control, registering on CoWIN portal and making an appointment to get a vaccine will be mandatory for those aged between 18 and 45 years. Walks-in will not be allowed in the beginning so that there is no chaos," an official said.

Registration for vaccination for all those aged above 18 will begin on the CoWIN platform and Aarogya Setu App from April28. The inoculation process and documents to be provided to get the jab remains the same.

From May 1, the present system of private COVID-19 vaccination centres receiving doses from the government and charging up to Rs 250 per dose from people will cease to exist and private hospitals will procure directly from vaccine manufacturers.

According to the Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy,COVID-19 vaccination will continue to be free for eligible population groups comprising healthcare workers, frontline workers and population above 45 years of age in government vaccination centres that receive doses from the Centre.

Vaccine manufacturers would make an advance declaration of the price for 50 per cent supply that would be available to state governments in the open market before May 1. Based on this price, states, private hospitals, industrial establishments may procure vaccine doses from manufacturers.

Private hospitals would have to procure their supplies of COVID-19 vaccine exclusively from the 50 per cent supply earmarked, other than the Government of India channel.

"While the Centre has liberalised the vaccination policy, it does not mean that vaccines will be sold in pharmacists or chemist shops in the open market," Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had clarified on Wednesday.

The price charged for vaccination by private hospitals would be monitored, he said, adding "The present dispensation where private COVID vaccination centres receive doses from the government and can charge up to Rs 250 per dose will cease to exist."



Vaccine manufacturers would supply 50 per cent of their monthly Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) released doses to the Centre and and would be free to supply the rest to state governments.

All immunisations will be part of the Vaccination Programme, will be captured on CoWIN platform along with stocks and price per vaccination applicable in all vaccination centres, will comply with adverse event following immunization management and reporting, and all other prescribed norms.

(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.)
GEORGETOWN COUNTY  Leona Bonds was born and raised in Georgetown. She's seen the way the schools in this town have changed over the decades, first as a student and now as a science teacher at Georgetown High School.

Bonds attended Browns Ferry Elementary School in the early 1980s, where she was surrounded by other Black children and teachers.

It was not until she transferred to JB Beck Middle School for her final semester of eighth grade that she had classes with and was being taught by non-Black people for the first time.

Coming from a school where I had all Black classmates, it was just us, then I transferred into a school that had a mixed race school student population, it was just a really big struggle from about the second portion of my eighth grade year to my whole ninth grade year, Bonds said.

Many studies over the years back up Bonds experience, with one study from 2019 saying cultural fits between students and teachers can potentially improve a students academic and extracurricular performance in school. Additionally, another study from 2017 says when students are exposed to teachers who look like them are unnecessarily disciplined less.

According to Doug Jenkins, executive director for human resources for GCSD, 22 percent of teachers in the district are minority, non-white teachers. Comparatively, 52 percent of students in the district are minority, non-white students, making for a 30 percent gap in demographic makeup between the two.

Jenkins said 30 percent of the districts teacher hires this year were minorities, while South Carolinas minority teacher recruitment this year was 23 percent, according to the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement. This puts GCSD above average compared to other schools in the state.

Vanessa Dease, a Black honors math teacher at Georgetown Middle School, also grew up in Georgetown County schools. She echoed the same experiences as Bonds about going to a predominantly Black elementary school and being shocked by the transition into middle and high school where she was suddenly not among the majority.

It's not that she felt misunderstood by her White teachers, because many she really loved and learned a lot from, but Dease felt the added weight of the racial gap between herself and her teachers.

"I think some of the issue lied in (having) someone who can just relate on the level of being Black," Dease said.

It is a strange thing, Dease said, to be teaching predominantly White students at her school while she herself lacked the shared life experience with her teachers at the same age. Because of this, Dease has concerns specifically about the next generation of teachers.

"I don't see people going into the field. ... I hate to be the one to say it, but these (minority) kids aren't going to want to teach because they don't see a lot of (themselves) so they don't think they've got jobs for them," Dease said.

Senior lecturer of sociology at Coastal Carolina University Stephanie Southworth agreed with Dease, unless students see themselves in their teachers, they aren't going to think teaching is a career field they can thrive in.

While Southworth said the districts number of minority teachers seemed fairly high to her, she continued to emphasize the importance of not only minority students seeing themselves in their teachers, but White students being exposed to diversity as young and as often as possible.

When you see diversity in your role models, it opens up minds to having less bias, Southworth said.

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Georgetown High Schools minority teacher makeup, specifically, is 18 percent, while its non-white student makeup is 56 percent. Bonds said the districts and her school's percentages did not surprise her, and compared them to her experiences as a young Black student in the district in the '80s and '90s.

The adjustment to being in classrooms with children who did not look like her, Bonds said, and being among the minority rather than the majority, affected her grades and mental health.

"I went through a slight period of feeling inferior because of my race, until I realized that I wasn't, I was just as smart as the others in the class," Bonds said.

When she got to Georgetown High School, Bonds honors classes were predominantly White despite the overall population being predominantly Black, she said. Her honors classes were taught by mostly White teachers as well, and looking back shes not sure if that really made an impact on her or not. At that point, she said she was just focused on making sure her Gullah Geechee dialect wasnt too strong, so shed fit in.

As a Black honors teacher teaching predominantly White students, Dease sees the struggle Bonds described in her minority students every day. Dease said that she doesn't like teaching honors classes now because when she taught non-honors classes, her classroom was more diverse.

She sees the disparities in her class' racial makeups now as an honors teacher, and knows that her White students are already going to have a leg up on her minority students as they enter high school.

Dease also said the jarring nature of being younger and suddenly having mostly White teachers impacted her in a two-pronged way: while it was difficult to not see people who looked like her, it set her up to become used to that in her everyday life.

"It has its pros with me being ready to see that we are a minority, but it also had its con that I didn't have someone who I thought understood me as much as they could have," Dease said.

Jenkins said the district tries to attend teacher recruitment fairs for in-state historically Black colleges and universities, but said that minority recruitment can be tough as many schools are looking for minority teachers. He also said the pandemic has made recruitment more difficult, as there are fewer recruitment fairs and the ones that still happen are virtual.

Minority recruitment is a priority for the school district. We want positive role models for all our students. Education is always enriched and enhanced through a culturally diverse staff, Jenkins said. I, along with the HR staff, feel our school district has unique opportunities and provides layers of support for all our employees. We will continue to try and hire the best and most qualified candidates to serve the needs of all our students."

Dease said she will be leaving Georgetown County School District at the end of the year. She grew up in Plantersville and went to Coastal Carolina University, so while she is ready and eager for a change in scenery, she has grave concerns about the recruitment and retention of minority teachers in the district and how that will, in turn, impact minority students.

"The community tries, I'm not going to ever say they don't try, because I am from here and we have people here who are strong advocates for our kids, myself included, but I feel as though some people don't realize I'm under-supported or the pay is horrible or I've got nowhere to stay," Dease said.

"I really don't know what (the district) could do (to recruit and retain more minority teachers), but I think the issue is deeper than just them, I think it's happening all over."
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ALBANY  Under new legislation introduced in the state Senate, police officers from other states who resigned or were fired due to misconduct allegations would be barred from working in law enforcement in New York  an expansion of the existing law which bans New York police officers from taking other jobs in the state if fired for misconduct.

The bill was introduced by state Sen. Brian Benjamin, a Harlem Democrat, as a response to the fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright in a suburb of Minneapolis earlier this month. The police officer who killed Wright, Kim Potter, resigned her position while facing criminal charges. Under current New York law, a police officer within the state facing those circumstances would be unable to find work in other police departments, but an officer like Potter could come into New York from another state and be eligible for a law enforcement job.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 25)  The Philippines conducted maritime exercises in the disputed West Philippine Sea, two days after the government fired twin diplomatic protests over the continued presence of Chinese vessels.

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources began their "intensified" maritime training.

In a statement, the PCG said eight capital ships of the national government have been deployed for the maritime exercises in Bajo De Masinloc and Pag-asa Island.

The exercises cover navigation, small boat operations, maintenance, and logistical operations.

Lawyers, medical workers, and maritime specialists are also on board the vessels, the PCG said.

The vessels would also be used to perform maritime drills in the Batanes Group of Islands, Benham Rise, as well as in the southern and eastern portions of the Philippines.

"We are supporting the whole-of-nation approach in securing our maritime jurisdiction, especially the efforts of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea to undertake maritime security, maritime safety, maritime law enforcement, maritime search and rescue, and marine environmental protection roles in our country's waters," PCG spokesperson Commodore Armando Balilo said.

READ: PH fires twin diplomatic protests over Chinese vessels' lingering presence in West PH Sea

Last Friday, the Foreign Affairs Department filed two diplomatic protests amid China's refusal to remove its vessels in the country's maritime zones.

The DFA said that as of April 20, 160 Chinese fishing vessels and maritime militia have been spotted by law enforcement agencies in Philippine waters.

"The presence of these vessels blatantly infringe upon Philippine sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction," the DFA said in a statement.
New Delhi: In another huge spike in a single day, India registered 3,49,691 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, pushing the caseload to over 1.69 crore.

As per the Union Ministry of Health data on Sunday (April 25), 2,767 deaths and 2,17,113 discharges were recorded in the last 24 hours. The death toll and total recoveries now stand at 1,92,311 and 1,40,85,110, respectively. Meanwhile, the active count has mounted to 26,82,751, while the total tally has reached 1,69,60,172 in the country, the data stated.

Breaking all records, this is the highest single-day spike so far. As per Saturday figures, India had recorded 3.46 lakh COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours that took the country's total caseload to over 1.66 crore. India remains the second-worst coronavirus-hit country in the world after the United States.

Commenting on the deteriorating COVID-19 situation, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had said that this current crisis is a 'devastating reminder' of what the virus can do. He had also said that WHO is 'deeply concerned' about the increasing number of coronavirus cases and deaths in India right now.

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SPRINGFIELD  Members of an Illinois Senate committee sparred with officials from Gov. JB Pritzkers administration Friday in a hearing on tax changes proposed by the governor in an effort to balance the states budget for the 2022 fiscal year.

The Senate Revenue and Appropriations committees held the joint hearing, questioning the directors of the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Governors Office of Management and Budget among others.

In his budget proposal released in February, Pritzker outlined nine changes to the corporate tax code meant to generate $932 million in revenue for the state in order to maintain a balanced budget while keeping income taxes and government spending flat for FY 22, which begins July 1.

The governors budget proposal is a reasonable and balanced one, IDOR Director David Harris told lawmakers. Were it to be enacted as (Gov. Pritzker) proposed, there would be a $120 million surplus at the end of FY 22 by estimate.

The largest change in terms of building revenue would be a cap on how much corporations can deduct from their taxes based on their losses in a given year. Under current tax law a corporation can take their net operating loss and reduce how much of their income is taxable in future years by that amount.

Pritzkers proposal would cap this deduction to $100,000 annually for the next three years, which IDOR estimated would save the state $314 million in FY 22.

Harris told lawmakers that the states 2,800 corporate taxpayers deducted $6.4 billion in net operating losses from their taxes in 2018. Just 84 of those corporate taxpayers that year accounted for $3.5 billion in operating losses.

My point there is the biggest percentage of (net operating losses) are enjoyed by a very small number and that means that the overwhelming majority of corporations are not going to be impacted by this, he said.

While the Pritzker administration has referred to the changes as closing corporate tax loopholes, three of the nine tax codes being removed or amended as part of the proposed budget were put into place by Pritzker as part of budget negotiations with state Republicans in 2019.

A phased repeal of the corporate franchise tax, an addition to what properties qualify for the states machinery and equipment sales tax exemption, and a tax deduction for creating new construction jobs in the state were added to the budget proposal put forth by Pritzker in 2019 to secure Republican support.

All three provisions would be delayed or removed in the governors plan in order to generate approximately $102 million in savings for FY 22

That third provision, branded as the Blue Collar Jobs Act, was meant to go into effect Jan. 2021. At the time of its passage, the bill was touted by both Pritzker and Republicans as a tax credit that would bring more jobs and businesses to Illinois.

However, the construction worker tax credit had its implementation delayed by Pritzker, who cited losses in tax revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, questioned Sturm, the governors budget director, on why a program passed with bipartisan support needed to be cut if the state expected a surplus.

Here we are at the end of COVID with Illinois as one of the top states in the nation for unemployment, people desperately needing work, he said. Why on earth did the administration did Governor Pritzker decide, hes now going to back out, back out of, back down from, go back on, his word, his pledge, when he signed the Blue Collar Jobs Act?

Democratic Sen. Linda Holmes, of Aurora, echoed his concerns.

I kind of hesitate, wondering if that is almost a bit of a poison pill here, when we talk about eliminating some recent tax changes, she said.

According to Sturm, the states short-term fiscal situation looked positive due to loans and an influx of funds from the federal government as part of several coronavirus relief packages passed in the last year. But for long-term stability, there were hard choices that had to be made regarding the tax code.

Illinois has struggled with a persistent budget deficit for the last few years, many years. These are changes more permanent in nature that would go to try to address some of the underlying structural challenges of the states budget, Sturm said.

Other corporate tax changes that raised concerns at the hearing are the reduction of a tax credit for individuals and businesses that contribute to private school scholarships, a cap on the reimbursement retailers receive from collecting sales tax, and the expiration of a sales tax exemption for biodiesel fuel.

Multiple business organizations submitted either oral or written testimony against the proposals, including the Illinois Manufacturers Association, the Taxpayers Federation of Illinois and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.

Chicago Democratic Sen. Elgie Sims, who chaired the hearing, said he heard a large discussion this morning as if this is a one-year solution, and offered support for the budgets long-term goal of financial solvency.

If there are other proposals, we certainly look forward to see, but these are the proposals as put forth by the governor, he said.

Greg Cox, of the Illinois Soybean Growers Association, said he appreciated the difficulty of Sturms position since she was given a task to build a budget with no general tax increases and with flat spending, but that there would be serious policy implications for cutting the exemption for biodiesel fuel.

Those implications are increased air pollution as more petrol and less biodiesel would be used in fuel blends and the potential loss of 2,000 jobs tied to the biodiesel fuel industry in Illinois, which is the nations largest soybean producer.

He also presented Senate Bill 2394, submitted by the Growers Association, through Essex Democrat Sen. Patrick Joyce, as a compromise that would still gradually eliminate the tax credit and save the state money.

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.
Vice President Kamala Harris will hold a virtual meeting with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on May 7 to discuss migration amid an increase in underage migrants at the U.S. southern border.

Mexico's top diplomat revealed the news and said the video meeting will focus on Mexico's questioned tree-planting program.

Lopez Obrador is trying to get the United States to help fund a massive expansion of the program into Central America as a way to stem migration.

Officials are scrambling to handle a dramatic spike in children crossing the U.S.-Mexico border alone, which has lead to a massive expansion in emergency facilities to house them as more kids arrive than are being released to close relatives in the United States.

Despite being tasked with managing the crisis at the southern border 31 days ago, Harris has not yet visited border facilities nor held any significant press conferences on the issue.

Harris will hold a virtual meeting with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on May 7 to discuss migration amid an increase in underage migrants at the U.S. southern border

Lopez Obrador's 'Planting Life' program aims to pay farmers to plant 1 billion fruit and timber trees in Mexico, in hopes that it will boost the economy and stem migration

Migrants cross the Rio Grande river into the United States from Mexico on two inflatable rafts, in Roma, Texas on Thursday

It comes amid a dramatic surge in illegal crossings at the border, with more than 172,000 encounters in March alone, including an historic number of unaccompanied children.

Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard wrote on Twitter that Mexico also wants to talk about cooperation on the pandemic. Mexico wants the United States to send more coronavirus vaccines.

Harris' office said in a statement that the meeting will focus on 'the common goals of prosperity, good governance and addressing the root causes of migration.' It did not mention the tree-planting initiative.

Lopez Obrador pitched his 'Planting Life' program, which aims to pay farmers to plant 1 billion fruit and timber trees in Mexico, to U.S. President Joe Biden at Thursday's climate change summit.

The program has been extended to El Salvador, and Mexico wants U.S. funding to further extend it to Honduras and Guatemala.

Lopez Obrador claims the program can help prevent farmers from leaving their land and migrating to the United States. He has also proposed that the U.S. grant six-month work visas, and eventually citizenship, to some of those who participate in the program.

Irma del Socorro Moo Ek, a beneficiary of Planting Life, is pictured in Kopoma, Yucatan state, Mexico on Thursday

Some critics have suggested that farmers with marginal or unprofitable natural woodlands have simply cut them down in order to plant new trees

Trees are felled before seedlings are planted at a Planting Life site, a jobs and reforestation program promoted by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

Beneficiaries of Planting Life prepare seedlings for planting in Kopoma, Yucatan state, Mexico, on Thursday. Lopez Obrador is making a strong push for his tree-planting program

But environmentalists question whether planting big swaths of commercial species - sometimes on land that held native forests - is a good idea.

Opinions are mixed in Mexico on whether the program is really working and whether it can offset Mexico's other policy of encouraging the use of fossil fuels.

The program has already planted 700,000 trees in Mexico, where it pays 450,000 Mexican farmers a stipend of about $225 per month to tend the saplings.

Some critics have suggested that farmers with marginal or unprofitable natural woodlands have simply cut them down in order to plant new trees and qualify for the monthly stipend.

Lopez Obrador says the carbon-capture from trees in the reforestation program will make a major contribution to fighting climate change.

But at the same time, Lopez Obrador's administration has focused on building oil refineries and burning more coal and fuel oil at power plants, while placing limits on private renewable and gas-fired electricity generation.

Harris was first tasked with managing the crisis at the southern border 31 days ago, but has yet to visit the border or any of the crowded facilities holding migrants.

Harris has insisted she will travel to Guatemala and Mexico in the next month.

The White House has said her role is to try and determine the 'root causes' of migration, such as economic strife and violence that motivate people to try and reach America.

An image taken on April 22 at the Long Beach Convention Center, where migrant children found at the border without a parent will be temporarily housed, shows Kamala Harris' book Superheroes are Everywhere sitting on a cot along with a backpack, clothes and basic supplies

On Friday, Harris toured New Hampshire to promote Biden's infrastructure package

Harris said during a trip to North Carolina on Monday, that she is bringing together different US agencies - including the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture - to address the root issue of migration, including trade, poverty and food insecurity.

'This week I'm bringing together foundation leaders from across our country to really encourage them to do more in terms of the civil society piece of this, which will be about both growing the work that they've already done historically, but also engaging civil society in the region in the Northern Triangle,' she said.

Though Harris has not visited the border, her children's book Superheroes are Everywhere is being included in welcome packs for unaccompanied children who cross the border illegally.

Images taken at a California shelter for migrants this week show Harris' book sitting on a cot along with a backpack, some clothes and other basic supplies like body wash and toothpaste.

These form the welcome kits for unaccompanied migrant children arriving the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, which has recently been converted to deal with an influx of illegal immigration .

In March, U.S. Customs and Border Protection released data showing they had encountered the highest number of unaccompanied children in history crossing the southern border.
The intercontinental diamond educational web series, launched by BrankoGems Advanced Diamond Online Academy, premiered on April 9, 2021. A special course, created for diamond professionals, aims to raise awareness among industry players on diamonds, as well as the need to identify diamonds quickly and accurately and enhance their traceability.

Rough & Polished spoke with Branko Deljanin, President and Head Gemologist at CGL Canadian Gemlab and founder of Branko Gems to learn more about the Academy's new online initiative and how it can benefit diamond professionals.

What are the advantages of the Advanced Diamond Online Academy, given the current situation with COVID-19?

With more gemological professionals working at home and interacting more online, the Advanced Diamond Academy TM allows us to do what we prefer: offering live workshops, be they in-person or online. In the past 12 years, Branko Gems has offered over 50 workshops for 17 countries over 4 continents. More than 1,300 jewelry trade members leveraged our workshops, with our last in-person sessions from Australia, the USA, Austria, Cyprus, Germany, and UAE in 2019. Those popular seminars have moved to more practical webinars with live streaming, participant interaction, and video demonstrations, including diamond and gem testing with various instruments in 2020. This opened the door to the Advanced Diamond Online Academy Tc in 2021, a dynamic way of keeping international trade (lectures are given in English, French, and Russian) on-to-speed on developments in the diamond industry.

How could the seminars be useful to diamond professionals? What benefits do they provide?

Diamond professionals have seen noted benefits first stemming from our 2020 book Laboratory-grown Diamonds, by Dusan Simic and myself. Since then, we have offered 13 free webinars with 25 international experts on diamonds. Diamond professionals learn directly from HPHT and CVD scientists, manufacturers, lab gemologists, wholesalers, retailers, online sellers, and specialty journalists on such topics as the methods of growing diamonds, lab-grown diamond cutting, identification with standard instruments, wholesale and retail natural and lab-grown diamond comparative costs, and the future of natural and lab-grown diamonds. The Advanced Diamond Online AcademyTM goes one step further and explains a more in-depth view including the optical properties of diamonds, new forms of growing diamonds, screening/identification with advanced instruments. We are adding lectures on the provenance of colored diamonds and types of diamond treatments. The diamond trade now has complete information on all diamonds  natural, treated, and lab-grown, and could use this knowledge increased communication with their peers, staff, and clients. We explain the differences in diamonds and create confidence within the supply chain, and ultimately help the diamond trade to better compete in an ever-changing worldwide marketplace.

Why do you think customers become more and more concerned about the origin of diamonds?

Todays customers want to know the origin of a diamond, be it natural or man-made. This means educating everyone on terms from the trade of other products (like coffee) such as organic, or ethically produced, and apply to diamonds, where or how a diamond is mined, is color is natural or treated, etc. Trade needs to examine the type and amount of energy used to grow diamonds and discuss if the term green is appropriate. The increased production of diamonds in the laboratory has forced the natural diamond industry to be more transparent and provide full disclosure. This includes understanding and following the U.S. FTC jewelry guidelines specific to diamond terminology while staying as transparent as possible, regardless of the country of origin.

Why most retailers point to the need to identify diamonds quickly and accurately?

Retailers are in the front line of battle where they need to answer customers diamond questions. Most jewelry retailers do not have the knowledge or proper instruments required to identify diamonds quickly and accurately. Often, they turn to black box referral instruments that may identify 90-95% of natural diamonds and refer the rest. Retailers could inadvertently and incorrectly identify a lab-grown diamond as natural if their staff is not trained or missing the right instruments to determine a diamonds origin, natural or laboratory-grown. Therefore, our book Laboratory-grown Diamonds has been selling so well to this audience, it offers basic to intermediate level practices that may be performed with a microscope, portable polariscope, UV lamp, and more.

Do blockchains give a 100% guarantee that diamonds can be traced back to the mine? Does the technology exclude all possible errors?

Were still studying blockchain technology, but the chain of custody appears to rely on the parties involved - from miner to cutter to wholesaler, or from lab to retailer. If any single party is providing incorrect or misleading information, all blockchain could collapse! We refer to such in a chapter from Laboratory-grown Diamonds co-authored by Dusan Simic, using his USPTO Patent and offer a fundamentally different approach by inducing small defects in a lab-grown diamond that would allow the user to identify it with a simple UV lamp whereby the diamond would be seen as pink. That way lab-grown diamonds could be tracked in a cost and time-effective manner. For natural diamonds, gemological multi-instrument systems may guarantee a diamonds origin, but the trade needs to accept these standards and apply such across the entire diamond chain.

Will your book, Diamonds: Natural, Treated, and Laboratory-Grown sum up the information presented during the seminars, or will it provide extra details on the topics raised by the experts?

Five out of six co-authors are presenting their chapters at seminars (see details at https://www.brankogems.com/education/advanced-diamond-academy). While the UKs Professor, Dr. Alan Collins is retired, he wont present live, he will offer advice in The Review of Defects in Natural, Treated and Synthetic Diamonds, also in our book, and I will cover more laboratory-grown diamond producers in Europe, China, India, Israel, Russia, and the USA.

Can we say that it can serve as a stand-alone guide on diamonds or is it a backup material to the Academys sessions?

We believe our soon-to-be-released advance diamond educational book, Diamonds: Natural, Treated and Laboratory-Grown will stand on its own as the 4th edition of a pioneering educational series, to be continued in 2022 with 5th edition 100 diamonds focusing on a multi-instrument system to test all kinds of diamonds. It will be used among universities, gemology students, gemologists, appraisers, and diamond professionals as the ultimate diamond guide, the new source of deeper diamond knowledge. All academy participants who partake in ten lectures will gain an Advanced Diamond Online Academy TM certificate and the limited-edition hardbound book, Diamonds: Natural, Treated and Laboratory-Grown due to be released in September, at a 25% discount. That book will serve as a reminder of the seminars detailed in the book with supporting photos and graphs from testing with spectrometers and the results on 12 portable instruments our group tested on 55 samples of natural, treated, and laboratory-grown diamonds.

For more information on the Academy and the book Diamonds: Natural, Treated and Laboratory-Grown, please contact Branko Deljanin at info@brankogems.com or visit www.brankogems.com

Victoria Quiri for Rough&Polished
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Haiti - Insecurity : The OAS urges the Haitian authorities





In a statement from the OAS General Secretariat on insecurity in Haiti, the Secretariat said it is monitoring the situation in Haiti very closely and deplores the deterioration of the security climate and more particularly the upsurge in kidnappings and assassinations.



"The right to physical integrity, an echo of respect for human life, being a fundamental principle of human rights that must be preserved" recalls the Secretariat, which asks the Haitian authorities to take the necessary measures to guarantee the right to life and to dignity for all of its citizens.



In addition, the OAS General Secretariat urges the authorities concerned to deploy all the necessary efforts to protect the population and allow it to evolve in a peaceful environment where fear and violence do not prevail. It also invites them to conduct investigations to shed light on the massacres perpetrated in several poor neighborhoods and bring the perpetrators of these despicable crimes to justice.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Diplomats from Europes tourist destination countries, mostly led by Greece, have argued for weeks that the blocs criteria for determining whether a country is a safe origin purely based on low cases of Covid-19 are fast becoming irrelevant given the progress of vaccination campaigns in the United States, Britain and some other countries.

Technical discussions have been going on for several weeks between European Union and United States officials on how to practically and technologically make vaccine certificates from each place broadly readable so that citizens can use them to travel without restrictions.

These discussions are continuing, officials in Brussels said, and it is possible that a low-tech solution would be used in the near future to enable people to travel freely on the basis of vaccination. For example, a traveler to Europe could get an E.U. vaccine-certificate equivalent on arrival after showing a bona fide certificate issued by his or her own government.

The hope, officials said, is that this step would soon be unnecessary as government-issued vaccine certificates issued by foreign governments would be acceptable and readable in the European Union, and vice versa.
School & Education, Local News

By Ls Cohen Published: April 25 2021

Central Islip High School student Twyla Joseph struggled with remote learning during the pandemic while also navigating the college application process.

Her story is probably familiar to many high school students who have had to navigate the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic, remote education, and the college admission process. Twyla Joseph, a 17-year-old Islip Terrace resident who attends Central Islip High School, had her experience featured in a Time Magazine article in their April issue. Joseph appeared on the cover of the magazine for the story titled "The Lost Year."

The article chronicles how she often felt alone and anxious while making decisions on what college to attend and what career to pursue, according to a press release from the Town of Islip, which presented Joseph with a Certificate of Recognition from Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter, on behalf of the members of the Town Board recently.

Time magazine was introduced to Joseph through her volunteer work with the group, Make the Road Action, which advocates for justice in education, immigration and the criminal justice system.

"Twyla has become an inspiration for so many. It's been a tough year for everyone, and certainly for students of all ages," said Supervisor Carpenter.

Joseph has since sent applications to several colleges and is awaiting their decisions.

"The story that I share is the story of many people, especially students in my community, who also had to go through this during the pandemic," said Joseph.

Click here to read the full article on the Time Magazine website.
Bodycamera Footage Shows California Police Officer Shooting Man After He Pulls Knife

Authorities in Northern California released a graphic video showing the moment an officer shot a man.

The Contra Costa County Sheriffs Office released bodycam footage of the March 11 officer-involved fatal shooting of 32-year-old Tyrell Wilson in Danville, located in the Bay Area.

Danville Police officer Andrew Hall, in the video, is seen being called to an intersection, where he saw a male suspect throwing rocks at passing cars, according to the sheriffs office in a statement. The suspect was later identified as Wilson by the office.

Hall is seen telling Wilson, who is walking through an intersection in the middle of the day, Get over here.

As Hall approaches, Wilson is seen pulling out a knife, backing away, and telling Hall: Touch me and see whats up. Hall can then be heard ordering Wilson to drop the knife several times.

The video can be seen below (Warning: disturbing footage):

Hall has his service firearm drawn and pointed at Wilson, who then tells him, Kill me, as he took several steps forward.

In reaction to the shooting, the sheriffs office said in a statement, He did pull a knife on Officer Hall. He did threaten Officer Hall. And he did start advancing toward Officer Hall in the middle of a major intersection.

Officers are forced to make split-second decisions to protect themselves and the public and thats what happened here.

According to the footage, Hall is seen firing his weapon, fatally striking Wilson. Officials said Wilson, who was identified in local media reports as a homeless man, died from his injuries at a nearby hospital.

The Contra Costa County District Attorneys office announced last week that Hall was charged with felony manslaughter and assault charges in connection with another shooting several years ago. The DA said Hall committed a crime when he shot Laudemer Arboleda nine times during a pursuit in 2018.
WHEN we reconnected last week, it was nearly 12 months to the day since we helped him open that account.

Im referring to a young gentleman who reached out for investment advice in late March 2020. He had 8,000 to invest and wanted to know what he should be doing with it.

He didnt have the knowledge, or perhaps confidence is a better word, to do it himself. He had registered with some online investment platforms because his friends had, but they didnt make sense to him. And he didnt really have the time or interest to track his investments and he wouldnt know when to buy or sell or make switches. It felt like hard work and it just wasnt for him.

Anyway, long story short, once we carried out our due diligence, out of all the many providers and funds available, I thought Zurich Lifes, 5 Star Global fund, suited him best, and he agreed. So, within a couple of days the account was open, money lodged, job done.

Fast forward 1 year, and as planned we had a date locked into our diaries to have a catchup. And it was a really good conversation because we both knew how his fund had performed.

His 8,000 now stood at 11,783.

Which was an increase of 47% in just 1 year.

He was obviously delighted with the return and as happy as he was, there was a tinge of regret that he hadnt opened the account sooner, but better late than never as they say.

I remember when he made contact, there were others who reached out too, and the trigger for everyone was an article, I wrote called buy the dip, but watch out for the dead cat.

It turned out that those, who followed through with the advice, did in fact buy the dip and have enjoyed incredibly good returns.

And just in case you were wondering, what would have happened if their timing was really poor and they set up their accounts at the worst possible time i.e. just before the onslaught of Covid, yes, their investment would have initially dropped in value, but it would have recovered, and theyd have still, ended up with an increase of 18.4% on their investment 12 months later.

Anyway, following our meeting, I began to wonder about those who contacted me at the same time last year but never followed through with the account.

So, I decided to reach out to some of them and find out whether they opened a different account or what happened? They seemed enthusiastic at the time, but nothing ever arrived back.

And of the four that I did speak to, three of them told me they did nothing. They didnt open any account and the funds were still sitting in either their deposit or Credit Union account, earning nothing.

The other person I spoke with, decided to go solo and set up an on-line trading account with Degiro.

When I asked him, how his investments had performed, overall he said some were good, and some very bad. It was a lot of work, which he didnt mind but the returns werent what hed hoped for.

The scores on the doors showed the return on his investments over the past 12 months amounted to about 7% which was actually really good.

And you know for me it didnt matter, that someone else was able to achieve a return nearly 7 times greater without any involvement or sleepless nights.

What was important, was that both followed through and set up their accounts.

There were three people I knew of, and there are probably many more like them, who didnt do anything, and thats a shame, but its not uncommon either.

And in fairness, the biggest problem for most people is that good investment advice will always sound great and makes more sense when looking back at the past or planning ahead for the future. It may not sound so great in the moment when you have to use it.

Which creates a problem because for whatever reasons, inaction when it comes to our finances is widespread, and unfortunately it can have serious implications. There have been many studies which have shown people are slow to take effective action with their money, and the term used to describe this phenomenon is called financial inertia.

Its when people put off financial planning or setting up investment accounts or paying off debt or monthly budgeting etc. even though they know they need to. They are in a state of doing nothing, and always procrastinate when it comes to making decisions about anything related to money.

And the reasons they dont follow through and take action isnt down to laziness, although for some it probably is, the bigger and more common reasons that hold people back, are a fear of making a mistake, fear of losing money, confusion over how and where to get started, being faced with too many choices, being too busy, or the hassle and stress of setting up new accounts and completing paperwork.

Unfortunately this hesitation leads to many lost opportunities that compound over time.

And some try to convince themselves otherwise and tell themselves that small amounts wont matter in the overall scheme of things but think again. I read one study recently which suggested the annual opportunity cost for not putting your money to work was up to 1,820 for every 10,000 saved.

So, be in no doubt, that inertia is an enemy to making progress with your finances. Being in that state of flux means your finances remain stuck in the doldrums, while those around you are making progress, not because they make any more money than you do, but because they took action and did something.

The good news is that this financial inertia can be overcome, and the strongest and best intervention usually comes from that internal force which drives you towards achieving a particular goal. Having that pull rather than push towards achieving something that has meaning for you, makes sense.

Regardless of whatever your triggers are, you need to recognise that the longer you wait to take action, the harder your money (and you) will have to work in order to catch up and you also may have to take more risks than youre comfortable with.

Look, nothing I or anyone else says, can motivate you better than you can. You know what your reasons for inaction are, and you also know what your strengths and weaknesses and shortcomings are.

And theres no way to know or guarantee that any new account opened now will deliver 47% again in the year ahead, but theres one way youll never find out and thats by doing nothing.

So, Id encourage you to do something, and that might be opening up a new account, or increasing your pension contributions, or saving into equity purchase schemes, or monitoring your monthly outgoings, or paying down debt and so on.

And if youre still having difficulty, Id recommend you reach out and consult a financial adviser, because if theyre any good, theyll get to understand your situation, theyll keep things simple and guide you at a pace youre comfortable with.

Liam Croke is MD of Harmonics Financial Ltd, based in Plassey. He can be contacted at liam@harmonics.ie or www.harmonics.ie
St. Mary Student to Attend Honors Academy

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - St. Mary High School student Hannah Anderson has been selected to attend the Commonwealth Honors Academy.Anderson will attend the three-week intensive summer program on the Murray State campus. The program focuses on academic, personal, and social development for outstanding high school students after their junior year.Students who complete the program receive six hours of university credits and the opportunity to earn additional credit during their senior year.Only 120 students across Kentucky and beyond were accepted into the program. To be considered, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.5 GPA and a 25 composite ACT score or better.
Mumbai, April 25 : Television actor Manish Goplani, who has been seen in shows such as Bepannah Pyaar and Detective Didi, is sharing the screen with actress Saba Khan in the music video Jatt Yamla.

It is a romantic dance track that was recently shot in Punjab by director Amit Kumar. Talking about the project, Manish says that it's important today to be part of different platforms.

"Well, nowadays as we all know, a lot of platforms are coming up. So it's a good opportunity for all of us to be a part of, whether it's a series or a song. Getting to showcase your craft in any medium gives you joy, be it a serial, a film or a music video. Jatt Yamla is your go-to dance song that will get your foot tapping to its beat," he told IANS.

Meanwhile, TV shoots have been stalled in Mumbai due to the Covid outbreak and Manish says that this is bound to take a toll on the industry.

"It's not just about the television, all the mediums are suffering due to this Covid situation. But, in television, we need a huge number of people on set as it takes a large team, which is not safe nowadays. And, in television, we shoot on a daily basis. You can't take all the precautions and get 20-minutes footage in such a critical condition," he says.

He adds: "So it's getting hard for the producers as they have to ensure the safety of every member on the set. It's better to fight with this deadly virus by staying at home and make the situation better." Jatt Yamla has been sung by Alia Khan and produced by PhotoFit Music Company.
By Sayo Sasaki, KYODO NEWS - Apr 26, 2021 - 00:51 | All, Japan

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party lost all three seats up for grabs in Japanese parliamentary elections Sunday, dealing a significant blow to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga as he considers the timing of a general election that must be held by this fall.

The results of the first national elections since Suga took office in September last year reflect voters' discontent with the government's coronavirus response as well as scandals that bought about two of the elections, and are likely to bring Suga's leadership into question.

Candidates backed by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan won a re-held House of Councillors election in the Hiroshima constituency, an upper house by-election in the Nagano constituency and a House of Representatives by-election for the No. 2 single-seat district in Hokkaido.

"Voters passed a severe judgement on the Suga Cabinet," said CDPJ secretary general Tetsuro Fukuyama. "It is the result of a buildup of people's discontent over scandals involving politics and money and the novel coronavirus response."

The elections in Hiroshima and Hokkaido were called as then-LDP lawmakers vacated the seats over vote-buying and bribe-taking scandals.

"We will reflect seriously on the voters' judgment," Taimei Yamaguchi, the LDP's election campaign chief, said at the party's headquarters.

Political analysts view the two upper house polls in which the LDP fielded a candidate as a bellwether for a general election Suga could call before his term as LDP president -- and hence his time as prime minister -- expires on Sept. 30.

The four-year term of lower house members ends on Oct. 21.

The approval rating for Suga's Cabinet, which stood at around 70 percent shortly after he succeeded Shinzo Abe last September, plunged to below 40 percent in February and has since hovered around that level amid a slow rollout of the coronavirus vaccines.

With the recent COVID-19 resurgence, Suga has largely focused on arranging antivirus measures, including deciding on a state of emergency for Tokyo and three other prefectures from Sunday.

The prime minister did not travel to Hiroshima and Nagano prefectures during the campaign period to rally support for LDP candidates.

Haruko Miyaguchi, a 45-year-old former broadcaster backed by the CPDJ, the Democratic Party for the People and the Social Democratic Party, won the Hiroshima seat in a close race against LDP candidate Hidenori Nishita, a 39-year-old former trade ministry official.

CDPJ candidate Jiro Hata, 51, also backed by other opposition parties, secured the Nagano seat after leading against Yutaka Komatsu, 59, an LDP candidate also backed by the Komeito party.

Another CPDJ candidate, Kenko Matsuki, 62, a former lawmaker also backed by other opposition parties, won the Hokkaido No. 2 district seat. The LDP did not field its own candidate.

The voter turnout was the lowest on record for Nagano and Hokkaido at 44.40 percent and 30.46 percent, respectively, while that in Hiroshima stood at 33.61, the second lowest on record, according to election boards.

The Hiroshima election was held as Anri Kawai, the wife of former Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai, lost her seat after a court found her guilty of vote-buying in the 2019 upper house election, and her election win was nullified.

The couple resigned as lawmakers after leaving the LDP ahead of their arrests in June last year on vote-buying charges.

The Nagano election was held as former land minister Yuichiro Hata, a CDPJ lawmaker who held the seat, died in December after becoming infected with the coronavirus.

Jiro Hata, the younger brother of Yuichiro, secured the backing of most of the CDPJ supporters and other opposition parties, including the Japanese Communist Party.

The Hokkaido by-election was called as former farm minister Takamori Yoshikawa resigned as a lawmaker before being indicted over bribes he received from a representative of an egg producer.

Among the candidates were Japan Innovation Party candidate Izumi Yamazaki, 48, independent Yoshiko Tsuruha, 53, and lawyer Takanori Nagatomo, 52.
A retrospective look at the National Conference on Peace, Harmony and Coexistence from a citizens perspective

by Rohana R. Wasala

.........Please understand the global movement that becomes a cats paw of other individuals and groups who have nothing to do with your deep faith and your sincere desire to live your religion to the fullest to reach their selfish goals. Be brave enough to reject extremism. Rise up against schools and organizations that brainwash (the faithful) to kill people in the name of religion. .

Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith to My dear Muslim brothers and sistersof Sri Lanka





No ethnic or religious strife to be quenched in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has never had an ethnic conflict between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority. Its only a separatist problem that had its origins in the last decades of the divisive British colonial rule that came to its demise in 1948; but its powerful ghost is still haunting Sri Lanka in the form of Western neocolonialist interventionism. Tamil separatism gradually escalated into a fully fledged military confrontation/a civil war of over twenty-five years duration (1983-2009). While the government security forces clashed with armed rebels, mostly in the jungle and while separatists mounted terror attacks on civilian targets in towns, the ordinary Sinhalese and Tamils lived in accustomed peace and amity, equally tortured by the extremists terrorist violence. Mainstream Muslims (mostly following the Sufi tradition) who form the second largest ethnic minority in the country, largely Tamil speakers themselves (Tamil-Sinhala bilingualism is more common among them than among the other two communities), used to get on well with both Sinhalese and Tamils until, with the recent advent of Wahhabism/Salafism related Islamist isolationism, a sort of religious separatism came into the picture. (If there is any subterranean Muslim vs non-muslim religious division in Sri Lanka, the total responsibility for that lies with the handful of Islamist extremists who have taken cover behind certain powerful opportunistic communal Muslim politicians as strongly suggested by information gathered by the police and army intelligence agencies since the 2019 Easter blasts and evidence revealed in the course of investigations by the PCoI.

Apparent travesty of justice in some PCoI recommendations

Though these politicians are mentioned in the PCoI Final Report with relevant allegations of having been accountable for behaviours which were contributory towards the provocation of the Easter bombings, apparently no punitive action is recommended against them. Two outstanding cases are All Ceylon Makkal Congress leader Rishad Badiuddeen and Ceylon Tawheed Jamath leader Razik Abdul. In stark contrast, there is a special severeness in the recommended treatment of Ven. Galaboda-Aththe Gnanasara Thera in the same context whose name appears at the end of the list: The organization that he heads should be banned on the basis of the allegation that its activities undermine religious harmony. His speeches and and actions are alleged to have partly contributed to the radicalisation of Muslim youth. The AG is to consider instituting criminal action against him under the ICCPR Act for his speeches made at Aluthgama in June 1914 and on Feb. 17, 2013 at Maharagama, which will mean that he will be charged with an unbalable offence leading to a heavy sentence. A strange case of criminal suspects with plausible evidence against them going free, while the complainant is sent to jail. There must be some power or force behind such a judicial aberration. This reminded me of (then MP, now Minister) Udaya Gammanpilas emotional speech in parliament on May 9, 2019 on the subject of a brazen attempt at direct interference in our judiciary by a foreign power geared to reinforce the successes achieved through the regime change that they engineered in January 2015, which, according to him were: pushing through the until then stalled federal constitution and anti-terrorism acts, and the witch-hunt against the war heroes. In this speech Gammanpila also praised the Cardinal (who, he said, was one of the total 120 Cardinals who provided spiritual leadership to the 1.3 billion Catholics of the world) for his sagacity in calming down the targeted Catholics and in bravely identifying the Easter attacks as the result of an international conspiracy, and not the work of the countrys Muslim community (something he repeated with more conviction during a commemorative ceremony on the second anniversary of the attacks held on April 21 this year a couple of days ago, as you will see below - RRW). The MP remarked on the existing accustomed peace and fellow feeling among the communities demonstrated in the fact that Buddhist pansalas were offered to the Catholics to perform their services, and that Muslims helped apprehend suspect extremists among them and hand them over (to the police).

A history of colonial discrimination against the majority community through the preferential treatment of a small elite of the minorities

Just as the European colonialists used a minuscule elite of the minority communities through preferential treatment during their rule to the disadvantage of the majority Sinhalese, whose unique historic homeland they were occupying, their successors, the Western hegemonic powers, assisted by determined Indian expansionism, are capitalizing on false allegations of Sinhalese majoritarianism and ethno-religious (Sinhalese) Buddhist intolerance by a handful extremists of the same minorities and supportive foreign funded NGOs, to undermine the Lankan state. These same neocolonialist powers seem to have found an ally in the widely known global exporters of ruthless Islamist extremism in destabilizing the Sri Lankan state purely in the interest of their geopolitical agenda in the so-called Indo-Pacific region, where it is geographically located. It will be to the great detriment of Sri Lanka for its politicians, whether in or out of power, to agree to kowtow to the latter (i.e., those that the Americans earlier held to be purveyors of Islamic extremism) while allowing them to act on the false assumption that mainstream Muslims of Sri Lanka are single-minded supporters of the few Wahhabist/Salafist extremists.

His Eminence the Cardinals special statement on April 21, the second anniversary day of the Easter bombing

In his special statement on April 21, 2021 the second anniversary of the Easter Sunday attacks, His Eminence Malcom Cardinal Ranjith reiterated his not unreasonable allegations of neglect and dereliction of duty by the highest political and civil authorities of the previous regime that allowed the attacks to be carried out. He was clearly dissatisfied with the level of progress so far made under the present administration in bringing those responsible to justice. Was there an attempt to sweep the truth under the carpet in order to let those behind the crime escape punishment as a result of some political wheeler-dealing? Politicians of both the previous and present governments acted and are acting in an indifferent, inactive manner swayed by changing political winds. He repeated his determination to pressure the authorities to deliver justice. The cardinal expressed special appreciation of the Buddhist clergy and the laity for always being with the Catholic community in dealing with the tragic aftermath of the devastating terror attacks, while preserving national peace and unity. The Catholic prelate implied that the Muslims attitude was different on the whole. You havent still come forward to condemn the Easter attacks. If you joined us in an earnest spirit, demanding (of the authorities) to find out who was responsible for the attacks, the problem would have been resolved by now.. But, in the same breath, he stated that this lapse on the part of Muslims in general was only until that moment (of speaking), for the moulavi who spoke before him (Hassan Moulana) stressed how his fellow Muslims totally rejected the terrorists who blew themselves up (because they were not true Muslims), and how they refused to accept their bodies for burial and handed them over to the army to be disposed of in whatever manner they decided.

The Cardinal further said (in verbatim translation): ...Therefore Id like to take this opportunity to make a special request of you my dear Muslim brothers and sisters: In geopolitics, there are its local agents and brokers who are prepared to commit any form of betrayal out of their greed for money and power. Please understand that religious extremism is a useful tool for attaining their goals. Please rise up against Wahhabist schools and organizations that brainwash (adherents) to kill in the name of religion. Let us bring pressure on the government to fulfill the promises given to the people. Because the process of finding out the truth is still not happening at an acceptable level of transparency, and because it is the expectation of everybody to see that goal achieved, let us encourage the authorities to devise an express mechanism to that end. We urge that steps be taken immediately to implement the relevant recommendations of the PCoI to ban schools and organizations that propagate Wahhabism.

What Ven. Dr Omalpe Sobitha said

Ven. Dr Omalpe Sobitha Thera said that the most primary obligation of a government was to protect the people. The previous government miserably failed to perform this responsibility. He pointed out that there were many allegations heard from all directions that the present government was not doing better in the area either, and that they must immediately improve matters. He remarked that though some one billion rupees was received from the Muslim World League for helping the affected families, no one knew what happened to those funds. (However, the monk seems to be ill informed about it; the money has still not been paid by the Islamic NGO as MP Wijedasa Rajapaksa complained recently. - RRW)

National Conference on Peace, Harmony and Coexistence

After these background comments, let me address the subject proposed by the title. A (actually, the second) meeting of the so-called National Conference on Peace, Harmony and Coexistence was held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Colombo on March 4, 2021. The chief guest was the general secretary of the Saudi-based pan-Islamic NGO the Muslim World League (MWL) Dr Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdul Kareem Al-Issa. (MWL leader Mohamed Abdul Kareem had pledged USD 5 million to support the families of the dead and injured in the Easter Sunday terror attacks at the first National Peace Conference that took place at the same venue under the patronage of the previous president Maithripala Sirisena on June 30, 2019; but this money has not been received yet.) This arguably questionable NGO involvement in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday suicide bombings through this rather adventitious National Conference on Peace, Harmony and Coexistence has passed almost unnoticed in the media. The negative repercussions of this well- or ill-intentioned intervention in a situation created by dangerously radicalized Muslims will be evident in the time to come. The MWL itself deserves our gratitude for offering to help us on this occasion. Not so the politicians involved, who should be the object of our reproach. (Strangely, MP Wijedasa Rajapaksa, who believes in the good intentions of the MWL, has made an issue of the nonpayment of the promised money by the Saudi based and funded NGO even by the second anniversary of the Easter bombings. Shouldnt he have known better, I wonder. Doesnt he know the calibre of the Muslim politicoes mentioned in the PCoI Final Report who appear to seeking undeserved refuge under the wings of the powerful global Islamic organization?)

The Hiru TV news footage of the event that I watched the next day (March 5, 2021) showed PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and former presidents Maithripala Sirisena and Chandrika Bandaranaike attending the event along with some Muslim politicians including A.H.M Fowzi, Rishad Badiuddeen and M.L.A.M Hizbullah and others (the last two having got honourablemention in the Final Report as shown above). There were also a group of Buddhist monks who had been invited as guests (though it was evident that they were unwilling guests). The news report featured two leading monks expressing their views about the incompatibility between the Islamic religious ideology that the MWL espouses and the ethical philosophical doctrine of Buddhism where peace-making was concerned; one of them spoke in Sinhala and the other in English. The monks were the Anunayake of the Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Wendaruwe Upali Thera, and Ven. Dr Omalpe Sobhita Thera. The first, speaking in Sinhala, emphasized the ideological hiatus between religion/s and the (Buddha) dhamma:

Anunayake of the Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Wendaruwe Upali Theras definition of the difference between religions and Buddhism

The truth about our participation in this event must be stated: It needs to be remembered that we are here as a mark of respect to the order given by the Mahanayake Theras, and that too, only as observers. It must be due to some shortcoming somewhere that this multi-religious concept has come about. All religions might be the same; but it is a well known fact that the Buddha Dhamma is not a religion. Religion and the dhamma are clearly two different things. The dhamma guards the mind whereas religion gratifies the mind. When a Buddha statue was damaged (by jihadist fanatics) at Mawanella, it was as if we were struck on the head. But wont you accept the fact that our Mahanayake Theras did not incite the Buddhist public to violence (in retaliation)? How forbearing we were (even under such provocation)! How well were peace and harmony preserved avoiding a bloodbath after the April 21 attacks due to the calming voice of (His Eminence) the Cardinal! In reality, we dont have anything to learn from you about peaceful coexistence; it is we who are teaching you (now) and have taught you (before this moment) about it.

(What I have added parenthetically and what I have specially emphasized in my translation here are naturally grasped by a Sinhala speaking audience without them being explicitly expressed. The valid point the monk raises here is something not very easy for a non-Buddhist or a non-Sinhala speaker to grasp and appreciate. Even today, in rural Sri Lanka, Christians are colloquially mentioned by Buddhist neighbours among themselves as agamkarayo (people of religion), the implication being that what they follow for moral and spiritual guidance, Buddhism, is not a religion. The important Article 5 of the Kandyan Convention of 1815 contains the crucial phrase The Religion of the Boodhoo. in its English version (The phrase was actually a product of a political and linguistic sleight of hand by ace intriguer and spy John Doyly who drafted it). The Sinhala original, which was really important from the point of view of the occupied nation, had the equivalent of the sasana of the Buddha or Buddhist establishment and the agama (religion) of the devas (deities); but this didnt appear in Doylys English version. When Christian Europeans arrived in Sri Lanka at the beginning of the 16th century, there was no religion in the modern sense in the country, but a highly cultured society with its Buddhist spiritual foundation, the Buddha Sasana and its characteristic practices and cultural rituals; there was no Buddhist religion. (Of course, no one could expect a positive response to the monks words from the head of an Islamic NGO that is devoted to the task of promoting a particular brand of religion in a world where the scientific knowledge enlightened people are fast moving towards a global humane culture without religion.)

Ven. Dr Sobithas challenge to the Islamic peacemakers

In the course of his speech, which was in English, the other monk, Ven. Dr Omalpe Sobhita, said, as reproduced here thus unedited: While we are trying to be united together as Sinhalese, Tamils, Buddhists, Christians and Hindus, it is regretted that our Muslim friends are demanding for a separate food system, they are demanding for separate law and order system, separate uniform and dress code, separate education, separate universities, separate, separate, and separate. Ultimately, we understand this separatism paved the way for separate from the whole. Actually, friends, we are hurt so much; we are disappointed. Then we find out what is the reason for these different ideas and separatism. Then I found the very reason is the Quran. I am not criticising the Quran. I am revealing the truth. Let me quote certain phrases of the Quran: Allah will shed human blood while angels praise in heaven (Surah Al Baqarah No 2); again, Kill disbelievers wherever you find them, but if they desist in their unbelief, dont kill them (Surah Al Baqarah). Attack on the necks of the disbelievers whenever you fight against them. Those who die fighting for Allah will be rewarded (Surah Muhammad No 47). Lastly, I just quote this line (from) Surah Al Fath: If you refuse to fight for Allah, he will punish you with a painful doom. If this is the teaching in this holy book, how can it be implemented to achieve peace and harmony in this society? Please enlighten us if we are wrong, and let us enlighten you if you are wrong.

From their point of view, the monks here, no doubt, believe that they have hit the nail on the head: the root of the trouble is in the religion itself, in its basic teachings (but this view is not likely to be shared even by the least dogmatic Muslim. Dr Omalpe Sobhitas desperate challenge or invitation to some sort of intellectual or ideological interaction is not likely to be entertained by the MWL or its local proteges. But the monk cannot be blamed for that. The BBS leader Ven. Galaboda-Aththe Gnanasara has, on a number of occasions, also hinted at the idea of arranging a peaceful resolution of the growing Islamic extremist problem through a rational dialogue or debate with Islamists, the sort of adversarial but cultured interreligious disputation between erudite Buddhist monks and unrelenting Christian missionaries equally well versed in their religion in the form of the famous Five Great Debates (Pancha Maha Vadaya) including the iconic Panadura Vadaya (1873) in the latter part of the 19th century. The missionaries were well and truly beaten by the monks in this ideological confrontation. The news of the Panadura Debate impressed the American soldier, journalist, lawyer and theosophist Colonel Henry Steel Olcott. His arrival in Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon) in 1881 contributed to the boosting of the already burgeoning Buddhist revivalism in the island. But such an easy resolution of the anti-Buddhist Islamic fundamentalist problem is impossible, given the fact that Muslim believers, particularly the Wahhabist literalists that the MWL was believed to represent in the past (Wikipedia) will never be amenable to any form of argument that contradicts Quranic teachings or challenges their infallibility. It would be too naive for these monks to even remotely imagine that their form of non-religious (Buddhism is not a religion) polemic will prevail against what is accepted as divine revelations by Muslims the world over. By now, they are informed enough about the differences between Muslims religious beliefs and their own characteristically liberal Buddhist attitudes; these differences cannot be resolved through dialogue with those extremists. For dogmatic Muslims, religion and politics are one. Something that the Islamic peacemakers should not overlook is the fact that these monks know more about the religion of Islam than they (Islamic peacemakers) themselves probably know about Buddhism.

Any reason for MWLs involvement?

As far as I can see, there is no reason why the NGO known as the Muslim World League should offer to make peace or mediate between Sri Lankas minority Muslims and their non-Muslim neighbours (the majority of whom are Buddhists) between whom there has never been any religious controversy or physical clash that we know of in our post-independence history. A few Buddhist monks started sounding warnings about foreign funded promoters of potentially violent forms of Islamism in the country at least two decades ago, and have come out with evidence of unacceptable activities targeting Buddhists (and Tamil Hindus) by Islamic and other religious extremists; they have brought it to the attention of the authorities. But the monks complaints fell on deaf ears. Nothing was done about provocative anti-Buddhist excesses committed by Jihadists, such as encroaching on ancient Buddhist archaeological sites, vandalizing Buddha statues, and raising false allegations against the activist monks to demean and deprecate them in the eyes of the world. The most prominent one among these monks was reported to have been described by the leading April suicide bomber Zaharan, as a demon. Zaharan had been angered to call Ven. Gnanasara a demon by his relentless but just criticism of the formers violent movement.

During the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Easter attacks (PCoI) investigations it was revealed, as the media reported, that though Zaharans original plan was to bomb the Kandy Perahera which is annually held in August, he changed his target and advanced the time of attack in order to make use of the then prevailing lax national security situation under Yahapalanaya to avoid the risk of his plan being discovered and aborted. Attackers did not differentiate between Buddhists and Catholics. However, it was evident that anti-Buddhist elements and media regretted that there was no indication of a Buddhist link to the bombings.

Why does a Muslim World NGO seem to take it upon itself to re-create the interreligious peace that is already there? This is like the Wests reconciliation mantra. It is true that a handful of Islamic extremists who probably had enjoyed the patronage of the Saudi-based movement tried to wreck that peace in the name of the religion that the MWL fosters, which means that the MWL should do better to rehabilitate those misguided Islamists from among whom the suicide bombers emerged. Be that as it may, the fortuitous National Conference on Peace, Harmony and Coexistence that hosted its chief met about two and a half months after the bombings. No doubt the organization has good intentions. When it was first held, the Yahapalana president Sirisena presided, with his predecessors Mahinda and Chandrika in attendance. People are yet to learn what new thing they learned about peace, harmony and coexistence? The same dignitaries were dutifully present at the NGOs recent second meeting. What did they achieve for the country by having this sort of thing organized? What is more important?National dignity need not be relinquished in accepting charity offered in friendship. National sovereignty was debased and national security compromised under president Sirisena. Should that evil legacy be allowed to continue into the future indefinitely? Unfortunately, there has been no clarity in this department of governance in the wake of the yahapalana maladministration, a situation worsened by the choppy waters of humanity denying geopolitics amidst the still rampant the Covid-19 pandemic. The MWL, on other hand, should be careful not to be misled by the local promoters of Islamist extremism that caused the Easter Sunday attacks to take place two years ago.

The solution lies mainly with the mainstream Muslims

I wish to conclude this piece with the following part of the Cardinals appeal to his dear Muslim brothers and sisters during his commemorative statement on April 21 aforementioned, which makes oblique reference to the interventionist global powers that instrumentalise Islamist fundamentalism in pursuit of their geopolitical agendas: .........Please understand the global movement that becomes a cats paw of other individuals and groups who have nothing to do with your deep faith and your sincere desire to live your religion to the fullest to reach their selfish goals. Be brave enough to reject extremism. Rise up against schools and organizations that brainwash (the faithful) to kill people in the name of religion. .
Trinidad and Tobago can see a reduction in the number of people dying from Covid-19 on a daily basis if the drugAzithromycinis immediately stopped, says Dr Ravi Ramjanak.

Ramjanak is a consultant in obstetrics gynaecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery.

It is my view based on the pharmacodynamics of Azithromycin that the death rate will fall if we stop using this drug in Covid-positive cases. Azithromycin has no effect on viruses, yeasts and fungi, said Ramjanak in an interview with the Sunday Express last week.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 25)  Dr. Teodoro Herbosa filed his resignation as executive vice president of the University of the Philippines System, a day after he drew flak over his "death by community pantry" tweet.

The university announced on its social media page on Sunday the resignation of Herbosa, also a special adviser to the National Task Force Against COVID-19, due to "personal reasons."

UP President Danilo Conception accepted the resignation of Herbosa, who served the post since he became the state university's president in 2017.

"It is imperative that there be consistency and harmony in our relationship as administrators, as well as in our public pronouncements, given that we both represent the larger university community, its spirit, and its interests," said Concepcion.

Herbosa drew backlash online after his "death by community pantry" tweet, in response to the death of an elderly man while waiting in line at a crowded community pantry in Quezon City. The said community pantry was organized by actress Angel Locsin last Friday.

RELATED: Angel Locsin, QC gov't vow support for family of man who died after queuing at a community pantry

After his tweet angered many netizens, Herbosa issued a public apology on his Facebook account.

"I suggested ways to do community pantries without risk to senior citizens. I felt angry over a preventable death, and ended up issuing the tweet when I could have expressed it in a better way," he said.
Queen Elizabeth II, who is a recognised strongman potentate, at present is holding on to hope that all the tension within the royal family will go away eventually. A royal insider recently told People magazine, "She has been through so many difficult times. She knows things will come right in the end."

According to Charles Anson, former press secretary at the Queen's palace, the Queen tends to 'aborb things quietly'. Queen Elizabeth II turned 95 on Wednesday. Owing to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey last month, distress persists within the family. During the said interview, Meghan refuted reports that she had made Kate Middleton cry in the lead-up to her 2018 wedding, saying 'the reverse happened'.

Meghan Markle's Oprah interview

The Duke and Duchess gave an interview for the first time together after their royal exit with Oprah Winfrey. In the interview, the couple explained why they decided to step down from their royal duties, which they announced in January 2020. They accused the royal family of racism, including 'concerns' over their child's skin colour. Meghan Markle revealed some gritty details about the royal family during this interview. She claimed the royal family had committed a number of wrongdoings. She also talked about her miscarriage. She had alleged the royal family of abstaining from providing help to Meghan, when she felt 'suicidal'

Soon after the interview, Prince William had hit back at the racism claims during an outing saying,

"We are very much not a racist family."

A close pal of Oprah, Duchess of Sussex and a television personality, Gayle King revealed that Princes William and Harry have had a talk in relation to this during last month. As a response to the aforementioned interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Queen said,

"The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan." Speaking of racism, she had added, "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."

Prince Phillips Funeral

The royal brothers, Prince William and Prince Harry had recently reunited at Prince Philip's funeral to show support for their beloved grandparents. Meghan Markle, who is expecting their second child did not accompany her husband as she had been 'advised by her physician not to travel'. A royal spokesman said that Meghan had spoken with the Queen ahead of the funeral.

Prince Philip was officially Duke of Edinburgh. He died peacefully at Windsor Castle on April 9 morning (local time) and was Britains longest-serving consort which is a term given to the spouse of a reigning monarch. Queen and Prince Philip had been married for 73 years. After serving over 20,000 royal engagements, he was laid to rest on April 17. Further, adhering to Philips preference of driving himself without a chauffeur, his coffin was carried by a Land Rover from Windsor castle to St. George Chapel for the ceremony.

(with inputs from ANI)
New Delhi:

Rajasthan governments new ordinance, tabled in the state assembly on Monday, seeking to protect ministers, lawmakers and government officials from being investigated without sanction has been challenged in the Rajasthan High Court.

A plea filed by advocate Ajay Jain stated that the new ordinance will subvert the wisdom of judiciary. The petitioner asked the High Court to declare the 'The Criminal Laws (Rajasthan Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 as violative of the constitution.

Earlier, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday took a swipe at Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over the ordinance, pointing out that the year was "2017, not 1817".

ALSO READ: Rajasthan: Civil rights group PUCL demands repeal of ordinance shielding judges and bureaucrats

Madam Chief Minister, with all humility we are in the 21st century. It's 2017, not 1817, Gandhi tweeted.

He also tagged a news report titled Rajasthan ordinance is against free speech, say legal experts.

The report said the ordinance prohibited an investigation without prior sanction against judicial officers and public servants and also restricted the media.

It said under the proposed law, the media cannot report on accusations against magistrates and others until the prosecution gets the go-ahead from the sanctioning authority.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ | 7th Pay Commission: Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje announces pay hike for over 12 lakh employees, pensioners ahead of Diwali

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Chennai, April 25 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Sunday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the diversion of 80 MT oxygen supplies from the state to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is "unjustifiable" and should be reversed.

In a letter to Modi, the text of which was released to the media here, he also said the allotment of 220 MT (metric ton) of oxygen for Tamil Nadu in the latest National Medical Oxygen allotment plan is wrong.

Citing the increasing trend of Covid-19 infections in Tamil Nadu, Palaniswami said the the state would require 450 MT shortly which would be more than its production capacity of 400 MT.

"As compared to the maximum active case number of around 58,000 during the previous surge in 2020, the active caseload has already increased to over a lakh today. This has increased the oxygen demand as stated above. All efforts are being made to provide uninterrupted and adequate oxygen supply," he said.

Given this scenario, Palaniswami told Modi that the premise of allocating 220 MT of oxygen for Tamil Nadu and diversion of 80 MT of liquid oxygen from the manufacturing facilities near here to Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana is "wrong and unjustifiable".

As per Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) data, the consumption of oxygen in Tamil Nadu has already reached 310 MT as against the inadequate allotment made to the state of only 220 MT, he said.

Also, the states to which the allotment has been made have lower number of active cases than Tamil Nadu and also have major steel industries located within their state/close to their states, Palaniswami said.

"While Tamil Nadu has never imposed any restrictions so far and is always ready to support other states, such mandatory diversion of liquid oxygen from the needs of our state can lead to major crisis in Chennai and other districts.

"Hence, I request that diversion of 80 KL from Sriperumpudur plant in Tamil Nadu may immediately be cancelled," Palaniswami said.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have announced a Destination Tracker in preparation for the restart of international travel.

It is the result of both organisations joining efforts to boost confidence and accelerate recovery of the tourism sector when borders reopen. The UNWTO-IATA Destination Tracker is a new free online tool for governments to provide information on Covid-19 requirements for travel and the measures in place at the destination.

The tool is available through the websites of both organizations and will provide information on:

 Covid-19 Indicators including infection rates, positivity rates, and vaccination roll out by destination/country.

 Air Travel Regulations, including test and quarantine requirements, provided by IATAs Timatic solution.

 Destination Measures, including general health and safety requirements such as use of masks, transit through a country, curfew, or regulations related to restaurants and attractions, provided by national tourism organisations.

The Destination Tracker will fulfil a key need by providing clarity on Covid-19 measures affecting tourism. The situation for travellers is complex with UNWTO data showing that one in three destinations remains closed to tourists. Moreover, restrictions and in-country measures are continuously being revised.

Governments can use the Destination Tracker to post Covid-19 travel information so that potential travellers will know what to expect at their destination. When fully populated with updated destination information, travel stakeholders including Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) and travel agencies, will be able to obtain the latest destination information, enabling travelers to make informed decisions when borders reopen and travel resumes.

The development of the Tracker framework is completed. Up-to-date information on COVID-19 indicators and air travel regulations is available and systematically updated. Destination information is being progressively uploaded, expanded and updated with official sources as the Covid-19 situation evolves.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: UNWTO is pleased to reinforce its partnership with IATA, a UNWTO Affiliate Member, to provide this important tool. Travellers and companies will be able to check requirements in place for air travel, as well as what measures will be in place at the visited destination. We trust this tool is also critical for governments to track existing travel restrictions and support the safe restart of our sector.

It has been more than a year since the freedom to travel was lost as Covid-19 measures saw borders close. When governments have the confidence to re-open borders people will be eager to travel. And they will need accurate information to guide them. With the support of national tourism organisations, the UNWTO-IATA Destination Tracker will help travelers and travel companies obtain the latest information for travel planning, said Willie Walsh, IATAs Director-General.

The UNWTO-IATA Destination Tracker builds on the existing partnership between the two parties. In October 2020, UNWTO and IATA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to restore confidence in international air travel. The agreement will also see the two agencies partner to foster innovation to drive the restart of tourism, promote greater public-private collaboration in the field of aviation and the tourism sector in general, and advance progress already made towards achieving greater sustainability and resilience. - TradeArabia News Service
Committed to building a better and brighter future for people and the planet, Beyond Green officially launches as a curated guide for travellers seeking a more purposeful way to explore the world.

Featuring a global portfolio of 27 hotels, resorts, and lodges that exemplify sustainability in action, the new brand has been unveiled as part of Preferred Hotel Group.

The brand invites travel advisors to discover and plan adventures for their clients that align with sustainable travel values and aspirations through a variety of intuitive platforms, tools, and experiences. These include a new common GDS chain code  LE; a dedicated brand website; storytelling via its @StayBeyondGreen social media accounts; exclusive benefits through I Prefer Hotel Rewards; and a celebratory, limited-time Journeyers Pick Package, offering a 3 per cent bonus on top of the standard 10 per cent agency commission.

Todays travellers are craving connectedness and renewal, and with this comes a new and profound sense of responsibility for taking care of personal and planetary health and well-being, said Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Beyond Green and its parent company, Preferred Hotel Group. The travel advisor community has always given their clients endless reasons to continue to Believe in Travel, more so than ever in the past year. As we look forward to new opportunities and possibilities, advisors will play a critical role in helping travellers live out their wanderlust daydreams in a way that prioritises holistic sustainability practices.

Over the years, in speaking with advisors about sustainable travel, I was met with a common refrainment, We are inspired, we care, and we want to be part of the growing movement of travel that gives back in positive ways to the people and places we visit. But how can we easily identify the hotels that are truly doing it right? The launch of Beyond Green answers that question for todays travel advisors, said Costas Christ, Brand Leader of Beyond Green and President of Beyond Green Travel, also an entity of Preferred Hotel Group.

Dedicated Travel Advisor Booking Channels & Support

As part of this launch, Beyond Green has introduced one common GDS chain code for its new brand  LE  standing for Love Earth. Linked under Preferred Hotel Groups master GDS chain code, PV, this new chain code provides access to all member properties represented within the Beyond Green portfolio. Additionally, to ensure travel advisors are informed on every aspect of Beyond Greens global portfolio, the brands sales team, which also oversees relationships under Preferred Hotels & Resorts, will host a series of initiatives in key markets across the world including training seminars for advisors wanting to learn more about sustainable tourism and how to sell these unique properties. These events will be orchestrated throughout the year, keeping Beyond Greens valuable advisor community informed, inspired and engaged at all times.

Digital-First Resources for Inspiration and Information

Globetrotters looking to travel in a way that positively impacts nature, benefits local communities, and supports cultural heritage can now visit StayBeyondGreen.com for thoughtful, essential resources and tools to book truly sustainable luxury getaways, from Belize to Bora Bora. The new website features highly curated visual content of each member property and the experiences they offer, along with vivid stories about the world of sustainable travel through its Good Stories blog, where novel content, tips, and advice will be added on a continuous basis. The brand also invites travellers to engage in daily dialogues about sustainable tourism, inspiring travel experiences, and best practices for being informed global citizens on social media by following its newly launched Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn channels and #StayBeyondGreen and #TravelGently online conversations. To help build Beyond Green as a compelling, dynamic, and user-friendly platform, Preferred engaged two external consultants to bring the brand to life. Robert Louey Design was retained for the brand framework, narratives, and storytelling, including the image and identity for the overall brand look and feel, while Spherical was brought on to develop Beyond Greens digital identity with the new consumer-facing website and social media.

I Prefer Hotel Rewards Member Benefits

As part of the Preferred Hotel Group family of brands, Beyond Green invites advisors to enrol their clients in I Prefer to access meaningful benefits at more than 650 participating properties worldwide, ensuring they travel rewarded. In addition to receiving standard I Prefer benefits such as points for every eligible stay and early check-in and late check-out privileges, I Prefer members who book stays at participating Beyond Green hotels, resorts, and lodges receive access to exclusive bonus points-earning opportunities that are tied to participation in on-property enrichment activities representative of the three pillars of sustainable tourism. Varying from property to property, these experiences range from an Ecology Tour in San Juan Capistrano at The Ranch at Laguna Beach in California to a specialized lecture on the Gobi Desert at Three Camel Lodge in Mongolia. I Prefer members with Elite-tier status will also receive a welcome amenity or community giving opportunity, in addition to earning 50 percent more bonus points during every eligible stay.

Celebratory Launch Offer

Whether seeking to stay within their own country or satisfy the pent-up desire to dust off their passport and go somewhere new, Beyond Green encourages travellers to seize the moment by taking advantage of a limited-time only Journeyers Pick Package, available at 15 participating properties for bookings made by September 30, 2021 for travel through December 31, 2021. Featuring the best available rate plus a unique local experience or meaningful memento exclusively available through this special offer, as well as 5,000 I Prefer bonus points, is the Journeyers Pick Package also offers a 3 per cent bonus on top of the standard 10 per cent agency commission for all bookings made via the LE chain code in the GDS, Beyond Green website or call centre with a qualifying IATA/TIDS number. Highlights of the Journeyers Pick Package include, but are not limited to:

 Private 1.5-hour Shinrin Yoku Forest Therapy session at andBeyond Vira Vira

 Traditional sunset Dhow Cruise with snacks and drinks at andBeyond Mnemba Island

 Guided walking tour of the Monastery of Panagia Spileotissa at Aristi Mountain Resort & Villas

 Body scrub wellness experience using organic ingredients at Borgo Pignano

 Polynesian outrigger experience at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa

Where Good Hosts Meet Good Guests: The Beyond Green Portfolio

With plans for steady, thoughtful growth, Beyond Green celebrates its official launch in collaboration with 27 inspiring member properties that each take a unique and genuine approach to hospitality while representing sustainable tourism leadership through actionable, measurable efforts:

 Americas  andBeyond Vira Vira (Pucon, Chile); Arenas Del Mar Beach Front and Rainforest Resort (Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica), Bentwood Inn (Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA); Blancaneaux Lodge (Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize); Carneros Resort and Spa (Napa Valley, California, USA), Cavallo Point (Sausalito, California, USA); Islas Secas (Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama); Post Ranch Inn (Big Sur, California, USA); Ted Turner Reserves Vermejo (Raton, New Mexico, USA); The Ranch at Laguna Beach (Laguna Beach, California, USA); Turtle Inn (Placencia, Belize)

 Europe  Aristi Mountain Resort (Zagori, Greece); Ashford Castle (Co. Mayo, Ireland); Borgo Pignano (Tuscany, Italy)

 Africa  andBeyond Bateleur Camp (Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya); andBeyond Mnemba Island (Zanzibar, Tanzania); andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge (Namib Desert, Namibia); Bushmans Kloof (Western Cape, South Africa); Wilderness Safaris Bisate Lodge (Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda); Wilderness Safaris DumaTau Camp (Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Botswana); Wilderness Safaris Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp (Kaokoveld, Namibia); Wilderness Safaris Linkwasha Camp (Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe); Wilderness Safaris Mombo Camp (Okavango Delta, Botswana); Xigera Safari Lodge (Okavango Delta, Botswana)

 Asia  InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa (Bora Bora, French Polynesia); The Brando (Tetiaroa, French Polynesia); Three Camel Lodge (Gobi, Mongolia)

Travel advisors and their clients are invited to access more information on Beyond Green, its three key pillars of sustainable tourism, and its member properties, and book authentic, luxury travel experiences around the world by visiting StayBeyondGreen.com. - TradeArabia News Service
Carlisle is taking an intentional inward look at racial disparities to produce concrete visible change.

Last month, the Borough Council approved the formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to study racial inequities and recommend solutions by the end of 2022.

The councils action came four months after it issued an apology for the removal of headstones from the historic Black Lincoln Cemetery, which was cleared in the early 1970s to make room for what is today Memorial Park. The headstones were apparently lost.

Separately, Dickinson College is examining its own complex racial history. This month, the Carlisle college unveiled a Dickinson and Slavery walking tour on campus, spearheaded by the House Divided Project, that consists of historical markers explaining the colleges role in the controversy over slavery. Dickinson is also renaming a residence hall and a gate after African Americans who played important roles in the colleges and the boroughs histories.

MORE: Dickinson College adds context to its history through new campus tour highlighting slaverys shadow

Such examinations by a community of its racial history and inequality have a precedent in the midstate. More than 50 years ago, York held a charrette a kind of civic group therapy, in Time magazines words  to probe the causes of racial inequity in the city.

For nine days in April 1970, hundreds of York-area residents  Black and white, rich and poor, young and old, urban and suburban  gathered to identify and work toward solutions. The York Charrette sparked reforms, but some of the problems it addressed still plague the city.

Issues at the York Charrette

It was a time of intense racial tension in York. The city had experienced two straight summers of racial violence in 1968 and 1969. Most notably, a white police officer and a Black woman were killed in 1969. Convictions in their deaths wouldnt come for more than 30 years.

MORE: Yorks race riots: What caused them and what has changed since then

Lionel Bailey, who worked for Yorks Community Progress Council, observed a charrette led by William L. Riddick II at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, in late 1969, according to George Shumways Charrette at York, Pa. The purpose of a charrette is to bring together diverse members of a community to solve problems in a compressed time frame.

Bailey brought the idea of a charrette to York. Organizers spent months planning the event and hired Riddick to manage it. (The 2019 movie The Best of Enemies was based on a charrette Riddick organized to desegregate Durham, North Carolina, schools in 1971).

The York Charrette took place at Bond Sanitary Products, built as a car dealership and today an events venue, at King and Queen streets. It focused on six topics: youths, education, employment, metropolitan government, health and housing.

Participants broke into groups to discuss the six areas, then made reports to the full gathering. At the end, the groups results were summarized.

Grievances included the police departments use of dogs on Black people, absentee landlords, substandard infrastructure, the need for community health centers and discrimination against Black students by teachers.

A recurring complaint throughout the charrette concerned low participation and lukewarm support from city government and educational leaders.

Noncommittal responses by Mayor Eli Eichelberger and school board President Ralph Runkle to the work groups recommendations withered the spirit of the charrette, Shumway writes.

Organizers gathered afterward to try to rescue the charrette. They decided to bring back the public officials for another chance to commit to the recommendations.

Eichelberger promised to commit all the resources of his administration to help the charrette achieve its goals.

Results mixed

In a 2011 article in the Journal of York County Heritage, Raul Urrunaga writes that although the charrette became heated at times, Black and white residents were at least talking to one another about root problems of violence and discrimination.

Participants had mixed reactions to the charrette.

I am optimistic, a young white woman told The (York) Gazette and Daily. I believe that the charrette approach is really the answer, because people are communicating.

A Black high school student disagreed.

We have had so many rap sessions in this town, he told the newspaper, and every time we have a session or a study, it reports racism in the schools, in local government, in jobs, in the police force, and here we are talking about it again. Nothing.

The charrette did lead to change.

Urrunaga points out that the precursors to Family First Health, which helps low-income families with health services, and Affordable Housing Advocates came out of the charrette.

Later research revealed a forerunner of Rabbittransit did, too. And no rioting erupted in the summer of 1970.

Significantly, the police department disbanded its canine corps in 1973.

However, critics of the charrette say it never truly reached the root of institutional racism in York.

For example, a 2019 report by urban consultant David Rusk found that York Countys Black family poverty rate is more than three times the white family rate. The Latino family poverty rate is more than five times greater than that of white families.

Despite the mixed results, York took a hard look at its racial disparities and sought solutions.

Carlisle is embarking on a similar effort in a longer time frame: two years instead of nine days.

As Carlisle goes through this painful process, it can look to York County to glean the good and avoid the bad.

Joe McClure is a news editor for The Patriot-News. Follow him on Instagram: @jmcclure5nine.
Several residents of 400 Grand Street, which is scheduled to be demolished to make way for the Essex Crossing development, say they continue to get the run-around by the city. Last night, they turned to Community Board 3 for help.

In 2011, CB3 voted in favor of a resolution urging the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to find new apartments for the tenants, the only people still living on the former urban renewal site. But more than two years later, the residents and attorneys from Manhattan Legal Services working on their behalf, have had no luck engaging the housing agency.

Four years ago, we first reported on the situation at 400 Grand, which was at one time on its way to joining the Tenant Interim Lease Program (TIL). The program allows residents to convert city-owned buildings to co-ops and take ownership of their apartments. After initially signing off on the conversion, the city abruptly removed 400 Grand Street from the program when it became apparent that the long-delayed Seward Park redevelopment project was finally coming to fruition.

In the past, HPD officials have said federal law requires the city to offer any displaced residents at least three comparable housing options. Last night, Eunice Suh of the agencys planning unit appeared before CB3s land use committee, but was unable to provide much relevant information to board members or residents. Referencing a recent letter delivered to tenants, she said, I apologize if theres been any confusion in the past about what is happening It (the letter) was not an eviction notice. It was just a (notice) that this (the relocation process) was going to be happening. Suh said the tenants would be offered comparable apartments but she did not indicate where they are located or what the apartments would cost. The tenants, she added, would have to go through an income eligibility process.

Previously some of the tenants have expressed a desire to move into other TIL buildings on the Lower east Side, but the city has claimed there are no openings anywhere in New York City. During last nights conversation, most community board members seemed to agree a better option would be securing apartments for the tenants in the Essex Crossing project (500 affordable units are to be built).

At the meeting, longtime resident Ricardo Rosario recounted his familys 20-year struggle to stay in the neighborhood. About 15 years ago, he said, they were relocated to Grand Street after their previous building at 199 Orchard St. was destabilized and became uninhabitable. Although the residents were promised they would be able to return to their homes, post-renovation rents were more than they could afford. Years later, Rosario said, he fears being displaced once again.

In a resolution approved by the committee last night, the CB3 panel urged HPD to make available a high-level official who can address the situation. They called on the city to make relocation of the six impacted 400 Grand Street residents a priority. In response, Suh said she wanted to help fix the situation and she would make sure her bosses got the message.

We have contacted HPD for a response but have not yet received a reply. Essex Crossing is expected to break ground in about 18 months.

UPDATE 6:15 p.m. An HPD spokesperson responded this evening:
News

Yuma, Arizona - A Yuma Sector canine alert led to the discovery of meth and a loaded handgun early this morning at the immigration checkpoint on California Highway 78.

Border Patrol agents referred a Ford truck to the checkpoints secondary inspection area at 3:30 a.m. after a canine alerted to the vehicle.

Yuma agents alerted by a CBP narcotics

detection canine seized meth and a loaded

handgun

While in secondary, the canine alerted to the vehicles center console, in which a plastic bag containing one-half pound of methamphetamine was discovered. A loaded 9 mm handgun was also located in between the center console and front passenger seat. In addition, agents discovered miscellaneous drug paraphernalia.

The vehicle occupants, three U.S. citizens from Wyoming, were arrested and the methamphetamine, handgun and drug paraphernalia were seized.
A judge awarded Natalia Dudenko (pictured) 14,000 after determining she was unfairly dismissed from Costa Coffee in Edinburgh

A Costa coffee shop manager has won a 14,000 payout after she was fired for taking her jacket with her when a fire alarm went off at a store.

Natalia Dudenko 'singlehandedly' evacuated the 'packed' Edinburgh shop in six minutes - having to remove elderly, disabled, and unhappy customers - and grabbed her coat as it was cold and raining outside.

However, the assistant manager faced an investigation and was sacked after her bosses claimed she took too long in evacuating and that fetching her jacket amounted to gross misconduct.

Mrs Dudenko, 35, was accused of leading a 'confused and disorganised' evacuation and putting others people's safety at risk when she was sacked by bosses.

Now, the married mother-of-one has successfully sued the coffee giant for unfair dismissal, with a tribunal criticising the popular chain for its decision.

A judge ruled it was 'unreasonable' for Costa Coffee to conclude that six minutes was too long and said Ms Dudenko retrieving her jacket merited a written warning 'at most'.

The tribunal heard a fire alarm went off at the store - located inside a Tesco superstore - at 3.03pm on November 23 in 2019, when the Costa was busy as it was a Saturday in the run-up to Christmas.

Seven customers 'complained or refused' or asked for refunds, some were parents with babies in pushchairs, others were 'slow-moving' elderly or disabled people who required a walking stick.

Mrs Dudenko evacuated the store - which did not have a fire - by 3.09pm and later told bosses she grabbed her coat after colleagues did the same.

Mrs Dudenko said: 'I did not think it would take any extra time to grab our jackets. It was cold and it was raining outside - I thought it was reasonable.'

When she was dismissed, a Costa investigation report said: 'Failure to take charge and instruct staff effectively and efficiently during fire evacuation, which lead to your inability to control the situation.

'This resulted in staff being confused and disorganised, unable to contribute towards the evacuation and therefore prolonging it.

A report by Costa compiled after Ms Dudenko was dismissed said she failed to take charge and was unable to control the situation during fire evacuation at the store in Edinburgh (file photo)

'This ultimately placed the team and customers at risk.'

Mrs Dudenko, who earned 10.28 an hour, complained she was being 'singled out' as she received the same training as her colleagues who didn't face disciplinary action for getting their coats but lost her appeal.

Employment Judge Mel Sangster, sitting in Edinburgh, ruled that Costa unfairly dismissed Mrs Dudenko and ordered the company to pay her 14,400 compensation.

Judge Sangster said it was not 'reasonable' to sack her for collecting a jacket.

She said: 'Notwithstanding the fact that Mrs Dudenko was the most senior employee on site on the day in question, no reasonable employer would have categorised the conduct as gross misconduct.

'The tribunal found that, at most, given the circumstances, this would have merited a written warning.'

The judge also said Mrs Dudenko was right to pause and assess the situation and that Costa was 'unreasonable' in concluding that six minutes was too long.

She said: 'No reasonable employer would have determined it was gross misconduct for an individual not to start a fire evacuation immediately, when her position was that she delayed slightly (for seconds rather than minutes) to assess the situation and whether the lines of exit were clear, before asking all the customers in the store to leave by that route.

Ms Dudenko won 14k and says she hopes her story inspires others to stand up for themselves

'Had she failed to do so, she may have directed customers towards a fire or other hazard.

'The identification of the safest exit requires to be assessed at the outset, which will necessarily involve a very short delay.'

She added: 'The tribunal found that Mrs Dudenko otherwise handled the evacuation of the store as best she could in the circumstances, given the very limited training she had received, the difficulties she experienced with customers refusing to leave the store and the absence of any assistance whatsoever from the other members of staff on duty that day.'

Mrs Dudenko, who now lives in Bathgate, Scotland, is now a stay-at-home mother with her nine-month-old baby who says it will be 'hard to find a new job in a similar position on part-time'.

But, speaking after the decision, Mrs Dudenko said she hopes to inspire other mistreated workers to stand up for themselves.

She said: 'I am grateful for my family and friends for their great support, it was massive challenge especially as I did not have a lawyer or assistance.

'My case should be an example that a simple employee can always prove they are right even if they stand against a big company like Costa.

'Nobody should be treated like I was and I would like to encourage everyone to stand up for their rights and never give up if they are mistreated.'
Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has expressed confidence that the world will be 'completely back to normal' by the end of 2022.

The Microsoft founder said he expected Covid infection levels to be reduced to 'very small numbers' by the end of next year as vaccines became increasingly available around the world.

He said within 'the next three or four months' the US and other developed countries will start to have excess vaccines they can share with the developing world.

'Over the balance of the year, the US, the UK and others will be able to make sure that the vaccines are now going to the developing countries,' he told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme.

Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has expressed confidence that the world will be 'completely back to normal' by the end of 2022

'Because many of the vaccines worked, although we are looking at some of the side effects now and making sure we can treat those and that they are very rare, that good news means we will be able to supply others.

He also urged the UK to restore its overseas aid budget as soon as possible, saying it is of 'critical importance' in getting vaccines to the developing world.

Gates added that British voters should be 'very proud' of the role their country had played in supporting Gavi - the international vaccine alliance.

However he said its impact would be diminished unless the commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on aid - which has been cut temporarily due to economic effects of the pandemic - was restored.

'The quicker the UK can get its aid level back up to the 0.7 per cent the better,' he said.

Mr Gates said it was a 'good thing' that rich countries had been able to vaccinate their elderly populations. (Stock image)

'It's been the strongest proponent of getting behind vaccines and making sure we eradicate polio and with the cutbacks we won't be able to do as much so I hope that gets restored because it is of critical importance.'

Gates added: 'The other good news is that the actual death rate from this epidemic in the poorest countries has actually been quite low.

'So the places where you want to get everyone over-60 vaccinated, like South Africa, Brazil, that will become a priority just in the next three or four months ... when the US will move into that excess position.'

Gates said it was a 'good thing' that rich countries had been able to vaccinate their elderly populations as they had generally been harder hit than developing countries.

'The fact that now we're vaccinating 30-year-olds in the UK and the US and we don't have all the 60-year-olds in Brazil and South Africa (vaccinated), that's not fair, but within three or four months the vaccine allocation will be getting to all the countries that have the very severe epidemic.'
Critical to an ambulances survival is its ability to transport patients to hospitals, which allows it to bill for a transport. That limited revenue stream dried up during the pandemic, according to workers across the country, when crews were discouraged from transporting all but the sickest of patients.

Instead of transporting patients to hospitals, crews were being directed to provide care on scene, Mr. Gienapp, of the Wyoming health department, said. E.M.S. doesnt get paid for any of that, he said.

At the same time, many of the standard sorts of medical emergencies that helped keep ambulances afloat disappeared, either because people were moving around less, or were fearful of going to a hospital and exposing themselves to the coronavirus.

There is not sufficient E.M.S. volume in this entire service area to make this a profitable, break-even venture, Mr. Gatti, of Rock Springs, said. This is an essential service that doesnt pay for itself.

In dense urban areas like New York or Los Angeles, there are enough people and everyday maladies that an ambulance service can come closer to sustaining itself, and enough of a tax base that cities can support it. But in places like Wyoming, the least populous state and one notoriously averse to tax increases, each missed transport in 2020 was critically lost revenue.

Unlike fire and police departments, many states do not consider ambulances to be essential services. Only a handful of states require local governments to provide them.

For most of the country, access to an ambulance is a lottery. Some municipalities provide them as a public service, funded by taxpayers, while some contract with for-profit ambulance companies. Most rely on the willingness of volunteer companies, like Mr. Sypherds in Washakie County, which are buoyed by a patchwork system of public and private funding streams.
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Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers has strongly condemned the barbaric and dastardly attack on security personnel along Omagwa/Isiokpo/Elele Owerri Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Wike made this known on Sunday in a statement by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, in Port Harcourt.

He said:  There is no justification for such a heinous and condemnable attack targeted against innocent security personnel on legitimate duty of protecting life and property in the state.

The Government of Rivers State is saddened by the unwarranted callous attack on security personnel. We offer our sympathies to the relatives of those who lost their lives in the attack.

We condemn this heinous act, share the grief of the security agencies and convey our sincere condolences.

The governor, who charged the security agencies to be vigilant, said that the government and people of Rivers are in solidarity with security agencies at this difficult times of this unwarranted and mindless violence.

The governor also demanded that perpetrators of the attack must be fished out and brought to justice.

(NAN)
Rana, a Pakistan native, immigrated to the United States from Canada. He worked as a doctor before settling into Chicago, where he set up several businesses and raised three children with his wife. She did not attend Thursday's sentencing because immigration officials stopped her earlier this month when she tried to re-enter the U.S. after a family trip to Canada, according to Rana's lawyers.
Abbey Quinn regrets the Easter dinner.

The 29-year-old celebrated the holiday with her roommate's family five days after nabbing her first Moderna vaccine shot. Later that week Quinn, a restaurant worker in Asheville, N.C., woke up feeling her shirt hurt against her skin and knew it wasn't a typical cold.

Everyone at the meal tested positive for coronavirus, she said.

MORE COVID NEWS: Houston COVID-19 expert concerned about early stages of virus' fourth wave

Quinn falls into an unlucky group of Americans exposed to the virus before their vaccine doses could offer them full protection. Their stories offer a reminder of the danger of people letting their guard down while highly transmissible virus variants circulate and a spring wave drives up hospitalizations across the country.

"We are all had an collective, 'Oh man, you were so close,'" Quinn recalled after telling her family about testing positive after her first shot. "I understood I wasn't fully protected. I did feel some sense of relief not because I felt like I was immune, but just because it felt the end was near. I saw a light at the end of the tunnel."

There's no clear data on how many people contracted coronavirus before their vaccinations could take full effect.

Based on a Washington Post analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Post estimates about 21,000 of 470,000 people who tested positive for coronavirus for the week ended Sunday already had their first dose. Michigan, where cases have been rising sharply with the rise of highly transmissible variants, accounts for about a tenth of that estimate.

Experts warn these cases should not be interpreted as evidence vaccines don't work. The immune system needs several weeks to provide robust protection as the body learns the blueprint for stopping the virus before it can cause serious disease. They are not the same as "breakthrough infections" happening at least two weeks after the final dose - which are overwhelmingly mild and extreme outliers.

photo for The Washington Post by Kim Raff.

With every American adult eligible for a vaccine this week, public health authorities and experts are pleading for vigilance and social distancing for a few more weeks to deliver a finishing blow to the pandemic in time for summer.

Experts say the first dose may keep coronavirus infections mild, but the protection probably wouldn't start kicking in for at least a week.A CDC study of 4,000 vaccinated health care workers and first responders found the risk of infection was reduced by 80% two weeks or more after the first shot and protection increased to more than 90% two weeks or more after the second shot.

"Even if you develop disease, you already have a head start form an immune system standpoint on controlling the virus," said C. Buddy Creech, the director of Vanderbilt University's vaccine research program. "The real challenge is we have to show the blueprint to the immune system with enough lead time."

Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious-disease doctor in South Carolina, said most patients who tested positive after a first vaccine dose that she encountered had mild symptoms.

"The thing people need to remember is the vaccine is not 100% protective, nothing is 100% protective," Kuppalli said. "We want this to become akin to it feeling like a nuisance cold if you get vaccinated. We don't want people having significant morbidity and mortality from covid."

In other cases, a person may have been exposed to the virus before their first jab. Montana Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte may be among the most high-profile of those cases after experiencing mild coronavirus symptoms three days after his first shot.

Anuraag Routroy, a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Texas Austin, was excited for a shot on Jan. 25 through the university. Then he felt stomach pains, which he initially chalked up to bad dorm food, and tested positive for the virus on Jan. 24.

"It felt like all the work that we had done since the pandemic begun being careful went to waste in a sense because you are so close to the vaccine, the final prize and you lose right before it," Routroy said.

Kuppalli said vaccines for other viruses, such as Ebola, have been shown to effective as a post-exposure prophylactic that could prevent disease.

MORE COVID NEWS: 'Game-changing' COVID-19 variant spreading fast among children, experts say

But no studies have demonstrated a similar effect with the coronavirus vaccine, and the CDC advises people to wait until they are fully recovered before getting vaccinated. This is because the immune system could produce an "overly robust" response for people recovering from infection, Creech said.

There's no clear cut guidance for people infected between shots, who are usually advised to consult their doctor.

Zack, a 30-year-old Philadelphia entrepreneur, lucked out when a friend told him a mass vaccination site had leftover doses at the end of an early March evening. He wasn't particularly worried about the virus as a young adult without high-risk medical conditions.

That weekend, he went to a restaurant to dine indoors for the first time in months and joined a small home dinner party with friends. He woke in the middle of the night with a fever a few days later. Tests confirmed he and a friend at the dinner party contracted the virus.

"It's not like I was running around licking door handles or making out with random strangers, but I was thinking now I can eat indoors even though I knew I hadn't changed my risk profile that much at that point," said Zach, who asked his last name not be published to avoid harassment.

His case was mild and he has since become fully vaccinated. Now he's trying to help others avoid his situation.

"If I hear someone who says I got first vaccine, I say, 'Hey, just keep in mind you still got to behave safely and keep masking up," he said. "The first vaccine is not going to totally protect you."

Others who tested positive for coronavirus after their first vaccine dose have been trying to make sure their bad timing does not fuel vaccine hesitancy among friends and family.

Monica Martinez, a 25-year-old Utah resident, has been kicking herself for flying with her husband to visit relatives in Florida over the holidays. She tested negative five days before her vaccine appointment on Jan. 11, but felt feverish on the day of her appointment. Staff at the site told her she could get her shot anyway, but two days later, she tested positive.

"I didn't tell everyone I got covid, at least not right away, and would say please get vaccinated - it's not the vaccine's fault," said Martinez, a psychology student. "I didn't want to add to any sensationalism that 'She just got vaccinated and she got covid two days later, I wonder what that's about.'"

The disease hit her hard the first few days akin to a bad flu and leaving her with a high heartbeat. Her husband, who also tested positive, is just starting to recover his sense of taste and smell four months later.

"The theme of this is we are trying to be as careful as we can during a pandemic and the one time we slipped up and went traveling is the time we paid the price," Martinez said. "We learned our lesson."
The Biden Administration plans to increase the numbers of migrants released into the U.S. Along with the pandemic and the economy slowing down, some call it anti-American first.

To increase the number of migrants released is a big mistake

According to Fox News, the Biden administration plans to expand the proportion of illegal immigrants released into the United States.

The reported decision to release more illegal immigrants into the United States rose as the number of migrants at the southern border is more than can be handled but is still happening, reported the Blaze.

According to the media outlet, several internal communications within the Department of Homeland Security show that the Biden administration is incapable of solving the crisis he created after the flood immigrants have strained border services.

The DHS is developing plans for an Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program. The ATD program was introduced in 2004 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and it has several components. It includes case management and electronic monitoring to ensure adult aliens will follow the laws of the United States and their release conditions, appear at immigration court hearings, or risk getting deported from the U.S.

Democrat Senators Urge Biden to Pay Back Arizona for Expenses Incurred at US Border

The technology used by ICE is GPS tracking devices, telephonic reporting, or smartphone apps to trace all immigrants who are released from detention by authorities based on several criteria. These criteria serve as a guide in the decision-making process on whether to allow them to stay in the U.S. or not.

According to data from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement website, "In August 2020, there are over 3.3 million people designated to the non-detained list, many with pending cases in the immigration courts."

"Of these, ICE has the resources to track about 5 percent of the total non-detained community, with an estimated 100,000 aliens."

A month ago, a senior source with Customs and Border Protection said the Rio Grande Valley Sector would start releasing illegal immigrants seeking asylum. Without a Notice to Appear, they will be released without being given an immigration court date.

These measures got many people mad as it affects taxpayers. One factor is housing aliens in hotel rooms that cost $86 million for 1200 migrant families. Another is flying the aliens to the Canadian border for processing.

A DHS spokesperson said that most single adults and families would be kicked out, but some cases will have another process where they decide whether they are fit to stay in the U.S. or be deported from its borders.

However, new reports from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that say Biden's mismanagement of Trump's policies have singlehandedly made this border crisis on his own.

The Customs and Border Patrol said that more than 172,000 people tried to enter the U.S. in March  that was noticeably more than February. Cayotes and Cartels profited from the mistake of president Biden, and the increased numbers of migrants will be another burden to American taxpayers.

Biden Administration to Use Taxpayers' Money to Pay for Migrants' Hotel Accommodations





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Sir James Dyson is a remarkable man. At a youthful 73, he is the richest person in Britain, with a net worth of about 16bn. For purposes of scale, Bill Gates is worth about 10 times as much, but thats still not bad for the son of a public schoolmaster in Norfolk with no great wealth behind him. His name is now synonymous with easier vacuum cleaning, and instantly recognisable, like Hoover; what is more, he has the phone number of the prime minister, and is not afraid to use it.

When the pandemic struck last year and the government realised it didnt have enough ventilators to cope with the caseload, it panicked. As the general go to, can do British engineer and designer, Dyson was asked to help and he readily agreed. Hed been in touch with the authorities about making a new design of ventilator, using Dysons existing technologies and component supply chains, and in partnership with JCB and Cambridge science engineers TTP, another British success story sympathetic to Boris Johnson. However, it seems the project ran into the early problem of what would happen if Dyson and his team stayed in the UK for longer than they had planned, away from the companys operations in Singapore and Malaysia.

If they did so, they would become liable for (higher) UK taxation. With bureaucratic resolution moving slowly, Dyson appealed directly to the prime minister. As first lord of the Treasury, as Johnson declared, he would fix it. In due course, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, suspended the usual residency rules. As we learned this week, No 10 and Treasury officials may not have been aware of the details of the lobbying exercise, even though there may have been nothing wrong with it, and, as the prime minister pleads, he was trying to move heaven and earth to get his hands on those ventilators  an effort he once referred to, in poor taste, as Operation Last Gasp.
JACKSON, MI -- The magic of the Fairy Festival has returned to Jackson.

The Jackson School of the Arts reintroduced its 14th annual festival of all things dedicated to craft, whimsy and cuteness, but with a new ticketed strategy during the coronavirus pandemic.

Time slots over four days started Thursday and will end Sunday, April 25. Guests toured festival favorites: the cupcake cafe, a fairy forest, tea with the fairy queen and mermaid and pirate cove. Organizers split attendees into smaller groups that rotated through each space to limit crowding.

On Saturday afternoon, lots of fairy wings were seen around the school at 734 N. Mechanic Street in Jackson.

The Fairy Festival is the biggest fundraiser each year for the Jackson School of the Arts, said Jode Piotrowski, art program and special events manager.

It raises money to support our programs and our mission, which is to provide the arts to all, Piotrowski said. Our Fairy Festival raises money to support students that would like to join us for art, dance and theatre that not might otherwise be able to afford it.

MORE JACKSON NEWS:

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Here at Cracked, were always on the lookout for exciting pieces of movie memorabilia going up for sale, like a rotting Ninja Turtle costume, or a creepy Munchkin scalp, or Ferris Buellers sweet Ferrari that was secretly total garbage. Well, we just noticed another interesting piece of Hollywood history that is available to purchase online: Pinhead skin.

Remember Pinhead, the iconic cenobite from Hellraiser? Well, for just 350 bucks, you can buy a small flake of his skin, presumably for horror fans who have already acquired Freddy Kruegers toenail clippings and a clump of hair from Candymans shower drain.

ebay.com Suck it, sled from Citizen Kane.

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Despite the hefty price tag, this minuscule scrap of prosthetic foam latex isnt from the first Hellraiser movie, or even the second or the third. Its from the tenth goddamn movie: 2018s Hellraiser: Judgment. And Pinhead wasnt even played by original actor Douglas Bradley because, according to reports, the production recast the role after refusing to give into Bradleys demands to  read the script. The budget of the straight-to-video film was just $350,000 -- or in other words, only a thousand times the cost of this tiny snippet of latex.
President Joe Bidens recognition of the Armenian genocide was met Saturday by tempered satisfaction from the nations US diaspora, with some saying the words need to result in more pressure against Turkey.

Its a middle step, because (Biden) didnt say Turkey, said Yvette Gevorkian, who was among some 400 people who marched in New York City to mark the memory of the World War I-era killings.

But its a victory for all this time weve been working towards, added the 51-year-old who arrived in the United States from Iran at the age of nine.

As many as 1.5 million Armenians are estimated to have been killed from 1915 to 1917 during the waning days of the Ottoman Empire, which suspected the Christian minority of conspiring with adversary Russia in World War I.

Armenian populations were rounded up and deported into the desert of Syria on death marches in which many were shot, poisoned or fell victim to disease, according to accounts at the time by foreign diplomats.

Turkey, which emerged as a secular republic from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire, acknowledges that 300,000 Armenians may have died but strongly rejects that it was genocide.

Its a delicate issue for NATO ally Turkey, and nations like France, Germany and Canada that have recognized the genocide.

One side you say I recognize the Armenian genocide but at the same time, youre giving (Turkey) technology, you support their army, said 40-year-old Mher Janian of the Armenian National Committee of America grassroots group.

Still, its a step toward the future for reparations, for good relationship with our neighbours, he added.

 Justice should prevail 

Recognition has been a top priority for Armenia and Armenian-Americans, with calls for compensation and property restoration over what they call Meds Yeghern  the Great Crime  and appeals for more support against Turkish-backed neighbor Azerbaijan.

Marchers also gathered in Los Angeles, home to one of the largest Armenian communities in the world, to mark the day with Armenian flags and calls for accountability.

Turkey must pay, Turkey will pay, the crowd chanted, while some held Thank you Biden signs.

Born in Turkey, Armenia, Iran, Syria, Lebanon or even the United States, Armenian Americans have taken many routes but share a history that remains unforgotten.

Ani Tervizian, who attended the New York rally, told of her grandmother recounting how her own mother and uncle had been victims of massacre.

The fact that so many generations have passed and you see all these youths that feel Armenian in a foreign land, to me, thats victory, the 58-year-old said.

The simple fact of the recognition was welcomed by people who hope nations can remember the horror of the killings and stop them from happening again elsewhere.

The goal is not to alienate us from our allies but rather to bring to awareness that justice should prevail. We have to take action to prevent future genocide and massacres, said Archbishop prelate Anoushavan Tanielian of the Eastern Prelacy of the Apostolic Church of America.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue has welcomed the launch of a public consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the draft Agri-Food Strategy to 2030.

The draft was prepared by a committee of stakeholders, chaired by Mr Tom Arnold, and facilitated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Referring to the draft strategy, the Minister said, I want to thank the Stakeholder Committee and the Chair, Tom Arnold, for their work on this document. It envisions Ireland as a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade.

It considers many of the issues that will be central to the development of the sector over the next ten years.

These include a strong focus on improving primary producer viability and farm incomes; the importance of ensuring that our food offering continues to be high-quality, safe and healthy; the need to embrace innovation and improve competitiveness; and the requirement for an environmentally sustainable agri-food sector.

The draft strategys mission-led food systems approach has sustainability in all its forms, environmental, social and economic, at its core.

In parallel with the work of the Committee, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) have been prepared independently to determine the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the Strategy. As part of this environmental assessment process, an eight-week public consultation will now take place to seek views on the SEA, the AA and the draft Strategy itself.

The Minister concluded, I encourage all those interested to participate in the public consultation and make their views known. The Committee will take these views into account before the Strategy is finalised. I look forward to as many people as possible participating in this consultation.

Minister of State, Senator Pippa Hackett said, Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 will be challenging, and will certainly require changes in the way our land is used and farmed, but it will deliver gains as well. To maximise these gains, we need everyone to contribute, and to pull together, so I urge all parties to take part in this consultation.

This strategy sets out practical actions for the sector to become climate neutral by 2050; but it is also about restoring and enhancing biodiversity; improving water quality; and developing diverse, multi-functional forests. We need to hear from everyone interested in these issues.

Minister of State Martin Heydon T.D., who has responsibility for Research and Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development, said, I am pleased to see the emphasis on research, which will be a key enabler for an innovative agri-food sector, driven by technology and talent.

I believe it is very welcome that the Strategy considers the welfare of our primary producers and recognises the importance of supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of the farming and fishing communities, and the challenges of isolation and mental health.
Tariq Ahmad, Member of the UK's House of Lords said, "Hong Kong authorities decision to target leading pro-democracy figures for prosecution is unacceptable and must stop."

In reponse to Ahmad's words, Chen Weiqiang, Lecturer of College of Professional and Continuing Education, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University said that they criticized other countrys internal affairs and didnt respect the rule of law of Hong Kong.

Chen Yunsheng, media commentator, said, "remarks of some political clowns like Chris Patten, which are like gangsters lawless and unreasonable swear words, show that they are unwilling to remain out of the limelight."

[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
Setting an example of Desh Seva, a consignment of 800 oxygen concentrators was airlifted from Hong Kong by SpiceXpress B737 freighter aircraft for emergency use and distribution throughout India. Efforts like this when the whole nation is currently facing an acute shortage of medical oxygen ensure everyones participation in the fight against Covid-19. At this critical time, the first thing which is required is everyones participation where one can contribute their part.

Currently, 4000 concentrators are needed for 3 weeks, enough for those in the 80 to 90 SOP2 crisis. To ensure the smooth supply of these concentrators, 5 Dedicated Cargo planes can be ship worldwide within 48 hours, Besides, Air Corridor can also be set up to ensure timely assistance. For domestic transportation, the government should use live GPS tracking which could share the on-time information with the hospitals. In addition, authorities need to work 24X7 to operationalise 2 more almost ready plans. However, one thing which should be the utmost priorities of this time is to set up 3 Day buffer stock reserves within Delhi and to create a 1000 bed facility right next to the 02 plants in Faridabad. The cost for all these steps could be diverted from the emergency funds of the government.

Indian Air Force is also contributing their part, IAF on Saturday airlifted from Singapore to help with the acute shortage of medical oxygen. The IAF was also airlifting critical medicines and equipment to the allocated COVID-19 hospitals in different parts of the nation and has been transporting oxygen tankers and containers to multiple filling stations throughout the country since Friday in order to expedite the delivery of critical medical oxygen to COVID-19 patients.

Read More: Oxygen concentrators: Why are they in demand, can they solve Oxygen crisis?
According to US State Department spokesperson Ned Price, Australia's decision to cancel Belt and Road Initiatives with China gets their support. The Belt and Road strategy is China's way of getting financial footholds in sovereign nations.

The US Supports Canceling of Belt and Road Initiatives

The Biden government supports the Australian government and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who is willing to cut projects with Beijing on the premise that Beijing has shown its side in economic agreements. It differs from the Biden administration that is willing to deal with China, reported The Epoch Times.

Price was quoted by an outlet saying this:

"The United States will support the Australians as they take the burden of the PRC's harmful policies." He added," The Australian government deemed the agreements unreliable with Australia's international policy or counterproductive to Australia's foreign relations."

In total, four deals between the Victorian state government and foreign powers, including Iran, Syria, and China, were canceled by Australia's federal government. All these nations are considered belligerent and overly aggressive.

In total, Australia's federal government canceled four arrangements between the Victorian state government and foreign powers, including Iran, Syria, and China.

"The ending deals made with these organizations in Iran and Syria show that Australia is focused on defending its own national interest against all foreign actors not only the People's Republic of China (PRC)," Price said.

Price made the remarks during a media briefing on April 22, guaranteeing U.S. support for its ally as it protected its national interests to cancel Belt and Road initiatives in the wake of a repressive Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Chinese Demand for Australian Iron Ore High Even With Trade Tensions

Even though Australian Prime Minister Morrison did not want to commit to new carbon targets during the April 21 Climate Summit hosted by President Joe Biden, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, made his support clear.

It's safe to say that former President Trump would have never committed to any agreement with the CCP, which the Australians continue to follow even as President Biden's initiatives seem to be pro-China.

Instead, Morrison promised that Australia would reach a net-zero emission goal via industrial innovation that would allow the country to lessen its carbon emissions and preserve employment and essentially the livelihoods that these industries generate and sustain. Australia's goals are apparently to try to keep energy independence without sacrificing crude oil industries, unlike what the Democrats are currently pushing for in the U.S.

Morris went on to say that America has Silicone Valley, but in Australia, they have hydrogen valleys. His government will change transport, mining, resource sectors, manufacture, fuel, and energy production for independence in energy self-reliance.

"We're pushing countries around the world, including ourselves, to be as ambitious as we can be, knowing the stakes of this 'existential threat," Price said.

He also suggested the possibility of cooperation between the U.S. and Australia on infrastructure and policy growth.

The United States considers Australia a strong ally in technological development, opportunities, also policy development. He added that the nation down under has been a staunch ally, and there's a significant chance of the two countries working together.

Yes, the US supports the decision to cancel Belt and Road initiatives, but the Biden administration has a different priority than what Morrison has decided.

GOP Lawmakers Call Chinese Pledge on Climate Change Bogus

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Ranking Member Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) speaks during a hearing to examine the nomination of Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to be Secretary of Energy, on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 27, 2021. (Jim Watson/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Sen. Manchin Backs Targeted Infrastructure Bill, Opposes Reconciliation

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said on April 25 he would support passing a smaller infrastructure bill with bipartisan support, appearing to oppose the scope of President Joe Bidens plan.

In an interview with CNN, the Democratic senator said that he prefers a more targeted measure that would incorporate broadband internet, roads, and other traditional infrastructure needs. When asked if he would back another bill with other related spending via a Senate process called reconciliation, he replied, No.

Im not a roadblock at all. The best politics is good government. I cant believe that people believe that if you just do it my way, that will give us the momentum to get through the next election, Manchin told CNN. We wont give this system a chance to work. Im not going to be part of blowing up this Senate of ours, or basically this democracy of ours, or the Republic that we have.

In the divided 5050 Senate, Manchinwhose state overwhelmingly favored former President Donald Trump over Biden during the 2020 electionis seen as a key swing vote. He previously balked at Democrats plans to eliminate the 60-vote filibuster thats designed to protect the rights of the minority party.

Manchin praised the GOPs smaller, more targeted counterproposal to Bidens infrastructure plan.

Thats a good start. It really is and Im glad they did it because it came out of the [Committee on Environment and Public Works] which has [Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.)] as chairman, and my colleague [Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.)] is basically the ranking member, he said. They worked it together so we know it has bipartisan support, we just have to look to see if weve gotten everything in there that we need.

Last week, Manchin appeared to disagree with what constitutes infrastructure, as Bidens administration and some top Democrats have tried to shift the meaning of the term away from facilities and structures such as buildings, roads, bridges, water pipes, and power supplies required to organize a society.

What we think the greatest need we have now, that can be done in a bipartisan way, is conventional infrastructure whether its the water, sewer, roads, bridges, internetthings that we know need to be repaired, be fixed, Manchin said at a press conference.

There is not a greater common cause than infrastructure, Manchin also said on April 23. If we cant come together on infrastructure in the most toxic atmosphere weve had in Washington, then were in trouble.
Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton said April 25 that a conflict involving China over Taiwan cannot be discounted but he insists that the Australian government was still focused on having good relations with Beijing. His statement comes amidst a time when Sino-Australian ties have deteriorated considerably pertaining to issues including the COVID-19 pandemic, trade and Chinese assertion in the pacific. Meanwhile, Beijing has stepped up its efforts-both military and diplomatic- to intimidate Taipei to give up the struggle for its discreet identity.

Battle over Taiwan

Questioned about the possibility of a battle over Taiwan, Dutton asserted that a conflict should not be discounted. Speaking at ABC Insiders on Sunday, he further said that China has been very clear about the reunification and thats been a long held objective of theirs. Calling attention to the increased militarization of Chinese bases across the region, he asserted that people have to be realistic about Beijings activities and the animosity between Taiwan and China.

Good Neighbours

However, Dutton said Australia wanted to continue being a good neighbour in the region that worked with its partners and allies. While he clearly called out for peace between Taiwan and China, he said that Australia was prepared for any conflict. Furthermore, he said that the Australian Defense Forces were highly prepared for any potential threats.

Just last week, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen had told the US delegatesthat the self-ruled Democratic island would work with Washington to counter Chinese military activities. Former senior US officials, including former US Senator Chris Dodd and ex-Deputy Secretaries of State Richard Armitage and James Steinberg, are currently visiting Tapei in a trip to indicate Bidens commitment to Taiwan as well s its democracy. While addressing them on Thursday, Tsai told the American delegates in a meeting at the Presidential Office that Chinese military activities in the region are threatening global as well as regional stability.

Since Taiwans independence from British rule, China has claimed the island to be a sacred and inseparable part of its territory. However, Taiwan has opposed its one nation, two systems policy and asserted that it was an independent and sovereign nation.

(Image Credits: AP)
Dozens of investors come to a HCMC police office to accuse Coolcat of cheating them of their money, April 23, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Viet Anh.

More than 1,800 people in HCMC say they have been cheated of millions of dollars by an bogus insurance investment platform.

Dozens of people gathered Friday in front of a HCMC police station on Tran Hung Dao Street in District 1. They filed 488 complaints accusing Coolcat, a self-claimed insurance investment platform, of cheating them of huge sums of money.

Mai Thanh, 41, said she represented over 1,800 investors who have been tricked by Coolcat, whose app and URL domains vanished overnight on April 16. Another group had already filed similar complaints with the police on April 19.

While the exact number is yet to be determined, investors may have lost hundreds of billions of dong to Coolcat. (VND1 billion = $43,500)

Coolcat advertised itself as an insurance investment firm which has been operating for five years. It claimed to be headquartered in the U.K. and licensed by the Securities Commission of the Bahamas. In HCMC, the company advertised its office on Binh Thanh District's Nguyen Huu Canh Street.

The platform boasted it had six million members all over the world, was highly regarded by international financial management institutions, and the only insurance company with all its transaction capital kept in Vietnam, so members could rest assured of complete safety "with no fear of losing money."

It has been reported that in December last year, Coolcat organized an opening ceremony at a five-star hotel, with several foreigners onstage. Following some other events that it organized, many were convinced that Coolcat was the real deal, even though they were not aware of its legality.

To join Coolcat, investors had to install its app on their mobile phones, sign up for an account and receive a transaction ID. The platform presented six insurance investment packages, where the more money one invested, the better the returns were. The lowest value package, costing VND1.3 million ($56.40), would return VND60,000 a day, or 4.6 percent. The highest, costing VND210 million, would return VND9.7 million a day.

Each day, investors would have to guess whether the price of gold, foreign currencies and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin would rise or fall. They gained or lost money depending on whether they were right or wrong. Losing six times in a row would force block an investor, and Coolcat experts would make the seventh guess for them with up to 90 percent chance of winning. If the seventh guess still turns out wrong, Coolcat would reimburse all the money lost in the previous guessing rounds.

Coolcat claimed that its platform would help investors retain all their capital while still gaining money every day.

Besides the predicting game, Coolcat also allowed investors to bring in more people to join the platform and receive up to VND1.8 million each time.

On April 15, just one day before it disappeared, Coolcat announced it would raise the referral bonus to VND46 million. The announcement prompted investors to frantically introduce their acquaintances to the platform, only to be tricked the following day.

A censored list of over 1,800 names of Coolcat's victims. Photo by VnExpress/Viet Anh.

Greed, gullibility

Believing in Coolcat's lies, several investors gave the platform hundreds of millions of dong on April 14 and 15, but when they visited its office in Binh Thanh District, they found out it was a fake address.

Reporting what had happened to the police, Mai Thanh said she doesnt know how to let her husband know it. In February, she borrowed VND115 million from him, saying it was for a birthday party, then borrowed an additional VND50 million herself and invested them all in Coolcat. After spending a week on the platform and seeing the gains, she decided to pour in another VND400 million.

"I thought I could go in then go out quickly, so whenever I got my returns I would withdraw them. But that only worked the first few times, giving me some tens of millions of dong. Then it shut down," she said.

Chi Thien, 32, sat next to Thanh and guided the investors on filing their complaints. He said he didnt expect the VND640 million hed saved for his marriage to simply vanish into thin air.

In February, he opened 11 accounts on the platform, and planned to use his returns for the wedding and the rest for his savings.

"I only managed to withdraw 10 percent of what I invested. Now I dont know how I can hold a wedding," he said.

There are over 1,800 names in the list of Coolcats victims. One woman reported losing VND1.9 billion, the highest amount reported in the list. Thien said Coolcat had over 68,000 members, based on his own deductions by looking at recently registered transaction IDs.

In the national database for registered businesses, managed by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, there is no mention of any company called Coolcat.

Phan Hoang Khanh Nguyen, a lawyer with the HCMC Bar Association, said Coolcat operated a pyramid scheme but was not registered with authorities. Apart from swindling their members, the firm has shown signs of "obtaining property by fraud" and committing "offences against regulations of law on competition."

He said that to pursue their rights, victims of Coolcat should continue filing accusations with the police and keep the investigation going, especially targeting individuals behind bank accounts that received the investment from the victims.

Nguyen Hoang Son Le, an investment expert, said the trick used by Coolcat was not uncommon and has been reported by the media several times.

"Investors were tricked because they were too greedy for the returns, forgetting the most fundamental principle of investment; that the higher the returns are, the greater the risk is."
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 22:08:18|Editor: huaxia

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NEW DELHI, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in Friday's avalanche following a glacier burst in India's northern state of Uttarakhand has risen to 11, a senior administration official said Sunday.

The natural tragedy had hit the state's Chamoli district late on Friday afternoon.

Deputy Commissioner Swati Bhadoria said that relief and rescue work was going on at the tragedy site, as one more dead body was recovered on Sunday, taking the total to 11.

The rescue work is being jointly carried out by the local administration, Indian Army and Border Road Organisation, she said, adding so far as many as 384 people were rescued alive, among whom seven were injured.

Besides, roads in the area are being cleared of snow. In a bid to take stock of the damage caused by the natural tragedy, a team of local administration and rescue workers tried to reach the affected areas, but the helicopter they were travelling in failed to land in the area due to unsuitable conditions.

This is the second successive natural tragedy in the area this year. In February, a similar disaster led to a massive avalanche followed by floods, killing at least 80 people in the area. Enditem
Police seek attacker who kicked Chinese American man in head View Photo

NEW YORK (AP)  A 61-year-old Chinese American man was attacked by a man who kicked him repeatedly in the head in East Harlem, police said.

The man was collecting cans when he was attacked from behind, knocked to the ground and kicked in the head shortly after 8 p.m. Friday. He was taken to Harlem Hospital in critical but stable condition, police said.

Surveillance video released by the police appears to show the attacker stomping on the victims head. Police have not specified a motive. The departments hate crimes task force is investigating the attack, the latest in a troubling rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in New York and around the country.

Mayor Bill de Blasio called the attack outrageous on Twitter. Make no mistake, we will find the perpetrator and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, de Blasio said Saturday.

The attack recalled last months assault near Times Square in which a woman who immigrated from the Philippines was knocked to the ground and stomped on by an attacker who shouted anti-Asian slurs. A parolee convicted of killing his mother nearly two decades ago was arrested in that attack.

The U.S. Senate passed legslation last week aimed at fighting the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The measure would expedite the review of hate crimes at the Justice Department and provide support for local law enforcement in response to thousands of reported violent incidents in the past year.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday he would direct the state hate crimes task force to offer assistance in investigating Fridays attack in East Harlem.

Im sickened to learn of yet another bigoted act of violence against an Asian American man, the governor said in a statement. This is not who we are as New Yorkers, and we will not let these cowardly acts of hate against members of our New York family intimidate us.

Police did not release the victims name, but multiple news outlets identified him as Yao Pan Ma, a former restaurant worker who lost his job because of the pandemic and was collecting cans to make ends meet.

The victims wife, Baozhen Chen, 57, pleaded for police to find her husbands attacker in an interview with the New York Post.

Please capture him as soon as possible and make him pay, Chen said in Mandarin through a translator.

By KAREN MATTHEWS

Associated Press
The message was mixed further when Mr McGowan asked no one actually go to those matches. But what was not said was people should not drive to the South West or elsewhere in the state because they would be subject to the same rules as people back in the city. On Saturday afternoon Health Minister Roger Cook started the backtracking when he said anyone who left Perth and Peel on Friday would be subject to the same lockdown rules. His office clarified a short time later the restrictions not only applied to people who left in the past 24 hours but since April 17 when the Victorian man got out of quarantine. Late on Saturday night the official emergency directions were signed off by Mr Dawson to backdate the stay at home orders to April 17.

Loading As of Sunday morning, there was no widespread and easy to digest communications from the government clearly owing up to the misstep. The new rule was buried in a message by Mr McGowan on his Facebook page on Saturday with one of his older posts from Friday edited to also reflect the change. The belated changes in messaging and the reluctance to fully own them downplays the seriousness of the situation. WAs latest lockdown is already different from the previous experience in January given the virus has spread to two people out in the community.

The first detected was a friend of the Victorian man but it appears to have been caught quickly. The new case on Saturday afternoon, a man in his 40s, who is assumed to have picked up the virus on April 18 at the Kitchen Inn in Kardinya is troubling as WA waits to see if he too has been detected in the early stages. Given the new case appears to have been transmitted last Sunday, the potential is there for people to have travelled prior to Friday to other parts of WA without knowing if they too have been infected but acting as though they were not in lockdown. People who travelled to the South West and other regions feel gaslighted for unknowingly doing the wrong thing while people in country towns are at loss as to why they may have been exposed to greater risks.

The whole debacle is being played off as a government doing its best in a rapidly changing environment but lacked the common sense approach of using the good will and trust in Mr McGowan who could have just asked West Australians not to leave the Perth and Peel regions regardless of what restrictions were yet in place. What is working in WAs favour to wrap a ring around the outbreak is the speedy work of contact tracers to inform the public of potential exposure sites. By Friday afternoon they had released 19 potential transmission sites with only a few hours notice, while on Saturday the list jumped up to 26 shortly after the second community case was recorded. Sign-ins on the SafeWA App at venues across the state jumped up by 30 per cent on Friday which will assist with quickly getting on top of any further spread but also means the five days prior would be lacking a great deal of data given the complacency of West Australians. The current spread of exposure sites across the metropolitan region from the north to the south now makes it seem unlikely the lockdown would be lifted after just three days and could mean more hardship for businesses once WA gets past the long weekend.

Meanwhile Mr McGowan has used the current crisis to ramp up pressure on the federal government to provide more help on the quarantine front and stop letting people travel overseas from Australia for weddings and other events. Federal Defence Minister Peter Dutton. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen His plea for help was waived off by Defence Minister Peter Dutton who told ABCs Insiders on Sunday that federal facilities were not fit for purpose. The accommodation is quite austere at air bases, there is not the segregation of facilities such as the mess where people need to come together in blocks for showers or toilets or whatever it might be, he said. What was surprising was how Mr Dutton did not level any criticism at the premier for locking down part of the state despite teeing off at Queenslands Annastacia Palaszczuk earlier this month over her three-day snap shutdown which he labelled a panic.

The Defence Minister said the WA premier simply did not want to be the next Dan Andrews after Victorian went through a lengthy lockdown period last year. Mark McGowan has made a mistake with the Mercure hotel, nobody is being critical of him for that so he doesnt need to be defensive, Mr Dutton said. WA had already identified the Mercure was not fit for purpose and so they are moving away from that. Im not critical of that, the lesson has been learned and they can move on from that. The change in tone comes after a recent visit by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to WA, ahead of a national election next year, where he praised the state government and distanced himself from rhetoric around telling Mr McGowan what to do when it came to borders.
(Newser)  When Japanese warplanes began attacking Pearl Harbor, Clayton Schenkelberg volunteered to drive a train packed with torpedoes to safety. Then he got a rifle and began shooting back. "He didnt think it was anything special," his son said. "He had a job to do and he did it." The Navy veteran, thought to be the oldest survivor of the 1941 attack, died in a senior care home in San Diego, the Union-Tribune reports. He was 103. In his last year, his family said, Schenkelberg caught the coronavirus but didn't become ill. About 50,000 US service members were on Oahu on the day of the attack; about 2,400 were killed and 1,200 injured. No official count of survivors exists, but Patrick Schenkelberg said he was told by officials that his father was the oldest. Stuart Hedley, a 99-year-old fellow survivor, said that was his understanding, too.

story continues below

When Schenkelberg was honored at events, he deflected. "We're still paying our respects to those who didn't make it, he said. Schenkelberg stayed in the Navy for two decades longer. He and his wife had seven children. "He was an outstanding gentleman, very humble, and always ready to lend a hand," Hedley said. "I'm honored to have called him a friend." In 2019, Schenkelberg was the only Pearl Harbor survivor to attend the annual commemoration at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, per the Los Angeles Times. He received a standing ovation. First-person accounts are important to understanding such events, a museum official said, adding, "When that history is gone, the story will change." The daughter of a serviceman stationed in Hawaii, who survived the attack herself as a 10-year-old, said, "It will be sad when everybody's gone." (Read more obituary stories.)
There are few nicknames proffered in contempt that have rallied Republicans more to a cause than the appropriately capitalized Deplorables. Hardened Republicans, and even those who practice mainstream conservatism, adopted this pejorative reference in 2016 from presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Sloganeering in four syllables, she inordinately sized up Trump supporters as racist, sexist, xenophobic, and Islamophobic. Her imperious use of the term, coming late in the campaign, was pure hubris and may well have secured the election of her opponent. The taunt prevailed, however, and is now a placeholder for anyone beyond progressive salvation and who are set apart from the Democrat body politic as insurrectionists.

Being a Deplorable is to partake in a movement somewhat reticent but which has spawned a cottage industry of online social organizations hosting thousands of members, motorcycle clubs, comedy tours, dating sites, clothing lines, and the like. One can even find safe cyberspace for Democrat spouses -- political widows if you will -- whose marriages are going to pieces over Trumpism. The name has drawn an ideological battle line and opened an offensive not unlike a conservative buycott steamrolling over a woke boycott.

Deplorables have been implacable in their support for Donald Trump, whether inside or outside the Oval Office. Some may have taken exception to his social media rants or shuddered when he lowered himself to slights and slurs, but they stand behind a miscellany of his positions on immigration, border control, sanctuary city policies, government largesse and overreach, climate alarmism, and support for the military, public safety, and police.

Conscripts to the Deplorables side are not ostentatious nor confrontational, are easily hidden among their political adversaries, and more widely scattered to every nook and cranny of the country. They have not raised their voices or taken to the street in great numbers since January 6, the aftermath of which has brought about an underhanded Democrat campaign to use the felonious hijinks of a few to bully all Trump voters into acquiescence and inaction. They further championed this strategy by creating ramparts of cement and barbwire around the Peoples House as a reminder to anyone who would dare give expression to reactionary politics.

Who the Deplorables are and what they stand for can be summed up in one small but real world example.

Theres a friendly saloon behind enemy lines in densely Democrat northeast New Jersey with a sprinkling of Irish brogues, hand-painted Gaelic scenes on the walls, and a slew of loyal patrons hoisting pints. Every Wednesday afternoon brings the visit of a small group of mostly retired men. Their ages range from 40 to 75 years. They sit privately, chip in a few sawbucks for beverages, pop antacids, enjoy some high carb appetizers, and make it home in time for dinner with their loved ones.

The group started as a trio of neighborhood friends with mainstream conservative beliefs and has grown to more than a bakers dozen. A few are still working but most are in semi- or full-retirement, and hail from an eclectic array of professions. This small league includes a funeral director, medical doctor, boat captain, high school shop teacher, four retired cops, a jumbo jet airline pilot, a former Marine special operator who deployed to Somalia and was later wounded in Afghanistan, two lawyers, former president of a private security company, a television producer with three Emmys over his fireplace, and a few stage workers from a company that builds performance platforms for celebrity concerts.

In utter dereliction to wokeness, they dubbed themselves Jersey Deplorables.

During their weekly get-togethers, they puzzle over the sorry state of current political affairs and wag their heads at the relentless displays of Orwellian doublethink, the endless dog whistles, and hypocritical straw arguments from a Democrat party and media acolytes so openly arrogant towards and intolerant of originalist and conservative beliefs that it begs no attempt on their part to conceal it. All sense and understanding of the electorate seems to have abandoned those who now uncompromisingly grasp the reins of power with fragile majorities.

For the Jersey Deplorables, to honor flag and country is sacrosanct, but there is an uneasiness that their contract with the Republic is being recast in ways that gnaw at the guarantees of liberty and justice for all. In plain sight, those freedoms are bending from the hard political winds, putting disparate pressure on conservative opinions and personalities while turning a blind eye to Obama-era abuses of power, federal election hijinks, and First Family machinations with foreign regimes.

They strongly believe in the power of the vote, one legitimate vote for every qualified citizen, that is. Those rights have been repeatedly threatened through legislative provocations by the 116th and 117th House Democrats whose strongarm tactics have waylaid the practice of bipartisanship and abused parliamentary courtesies. They bemoan a political landscape where a simple half-dozen majority can tilt the scales against free and fair elections, play paddy fingers with the First and Second Amendments, reimagine public safety as a parody of itself, and create new states where once there was none.

Almost everyone among this small group is a legally registered gun owner and grew up in a region of New Jersey where more than half the statewide homicides and shootings occur within a few miles' radius by hoodlums firing weapons trafficked across state lines. A state where serial shooters are kept on the street because of bail reform laws. A place where law-abiding citizens, by comparison to the outlaws, must first navigate a serpentine of some of the most restrictive gun diktats in the country.

Contrary to the top definition in the Urban Dictionary, which paints a Deplorable as a Trump supporter, meaning an idiot, specifically one who denies [science], ignores [facts], and otherwise [absent] from intelligence, the Jersey caucus often takes on the appearance and tenor of a literary circle. They pass around books, sometimes the dog-eared tomes of contemporary conservative authors, but more often published works that offer meaning and context to the Founders and Federalists, the early struggles for independence and the war between the states. They consume military and political biographies and can wax about the battlefield gambits of armies and navies that turned the tide of world wars to Americas advantage. They share a concern that the warts-and-all lessons of America in its adolescence will not survive its contemporary cleansing in Ivy League settings, and that the present-day epidemic of censorship, book burning, and statue toppling is creating an historical myopia that will not prevent the next generation from repeating its mistakes.

The Jersey Deplorables are not inciteful, nor will they retreat from the hyperbole of congressional Democrats who persist in instigating street militias to violence against them. They are a metaphor for the conservative majority, a negligible but representative cohort among tens of millions of likeminded Americans anxious to flex their voting muscle in the upcoming battle for the ideological fate of the country.

The crusade to browbeat, marginalize, and obscure the writ large population of Deplorables will bring a political reckoning to the doorstep of the Democrat Party in the House elections of 2022. Senate Republicans must stand in unanimity behind them and hold the line against infringements to our freedoms. This cause is reminiscent of a wartime Republican president who once put a youthful America to the sword over slavery and to see if the nation so conceived and so dedicated could long endure.

Image: Twinsof Sedona

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International

COVID-19 crisis: EU, UK, US, Denmark pitch in to assist India

NEW DELHI, APR 25 (AGENCIES) | Publish Date: 4/25/2021 1:12:57 PM IST

EU, US, Denmark have extended support to India with UK sending more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment to deal with the surging COVID-19 cases. The 600 pieces include ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices sent from the UK today and will be arriving in India early Tuesday morning.

We stand side by side with India UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19, adding, Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus.

In all, UK will send nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, that can extract Oxygen from the air, 120 non-invasive ventilators, and 20 manual ventilators this week.

Earlier in the day, the European Union announced that it is activating its civil protection mechanism to provide assistance to India like Oxygen and medicine. Upon request for assistance by India, Janez Lenarcic European Commissioner for Crisis Management said, we have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (ERCC). The EU will do its utmost to mobilize assistance to support people of India.

President of the European commission Ursula von der Leyen seconded that tweeting, The EU is pooling resources to respond rapidly to Indias request for assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. We stand in full solidarity with the Indian people. Other countries in Europe like Denmark, France, Germany are also extending support. Denmarks envoy to Delhi Freddy Svane tells WION, We are working closely with MEA to assist India with whatever is required. Thats what friends are about. Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday announced that her country is preparing urgent support for India to deal with the ongoing Covid pandemic. She said, To the people of India I want to express my sympathy on the terrible suffering that covid 19 has again brought over your communities. Germany stands in solidarity with India and is urgently preparing a mission of support.

Armed Forces Medical Services or AFMS will be importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany. These plants will be deployed in AFMS hospitals catering to COVID patients. From Germany, containers are also being imported.

After much criticism over not allowing the import of raw material for the manufacturing of covid vaccines in India, top officials of the US government also extended support to India.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken in a tweet statement said, Our hearts go out to the Indian people in the midst of the horrific COVID-19 outbreak. We are working closely with our partners in the Indian government, and we will rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India and Indias health care heroes. US is expected to announce its support to India soon, though a big focus remains on when it lifts a ban on the export of covid vaccine raw material. India is the largest producer of vaccines globally, but manufacturing is being hampered due to the lack of raw material.

The United States will consider sending surplus AstraZeneca vaccines to India, as backlash over its stockpile grows and the South Asian giant reels from a Covid-19 surge, top US pandemic advisor Anthony Fauci said Sunday.

Meanwhile, Indias neighbours-- Afghanistan and Iran have also extended support to New Delhi. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, foreign minister Atmar and envoy to India Farid Mamundzay all tweeted and showed solidarity for India.

A whole host of countries have extended solidarity with India. These are China, Pakistan, Bhutan, Solvenia, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Singapore. So far India has been able to get 4 tankers from Singapore and liquid Oxygen from Saudi Arabia. More medicines from Singapore will arrive tonight.
A second person has been charged in the shooting death of Dallas rapper MO3 on Interstate-35E about five months ago.

Video Transcript

- A second man has been arrested, accused of gunning down rapper Mo3 on a Dallas highway. 28-year-old Devin Brown was indicted on a murder charge this week. Another man, 22-year-old Kewon White, was also indicted on the same charge earlier this year. Back in November, Melvin Noble, also known as Mo3, was driving on 35 E near the Dallas Zoo when White approached him with a gun. Police say Noble ran down the highway trying to escape and was chased by White, who fired multiple times, hitting Noble.
Siauliu Bankas AB, company code 112025254, domicile address Tilzes st. 149, LT-76348 Siauliai, Lithuania.

The General meeting of shareholders held on 31 March 2021 approved allocation of the profit of Siauliu Bankas AB which included a pay-out of dividends - 0.0055 euro shall be paid for each ordinary registered share with a nominal value of 0.29 euro. Dividends shall be paid out to persons who were the shareholders of Siauliu Bankas AB at the end of the record day - 15 April 2021.

The Bank shall pay out dividends on 28 April 2021 in compliance with the following procedure:

- those shareholders whose shares are being accounted in the securities accounts with banks and financial brokerage companies rendering investment services will receive an amount of dividends after deduction of Personal Income Tax or Corporate Profit Tax in compliance with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania which shall be transferred to the accounts with the respective banks or financial brokerage companies;

- for shareholders whose shares are accounted for in Siauliu Bankas AB in the issuer's accounting, the amount of dividends, after deducting personal income tax or income tax in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania, will be transferred to the account with Siauliu Bankas AB specified by the shareholder. If the shareholder has not specified an account with Siauliu Bankas AB for the transfer of dividends, he/she must submit an application for the transfer of dividends. Applications are accepted from 28 April 2021 in all customer service points of Siauliu Bankas AB. As long as the quarantine regime is in force, in accordance with security requirements, before going to the customer service department, it is necessary to register for a visit on-line at www.sb.lt or by phone 1813. Applications for dividend transfer can also be submitted via the bank's online banking.

Taxation of dividends:

- Dividends of natural persons residents of the Republic of Lithuania and foreign countries shall be subject to 15 per cent of the Personal Income Tax rate;

- Dividends of legal entities residents of the Republic of Lithuania and foreign countries shall be subject to 15 per cent of the Corporate Profit Tax rate, unless otherwise provided for in the laws.

Additional information:

Director of Securities Accounting Department Jolanta Dobiliauskiene

+370 41 595 669, e-mail jolanta.dobiliauskiene@sb.lt




Shona McGarty has reportedly been left terrified after a man she blocked on social media allegedly 'bombarded with messages'.

The EastEnders actress, 29, who plays Whitney Dean, is thought to have agreed to appear on a TikTok livestream with the man to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer.

According to The Sun, the soap star then ended up calling the police after she received a stream of messages and calls from Dan Dempsey, 34.

Claims: Shona McGarty has reportedly been left terrified after a man she blocked on social media allegedly 'bombarded with messages'

According to the publication, Dempsey said he 'only wanted to know why she'd blocked me' and had been arrested on suspicion of harassment last Friday.

He reportedly said: 'I didn't know she felt harassed - she didn't tell me to stop messaging her.'

It's understood that Dempsey, who is from Derby, has been bailed until May, with conditions banning him from going to the soap's set or to Shona's address.

MailOnline has contacted Shona McGarty's representatives for a comment.

Reports: The actress, 29, who plays Whitney Dean, is thought to have agreed to appear on a TikTok livestream with the man to raise money for charity (pictured on EastEnders)

Shona, who split from her fiance Ryan Harris in January, joined EastEnders in 2009 and plays Whitney,

Her character has been through hell over the years, being tormented by abuser Leo and most recently her boyfriend Kush was murdered.

Whitney was arrested for stabbing Leo to death in 2019 and while waiting to hear whether she would be jailed for the crime, Whitney considered fleeing Walford.

But after learning Leo's mum Michaela had been arrested for sharing her abusive posts on social media, Whitney decided against leaving the Square, but as she headed home was kidnapped and held at knifepoint by Michaela.

And on Monday EastEnders fans were left utterly horrified after Kush Kazemi's long-awaited exit from the soap saw him murdered by Gray Atkins.

Storylines: Shona joined EastEnders in 2009 , with her character Whitney having been through hell over the years after being tormented by abuser Leo and most recently her boyfriend Kush was murdered

In explosive scenes Kush was hurled into the path of an oncoming train by a deranged Gray, after he vowed to have girlfriend Whitney all to himself.

After a tense confrontation, Kush helped Gray escape the train by pulling him off the tracks, only for the serial killer to enact his plan by pushing him in front of the train

Viewers have seen Gray (played by Toby-Alexander Smith) descend into madness in the belief that Whitney should be with him, after murdering his wife Chantelle and Tina Carter last year.

Kush (Davood Ghadami) and Whitney were planning to leave Walford so he could flee the authorities after confessing his involvement in a bank heist.

But as the pair waited for their train, Kush's son Arthur said he needed the toilet, and once he and Whitney left the station, a hooded Gray emerged from the shadows.
By Brandon Sapienza, New York Daily News

After a bombshell interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Oprah Winfrey is now revealing how she felt about the comments that the couple made.

This week, Winfrey reflected on the interview from March 7 with Nancy ODell while promoting her new book, What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, saying, I had no idea that it would have the reverberating impact that it has had and continues to have. I did a lot of preparation for that.

In the infamous interview, Harry and Meghan accused the royal family of making racist remarks regarding the skin color their son, Archie might have, and their lack of sympathy for Meghan who said she felt suicidal for a time.

While speaking with ODell, Winfrey maintained that she did not speak with the couple before the interview and was surprised by how forthcoming the two were in the revelations that they made about the royal family.

I was surprised, Winfrey said and added, What? Youre going there? Youre going all the way there? She went on to say, The reason why it was such a powerful interview  What makes it powerful is when you have somebody else who is willing to be as open as vulnerable, as truthful as they were. The reason the interview was what it was because they answered the way they did.

Harry has since returned to the United Kingdom following the interview where he joined the rest of his family in memorializing his grandfather, Prince Philip who passed away early this month at the age of 99.
New Delhi: In view of the second wave of coronavirus and the brimming situation in the country, the central government recently cancelled the CBSE board exams 2021 for Class 10 and postponed it for Class 12. The move from the Centre came after over 30 lakh students signed an online petition and waited on the official announcement regarding the CBSE board exams.

Youth leader and philanthropist Siya Tayal was among the protesting students who appealed the government in the Centre to cancel the CBSE board exams 2021. Tayal penned down an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising the various concerns from students, parents and teachers. In the letter, she highlighted how staying alive was anyday more important than scoring marks in the CBSE Board examinations. The 15-year-old had launched a social media campaign tagging @PMOIndia with the open letter on April 13, which received support from students all across the country and a few notable personalities.

In her letter, Tayal mentioned that she lost her father in 2020 due to a heart attack and issues she has been facing during the pandemic. "In the larger scheme of life, board examination has little value. They are a means to an end and not an end itself," she wrote.

The sudden spike in coronavirus COVID-19 cases across the country forced the central government to cancel and postpone the CBSE Class 10 and 12 Board exams 2021 respectively. The decision taken by CBSE on Class 10, 12 Board Exams 2021 prompted other state boards to postpone class 12 and cancel class 10 exams.

@PMOIndia you are our only hope now. With a hopeful heart and trembling hands I write this to you, in search for a helping hand during these hard times. #Studentlivesmatter #cancelboardexams2021 #boardexams2021 #cancelboardexams pic.twitter.com/2B3w0BtV81  Siya Tayal (@SiyaTayal) April 13, 2021

Last week, a statement was issued by the Union Ministry of Education announcing that CBSE will develop an 'objective criterion' for the assessment of Class 10 Board students.

The Indian School Certificate Examinations also announced the postponement of Class 10 ICSE and Class 12 ISC board examinations in light of rising coronavirus cases.
An Indonesian submarine, which went missing last Wednesday, has been found buried deep in the Bali Sea, the countrys army and navy officials said April 25. The rescuers found new objects, including a life vest that they believe belong to those aboard the 44-year old KRI Nanggala-402. In the aftermath, the authorities have declared that the submarine sunk after it lost contact, following which all its crew died.

We received underwater pictures that are confirmed as the parts of the submarine, including its rear vertical rudder, anchors, outer pressure body, embossed dive rudder and other ship parts, military chief Hadi Tjahjanto told reporters in Bali on Sunday. With this authentic evidence, we can declare that KRI Nanggala 402 has sunk and all the crew members are dead, Tjahjanto said.

The submarine was found cracked into three pieces by the rescue team. Speaking about the same, Navy chief of staff Yudo Margono said, The KRI Nanggala is divided into three parts, the hull of the ship, the stern of the ship, and the main parts are all separated, with the main part found cracked. The discovery was confirmed by the country's president Joko Widodo who later sent condolences to the families of the victims.

All Indonesians convey deep sorrow for this tragedy, especially to all of the families of the submarines crew. They are the best sons of the nation, patriots guarding the sovereignty of the country, Widodo said.

Tjahjanto said that an underwater robot deployed by Singaporean vessel MV Swift Rescue provided the images of the site where the submarine was sunk. The photos revealed that emergency survival suits that are normally kept in boxes were found floating underwater which indicated the crew may have tried to put them on during the emergency. So far the cause of the sinking remains unknown but the navy had previously said an electrical failure could have left the submarine unable to execute emergency procedures to resurface.

(This undated photo released Sunday April 25, 2021, by Indonesian Navy shows parts of submarine KRI Nanggala that sank in Bali Sea. (Indonesian Navy via AP))

Massive search operation

Indonesian Navy on Wednesday launched a massive search operation for its KRI Nanggala-402 submarine that went missing north of Bali with 53 personnel on board in the early hours of Wednesday morning, the defence officials said in a statement. Navys (TNI AL) Type-209 /1300 class Submarine missed a radio check-in at about 03:00 local time on 21 April during the live-fire torpedo military exercise. The Indonesian naval command sent out a distress call to the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO) at about 09:37 about the subs disappearance at 26.5 nautical miles northwest off Singaraja port. TNI-AL sources told the local press.

Indonesias TNI-AL dispatched several warships, including the hydrographic ship, KRI Rigel (933) to conduct a search operation for the German-built KRI Nanggala-402. It sent out an international distress signal answered by India, Australia, and Singapore, with whom Jakarta sought help, and signed a submarine rescue agreement, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

(Image Credits: AP)
Theres something off about Kamala Harris. And no, Im not talking about her hard-left political beliefs, the lies she tells, or her endless reinventing herself for political advancement. In that regard, shes just another leftist politician. Whats bizarre about Kamala is her inappropriate laughter about things that ought to inspire solemnity.

What makes laughter inappropriate? Its inappropriate when youre speaking to a crowd and youre the only one who laughs. Of course, that can also happen to a bad comedian, but theres no indication in the clip below that Kamala was trying to tell a joke.

Instead, Kamala is talking about the massive economic disruption thanks to the lockdown that the Democrats hammered into America. In that context, she meant to say that 2 million women had been driven out of the workforce, misspoke by saying people, corrected herself by saying women people, and then giggled inanely. See for yourself:

Kamala Harris laughs when describing how 2 million "women people" were forced out of the workforce in the pandemichttps://t.co/1xhyuEvxmM pic.twitter.com/4KJhyM7Nyd  RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 23, 2021

Thats a sociopathic response to peoples suffering. But we neednt do an amateur armchair diagnosis to point to the problems with Kamalas giggle.

It's entirely possible that she gave a nervous giggle because she made a mistake. However, that would be equally inappropriate. This is a woman who is literally one heartbeat away from leading what is still (although barely) the most powerful nation in the world. Golda Meir didnt giggle nervously because she misspoke. Neither did Margaret Thatcher. Insecure little girls giggle; not leaders of men and women.

Its also possible that Kamala giggled because she fully understands exactly why women have been so hard hit: Theyve been hard hit because public school teachers refuse to return to classrooms.

Americas hard-left teachers unions, who are major Democrat funders, are comfortable with their bunny slipper commute from bedroom to the kitchen table or home office, far from the violence that is rife in schools in Democrat-run communities, even as they continue to collect full pay and benefits. Its a perfect situation, so theyre resolutely ignoring the fact that students neither give nor get COVID, and that theres been no mass, or even mini, die-off of teachers who are back in the classroom.

So maybe Kamala is giggling because she knows that her party and her policies are the biggest part of why 2 million women people have dropped out of the workforce. She may also have giggled because shes worried: It turns out that at least some of these women, having gotten a clear-eyed view of the teachers at the childrens schools have decided that maybe a career isnt as important as they thought it was. Maybe they can do better for their children.

So, no matter how you view it, theres something off about Kamalas little giggle. Maybe shes a sociopath, maybe shes shamefully insecure and immature, or maybe she spoke about a problem that she knows is her fault (as the backup to the lead Democrat in America, her boss, Joe Biden). No matter the cause, everyone ought to view that nervous little giggle as a tell that theres a problem in the White House.

IMAGE: Kamala Harris by DonkeyHotey. CC BY 2.0.

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WASHINGTON, April 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, U.S. President Joe Biden officially affirmed that the massacre of the 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish authorities between 1915 and 1923 was an act of genocide. This affirmation marks a watershed moment in U.S. history, as it reaffirms what has been U.S. policy since the creation of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, as reflected in the U.S. brief filed with the International Court of Justice, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). It is also a categorical rejection of a decades-long, well-funded denial campaign by the Turkish government and a signature moment for human rights.

Releasing his statement on April 24, Armenian Remembrance Day, President Biden honored the symbolic date of the start of the Armenian Genocide, when the leadership of the Armenian community in the Ottoman Empire was arrested, imprisoned and eliminated. Thirty countries and 49 U.S. States have acknowledged the Armenian Genocide. Today's U.S. action is expected to create the room for more countries to follow suit and an opportunity for Turkey to come to terms with its past.

The recognition of the Executive Branch results in all three branches of the U.S. government officially affirming the Armenian Genocide, following the overwhelming 405 to 11 vote in the House adopting an Armenian Genocide resolution in October 2019, and by its passage in the Senate via unanimous consent in December 2019.

President Biden stayed true to his 30-year documented record of Armenian Genocide acknowledgement, from the time he began serving as Delaware's Senator, through his 2020 presidential campaign, when he pledged: "Joe Biden will recognize the Armenian Genocide and make universal human rights a top priority for his administration so that such a tragedy can never again occur." As a Senator, Biden was among the most informed and diligent supporters in using the term Armenian Genocide. His 1989 chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee's passage of such legislation was historic for its result but also as a reflection of his command of the historical facts.

U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Henry Morgenthau, alerted in his July 1915 report to the U.S. Department of State and the White House, that "a campaign of race extermination is in progress under a pretext of reprisal against rebellion." Ambassador Morgenthau, who served from 1913-1916, appealed to the U.S. government and humanitarian organizations to stop the genocide and send humanitarian assistance to the survivors and refugees.

Ambassador Morgenthau's cables, along with eyewitness reports of American consuls, missionaries and businessmen, make up part of the over 30,000 pages documenting the Armenian Genocide, as well as their heroic acts of intervention to save lives. Through his efforts, the Near East Relief was formed, and over $2.5 billion in today's dollars was raised at the time to help the survivors of the first genocide of the twentieth century.

At the time, former President Theodore Roosevelt stated that the atrocities committed by the "Turks on the Armenians" was "so hideous that it is difficult to name thempeople whose little children are murdered and their women raped." In a letter to Cleveland Dodge, who led the congressionally chartered Near East Relief organization headquartered in New York City, President Roosevelt stated further that it "was the greatest crime of the war, and failure to act against Turkey is to condone it"

Ronald Reagan was the first U.S. president who used the word genocide to describe the Armenian atrocities during his Holocaust Remembrance Statement on April 22, 1981: "Like the genocide of the Armenians before it, and the genocide of the Cambodians which followed it  and like too many other such persecutions of too many other peoples  the lessons of the Holocaust must never be forgotten." President Biden had the courage to say what his predecessors for the past 100 years have always known.

"The Assembly, all Armenians and our friends around the world profoundly thank President Biden for this Armenian Genocide reaffirmation in honor of the victims, survivors, and the principle of universal human rights around the world," said Assembly Co-Chairs Van Krikorian and Anthony Barsamian. "We have been fortunate to have been helped by countless prominent and not so prominent but heroic individuals in advocating for Genocide awareness, education, and prevention. We are sad that they are not all with us today but know they, like all people who are sincerely committed to human rights, are smiling with pride on President Biden and today's historic statement."

"President Biden's statement pays important tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide and their families," added Assembly President Carolyn Mugar.

In a September 2019 letter from President Biden to the Assembly, he stated: "The United States must reaffirm, once and for all, our record on the Armenian Genocide...We must never forget or remain silent about this horrific and systematic campaign of extermination that resulted in the deaths of 1.5 million Armenian men, woman, and children and the mass deportation of 2 million Armenians from their homes. If we do not fully acknowledge, commemorate, and teach our children about genocide, the words 'never again' lose their meaning. The facts must be as clear and as powerful for future generations as for those whose memories are seared by tragedy. Failing to remember or acknowledge the fact of a genocide only paves the way for future mass atrocities."

"President Biden's affirmation of the Armenian Genocide marks a pivotal milestone in the arc of history in defense of human rights," stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "By standing firmly against a century of denial, President Biden has charted a new course. Affirmation of the Armenian Genocide enhances America's credibility and recommits the United States to the worldwide cause of genocide prevention."

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/president-bidens-armenian-genocide-reaffirmation-shows-america-at-its-best-301276323.html

SOURCE Armenian Assembly of America
In 2000, Farrakhan Jr. made headlines when he pleaded guilty to a charge of domestic battery after he was accused of hitting his pregnant wife with a metal serving tray at his home in south suburban Crete. At the time of his arrest, Farrakhan Jr. worked on various projects with the Nation of Islam but did not hold any posts with the organization.
Gov. Mike DeWine wants to use about $1.4 billion of Ohios federal COVID relief funds -- more than one-fourth of the total -- to make the states unemployment compensation fund whole. Its a practical, commonsense way to repay what Ohio borrowed from the federal government when layoffs and furloughs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic spurred a surge in Ohio unemployment claims.

It also will enable Ohio to avoid the crushing jobless fund debt incurred after the 2008 Great Recession. Then, the state jobless fund was depleted by January 2009, according to the nonpartisan Ohio Legislative Service Commission. That led Ohio to borrow $3.3 billion from Washington -- a sum, plus $258 million in interest, that wasnt paid off until August 2016, with Ohios employers ultimately shouldering those costs, a huge burden.

Its wise to use federal COVID relief money to avoid such an outcome this time. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act that Congress passed and President Joe Biden signed in March is expected to provide more than $5 billion to Ohios state government over the next two years, cleveland.coms Andrew J. Tobias has reported. The $1.4 billion would come out of that state allotment. (A separate pool of $5 billion in federal relief is earmarked for Ohios local governments.)

But frankly, this bailout also rankles. Ohio has had plenty of time to reform funding of its jobless benefits -- as employers and unions and politicians all have acknowledged had to be done -- they just couldnt agree on how. Gov. DeWine acknowledged this by calling on lawmakers to do something to fix the process even as he moved forward his practical plan to restore solvency to the system.

Any legislation authorizing this one-time money to make the system whole should set a deadline for systemic reform.

Then, theres the states failure to provide a functional jobless claims system, with proper safeguards against fraud.

Its encouraging that, according to Matt Damschroder, interim director of he Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the state has made significant progress recently, reducing the inexcusably high number of backlogged 2020 claims to zero, apart from those flagged for fraud. Call-center problem resolution has gone from less than 20% in January to more than 70% now, cleveland.coms Jeremy Pelzer reports, citing Damschroders comments at a coronavirus briefing last week. And Ohio has made inroads on fraud, according to Damschroder.

But that doesnt do away the years of legislative neglect. Ohio lawmakers need to take responsibility for the miserly funding that made the states jobless system a sitting duck for pandemic problems. Going forward, legislators must ensure that ODJFS has the resources to overhaul not just its computer systems but also its overall approach, bringing both up to 21st-century standards. Enlisting the help of loaned corporate executives, as the DeWine administration recently did, is a good start.

DeWines plan to divert the $1.4 billion to make the state jobless fund solvent has the informal backing of the Republican-run General Assemblys leaders. Meanwhile, the Ohio Manufacturers Association, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Ohios unit of the National Federation of Independent Business are among the groups supporting DeWines plan.

Legislation to accomplish what DeWines aiming for hasnt yet been introduced, a spokeswoman for the governor confirmed. She noted, however, that the federal money allotted in the American Recue Plan Act hasnt yet been allotted to any of the states, either.

As to the torrent of pandemic problems and fraud in jobless claims, the General Assembly, at least in recent years, also played a role, with its feckless disregard of the need to adequately fund ODJFS systems and staff.

These challenges could have been timely addressed by the General Assembly, but legislators failed to do so. Irresponsibility was compounded by hypocrisy when some legislators griped during the pandemic that their offices were being flooded by constituent complaints about ODJFS delays. Arguably, some of those delays were caused by the legislatures pre-crisis neglect of the unemployment compensation programs needs.

This legislative neglect needs to stop. And work on DeWines plan for making the state jobless fund solvent needs to start.

About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization.

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As the new owner of a 220,000 Bentley, the Duke of York can expect no shortage of admiring glances. But one woman is distinctly unimpressed by his expensive new toy  French socialite Isabelle de Rouvre.

The 75-year-old mother-of-four is suing the Duke and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson for 6.7 million, which, she alleges, remains outstanding from when they bought her Alpine chalet in Verbier in 2014.

Last week, Andrew was driven from his father's funeral in the 200mph Flying Spur, which he has had resprayed in British racing green. While his extravagance has raised eyebrows in some quarters, Ms de Rouvre, 75, declared herself not in the least bit shocked.

As the new owner of a 220,000 Bentley, the Duke of York can expect no shortage of admiring glances

Ms de Rouvre became friends with the Yorks when they repeatedly rented her chalet in Verbier. She sold it to the couple for about 18 million in 2014.

'You know, nothing surprises me about him. Nothing,' she told The Mail on Sunday pointedly.

She said she hopes her legal action to recoup her millions will be resolved 'soon', adding: 'The case is in the courts.'

A source close to the Duke said: 'The Swiss chalet remains on the market at the asking price of 22 million Swiss francs [17.3 million]. It is expected that its sale will enable outstanding debts on the property to be met.'

Andrew, who stepped down from Royal duties over the continuing scandal of his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, took delivery of the Bentley in September. It came in blue but the colour was not to his liking, so he arranged for it to be resprayed. It also now has personalised number plates.

He was in the rear seat as it was driven from Windsor Castle following Prince Philip's funeral last weekend to Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate, where he lives.

Members of the Royal Family are often given favourable lease deals on their vehicles.

Ms de Rouvre became friends with the Yorks when they repeatedly rented her chalet in Verbier. She sold it to the couple for about 18 million in 2014.

She later claimed the Yorks missed a 2019 deadline by which another chunk of the outstanding 6.7 million was supposed to be paid.

Previously, a source close to Ms de Rouvre has said: 'Isabelle was thrilled that the chalet, which has given her so many happy memories, was being bought by friends. Sadly this dispute has ruined everything.'
A priest who helps perform last rites runs while covering his face amid the multiple funeral pyres of people who died of COVID-19, at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, on April 24, 2021. (Anindito Mukherjee/Getty Images)

New Delhi Records Highest Daily COVID-19 Death Toll as India Struggles With 2nd Wave

NEW DELHIDelhis biggest crematorium grounds, the Nigam Bodh Ghat, has seen a rapid surge in activity in the past week. On April 24, the dead were waiting in ambulances outside, while others were carried by family members, waiting to be laid on the pyre, where many were burning as rituals were performed.

A pall of dignified silence lay over the entire scene.

On the main gate, toward the left, there was a notice from North Delhis municipal corporation listing seven hospitals whose COVID-19 casualties are allowed to be brought for cremation at the ghat. (In India, a ghat is a series of steps leading down to a river.) The notice further said, Cremation inside Nigam Bodh Ghat is allowed between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. every day. On the right was a cautionary note to maintain ones distance.

Situated along the river Yamuna, the Nigam Bodh Ghat had at least four layers of cremations occurring on April 24.

There were bodies burning right on the banks of the river, another row of them burning on constructed spaces above, some burning a few steps up toward the right under a shed, and many burning on the ground along the path that, through multiple gates, leads to the main road outside.

On Monday, 40 bodies came here. On Tuesday, it was 65, and today, it has been 120 [as of 3:30 pm], said Varun Chauhan, a shopkeeper outside the gates selling material needed for the cremation.

On April 24, Delhi recorded 357 COVID-19 deaths, the highest on any day since the pandemic began more than a year ago. It was just four on an average day in March.

A corpse lies on a stretcher at the entrance of the Nigam Bodh Ghat, while the notice on the wall displays an appeal in Hindi for cautionary social distancing, in New Delhi on April 24, 2021. (Venus Upadhayaya/Epoch Times)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual meeting on April 23 with the chief ministers of the various states most affected by COVID-19 to ensure coordination in dealing with the crisis. On the same day, the country set a world record for the highest spike of new cases in a single day since the pandemic began, with 332,730 cases recorded. The overall current death toll stands at 192,311.

Delhis situation is really bad. The administration has failed. Theres panic among the people. Rumors arent controlled about vaccines and oxygen cylinders, Sunil Kumar Aledia, a social worker, told The Epoch Times. Since the lockdown was imposed on April 16, Aledia has helped provide food and oxygen cylinders. He also helps identify and contact the families of unclaimed victims and helps those needing assistance with cremation.

The Epoch Times followed Aledia throughout his COVID-relief work from morning till dusk on April 24 to understand the situation.

Delhis chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, mentioned earlier to the public that the states oxygen stock was sufficient only for two days. He shouldnt have talked this way. It spread a lot of panic. He still had two days to coordinate, Aledia says, chiding the current head of Delhis local government for blaming the federal government. The CM [chief minister] has his own responsibilities.

Aledia, who is also the executive director of the Centre for Holistic Development, has four oxygen cylinders and two oxygen concentrators that he rotates among those who reach out to his organization. On April 21, he got about 150 distress calls for oxygen cylinders.

Theres a lot of panic about oxygen cylinders. From all the calls that we receive, everyone isnt in need. Sometimes people call us for a friends friends friend. Theres actually a lot of panic, he says.

The government should work to reassure people and calm them, Aledia says.

People are looking for beds and oxygen cylinders. These are materials. The reality, including peoples response to the situation, is linked to their mental state of being, he says.

On April 22, the Indian Air Force airlifted cryogenic oxygen containers from its station to a recharging facility in the countrys east, and Modi urged the state heads to come together and work toward assuring a seamless supply of oxygen and medicines. Modi said the federal government is working to increase oxygen production.

A path to the Nigam Bodh Ghat from the riverside in Delhi led to many pyres burning on the bank of the river Yamuna on April 24, 2021. Photography was prohibited inside. (Venus Upadhayaya/Epoch Times)

The scarcity of oxygen cylinders has been a major crisis in the country. Last week, there were reports of cylinders being sold on the black market, as well as stories of philanthropists and other donors providing free supplies at personal expense.

Theres a lot that the Good Samaritans are doing. On the same road as the Nigam Bodh Ghat, Aledia wades on his bike through a crowd of thousands of homeless daily workers who lost their jobs during this months lockdown.

Food comes here at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m., and there are two Good Samaritans who serve food at 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., Aledia says. He coordinates more than eight charities and multiple individuals for the supplies at the site, which hosts five working shelters for the homeless, each of which can house a maximum of 30 people. But there are 5,000 who sleep under the open sky at the location, many on the footpaths on both sides.

The food comes cooked and packaged, as none of the shelters have kitchens. During last years lockdown, Aledias group served food to more than 20,000 every day around Delhi.

On his way to the Nigam Bodh Ghat, Aledia stops at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, a centrally located government-run hospital, to help with the cremation of Chitra Nigam, a 66-year-old retired female teacher who died there due to COVID-19.

Her whole family is COVID-positive and cant do her cremation. So they asked us for assistance, Aledia says as he calls the family on phone for government-approved identification. We daily get one to two calls seeking such assistance for COVID cremations.

Yesterday, we assisted with the cremation of an 80-year-old father of a gazetted [high-ranking] officer employed with the government. They sought our assistance because there was a lack of space in the crematoriums.

Outside the hospital, Aledia meets with his mentor, Indu Prakash Singh, 61, a noted social worker, poet, and writer, who encountered various challenges in finding an oxygen-equipped ambulance and a bed for his wife on April 24.

The ambulance people werent prepared. So I had to pay 15,500 rupees ($207) one way to transport my sick wife to a private hospital, Singh told The Epoch Times by phone on April 25, complaining that the regular charges are 5,000 to 6,000 rupees ($67 to $80).

My wife was in another hospital. Yesterday morning, the hospital made an announcement that it has no oxygen supplies and asked all, over 200 COVID patients, to leave the hospital. Our relatives started looking for a bed for my wife, and finally one of her cousins found one in a private hospital. Shes doing better now.

He asserted that there is a politically motivated lack of support from the federal to the state government in the situation in New Delhi.

After meeting with Singh, Aledia, who disagrees with his mentors political perception of the situation, drives two miles to the mortuary of the Maulana Azad Medical College, where Nigams body has been placed.

Outside the mortuary, under beautiful flowering trees, a few people wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) walk, while five ambulances are parked outside. Used and discarded PPE clothing lies in a few piles on both sides of the road. Aledia shakes his head in disbelief.

Sunil Kumar Aledia sits in the empty grounds outside the electric crematorium of the Sarai Kale Khan cremation ground in Delhi on April 24, 2021. (Venus Upadhayaya/Epoch Times)

People wait outside private run buses in Sarai Kale Khan on April 21, 2021, to return home after the lockdown was imposed in Delhi. (Venus Upadhayaya/Epoch Times)

They are asking me for an authorization letter from Nigams family, along with her identification card and her sons identification card. They will then let me cremate the body, he says, describing the conversation that he had with mortuary officials. He was later able to get Nigam cremated on April 25.

From Nigam Bodh Ghat, Aledia drives seven miles to Sarai Kale Khan, a suburban region with multiple construction projects. Hes on his way to another area that uses cremation with firewood as well as an electrical alternative.

All along the way from the main road to the crematorium, he bikes through crowds of workers sitting outside private buses waiting to travel to their homes in adjoining states amid the lockdown. Some are crowded around food carts selling water and local food products. Most are wearing masks, but almost no one practices social distancing.

Inside the big gate of the Sarai Kale Khan cremation grounds, construction workers are hurriedly building 16 new cremation platforms on the green lawn, while smoke from freshly lit pyres rises through the walls of an inner area.

Construction of new pyre platforms happening at Sarai Kale Khan cremation ground on April 24, 2021. (Venus Upadhayaya/The Epoch Times)

Outside, the bodies of several COVID-19 victims wait for their turn in the parked ambulances, while a few people stroll around in blue and white PPE suits. Bio-hazardous waste lies littered on both sides of the entrance while wood for pyres is stocked under a shed.

Aledia drives straight to the electric crematorium at the rear of the premises. Four corpses wait on the ground near the staircase of the crematorium, under a big tree. He approaches the crematorium caretakers.

These are not COVID bodies. They are unidentified bodies left here by the police, says a caretaker who refused to be identified. There are two chambers inside, one of which wasnt working on April 24.

Aledia says hell approach officials to make sure its up and working again in the next few days.
MONTREAL, April 25, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) acknowledges the federal government's advance notice of a Special Act supporting the resumption and maintenance of port activities in Montreal, clearly recognizing the strategic character of the Port of Montreal. "After several strike episodes in 2020 and 2021, which have had and continue to have serious economic and logistical impact, it is mission-critical that the Port of Montreal be able to fully and sustainably play its strategic role as an economic engine at the service of the local population and SMEs without interruption," said Martin Imbleau, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Montreal Port Authority.

Logo Port of Montreal (CNW Group/Montreal Port Authority)

A partial strike now underway and notice of an unlimited general strike sent by the union have resulted in a total halt of cargo handling activities since last Friday. Port of Montreal clients can expect delays in the delivery of their goods for the next few days and even weeks.

On average, the MPA handles $275 million worth of goods every day, ranging from agri-food products, pharmaceuticals and construction equipment to flagship products exported by local companies. A recent economic study found that a disruption of port activities incurs a loss of $10 million to $25 million per day for the economy.

It should be noted that the strike episodes in the summer of 2020 hit hard, with 80,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) grounded or rerouted and some 20 vessels diverted to competing ports, a trend that certain shipping lines began in recent months given the uncertainty associated with the labour dispute.

In the recent partial strike episode, after a single weekend of stoppage, the impact was already significant: close to 10,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) grounded, a backlog and delays in rail convoys, and shipping lines with vessels en route to Montreal obliged to rework their logistics.

About the Port of Montreal

Story continues

Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is the second largest port in Canada and a diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods: containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. The only container port in Quebec, it is a destination port served by the largest shipping lines in the world. It is also an intermodal hub with a service offering that is unique in North America, featuring its own rail network directly dockside connected to Canada's two national rail networks. The MPA also operates a Cruise Terminal and a Port Centre.

The MPA factors economic, social and environmental components into its corporate initiatives. This commitment is governed by a sustainable development policy whose guiding principles focus on involvement, cooperation and accountability. Port activity supports 19,000 jobs and generates $2.6 billion in economic benefits annually.

SOURCE Montreal Port Authority

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2021/25/c0327.html
A rising star Kansas City leader is making waves across the pond and, so far, impressive international high praise has escaped the attention of local media.



To wit . . .

CHECK THE BBC LGBT SPORT PODCAST FEATURING KANSAS CITY ACTIVIST JUSTICE HORN!!!



The nod is noteworthy for a lot of reasons but mostly because the BBC has highlighted Justice Horn's achievements very early in his career. It seems like only a few months ago the local standout earned MSM attention for his groundbreaking collegiate performance.



Here's a bit of backstory for those who aren't familiar with the local organizer:



For Justice, it was wrestling where he found his love - first at high school, and then at collegiate level at Northern State University in South Dakota.



As a black, gay man in a predominantly straight, Caucasian sport, Justice had to blaze his own trail - and that's just one of the fascinating things we chat about in today's episode.



We listened intently to the conversation as Justice Horn expertly talks about rugby, social justice and just a bit about his journey to Kansas City.



For those interested in learning more about one of the players who moves the discourse; this is a rare opportunity to consider insights from a young activist and a fascinating life story at the outset of what is sure to be a promising career.

Check-it . . .

BBC: The LGBT Sport Podcast - The One with Justice Horn

This story is also linked in today's OPEN THREAD so readers can share comments . . .
A Massachusetts man pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in connection to the killing of a hiker on the Appalachian Trail two years ago, according to federal court records in Virginia.

James Jordan, of West Yarmouth, was facing federal murder and assault with intent to commit murder charges in the killing of 43-year-old Ronald Sanchez Jr., of Oklahoma, and in connection with an attack on a woman.

Jordan fatally stabbed Sanchez with a hunting knife and attacked the woman in May 2019.

Federal court records in Virginia show a judge on Thursday accepted Jordans plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. Jordan will now be committed indefinitely to a psychiatric facility. He will not be released until a judge rules that he would not be a danger to society.

Jordan was arrested in May 2019 after two hikers were attacked near the Wythe and Smyth county line in Virginia.

A federal affidavit filed in the case said Jordan threatened a group of hikers before the fatal attack.

FBI Agent Micah Childers wrote Jordan approached four hikers on the trail in Smyth County, Virginia. Jordan had threatened people on the trail before the fatal attack, authorities said, noting an incident in Tennessee a month early.

Jordan was disturbed and unstable and was playing his guitar and singing when he approached the four hikers, authorities said.

The hikers then set up camp in the Wythe County, Virginia section of the trail.

Jordan began randomly approaching the hikers tents, making noises and threatening the hikers, Childers said. Jordan spoke to the hikers through their tents and threatened to pour gasoline on their tents and burn them to death.

When the four hikers decided to leave, Jordan ran after two of them with a hunting knife.

Authorities said Jordan then returned to the campsite and began stabbing Sanchez. The woman, who saw the attack unfold, ran away. Jordan, records said, chased her down and stabbed her multiple times.

The woman played dead and was able to escape. She found help and was able to get to a hospital.

A Wythe County Sheriffs Office tactical team converged on the campsite where the attack took place and arrested Jordan.

Several victim impact statements were filed in court in connection with the insanity plea.

The woman who was attacked by Jordan said she lives daily with the physical scars left by the several wounds caused by the Massachusetts man.

I am haunted by Mr. Jordans actions in May 2019, wrote the woman, who is from Canada. And, as a direct consequence of his actions, I am also haunted by my own decisions. I watched and listened in helpless near disbelief as Mr. Jordan transformed before my eyes from a bewildered, confused man into a violent animal. I saw him attack and murder a good, kind man. And I remember his eyes when I tried to run, and when I looked back over my shoulder. They are burned into my mind.

The family of Sanchez also filed several letters with the court. Sanchez girlfriend, who called him an extraordinary person, urged the judge to never let Jordan out of custody.

The risk will always remain with this person that he will kill again. Even if his condition can be controlled by drugs, once he goes off those drugs, he will become violent again and do the same thing to other innocent people, she wrote. I would never want anyone else to have to go through the living hell of pain and heartache that I have been put in because of this person. The risk is too high.

According to WDBJ, Jordan gave a brief apology in court. His defense lawyers said Jordan had a lifelong battle with mental illness and that the prosecutions expert found the Massachusetts man suffers from schizoaffective disorder.
Foreign investors pour over $2.5 billion into Dong Nai's industrial zones in Q1

According to Dong Nai Industrial Zones Management Authority, FIEs use the capital to buy machinery and raw materials to increase the capacity of their factories, manufacturing products for local and foreign markets. Also, FIEs have achieved over $5.7 billion in total revenue, up 12 per year against the same period last year. Thanks to the positive results, FIEs continue to expand production and sales.

Some major investments in the locality include a $100 million facility by Hansol Electronics Vietnam Co., Ltd., specialising in assembling liquid-crystal display (LCD) modules and electronic circuits at Ho Nai Industrial Park in Trang Bom district, and a $60 million project by Ojitex (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. (Japan) manufacturing high-quality packaging at Loc An-Binh Son Industrial Park in Long Thanh district.

Another investment is a $30 million project by Platel Vina Co., Ltd. (South Korea) to produce plastic covers for electronic equipment and electric/electronic components at Amata Industrial Park in Bien Hoa city.

As of present, 41 countries and territories have a total of 1,190 projects in 32 IZs in Dong Nai with the total registered capital of $24.3 billion.

FIEs mainly invest in industrial production in the province with industries such as textiles, footwear, textile fibres, machinery, iron and steel products, and electronics.

Along with Binh Duong and Long An provinces, Dong Nai is one of the major industrial hubs adjacent to Ho Chi Minh City which have accelerated the planning and development of IZ infrastructure to catch the wave of shifting foreign investment flows.
Once the deadly epicenters of Louisianas coronavirus outbreak, nursing homes now offer a glimpse of what a vaccinated populace might look like, health experts said this week.

Nursing homes reported just 17 new resident cases Wednesday, the seventh week in which the states approximately 275 homes reported fewer than 30 new cases, according to state data released each Wednesday. None of the 14 facilities that reported a new case had more than two new infections.

Wednesdays report affirms a trend that has been visible since early March. New cases in nursing homes have dropped to the lowest levels of the pandemic, a downturn that has come even as the homes have opened to visitors and hosted activities. In fact, no nursing homes have even reported double-digit outbreaks since early March.

Its a significant milestone for the nursing homes, where the virus has claimed nearly 3,000 lives since last year.

The fact that were not seeing a lot of nursing home residents infected ... is an indication of that little bubble reaching basically herd immunity, said Tulane University epidemiologist Susan Hassig. Seeing that very specific environment is what were hoping to see at the broader community level.

The decline began in late December and January, when the first vaccine doses were rolled out to long-term care facilities. The drop accelerated once second doses began in late January and then declined even further after many homes began hosting vaccination events to catch stragglers.

Since March, new nursing home infections have remained steady at rates of less than half of what they were at any point previously in the pandemic, state data shows.

That downward trend is a stark contrast to a year ago, when the coronavirus left many residents sick and others isolated as the homes all but shut off contact with the outside world in an effort to curb the contagions spread.

Inside the homes, the change from a year ago is palpable, according to Lisa Gardner, an executive with CommCare, which operates a dozen homes across Louisiana.

Its so much better, she said. Its closer to normal.

The recent relaxing of restrictions on nursing homes enabled operators to restart many of the amenities that residents have had to go without for the past year, she said.

We have permission to have people out in the common areas, she said. Our salons are back open.

CommCare homes are also talking to churches about coming back for services and, especially, serving communion, which is important to many residents but was suspended during much of the pandemic, she said.

In CommCares homes, the vast majority of residents have been vaccinated, Gardner said.

Vaccinated residents and staff are tested once a month, and others are tested more frequently, she said.

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If you think about it, a nursing home is probably one of the safest places to be, she said.

Nursing homes were caught off guard in the early months of the pandemic, as they scrambled to lock campuses down, gather protective equipment that had been in short supply and take other measures to keep residents safe.

By the end of May, at least 1,150 long-term care residents had died, which accounts for about 40% of the more than 2,830 deaths linked to COVID-19 in Louisiana nursing homes to date.

And although care facilities saw similar levels of infections around the holidays, the death toll was far lower than last spring.

At least 76,000 people in Louisiana long-term care facilities, including their employees, have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and more than 37,000 are fully inoculated, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Although the CDC does not report how many have not received a shot, about 22,000 people were living in nursing homes as of last week.

Because nursing home residents live in close quarters and frequently interact with staff, they are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. The illness is especially deadly for long-term care residents since many of them are older and have underlying health problems that make them more vulnerable to life-threatening symptoms.

Several observers have also pointed to infections within a community translating to more cases within nursing homes since employees may contract the virus elsewhere and unknowingly spread it to residents.

Thats always going to be the vulnerable point, Hassig said, adding that there is still a great amount of uncertainty about how more infectious versions of the virus may impact vaccinated people.

The companies producing the three vaccines approved in the U.S. have said they are still highly effective against known variants. But health officials have worries that new variants could reduce their effectiveness. A worse fear is a new version could be different enough to sicken vaccinated people.

Nevertheless, federal health officials last month loosened guidance on indoor visitation, opening it up to all residents, regardless of the vaccination status of the resident or visitor. Nursing home operators and advocates hailed the move.

The change  the most significant since the pandemic forced homes to go into lockdown last year  has not resulted in a spike in cases.

In fact, it could prove to be a model of what the situation could look like in the broader population, according to Louisiana Department of Health spokesperson Aly Neel.

Thats the point  vaccination works, she said.
Vice President Kamala Harris will meet virtually with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on May 7, when the two will discuss migration.

"This meeting will deepen the partnership between our countries to achieve the common goals of prosperity, good governance, and addressing the root causes of migration," Harriss chief spokesperson Symone Sanders said in a statement.

MORE: Video shows 3 adults, 2 children lowered down 30-foot border wall by rope in California

Harris last spoke with the Mexican president during a call on April 7 when the two agreed "to work together to address the root causes of migration from the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras," according to a White House readout of that call.

PHOTO: Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador delivers a speech during the virtual Earth Day Summit, at the National Palace in Mexico City, on April 22, 2021. (Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images)

The meeting comes as the administration continues to grapple with the surge of unaccompanied minors being apprehended at the U.S./Mexico border and a week after President Joe Biden referred to the situation at the border as a "crisis." White House press secretary Jen Psaki later attempted to walk the comment back.

Harris and Lopez Obrador will be joined by Secretary of Foreign Relations Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon and Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier Carrillo.

The number of unaccompanied children taken into custody roughly doubled from February to March and last month saw the largest number of Border Patrol apprehensions in a single month since the early 2000s.

MORE: Biden taps Harris to stem migration flow from Central America

Neither Harris nor Biden have traveled to the southern border to view the crisis firsthand. Instead, the administration has sent delegations with top officials.

It was previously announced that Harris will travel to Central America in June, marking her first trip to the region since Biden tasked her with leading the administration's efforts to address the root causes of migration. Shes also slated to hold a virtual bilateral meeting on Monday with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei.

Story continues

Harris and Giammettei will talk about working together to address immediate relief needs of the Guatemalan people and deepening cooperation on migration, according to a White House official.

ABC News Molly Nagle contributed to this report

Kamala Harris to meet virtually with Mexican president in May originally appeared on abcnews.go.com




Permanent deputy head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Nguyen Huy Tang presents the token of an aid to Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chay Navuth (Photo: VNA)

In his letter, the Cambodian leader thanked the Party, State, and people of Vietnam for their constant attention to the maintenance of the relations of friendship, solidarity and sharing between the two countries. He expressed his admiration to Vietnams timely and effective measures in the COVID-19 fight, and highly valued the countrys support and assistance to the international community, including Cambodia, in the work.

Hun Sen also spoke highly of the fine cooperation between the Parties, States and peoples of the two countries in the motto of fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive and sustainable cooperation./.
Australia has sent condolences to Indonesia after a submarine sunk 53 crew on board.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison contacted Indonesian President Joko Widodo after the vessel was found in three pieces at the bottom of the Bali sea, hundreds of metres beyond its diving range.

All of its crew have died, including Indonesia's submarine fleet commander, Harry Setiawan.

'Deepest sympathies to President Jokiwi and all our Indonesian friends on the loss of KRI Nanggala,' Mr Morrison said on Sunday night.

Indonesian missing submarine found with all 53 crew members declared dead after vessel went missing on Wednesday

Underwater photo released Sunday April 25, 2021, by Indonesian Navy shows parts of submarine KRI Nanggala that sank in Bali Sea, Indonesia.

'A tragic reminder of the ultimate sacrifice our service people make for their country. It was an honour to contribute to search efforts. Australia stands by you in your time of loss.'

The loss of the 44-year-old vessel has renewed calls for Indonesia to modernise its ageing military hardware.

The submarine went missing last week while conducting a torpedo drill.

It lost contact after being granted clearance to dive and plunged well below its self-operating levels.

Australia took part in an international search for the vessel, which involved dozens of helicopters and ships equipped with sonar systems.

The search for the missing Indonesian submarine ended as navy crew members located the vessel and confirmed all 53 people on board have perished.

Indonesia's military on Sunday officially admitted there was no hope of finding survivors from a submarine that sank and broke apart last week with 53 crew members aboard (pictured: parts of submerged submarine)

The submarine was conducting a torpedo drill in waters 60 miles north of the island of Bali

The Indonesian navy located its missing submarine, KRI Nanggala, on Sunday night in three pieces at a depth of almost 840m beneath the sea after the vessel submerged for a torpedo drill at 3am on Wednesday.

Military commander, Hadi Tjahjanto said the wreckage of the 44-year-old submarine was found following the arrival of ships with more sophisticated detection technology.

Air Chief Marshal Tjahjanto said the equipment had captured images of the safety clothes of crew members, the vessel's rear vertical steering wheel and anchor.

'Based on this authentic evidence, we can conclude that the Nanggala 402 has sunk and that all the crew members are dead,' he said.

'Due to that, with great sadness, as military commander I declare the 53 crew members of Nanggala are dead. The best soldiers have died while carrying out their duties in waters north of Bali.'

Indonesian military confirmed has found the sunken Indonesian Navy KRI Nanggala 402 Submarine in the depth of 839 Meter below sea level that had broken into three parts

He offered his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and confirmed that all crew would be rewarded posthumously for their military service.

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton wrote in a Tweet on Sunday that he was deeply saddened at the loss of Naggala402 and the 'brave sailors' who were on board.

The grim news comes as rescuers found several items including parts of a torpedo straightener, a grease bottle believed to be used to oil the periscope and prayer rugs, according to Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono on Saturday.

He said: 'With the authentic evidence we found believed to be from the submarine, we have now moved from the sub miss phase to sub sunk.'

Officials said oxygen supply on the KRI Nanggala-402, which vanished as it prepared to conduct a torpedo drill, ran out early Saturday.

Rescuers found several items including parts of a torpedo straightener, a grease bottle believed to be used to oil the periscope and prayer rugs from the submarine

Debris thought to be a torpedo straightener (left), piping (centre) and a bottle (right) from the missing submarine are pictured at the press conference

An American reconnaissance plane, P-8 Poseidon, landed early Saturday and joined the search, along with 20 Indonesian ships, a sonar-equipped Australian warship and four Indonesian aircraft.

Indonesia military spokesperson Djawara Whimbo previously said: 'We keep doing the search until we find it and whatever the result.'

The submarine lost contact after its last reported dive off the resort island.

Indonesia's navy says items have been found from a missing submarine, indicating the vessel with 53 crew members has sunk, according to Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono

A member of Indonesian Navy personnel walks past a map of the searching area for the submarine KRI Nanggala-402

A military officer looks at pictures of the crew members on the missing KRI Nanggala, who has since confirmed to have sank

An Indonesian air force pilot said six tonnes of equipment had been flown to a base to help with the search including underwater balloons to help lift a vessel.

The country's navy previously said it was investigating whether the submarine lost power during a dive and could not carry out emergency procedures as it descended to a depth of 600-700 metres, well beyond its survivable limits.

The devastating announcement that all 53 crew members have died in the nation's first submarine disaster has dashed the hopes of their mourning family members.

Ratih Wardhani, the sister of 49-year-old crewman Wisnu Subiyantor, had said: 'The family is in a good condition and keeps praying. We are optimistic that the Nanggala can be rescued with all the crew.'

Berda Asmara is married to Guntur Ari Prasetyo, 39, who had been expected to return home from the submarine training mission at the weekend

The KRI Alugoro seen yesterday as it helped search for the missing submarine which is feared to have been lost with all hands

Berda Asmara, the wife of crew member Guntur Ari Prasetyo, 39, who has sailed on the Nanggala for 10 years, said: 'I hope that they will be found alive. We had a video call. He told me that he would go sailing and asked me to pray for him.'

Indonesian President Joko Widodo had ordered all-out efforts to locate the submarine and asked Indonesians to pray for the crew's safe return.

Indonesia's navy said it was possible an electrical failure occurred during the dive, causing the submarine to lose control and become unable to undertake emergency procedures that would have allowed it to resurface.
The have been longtime colleagues and best friends.

But apparently, with her busy work schedule and family life, Kate Hudson hasn't been able to spend as much quality much time with her stylist gal pal Sophie Lopez.

But that all changed Saturday when the actress, 42, decided to take advantage of the gorgeous Southern California weather by stripping down into a revealing bikini and soaking up the sun with her BFF.

BFF lounge time: Kate Hudson showed off her fit figure in a yellow bikini when she reunited with gal pal Sophie Lopez on Saturday

Hudson, 42, took to Instagram and shared a photo of their reunion showing them working on their tans while lounging on a deck.

'Got the band back together for a day of fun in the [sun} #reemergence #missedmybestie,' she joked in the caption.

The Almost Famous star showed off her ripped abs in a revealing yellow bikini.

She also donned dark sunglasses and had her blonde locks styled long and stringy well past her shoulders.

Birthday wishes: Just last week, the celebrity stylist shared a sweet message to Hudson on Instagram for her 42nd birthday

Lopez laid to her right dressed in a dark brown bikini, cool sunglasses, and her long brown tresses pulled back into a bun.

Just last week, the celebrity stylist shared a sweet birthday message to Hudson on Instagram.

'Happy birthday @katehudson. So many incredible adventures together, couldn't be more grateful to have you as a friend. I love you,' she gushed in the caption of a photo showing the ladies striking seductive poses.

One of their adventures: Hudson yearned for the recent past last month when she posted a photo of herself and Lopez with her mother Goldie Hawn during a trip to London, England

One of their adventures together was a trip to London, where they spent some quality time with Hudson's mother Goldie Hawn.

'I do miss a good shindig #tbt #imisslondon,' Hudson wrote alongside a photo of the three ladies partying it up in the British capital.

Lopez could be seen puckering up her lips as Hudson and Hawn flashed their trademark beaming smiles in the throwback snap.

Making her mark: Lopez is a celebrity stylist who credits the rock band Muse with helping launch her career

It turns out Lopez met Hudson when she was styling the British rock band Muse. The guys in the group introduced her to Hudson when they were all in Los Angeles.

Lopez gushed about her gal pal when she was asked what she enjoys about working with her gal pal.

'I've known her for a long time, but she still gets excited every time I bring a rack of clothes in. Not everybody enjoys fittings or the process, but she really does,' she revealed in an interview with CFDA.

'She's just one of the people who makes every day feel like the first day with her enthusiasm and energy.'

Hudson also took to Instagram on Saturday and posted a few photos and video clips of herself in bed with her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Rani.

Bonding time: Hudson also shared a few short video clips of her time in bed with daughter Rani, two, on Saturday

Game time: Mother and daughter also posed the question: 'In 2021, I should...

Adorable: Little Rani appeared to have a grand time playing games in bed
As an alumna of Howard University, Anika Prather remembers feeling that the classics were everywhere during her years as a student. No matter your major or field of study, she recalled, it was practically a given that classics would be woven into your educational experience.

My brother was a pre-med student  we both went to Howard  and I remember sitting there seeing him read all types of classics, like we all had to, classics or some work of the canon, but then youre reading it from a Black perspective, Dr. Prather said. Its really incredible.

At Howard, the classics department is as old as the university itself. Established in 1867  the same year that Howard, one of the countrys leading historically Black colleges and universities, was founded  the department became a hub for Black thought, enlightening generations of students about Black people in antiquity.

Dr. Prather, now an adjunct professor of humanities, takes pride in being a part of the department. But she will soon have to leave the position, as the university plans to dissolve the department by the fall semester.
Are celebrities paid for what they wear?

Celebrities are paid to be ambassadors for a brand; to represent it to the world. Contracts specify exactly what that means; sometimes that it is appearing in ads, but almost always it is wearing clothes by the brand at select very public moments  especially awards shows like the Oscars.

Just as important, however, is that even when they are not official ambassadors, stars (and their managers, agents and stylists, all of whom have some skin in this game) often consider a red carpet appearance pretty much a virtual ad, which means in exchange for wearing a dress and the related publicity that ensues, they would like the dress for free.

Because they are often not sample-size, and because they often want clothes that have not been seen before, this means brands have to make dresses especially for the occasion  and sometimes at the last minute celebs change their minds. If you are wondering whether this all privileges giant global brands over small indie names, and that is why the big guns often seem to be the most ubiquitous red carpet choices, the answer is yes.

Its been a big week. Will there be a lot of political statements?

Ever since #TimesUp convinced attendees to wear black to the 2018 Golden Globes in protest against Hollywoods culture of sexual harassment, there have been various attempts at politicization of the red carpet fashion machine. A brief groundswell to not focus on the gowns but instead focus on the roles did not last terribly long (theres been a sort of compromise, and now questions extend to both).

But in September 2020, Regina King wore a T-shirt honoring Breonna Taylor with her hot pink Schiaparelli pantsuit to the virtual Emmy Awards, and earlier this month Jamie Chung carried a Stop Asian Hate message handbag to the SAG awards. Given the emotion after the George Floyd trial verdict, the attacks on the Asian community and the drive for vaccines, we could well see statement making than goes beyond style for the Oscars. Still, it tends to be the exception, rather than the rule.

So we should look out for designer masks?

This will not be a case of match-the-mask-to-the-gown dressing. In fact, it will be  shock!  a maskless awards. The Oscars telecast is being treated like a TV production (well, it is a TV production), which means that on-camera talent gets to go barefaced. The producers have suggested, cryptically, that masks will still play a role of their own, but what that means is not entirely clear.
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Santa Fe gallery owner Elaine Horwitch was a firecracker wrapped in mountains of Navajo jewelry crowned in a cowboy hat.

The progenitor of Santa Fe style with her long skirts, cowboy hats and boots, and the pearl-handled pistol cradled in her purse, she launched the careers of hundreds of artists. She also helped establish the Southwest as a nexus of contemporary art.

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Open at Santa Fes New Mexico Museum of Art, Southwest Rising: Contemporary Art and the Legacy of Elaine Horwitch explores that heritage through works by Billy Schenck, Fritz Scholder, Georgia OKeeffe, Louise Nevelson, Robert Rauschenberg, Bob Wade and more.

Horwitch first opened a gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1973, followed by Santa Fe in 1976.

She made most of these peoples careers, said Christian Waguespack, curator of 20th century art at the New Mexico Museum of Art.

She was a spitfire, Waguespack continued. They either loved her or hated her. She had a very cultivated sense of her persona.

While OKeeffe affected the image of the black-draped recluse, Horwitch embraced the opposite.

She did it in a bombastic way, Waguespack said. She was loud, she was dominating.

Eventually opening galleries in Sedona, Arizona, in 1986, followed by Palm Springs, California, in 1987, Horwitch drew from regions steeped in historic and Western art traditions.

All of these artists were developing artists of the time, Waguespack said. They were all doing something new.

Horwitch and the painter David Bradley likely bonded over their shared sense of humor. His painting El Farol: Canyon Road Cantina, 2000, shows a drunken Vincent van Gogh collapsed on the bar while he writes a letter to his brother Theo. OKeeffe hides in the corner shadows.

He was laughing at the people who were there, but youre part of the environment; you see your friends, Waguespack said.

Horwitch was largely responsible for Scholders career. But the pair butted heads over price points.

At one point, he parked a truck in back of the gallery and undersold his paintings, Waguespack said. To get him back, she undersold his paintings in the gallery.

Throughout her career, Horwitch sold paintings to Vincent Price, Linda Lavin and Robert Redford.

The mother of five, Horwitch came to Scottsdale from Chicago in 1955. She was a housewife then, not a gallerist. She reportedly decided she needed a career after reading Betty Friedans classic feminist book The Feminine Mystique. She said she wanted to launch a career modeled on Tupperware.

She started very humbly, Waguespack said. She and a friend started a gallery that drove around. She built her gallery up from there. It takes a lot of chutzpah.

The pair loaded their station wagons with prints they either borrowed or bought from other galleries, then sold them to womens and school groups.

Eventually, Horwitch would place full-page color ads in local and national magazines. She thought she had every right to compete with New York and Los Angeles galleries. She hired well-known acts such as Queen Idas zydeco band to perform at openings, as well as the conductor (then pianist) Michael Tilson Thomas.

Horwitch moved to Santa Fe after falling in love with the city at the Santa Fe Opera. She went to the flea market every weekend and bought out whole booths, then sold all of it marked up 1,000% the next day.

She showed what she wanted to show without apology.

Horwitch also sold tchotchkes, low-end items that sometimes rankled artists who did not want their work seen alongside hanging mobiles and tables full of cowboy boots.

When Horwitch went out to dinner with clients, if the subject of gun control arose, she would reportedly pull out her gun, slam it on the table and say, Well, I always pack heat.

She made it possible for her stable of artists to make a living. She helped develop Southwest Pop.

Southwest Rising was originally organized by Julie Sasse, chief curator at the Tucson Museum of Art. Sasse worked for Horwitch for 15 years. Waguespack was initially interested in borrowing the exhibition as a traveling show until he realized he could draw art reflecting Horwitchs legacy from the New Mexico Museum of Art collection. This re-formed version features artwork centered around Horwitchs impact on Santa Fe.

Horwitch died at 58 in 1991.

If you go

WHAT: Southwest Rising: Contemporary Art and the Legacy of Elaine Horwitch

WHERE: New Mexico Museum of Art, 107 W. Palace Ave., Santa Fe

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday Through Jan. 2, 2022

HOW MUCH: $7-$12 at nmartmuseum.org, 505-476-5072
Rogers High School Principal Jamie Burks died Saturday at Princeton Baptist Medical Center in Birmingham.

He was 46 years old.

He is survived by his wife, daughter, son, and his parents.

"Jamie was a wonderful teacher and principal who was loved by the Greenhill Community, Rogers School, and the whole Lauderdale County School System. More importantly, he was a loving husband, father, son and Christian man," his Greenhill Funeral Home obituary includes.

Tributes to Burks began appearing on social media Saturday afternoon.

The family did not provide a cause of death in the obituary.

On Monday, about 150 people gathered in the Roger High School parking lot to take part in a prayer vigil to support Burks and his family. Some in attendance told WAAY 31 they were praying for Burks' health because he had been hospitalized.

Visitation is planned for Wednesday.

Read the full obituary HERE and leave your condolences for the family.
Seaborne pulverized coal injection (PCI) prices increased sharply in the cfr market in the week to April 23 due to supply tightness of Russia coal while decreased in the fob market amid more supply options than last months. Premium hard coking coal, fob DBCT: $113.14 per tonne, down $0.14 per tonne Premium hard coking coal, cfr Jingtang: $220.94 per tonne, up $0.40 per tonne Hard coking coal, fob DBCT: $105.62 per tonne, unchanged Hard coking coal, cfr Jingtang: $200.49 per tonne, unchangedThe elevated transaction prices for north American premium hard coking coal and hard coking coal amid supply tightness held most market participants back although some of them have turned to low-volatility and low-sulphur cargoes from Russia and Indonesia, sources said.One deal of Indonesian low-vol and low-sulphur coking coal was heard concluded at $185 per tonne fob Indonesia to China this week.Its higher by about $205 per tonne plus the freight to China...than we expected but it may be blended with other domestic materials since there's not many domestic low-vol and low-sulphur cargoes, a Shanghai-based trader said.Other market sources said the uptrend in sea freight has also supported seaborne coking coal cargoes from north America, Russia and Indonesia.In the fob coking coal market, market sentiment was largely stable over the week with market impressions unchanged on overall sufficient supply and limited demand from ex-China end-users in the spot market, Fastmarkets heard.End-users from India and Southeast Asia conducted some major trading activity in the spot market due to their operational plans in April, sources said.A few market participants said the increasing demand from India before the traditional monsoon season over July to September may support Australian coking coal prices at the current level in the short term.They started booking cargoes with a June laycan or booked May-laycan and June-laycan cargoes in one deal this week, an international trader said.Some sources were concerned about operations and demand for raw materials at Indian steel mills amid an increasing number of Covid-19 cases, while others said mills could still maintain their essential operations.Steel demand is slightly weaker now due to the lockdowns in some states but the virus will not affect steel mills operations much, an India-based trader said.For the PCI market, some buyers in China looked for Russian PCI cargoes with low-vol and a firmed laycan recently, yet there were not many related cargoes being offered this week.Some Russian coal traders slightly increased their offers to Chinese steel mills due to the rising sea freight and tight tradable resources at Russias ports.A 30,000-tonne cargo of Russia low-vol PCI was traded at about $130 per tonne cfr China in the week, market sources told Fastmarkets on Friday. Fastmarkets index for low-vol PCI, cfr Jingtang was $129 per tonne on April 23, up by $2.48 per tonne on a weekly basis.In the fob PCI market, the supply of Australian PCI gradually dissipated the impact of the flood in March while more supply options were on offer recently, market sources told Fastmarkets. Fastmarkets index for low-vol PCI, fob DBCT was $107.72 per tonne on April 23, down by $3.21 per tonne on a weekly basis.The most-traded September coking coal futures contract closed at 1,744.50 yuan ($268.77) per tonne on Friday, down by 7.50 yuan per tonne.The most-traded September coke contract closed at 2,591.50 yuan per tonne, down by 13 yuan per tonne.
In amended filings, Eric J. Bonetti, part of the first same-sex couple married at Grace Episcopal Church in Alexandria Virginia, earlier this week added the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts and St. Gabriel's Church in Marion, Massachusetts as defendants in a lawsuit previously filed in federal district court; revised case number 1 21 CV190.

The pleadings allege:



That a video on the church's website, containing remarks by former interim rector Robert H. Malm, falsely claim that the plaintiff stalked and threatened Malm and his family, and thus are libelous.

That Plaintiff previously asked that the church remove the video, but was refused.

That the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts is conspiring with Malm and the church, to damage Plaintiff's reputation and to prevent him from peacefully protesting outside St. Gabriel's church.

That the Diocese and its officials have ignored perjury on the part of Malm, made before the Massachusetts courts.

The move follows a written statement by the Diocese declining to address the allegations that Malm committed perjury.

Bonetti, a resident of Northern Virginia, is a retired attorney and proceeding pro se in the matter.
It still ranks as one of the most dramatic moments in the history of the Oscars. But only now, nearly half a century later, has the Native American actress at the heart of it revealed the devastating aftermath.

Sacheen Littlefeather says she was 'blacklisted' by Hollywood and abandoned by Marlon Brando after rejecting the Best Actor award on his behalf in 1973  a political stunt that was beamed across the world.

Littlefeather had been chosen by Brando to walk on stage and decline the Oscar he had been awarded in 1973 for his performance in The Godfather. It was supposed to be a protest at the way Native Americans were portrayed as savages by the film industry at the time.

Marlon Brando, pictured, had been awarded an Oscar in 1973 which he refused

Sacheen Littlefeather, pictured, was told to refuse Brando's Oscar causing an outrage

But while the legendary actor was delighted by her performance, Littlefeather, a White Mountain Apache who had appeared in B-movies and on TV, never worked in the industry again.

But while the legendary actor was delighted by her performance, Littlefeather, a White Mountain Apache who had appeared in B-movies and on TV, never worked in the industry again.

Speaking in a new documentary, Sacheen: Breaking The Silence, she says: 'It was the first time anyone had made a political statement at the Oscars. It was the first Oscars ceremony to be broadcast by satellite all over the world, which is why Marlon chose it. I didn't have an evening dress so Marlon told me to wear my buckskin.'

She describes how, when she got on stage, she could 'hear the boos and jeers', adding: 'I later learned six security guards had to hold back John Wayne, who was in the wings and wanted to storm on to the stage and drag me off.'

Afterwards she went to Brando's house. 'He told me I'd done a great job,' she says. But it was Littlefeather's last appearance on stage. 'I was blacklisted  or, you could say, 'redlisted'. I was ostracised everywhere I turned. 'No one would listen to my story or give me a chance to work.' Brando, she added, left her feeling 'abandoned'. Michael Caine, who hosted the Oscar ceremony, criticised Brando for 'letting some poor little Indian girl take the boos instead of standing up and doing it himself'.

Tonight's Oscars promises to be a more subdued affair. It has already been dubbed the 'wokest and weirdest' ceremony ever. Just a handful of celebrities are expected to walk a 'teeny' red carpet in Hollywood, and those allowed inside will wear masks unless they are on stage. A source said: 'Normally a billion people around the world watch the Oscars but the buzz isn't there this year. Hollywood is bracing itself for a dud.'

Of the British stars, Emerald Fennell is favourite to win a Best Original Screenwriting Oscar for Promising Young Woman, starring Carey Mulligan, who is also nominated for Best Actress. Also up for that award is The Crown star Vanessa Kirby for her performance in Pieces Of A Woman. Previous Oscar-winner Olivia Colman is nominated as Best Supporting Actress for The Father, whose star, Sir Anthony Hopkins, is up for Best Actor, along with Riz Ahmed for Sound Of Metal and Gary Oldman for Mank.

Daniel Kaluuya is tipped to win Best Supporting Actor for Judas And The Black Messiah. Sacha Baron Cohen is nominated for The Trial Of The Chicago 7.
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Diehard Tesla investors might be forgiven for wondering why the thrill of owning the iconic carmakers stock has seemingly disappeared.

After all, since catapulting over 700 per cent last year, the shares have barely eked out a 3.4 per cent advance in 2021. Meme stocks like GameStop have pushed Tesla out of the limelight, while bitcoin has attracted almost all the buzz.

Tesla shares jumped by 700 per cent in 2020 but have had a muted start to this year. Credit:Bloomberg

But the electric-vehicle juggernauts first-quarter results on Monday (US time) might be just the thing to change all that.

Since reporting surprisingly strong deliveries for the first three months of the year, expectations are running high. And Tesla also needs to convince investors it can hold onto its lead in the EV market in an increasingly crowded playing field. As a result, traders are pricing in a jolt to the shares. Options pricing suggests Teslas stock may fluctuate 7.2 per cent in either direction, which would be the largest post-earnings move since January last year.
Vehicle assembly with used spare parts under scrutiny By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):

The Government is promoting vehicle assembly units using imported used spare parts amidst import restrictions but questions are being raised over this facility.

The Ministry of Industry in collaboration with Sri Lanka Automotive Component Manufacturers Association will be seeking a substantial level of investment in the domestically value-added automobile manufacturing/assembly industry.

This could create the demand for locally manufactured components increasing their quality and to achieve internationally renowned standards.

Under this initiative several international manufacturers as well as local players have expressed interest in the assembly of vehicles and automotive component manufacturing thus saving around Rs. 300 billion annually in future, a senior official of the ministry said.

The Ministry has already introduced the standard operating procedure (SOP) for local assembly of vehicles and automotive component manufacturing to encourage world renowned brands to locally assemble vehicles.

Under this set up the government is also focusing attention on allowing a private company to assemble 2250 vehicles locally by using used spare parts as remedy to the vehicle shortage in the country. The company in question has a dubious past and is alleged to have earlier violated Customs regulations, industry sources said.

A discussion was held at the Finance Ministry recently on the taxation issue of this particular project and the present status of this project, a senior official said, adding that the government coffers will be deprived of a sum of Rs. 6.65 billion in tax revenue by allowing this project to go through.

Sometime back, this company was given a duty concession to import used motor spare parts to assemble in Sri Lanka adding local parts and providing employment opportunities for youth.

Although the agreement was as such it has imported vehicle units in separate shipments under two names and got them assembled, a senior official of Sri Lanka Customs said. The previous track record of this company should be investigated before giving permission to resume its business, he added.

The viability of the project backed by a top state official is still to be ascertained as the SOP introduced by Minister Wimal Weerawansa has clearly indicated that vehicle assembly has to follow stipulated guidelines.

The SOP clearly states that it is vital that the sector should be provided with the opportunity to expand itself in the domestic market at the first stage.

In order to achieve this objective, there should be a substantial level of investment in the domestically value-added automobile manufacturing/assembly industry, which could create the demand for locally manufactured components increasing their quality and to achieve internationally renowned standards.

Motor traders noted that such vehicle assembly projects will jeopardise the safety of motorists, the general public and also contravenes an existing customs regulation, which only permits the importation of vehicles that has been used up to a maximum of three years from the date of first registration.

The danger of allowing this to go ahead is that the unsuspecting motor vehicle buyer would not know the year of manufacture of these so-called assembled vehicles and a car manufactured 10 years ago can be issued with the latest registration number plates from the Motor Traffic Department, they said.

The Government had spent $ 5 billion on vehicle imports over the last five years and a reduction of import duty of motor spare parts was announced to promote local assembly of vehicles and reconditioning and export of motor vehicles.

In 2019, approximately $100 million worth of spare parts were imported. The imported parts weighed 35 million kg.

The actual duty collected on motor spares can be estimated to be 35 per cent of CIF, which is $ 35 million. This works out to be a mere $3 per kg in terms of import CIF and $1 per kg in duty, motor traders said.
Over the past 11 months of anti-racism protests, demonstrators have had to protect themselves: from police, sometimes; from white supremacists, occasionally; and from cars. Since the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, more than 100 incidents of hostile drivers ramming into activists have been documented. These assailants have included police officers, gun-toters, and even, in one instance, a Ku Klux Klan leader. Many, though not all, of these aggressors were charged under local statutesbut now, a growing number of Republican state lawmakers are trying to ensure that, in the future, such vehicular attacks get a pass.

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On Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an anti-riot bill that allows harsher police crackdowns on demonstratorsan apparent response to the defund the police and Black Lives Matter movements. (This bill actually prevents local governments from defunding law enforcement, DeSantis said.) A public gathering of three or more people can be classified as a riot under the law, and anyone who willingly participates in such a gathering can be charged with a third-degree felony. Plus, participants in rallies that turn violent can be also be charged with a third-degree felony even if they had no involvement with the violence. Most jarring of all, the law grants civil immunity to drivers who ram into protesting crowds and even injure or kill participants, if they claim the protests made them concerned for their own well-being in the moment.

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On Wednesday, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill that grants immunity to drivers who unintentionally hurt or kill protesters on public streets, should they claim they feared for their lives or attempted to escape the premises, and makes protesting by obstructing a public street itself a misdemeanor punishable by fines or prison time. The act was initially introduced in response to an incident in May 2020 when a pickup truck rammed into a mass of people in Tulsa protesting Floyds killing, injuring three of them, one of whom was paralyzed from the waist down. (The Tulsa County District Attorneys Office declined to press charges and suggested that the standing protesters were the real instigators and the driver was the victim.) Though Oklahomas bill is not nearly as elaborate as Floridas, it does go further in protecting protester-killing drivers by shielding them from even criminal charges.

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These two laws are only the latest examples of anti-dissent legislation introduced by state-level Republican lawmakers across the country. According to the International Center for Not-for-Profit Laws U.S. Protest Law Tracker, 17 states have enacted a total of 30 anti-protest bills and executive orders prohibiting protests at fossil fuel facilities, expanding the definitions of the words incitement and riot, heightening requisite penalties, and granting state officials further power to crack down on grassroots demonstrations on both public and private property. South Dakota and Tennessee have had laws on the books since 2017 that allow those states to penalize conscientious objectors who obstruct traffic, but neither has gone so far as to protect belligerent drivers. Since 2016, hundreds of state laws cracking down on various forms of dissent have been proposed, and 45 states have tabled these proposals; 68 of these bills are currently pending. This is the largest number of concurrently considered anti-protest laws at any point in American history.

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More and more of these bills have been introduced since 2017, especially since last summer. That includes the subcategory of measures protecting drivers who hit protesters. After the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, legislative proposals in Republican-led states to protect drivers from lawsuits brought by harmed demonstrators proliferatedand, as I noted last year, mass demonstrations against racist police brutality also brought out dozens of counterprotesting drivers who ran over protesters, in a few cases even killing them. In these rallies, often led by Black activists, protesters have taken to streets and highways in symbolic and generally peaceful gestures, inconveniencing those who might otherwise ignore them and sometimes bringing attention to highways whose construction destroyed Black Americans neighborhoods. The bills introduced in 2017 all faltered, but the idea has rebounded. Measures have been introduced in Missouri and Nevada, among other states, that would grant civil immunity to drivers who hit permitless protesters if the drivers are exercising due care. Prominent critics and legal experts argue that all this will serve to do is throttle free speech rightsand that it could, as Alex Pareene wrote in the New Republic this weekend, create a sort of Second Amendment for cars in order to intimidate and discourage Americans exercising their rights to protest on the streets.

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While debating Floridas anti-dissent bill the week before it passed, Democratic legislators asked their Republican colleagues whether someone like Heather Heyers murderer, who hit her with a car during a counterprotest in Charlottesville, would have been shielded by their bill; a GOP state senator dismissed the question, stating that that driver was clearly attempting to hurt people and thus would not be insulated from legal consequences. Indeed, Heyers killer faced hate crime charges and was convicted in Virginia through the kind of process the Florida bill still allows. But that was an extreme, and clear-cut, case: The ambiguity of incitement and riot under Floridas law could help shield future assailants from some consequences. Whatever the impact, this sends a clear message to would-be protesters about whose side the states power structure is on.

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In some ways these laws are also land grabs, marking off the places where civic dissenters dont belong. Oklahoma is slated to pass laws in addition to the driver-immunity bill that would, according to the Oklahoman, allow localities to establish ordinances for citizens to paint blue lines on streets as a show of support for law enforcementan evident reference to the notorious thin blue line flagand make it illegal to post information about police officers online. The latter measure, as state Democrats noted, could unfairly target those who take photos or videos of instances of police brutalitylike the many bystanders whove recorded such instances on their cellphones in cities across the nation. A Republican state senator also introduced another bill that would make it a misdemeanor for protesters to block or restrict traffic on public streets or highways.

This ever-growing morass of anti-dissent legislation is, for now, one legacy of our yearlong consideration of police brutality. More bills protecting drivers who strike demonstrators remain in the works; Iowa is on the verge of passing its own. People, especially activists of color, will keep getting injured or even killed. What will happen if even more states tell drivers they can ram whomever they want?
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Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020
The backlash against 'woke' ideology on race in New York's elite private schools is gaining momentum, with more parents coming forward to publicly speak out on the issue.

Following a series of controversies at some of Manhattan's most expensive public schools, more parents shared their concerns in interviews with the New York Post on Saturday, risking backlash from opponents over the contentious issue.

They say they are concerned with the proliferation of critical race theory (CRT) in the classroom. CRT is a theoretical framework which views society as dominated by white supremacy, and categorizes people as 'privileged' or 'oppressed' based on their skin color.

Parent Harvey Goldman said he pulled his daughter out of the $43,000-per-year Heschel School after learning that the fourth-grader was being tutored on her 'white privilege'.

Harvey Goldman and Bion Bartning both pulled their children out of elite New York private schools after learning that they were being taught about their 'white privilege'

Goldman said he pulled his daughter out of the $43,000-per-year Heschel School (above) and moved the family to Florida to enroll in a free public school

Ariela Dubler, head of Heschel School

Last September, he sent administrators a private letter, which he is now making public for the first time.

'First and foremost, neither I, nor my child, have 'white privilege,' nor do we need to apologize for it,' Goldman wrote. 'Suggesting I do is insulting. Suggesting to my nine-year-old child she does is child abuse, not education.'

Goldman told the Post that administrators were 'arrogant and dismissive' in response, suggesting he pull his daughter out of the school if he was unsatisfied.

He did, and moved the family to Florida, where his daughter now attends a free public school, which he vetted to ensure CRT was not part of the curriculum. The head of Heschel School is Ariela Dubler.

'My mother said everyone should speak out about this  but when I said I was going to, she said, 'I didn't mean you,'' Goldman joked to the Post.

'But I understand her concerns and I have them, too. These private schools are very powerful and they speak to one another. They want you to toe the line and do as you're told or else.'

Riverdale Country School parent Bion Bartning was also so upset with the ideologies being taught there that he pulled his children out of the $54,000-a-year school.

Riverdale Country School parent Bion Bartning was so upset with the ideologies being taught there that he pulled his children out of the $54,000-a-year school (above)

Bartning then went a step further, founding the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR) to fight back against what he calls a dangerous new 'orthodoxy'.

Bartning, who is Mexican and Yaqui on one side and Jewish on the other, said he was shocked to learn that schoolchildren are being forced to label themselves as privileged or oppressed by skin color.

'I don't fit into any of those race buckets,' Bartning told the Post. 'I think it is wrong to be teaching kids these socially constructed race categories.'

'It's a destructive ideology, teaching children to be pessimistic and full of grievance rather than being optimistic and full of gratitude. It goes against all the values I was raised with, and there are many out there who feel as I do,' he said.

Bartning said he had even encountered instances of children being given color palettes to match with their skin tone to assess their level of privilege.

Some public school parents have also joined the growing movement opposed to CRT. Maud Maron, a City Council candidate with four children in local public schools, slammed so-called anti-racist philosophy, as CRT is often branded.

'It's a really divisive, ugly orthodoxy and it's a multi-million dollar industry as well,' Maron told The Post. 'It's also very insidious because on the face of it, who wouldn't want to sign up to be less racist?'

Maud Maron (left), a City Council candidate, and her campaign co-chair, Yiatin Chu (right), are public school parents in Manhattan, but have similar concerns

Maron's campaign co-chair, Yiatin Chu, says she has been vilified for speaking out against CRT.

'I've been called a 'Karen' and they've tried to pressure me into not speaking up,' Chu told The Post.

'It can be very stressful, physically, emotionally and mentally. It feels like a mob is descending on you and calling you a racist for fighting for the kind of education you want for all children. it's really nasty. I've seen it ruin lives.'

On Wednesday, Melissa Chen, an advisory board member at FAIR, told Fox News that children are 'being taught a very cynical, intolerant, kind of new racist orthodoxy' in schools that 'forces everyone to see each other by their immutable characteristics' such as by the color of their skin.

She called for education institutions to go back to Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of 'judging people on the content of their character and not by the color of their skin'.

The backlash come in the wake of a growing number of controversies at elite NYC prep schools where some parents and teachers have complained about the antiracism ideology being taught to children.

In one incident, math teacher Paul Rossi was 'relieved of his teaching duties' at the $57,000-a-year Grace Church School in Manhattan after he penned an essay accusing the school of indoctrinating students last week.

On Tuesday Rossi released a recorded phone call in which the head of the school George Davison admitted to him that 'we're demonizing white people for being born.'

In one incident, math teacher Paul Rossi (above) was 'relieved of his teaching duties' at the $57,000-a-year Grace Church School in Manhattan after he penned an essay accusing the school of indoctrinating students last week

FAIR has publicly said it stands behind ousted teacher Rossi and was first to leak the phone call between him and the head teacher on its social media accounts Tuesday.

Former New York Times op-ed editor Weiss also published Rossi's initial blog post on her newsletter last week and then hosted a Zoom discussion Tuesday with Rossi and parent Andrew Gutmann - who had complained about efforts to 'brainwash' his daughter at another elite NYC school The Brearley School.

In Wednesday's interview, Chen slammed CRT ideology as a 'new racist orthodoxy' that causes children to question if they are the oppressed or the oppressor because of their skin race.

'They are being taught a very cynical, intolerant, kind of new racist orthodoxy that forces everyone to see each other - students really - by their immutable characteristics,' she said.

'So by their skin color, their gender, their sexual orientation. And it's very harmful, it pits them against each other. It assigns moral values. Are you an oppressor or are you the oppressed?

'Just purely based on skin color and that's what we're seeing with this language about demonizing white children because they are born oppressors.'

Chen said this is 'harrowing' that children are being taught this.

She cited several schools mired in controversy recently as some parents and teachers have questioned their approaches to anti-racism.

Because these schools are the 'elite of the elite', Chen said these teachings are being taught to children likely to go on to become the future leaders of the country and top institutions.

'We've had several high profile cases already - you know Dalton school, Riverdale school this is happening at Grace Church school,' she said.
No fewer than 17 persons have been confirmed dead and many others injured after militia herdsmen attacked Benue communities. It was gathered...





No fewer than 17 persons have been confirmed dead and many others injured after militia herdsmen attacked Benue communities.

It was gathered that the heavily armed men attacked Tse-Ayeli village, Tse-Gborigyo and Udam in Mbayer-Yandev in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday and left ten people dead.

The armed men stormed the communities shooting sporadically which led to the death of 17 persons.

At the time of filing this report, findings reveal that four dead bodies had been recovered from Tse-Gborgyo, one from Tse-Ayeli and three from Udam, totalling eight, both in the Mbayer community.

Also, many people sustained various degrees of injuries from the attack while scores are missing.

This comes barely two weeks after the bodies of 11 soldiers killed in the Bonta community of Konshisha Local Government Area of the State by unknown gunmen were found.
Eight police officers have been injured as anti-lockdown protests in central London turned violent.

Demonstrators hurled bottles as officers attempted to disperse the crowds in Hyde Park on Saturday evening, the Metropolitan Police said.

Photographs posted on social media show a female police officer bleeding from a cut to her head, while another suffered a similar wound on his forehead.

An anti-lockdown protester holding a placard at Hyde Park (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

The protests, which also took place on Oxford Street, come almost two weeks after Covid-19 lockdown restrictions were eased.

Five people were arrested for offences including assault on police and remain in custody, the Met said.

Two officers who were taken to hospital are not believed to have suffered serious injuries, the force added.

1/2 - Eight officers were injured as they worked to disperse crowds in Hyde Park this evening.



Missiles including bottles were thrown in small pockets of disorder. Two officers were taken to hospital. Thankfully, they are not believed to be seriously injured.  Metropolitan Police Events (@MetPoliceEvents) April 24, 2021

John Apter, national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, tweeted: These officers are just doing a job, theyre somebodys son, daughter theyre mums and dads.

To be targeted in the way they are says a lot about the society weve become.

I will continue to do my best to support them but I need Government to do more, much more.

Demonstrators held banners with messages such as: Covid-19 Vaccine Holocaust, and: No To Vaccine Passports.

Another banner read: You dont need proof to know truth.

People at an anti-lockdown protest in Hyde Park (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Earlier in the day, the Met said a 38-year-old man was arrested near Embankment on suspicion of a public order offence, while a 37-year-old man was arrested near Trafalgar Square on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and a public order offence.

The force said both men had been taken into custody as inquiries continue.

Shoppers flocked to high streets and drinkers downed pints as coronavirus restrictions were lifted in England on April 12.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the nation to behave responsibly as indoor gyms, swimming pools, nail salons and zoos welcomed customers back.

A protester in Hyde Park (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

A Government review into Covid status certification said they could potentially play a role in settings such as theatres, nightclubs and mass events, and might also be used in pubs and restaurants to reduce social distancing restrictions.

The documents would record  either on an NHS app or a paper certificate  whether someone has had a vaccine, a recent negative coronavirus test or natural immunity, having recovered from Covid-19.
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Chandigarh, April 25 : With Oxygen supplies in the state depleting fast, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday sent another SOS letter to Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan, for the second time in two days, for urgent increase in allocation of quota.

He also directed Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan to pursue with the government of India for urgent supplies, given the serious situation, with patient load increasing due to influx from Delhi and other states, and pushing up demand for medical oxygen.

He further asked the Chief Secretary to rush urgent supplies to Amritsar, where precious lives were lost on Saturday due to shortage of oxygen in a private hospital.

Given the criticality of the situation, the Chief Minister has sought four-hourly reports from Principal Secretary Industries on the state's hospital-wise demand-supply situation of Oxygen.

Sunday's letter to the Union Health Minister followed the Centre's failure to increase the allocation to Punjab as per the new allocation of LMO issued on Saturday, despite his plea for enhancement to at least 250 metric tonnes (MT) of LMO per day.

The Chief Minister had on Saturday written to the Union Health Minister requesting for an increase Punjab's liquid oxygen quota to 250 MT daily due to continuous surge of Covid cases, seeking his urgent personal intervention in this regard.

Writing in continuation of his earlier letter, the Singh, on Sunday, said "the situation has become very grim over last few days as our supply of LMO has not been able to meet the increased demand." He further wrote that despite his request for allocation of at least 250 MT of LMO per day to Punjab from outside the state, the new allocation of LMO issued on April 24 by the fovernment of India did not increase the allocation to Punjab, though allocation to other states increased substantially.

Karnataka (167 per cent), Telangana (20 per cent) and Rajasthan (29 per cent).

Pointing out that six persons died in Amritsar on Saturday, likely due to non-supply of oxygen, he observed that Punjab does not have any major LMO production capacity and is largely dependent on the supply from outside the state, thus necessitating the Minister's urgent intervention.

Currently, the daily allocation of medical oxygen for Punjab from the Centra pool is 105 MT, excluding the production of the local ASUs which generate around 60 MT of liquid oxygen within Punjab and meet requirements of various re-fillers, bottling plants and distributors.

The daily consumption and requirement as per the present case load for Covid-19 patients for Punjab, on the other hand, is around 200 MT as April 25, and around 50 MT for non-Covid patients (emergency and other essential requirements that cannot be stopped).

This makes the total daily requirement and consumption for Punjab healthcare services of 250 MT of liquid medical oxygen.

This is expected to rise to around 250-300 MT in the next two weeks as per the projections of case load.

The state's capacity for storage of medical oxygen for all healthcare facilities, including both government and private facilities, in Punjab is around 370 MT.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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Police officer dedicated to duties in desert for over 20 years in NW China's Gansu province

People's Daily Online) 18:48, April 25, 2021

Li Shengshou, head of a police station at a national geological park in the Gobi Desert in northwest China's Gansu province, has been sticking to his official task of preserving order in the park and protecting the safety of tourists for more than 20 years.

Photo shows a scene in the Yadan National Geological Park in Dunhuang city, northwest China's Gansu province. (Photo/thepaper.cn)

Li, now in his late 50s, has been heading Yadan Police Station in the provinces Yadan National Geological Park, in the tourist hotspot of Dunhuang, since 2001, when the station was originally founded. At that time, he was 39 years old.

Over the past years, Li and his colleagues completed 170 rescue missions as well as rescuing 21 people who found themselves in danger or in distress while trekking across the park.

About 180 km northwest of the city of Dunhuang, the park features yardang landforms that resemble dunes protruding from the floor of extremely arid and desert-like regions. The park is also known as the "town of demons" as visitors often describe the noise of the strong winds whistling between the yardangs as akin to the sound of hisses and howls from a ghoulish spirit.

Photo shows a remote view of Yadan Police Station. (Photo/thepaper.cn)

When the man and his colleagues first came to the park, they had access to only a tent for their work and everyday living. Soon thereafter, they decided to build a dwelling place in the caves, after discovering that transporting construction materials to build an office was too costly due to the long distances from the downtown of Dunhuang to their site in the park, deciding a makeshift rock dwelling in the cave was a better choice given the natural local conditions.

Photo shows an interior view of Yadan Police Station. (Photo/thepaper.cn)

They chose an earth mound and began to dig with the simplest tools such as shovels in March 2001. Seven months later, they excavated a narrow space of 40 square meters. In 2017, they eventually finished the construction of a 260-square-meter station, which included office rooms, a kitchen, a dining room, a dormitory, and a bathroom, while ensuring both power and water supplies.

Photo shows an interior view of Yadan Police Station. (Photo/thepaper.cn)

While some of Li's colleagues left their posts due to the harsh conditions, Li himself has remained dedicated to carrying out his duties, partly because he had a narrow escape once in the Gobi Desert in 2000 when he was the head of the Hongshijing Police Station, which was the predecessor of the current Yadan Police Station with its location roughly 100 km further northwest.

On one hot summer day that year, Li and another police officer drove to purchase their daily necessities, but their vehicle broke down halfway along the journey. They had to resort to crouching underneath their vehicle to avoid the blazing red-hot sun and painstakingly await the chance encounter of passersby, with temperatures in the region reaching as high as 70 degrees Celsius in the summertime.

Photo shows an interior view of the 40-square-meter Yadan Police Station in 2001. (Photo/Courtesy of Yadan Police Station)

Unfortunately, no other car passed by them for several days. It was only on the fourth day of the incident when Li and his colleague decided to walk toward the yardang landforms about 40 km away, hoping to come across someone or stumble upon some fresh drinking water.

Photo shows the Yadan Police Station. (Photo/thepaper.cn)

Li wore out his shoes and was eventually rescued by someone on the fifth day when a vehicle finally popped up beyond the horizon. I felt that I was going to die, Li recalled, noting that he even asked his colleague to have his remains interred at his hometown if the younger man should survive.

Police officers from Yadan Police Station conduct a patrol in the Yadan National Geological Park. (Photo/thepaper.cn)

Now, Li hopes that more police officers will choose to work in the police station to serve the local people and tourists with likewise dedication.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
Sustainably Yours: Its a Seaspiracy

A look at the documentary that has sparked cheers, rousing claims and criticism around the world.

EnvironmentSustainably-Yours

By Palmer Owyoung

Sunday 25 April 2021, 02:00PM

Image: Netflix

On March 24, the documentary Seaspiracy dropped on Netflix. The film details the environmental devastation caused by the seafood industry and the human rights abuses in Thailand, the third-largest exporter of fish in the world.

The two major claims that the film makes are that the Dolphin-Safe Tuna and Sustainable Seafood labels are fraudulent and created by corporations to manipulate consumers into continuing to purchase their products.

Criticisms

Critics paint the film as a one-sided portrayal of the fishing industry that creates a false narrative. For example, the Marine Steward Council (MSC), a non-profit profiled in the documentary, claims that the assertion the filmmaker makes about there being no such thing as sustainable fishing is wrong. A statement released by the MSC said, Research shows that fish stocks that are well-managed and sustainable, are also more productive in the long-term. However, the statement neglected to cite the research they were referencing.

The National Fisheries Institution (NFI) criticizes the film for using a 2006 study that incorrectly claimed that the oceans will be empty by 2048. Its author, marine ecologist Boris Worm, debunked this claim. He followed it up with a study in 2009 which concluded that properly managed fisheries can recover, and cited several places including parts of the US, Iceland and New Zealand as improving. Nevertheless, Worm cautioned, Across all regions, we are still seeing a troubling trend of increasing stock collapse. But this paper shows that our oceans are not a lost cause.

One thing not addressed is the attempt in recent years to make the supply chain more sustainable by the Seafood Task Force. This organisation consists of businesses, NGOs and government representatives, and was founded in 2014 to deal with the illegal fishing and labor practices being practiced in Thailand, although it has since spread to Indonesia and Vietnam. Its stated mission is to provide oversight to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities that are harming the marine ecosystem or taking part in human rights abuses.

The question is, how effective have they been? According to a report by Singapores Channel News Asia, the new regulations are ineffective and the owners of the fishing vessels have just found ways around them. Given that as of 2018 there are almost 39,000 fishing vessels in Thai waters, its not surprising as it would be nearly impossible to monitor them all.

The film was also critical of fish farming, which is where almost half of the worlds fish comes from. The film claims that the salmon industry in Scotland produces as much organic waste as the entire human population of the nation. This creates a breeding ground for diseases including sea lice and chlamydia and often leads to the death of up to 50% of the fish.

Supporters argue that when farmers are trained properly, the practice can be a healthy and valuable source of fish. But how do you know whether the person who farmed your fish was properly trained or not?

One of the most embarrassing moments of the film came when Mark Palmer, the associate director of the International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP), the organisation responsible for the Dolphin-Safe Tuna label sheepishly admitted that they cant guarantee dolphins or other marine mammals arent being harmed.

David Phillips, the director of the IMMP fired back in a statement, The Dolphin-Safe tuna program is responsible for the largest decline in dolphin deaths by tuna fishing vessels in history. Dolphin-kill levels have been reduced by more than 95%, preventing the indiscriminate slaughter of more than 100,000 dolphins every year.

However, a 2014 study by the National Resource Defense Council concluded that there are about 650,000 marine mammals killed or seriously injured every year because of industrial fishing practices. This includes dolphins, whales, porpoises and seals. According to the World Wildlife Fund, it is the single greatest threat to cetaceans there is. As Ali Tabrizi, the Seaspiracy filmmaker, puts it: If dolphins and whales die, the ocean dies. If the oceans die, so do we.

A 2020 study published by James Cook University noted that the vast majority of the cetacean bycatch are dolphins and estimated that around 80,000 per year are caught in gill nets. The study notes that the number of dolphins in the Indian Ocean has declined by 87% from their numbers before 1980.

Dolphin-Safe Tuna was implemented in the early 1990s, so it begs the question, if the program is so effective why are there still so many dolphins and other marine mammals dying every year?

While the film may have its faults, it is nevertheless a damning indictment against the fishing industry that brings up pressing environmental and social issues. In Part 2 of this article, well look at 15 reasons you should give up or reduce your consumption of seafood.

Palmer Owyoung is an environmental activist working with the Kamala Green Club and the Global Sustainability Hub.
Mayor Ted Wheeler speaks to the media at City Hall in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 30, 2020. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Portland Mayor Urges Residents to Help Unmask Rioters, Take the City Back

The mayor of Portland, Oregon, struck a new tone on April 23 as he called for residents to help unmask people behind the continued violence in the states largest city.

In his most urgent appeal yet, Mayor Ted Wheeler encouraged whoever has information about the self-described anarchists who are committing crimes in late-night riots to contact the police.

The rabble-rousers often show up to their so-called direct action events in cars. If anyone spots a license plate on one of the vehicles, they can give that information to the authorities, he said.

Our job is to unmask them, arrest them, and prosecute them. I want to personally thank neighbors, family, friends, and others who have come forward with vital evidence. People know who these criminals are. They know what theyre up to, Wheeler said during a virtual briefing.

The mayor also made it clear he wasnt asking people to become violent.

If you see somebody engaged in criminal activity, and you can safely film it or take a photograph, please do so. To be clear, were asking people to be engaged in a way that is nonconfrontational, that is nonviolent, he said.

Im asking people to speak out against this criminal destruction and violence. Im asking people to help if they can do so safely by providing evidence. And Im asking them to come forward, if they know something, or they know somebody who is engaged in this kind of criminal distraction. Im not asking people to physically defend themselves or defend their property. That is the purview of the police.

A structure is set on fire during a riot in Portland, Ore., on April 17, 2021. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Wheeler said that Black Lives Matter leaders have already denounced the anarchists.

Dont Shoot Portland, which describes itself as a black-led human rights nonprofit, alleged that Wheeler made a dangerous call to action to turn community members into vigilantes to defend property and take back our city.' The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon calls Wheelers comments inappropriate, irresponsible, and dangerous.

Portland has dealt with unrestas riots have regularly taken placesince the spring of 2020. Some of the people who have committed crimes are members of the far-left, anarcho-communist Antifa network. Others have identified as Black Lives Matter activists.

Most of those arrested and charged in protests or riots have seen the areas top prosecutor, Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt, decline to pursue the charges, resulting in them facing no punishment.

A particularly troubling spate of property destruction and arson in recent weeks has prompted city and county officials to renew their focus on stopping the mayhem.

On one recent night, a crowd dressed in the black bloc clothing favored by Antifa members smashed windows at a number of establishments, including a Boys and Girls Club, a nonprofit that serves youth. The following evening, video footage showed a man punching a police sergeant in the face.

Were seeing a lot of the same people at these events night after night after night, and several people have been arrested now more than once for crimes ranging all the way from disorderly conduct to arson and even attempted murder, Acting Police Chief Chris Davis told the briefing on April 23.

Schmidts office is reviewing cases prosecutors previously dismissed if the alleged wrongdoers are arrested again, Davis said.

Portland police officers in downtown Portland, Ore., on April 20, 2021. (Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

A spokesman for Schmidts office told The Epoch Times via email that cases that involve unusual and/or aggravating circumstances, such as multiple arrests may trigger a second look at prior cases. This is not a new practice for the District Attorneys Office, he added.

One example is charging Alma Raven-Guido for felony riot for an Aug. 25, 2020, incident while charging her for allegedly committing arson on April 13.

Schmidt in a recent video statement called the rioting that stretches back nearly 11 months unacceptable.

These harmful and criminal acts do not align with our community values, he said. The First Amendment gives everyone the right to gather and to voice their opinionswhether we agree or overwhelmingly rebuke those beliefs. As district attorney, I will always defend a persons right to free speech, but I will not defend nor support anyone who knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally destroys property or engages in violence.

According to Wheeler, the mayor, the rioters dont want things to improve in Portland.

The city is beginning to recover, but self-described anarchists who engage in regular criminal destruction dont want things to open up, to recover, the Democrat said. They want to prevent us from doing the work of making a better Portland for everyone. They want to burn, they want to bash, he said, adding that he believes Portland is at a turning point because the groups of rioters are getting smaller, though they seem to be more determined.

Wheeler extended a state of emergency through April 26 amid concerns of continued unrest.

Later on April 23, a march that called for people to bloc up! began in the citys northwest district neighborhood. About 75 people who had obscured their identities with all-black clothing, including face coverings, started smashing windows and forced their way into a tavern, police said.

One resident who filmed the riot had a rock thrown through his window. Rioters often harass or assault people filming, since the video footage can be used in criminal cases against them.

The group eventually dispersed. Two people were arrested.
Chennai, April 25 : The Sunday lockdown turns effective in Tamil Nadu with people preferring to stay indoors and no vehicular movement was witnessed across the state. Roads in Chennai wore a deserted look and police blocked the interior side roads of the city to prevent movement of vehicles and public.

The Police had conducted awareness across the state on the Sunday lockdown and called upon people to stay indoors. Except for Medical shops and eateries which were open to provide takeaways, no other shops or establishments were open in Chennai.

In Coimbatore, people preferred to stay indoors and there was hardly any movement of vehicular traffic in the city. Ramakrishnan Harihari Hara Iyer, Chartered Accountant working in Coimbatore while speaking to IANS said, "The awareness campaign conducted by the administration has given the required results and almost all the people have stayed indoors. This is a welcome sign and this means that it is on the right track." In Madurai and Trichy also, roads wore a deserted look and no shops were open except for the medical shops and eateries. The police had conducted public announcements across Madurai and Trichy districts and vehicular traffic even on highways was much less.

The southern most part of Tamil Nadu, Kanyakumari and adjoining areas were also totally devoid of traffic, and shops and establishments were closed. Medical shops remained open at Kanyakumari and even at the Kanyakumari Devi temple devotees were not allowed darshan with only the temple employees given entry within the premises.

Salem, Erode and other parts of Western Tamil Nadu also had the impact of Sunday lockdown and no commercial establishments were open in these two towns.

Edappady which is the hometown of Chief Minister Edappady K. Palaniswami also had zero vehicular movement and no shops except medical ones were open in the town. Even restaurants remained closed in this VIP constituency.
Turkey Summons US Ambassador Over Bidens Genocide Designation

The foreign minister of Turkey summoned the U.S. ambassador in Ankara to protest President Joe Bidens decision to designate as genocide the killing and deportation of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire.

Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal met with U.S. Ambassador David Satterfield late on April 24 to condemn the declaration.

The statement does not have legal ground in terms of international law and has hurt the Turkish people, opening a wound thats hard to fix in our relations, the Turkish foreign ministry said.

Earlier on April 24, Biden followed through on a campaign promise and recognized the killing of an estimated 1.5 million Ottoman Armenians beginning in 1915 as genocide. The Ottoman Empire was the predecessor to modern-day Turkey.

We see that pain. We affirm the history. We do this not to cast blame but to ensure that what happened is never repeated, Biden said in a statement, which didnt include any references to Turkey.

Biden released the statement on April 24, the anniversary of the day in 1915 when Ottoman authorities began arresting Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople. The statement prompted statements of condemnation from Turkish officials.

Turkeys presidential spokesman said on April 25 that Bidens genocide designation is unfair and unfortunate and Turkey will respond in various ways over the coming months.

There will be a response to this, Ibrahim Kalin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans spokesman and adviser, told Reuters in an interview.

Kalin didnt specify whether Ankara would restrict U.S. access to the Incirlik airbase in southern Turkey, which has been used to support the international coalition fighting ISIS terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq, or other measures it may take.

Turkey rejects the use of the word genocide, saying Turks and Armenians both were killed in the World War I-era fighting and has called for a joint history commission to investigate. U.S. presidents have avoided using the word genocide for years.

The announcement comes as TurkishAmerican relations suffer from a host of issues. The United States has sanctioned Turkish defense officials and kicked Turkey out of a fighter jet program after the NATO member bought the Russian-made S400 defense system.

Ankara is frustrated by Washingtons support of Syrian Kurdish fighters linked to an insurgency that Turkey has fought for decades. Turkey has also demanded the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric accused of orchestrating a bloody coup attempt against Erdogans government in 2016. Gulen lives in the United States and denies involvement.

Erdogan and Biden spoke on the phone on April 23 for the first time since the 2020 U.S. election.

Kalin, the spokesman for Turkeys president, wrote on Twitter on April 25: President Erdogan opened Turkeys national archives & called for a joint historical committee to investigate the events of 1915, to which Armenia never responded. It is a pity @POTUS has ignored, among others, this simple fact and taken an irresponsible and unprincipled position.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Google and Facebook are facing the prospect of another crackdown by the competition regulator after smaller independent news outlets raised concerns they were unable to successfully negotiate payment for their articles.

Liberal senator Andrew Bragg has separately written to Facebook and Google about the absence of commercial deals with several smaller outlets and will seek to represent their interests to ensure the technology platforms pay for use of content.

Facebook and Google are at risk of another regulatory crackdown. Credit:Bloomberg

The tech giants have so much power and theyve made public commitments, Senator Bragg told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Its important that we see the colour of their money and I am very happy to represent the interests of small publishers. If big tech is serious about media diversity, then they will be making deals and paying for journalism from small Australian publishers.

The federal governments news media bargaining code was legislated in February in an effort to force Google and Facebook into commercial talks with large and small news media companies for use of articles in the search engine and newsfeed. Under the laws, the tech giants can be slapped with financial penalties for failing to comply. But because of the concessions put in place to ensure Google and Facebook did not leave the market altogether, the laws are not currently designated (applicable) to the tech giants.
'Tainted Lemons Original' is an exciting new sustainable clothing company based in Ireland. Tainted Lemons Original comprises of two friends Emma Dolan from Banagher, Co. Offaly and Niamh Kenny, from Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Both are determined young women with a keen eye for fashion  and a passion for vintage, sustainable and accessible clothing production. You can check out their full range on their website by clicking here

Emma and Niamh were inspired when they realised just how dissatisfied they were with the existing sustainable clothing options available to them. They discovered the few companies that promoted sustainability for their fashion brand were either very expensive, lack exciting designs, or were made from unsustainable materials such as organic cotton - which can be just as unsustainable as normal cotton.

These two young ethical-entrepreneurs began researching the ethical materials and fabrics; with an eye for what would be best for the environment and for their sustainable ethos. When they set up the Tainted Lemons Brand, they had a clearly defined mission. First, they would use recycled materials which would not negatively affect the environment; second to produce more trendy, colourful, stylish options than were currently on offer and finally to produce sustainable clothing that is high quality  yet affordable for their customers.

The Tainted Lemons Original Entrepreneurs met some significant challenges along the way. Not least because locating a manufacturer that specialises in recycled material was extremely tough. However, it was their main priority because they believed recycled material is the best for the environment and was the only way to achieve their organisations mission of sustainability. The material they found ticked those ethical boxes because it was already produced and was on its way to landfill. Therefore, by using this material Tainted Lemons divert the products from ending up in landfill - and they end up expanding and diversifying the lifespan of the materials.

Tainted Lemons Original have therefore carefully considered the materials of their clothes; including not only where and how this is being produced, but also who is making the clothes - and what eco-friendly packaging they can use to send out to their customers. Their aim and mission remain consistent  they intend to be as sustainable as they possibly can, and offer a viable alternative to unsustainable and environmentally damaging fast fashion.

This new and dynamic female entrepreneur-led enterprise ticks all the right boxes; slow fashion, small batch production, ethically made clothing, sustainable material, and compostable/recyclable packaging.

Tainted Lemons Original are also working with the East Coast Tree Project to offset their carbon footprint. Every item purchased results in one tree planted. In addition to this they are implementing their own circular system which means customers can send back their items to the company when they no longer need them  and they will return them back to their manufacturers to reuse. This avoids any of their clothes ending up in landfill in the future.

Other exciting developments have been their recently launched Kickstarter Campaign (a crowdfunding website) to raise money to help fund their ethical and sustainable business idea. The Tainted Lemons Original Kickstarter is running from the 9th of April to the 10th of May, and here you can support this start up by purchasing a sweater made from 100% recycled material - or you can simply donate as little as 1 to this eco-sustainable project.

Follow them on Instagram @tainted_lemons_original and donate to their Kickstarter by clicking the link in their biography on their Instagram page. Or you can simply search Tainted Lemons Original on Kickstarter.
The countrys health care system was devastated by more than a decade of international sanctions against Saddam Hussein starting in the 1990s. After the U.S.-led 2003 invasion and widespread looting, the country descended into a devastating civil war. In 2014, if faced the collapse of entire army divisions when the Islamic State, now territorially defeated, took control of one-third of the country.

The government has spent billions of dollars to try to restore the health care infrastructure, but the system remains dysfunctional. Relatives must provide oxygen and medication in many hospitals that public health experts say lack proper management or basic maintenance. The country is dotted with hospitals where construction started years ago but was never finished because of corruption.

There is a systemic failure of the entire health care system, said Dr. Aizen Marrogi, a former liaison to the United States surgeon general in Iraq.

Dr. Marrogi said, If you walk through a hospital, a lot of the material is a fire hazard, he said, noting the flammability of alcohol-based antiseptics and anesthesia compounds as well as oxygen.

Strained by huge patient counts and heavy energy use amid a need for more oxygen supplies and ventilators, hospitals around the world have been struck by an increasing number of fires like the one in Baghdad.

A European Commission report early this year warned of the dangers of hospital fires because of increased oxygen use. It reported almost 70 people were killed in hospital fires around the world tied to supplemental oxygen last year, including 10 in Romania. A more recent fire in April in Romania, where intensive care units have also been overwhelmed, killed three patients.

An Iraqi health ministry spokesman said the Ibn al-Khatib hospital, where the fire broke out, and had been renovated last year to refit it for treating Covid patients. He declined to comment on why the renovation did not include smoke detectors or a sprinkler system, saying that was now under investigation. Also under investigation is whether oxygen cylinders in the hospital were improperly stored.
 Flash

China and Russia's aerospace authorities have invited all interested countries, international organizations and partners to cooperate in a moon station project.



The announcement was made by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and its Russian counterpart Roscosmos at a conference for the international moon station in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province on Friday.

CNSA deputy director Wu Yanhua said China and Russia will build the moon station with other international partners. The station will be another important contribution by China and Russia to promote the long-term and sustainable development of United Nations (UN) outer space activities.

The CNSA and Roscosmos will promote extensive cooperation in the station for the development of human space science and technology and socio-economic progress, Wu added.

In a joint statement issued at the conference, the CNSA and Roscosmos said the moon station will be open to all interested countries, international organizations and partners in terms of planning, design, research, development, implementation and operation at all stages and levels of the project.

The conference was a sideline event of the 58th session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. More than 100 representatives from nearly 30 countries and international organizations attended the conference.

China and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding on jointly building an international scientific research station on the moon in March.

The two sides will later issue a road map for the station project and clarify the accession procedures of other interested countries or international organizations.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/25/2021



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[ Spoiler Warning: This report includes spoilers revealing if Tiffany and Ronald are still together now or if the couple has split up.]

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So are Tiffany and Ronald still together now? What's the latest on the couple's relationship?

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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 Tiffany Franco and Ronald Smith are starring on Season 6 of : Happily Ever After? after appearing on the franchise's The Other Way spinoff in 2019, so what's the latest on the couple? Are Tiffany and Ronald still together now or has the couple split up since viewers last saw them on TV?Tiffany was a 27-year-old from Frederick, MD, and Ronald was a 29-year-old from South Africa when they starred on : The Other Way in 2019.Tiffany met and fell in love with Ronald during a trip to South Africa with a friend that was not shown on the TLC spin off, and Ronald quickly proposed marriage.Although they got engaged, it took Ronald some time to tell Tiffany he had a gambling addiction as well as a lengthy criminal record.Ronald and Tiffany seemed to hit rock bottom together, but then Ronald entered a rehab program for six months and tried to rid himself of his demons.Tiffany therefore had to decide whether she should uproot her eight-year-old son Daniel and move across the world for Ronald, in spite of her hunch there were more secrets about his dark past.Tiffany did, in fact, fly to South Africa again on a Tourist Visa with her son Daniel, but she wasn't convinced her trip would become a permanent one."I don't know what the future holds, and that is scary, but I am one thousand percent committed to Ronald," Tiffany told the cameras on the show.She later added, "Unfortunately, the only Ronald I know is the Ronald that loves me but also the Ronald that put me through hell and hurt me and lied to me."Tiffany hoped Ronald wouldn't relapse and disappoint her family again. She also needed to make sure Daniel would love his life in South Africa and feel comfortable."If Daniel hates it, I cannot force it just because it's something I want," Tiffany said.But the couple hit some bumps in the road, such as Ronald's wild bachelor party and Tiffany feeling his gambling addiction might turn into something else, such as alcoholism.The pair's financial situation was also pretty dire as Ronald struggled to find a well-paying job post-rehab.But Tiffany loved Ronald through it all and decided to marry him during her trip to South Africa.Tiffany attempted to like South Africa, but Daniel wasn't happy there and Tiffany -- who was pregnant with her second child -- couldn't imagine giving birth in one of the hospitals.After two months in South Africa, Tiffany therefore decided she was taking opportunities away from Daniel and wanted to give birth in America and live there long-term. Tiffany thought a life in South Africa was simply too dangerous for her little ones.Tiffany determined instead of moving her whole family to Ronald's native country, she'd return home and apply for a spousal visa.After giving birth to the couple's daughter Carley in Summer 2019, Tiffany revealed on Part 1 of : The Other Way's Tell-All special -- which aired in October 2019 -- that life in the U.S. was "so much harder" than she could have ever anticipated without her husband by her side.In Part 2 of the Tell-All special, Tiffany revealed she had already purchased plane tickets so she and her children could visit Ronald again in South Africa soon.Ronald, however, had yet to apply for the visa because he said it was going to cost him a lot of money."If Ronald's visa does not get approved, that's something we're going to have to face if it happens, but I'm not making a plan for that," Tiffany explained on the show.Tiffany said at the time she wouldn't accept anything other than Ronald coming to the United States because she simply wasn't ready to move her kids to another country. However, Ronald had a prior lengthy criminal record standing in his way stemming from his gambling addiction.Although the couple continued to live apart after the show, they documented their love story on social media, and there didn't appear to be any real trouble in paradise until earlier this year.According to a preview for : Happily Ever After?'s upcoming sixth season, there is trouble in paradise for Ronald and Tiffany, and Tiffany apparently considers dumping and divorcing her husband.Ronald and Tiffany announced they were "separating" in January 2020 and seemed to be headed for a divorce.Tiffany accused Ronald of "adultery" and manipulation and claimed he had suffered multiple relapses of the gambling addiction he had once sought treatment for before in a rehab facility.On January 28, Tiffany told her Instagram followers in regards to her marriage "some things are just irreparable," and Ronald claimed on social media at the time he'd be "filing for divorce in South Africa" after a year-and-a-half of marriage."Tiff only tried to do good, not really control me but more protect me from wrong [people], places and temptations, and the more I think about it now, it makes sense..." Ronald wrote on Instagram during."She was more the victim and I'll admit here I was a dick to her at times , worrying about me, me, me and not looking after her feelings or needs."But rumors of a reconciliation began to swirl on March 5, when Ronald posted adorable snapshots of Tiffany and himself seemingly in South Africa together.In March 11, Ronald uploaded a selfie of the couple as well as a photo in which they were embracing in front of a fountain during a date night at Monte in Gauteng, South Africa.Ronald then flat out confirmed the next day his marriage to Tiffany was back on and thriving in the comments section of his Instagram post."Hope the rumors are true and y'all found your way back to one another!!" one person wrote."Yes," Ronald replied.When an Instagram user asked Ronald to "please work it out" with Tiffany, Ronald responded with, "We are good."One person mentioned, "I thought they got divorced," and Ronald wrote back, "Guess not," with a smiley face.And finally, one fan wrote, "Happy you're back together," to which Ronald replied, "Yes."Tiffany revealed on a May 2020 episode of : Self-Quarantined that she was waiting for Ronald to get approved for a spousal visa so he could move to the United States."We got married over a year ago, but we only applied for his spousal visa four months ago. The coronavirus has affected the whole process of the visa. This virus is stopping everything, including my family being together," Tiffany told the cameras.Meanwhile, Ronald was living in Victoria, South Africa, and apparently FaceTimed or Skyped with his family in America often. Ronald said he desperately missed his family in the United States.On top of the distance and coronavirus "craziness," Tiffany said there were trust issues in her relationship but she and Ronald were working with a counselor to get past them.Tiffany and Ronald then reunited in December 2020 for the holidays after a tumultuous year.Tiffany apparently brought her two kids, her son Daniel from a previous relationship and Ronald's daughter Carley, to South Africa to visit her husband for Christmas.Tiffany had posted a family photo of Ronald, Daniel, Carley and herself outdoors on a bench and she captioned it, "Family," along with a red heart emoticon."Such amazing holidays with the family," she captioned another photo of herself and Ronald at the time.Ronald also confirmed on his own Instagram account the pictures were not "old" or throwbacks."Merry Christmas to everyone and your family hope you all enjoy it as much as i do... Just wanted to show everyone how blessed i am to be with my family and to be able to spend such a happy time with them and make memories, having fun, playing around, and just spending quality time as a family together hehe," Ronald wrote.There is little evidence on social media in 2021, however, that indicates the couple is still together now.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
Andhra Pradesh continued



to witness an upward trend in cases with 12,634 fresh infections on Sunday, taking the gross to over 10.33 lakh while 69 related deaths pushed the toll to 7685.

As many as 4,304 people recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours, a health bulletin said.

The total positives stood at 10,33,560 while the total recoveries were at 9.36 lakh as 4,304 people were cured.

The state has 89,732 active cases and over 62,000 samples were tested during the past 24 hrs.

Krishna District topped the toll chart with 12 deaths followed by Nellore 7 and East Godavari, West Godavari, Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam five each, the bulletin said.

Meanwhile, the state government has established a call centre in every district for better COVID-19 management and to provide information on hospitals, bed availability, testing and vaccination centers and related queries, an official release said.

The government has also appointed 13 Special officers, one for each district to monitor the functioning of District 104 Call Centre.

(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.)
She has made a name for herself flaunting her sensational physique on social media.

And Demi Rose showcased her jaw-dropping figure in a sizzling clip she uploaded to Instagram on Saturday.

The model, 26, displayed her famous hourglass figure as she lifted her crop top, showing off her toned midriff.

Looking good: Demi Rose showcased her jaw-dropping figure in a sizzling clip she uploaded to Instagram on Saturday

Also wearing navy tracksuit bottoms, Demi styled her brunette locks into an updo for the day.

The social media influencer hid her face in the clip as she posed outdoors in front of a pool in Ibiza.

Demi completed her look by sporting a pair of white trainers.

The new snaps come after the brunette beauty recently opened up to MailOnline about how she shot to stardom at the age of 14 after being bullied in school.

Pose: The model, 26, displayed her famous hourglass figure as she lifted her crop top, showing off her toned midriff

Demi recalled: 'I was bullied in school, I wanted to make friends outside of it so I ended up spending a lot of time online.

'I was even interested in virtual reality as a kid, I was always on the computer and then MySpace came around and I found my calling.'

She experienced her first taste of fame when pictures of her on the beach as a young teenager went viral on Instagram.

Casual: Also wearing navy tracksuit bottoms, Demi styled her brunette locks into an updo for the day

Birmingham native Demi shared: 'I only ever got Instagram because someone made a fake profile of me on there with 3,000 followers and I was really envious.

'I was like, "wow, how can someone using my pictures get that much?" And then I started an account and it went from there.'

From the age of 18, the bombshell  who currently boasts 16 million followers  signed with a modelling agency and her career went from strength to strength.

Demi has been sharing a slew of snaps from her sunny travels in recent months  including trips to the Maldives and Tanzania.

She is currently residing in Ibiza.
The second wave of Covid-19 in India has spooked several countries across the world. Already, countries like Canada, Bangladesh, Canada among several other destinations have stopped flights to India. Now, Maldives too has announced new set of restrictions for tourists from India.

Its worth noting that several Bollywood celebrities and social media influencers have been holidaying in Maldives for the past few months. Recently, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Disha Patani, and Tiger Shroff had gone to Maldives for a vacation. And just before the island nation announced the new guidelines and restrictions on tourists from India, all these celebrities returned to India.

For the past few days, several people have been lashing out at Bollywood stars for going on vacation and posting their selfies when the rest of the country has been suffering.









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Tech Mahindra, a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting, and business re-engineering services and solutions, has committed to driving climate action throughout global supply chains.

In this it has joined forces with growing group of global corporations including Ericsson, IKEA, Telia Company, BT Group, Unilever, Nestle, Telefonica and Ragn-Sells.

Sandeep Chandna, Chief Sustainability Officer, Tech Mahindra, said: By joining the 1.5C Supply Chain Leaders we are committing to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions across our full value chain in line with the 1.5C ambition  and to urge our suppliers to do the same. This is a crucial part of decarbonising our full value chain and to reach our climate targets.

The 1.5C Supply Chain Leaders will work together to drive climate action throughout global supply chains in line with science and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the SME Climate Hub, understanding the need to work with and support suppliers to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net zero emissions before 2050.

The 1.5C Supply Chain Leaders was founded by the Exponential Roadmap Initiative together with Ericsson, IKEA, Telia, BT Group and Unilever and is supported by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the We Mean Business Coalition.

By joining the 1.5C Supply Chain Leaders, Tech Mahindra commit to encourage our suppliers to take action aiming to halve greenhouse gas emissions before 2030, reaching net-zero before 2050 and communicate progress annually. Small and medium-sized suppliers are encouraged to make the SME Climate Commitment through the SME Climate Hub. This will contribute to reaching a critical mass and accelerating momentum for climate action across supply chains.

The 1.5C Supply Chain Leaders will work together with their suppliers and business partners to develop concrete tools, help remove blockers and provide the resources required to support suppliers.

We need to jumpstart the first halving of emissions - and without addressing the full value chain this will be impossible. Collaboration is crucial for large corporations to halve emissions in their supply chains towards net zero, whilst also presenting a significant opportunity to advance its position in what will become the next generation of sustainable value chains. We are delighted to welcome Tech Mahindra to the 1.5C Supply Chain Leaders, as a leading information technology company taking action to reduce emissions in line with science, says Johan Falk, Head of Exponential Roadmap Initiative and lead author of the 1.5C Business Playbook.

In joining the 1.5C Supply Chain Leaders, Tech Mahindra become partners of the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, joining an ecosystem of front runners in climate action committed to halving emissions before 2030 in the Race to Zero emissions by 2050 at the latest, integrating climate in business strategy and influencing climate action in society, as described by the 4 pillar framework of the 1.5C Business Playbook. The Playbook is a guideline for companies and organisations of all sizes to set a 1.5C aligned strategy and move to action. -- Tradearabia News Service
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Bridgerton actress Phoebe Dynevor has confirmed her romance with Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson as they were pictured for the first time together in Stoke on Sunday.

Rumours have been swirling in recent weeks about their relationship status, but new images obtained by MailOnline show the new couple looking loved-up, following reports Pete is 'serious' about Phoebe.

British actress Phoebe, 26, who is the daughter of Corrie star Sally Dynevor, and her American beau, 27, were spotted visiting a supermarket in the Greater Manchester area before enjoying a countryside stroll.

Loved-up! Bridgerton actress Phoebe Dynevor has confirmed her romance with Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson as they were pictured for the first time together in Stoke on Sunday

Phoebe and Pete couldn't keep their hands off each other as they walked through a field together with their arms wrapped around one another, as they appeared unafraid to show their affection.

The Waterloo road star opted for a casual look as she sported a denim tie-dye jacket with a fur collar, teamed with a pair of grey tracksuit bottoms and a pair of stylish shades and a cap.

Meanwhile, Pete mirrored his girlfriend's dressed down attire as he rocked a cream hoodie with a pair of blue sweatpants, while also cutting a low-key figure in a cap and shades.

Confirmed! Rumours have been swirling in recent weeks about their relationship status, but new images obtained by MailOnline show the new couple looking loved-up, following reports Pete is 'serious' about Phoebe

Country stroll: British actress Phoebe, 26, who is the daughter of Corrie star Sally Dynevor, and her American beau, 27, were spotted visiting a supermarket in the Greater Manchester area before enjoying a countryside stroll

Low-key: The Waterloo road star opted for a casual look as she sported a denim tie-dye jacket with a fur collar, teamed with a pair of grey tracksuit bottoms and a pair of stylish shades and a cap

The couple were later seen at a local supermarket where they headed inside armed with a bag for life, before leaving the shop with a bag of goods.

While Pete had added a black gilet to his outfit, Phoebe had completely switched up her look and was wearing an oversized plaid shirt and black trousers.

The love birds appeared totally enamoured with each other as they smiled broadly at one another and chatted away.

Aw! Phoebe and Pete couldn't keep their hands off each other as they walked through a field together with their arms wrapped around one another, as they appeared unafraid to show their affection

Cosy! Phoebe and Pete wrapped up warm as they stepped out near where she has been living with her mum

Lighting up: Pete was seen carrying a rolled up cigarette during his walk with Phoebe

Aw! Phoebe couldn't wipe the smile off of her face as she walked along with her new beau

All smiles: Phoebe wore her signature ginger locks loose and mostly masked under a black cap

Romantic: The couple wrapped their arms around each other while walking through a field

PDA: The couple weren't afraid to show their affection for one another while out on the stroll

The snaps come following reports the comedian is currently visiting the UK in order to spend quality time with his new girlfriend, People reported on Friday.

Pete's trip follows a report in the same publication that 'Pete is telling friends he's serious about [Phoebe]', as they continued to visit each other on both sides of the Atlantic.

Pete's trip to the UK appears to coincide with some of his free time from Saturday Night Live, as the show is on a break without a live episode until May 8.

Phoebe made her own trip to the U.S. back in February when she visited New York City, where Pete is based.

Playful: The couple appeared completely at ease in each other's company

Cute: Pete has reportedly flown to the UK to be with Phoebe during a filming break from SNL

Sunday chills: The adorable duo appeared to be making the most of their time off together

Shopping trip: They were also spotted heading to a supermarket carrying a bag for life

The Netflix star shared some photos of an alternately snowy and sunny Brooklyn to mark the occasion on Instagram, captioning them, 'Grateful I got to be here for a hot sec .'

Rumors of the relationship began last month when Pete was snapped was visiting Phoebe's native Manchester.

Smoking: Pete was seen carrying a rolled cigarette

On Wednesday, a source told People that they are 'really into each other.'

The couple added to relationship speculation last week when they wore identical necklaces featuring their initials  which are the same  during interviews.

'Pete is wearing it as a romantic gesture to Phoebe,' a source told The Sun after viewers noticed their matching jewelry.

'He wanted to show just how much she means to him and just how serious he is about them,' the source continued.

'She's in London and he's in America. So they wanted to feel like they're together when they're not. Any time they're feeling a bit lonely and missing each other they look down at the PD!'

Earlier this month, Pete seemed to confirm the relationship during a virtual conversation with Marquette University students.

When a student asked him to share his 'celebrity crush' during the Q&A session, he told them he wasn't available anymore.

Pete told them: 'I'm with my celebrity crush.'

Look of love? The couple are believed to have been visiting each other in recent months in the UK and U.S.

Shopping: They went to pick up some essentials together at a local Tescos

Masked up: They ensured to cover their faces with coronavirus face masks while heading into the shop

Switching it up: Pete added a black gilet to the outfit he had been seen wearing previously

Incognito? Pete appeared to be opting for a low-key outing in his cap and shades

Changed: Phoebe changed into black trousers and an oversized plaid shirt jacket

Romantic trips: Phoebe was thought to have visited Pete in NYC earlier this year

'I'm with my celebrity crush,' he said while grinning  though without mentioning Phoebe  months after the romance rumors first began..

In addition to being a regular fixture on SNL, the comic has booked a new film role as The Ramones frontman Joey Ramone.

He'll play the legendary punk rocker in the Netflix original I Slept With Joey Ramone.

Refreshments: They were seen sipping on takeaway iced coffee while out and about

Home time! They appeared to be headign back to a car together

Stylish: Phoebe and Pete made a stylish couple as they strolled through the car park

Chic: Phoebe added a black YSL cap to her ensemble

Smiley: They both flashed huge smiles while walking together on Sunday

Cute: Phoebe and Pete looked adoringly at each other

Couple goals: They are reportedly getting 'serious' as Pete told his friends about Phoebe
Just call them The Road Warriors.

With things at a standstill at their home track due to a COVID-19 shutdown, a pair of horses who call Woodbine Mohawk Park home ruled The Meadowlands Saturday night (April 24) as trotter Its Academic and pacer Sintra scored in the co-featured $30,000 Preferreds.

Sintra was nothing short of scintillating in overcoming post 10 to score in 1:48.4. The eight-year-old gelded son of Mach Three-Dancin Barefoot left hard from the outside in the 10-horse field and got a spot fourth at the pegs out of the first turn.

The 8-5 favourite came first-over at the five-eighths and made his way toward leader American History, who blazed fractions of :54.4 and 1:21.4 after wrestling control away from the early leader, 5-2 second choice Ana Afreet N, at the three-eighths.

Continuing to chip away at the leaders edge, Sintra grabbed the front with less than an eighth to go before holding off a fast-closing-along-the-inside Ana Afreet N by a neck in 1:48.4. American History held third.

Driven by Todd McCarthy and trained by Brett Pelling, Sintra not only overcame the outside post but also a 27-day layoff to register his 36th victory from 83 starts. His earnings now stand at $1,150,360 for owners Michael Guerriero, Kelly Waxman, Nunzio Vena and Frank Cirillo.

I was concerned with where he was going to be at, said McCarthy, whose hot hands guided five winners on the card. You try to be as conservative as you can. I knew wed have to go first-over at some stage. He showed his class tonight. I was a little worried as to how much we had left [in the stretch] but he got there.

Sintra paid $5.40 to win.

Its Academic benefited from a third-place, once-over-the-track effort from a week ago to score in 1:51.3 in the Preferred Trot. The four-year-old son of Uncle Peter-Annapolis was sent to the gate as the 3-2 second choice in the betting and on a typical night that favoured speed, left quickly from post 5 in the eight-horse field and led at every call through fractions of :26.3, :56.3 and 1:24.4 on the way to recording his 15th win from just 30 lifetime starts.

Scirocco Rob, the 6-5 favourite, challenged the eventual winner at the three-quarter-mile mark, but was put away off the far turn as Its Academic rolled to a convincing three-length score. Scirocco Rob finished second with Buck Dancer third.

A Ron Burke trainee who is owned by Brad Grant, Its Academic returned $5.00 to win in lifting his lifetime earnings to $493,188.

It just did not really work out last week when he got shuffled, said winning driver Yannick Gingras. Tonight, he proved hes a nice horse. He can leave super-fast and he can go :26 [to the quarter], so I was able to get a good second-quarter breather [of :30]. He was full of trot late.

SPEEDY SORTS: Last Saturday, the Jennifer Bongiorno-trained Nicholas Beach rocked the clock to the tune of 1:48.2 to become the second fastest performer of the year in harness racing. And on Saturday, her Stars Align A became the fastest horse of the year, recording a 1:48 clocking in the seventh race high-end conditioned pace, besting Let It Ride Ns Jan. 2 mile time of 1:48.1. All three season's-record miles took place at The Big M.

AN EARLY START: Before the beginning of the betting card, there were two non-betting divisions of the New Jersey Breeders Maturity contested for four-year-olds on the trot.

In the $12,500 event for mares, 2020 New Jersey Sire Stakes (NJSS) champion Absattitudexpress went wire-to-wire for trainer Lucas Wallin and driver Tim Tetrick in 1:54.2. The daughter of Trixton-Abbiesgotattitude sprinted home in :26.1 to best her only opponent, Spoiled Princess, by two-and-three-quarter lengths.

The Ake Svanstedt-trained and driven Back Of The Neck, who won a division of the 2020 Stanley Dancer, proved best of five horses in the $15,000 split for horses and geldings in 1:55.4 after leading at every call. The son of Ready Cash-Big Barb hit the wire two lengths in front of Play Trix On Me, the NJSS champion from a year ago.

A LITTLE MORE: There were no winning tickets sold in the 20-cent Pick 6, setting up a carryover of $9,992. Those with five correct collected $64.00.

For those who want to jump into what no doubt will be a big Pick-6 pool Friday night, free past performances for every race of every Meadowlands card are available by going to playmeadowlands.com.

All-source wagering was typically strong for a Saturday at $3,552,966, the eighth-straight program to see betting of over $3 million.

Racing resumes Friday (April 30) at 6:20 p.m. (EDT).

(The Meadowlands)
 Flash

Indonesian searchers have found debris believed to be from the missing submarine in waters off Bali Island, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono said on Saturday.



The condition of the 53 people aboard the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine cannot be determined, he told a press conference.

The search and rescue operation is faced with huge difficulties because of the depth of 850 meters under water. As a result, each procedure must be carried out properly, he said in Bali.

The submarine had suffered from cracks that caused several components to separate from it, said the navy chief of staff, adding that the cracks became bigger when the submarine dove deeper amid rising water pressure.

The Indonesian military said on Saturday afternoon that it had raised the status of search for the missing submarine from SUBMISS to SUBSUNK. The decision came after they found some authentic evidence of debris believed to be from the KRI Nanggala-402, one of which looks like a torpedo tube.

The debris was found about 10 km away from the search area where no other boats had passed.

Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) chief Hadi Tjahjanto expressed sorrow over the sinking of the submarine.

"We all feel very sorrowful with this incident. And I would like to convey that to all the crew of KRI Nanggala and the soldiers on board ... I would like to express my deep concern," Tjahjanto said at the press conference.

"We together pray for the efforts of the process of this search. It can continue to be carried out and can get strong evidence," he said.

The German-made submarine lost contact after requesting diving permission to fire the Surface and Underwater Target Torpedo at 3:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday.

The vessel, delivered to Indonesia in 1981, carried 53 people aboard, namely 49 crew members, one commander, and three arsenal personnel.

The military said it would prepare an evacuation for any survivors from the submarine.
If you dont recall the long sad story of the nine black teenagers convicted for raping two white women nine decades ago in Alabama, convictions clearly handed down in an atmosphere of extreme racial prejudice, heres the account. In much the same way, I believe the conviction of Derek Chauvin on three counts -- each with inconsistent elements of the offense -- in an undeniably prejudicial atmosphere violates the Supreme Court ruling in Sheppard v Maxwell (384 U.S. 333) where the Court ruled that while the press had the right under the First Amendment to publish stories about the murder of Sam Sheppards wife, the defendant had the right under the Sixth Amendment to Due Process and in failing to protect the defendant by postponing the trial or moving it to another venue, the court had deprived the defendant of his right to a fair trial.

The Atmosphere in Minneapolis

Beginning last May, Minneapolis was the scene of riots in protest of George Floyds death, riots that destroyed 100 buildings and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage from fires and looting. By June of that year the area riots were the cause of two deaths and over $500 million in damage. The corporate media and (Im sorry to say, universities and schools as well) harped on the death as yet more evidence of some nonsense called systemic racism, suggesting that the death was deliberate. In fact, none of the three charges against Chauvin indicated that he intentionally killed George Floyd.

Here are the charges:

Second-degree unintentional murder means causing death without intent by committing a felony.

Second-degree manslaughter is causing death by unreasonable risk.

Third-degree murder means causing death by an eminently dangerous act, showing a depraved mind.

Press accounts bought the race baiters' claim of an epidemic of police shooting unarmed black males. Depending on your political inclinations, estimates of the numbers vary. Very liberal respondents to surveys said about 10,000 unarmed black males were killed by police, The actual figure for the 2019, last year in which I can find figures, was eleven. Kyle Becker writes:

These tragic cases are not only statistical outliers, they are far from black and white in terms of what motivated the police shooting. In nearly every case, a suspect was wanted by police and threatening circumstances gave rise to an unfortunate police shooting. Daunte Wright had a warrant out for his arrest for aggravated armed robbery of a woman and unlawful possession of a firearm. He resisted arrest and attempted to flee in a vehicle before being shot.

Contrary to misleading reports that he was unarmed, Jacob Blake admitted that he was armed with a knife.

13-year-old Adam Toledo was armed and gun residue was found on his hand. He tossed a 9mm Ruger moments before being shot.

Michael Brown fought with a police officer for his gun. He later advanced despite being told to freeze. Hands up, dont shoot is a lie

Laquan McDonald had a knife in his hand. He was suspected of committing robbery. He punctured the tires of a police cruiser following him and smashed its windshield.

Tamir Rice had a toy gun that was mistaken for a real one. A grand jury decided it was an accident and did not bring charges. The family is now pleading for the DoJ to reopen the closed case Even if one concludes that these police shootings were wrong, the cases are a lot grayer than the mainstream media often portrays. The radical activist left has nonetheless weaponized these peoples tragic stories to push a truly dangerous agenda: Defunding the police.

Amid this atmosphere of local rioting and relentless media misinformation, the judge in Chauvin refused to change the place of the trial, refused to sequester the jury, did not adequately warn them about viewing and hearing outside reports of the case, the city, in the middle of the case, entered into a highly-publicized $27 million dollar settlement with Floyds family, and both the President and Maxine Waters weighed in on his guilt and the consequences of a not guilty verdict. The local press, without disclosing the names of the jurors, revealed very specific identifying information about them. In advance of the verdict, Governor Tim Walz asked for help from the Ohio and Nebraska National Guard, again emphasizing the likelihood of further riots if a guilty verdict were not reached.

An alternate juror said that the jurors were so concerned about their identities being revealed that among themselves they did not refer to each other by name, just juror number.

Lisa Christensen was the juror who lived in Brooklyn Center. One night she could hardly make it home after testimony ended because of protesters blocking intersections.

She expressed her concern about serving on the jury:

Raguse: Did you want to be a juror? Christensen: I had mixed feelings. There was a question on the questionnaire about that and I put I didnt know. Because the reason, at that time, was, obviously, I didnt know what the outcome was going to be, so I felt like either way the outcome was, youre going to disappoint one group or the other. So, I didnt want to go through this whole rioting and destruction again and, you know, a little concerned about people outside my house if they werent happy with the verdict.

On the day that the racist agitators got the verdict they wanted, the Systemic Racism Crowd was not satisfied. To them the verdict proves there is systemic racism which we all should feel guilty about and turn our society upside down to root out. (Of course, this is a no-win, as theyd have said the same thing if he had not been convicted.)

Brandon Tatum was having none of it, to the disappointment of the BBC interviewer.

Feeling even more powerful after the verdict, the race fantasists beclowned themselves when on the same day the verdict was handed down a police officer in Columbus, Ohio shot a 16-year-old girl. The girl who was shot was wielding a knife, threatening a bystander with it while yelling she was going to stab her and she refused to drop the weapon when he told her to.

Morons like Joy Behar, LeBron James, and anti-police activist Bree Newsome were widely and justifiably ridiculed for blaming the cop.

Filmmaker and anti-police activist Bree Newsome was ridiculed on social media after arguing that officers should not get involved in knife fights between teenagers because young people have fought with knives for eons. After police fatally shot 16-year-old MaKhia Bryant, who was seen on bodycam footage running at another girl while seemingly holding a knife, Newsome condemned officers for stopping the attacker. Teenagers have been having fights including fights involving knives for eons, tweeted Newsome. We do not need police to address these situations by showing up to the scene & using a weapon against one of the teenagers. Her tweet shocked many on social media, including some who decided to parody her comments with photos of iconic blade fights in movies like Commando, Freddy vs Jason, and others. Almost all of the parodies copied Newsomes tweet word-for-word.

Dont think that responsible members of the Black community miss the lesson that anti-law enforcement, defund the police movements place them in greater jeopardy. The demagogues and race baiters are out to increase their own power at the expense of the communities best interests in protecting their lives and property. I assume, of course, if the officer had stood by and not shot when the knife was inches away from the bystander, who was also Black, the same crowd would argue that he refused to help the intended victim because of her race.

What is behind the phrase systemic racism in the utter absence of evidence of it? The best explanation I have found is in this fine essay by James Lindsay, which I urge you to read:

Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power for the term and idea, we can refer to these alternative realities as ideological pseudo-realities. Pseudo-realities, being false and unreal, will always generate tragedy and evil on a scale that is at least proportional to the reach of their grip on power -- which is their chief interest -- whether social, cultural, economic, political, or (particularly) a combination of several or all of these. So important to the development and tragedies of societies are these pseudo-realities when they arise and take root that it is worth outlining their basic properties and structure so that they can be identified and properly resisted before they result in sociopolitical calamities -- up to and including war, genocide, and even civilizational collapse, all of which can take many millions of lives and can ruin many millions more in the vain pursuit of a fiction whose believers are, or are made, sufficiently intolerant.

Quit eating the stew of misinformation, psychological manipulation, and hatred that demagogues, grifters, and power-hungry members of the government and press are feeding you. It is a road to social and economic disaster.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Letting go isnt easy but sometimes it is for our own good. I once thought that letting go is defeat and a sign of lack of faith in Jesus but I realized that holding on to something thats meant to go would only cause heartaches, confusions and bad cycles in life. I learned that both holding on and letting go are all part of the faith walk. And sometimes God wants us to be willing to let go just as our willingness to hold on. Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verse 6 says there is a A time to keep, and a time to cast away

Thinking about letting go, the Holy Spirit led me to the situation of the Apostle Paul and Barnabas who were fellow workers in advancing the Kingdom of God. Such a strong disagreement came between them that they decided to separate (see Acts chapter 15 verses 36-39). Because the Apostle Paul decided to let go of Barnabas, the work of God continued and until today we read his powerful letters to the Churches. Many times, the enemy deceives us and hinders the work of God by keeping whats meant to go.

What are some of the things that we are faced to let go at some point in our lives?

1. People

I realized that people are hardest to let go. They are like treasures you discover in the vast ocean when suddenly, a shift of your season is requiring you to let go of some people. I read from Marcus Stanleys post, The painful truth is this, sometimes when God is taking you to your next chapter in life some people cant go with you anymore. No matter how much you want them to be with you, their season in your life is over. Most of the time there is growth, realizations and breakthrough in every area of life when God asks you to let someone go.

2. Material Possessions/Money

Sometimes, there are clothes we have been keeping in the closet for years that we dont even use. There are also extra home appliances that we keep in the cabinet until theyre no longer useable. In the Kingdom of God, I learned that these extra things we keep are meant to be given away in order for the blessings of God to continuously flow. Of course, money! God uses it to reveal the state of our heart when it comes to giving. Some cash in our wallets needs to go when GOD says so! Believe me, something great is coming when He tells you to bless!

3. Issues of the heart

Bitterness, offenses, hurts, and brokenness are some of the issues that we keep in our heart. Usually, people are not even aware they are holding on to such things until it is slowly taking away their rest and sleep, their health, relationships, and peace of mind. God wants us to let go of these things especially that the hurting are the ones who are imprisoned rather than the one who caused the misery and pain in our lives.

4. Time

Sometimes, we want to execute plans in our own pace and timing to have control but when the time is not yet right, we know it because nothing is in our favor no matter what. We must let go of our timeline when this happens; otherwise, we will reap the consequences of our decisions that are not supposed to happen yet. God knows when we are prepared and ready that's why He has timings. Joseph had to undergo hardships before attaining leadership in Egypt in order to prepare him for the position. David had to battle and worship God in the caves before he became king of Israel so his heart would continuously seek after God even when he is already in the palace.

5. Mindset

When our mind is settled, we fall into making things traditional or a practice, then, we sometimes fail to see the new things God is doing in the current. This reminded me of the Pharisees who failed to realize what God had birthed at that moment for they were stuck in the days of the past. They couldn't see the move of God through Jesus Christ for they had something else in mind. For us to see what God is doing in the moment, we must be willing to let go of the things were used to in the past and be open to the moves of His Spirit (see Matthew chapter 9 verse 17).

6. Control

People want to be in control of their lives making sure that everything goes according to their plan. But to let go of control especially when things get messy and aren't going right is to finally let God take over and be the Driver.

Letting go is a beautiful surrender before the LORD that sets us free from what is pulling us back and locked up.

What is God asking you to let go in this season of your life?

I thank You Father that You are now in charge of the things we surrender and let go in our lives. We are in good hands. Thank You for the breakthrough, security and freedom in Jesus name.
PASCAGOULA, Miss., April 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division christened guided missile destroyer Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) Saturday evening. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a small, socially distanced event was held with limited in-person attendance.

The christening of Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee is a significant milestone that brings our 34th destroyer one step closer to being introduced into the fleet, Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. In these ever-changing times, the significance of what we do has never been more important. We are exceedingly proud of our shipbuilders for their tenacity and perseverance, and look forward to continuing Ingalls legacy of building quality ships with respect and pride.

Recently retired Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias returned to host the christening, which was originally scheduled to occur in 2020 but was postponed due to restrictions surrounding the pandemic.

I am honored to host this christening and give a final salute to the hardworking men and women who build freedom in this shipyard every day, Cuccias said. Lenah Sutcliffe Higbees distinguished legacy will remain steadfast with the christening of this great ship, as will the unparalleled craftsmanship of the men and women of Ingalls Shipbuilding.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: https://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/file/ddg-123-christening-bottle-break.

DDG 123 is named to honor Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee, the first woman to receive the Navy Cross. Higbee joined the Navy in October 1908 as part of the newly established Navy Nurse Corps, a group of women who would become known as The Sacred Twenty, and became the second superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps in January 1911.

Ray Mabus, the 75th Secretary of the Navy, was the keynote speaker.

This christening is a signal event in the life of a warship deeply engrained in naval tradition when a ship officially bears the name it will carry during its time in the fleet, Mabus said. The story and the legacy of Lenah Higbee, and what she represents, will live on for decades around the world through this ships voyages and through the lives of the crew who sail aboard her.

DDG 123 sponsors are Louisa Dixon, Virginia Munford and Pickett Wilson, three women who played an important role during Mabus term as governor of Mississippi. Munford spoke on behalf of the three sponsors.

As we help dedicate this ship for service, let us all join together in the fervent hope and prayer that Lenah Sutcliffe Higbees primary mission will be to preserve the peace for future generations, Munford said.

Rear Adm. Cynthia Kuehner, commander of the Naval Medical Forces Support Command, spoke on behalf of the chief of naval operations.

I know that USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee will protect and defend our nation with the same zeal, courage and valiant resolve of the Navy nurse for whom she is named, Kuehner said. Superintendent Higbees legacy is a heroic account of a fearless pioneer, a leader among men and women, an advocate and an agent for necessary change, a visionary, a teacher, a scholar, a scientist, an author, an innovator, a strategist. A Navy nurse.

Huntington Ingalls Industries is Americas largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of professional services to partners in government and industry. For more than a century, HIIs Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. HIIs Technical Solutions division supports national security missions around the globe with unmanned systems, defense and federal solutions, and nuclear and environmental services. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs more than 42,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, please visit www.huntingtoningalls.com.

HII on the web: www.huntingtoningalls.com

HII on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HuntingtonIngallsIndustries

HII on Twitter: twitter.com/hiindustries

HII on YouTube: www.youtube.com/huntingtoningalls

HII on Instagram: www.instagram.com/huntingtoningalls

Contact:

Teckie Hinkebeinteckie.hinkebein@hii-co.com(228) 935-1323

Source: Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.
On April 16, 2021, a gunman opened fire at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis killing eight people and injuring several others before taking his own life. Four members of the Sikh community were among those gunned down.

The site was reported as having a significant number of Sikh employees, and the massacre has left the community shaken and in grief.

I have sat with families from our community and so many others at the Holiday Inn Express as they wait to hear the fates of their loved ones, said Maninder Singh Walia, a member of the Indianapolis Sikh community. These kinds of violent attacks are a threat to all of us. Our community has a long road of healing  physically, mentally, and spiritually  to recover from this tragedy.

The shooters motive is not yet known. In a statement following the incident, the Sikh Coalition, an advocacy group, called on authorities to conduct a full investigation including the possibility of bias as a factor.

Sikhs have in the past been targeted in racist attacks. As a scholar of the tradition and a practicing Sikh myself, I have studied the prejudices and barriers that many Sikhs in America face. I have also experienced racial slurs from a young age.

The bottom line is there is little understanding in the U.S. of who exactly the Sikhs are and what they believe. So heres a primer.

Founder of Sikhism

To start at the beginning, the founder of the Sikh tradition, Guru Nanak, was born in 1469 in the Punjab region of South Asia, which is currently split between Pakistan and the northwestern area of India. A majority of the global Sikh population still resides in Punjab on the Indian side of the border.

From a young age, Guru Nanak was disillusioned by the social inequities and religious hypocrisies he observed around him. He believed that a single divine force created the entire world and resided within it. In his belief, God was not separate from the world and watching from a distance, but fully present in every aspect of creation.

He therefore asserted that all people are equally divine and deserve to be treated as such.

To promote this vision of divine oneness and social equality, Guru Nanak created institutions and religious practices. He established community centers and places of worship, wrote his own scriptural compositions and institutionalized a system of leadership (gurus) that would carry forward his vision.

The Sikh view thus rejects all social distinctions that produce inequities, including gender, race, religion and caste, the predominant structure for social hierarchy in South Asia.

Serving the world is a natural expression of Sikh prayer and worship. Sikhs call this prayerful service seva, and it is a core part of their practice.

The Sikh identity

In the Sikh tradition, a truly religious person is one who cultivates the spiritual self while also serving the communities around them  or a saint-soldier. The saint-soldier ideal applies to women and men alike.

In this spirit, Sikh women and men maintain five articles of faith, popularly known as the five Ks. These are: kes (long, uncut hair), kara (steel bracelet), kanga (wooden comb), kirpan (small sword) and kachera (soldier-shorts).

Although little historical evidence exists to explain why these particular articles were chosen, the five Ks continue to provide the community with a collective identity, binding together individuals on the basis of a shared belief and practice. As I understand, Sikhs cherish these articles of faith as gifts from their gurus.

Turbans are an important part of the Sikh identity. Both women and men may wear turbans. Like the articles of faith, Sikhs regard their turbans as gifts given by their beloved gurus, and its meaning is deeply personal. In South Asian culture, wearing a turban typically indicated ones social status  kings and rulers once wore turbans. The Sikh gurus adopted the turban, in part, to remind Sikhs that all humans are sovereign, royal and ultimately equal.

[3 media outlets, 1 religion newsletter. Get stories from The Conversation, AP and RNS.]\

Sikhs in America

Today, there are approximately 30 million Sikhs worldwide, making Sikhism the worlds fifth-largest major religion.

AP Photo/Craig Ruttle

After British colonizers in India seized power of Punjab in 1849, where a majority of the Sikh community was based, Sikhs began migrating to various regions controlled by the British Empire, including Southeast Asia, East Africa and the United Kingdom itself. Based on what was available to them, Sikhs played various roles in these communities, including military service, agricultural work and railway construction.

The first Sikh community entered the United States via the West Coast during the 1890s. They began experiencing discrimination immediately upon their arrival. For instance, the first race riot targeting Sikhs took place in Bellingham, Washington, in 1907. Angry mobs of white men rounded up Sikh laborers, beat them up and forced them to leave town.

The discrimination continued over the years. For instance, after my father moved from Punjab to the United States around the time of the Iran hostage crisis in 1979 and racial slurs like Ayatollah and raghead were hurled at him. It was a time when 52 American diplomats and citizens were taken captive in Iran and tension between the two countries was high. These slurs reflected the racist backlash against those who fitted the stereotypes of Iranians. Our family faced a similar racist backlash when the U.S. engaged in the Gulf War during the early 1990s.

The racist attacks spiked again after 9/11, particularly because Americans did not know about the Sikh religion and conflated the unique Sikh appearance with popular stereotypes of what terrorists look like.

The rates of violence against Sikhs surged after the election of President Donald Trump. The Sikh Coalition estimated in 2018 that Americans Sikhs were being targeted in hate crimes about once a week.

AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker

Scholars and government officials estimate the Sikh American population to number around 500,000.

As a practicing Sikh, I can affirm that the Sikh commitment to the tenets of their faith, including love, service and justice, keeps them resilient in the face of violence. For these reasons, many Sikh Americans, including those affected by the mass shooting in Indiana, I believe, will continue to maintain their unique Sikh identity, proudly and unapologetically.

This is an updated version of an article first published on Aug. 9, 2018.

The Union Theological Seminary is a member of the Association of Theological Schools. The ATS is a funding partner of The Conversation US.

Simran Jeet Singh, Visiting Professor, Union Theological Seminary

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Employees of Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) say they have were blindsided with a 33 1/3 per cent pay cut in their salaries.

While some workers were under the impression the cut was supposed to occur next fortnight, many were unprepared for managements move.

One employee told the Express yesterday while talk was being bandied about a few days ago with regard to the pay cut, she thought more notice would have been given to staff since globally theres a pandemic. I am hurt and disappointed.
Imperial Valley News Center

USBP Rescues Pregnant Unaccompanied Migrant Child

Tecate, California - U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to a request for help early Monday morning when a group of migrants, including a pregnant, unaccompanied, 15-year-old girl, became lost near Tecate Peak.

At approximately 1 a.m., agents received a report of four lost migrants near Tecate Mountain. Agents were able to quickly locate all four of the lost migrants despite the extremely rugged and mountainous terrain.



Upon locating the group, agents conducted a basic medical assessment and determined that all four people were in good health and that one person, a 15-year-old female Mexican national, was pregnant.



Further questioning the group, agents determined all four people were Mexican nationals in the United States illegally.



The migrants stated they had been instructed by smugglers to hike north to the next highway after they illegally crossed the border. After hiking for hours, they became lost in the dark, mountainous terrain. Agents transported the four undocumented migrants to a nearby Border Patrol Station for further medical evaluation and processing.



In addition to the 15-year-old girl, there was also a 16-year-old unaccompanied boy, a 19-year-old male teen, and 38-year-old man.



Our agents go to great lengths to help others, said San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. If not for their grit and selflessness, this situation could have ended much worse.



To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nations borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.
California Assembly Proposal Would Make Election Day a State Holiday

Lawmakers have introduced a bill that would make Election Day a state holiday in California. The new holiday would take the place of Presidents Day in even-numbered years.

Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley), who recently introduced the legislation at the state Assemblys Committee on Elections, called Assembly Bill 53 (AB 53) a bipartisan effort designed to expand access to voting in the state.

Public employee labor unions and student groups supported the bill, while small business owners and the Election Integrity Project, California (EIPCa), a nonpartisan watchdog group, opposed it.

Ruth Weiss, EIPCas director of legislative oversight, said making Election Day a holiday is completely unnecessary, because in reality there is no Election Day anymore.

There is absolutely no reason to designate what is now simply the voting deadline, Weiss told The Epoch Times.

Colleen Britton, a spokesperson for EIPCa, said AB 53 is unnecessary because voting regulations have already become so relaxed. Currently, 14 countiesrepresenting more than half of the California electorateparticipate in the Voters Choice Act model, which provides 11 in-person voting days mandated by law, Britton told the Committee on Elections during an April 15 hearing.

During the 2020 election, 25 California counties opted for super polling sites. This provides four in-person voting days. This model continues for special elections in 2021, Britton said.

Declaring a traditional-but-now-archaic Election Day as a holiday is unnecessary, misleading, frivolous, and confusing. Celebrating the accomplishments of our past presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln is of much greater value to our republic than another day off, she said.

Christoph Mair of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) labor union spoke in support of the bill.

AB 53 will free up volunteers to work the polls and to be poll observers, something that would be a great service to our democracy in this time of coordinated misinformation regarding the integrity of our elections, Mair told the committee.

The bill would elevate Election Day to the ranks of other days which are integral to our evolving society, he said, adding it would have a low cost to taxpayers.

Its clearly not simply an attempt to secure a paid holiday, the union representative said. He urged the committee to affirm that democracy is more important than presidents.

Jason Chen, the governmental affairs and policy director for the California Association of Student Councils (CASC), said the bill would help young people learn the importance of civic duty.

Taking the day off from class sparks important discussion in the classroom for young people about why we recognize and provide space for citizens to do their civic duty and participate in our democracy, said Chen, a student at Lowell High School in San Francisco.

Instead of sending their kids to school, parents can take their kids with them to vote at the school site, and take the day off to watch their democracy in action.

He said an Election Day holiday would also allow more students to participate by volunteering as poll workers.

Voters Jeannie Osbourne (L) and Judy Nader (R) stand beside an official Orange County ballot drop box as they prepare to cast their ballots for the 2020 elections at the Orange County Registrars Office in Santa Ana, Calif., on Oct. 13, 2020. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

An Orange County election worker demonstrates the drive-thru voting process outside the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Sept. 16, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Mail-In Ballots

EIPCas Britton noted that other proposed legislation is aiming to send every registered voter a mail-in ballot and make vote-by-mail elections permanentresulting in 29 days of early voting for all Californians.

State law already mandates enough alternate voting methods and weekend voting opportunities, she said, and requires employers to provide two hours of paid time off for employees to cast their votes on Election Day.

Assemblyman Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta), vice chair of the committee, said given the way elections have changed in California, people have more than enough time to vote, if they so choose.

I dont think its any secret in California where were headed with ballots. There are going to be mail-in ballots, and theyre going to be mailed out about 30 days before elections. We have 30 days of which to fill out our ballot and mail it in, he said.

Hardcore people that want to vote in-person can do so for four days prior to the election, which includes a weekend, he added. So any students that want to engage in the poll working process have a Saturday and a Sunday. Those are already days off to be able to engage in that.

If public employees want a paid holiday, they should go through the collective bargaining process, he said. This is no collective bargaining, but costs taxpayers money.

Seyarto said he might have supported the measure 20 years ago. I think in todays world, this isnt necessary, he said, adding Ive never missed a vote.

EIPCas Weiss said the proposed legislation would likely affect banks, schools, and government offices more than private businesses. She called the proposed law disrespectful to Presidents Day, adding that the bill is going to confuse the devil out of the public.

On April 15, the committee voted 51with Seyarto opposedto move the legislation forward to the Committee on Governmental Organization, which has jurisdiction over state holidays.
Womens lifestyle website Mamamia is joining a media industry stampede into subscriptions, launching a premium membership program in a bid to boost its revenue without being heavily reliant on advertising. The womens lifestyle website owned by former Cosmo editor Mia Freedman, which is known for podcasts such as Mamamia Out Loud and No Filter, last week started offering its readers a premium product for the first time. The company founded by former magazine editor Mia Freedman is launching its first loyalty program. Credit:Cybele Malinowski The membership program, known as MPlus, has launched Extraordinary Stories  a series featuring interviews with magazine heavyweights like Ita Buttrose and Paula Joye  and a monthly Book Club podcast which has been complemented by a deal with online retailer Booktopia that offers discounts to novels. Early indications suggest it will become a new revenue stream for Mamamia, which receives most of its income from advertising. Mamamias head of content Holly Wainwright said in the first 24 hours more than 1000 people had bought a membership. Of that group, more than 70 per cent had purchased the year-long subscription. MPlus costs $7.99 a month or $69 a year.

This is a natural evolution of our strategy, particularly in audio, Ms Wainwright said. MPlus is starting as a membership. We arent taking any of our existing content ... behind a paywall. Its extra content for people who want to sign up to membership. We are planning for the product to evolve. Mamamia is not the first local publication to introduce a membership program. Some magazines such as Vogue offer loyalty programs to readers that include prizes and product offers as well as exclusive subscriber events. For Ms Wainwright, MPlus will act as a loyalty club  a place for people that love Mamamia and want to pay for it. She is not expecting it to become the main way that Mamamia makes money, but it will provide an alternative revenue stream for a publisher that has endured tough advertising market conditions because of the pandemic. Media companies like Mamamia typically receive most of their money from advertising, but that model has become challenged in recent years and made worse by economic factors related to the pandemic. Increasingly, these companies are trying to find ways to get their readers, viewers and listeners to pay for their content. Audiences are getting more and more used to paying for content, Ms Wainwright says. This wont remain an entirely audio product, but in terms of audio subscriptions everybody is trying it and talking about it.
Patna: A medic administers the COVID-19 vaccine to a beneficiary at government health center, amid surge in corona virus cases across the country, in Patna On Monday, 19th 2021.(Photo:AFTAB ALAM SIDDIQUI /IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, April 25 : Women can take Covid-19 vaccines during their periods, the government has clarified in wake of various reports on social media platforms against taking the jabs at such a time.

A social media post, being circulated widely, said that women should not take Covid-19 vaccines five days before and after their period cycle as their immunity is very less during the time.

"#Fake post circulating on social media claims that women should not take #Covid19Vaccine 5 days before and after their menstrual cycle. Don't fall for rumours! All people above 18 should get vaccinated after May 1," the PIB said in a tweet.

Many reports have emerged in the US claiming that periods change after they got their coronavirus vaccines. However, "so far, there's no data linking getting vaccinated to changes in menstruation", Alice Lu-Culligan and Randi Hutter Epstein at Yale School of Medicine were quoted as saying to the New York Times.

"Even if there is a connection, one unusual period is no cause for alarm," they said.

The rumours were also quashed by doctors and activists, while urging people to get vaccinated. Vaccination in India has been opened for all above 18 years of age from May 1.

"A lot of patients messaging me asking if it's safe/effective to take the vaccine during their period. Some silly WhatsApp rumour has spooked everyone. Your period has no effect on the vaccine efficacy. Take it as soon as you can. Spread the word, please," Mumbai-based gynaecologist Dr Munjaal V. Kapadia said in a tweet.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The boy Ill call Jackson is the kind of youngster who drives a preschool teacher around the bend. The 4-year-old bites and hits other children, and curses out his teacher, Mariana Lopez. During circle time, when the class is supposed to cluster around and listen to one another, he is a hellion, and nap time turns into a pitched battle. Preschool teachers rely on parents to relate whats happening on the home front, but Jacksons mom refused to meet with Ms. Lopez because she felt her son was being persecuted.

Many early education centers would kick out a child like Jackson. Every year, about 50,000 preschoolers are suspended and 17,000 are expelled, at a rate more than three times higher than for students in K-12.

Those decisions can mark the start of the preschool-to-prison pipeline. Children who are suspended or expelled during preschool or elementary school are 10 times likelier to face jail time than their classmates.

What can be done to keep these hard-to-teach 3- and 4-year-olds from being booted?

Kidango, a Bay Area nonprofit that enrolls more than 4,000 mostly low-income children of color in 53 child care centers, appreciates the fact that children like Jackson, who goes there, must cope with life-shaping traumas. Thats why it pays so much attention to these childrens mental health.
Constitutional carry proponents usually start their defense of legislation with the U.S. Constitution, specifically the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

The debate over constitutional carry inside the state of Texas is no different, said Danny Anderson of SK Arms.

The second amendment is quite clear, Anderson said. That is the only argument you need.

Currently, a constitutional carry bill has cleared the House and remains in political limbo in the Texas Senate. The Texas Tribune reported this week that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he currently lacks the votes to pass permitless carry of handguns. In the same story, it was reported Kel Seliger, Midlands representative in the Texas Senate, suggested he may not be immediately supportive of the proposal. Seliger told The Texas Tribune that his office was still researching the issue and he tends to support just about all bills related to gun rights, but the system that we have now works. He said it was too early to say whether he would block the bill from coming to the floor or vote against it if it made it to the floor.

Anderson expressed his disappointed that Texas leaders, which he said includes Gov. Greg Abbott, havent shown the enthusiasm to get constitutional carry legislation passed like Anderson said he has seen in Tennessee, where Gov. Bill Lee signed a similar bill earlier this month. In fact, Anderson said Texas is not at the forefront on the issue.

I understand Texas is a gun-loving state, Anderson said, but when we pass (constitutional carry) we would be the 20th state to pass this.

Matt Stringer, whose involvement in politics includes the Midland Liberty Leadership Council, complimented Rep. Matt Schaefer of Tyler for authoring House Bill 1927, which he said respects the constitutional rights of Texans. Schaefer, according to a report from Austin TV station KETK refers to HB 1927 as common-sense carry and that it provides an opportunity for people to protect themselves if they get into a situation where they feel unsafe.

The Texas House approved HB 1927, by a, 84-56 vote.

This bill has nothing to do with AR-15s, rifles or shotguns, Schaefer said in the KETK report. Places like bars, schools, college campuses, the prohibitions they have there will remain in place.

Anderson said that the training that some say is lacking with constitutional carry isnt an issue as the state-required training (that currently exists) is laughable. He also said that the amount of training necessary for those wanting to carry would be blatantly

unconstitutional.

Anderson also stated he believes stricter measures in other states have not been shown to work.

Anderson said SK Arms is planning an initiative that provides a discount for those who come into the store and make a call to Sen. Seligers office in support of constitutional carry.
In many places, people without symptoms or those who came into contact with individuals who tested positive and wanted to get checked, were turned away. (Photo: PTI)

Hyderabad: Telangana state faces an immediate crisis of underreporting of Covid-19 cases with many testing centres turning people back citing lack of testing kits. Reports from several testing centres in the state indicate that the testing centres staff were instructed to judiciously use them only to conduct tests on people showing clear symptoms. In many places, people without symptoms or those who came into contact with individuals who tested positive and wanted to get checked, were turned away.

Earlier in the day, a note circulated by the office of health minister Etala Rajendar said the minister was to write a letter to the Union health minister to airlift testing kits from anywhere in the world to Telangana state. With more and more people turning up to get tested, the government is taking steps to ensure there are no shortfalls, the minister was quoted by the note as saying.

The turning away of people from testing centres comes at a time when Telangana is reporting an explosion of fresh Covid-19 cases and increasing number of deaths each day.

Infograph

Testing times

April 17 - 129637

April 18  83089*

April 19 - 122143

April 20 - 130105

April 21 - 102335

April 22 - 105602

April 23 - 103770

*Weekend dip in testing
Young women who were raped as teenagers have spoken about their traumatic experiences and called for youngsters to be better educated about consent because they are failing to recognise what sexual assault is.

Carola Dixon, from Sydney's eastern suburbs, was just 15-years-old when she was raped by a boy she knew at a house party she attended with a group of friends but did not realise at the time she was being sexually assaulted.

'I thought that being raped meant that someone comes and forces you to do this thing and afterwards you're sort of bleeding and you're covered in bruises, you have to call the police and it's in a dark alleyway,' she told 60 Minutes on Sunday.

'I didn't know that rape could happen to me in an environment with someone that I knew.

Best friends Chanel Contos and Carola Dixon (pictured together) spoke to 60 Minutes on Sunday about how they were sexually assaulted when they were teenagers

'I didn't know that if I was unable to give my consent that that meant I had been raped. I thought that I had to be screaming and crying saying "no, no, stop".'

Ms Dixon said the boy took her to a room when she fell unconscious after being encouraged to drink copious amounts of alcohol.

'This boy was there and he was encouraging me a lot to drink throughout the night,' she said.

'And ultimately it ended up in me drinking too much and I fell unconscious. At which point he took me into a room and proceeded to rape me.'

Two of her best friends, including Chanel Contos, who has launched the Teach Us Consent petition, walked into the room to find Ms Dixon being raped, before the boy zipped up his pants and left.

'Everyone from the party ran into the room to see what the commotion was,' Ms Contos said.

Ms Dixon (pictured) was 15-years-old when she was raped by a boy she knew at a house party

Ms Contos (pictured) has launched a petition calling for the teaching of consent in schools

'And one of the girls actually called us c**kblocks for stopping the boy from his sexual assault experience. And then me and Carola and our three friends we were with got booed out of the party.

'Not a single one of us knew that that was sexual assault when we were that age. And if we don't educate young people on what sexual assault is, obviously they don't know they're sexually assaulting someone. And there's our problem.'

Ms Contos, now 23, was also sexually assaulted by a teenage boy - when she was just 13-years-old.

She said Australia needed to change how it viewed consent.

'Consent is agreeing to something, saying yes I'm okay with this. We need to change it from no means no to only yes means yes. We need enthusiastic consent to be the norm,' she said.

'It's not just educating school students, it is literally tipping Australia upside down and trying to awaken everyone to the realisation that we live in a rape culture and that what we're ding right now isn't good enough.'
TROY  A child died in a horrific South End fire early Sunday morning that resulted in four buildings being damaged and 20 people losing their homes, officials said.

Fire Chief Eric McMahon said the age and cause of death of the child were not immediately known earlier Sunday, and he did not provide information about where the child was found deceased, citing the tragedy is currently under investigation.

A call came in shortly after 5 a.m., reporting that a fire at 388 Fourth St. had trapped a child, McMahon said. Upon arrival, firefighters saw a heavy fire on the first floor of the building, which soon spread to its neighboring buildings. The buildings are wood frame.

One additional person went to the hospital to be treated for burns, but the severity of their injuries was not immediately unclear, McMahon said. A total of four buildings and eight apartments have seen significant damage, and 20 people have been displaced.

Firefighters were still at the scene of the blaze Sunday, walking in and out of the charred buildings, past piles of ashen debris. What was once pastel-colored paneling on the buildings had melted into a coal color, and gaping holes took the place where roofs once stood. Around the corner, the displaced tenants of those homes gathered in a circle, socializing within view of their destroyed homes.

Isaiah Tinsley woke up early Sunday morning to a scream of "Fire!" The 386 Fourth St. resident noticed smoke billowing into his apartment, and the power shut down. Tinsley scrambled to exit through the back door along with other neighboring tenants, and upon reaching the back alley he saw the apartment above his in flames.

Tinsley watched as the rest of his neighbors made it out of their homes with their pets and children.

"It was very traumatic and very scary," he said.

Another tenant of one of the affected buildings, who asked the Times Union to refrain from sharing her name, said her dog and two young children were traumatized by the fire.

"Is my house gone?" her youngest child asked her. And the tenant had to respond, "Yes."

The Northeastern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross provided emergency aid to the 11 adults and nine children, ages 1 to 9, who were displaced by the fire, according to a press release. The aid included financial assistance for those individuals to find shelter, food and clothing.
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Editors note: The last Sunday of each month, Journal Arts Editor Adrian Gomez tells the stories behind some of the hidden gems you can see across the state in Gimme Five.

Halagueno Arts Park is located at 101 S. Halagueno St. in Carlsbad. Located in the area is the Carlsbad Public Library.

On the grounds of Halagueno Arts Park in Carlsbad, there is a bevy of beauty.

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Some are made of bronze. Others are vague enough to make one think.

Through it all, each piece of art resonates with visitors.

Wren Prather-Stroud is the secretary of the New Mexico Arts Commission.

Shes also been around to see the arts park grow  not only in size  but in the amount of public art in the area.

Because of the arts park, the area has grown exponentially, Prather-Stroud says. Before COVID, we used to have live performances down there and a movies in the park series. We havent had anything in awhile. There is a reason that we added the s to arts park. We wanted it to be a home for visual arts and performance arts. The park has become a fabric of our lives.

On the grounds there are more than 20 large and small scale pieces.

Its just an amazing place to visit, Prather-Stroud says. Were still working on getting more pieces.

The pandemic did slow some of the planning, but the most recent pieces were installed in 2019.

Prather-Stroud says each piece is a must-see, but she picked out five pieces that capture attention.

1. Ball in the Window by William Weaver was a gift to the people from Mayor Dale Janways Fine Art Acquisition and Vetting Committee.

Prather-Stroud says Weaver was the manager of Shidoni Foundry before its closure in 2017.

Hes a brilliant sculptor and we were lucky enough to get one of his pieces before COVID hit, Prather-Stroud says. In this piece, Bill had gotten some windows from an airplane. Its from a sheet made of heavy Plexiglass and he made something out of the four corner pieces that are thrown away. Its 10 feet high and seven feet wide. Its a giant steel ball. Its the most fun and it just makes you laugh. It faces the street, so visitors can see it right away even if they dont stop at the park. Its truly a wonderful piece of art.

Prather-Stroud says Weaver has amazing depth of technical competency and a lightning-quick mind that can delve into all that knowledge he has stored up and come up with multiple creative resolutions to an artistic idea before anyone else has even finished thinking through what the idea is.

His art makes people happy. What more could you ask? she says.

2. Nearby, Cynthia Rowlands Cougar watches over the park.

The bronze piece was also installed in 2019 as a gift to the people from Mayor Janways Fine Art Acquisition and Vetting Committee.

Rowland spent a dozen years in New York, and returned to New Mexico to pursue the medium of sculpture.

Prather-Stroud says the move developed into major public and private commissioned projects with Rowlands partner and husband, Mark. The pair collaborated on the award-winning Senator Dennis Chavez Memorial at Civic Plaza and Lions Share at the Albuquerque International Airport.

The cougar is up on a pedestal, Prather-Stroud says. When you walk by, it looks like its going to pounce on you. Its a really nice piece to have in the collection.

3. The park has pieces by big names such as Glenna Goodacre.

Prather-Stroud chose The Facts of Life, by the late sculptor to highlight.

The Facts of Life is a playful rendering of three children having a picnic and a chat, Prather-Stroud explains.

It was donated to the Carlsbad Museum and Art Center by the Feezer Fine Arts Acquisition Fund through the Carlsbad Foundation. Installed in 1996, it was cast at Art Castings foundry in Loveland, Colorado, and is No. 11 of an edition of 15.

 The Facts of Life began as three girls sitting poolside, Prather-Stroud says. One of the girls became a boy after Goodacre overheard comments from observers who thought the middle kid was a boy. Goodacre had once said I wanted them to just talk and gesture and I came up with the expression on the middle childs face and it occurred to me how funny it would be if I named it The Facts of Life. If you think about it and look at them, those girls are really telling it to him and hes just appalled at the whole idea. 

Prather-Stroud says having multiple pieces by the New Mexican is an honor.

4. While there are massive pieces in the park, Prather-Stroud says visitors will have to search for Jim Epplers Habanero.

Eppler is known for his raven sculptures and Habanero has a chile pepper in his beak.

It was installed in 2014 and was a gift to the citizens of Carlsbad from Xcel Energy.

Eppler was born in 1950 and as a child growing up in El Paso, he spent much of his time outdoors, observing animals to sketch and paint.

Eppler did not start making sculptures until the 1990s and said that his experience as a painter made the transition easy for him.

While Epplers art encompasses a wide range of artistic genre and subject matter, animals and their habitats constantly draw him to their world. When researching particular species, Eppler moves quietly into the world of wildlife. He watches, listens, learns and captures on film the remarkable dimensions of wildlife and their habitats.

Its a little jewel, Prather-Stroud says. You might miss it when you walk into the park. Where its located, it looks like it belongs there. Its like its his park. You can drive by and see the other pieces, but with the raven, you need to go into the park and look for it.

5. The Reader by Prather-Stroud is one of the first pieces to be installed in the arts park.

It was commissioned by the Carlsbad Public Library Board and the Friends of the Carlsbad Public Library to commemorate the centennial of the library. The sculpture is pyramidal in shape and books form the base of the pyramid and a slightly over life-size (11/8 scale) figure is seated on the books. The head of the figure forms the apex of the pyramid, with the concept that the knowledge from the books ultimately resides in the mind of the reader. Installed in 1997, it was cast at Shidoni Foundry in Tesuque.

Prather-Stroud says the book titles were chosen by polling her friends and family for favorite titles from each section of the library (fiction, non-fiction, childrens, etc.) A large volume of Shakespeare forms the cornerstone of the pyramid. The typeface for each volume was carefully rendered to reflect the spines of published volumes of the books. The shape of the book stack was created to form a pleasing abstract pattern and to leave space for the feet of the figure to rest. The figure holds an open book with a quote from Emerson on the pages.

 The Reader has been a surprising thing for me, Prather-Stroud says. The longer pieces stay in one place, more people become attached to it. I get letters from people telling me how The Reader has influenced their life. I never imagined this piece of art would mean so much to so many. Its humbling for me still.
Finance Houses Association launches revised Self-Regulation Code View(s):

The Finance Houses Association of Sri Lanka (FHA) the apex body of all registered finance companies, has announced the introduction of its revised Self-Regulation Code which has been voluntarily practised by member companies over a long period of time, but has to be adapted to changing times.

The revisions to the Code were effected with a view to maintain highest standards on strategic and business operations in Sri Lankas Non-Banking Financial and Leasing Institutions (NBFI) sector, the FHA said in a media release.

The FHA collective of 39 Licensed Finance Companies (LFCs) is the driver of financial inclusion of Sri Lankas MSME sector which has a large footprint in the bottom of the pyramid segment of the country. The MSME sector is the backbone of Sri Lankan economy involving over 70 per cent of businesses in Sri Lanka, providing employment for 45 per cent of the labor force and generating 52 per cent of GDP.

Titled Code of Conduct of Licensed Finance Companies Sri Lanka the updated instrument was handed over to the Governor of Central Bank of Sri Lanka Prof. W. D. Lakshman and banks officials by FHA Council members on March 18 at the Central Bank premises.

Niroshan Udage, Chairman of FHA said: FHAs time tested gentlemens agreement that was codified some time ago needed revisions and updates as per the requirements of todays changing times. The overall objectives of updating the Code were to comply with all current regulatory and legal requirements while adhering to industry best practices. We take humble pride in the fact that the Code was not imposed on our sector by any authority but was self-introduced by all FHA members on their own will, which demonstrates the members strong commitment to sectoral integrity and their social responsibility.

Members of FHA also handed over their Sustainability Mandate to Prof. Lakshman and top officials of the Bank. The purpose of the Sustainability Mandate is to serve as the guideline for the LFCs to integrate sustainability principles holistically into their businesses, enabling sustainable value creation through their own financing approaches, in line with defined sustainability guidelines that would ultimately contribute towards national sustainability agenda and UN Sustainable Development Goals said Chairman Niroshan Udage.

Romani de Silva, speaking on behalf of the FHA sub-committee that overlooks Sustainability, said: Adopting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would be significant to every finance company operating in Sri Lankas NBFI sector. The good news is that many members of FHA already subscribe to at least three SDG guidelines by default; the SDGs are No Poverty, Zero Hunger and Good Health and Well Being through their activities in serving customers at the base of the pyramid.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 23:34:20|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday criticized unilateral sanctions by the U.S. for having an adverse impact on Iran's vaccination campaign.

"Global COVID-19 pandemic should've had a global vaccination response," Zarif tweeted on Sunday. (Iran-US-Vaccine Hoarding)

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BEIJING -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday exchanged congratulatory messages with Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Lao president, over the 60th anniversary of the founding of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In his message, Xi said China and Laos are friendly socialist neighbors and an unbreakable community with a shared future. (China-Laos-Xi)

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NEW YORK -- The U.S. death rate in 2020, which hiked 16 percent from 2019 mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was the highest above normal since the early 1900s, The New York Times reported on Sunday.

"A surge in deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic created the largest gap between the actual and expected death rate in 2020 -- what epidemiologists call 'excess deaths,' or deaths above normal," said the paper. (US-Death Rate-Jump)

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BEIJING -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday that he stands ready to work with Cape Verdean foreign minister to take the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Cape Verde diplomatic ties as a new starting point to push for new achievements in bilateral relations.

Wang made the remarks in a telephone conversation with Rui Alberto de Figueiredo Soares, minister of foreign affairs and communities and also minister of defense of Cape Verde. (China-Cape Verde-Wang Yi) Enditem
Snubbing pressure from Turkey, the United States President Joe Biden, on April 25 recognised the 1915 killings of Armenians by Ottoman forces as genocide. Speaking on the grim occasion of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Biden for the first time used the word "genocide" in a statement, marking a watershed moment for scores of Armenians who've spent years lobbying for the cause. In the aftermath, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan released a statement wherein he not only expressed gratitude to Joe Biden on the behalf of his people but also stated that it was a "powerful step" to acknowledge the "truth, historical justice".

"The people of Armenia and Armenians all over the world perceived with great enthusiasm and welcomed your message, in which you officially recognized and condemned the genocide of Armenians perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire in 1915-23. I highly appreciate your principled position, which is a powerful step on the way to acknowledging the truth, historical justice, and an invaluable of support for the descendants of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, " Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan said in a statement addressed to his Biden. "The recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the United States is a much-needed message to the international community, which comes to reaffirm the primacy of human rights and values in international relations. From this perspective, it sets an encouraging and inspiring example for all those who want to build a just and tolerant international society," he added.

Over a million killed

As many as 1.5 million Armenians lost their lives in "systematic killings" and deportation at the hands of the Ottoman Turks, who accused the Christian population of conspiring with Russians. During the period stretching between 1915 and 1917 hundreds of thousands of Armenians were rounded up and deported to the desert of Syria, a journey wherein they were shot, poisoned or fell victim to incurable diseases. Turkey, which rose from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire in 1923, has admitted the death of over 300,000 Armenians but refused to acknowledge it as genocide.

Starting with Uruguay in 1965, nations including France, Germany, Canada and Russia have recognized the genocide, but a US statement has been a paramount goal that proved elusive under previous presidents. Just a day earlier, Washington had relayed the decision to Ankara, seeking to limit the furore from the Erdogan administration. However, the statement eventually triggered an uproar from the Turkish President who termed it as "politicisation by third parties". On the other hand, it has earned accolades from the Armenian PM and his administration.

Your message brought to completion the process of recognizing the #ArmenianGenocide in the United States - PM Pashinyan sends letter to U.S. President @JoeBiden https://t.co/HUaXFRBQpa pic.twitter.com/UHduWxHEpc  Government of Armenia (@armgov) April 24, 2021

It is an important day for all Armenians. Following the resolutions adopted by US Congress in 2019, President Biden honored the memory of victims of the Armenian Genocide. The US has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to protecting human rights and universal values  Nikol Pashinyan (@NikolPashinyan) April 24, 2021

#BREAKING: @POTUS @JoeBiden officially recognized the #Armenian #Genocide, rejecting the longest-lasting foreign gag-rule in American history and dealing a major setback to Turkey's century-long obstruction of justice for this crime. https://t.co/XgE1OgKXYv  ANCA (@ANCA_DC) April 24, 2021

(Inputs, Image Credits: Associated Press )
New York, April 25 : Up to 20 per cent of all the groundwater wells in the world are at risk of going dry in the near future, warn environmental scientists.

Researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara, US examined records made of well construction for approximately 39 million wells around the world.

They found that between 6 and 20 per cent of all of the wells around the world currently sit at no more than 16 feet below the water table in which they exist.

This means that they are at risk of going dry in the coming decades, according to Scott Jasechko and Debra Perrone from the varsity. The findings were published in the journal Science.

They also found that new well construction has, in many instances, not taken into consideration the reduced levels of groundwater, and therefore have not been dug deeper than older wells.

This practice will lead to the new wells running dry just as quickly as the older wells, the researchers said.

A similar study led by James Famiglietti and Grant Ferguson from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, and published in the same journal, revealed that the reason for shrinking volumes of water in aquifers is that humans remove more water than nature can replenish.

In addition to the massive amounts of water withdrawn from underground sources, many places have also begun to experience extended droughts due to global warming. They suggest that unless something changes, access to fresh water may soon become one of the privileges of the rich.
On January 6, a U.S. Capitol Police officer killed decorated U.S. Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt. She was among the crowd of protesters who entered the U.S. Capitol and was shot as she attempted to climb through a broken door outside the Speakers lobby, an area that leads to the House Chamber.

Babbitt was unarmed and should not have been considered a threat by police officers. She was not a convicted criminal. Instead, she was a military hero. Babbitt served in the U.S. Air Force for over 12 years in various capacities, deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan, and to the United Arab Emirates (twice). Babbitt received medals for her service in the Iraq Campaign and the Global War on Terrorism.

Last week, the Department of Justice announced that it would not charge the officer who killed Babbitt. While this officer was being exonerated, Kim Potter, a 26-year veteran of the Brooklyn Center, Minnesota police force, was charged after she mistakenly shot and killed Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old with a criminal record.

Potter, along with two other officers, pulled over Wrights car because of an expired license plate. Once the officers determined that Wright was wanted on an outstanding warrant, they attempted to arrest him. Wright resisted arrest, reentered the vehicle, and tried to leave the scene. To stop him, Potter yelled Taser, and fired. Sadly, Potter used her weapon by mistake, tragically killing Wright.

Wrights troubles with the law started in December 2019 when he was arrested for an aggravated armed robbery attempt. At that time, Wright reportedly pulled a gun on a woman and demanded $820 in cash. When she resisted, he allegedly choked her and tried to take her money. She started screaming as Wright choked her again. Eventually, Wright and an accomplice left without the money.

After the victim identified Wright, he was arrested and released on $100,000 bail. Bail was revoked in July 2020 when he violated its terms by possessing a fireman and losing contact with his probation officer. When the police pulled Wright over, he knew he would be going to prison, so he tried to flee the scene.

Potter was charged with second-degree manslaughter and put on administrative leave, after which she resigned from the police force. In her letter of resignation, she said that she loved every minute of being a police officer and serving this community to the best of my ability.

Former Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon said Wrights death was an accident. He was forced to resign last week after claiming that Potter had the intention to deploy her Taser but mistakenly shot Mr. Wright with a single bullet. According to Gannon, the fatal shooting appeared to be an accidental discharge.

After being arrested, Potter was released after posting a $100,000 bond. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. Her life will never be the same and her 26-year record as a police officer will be completely disregarded. The mistaken shooting has led to protests throughout the country, calling for Potter to be convicted.

The media focused on the fact that Potter is White while Daunte Wright was Black. Of course, there was no media coverage of the fact that the officer who killed Babbitt, a White victim, is Black.

The media often consider race when the victim is Black, and the officer is White. When the roles are reversed, the media give shootings almost no attention.

The Department of Justice is protecting the identity of the officer who killed Babbitt and is not charging him for her death. According to federal prosecutors, there was insufficient evidence to prove that Babbitts civil rights were violated. Prosecutors also stated that the unidentified officers actions were reasonable. But was it reasonable to shoot without warning Babbitt, a small woman, who could easily have been stopped with a Taser? Why did the officer use his weapon to shoot an unarmed woman?

While Potter has been charged and is no longer a police officer, the U.S. Capitol Police officer has returned to his job following a short administrative leave. He has been totally cleared of wrongdoing and has faced limited backlash for his questionable actions.

Why the difference in how these two cases were handled? Some believe it is another example of the double standard of justice that exists in our country today. While Republicans and conservatives, such as Roger Stone, former Lt. General Michael Flynn, and many other associates of former President Donald Trump have faced severe consequences for their actions, Democrats are often unpunished.

The list of Democrats who have received lenient treatment from the Department of Justice includes Hillary Clinton and all of those involved in the Russian collusion hoax. The lackluster Durham investigation into this matter has been ongoing for years and has produced almost nothing of value.

Recently, we learned that the FBI took possession of Hunter Bidens laptop in December of 2019. In the last 16 months, despite the scandalous material on the laptop and the sordid allegations against him, the DOJ has not filed charges filed against Biden and will not update the status of that investigation.

While the FBI has vigorously pursued those involved in the breach of security of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, there has been little enthusiasm to prosecute those left-wing agitators involved in the 275 riots last summer or the ones participating in the ongoing riots in Portland, Minneapolis, and many other cities.

The FBI Director claimed he is investigating Antifa, but the organizers and main benefactors of that terrorist organization have not been brought to justice.

This leads many to conclude that American justice is no longer blind. It can see, but it only sees conservatives.

Jeff Crouere is a native New Orleanian and his award-winning program, Ringside Politics, airs nationally on Real Americas Voice Network, AmericasVoice.News weekdays at 7 a.m. CT and from 7-11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990-AM & Wgso.com. He is a political columnist, the author of Americas Last Chance, and provides regular commentaries on the Jeff Crouere YouTube channel and on Crouere.net. For more information, email him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Millennial Liu Lurui quit her job and moved to the outskirts of Beijing, where she built a farm on three acres of land to create a healthier lifestyle for herself and five friends. The farm was completed in April 2020, and includes a house, a garden and an organic orchard. They hope that their hobo life can set an example for people looking to lead alternative way of life

Jun 04, 2021 06:31 PM
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 19:44:08|Editor: huaxia

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KAMPALA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has rolled out a major COVID-19 vaccination targeting 1.4 million refugees to contain the spread of the virus in the country's crowded refugee resettlements, a UN refugee agency spokesperson said Sunday.

Wendy Daphne Kasujja, spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Uganda, said in a statement sent to Xinhua that at least 1 million refugees will be inoculated against COVID-19 in the ongoing phase one vaccination exercise.

"UNHCR is grateful to Uganda for the inclusion of refugees in the COVID-19 country response and vaccination plan," said Kasujja.

Uganda hosts more than 1.4 million refugees, mainly from neighboring South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi.

At least 398 refugees have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, with 384 recoveries and 7 deaths in the settlements since the outbreak was reported in March last year, according to UNHCR figures.

Some 289 refugee humanitarian workers tested positive for COVID-19, with 287 recoveries and 1 death across the 13 refugee hosting districts in the country.

"We have considered refugees among the priority categories in our COVID-19 vaccination campaign," said Emmanuel Ainebyoona, spokesperson for the ministry of health.

"We are vaccinating the refugees to ensure we reduce the severity of the disease in the refugee settlements," he said.

Uganda launched the first phase of the coronavirus vaccination campaign on March 10, targeting more than 21.9 million people who face the highest risk of the infection in the country. This includes health workers, teachers, elderly and those with underlying medical conditions, as well as refugees.

As of Sunday, a total of 274,217 people had received their first jab of AstraZeneca vaccine, according to the ministry of health statistics. Enditem
Freight train linking SE China's Wuyishan city with Moscow opens

People's Daily Online) 18:06, April 25, 2021

A freight train linking Wuyishan city, southeast China's Fujian province, with Moscow, capital of Russia, opens on April 22. (Photo/Customs of Wuyishan)

A China-Europe freight train departed from an inland port in Wuyishan city, southeast China's Fujian province, for Moscow, capital of Russia, on April 22, marking the opening of another China-Europe freight train route.

After a journey of 13 days, the freight train is expected to bring to Moscow 100 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of mechanical and electrical products and textile products among others, with a cargo weight of 618.3 tons and a cargo value of nearly 18 million yuan ($2.77 million).

The new China-Europe freight train route has brought the northern areas of Fujian province significantly closer to European countries, and serves as another passage for Chinese products to enter the European market more easily, according to Wei Chengfu, an executive with the company that invested in and developed the port.

Customs authorities in Wuyishan say they have supervised five China-Europe freight trains this year, which have exported 4,052 tons of products in 484 TEUs and worth over 100 million yuan.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
The China Cultural Center in Malta organized an online event Saturday to celebrate World Tai Chi Day, attracting many Maltese Tai Chi enthusiasts to participate.

Tai Chi, a centuries-old Chinese martial art characterized by gentle movement exercises, has been widely accepted by people around the world.

The event featured Wang Zhanjun, the founder of a Tai Chi school from central China's Henan province, teaching Tai Chi via the internet, and the school's students presenting shows combining Tai Chi with the dance of Shuixiu, literally Water Sleeves, one of the most skillful stunts in Chinese Peking Opera.

The Malta Tai Chi Yang Family Club, the Malta School of Wushu, the Malta Martial Arts Association and the Mediterranean Traditional Chinese Medicine Center also practiced Taiji for the online event.

"I am a firm believer that Tai Chi has many positive aspects," said Clifton Grima, Parliamentary Secretary for Sports, Recreation and Voluntary Organizations, adding that "we are using online technology in order to ensure that this art gets to the house of people who would like to practice this marvelous art."

"I look very much forward towards further collaboration between our two countries, which, though being located in different continents, are connected due to their historical aspects," he noted.

World Tai Chi Day, which falls on the last Saturday of April, has been celebrated in Malta for 14 consecutive years, according to Yang Xiaolong, director of the China Cultural Center in Malta.
Over the past day, April 22, the armed formations of the Russian Federation violated the ceasefire in the Joint Forces Operation area in eastern Ukraine 17 times.

"In particular, the occupiers fired 82mm and 120mm mortars near Pivdenne (40km north-east of Donetsk) and Zaitseve (62km north-east of Donetsk); easel antitank grenade launchers  outside Krasnohorivka (21km west of Donetsk); antitank missile system and 120mm mortars  near Shumy (41km north of Donetsk)," the press center of the JFO Headquarters reports.

The enemy also opened fire from grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns, and small arms near the villages of Pisky (11km north-west of Donetsk), Zolote-4 (59km west of Luhansk), Vodiane (94km south of Donetsk), and Pavlopil (25km north-west of Mariupol).

In addition, the invaders used an antitank missile system, easel antitank grenade launchers, and small arms to shell Ukrainian positions near Mayorske (45km north of Donetsk).

One serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine received fatal injuries in the enemy shelling. The Joint Forces Command expresses its sincere and deep condolences to the family and friends of the deceased defender.

The Ukrainian military suppressed enemy drones near Krymske (42km north-west of Luhansk) and Shumy (41km north of Donetsk) using electronic warfare equipment.

The Ukrainian side of the Joint Control and Coordination Center (JCCC) informed the OSCE SMM about the violations committed by the armed formations of the Russian Federation.

As of 07:00 on April 23, three ceasefire violations were recorded. In particular, the Russian occupation forces opened fire from 120mm mortars near Novoselivka (37km north-east of Donetsk); automatic easel grenade launchers and heavy machine guns  outside Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk). No losses have been reported.

ish
Massachusetts residents arent shying away from their second COVID-19 vaccine doses, a dilemma health providers reportedly face across the country.

Almost every Massachusetts resident who received an initial dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine has showed up for their second shot, the states pandemic command center told MassLive on Sunday.

Massachusetts progress on second doses comes as several states are reporting large numbers of people skipping second shots, with factors ranging from fears over side effects or safety, or believing theyre adequately protected with one shot. Some are missing out on their second dose because providers are simply running low on supply.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 5 million people, about 8% of vaccine recipients, have missed their second doses, The New York Times reported on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, as of April 20, more than 99% of those eligible have received their second dose within 42 days, according to data tracked by the Department of Public Health.

The state recommends that those who receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines get their second dose within 21 or 28 days, respectively; anytime within six weeks, 42 days, falls under guidelines from the CDC.

State officials note that providers are responsible for ensuring residents get their second dose, including booking appointments or sending reminders.

Gov. Charlie Baker said he has repeatedly asked the federal government for more doses and offered to accept doses that any other state might turn away.

The simple truth of the matter is we can do two or three times as many doses here in the commonwealth on a daily basis as we actually have supply for, the Republican governor said.

Related Content:
EDWARDSVILLE  The first murder trial in Madison County since the start of the coronavirus pandemic resulted in a guilty verdict against Kevin Campbell in the October 2018 shooting of Tyrone Williams.

The three-day trial resulted in guilty verdicts of first-degree murder and discharge of a firearm.

Prosecutors and police also went to some extraordinary effort to bring in an important witness.

We are very glad Tyrone Williams murderer has been brought to justice, said States Attorney Tom Haine. I hope this will provide some measure of relief to his family. Assistant States Attorneys Lauren Maricle and Katie Warren did tremendous work bringing this case together. It was a true team effort. They should be very proud.

Campbell, 39, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon following the shooting death of Williams on the morning of Oct. 6, 2018. Williams was found dead in the parking lot of Williams Auto Body in Venice. An argument from earlier in the evening preceded the shooting.

I am also grateful for the efforts of the court, and the diligence of the jurors, as we all worked through the COVID mitigation protocols with success and professionalism, Haine said. This case shows our citizens that Madison Countys justice system is rolling again, and the serious cases to come will be able to be tried professionally, fairly and expeditiously.

The trial, which began with jury selection Tuesday and ended with the verdict late Thursday evening, included testimony from Vernell D. Williams, who was able to identify all of the participants in the event.

According to prosecutors, everything was on security video or social media, but the difficulty was in identifying who was who.

Williams, who was at the scene of the murder, testified and brought those pieces together.

Prosecutors noted that it took extraordinary efforts to get Williams to the stand.

On April 9 he was charged as an armed habitual criminal, a Class X felony. The charges were suppressed until April 19, after Williams had been arrested in Chicago and brought back to Madison County.

According to court documents, Williams, who had multiple convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm dating back to 1993, was found to be in possession of a Smith and Wesson M and P handgun on the same day as the fatal shooting.

According to officials with the States Attorneys Office, investigators with the Illinois State Police were talking to someone about the potential location of the shooter. Williams, not realizing they were police officers and thinking they were making threats, approached them with the handgun. When he realized they were police, he dropped the gun and ran, but was soon caught.

As Illinois State Police investigators were questioning him about the gun, they realized he had been at the shooting, and offered to drop the gun charge in exchange for testimony.

Williams initially agreed and made a statement on video, but then stopped cooperating and left the area as prosecutors were getting ready for the trial.

Prosecutors filed the original charge so he could be brought in on a warrant.

He was found in Chicago, but U.S. Marshals delayed apprehending Williams because of unrest that weekend over recent police shootings.

On Monday they busted down his door at about 2:30 p.m. Madison County deputies went up to Chicago and had him back in Madison County by 2:30 a.m. and he testified on Wednesday.

The efforts were described as a great example of coordination between the Illinois State Police, U.S. Marshals, Madison County Sheriffs Department and the States Attorneys Office.

After his testimony was complete, the armed habitual criminal charge against Williams was dropped.
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (AP)  Eric Gala passed up an opportunity to get a coronavirus vaccine when shots became available in Michigan, and he admits not taking the virus seriously enough.

Then he got sick with what he thought was the flu. He thought he would sweat it out and then feel back to normal.

Before long, the 63-year-old Detroit-area retiree was in a hospital hooked up to a machine to help him breathe. He had COVID-19.

I was having more trouble breathing and they turned the oxygen up higher  thats when I got scared and thought I wasnt going to make it, a visibly weary Gala told The Associated Press on Wednesday from his hospital bed at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, north of Detroit. I had so many people tell me this was a fake disease.

Galas situation illustrates how Michigan has become the current national hotspot for COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations at a time when more than half the U.S. adult population has been vaccinated and other states have seen the virus diminish substantially.

Doctors, medical professionals and public health officials point to a number of factors that explain how the situation has gotten so bad in Michigan. More contagious variants, especially the mutation first discovered in Britain, have taken root here with greater prevalence than other states. Residents have emerged from harsh, lengthy state restrictions on dining and crowd sizes and abandoned mask wearing and social distancing, especially in rural, northern parts of the state that had largely avoided severe outbreaks. The state has also had average vaccine compliance.

Michigan has recorded a highest-in-the-nation 91,000 new COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks, despite improvements in the numbers in recent days. By comparison, that is more cases than California and Texas had combined in the same period.

Beaumont Health, a major hospital system in Michigan, recently warned that its hospitals and staff had hit critical capacity levels. COVID-19 patient numbers across the eight-hospital health system jumped from 128 on Feb. 28 to more than 800 patients.

Story continues

A year ago, the phrase was tsunami, said Dr. Paul Bozyk, assistant chief of critical care and pulmonary medicine at Beaumont Royal Oak. It was chaotic. People were overwhelmed with what they were seeing: Death and dying. This year, its more of a slow, rising flood. No big surge of patients, but we keep getting more each day. Were full.

Detroit was an early epicenter a year ago when the virus first arrived in the U.S., prompting aggressive measures by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to stop the spread. That made her a target of then-President Donald Trump and right-wing protesters who vilified her as the epitome of government overreach in a year when Michigan played a pivotal role in the presidential election.

Toni Schmittling, a nurse anesthetist who works at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit, says that when Detroit was hard-hit and her hospital had to double-up ventilator patients in one room, the rest of Michigan was wondering why restrictions were needed.

Wed say, Are you kidding me, people are dying right and left here, Schmittling said.

Now, cases are more spread out and rural areas are getting hit hard. At Sinai-Grace, Beaumont Royal Oak and other hospitals across the U.S., patients are younger than before, in their 30s to 50s, but dont seem to get quite as sick.

Dr. Mark Hamed, medical director in the emergency department at McKenzie Hospital in Sandusky, Michigan, and for several counties in the states northern region, says the area was spared from rampant COVID-19 last year and that may have created a false sense of security, especially among the regions farmers and blue-collar workers who suffered economically from the pandemic and already were feeling COVID fatigue.

Businesses werent really enforcing mask-wearing, and many people in the region shunned them anyway, he said.

Now, with variants spreading and many people still unvaccinated, his area is being hit pretty hard, Hamed said. Our ER is absolutely swamped beyond belief.

The current surge has left medical staff beleaguered. Unlike their colleagues in other states where the virus is relatively under control, Michigan doctors and nurses are enduring another crisis  more than a full year after hospitals in Detroit were besieged.

We start to gain some hope when the plateau hits and then here we are with another surge, said Lizzie Smagala, a registered nurse in Beaumont Royal Oak's medical ICU, where masked-up hospital personnel quietly and methodically tend to the sick. I think the people on the outside of our situation dont understand the depths of what were going through, how long weve been going through it here in the hospital and that COVIDs not really ever left.

COVIDs toll in Michigan has been much more than emergency rooms and ICU departments packed with the ill and thousands of people self-quarantining due to fear of contracting the virus. Tens of thousands of jobs were lost, and Detroit, which is 80% Black and has a high level of poverty, has been especially hard hit by the virus and economic woes.

Schools were closed for months, then reopened and shuttered again this month in Detroit after the virus came back with a vengeance. In-person classes may have to be scratched for the remainder of the school year in Detroit.

Frankly, we have a lot of folks in the community that are just done with the pandemic, said Bozyk. Its hard to be in social isolation for 13 months. Nobody wants that. Thats not good for the psychological health. But as a medical practitioner treating COVID I wanted to make COVID go away. I would tell everyone to stay home until we get herd immunity.

At the same time, vaccine hesitancy has been an issue in Michigan. About 40% of the state has received at least one vaccine dose  about the same as the national average. About 28% of city residents 16 and older in Detroit have received at least one dose of vaccine. The city is planning to go door-to-door to urge people to get vaccine doses  many of which are manufactured in Michigan at Pfizer's plant near Kalamazoo.

When vaccinations began it felt like theres light at the end of the tunnel, Schmittling said. Then, what happens to Michigan  were like highest in the nation. What are we doing? Whats happening in Michigan? I wish I had the answers for that.

Officials hope that the latest COVID surge has started to recede. There were more than 400 COVID-19 patients Thursday morning at six Henry Ford Health System hospitals in the Detroit area, down 10% from earlier in the week.

Still, the health system is seeing a softer vaccine demand: roughly 10,000 doses this week compared to nearly 20,000 in recent weeks, said Dr. Adnan Munkarah, chief clinical officer at Henry Ford.

Gala was expected to be sent home this week from Beaumont Royal Oak. His brother-in-law, who caught the virus around the same time, died a few days ago at another hospital.

Gala still wonders when and how he caught the virus.

I was wearing masks and sometimes I wasnt, he said. I was never out in public without a mask. My biggest regret is I didnt get vaccinated. This is a life-changer for me.

__

Associated Press reporter Ed White in Detroit contributed to this story. Eggert reported from Lansing, Michigan. Tanner reported from Three Oaks, Michigan.
The death has occurred of Breeda Fitzpatrick Yeats Avenue, Kincora Park, Limerick City, Limerick



Breeda Fitzpatrick of Yeats Avenue, Kincora Park, Limerick, died, unexpectedly but peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Saturday 24th April, in University Hospital Limerick, following a very long illness bravely borne. Predeceased by her loving parents Mary and Michael Fitzpatrick. Deeply regretted by her loving daughter and best friend Amy and Amy's partner David, much adored grandchildren Isabel and Macie, sisters Noreen, Marytina, Pauline and Caroline, brothers Denis and Michael, nieces, nephews, extended family, all other relatives, neighbours and many friends, especially those in her dialysis family.

Requiem Mass will take place Tuesday, 27th April, in The Holy Family Church, Southill, at 11am, followed by burial in Mt St Oliver Cemetery. Mass will be live streamed (link to follow). Messages of sympathy may be expressed in the condolence section below or cards and letters of sympathy can be sent to Joseph Cross and sons, 2 Lower Gerald Griffin Street, Limerick. In Compliance with HSE Government guidelines, please ensure that social distancing and public health advice regarding gatherings are adhered to. Please note that twenty-five people are allowed to attend the requiem Mass.

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The death has occurred of Maeve Kelly (nee Quinn) Oakview Drive, Ballinacurra, Limerick April 24th 2021 peacefully at home.

Beloved wife of the late Donal. Dearly loved mother of Michael, Jimmy, Don, Colm and Robert. Sadly missed by her daughters-in-law, her beloved grandchildren, sisters Ann and Jilly, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. Predeceased by her brothers Jimmy and Michael. May she rest in peace.

A private Requiem Mass for family will be held in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Childers Road this Tuesday (27th April) at 12 noon followed by burial in Mount St. Oliver Cemetery. Donation if desired to Milford Hospice and Irish Cancer Society.

In the interests of public health, attendance at Requiem Mass will be restricted to accord with government guidelines and in line with social distancing protocols. Mass cards and messages of sympathy can be sent to Thompsons, Thomas Street, Limerick.

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The death has occurred of Stephen Nolan 14 The Cross, Ardagh, Limerick. Died on April 25th 2021, peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. Stephen, the beloved husband of the late Emily (nee Brouder), loving father to Kathleen, Jacqueline, Anthony, Christine and Vincent. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his daughters, sons, sons in law, daughters in law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his sisters Anne, Bridie and Mai, nieces, nephews, sister in law, brother in law, cousins, wide circle of friends and neighbours. May He Rest In Peace

In accordance with government guidelines, a private family funeral Mass will take place in St Molua's Church, Ardagh, this Tuesday, 27th April, at 11.30am and burial after in the local cemetery. Mass will be live streamed, link to follow. Family flowers only, please, donations, if desired, to Milford Hospice. Mass cards and letters of sympathy can be sent to Riedy's Undertakers, Newcastle West.

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The death has occurred of Bernard O'Donnell Killuragh, Cappamore, Limerick / Limerick City, Limerick



Bernard O'Donnell died peacefully at Milford Care Centre 23/4/2021, Killuragh, Cappamore, Moyross and formerly of Ballynanty and University of Limerick. Deeply regretted by his ever loving wife Marie, daughter Lisa and sons Brian and Barry, daughters in law, son in law, grandchildren Thomas, Abbie, Kayleigh, Zach, Dara, Daniel and Michael, brothers, sisters, brothers in law and sisters in law and a large circle of family and friends.

Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday 29th April, in St Munchin's Church, Clancy Strand, Limerick, at 11am, followed by cremation in Shannon Crematorium, Shannon, Co. Clare (1pm). Messages of sympathy may be expressed through the condolence section or cards and letters of sympathy can be sent to Joseph Cross and Sons, 2 Lower Gerald Griffin Street, Limerick. In compliance with HSE and government guidelines, please ensure social distancing and public health advice is adhered to. Please note the church and crematorium are limited to twenty-five people.

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Recently , director Gopichand Malineni visited the Saraswata Niketanam library in Vetapalem town in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh to do research for a film with Nandamuri Balakrishna, and ended up being captivated by the 100-year-old institution.

I felt like I visited a temple, says the filmmaker, adding that he spent around four hours in the heritage institution. At the library, Gopichand got to see a newspaper brought out on the day India won Independence  August 15, 1947. I felt so nostalgic, he said.

Sharing that the library has books, newspapers, magazines, journals and other documents dated even earlier than the 1920s, he said he had come to know that one person had willed his property to pay for the upkeep of the institution.

Gopichand first heard of the library while he was shooting for one of his earlier films Krack. He had been eager to check it out ever since.

I needed some information and had to check old newspaper records for my upcoming film, and decided to visit the library, he revealed.

The visitors book at the library has the names of many luminaries, led by Mahatma Gandhi. Apparently, Gandhiji had visited the library to get some information. While he was there, his walking stick broke, and he left it there. The library has preserved the stick carefully, and put it on display, says Gopichand.

Indias first President Babu Rajendra Prasad and former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao are among other prominent personalities who visited the institution. At this time when people are getting information online and through YouTube videos, I believe it is imperative to go to a library to get authentic data. In fact, you can get information thats not even available online, the Pandaga Chesko helmer points out.

I urge everyone to make book reading a habit, especially during these tough times; it encourages people to find out more about history. I started spending more time on reading these days. For my last film Krack, I had to do extensive research and read books for my script, says the director, adding that the research work helped him to better the script of his action drama.

Gopichand shared his excitement at visiting the library with another filmmaker, Harish Shankar, who asked him to send a photo of the newspaper edition published on the day he was born in the 1970s.Harish felt so amazed to see the image of the newspaper, and said he would also make it a point to visit the library soon, said Gopichand.

Meanwhile, the script of his new film is nearing completion. The more the research, the better the script turns out, so I am in no hurry to wrap up the script, he says, adding that he is excited to work with Balakrishna. I am sure itll be a cracker of an experience, and I cant wait to shoot with him, he says, signing off.
The government is finalising documentations to commence work on the construction of affordable housing project in the Ahafo Region, Dr (Mrs) Freda Prempeh, the Minister of State in-charge of Works and Housing has said.



She explained that the State Housing Company (SHC) had secured 250 acres of land at Duayaw-Nkwanta (100 acres), Tanoso (50 acres) and Yamfo (100 acres) in the Tano North Municipality and contracts would be awarded for work to begin by the close of the year.



The Minister expressed appreciation to the chiefs and people of the towns for releasing lands, saying the nationwide affordable housing project would help address the two million housing deficit in the country.



Dr (Mrs) Prempeh, also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano North Constituency, said this when she led a delegation from the SHC and paid courtesy calls on the Duayaw-Nkwanta and Yamfo Traditional Councils in the Region on Friday.



The delegation included Mr Roni Nicol, the Deputy Managing Director of the SHC, Mr Kobina Afoah Imbeah, Operations Manager, Mr Nii Adjetey Boye, Deputy Head of Operations, Mr Seth Dzotepe, Acting Ashanti Zonal Manager and Mr Emmanuel Kwadwo Kusi, Quality Surveyor.



The Chiefs later led the delegation to inspect the lands earmarked for the projects in the two towns.



Dr (Mrs) Prempeh told the Traditional Council members that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has declared 2021 as the year of infrastructure development, adding, contracts on many of the affordable housing projects would be awarded for work to begin this year.



This would greatly help the nation address her two million housing deficit and make housing affordable to public and civil servants, she added.



On his part, Mr Nicol explained that the housing projects would create direct and indirect jobs for the local people, saying most of the labour force would be engaged from the local communities.



He said economic activities in the areas would thrive because the SHC would ensure that contractors procure building and construction materials from dealers around the enclaves.



Mr Nicol said construction works on the affordable housing projects had already started, and progressing steadily in the Central, Upper East, Eastern, Greater Accra, Ashanti, Volta and Western North Regions.



He said land litigations had delayed execution of the projects in parts of the country, and appealed to the affected traditional authorities to address land litigations for the project to commence in those areas.

Source: GNA









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Shanghai (Gasgoo)- For the first quarter of 2021 (Q1), Great Wall Motor (GWM) gained 1.639 billion yuan ($252.238 million) in the net profit attributable to shareholders, posting a remarkable growth from the net loss of 650.144 million yuan ($100.027 million) for the year-ago period, according to the automaker's latest quarterly financial results.



Haval Big Dog; photo credit: Great Wall Motor



During the reporting period, GWM saw its Q1 revenue surge 150.62% year on year to 31.117 billion yuan ($4.787 billion).

Besides, the net cash flow arising from operating activities in Q1 tumbled 59.37% from a year earlier to 213.154 million yuan ($32.794 million) and the basic earnings per share stood at 0.18 yuan.

The company said the robust hike in net profit was mainly credited to the increase in the sales and gross margin of complete vehicles.



For the first three months of 2021, GWM sold 338,798 new vehicles, posting a robust growth of 125.4% compared to the previous year. Four brands (Haval, WEY, ORA and Great Wall Pickup) all scored year-on-year growth of over 90% in Q1 sales. Notably, the growth rate in ORA's sales volume stood at up to 1035.2%.

The automaker said its Q1 sales of overseas markets rocketed 115% from a year ago to 28,810 units, of which 6,558 units were sold in Russia, a year-on-year increase of 62%.

GWM also announced a R&D expense of 907.92 million yuan ($139.686 million) for the Jan.-Mar. period, a year-over-year leap of 48.56%.

With the launch of three technology brands, namely L.E.M.O.N., TANK and Coffee Intelligence, in 2020, the company is endeavoring to build a technical ecosystem integrating autonomous driving, intelligent cockpit, highly efficient fuel consumption and new energy vehicles.

In last December, GWM launched the L.E.M.O.N. hybrid DHT, a highly-integrated multi-mode hybrid solution with high working efficiency, which is available for full range of speeds and multiple travelling scenarios.

During the same month, the automaker launched the 331 Strategy under its Coffee Intelligence Driving program. Under the new strategy, GWM aims to be a leading intelligent driving tech developer that owns the most users and application scenarios in China, and boasts the greatest reputation from users over the next three years.
The national movement for police accountability finally reached the Onondaga County sheriffs department on Friday. In the morning, Sheriff Eugene Conway said he would implement a body-worn camera program if county government pays for it. By afternoon, the county executive and legislature chairman promised to appropriate the money.

The sheriff got to the correct result. We wish we didnt have to drag him there.

None of this would be happening if not for staff writer Samantha Houses story asking why Onondaga Countys second-largest police agency does not have body cameras.

The sheriff proposed a body cam pilot program in 2017. It was not funded, and he did not bring it up again. Since that time, the trust gap between police and the public has only gotten wider. The conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd proved the value of video evidence shot by a bystander, Darnella Frazier. The public should not have to depend on a teenager with a smartphone to capture video evidence of police misconduct.

Body cameras protect both police and civilians from false accusations. They are a tool to build public confidence that officers who break the law will be held accountable. Up to now, accountability has been the exception, not the rule.

Floyds death and the protests that followed led to a broad police reform effort across New York state, including widespread adoption of body-worn cameras. They are standard equipment for most large police departments and many small ones. At least 10 of 15 agencies in Onondaga County, including the Syracuse police, have body cams.

The absence of body cams in the sheriffs department is glaring. Onondaga County is the only one among large Upstate counties without them, according to Syracuse.coms reporting.

Cameras would have been useful in unraveling the March 4 fatal police shooting of a Jamesville teen experiencing a mental health crisis and armed with an air gun. The sheriffs office was one of three police agencies whose officers fired on the teen. None of the four officers who fired their guns that day wore a camera.

Comments by County Executive Ryan McMahon and District Attorney William Fitzpatrick put more pressure on the sheriff to acquire body cameras. McMahon sent a letter to Conway on Feb. 25 requesting he come up with a body cam program to be funded in the 2022 budget. McMahon said he got no response.

Conway insists he has no objection to body cameras. But he hasnt lifted a finger to obtain them since his pilot program was rebuffed in 2017. He cited money as the main stumbling block, complaining the sheriffs department has pressing needs for more deputies, new vehicles and more protective equipment.

We respectfully submit there is never enough money to do everything. We elect leaders to set priorities and make hard decisions. The sheriff could have rearranged his budget priorities, tapped seized drug money or applied for grants to defray the cost. But he did not. Sheriffs in Erie, Monroe and Albany counties all found the money for body cameras. It can be done.

The simple fact is that Conway had no plans to acquire body cameras until he was cornered into doing so by a curious newspaper and a savvy county executive who sees an opening to do the right thing. Now that McMahon has come through with the money, Conway has no more excuses.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-09 01:52:58|Editor: huaxia

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A woman receives the COVID-19 vaccine in Rabat, Morocco, on April 8, 2021. A total of 635 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Morocco on Thursday, taking the national tally of infections to 500,323, the Moroccan Ministry of Health said. (Photo by Chadi/Xinhua)

RABAT, April 8 (Xinhua) -- A total of 635 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Morocco on Thursday, taking the national tally of infections to 500,323, the Moroccan Ministry of Health said.

Six more people died from the disease, taking the death toll in the North African country to 8,873, while 434 people were in intensive care units, the ministry said.

The total number of recoveries from the COVID-19 in Morocco increased to 486,913 after 564 more were added.

Meanwhile, 4,433,939 people have received so far the first vaccine shot against COVID-19 in the country, and 4,075,290 people have received the second dose.

The country launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on Jan. 28 after the arrival of the first shipment of China's Sinopharm vaccines. Enditem
A voice for saving tradition By Anoushka Jayasuriya Traditional craft is a part of our culture and lifestyle and that should not be forgotten, says Veteran Designer and Lecturer at the University of Moratuwa, Ninel Fernando View(s): View(s):

Traditional crafts dont just make great souvenirsthey are mini periscopes into a regions culture and geography. Veteran Designer and Lecturer at the University of Moratuwa, Ninel Fernando has dedicated her life to studying the history of these crafts. Decades of knowledge and practice is the foundation on which she has built her company, Ninela where her designs often take inspiration from the experts whove come before her.

Growing up in the bustling city of Kandy, home to traditions and sights steeped in rich history and culture, Ninel eagerly observed the spectacles on display and couldnt help but feel a special connection to them. Intricate crafts were all around her and she has memories of visiting the local shops with her mother and admiring the glittering handmade gold jewellery, grand designs which were once only reserved for aristocracy and royalty during the feudal era.

She went on to apply for a design course in India where she spent the next four years before returning to work in Sri Lanka in 1974, gaining experience by working in the Department of Small Industries as a designer for over 70 handloom centres before moving on to the National Design Centre where she was responsible for training local artisans in their home villages. Since then she has been providing them with design inputs to help increase their income and to cater to modern market needs.

Having travelled extensively and visited museums which house the earliest historical crafts of the island, Ninel would study and photograph these forgotten pieces and share them with the rural artisans to reintroduce lost motifs and designs to broaden their collections. Symbols of wealth, prosperity, grandeur, strength, virtue and more, these original creations with roots in the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim communities have given way for fresh crafts such as necklaces inspired by traditional beads worn by Kandyan brides and jewellery inspired by the embellished waist chains worn by women of the Tamil community.

The skills and knowledge required to make Sri Lankas traditional crafts vary widely. The vibrant rural textiles are expertly woven by artisans whove mastered centuries old techniques to bring spectacular designs to life. Careful and precise hands are responsible for creating shimmering jewellery fitted with precious stones. And it takes unrelenting dedication to grow, harvest, process and meticulously weave the plethora of sustainable rush and reed products made for an equal number of uses.

Working with several crafting families around Kandy, Ninel explained that the techniques and practices were passed down from father to son and from mother to daughter ensuring each generation dipped their toes into the creative waters of crafting.

In recent years, she explains that traditional craft making has been diminishing due to falling demand and fewer crafts people who possess these specialized skills, however, the pandemic has undoubtedly been the biggest cause for this new unsettling landscape for endangered crafts. It is important to preserve them because it is tradition not for the sake of tradition, but it is what we are used to; its part of our culture and lifestyle and that should not be forgotten, she says.

Shes worked closely with generations of families from areas such as Ududumbara, Matale, Gampola, Peradeniya and more. As the finished products are polished and pristine, anyone admiring them would expect them to have been assembled in a factory environment however, artisans skilfully transform raw materials in contrastingly simple conditions and only with the use of traditional tools to make their creations. Art and daily life mesh easily as they work from home to the sound of verses or kavi which they often recite harmoniously as part of tradition. Despite having the option to make use of modern technology and tools, they choose not to deviate from the practices theyve known all their lives and continue to make and deliver the high quality products with the tools they are accustomed to.

In recent days, their livelihoods have suffered the blow of the pandemic with the price of essential materials like gold and silver rising sharply and orders dwindling.

The timing could not have been worse for this struggling area of expertise. Reduced spending, the pandemic and subsequent lockdown have had a devastating impact on craft makers. At this rate, Ninel shares that no one can be certain for how long this profession can be sustained. Efforts to support them are needed to ensure they remain once the storm passes.
Engineering students could soon be learning about how Sir Isaac Newton 'benefited from colonialism', according to leaked plans on overhauling the curriculum at Sheffield University.

The father of gravity, who also discovered the three laws of motion, is among a group of pioneering scientists cited in a draft copy of the 'inclusive curriculum development' plan at the Russell Group institution, the Sunday Telegraph reports.

Newton's name appears alongside fellow notables Paul Dirac, Pierre-Simon Laplace and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in the document, which aims to tackle 'Eurocentric' and 'white saviour' approaches to science.

Students at Sheffield University could soon learn about how Sir Isaac Newton 'benefited from colonialism' according to a draft plan on making the curriculum more inclusive

Sheffield University is considering plans to tackle 'white saviour' approaches to science

The eminent 17th Century physicist, mathematician and astronomer, who is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of all time, held shares in the South Sea Company, which traded in slaves.

Sir Isaac Newton's possible links to colonialism Physicist Sir Isaac Newton, born in 1643 in Woolsthorpe, England, started developing various theories during a break from Cambridge University. He is claimed to have benefitted from slavery when developing his theory of gravity. While studying the ocean tides, he required tidal readings from around the world. According to ScienceMag, some of the most important readings he acquired came from French slave ports in the Caribbean island of Martinique. James Delbourgo, a historian at Rutgers University, New Jersey, said: 'Newton himself, who's really the paradigm figure of an isolated, non-traveling, sitting-at-his-desk genius, had access to numbers he wouldn't have had access to without the Atlantic slave trade.'. The eminent 17th Century physicist also held shares in the South Sea Company, which traded in slaves. He invested in the company and lose some 20,000 (around 4.4 million in modern day) when the organisation collapsed in 1720. Advertisement

Writer and Newton biographer James Gleick, said: 'Whether Newton's foolish investment in South Sea shares in 1720 means that he participated in the slave trade is arguable. I would say that all England benefited from colonialism.'

The draft plans at Sheffield University are the latest in a drive by high profile organisations and educational institutions to 're-evaluate' their links to slavery and racism, following a wave of Black Lives Matter protests over the last year.

The protests were sparked by the murder of unarmed black man George Floyd in Minneapolis last year, before spreading to Britain and becoming more focused on the country's links to slavery and historical racism.

It led to demands for the removal of statues of Cecil Rhodes and Winston Churchill and for organisations to admit if they had benefited from slavery.

In September, The National Trust was accused of 'wokeism' after it published a report into 93 historic houses' links to slavery.

Earlier this month, a museum devoted to Jane Austen sparked fury by announcing plans to subject the author to a 'historical interrogation' over alleged links to the slave trade.

Austen does have links to the slave trade through her father George Austen, the rector for a Hampshire parish who was at one point a trustee for an Antigua sugar plantation.

The museum however want to look for potential connections to slavery through her use of sugar in her tea and her wearing of cotton clothing, which experts say are all 'products of empire' brought back to Britain from colonies in Africa.

But Michelle Donelan, the universities minister, has backed educational institutions looking to re-examine the past, warning that to not do so risks a 'whitewash' on history.

A Sheffield spokesman said: 'Decolonising the curriculum is an ongoing process which prompts us to incorporate historically marginalised or suppressed knowledge into all disciplines  so all our students have the opportunity to see themselves reflected in what they are being taught.'
Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH  A Frackville woman charged with writing bad checks at a Shenandoah business between Oct. 8 and 26 had charges against her held for court during a preliminary hearing Thursday.

Theresa R. Verderosa, 46, of 429 W. Pine St., was arrested by Shenandoah police Patrolman Leo Luciani Jr. and charged with two misdemeanor counts each of theft by deception, forgery and bad checks.

Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker determined the commonwealth presented enough evidence to substantiate the charges and ordered all six offenses held for Schuylkill County Court, where Verderosa can plead guilty or enter a not guilty plea and request a trial.

Luciani charged Verderosa with passing several counterfeit checks and received payment at the One Stop store, 33 N. Main St. The checks passed by the woman totaled $1,175, Luciani said.

Other court cases included:

Korey A. Travis, 27, of 103 Valley Blcd., Apt. C, Wheeling, West Virginia; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance and driving at an unsafe speed.

William J. Mooney, 50, of 334 W. Centre St., Mahanoy City; waived for court: criminal trespass.

Joaquin Pito Gonzalez Jr., 44, of 147 Pioneer Road, Shenandoah; withdrawn: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance. Waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana, false identification to law enforcement, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Richard Willie, 30, of 232 W. Penn St., Shenandoah; withdrawn: aggravated assault. Waived for court: simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest and harassment.

Danyel Miller, 20, of 32 N. White St., Box 34, Shenandoah; withdrawn: theft, receiving stolen property, theft from a motor vehicle, possession of marjuana, corruption of minors, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Guilty plea entered: disorderly conduct.

Jorge S. Aguilar, 47, of 403 S. Main St., Shenandoah; withdrawn: criminal trespass, simple assault and harassment.

Fabian Flores, 21, of 615 W. Coal St., Shenandoah; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.

John C. Petrousky, 34, of 205 Ohio Ave., Shenandoah; held for court: DUI-controlled substance and driving a vehicle without a valid inspection.

(Staff writer Frank Andruscavage compiled this report)
In his Saturday article titled, The Endless Martyrdom of Youth, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka said Nigeria is at war but her leaders are pretending.

Indeed, that is the perfect description of the current situation of Africas most populous nation where kidnappings and killings have become the order of the day.

In the past week, at least 239 people were killed and 44 others kidnapped in separate violent incidents across the country, mostly by armed non-state actors.

The violence is not limited to any state, ethnic group or religion. It is a general problem that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is finding difficult to curb.

For several years, citizens agitated for the removal of security chiefs as their tenures had lapsed and the security situation was getting worse. Even though Mr Buhari did not agree with the views of Nigerians and indeed lawmakers, he reluctantly listened to the public outcry this year. He changed the nations security heads but killings and kidnappings have not reduced.

Weeks after a new police chief was appointed, suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked his hometown, Geidam, in Yobe State.

Different state governors  Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Babagana Zulum of Borno, and Hope Uzodinma of Imo, among others  have been victims of the violence; as they or their properties were attacked.

On Tuesday, the United States government issued a travel advisory, warning its citizens against travelling to Nigeria over the worsening security situation in the country.

The advisory also identified some high-risk zones in the country, where kidnapping for ransom, terrorism and other security threats are common.

This security situation, arguably, worsened last week with at least 239 people killed and 44 others kidnapped in violent attacks.

These figures were compiled using a review of newspaper reports, interviews with victims families and in some cases, confirmation by public and security officials.

Sunday

PREMIUM TIMES reported that no fewer than 20 persons were killed in reprisal attacks between vigilante groups and bandits in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Residents accused security agents of failing to act to prevent the attack in spite of a report to them days before. The attackers operated for about three hours looting and attacking people unchallenged.

On the same day, troops of the Nigerian Armed forces foiled attempts by Boko Haram to take over Dikwa, headquarters of Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Also on that day, Nigerias defence minister, Bashir Magashi, told journalists that President Buhari is happy with troops performance against Boko Haram.

In a separate incident, three people sustained gunshot wounds in a failed kidnapping attempt at Koka Village in Ibokun Local Government Area of Osun State.

Monday

Two police officers were killed in Anambra State, in a deadly attack by gunmen on a police facility in the state.

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PREMIUM TIMES reported that some vehicles parked at the stations premises were razed during the attack at the Zone 13 police headquarters at Ukpo, near Awka.

The killed officers were Ishaku Aura, an inspector, and Uzoma Uwaebuka, a police constable.

Also, the police confirmed an attack on a divisional station in Abia, saying the attackers used dynamite and rocket launchers to burn down the building.

The police in Katsina State said they killed three suspected bandits and recovered 330 stolen animals on Monday.

Tuesday

Many students and staff of Greenfield University in Kaduna State, were kidnapped, at about 8:35p.m on Tuesday.

The Kaduna Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige, who confirmed the incident, however, said that the number of students kidnapped had not been ascertained.

But two university staff told AFP news agency that 20 students and three non-academic staff were kidnapped. A staff member was also reportedly killed. The gunmen demanded a collective ransom of N800 million and threatened to kill the students if the ransom is not paid. Three of the kidnapped students were later found dead.

In a separate incident, three construction workers rehabilitating the lkaramu/Akunnu Akoko highway in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State were abducted on Tuesday.

The abduction was confirmed by Tee-Leo lkoro, the state police spokesperson, who said operatives have been deployed to the community to rescue the victims unhurt.

In a separate incident, armed men ambushed and killed Suleiman Quadir, an operative of Amotekun Corps, around Fiditi area of Oyo State.

A 25-year-old female student of the Osun College of Health Technology, Ilesa, was also abducted on Tuesday. The victim, Rukayat Bayonle, was rescued three hours after.

Wednesday

Attacks by suspected bandits across villages in Zamfara State left at least 83 persons dead and hundreds of others, including women and children, injured.

PREMIUM TIMES findings revealed that most of the attacks, which appeared coordinated, happened on Wednesday in Gusau, Maradun and Bakura local government areas of the troubled North-west state.

The police also confirmed that two of their officers were shot dead by unknown gunmen during an attack on a police station on Wednesday in Enugu State.

Some gunmen also killed a businessman, Alaga Olayemi, on Wednesday evening while returning home from his maize farm.

Thursday

Gunmen reportedly abducted 18 passengers from a commercial bus in the Ibarapa axis of Oyo State.

The passengers were said to be coming from Ogun State into the state. The incident occurred on Thursday morning along Eruwa-Igboora way.

President Buhari on the same day met with the Northern Governors Forum at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He pledged his commitment to end all forms of insecurity in the country.

On the same day, gunmen abducted an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ekiti State, Ebenezer Busuyi.

Mr Busuyi, who is Supervisor for Agriculture in Ekiti West local government area, was kidnapped on Thursday evening along the Ilawe-Erinjiyan Ekiti road.

Also, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Edo State, on Thursday, announced that one of its personnel was killed during an exchange of gunfire with suspected kidnappers in Benin City.

Security agents also foiled an attempted jailbreak by inmates of Kurmawa prison located within the Emirs Palace in Kano.

Friday

Residents of Magami told PREMIUM TIMES that they buried over 60 corpses on Friday morning, after earlier reporting the recovery of 53 bodies. They said many residents were still missing and feared being killed. The Chief Imam of the town, Sanusi Naibi, presided over the funeral prayer. Most of the corpses were brought in from surrounding villages but some residents in remote areas that could not move their corpses to the town held separate funeral prayers and burials.

Also, three of the students kidnapped on Tuesday night at Greenfield University in Kaduna State were found dead on Friday. The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, made the disclosure in a statement.

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Geidam, the headquarters of Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State and hometown of the acting Inspector-General of the Police, Baba Alkali.

The military also said at least 21 Boko Haram terrorists were killed on Friday after the insurgents attacked Geidam.

Also, 20 women were reportedly abducted by armed bandits on Friday during a naming ceremony in a remote village in Katsina State.

The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. at Gidan Bido village in Dandume Local Government Area (LGA) of the state

The police denied this saying it is a fairy tale but a resident quoted by Daily Trust confirmed knowing some of the victims.

Saturday

The Imo State government confirmed the attack on Governor Hope Uzodimmas house in Omuma Oru East Local Government Area on Saturday by unknown gunmen.

While they failed to give the number of casualties recorded in the attack, PREMIUM TIMES confirmed that two security guards died.

A security team made up of officials of the Nigerian Army, the police and the State Security Service (SSS) later raided the headquarters of the Eastern security Network (ESN), the militant arm of the outlawed pro-Biafra group, IPOB.

At least 11 people were killed in the ensuing battle including four security operatives and a man described as the second in command of the ESN.

Also, 17 persons were reportedly killed in fresh attacks by suspected herdsmen in Benue state. A former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly told journalists that many people were injured and receiving treatment in various hospitals in the state.

The report also said 11 persons were killed by herdsmen in the early hours of Saturday in Nasarawa.

The suspected herdsmen launched an attack on Ajimaka community, a Tiv settlement in the Doma Local Government Area of the state.
PARIS  Jamel Gorchene, the Tunisian man who killed a police officer Friday in a terrorist attack that has stirred a political storm in France, had watched videos glorifying martyrs and jihad immediately before he acted, the top French antiterrorism prosecutor said Sunday.

Speaking at a news conference, the prosecutor, Jean-Francois Ricard, portrayed Mr. Gorchene as an immigrant with a troubled personality whose radicalization went unnoticed by the French intelligence services before he stabbed the police officer in the neck and abdomen at her station.

According to two witnesses, the aggressor went back and forth in front of the building before he struck, Mr. Ricard said. And he cried Allahu akbar  God is great, in Arabic  as he stabbed the victim. Officials identified the dead 49-year-old police officer by her first name, Stephanie.

The killing took place in the affluent town of Rambouillet, southwest of Paris, far from the troubled projects circling big French cities where many Muslim immigrants, mainly from North Africa, live. The misery in these areas and the failure of integration they represent have been viewed as one source of the Islamist terrorism that has been a recurrent scourge in France, leaving more than 200 people dead in 2015 and 2016 alone.
Employers may be reimbursed for leave taken by employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine, thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Employers may also be reimbursed for leave needed by employees to recover from the vaccination.

The ARP also allows those employers to be reimbursed for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave for employees for illness related to COVID-19.

Tax Credits for Giving Employees Paid Time Off for COVID Vaccines

The reimbursements are in the form of refundable tax credits.

Here are the basics:

You must be a small or midsize employer with fewer than 500 employees. Certain government employers may also qualify, other than the federal government. Self-employed individuals are also eligible for similar tax credits. Tax-exempt organizations with fewer than 500 employees may be eligible. The ARP tax credits are available to eligible employers that pay sick and family leave from April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021.

Paid Sick and Family Leave Eligible for Tax Credits

Eligible employers are entitled to tax credits for wages paid for leave taken by employees who are not able to work or telework due to reasons related to COVID-19. That includes leave taken to receive COVID19 vaccinations or to recover from any injury, disability, illness or condition related to the vaccinations. These tax credits are available for wages paid for leave from April 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021.

Retail grocery ALDI U.S. was among the first to respond, as CEO Jason Hart said in a company press release.

Since the onset of the pandemic, our entire ALDI team has worked to keep stores safe and stocked, and serve communities without interruption, Hart said. Providing accommodations so employees can receive this critical vaccine is one more way we can support them and eliminate the need to choose between earning their wages and protecting their well-being.

How Amount of Tax Credit is Calculated

The paid leave credits under the ARP are tax credits against the employers share of the Medicare tax. The tax credits are refundable, which means that the employer is entitled to payment of the full amount of the credits if it exceeds the employers share of the Medicare tax.

The tax credit for paid sick leave wages is equal to the sick leave wages paid for COVID-19 related reasons for up to two weeks (80 hours). It is limited to $511 per day and $5,110 in the aggregate, at 100 percent of the employees regular rate of pay.

The tax credit for paid family leave wages is equal to the family leave wages paid for up to twelve weeks, limited to $200 per day and $12,000 in the aggregate, at 2/3rds of the employees regular rate of pay.

The amount of these tax credits is increased by allocable health plan expenses and contributions for certain collectively bargained benefits, as well as the employers share of social security and Medicare taxes paid on the wages (up to the respective daily and total caps).

How to Claim the Credit

Eligible employers report their total paid sick and family leave wages for each quarter on the federal employment tax return (usually Form 941). The employers also report the eligible health plan expenses and collectively bargained contributions and the eligible employers share of social security and Medicare taxes on the paid leave wages for each quarter.

See Also: Small Business Owners and Buyers Ready for Trump Tax Reforms

Form 941 is used by most employers to report income tax and social security and Medicare taxes withheld from employee wages. Form 941 is also used to report the employers own share of social security and Medicare taxes.

In anticipation of claiming the credits on the Form 941 PDF, eligible employers can keep the federal employment taxes that they otherwise would have deposited. That includes:

Federal income tax withheld from employees The employees share of social security and Medicare taxes The eligible employers share of social security and Medicare taxes.

That is calculated with respect to all employees up to the amount of credit for which they are eligible. The Form 941 instructions PDF, available on the IRS website, explains how to reflect the reduced liabilities for the quarter related to the deposit schedule.

What if the Numbers Dont Work?

What if an eligible employer does not have enough federal employment taxes set aside for deposit to cover amounts provided as paid sick and family leave wages (plus the eligible health plan expenses and collectively bargained contributions and the eligible employers share of social security and Medicare taxes on the paid leave wages)?

If thats the case, the eligible employer may request an advance of the credits by filing Form 7200, Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19. The eligible employer will account for the amounts received as an advance when it files its Form 941, Employers Quarterly Federal Tax Return, for the relevant quarter.
3-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Shot at Miami Birthday Party

A 3-year-old boy died after being shot at a Miami birthday party, officials in Miami-Dade said over the weekend.

Officials said they discovered the child suffering from an apparent gunshot injury when responding to a ShotSpotter alert, according to a release posted on the Miami-Dade government website on Saturday.

Miami-Dade Police identified the boy as Elijah LaFrance.

The officers swiftly placed the 3-year-old in a police vehicle and transported him to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, said the websites news release. As other officers arrived, they discovered a second victim that had also been shot.

Miami-Dade emergency personnel responded and took the other victim, identified as an adult female, to Aventura Hospital in stable condition, officials said.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were attending a childs birthday party at the residence, which is a short-term rental. The subject fled in an unknown direction and remains at large, according to the release.

According to a report from local media, police said that the property where the toddler was shot was an AirBnb rental in the Golden Glades neighborhood.

Marc Anderson, a neighbor, told Local10 that between 30 and 50 shots were fired.

People were running, so we ducked behind his truck and some people ran and hid behind these two trucks, Anderson said, adding that he was working on a truck when the shots rang out.

An investigation into the matter is ongoing. Police said theyre offering a reward of up to $5,000 for tips to help their investigation and that leads to an arrest. Those with information can contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.
KYOTO, Japan, April 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nidec Corporation (TSE: 6594; OTC US: NJDCY) (the Company or Nidec) today announced that it has decided to open new factories in the city of Novi Sad in the Republic of Serbia (Serbia), and that it has held an event to announce the launch of business in the country.



1. The event to announce the launch of business in Serbia

At todays event, held at the office of president, Serbia, and attended by President Aleksandar Vucic, Mayor Milos Vucevic of Novi Sad, and Japanese Ambassador to Serbia Takahiko Katsumata, among others, the Company announced its plan to launch business in Serbia.

Yesterday, on April 8, the Company held a ceremony to open a new business office in Novi Sad to start preparations to start up the factories in full scale. On the same day, the Company completed the execution of a strategic alliance agreement with the University of Novi Sad, to actively engage in, among other activities, technological exchanges via industry-academia partnerships.

2. Events leading up to the concept of launching new business bases

In Europe, where environmental regulations and major countries automobile CO 2 emission regulations are becoming increasingly stricter, demand is expanding for automotive motors and related products, and for high-efficiency brushless DC motors for home appliance businesses.

Under the circumstances, to build an efficient system to supply the aforementioned and other products in Europe, the Company plans to open new factories in Serbia (i) to consolidate the Nidec Groups production activities in East European region, and (ii) for Nidecs Automotive Motor & Electronic Control Business Unit and group companies to launch multiple businesses in the future.

While the Companys multiple businesses will be operated at the same sites to seek synergies by sharing the same production infrastructure and back-office, the new business bases will engage in, among others, supplying products to the European market, while looking to design and develop products locally in Serbia, a country abundant in people in the fields of science and engineering who are fluent in English.

This latest launch of business in Serbia matches the Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative that the Japanese government is currently promoting in Serbia and other countries, and receives tremendous support from the governments of Japan and Serbia.

In the past, the Company established an economic development zone in the city of Pinghu, China, for multiple businesses, and the site is now home to 12 such companies that develop, produce, and sell their products, enhancing the Companys presence in the Chinese market. Now, in Europe, as part of its growth strategy based on synergies within the Nidec Group, the Company is poised to utilize its new business bases in Serbia as the core hub of Nidecs European business.

3-1. Outline of the Companys new company and factory in Serbia

(1) Company name: Nidec Electric Motor Serbia LLC

(2) Principal business: Manufacturing and sales of automotive motors and related products

(3) Construction site: The city of Novi Sad (approximately 90km northwest of capital Belgrade)

(4) Workforce: 1,000 people

(5) Total site area: 59,760m2

(6) Foundation: January 22, 2021

(7) Start of construction: September 2021 (plan)

(8) Completion: Mid-2022 (plan)

3-2. Outline of Nidec Elesyss new company and factory in Serbia

(1) Company name: Nidec Elesys Europe LLC

(2) Principal business: Manufacturing and sales of automotive inverters and ECUs

(3) Construction site: The city of Novi Sad (approximately 90km northwest of capital Belgrade)

(4) Workforce: 200 people

(5) Total site area: 36,000m2

(6) Foundation: January 28, 2021

(7) Start of construction: September 2021 (plan)

(8) Completion: Mid-2022 (plan)

(9) For inquiries, please contact: Yasunari Shirakawa, General Manager, General Affairs Department, Utsunomiya Office, Nidec Elesys Corporation

Tel.: +81-28-662-5941

Contact:

Masahiro Nagayasu

General Manager

Investor Relations

+81-75-935-6140

ir@nidec.com
Greece will lift quarantine restrictions on coronavirus-free visitors from more countries including Australia and Russia from Monday as it extends exemptions ahead of formally opening up to tourists on May 15, the transport ministry said on Sunday.

The change, which came as Greece crossed the threshold of 10,000 deaths from COVID-19, follows a move this month to lift restrictions on visitors from EU countries, the United States and Britain, among other countries.

Visitors from these countries are allowed into Greece without spending a week in quarantine as long as they are vaccinated or test negative for the coronavirus.

As well as Australia and Russia, Greece will lift restrictions on visitors from New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Rwanda and Singapore, the ministry said in a statement. Visitors from Serbia, Israel and the United Arab Emirates will also be exempt from the quarantine requirement from Monday.


Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania





Paul Krzywicki of Mountain Top was named as the nonprofit organizations grant writer and community outreach specialist.

Krzywicki is a public relations, media and marketing and communications professional with management experience in fundraising, crisis communications, media literacy, social media content and editorial content development. His work has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists and the College & University Public Relations and Association Professionals.

He will be responsible for researching, writing and applying for grants to fund designated health and human services programs and initiatives.

Golden Technologies Inc.

The company announced that Alyssa Golden has been named content coordinator in the marketing department. Alyssa previously served as marketing assistant on the team since last fall. She will continue to support all divisions in her activities. She is the first third-generation Golden to work at the family-owned business.

In her new role, Alyssa is responsible for leading the ongoing strategy to develop written and video content for use on social media and other digital marketing platforms.

Alyssa formerly served as a marketing intern at Universal Music Group in Philadelphia.

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute

The institutes board of directors elected new officers. Attorney William Conaboy was elected as chair of the board of directors, Susan Shoemaker, secretary, and Holly Roever Carron, treasurer. In addition to the new officers, the board of directors appointed Michael L. Brown, Dale Johns, Cynthia Mailloux, Ph.D., RN, CNE and John A. Ruddy, M.B.A., D.P.S. to the board.

Brown is a member of the Commonwealth Health leadership team where he serves as CEO for Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital. Prior to joining CHS, he served with Amita Health, the largest hospital system in Illinois, where he held hospital executive positions including COO, CNO, CEO and president since 2005. Most recently, he served as regional president and CEO of the Amita Health Fox River Valley Region, overseeing two hospitals, two joint venture cancer centers and an ambulatory surgery center.

Johns is the chief executive officer of Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Johns is an experienced health care leader with a focus on exceptional patient care, quality and operational objectives. He joined Wilkes-Barre General Hospital in September of 2020 from Salt Lake Regional Medical Center, part of Steward Health Care, where he held the CEO position since 2013. During his tenure in Wilkes-Barre, the hospital has been recognized for safety and quality with a 3 Star CMS Quality Rating and a Health System of Pennsylvania Patient Safety Excellence Award.

Mailloux is professor and chair of the Department of Nursing at Kings College. She was the chair of the Department of Nursing at Misericordia University for 12 years prior to going to Kings College. Mailloux earned her doctorate in nursing with a concentration in education from Penn State University, her masters degree in nursing from Misericordia University and her bachelors degree in nursing from Wilkes University. She is a member of the Pennsylvania State Nurse Association, American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National League for Nursing.

Ruddy is an assistant professor of finance in the Economics and Finance Department of the Arthur J. Kania School of Management, University of Scranton. He teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in accounting and finance. He has a master of business administration in finance and investments from the George Washington University, Washington, D.C., and a doctorate in professional studies, with a focus in Finance from Pace University, New York City.

Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center

Marla Hager has been promoted to the position of senior business adviser. Hager joined the organization in December 2016 and, since that time, has introduced small- and mid-sized manufacturers throughout Luzerne and Columbia counties to consultative services, training programs and other resources that allowed them to create and retain 2,200 full-time manufacturing jobs while strategically investing more than $29.7 million in regional expansion and modernization.

In her elevated role, Hager will remain responsible for cultivating and maintaining positive relationships with new and existing clients across Luzerne and Columbia counties.

PPL Corp.

Gregory N. Dudkin, PPL Electric Utilities president since 2012, has been elected executive vice president and chief operating officer of the corporation. Stephanie R. Raymond, vice president of distribution operations, will succeed him as president of PPL Electric Utilities, the corporations Pennsylvania electric utility subsidiary. The changes went into effect April 12.

Under Dudkins leadership over the past decade, the subsidiary has developed one of the nations most advanced electricity networks, consistently delivered award-winning customer satisfaction, and firmly established itself among the industrys leaders in reliability. He brings four decades of experience in energy and telecommunications operations to his new role as COO.

Dudkin, who joined the subsidiary in 2009 as senior vice president of operations, was named president of the company in 2012.

Raymond, a key member of the subsidiarys leadership team, has also played a central role in spearheading the Pennsylvania electricity delivery companys operational excellence over the past decade. In her current role as vice president of distribution operations, she has overseen expansive smart grid improvements that have strengthened grid resilience and avoided more than 1 million customer power outages since 2015.

Raymond, who joined the subsidiary in 2011 as director of project and contract management, has served as vice president of distribution operations since 2018. Prior to that, she was vice president of transmission and substations for four years.

University of Scranton

A book written by English and theater professor Joe Kraus, Ph.D., was a finalist for the inaugural Union League Club of Chicagos Outstanding Book on the History of Chicago Award 2021, which was presented in a virtual format on April 7. His book, The Kosher Capones: A History of Chicagos Jewish Gangsters, was one of 10 finalists. The 2021 award was presented to Occupied Territory by Simon Balto.

In 2019, Krauss book, The Kosher Capones, won the 2019 bronze Indie Award in the category of history (adult non-fiction).

Kraus is chair of the Department of English and Theatre at Scranton. He joined the faculty at the university in 2004.

Weichert Realtors  Hibble & Associates

The real estate firm announced their 2020 Office Award winners. The following local agents were honored by the national franchise organization, Weichert Real Estate Affiliates Inc., based on achieving specified production requirements in gross commission income or units closed in 2020:

Debra Harris (Sales Associate Achievement Certificate) and Joe Hughes (Sales Associate Achievement Certificate).

The real estate firm is an independently owned and operated Weichert affiliated office.
Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that the state government has made arrangements to import oxygen from neighbouring Bhutan.

Speaking to reporters here, Sarma said there will be no shortage of Remdesivir as he requested drug manufacturer Sun Pharma to expedite the production at its Palasbari plant to 80,000 vials per week.

"Regarding oxygen, we have moved ahead. There is a new oxygen plant being set up in Bhutan. Today, we have made arrangements to procure oxygen from there," he said.

Sarma further said that the Assam government was not aware of an oxygen plant in Dimapur in Nagaland, and now it will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the neighbouring state for procurement.

"The oxygen level that we are able to manage, I think there will not be any problem until several thousand patients arrive at the hospitals," he added.

The health minister visited Sun Pharma's Palasbari plant near Guwahati during the day.

Read: Centre bars use of liquid oxygen for non-medical purposes, asks plants to maximise production

"We have good news. We were searching for Remdesivir across the world. I did not know that Remdesivir was being manufactured in Assam. When I visited the Sun Pharma plant at Palasbari this morning, I came to know that 80,000 Remdesivirs can be produced every week in Assam," he added.

He requested the company to scale up the production to ensure that there is no shortage in the state.

"ICU beds have also been ramped up. I believe we will be able to manage the Covid-19 crisis very fast like last year," Sarma said.

When asked about the possibility of lockdown in Assam, he said there is no necessity for any such drastic step at this moment.

"When do we announce a lockdown? It is done when there is no oxygen, injection, medicine, kit in hospitals, then we get temporary relief by implementing lockdown. There is a lockdown in Delhi because the Delhi CM himself said there is no oxygen.

"But, everything is there in Assam as of now. So, there is no need for thinking about a lockdown. The way we are managing the things, I think the chance of lockdown in Assam is extremely rare," the minister said.

The total closure of educational institutions in the state will be decided after May 2, he said.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Sunday announced his resignation while retaining interim duties, formalizing a parliamentary vote to be held on June 20 to defuse a political crisis sparked by last year's war with Azerbaijan.

Armed clashes between the two South Caucasus countries in Nagorno-Karabakh came to a halt on November 10, when Russia brokered a ceasefire with the deployment of its peacekeeping contingent to the conflict zone.

"I am resigning from my post as prime minister today" to hold the vote, Pashinyan said in an announcement broadcast on his Facebook page, adding that he would "continue to fulfill all the duties of the prime minister."

He earlier met with leaders of the parliamentary parties who agreed not to nominate a new prime minister after his resignation, compelling new elections under the Armenian law.

According to the Constitution of Armenia, snap parliamentary elections are possible only when the prime minister resigns and the parliament fails twice to choose a new one. After that the Parliament is considered dissolved by virtue of law, and snap parliamentary elections take place.

The election will be the third parliamentary vote held in Armenia in just four years.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in January that the trilateral agreement reached by Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in November is being consistently implemented, adding that it is essential to map out the next steps toward the settlement in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Over 48,000 displaced people have safely returned to Nagorno-Karabakh since November 14, 2020, and the two countries have also exchanged prisoners and bodies of the dead under Russian mediation, media reported citing Putin.

(CGTN)
First known as the Societa Anonima Moto Guzzi that was founded in 1921, this motorcycle brand is deeply rooted in Italian history. The first motorcycle produced and released by Motto Guzzi was the Normale, a model that actually stood out from what typical motorcycles looked like at the time.In 1928, Giuseppe, brother of the brands founder, Carlo Guzzi, took the Moto Guzzi GT 500 on an epic 3,730 miles (6,000 km) ride from Mandello, Italy, to northern Norway. This not only demonstrated the bikes performance, but was also the starting point of the Moto Guzzi Tours In 2021, Moto Guzzi is celebrating 100 years of performance and hard work, and what better way to do so than with a trip that is set to go down in history? The Tour begins in Sardinia, from 25 to 31 of May. This week brings a complete tour of the island, with spectacular rides along the coastline.It then continues with a 1,243 miles (2,000 km) ride through the Balkans, in the first week of July. The Balkans Tour includes exciting destinations such as the Dalmatian Coast and the Durmitor National Par.The month of July ends with a ride in the Dolomites, where some of the most beautiful natural areas in the world are located. The Nordkapp tour, from August 17 to September 12, takes the riders across the Norwegian coast, to Nordkapp, then moving on to the Baltic States.The final Italian destination is famous Tuscany, in October, and the final destination outside of Italy is a full tour of Tunisia at the end of October.The Centenary Journey trips are all-inclusive and the attendees will have access to all Moto Guzz i models, including special editions of the V7, V9, V85TT.Moto enthusiasts can begin to book their tickets now. Plus, those who will purchase a Moto Guzzi E5 after participating in a Motto Guzzi trip are eligible for a $725 (600) bonus.
People carry oxygen cylinders after refilling them in a factory, amidst the spread of the CCP virus disease (COVID-19) in Ahmedabad, India, on April 25, 2021. (Amit Dave/Reuters)

UK, EU Send Aid to India Following Request for Help to Fight CCP Virus Surge

The United Kingdom and the European Union are sending ventilators, other medical equipment, and medicines to India.

The announcements came after the Indian government requested aid to help it fight a massive surge in COVID-19 cases as hospitals across the country turn away patients after running out of medical oxygen and beds.

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock called the scenes in India heartbreaking and said that the UK is determined to support the people of India through this very difficult time.

The UK government said the first batch of its surplus ventilators and oxygen concentrator devices were due to leave the UK on Sunday and arrive in New Delhi early on Tuesday, with further shipments to follow within the week.

In total, nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators, and 20 manual ventilators, will be sent to the country this week, the government said in a statement.

The statement said the government is working closely with the Indian government to identify the assistance the UK can provide in the coming days.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to work with the Indian government and make sure that the UK does everything it can to support the international community.

The European Commission has also activated its EU Civil Protection Mechanism and is seeking to send oxygen and medicine to India.

Alarmed by the epidemiological situation in India. We are ready to support, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

The EU executive is already coordinating with EU countries that are ready to provide urgently needed oxygen & medicine rapidly, European Commission for humanitarian aid Janez Lenarcic wrote on Twitter.

The number of COVID-19 daily cases and deaths has grown exponentially in India since late March. On Saturday alone, 349,313 new cases and 2,761 new deaths were recorded.

A number of countries have banned travellers from India to prevent the spread of a variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus that was first identified in that country in October 2020.

Reuters contributed to this report.
A UK anti-corruption group, Corner House, has threatened legal action in response to a widely publicised complaint sent to Nigerias Inspector General of Police on behalf of former Nigerian Attorney General, Mohammed Adoke.

In the letter of complaint, Mr Adoke alleged various acts of forgery by the parties responsible for the petition, investigations and commencement of the criminal trial at the court of Milan against the individuals/entities connected with the OPL 245 settlement agreement.

The complaint specifically referenced an email that was accepted as evidence by the Milan Court in the recent trial of Shell, Eni and 11 other defendants.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the defendants were all acquitted in the long running OPL 245 case.

Corner House said the complaint did not mention names but stated that the accused parties can be discovered with a little diligence.

Interrogation

This newspaper reported last week that the police interrogated an anti-corruption activist, Olanrewaju Suraju, over the alleged forgery petition sent to the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Mr Suraju is chair of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), one of the anti-graft groups monitoring the Malabu case. He was released on bail after meeting bail conditions Thursday.

In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, he attributed the development to a case of corruption fighting back.

Mr Adoke had sent the petition to the IGP office demanding a probe of the email evidence presented against him by prosecutors in Malabu trial in Milan, Italy.

The former attorney-general also later complained to the police that some people, one of whom he suspected to be Mr Suraju, circulated a fake tape purporting it to be that of an interview he had with an Italian journalist admitting that the Malabu transaction was a scam.

He said he granted no such interview but that a tape was concocted and circulated purporting him to have done so.

Allegations Untrue

But Corner House said on Sunday that its role as one of the parties responsible for the petition that led to the investigations and prosecution in Milan is widely known to the public in Nigeria and internationally.

In a letter to Kanu G. Agabi & Associates, the law firm that submitted the complaint on behalf of Mr Adoke, Corner House categorically denied forging the email.

The statements made in the Complaint about us are entirely untrue and highly defamatory,the group said.

Corner House has been accused by your client of criminal acts, namely forgery and falsification of evidence  accusations that are highly damaging to the reputation of Corner House as an internationally respected anti-corruption group.

In the UK, Corner House said it has been honoured for its work by Liberty, Justice and The Law Society, which awarded the group their highly coveted Human Rights Award.

The groups legal action against the UK government in 2008 for halting an investigation into alleged bribery by BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia is widely credited with having forced the UK to introduce stronger anti-bribery legislation, it said.

Commenting further, the organisation said the facts do not support Mr Adokes allegation that it forged the controversial email.

The statement said: The existence of the email came to light after it was disclosed by JP Morgan Chase to the Federal Republic of Nigeria [FRN] as a result of proceedings in the High Court in London where the FRN is currently suing the bank for damages relating to its handling of funds arising from Shell and Enis acquisition in 2011 of the OPL 245 oil field in Nigeria (case number: CL-2017-000730). Adoke was the Attorney General at the time of the deal and a key negotiator.

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In its claim, the FRN stated that an email had been sent by Adoke on 21 June 2011 to Bayo Osolake, employee at JP Morgan Chase, from the email address agroupproperties@yahoo.com. Copies of the Resolution Agreements for the OPL 245 deal were attached to the email.

The FRN further stated in court documents that the email address was associated with the A Group of Nigerian companies controlled by Mr Abubakar Aliyu. A Group Construction, which is part of the group, subsequently received some of the OPL 245 funds which were transferred by JP Morgan to a company named Malabu Oil & Gas.

Corner House said that having become aware of the email, which it believed to be relevant to the prosecution in Milan of Royal Dutch Shell, Eni Spa and others, it informed the Milan Prosecutor of the FRNs statements to the High Court in London.

The Milan Prosecutor issued a European Investigation Order (Ref:54772/13) to the UK, seeking the email from JP Morgan, the group explained further.

The UK authorities complied with the request and obtained the email, which was subsequently accepted as evidence by the Milan Tribunal.

Corner House said that it expects Mr Adoke to issue a full retraction of the defamatory statements made against Corner House at the earliest possible date.

If no retraction is made within 10 days, the group said that it will initiate legal action against Mr Adoke and his agents.

We reserve our right to bring proceedings in the UK or any other jurisdiction where damage has been caused, it said.

We are currently assessing the extent of the damage to our reputation caused by internet publication of the Complaint in the UK. Given the wide UK readership of the Nigerian newspapers which reported the Complaint online, we believe that many readers in the UK will have read the defamations.
Withdraw Port City Bill, and issue White Paper for further discussion View(s):

Submissions with regard to the Constitutionality of the Port City Bill have been made to a five-member Panel of the Supreme Court by several petitioners. The Court has informed the Petitioners that its determination will be communicated to Parliament by the end of the Month.

The two questions, in respect of which the Supreme Court will give its opinion to Parliament, will be whether the Bill requires to be passed by a two-third majority, or whether in addition to a two-third majority a referendum too is required. If the answers to both questions are in the negative, then the Bill may be passed by a simple majority.

The Court will not pronounce on the merits, or otherwise, of the provisions of the Bill, but will only indicate the process (whether by two-third majority or in addition a referendum ) by which the Port City Bill can become law. Whether the framework within which the Port City will function as set out in the Bill is beneficial to the country has to be decided by the Legislature and the public.

Unfortunately, such a decision is likely to be taken without the benefit of a national conversation with regard to the contents of the Bill. The fact that the Bill was suddenly thrust on the people during the New Year Holidays leaving only a couple of days for would be petitioners to challenge the Bill is an indication that it was meant to be done without the benefit of a proper discussion among the people. This is further confirmed by reports that the Government Publications Bureau had only 30 copies of the Bill (10 each in Sinhala, Tamil and English) available for members of the public who wished to obtain copies of the Bill.

The absence of a vigorous public discussion in respect of the Bill will, in the long run, only work against the countrys interests and may even prevent the achievement of the professed objectives for which the Port City is being set up. As veteran Communist Party Leader D E W Goonesekera has urged, it is better that a White Paper is published on the subject enabling the Government to obtain the views of all stakeholders and concerned citizens before embarking on a course of action that will have far-reaching consequences for the country.

It is not only the Governance structure of the Port City that has to be examined, but also the geopolitical implications of having such an enclave close to the southern tip of India which has a strained relationship with China. It must be realised that the context in which Sri Lanka and China signed a Rubber Rice Pact in 1953 is no longer prevalent and much has changed since then. At that time it was the friendship between the two countries that was the dominant factor, while today it is obvious that Chinas intentions are not entirely altruistic.

Chinas attempt to spread its influence globally is evidenced by its Belt and Road Initiative and dealings with different countries. In Sri Lanka its strategy of showering assistance to an ailing economy is not entirely for laudable reasons. The recent statement by senior Government Parliamentarian S B Dissanayake to a senior monk in Kandy is reflective of this. Dissanayake told the monk that China has told us to take whatever money we need and give it back whenever we can. The Government has been given a clear message from China that they can give us any amount of money we need, returnable when the country can do so.

In fact, the Chinese footprint in the country is already very apparent with many Chinese companies being very active here, and even a number of shops with name boards containing Chinese lettering scattered all over the city. Fears that the Port City may end up being a Chinese colony only add to Sri Lankas concerns.

While Sri Lanka as a sovereign State is entitled to chart its own economic course, it is prudent to be sensitive to the concerns of our neighbours, particularly India. It does not make sense to have an uneasy India constantly peering over its shoulders to keep track of what is in its backwaters.

One may recall that when the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement was signed in 1987, one of the clauses in the Agreement related to the Voice of America broadcasting stations in Iranawila which India was apprehensive about. At that time Indias ties with the Soviet Union were very strong and the United States was viewed with suspicion. All these competing concerns of Sri Lankas international friends need to be looked at closely and balanced while still pursuing our own National Interests.

Hasty and ill-considered action can hardly take into account all these factors. The fact that all the implications of the Bill have not been fully thought out is apparent from the fact that even while the Supreme Court was hearing submissions on the Constitutionality of the Bill, the Government was proposing amendments to its own Bill.

The Advocata Institute has, in an article published in the Financial Times of April 23, 2021 pointed out that Port Citys success, and indeed its importance to the country, will only depend on its ability to provide a superior governance system. To be a success, Port City will need to guarantee greater economic freedoms to its investors, have an efficient legal system with clear and predictable laws, and decisions based on precedent. It needs to minimise discretion of the commissioners and have a fair and transparent regulatory structure.

As pointed out by several commentators, these features are absent in the current Bill. The Advocata Institute goes on to make some further salutary observations:

Only good rules, predictable policies, and oversight can overcome these challenges. A focus on better governance, rather than tax breaks and giveaways, would help keep the house in order.

The Port City can give the country a shortcut to attract foreign investments, provided it focuses on the right thing  better economic governance.

Only wider debate and discussion can help us to achieve these objectives. It would be in the national interest, therefore, for the Government to withdraw the current Port City Bill and present a White Paper to the country to generate wider discussion on the subject.

(javidyusuf@gmail.com)
Maharashtra government will vaccinate all its citizens free of cost, told State Minister Nawab Malik to ANI. Nawab Malik added that the move was discussed in the state cabinet and global tenders will be invited for the vaccinations.

Maharashtra Saturday reported 67,160 new coronavirus cases, a little more than the day before when it reported 66,836 cases. The state also reported 676 deaths due to the virus. The caseload rose to 42,28,836 while the death toll reached 63,928. The case-fatality ratio in the state is at 1.51%

The state also reported 63,818 recoveries taking the total number of recoveries to 34,68,610.

In the wake of high demand of medical oxygen for COVID-19 patients, 14 plants for producing the life-saving gas from the atmospheric air will come up soon in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde said on Sunday.

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How to fast track the setting up of a joint regional security outfit to tackle the worsening insecurity in the region was top on the agenda of the Sundays security meeting by the South-east governors in Enugu State.

Beyond the general insecurity in the South-east, the meeting appeared to have been prompted by the daring attack on the country home of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, and the bloody attacks on police facilities in Anambra and Enugu states recently.

The meeting, which was the second in about two weeks, was attended by the host, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, and the Deputy Governor of Imo, Placid Njoku.

The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Uchechukwu Ogah, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, George Obiozor, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Chair of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-east, Goddy Okafor, and a renowned businessman, Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, were among the dignitaries at the meeting.

From the communique read by Mr Umahi, who is the chair of the South-east Governors Forum, the meeting agreed on the structure and operational modalities of the joint security outfit called Ebubeagu. To this end, the attorney generals in the five states of the region have been directed to tinker with the existing laws in their respective states to give legal backing to the outfit.

The meeting also agreed to set up an advisory board for the security outfit which they said would work with the police and other security agencies to maintain security and stability in the South-east states.

Restructuring, ban on open grazing

The South-east governors and other leaders from the region threw their weight behind the agitation for the restructuring of Nigeria and the establishment of state police.

The meeting is in support of restructuring, the setting up of state police and other national issues as discussed in the last NEC meeting, Governor Umahi said.

He added, South-east governors agreed on the implementation of various #EndSARS youth empowerment programmes in the South-east states as soon as possible.

The meeting also backed the banning of open grazing in the different states in the region, and urged security agencies and local vigilantes to enforce the ban.

The meeting directed the president of the Ohaneze Ndigbo to immediately form a peace and reconciliation committee to engage the people of the region for the peace and security of our people and her visitors, as well as a Strategy and Welfare Committee to engage and protect our people, especially those who are being unfairly treated.

The two committees, the meeting said, must become functional within the next 10 days.

The CAN chair in the region, Mr Okafor, said the influential religious group was ready to partner Ohaneze Ndigbo for the peace and stability of the South-east.

We believe in peace, we preach peace and reconciliation and we will do our best to reconcile our people who have been offended, he said.

Apart from the South-east, the South-south region has also come under tremendous security challenges, especially with similar attacks on police facilities.

Some police officers, including other security officials, for instance, were killed on Sunday in Rivers State, Nigerias South-south, during a daring attack by some unknown gunmen.
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It is yet another sad day in Nigeria as some security officers were killed on Sunday in Rivers State, Nigerias South-south, in yet another deadly attack on the nations security officers by unknown gunmen.

The police spokesperson in the state, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the attack which he said occurred along the Omagwa/Isiokpo/Elele Owerri Road in the state.

Mr Omoni, a superintendent of police, said in a statement that information on the attack was still sketchy. He said the commissioner of police in Rivers has launched an investigation into the attack.

A Port Harcourt resident familiar with the incident said at least eight people, including two police officers, were killed in the attack.

PREMIUM TIMES, however, could not verify this claim.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has condemned the attack as barbaric.

Mr Wike, in a statement issued by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, said there was no justification for the attack against innocent security personnel on legitimate duty of protecting life and property in the State.

The Government of Rivers State is saddened by the unwarranted callous attack on security personnel. We offer our sympathies to the relatives of those who lost their lives in the attack, the statement said.

The governor urged the security agencies in the state to be vigilant.

He said the government and people of Rivers State were in solidarity with security agencies at this difficult times of this unwarranted and mindless violence.

The perpetrators of the attack must be fished out and brought to justice, the governor said.

Rivers State is the latest in the bloody attacks on security agencies in Nigerias South-east and South-south regions.
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The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, has held a meeting with the Military High Command and the La Youth Association, geared towards resolving a protracted land dispute between the two parties.



The Committee was constituted to come up with a set of measures and options to be considered by Government for adoption.



About two weeks ago, some armed soldiers brutalised some La youth over land adjoining the Burma Camp Military Cemetery.



In a statement issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry in Accra on Friday, said the Minister believed the Committee would help bring finality to the age-old land dispute, and ensure peaceful co-existence between the Ghana Armed Forces and the people of La.



The Minister tasked the Committee to be guided by the facts and law pertaining to the subject matter.



The Minister expressed confidence in the ability of the Committee to deliver on its mandate.



The Committee is expected to submit its report by Friday, May 7, 2021.



It said the meeting was productive and stakeholders expressed satisfaction over the outcome.



The statement said participants at the meeting resolved to safeguard the peace, harmony and cohesion in Accra, particularly, the La community.



The Committee was chaired by Mr Benito Owusu-Bio, also the Member of Parliamentary ((MP) for Atwima Nwabiagya North Constituency in the Ashanti Region, and Deputy Minister Designate for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.



A representative of the Ghana Armed Forces-Brigadier General Benjamin Amoah-Boakye, the La Traditional Council, Mr. Lawrence Sacketey and the Lands Commission- Mrs. Mabel Yemidi, and Mr. James Dawson, who will serve as Secretary to the Committee.



The meeting was attended by representatives of the Military High Command and the La Traditional Area.

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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No environmental impact study will be carried out into the crucial Beaudesert (Kagaru) to Acacia Ridge leg of the federal governments $14.5 billion, 1700-kilometre Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project.

Instead, Queenslands Department of Transport and Main Roads will consult the community over the rail section.

Residents Against Inland Rail representatives Suz and Stan Corbett ask why no environmental impact study will be carried out into the Beaudesert to Acacia Ridge link of the project. Credit:Tony Moore

Residents Against Inland Rail  the Queensland group opposing the link from Kagaru, south-east of Brisbane, to Acacia Ridge in Brisbanes south  say 50,000 forgotten residents are being snubbed.

Spokeswoman Suz Corbett said under the project, the number of trains will increase from eight a day (six freight trains and two passenger trains between Sydney and Brisbane) to 45 double-stacked freight trains that could be up to 1.8 kilometres long.
Professor George K. T. Oduro, of Educational Leadership, the University of Cape Coast (UCC), says stomachs have taken the lead in the nations Educational system and thus fail to criticize wrongs in the system.



He said some educationists in the system failed to criticize or put the government on its toes when things went wrong in the educational system, probably because they were fed, and stated that that was absolutely wrong and detrimental to the nations upcoming generations.



Stomachs have taken the lead in education and so people are not able to play their watchdog roles expected of them well in the educational system.



I appeal to those on the educational ladder not to allow themselves to be used by politicians, he said.



He made the remark in an interview with the Ghana News Agency.



Prof. Oduro, also a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the UCC, said public institutions ranging from basic to tertiary lacked requisite infrastructure and resources to improve teaching and learning, a situation that sometimes resorted tertiary institutions to teaching students more of theory than practical.



These included equipment required to give students the opportunity to learn practical knowledge and hands-on skills.

That is why sometimes, the private schools from basic to tertiary do well on the ground that students from the public schools, he said.



He called on the entire citizenry, government departments and agencies, private bodies, policymakers, the academia and the media to come together to assess the pros and cons in the educational system, especially in the governments Free Senior High School policy and help government to resolve them.



Many Senior High Schools have no equipment in their labs and other important facilities, so lets all come together to rethink better ways to implement the Free SHS which is a good policy, he advised.

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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Dehradun: The second wave of coronavirus is hitting the entire country and it is evident in the caseloads. Amid the surge in COVID-19 cases, a curfew is announced in Dehradun district's Rishikesh, Dehradun, Garhi Cantt and Clement Town's municipal areas from Monday (April 26) 7 pm to 3rd May 5 am.

Uttarakhand: Curfew announced in Dehradun district's Rishikesh, Dehradun, Garhi Cantt and Clement Town's municipal areas from 26th April 7 pm to 3rd May 5 am.  ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2021

The Uttarakhand government changed its COVID guidelines in which they modified the number of people who can attend weddings or gatherings and has permitted only 50 people. In the previous guidelines, as many as 200 people were allowed to attend the wedding and other gatherings.

The Uttarakhand government has also allowed the district magistrate to impose curfew and other restrictions in order to curb the coronavirus infection.

On Sunday (April 25), Uttarakhand reported 4,368 fresh coronavirus cases and 44 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Currently, the number of active cases in the state is 35,864 and the death toll reached the mark of over 2,000 cases. Meanwhile, Dehradun has been reporting the highest number of cases from the state. On Saturday, Dehardun reported over 1,700 cases and Haridwar reported 958 cases.

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Lucknow, April 25 : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday has sent an oxygen tanker to Lucknow Medanta hospital.

The chief minister tweeted that he had been informed on phone by Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra about the oxygen shortage and sent the oxygen tanker.

Meanwhile, the Yogi Adityanath government has claimed that there is no shortage of oxygen and Remdesivir in any medical facility. The chief minister said this in his morning meeting.
It seems like a lifetime ago, but it was really just a little over four years ago, immediately after Trumps election victory, that Kelloggs pulled all of its ads from Breitbart News because its conservative readers were not aligned with our values as a company. Well, its 2021, and Kelloggs is back to reminding everyone that they dont just sell sugary breakfast products; they also sell wokeness by the spoonful.

Last week, while our eyes were on the Derek Chauvin trial, Kelloggs announced that, in honor of Gay Pride Month (yes, its almost that wearisome June again), it has a new rainbow cereal:

All are welcome at the breakfast table with our NEW Together with Pride cereal coming to shelves soon. For every box sold, Kellogg is donating $3 to @glaad to support the LGBTQ+ community @KelloggCompany pic.twitter.com/jLjw9570aC  Kellogg Wellbeing (@KelloggsRDs) April 19, 2021

Needless to say, Yahoo! life is thrilled:

There are endless ways to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, but our favorite way just might be with food. And it looks like well be starting with breakfast: Kelloggs is launching an exciting new cereal in honor of Pride Month. Bonus? You wont have to wait until June to try itthe cereal hits shelves in May. Kelloggs teamed up with GLAAD (aka the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) to create Together with Pride, a berry-flavored cereal made up of heart-shaped pieces dusted with edible glitter. The pieces come in every color of the rainbow, while the box boasts iconic characters from Tony the Tiger to Toucan Sam. Its an update of Kelloggs and GLAADs last collab, All Together Cereal, which was only available online. Luckily, this sparkly new iteration will be hitting shelves for a limited time at select major retailers nationwide next month.

(Is it just me or is Kelloggs totally stereotyping the LGBTQ etc. community with that whole glitter thing?)

I believe devoutly in the free market and in freedom of expression. I must admit, though, that I have, for decades now, deeply resented the way the rainbow, once a simple of promises, renewal, and sheer natural beauty, has been co-opted by the LGBTQ etc. crowd, right down to a new cereal. The rainbow is so strongly identified with LGBTQers that any use of the flag implies that one is LGBTQ etc. or an ally. This marketing and branding success is impressive (again, I like the free market) but I miss the rainbow as something everyone who cherishes beauty could display without any sexual implications.

Speaking of the free market, if Kelloggs wants to distinguish itself from its competitors, its free to do so. Thats true even though I hate that I can no longer buy products based upon their quality and price. Instead, I must determine whether Im politically aligned with the corporation.

In this case, I am not politically aligned at all with Kelloggs corporate values. This is a company that has dived headlong into wokeism and I despise wokeism. For that reason, I will happily refrain from buying all sorts of things that are unhealthy for me, from sugar-laden snacks and cereals to products made from way too many refined carbohydrates. Thankfully, theres a lot more to be had at the grocery store, and eggs or yogurt make the best breakfast of all.

One last thing: Kelloggs woke attitude probably shouldnt surprise us. Its founder, John Harvey Kellogg, was the perfect Progressive of his era (hyperlinks and footnotes omitted):

The sanitarium approached treatment in a holistic manner, actively promoting vegetarianism, nutrition, the use of enemas to clear intestinal flora, exercise, sun-bathing, and hydrotherapy, as well as the abstention from smoking tobacco, drinking alcoholic beverages, and sexual activity. Kellogg dedicated the last 30 years of his life to promoting eugenics. He co-founded the Race Betterment Foundation, co-organized several National Conferences on Race Betterment and attempted to create a eugenics registry. Alongside discouraging racial mixing, Kellogg was in favor of sterilizing mentally defective persons, promoting a eugenics agenda while working on the Michigan Board of Health and helping to enact authorization to sterilize those deemed mentally defective into state laws during his tenure.

Its likely that old John Kellogg would be proud of his corporate descendants. After all, they actively advance the cause of a modern Democrat party that enthusiastically supports segregation and fights like grim death to keep abortion as a central part of every Black community.

You just keep being you, Kelloggs. And Ill keep not buying your products.

IMAGE: Kelloggs has a new cereal. Twitter screengrab.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
By Guo Yuandan

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the commissioning ceremony of three naval vessels and boarded for inspection at a naval port in Sanya, South Chinas Hainan province, on April 23, 2021.

Some analyst said the group commissioning created three "firsts": the first time that China' top commander conferred flags to three large vessels at the same time; the first time the PLA Navy commissioned three vessels at the same time in the same day; and the first time three surface and underwater vessels were commissioned to the same naval fleet.

The three commissioned vessels are the latest strategic nuclear-powered submarine Changzheng 18 (Hull 421), Type 055 guided-missile destroyer Dalian (Hull 105) and first Type 075 amphibious assault ship Hainan (Hull 31).

Some expert said it showed the great importance China attaches to the South China Sea. The deployment of these three vessels to the PLA Navys South China Sea Fleet on the same day highlights the vital importance of the region and the nations resolve and determination to keep the region in good governance. Given the complicated international background at the moment, these new equipment will further empower the PLA to safeguard Chinas sovereignty over its territorial land and sea.

Strategic nuclear-powered submarine Changzheng 18 (Hull 421) will substantially improve the PLAs secondary nuclear counterattack capability.

Song Zhongping, a military expert, explained that based on the rule that the name Changcheng stands for conventional submarine while Changzheng for nuclear submarine, Changzheng 18 is the latest strategic nuclear-powered submarine.

He added that the newly commissioned submarine features technical improvements based on the previous Type 094, with better overall performance in stealth and noise reduction, as well as higher missile attack precision. This gives a substantive leap to the PLAs strategic nuclear strength and sea-based nuclear strength, as well as secondary nuclear counterattack capability.

Another anonymous military expert said the commissioning of the new-type submarine would lengthen the time of continuous strategic patrol at sea, increase the number of submarines on duty, and enhance the counterattack capability.

Dalian (Hull 105) is the first Type 055 guided-missile destroyer commissioned to the South China Sea Fleet of the PLA Navy.

After the deployment of the homemade aircraft carrier Shandong to the South China Sea Fleet, the commissioning of the Dalian gives a boost to the fleets military strengths.

The first two Type-055 destroyers Nanchang (Hull 101) and Lhasa (Hull 102) have previously been commissioned to the PLA Navys North China Sea Fleet. According to experts, the commissioning of the latest one not only signifies a leap of Chinese navy destroyer from the third to the fourth generation, but also puts Chinas active vessels in the leading pack in the world.

Type-075 amphibious assault ship Hainan (hull 31), with strong island-seizing capability, can work with an aircraft carrier in mixed formation.

Hainan (hull 31) is the third vessel to be named after a province following the aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong. With a straight flight deck and island superstructure, it looks like a small aircraft carrier, so eye-catching! said Song Zhongping.

According to Song, the Type 075 ship is Chinas latest-generation amphibious weaponry. It carries fewer landing equipment than the previous Type 071 dock landing ship, but boasts better capabilities in vertical landing and firepower of the ship-borne helicopters.

Song held that although the Type 075 amphibious assault ship is deployed to the South China Sea Fleet, it could be used in multiple directions for multiple purposes, for example, in the Nansha islands and reefs, Dongsha islands, Taiwan islands, or Penghu islands if necessary. If necessary, the combination of Type 075 and Type 071, coupled with aircraft carrier strike group and land-based aviation force, would ensure the PLA greater joint operations capabilities.

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.
All is well at Central and Northern New Yorks Circle K convenience stores: The beer aisles, coolers and caves have been restocked after a nearly three-month dry spell.

On Feb. 1, at least 40 Circle K stores in the region lost their ability to sell beer after what the company called an administrative error. The problem led to the expiration of their New York state liquor licenses on Jan. 31. They liquidated their supplies that weekend.

The State Liquor Authority now shows most of those stores had their licenses restored effective April 15. The new licenses expire Jan. 31, 2024.

The beer has been returning this weekend.

At the Circle K at 535 E. Genesee St. in Fayetteville, for example, cases of beers like Busch Light and Labatts Blue were piled high Saturday on the sales floor, and the coolers were packed, too.

We are excited that the administrative issues have been resolved  we will be able to begin selling product soon, Circle K spokesman Brian Ridgeway wrote in an email to syracuse.com last week, before the restocking began.

Ridgeway did not specify the administrative issue. Most of the stores in question had been changed from the Nice N Easy brand to Circle K within the last few years.

CST Brands of San Antonio purchased the stores in Central and Northern New York in 2014, shortly after the death of Nice N Easy founder John MacDougall. A division called CST New York LLC operated them for several years under the Nice n Easy name. They were later rebranded as Circle K stores.

Many of the new licenses issued to CST New York LLC last week still have Nice N Easy listed under the trade name.

The Circle K brand is owned by the Canadian company Couche-Tard, which also has stores under the Holiday and Corner Store names. It operates about 7,100 stores in 47 different states.

The Central New York stores are part of its Great Lakes Region.

The loss of the licenses in late January came to light when the local stores began offering deep discounts on their beer to clear the inventory in stock. That prompted customers to line up and haul away bargain 6-packs and cases. The deal ended at midnight Jan. 31.

The Circle K brand nationwide touts its selection of national brands, imports and craft beers, especially at the stores where it has created room for what it calls its Beer Kaves.

Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.
YouTube channels of 112 Ukraine, NewsOne, and ZIK  Ukrainian TV channels that are associated with MP from the Opposition Platform - For Life party Viktor Medvedchuk  are no longer available in Ukraine, Culture and Information Policy Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko has said.

This is an important step towards the recognition by the world community of Ukraine's struggle against information influence on the part of the aggressor state. I am grateful to the specialists of the YouTube platform who drew attention to our appeal and the NSDC decision regarding TV channels that posed a threat to Ukraine's national security, since they were not media outlets or regular broadcasters, but part of Russia's propaganda war against Ukraine, Tkachenko wrote on his Telegram channel, Ukrinform reports.

YouTube channels of 112 Ukraine, NewsOne, and ZIK can still be found in the search, but their broadcasting has been suspended.

As Ukrinform reported, on February 2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky enacted the decision of the National Security and Defense Council to impose sanctions against the NewsOne, ZIK and 112 Ukraine TV channels, as well as their owner, MP from the Opposition Platform  For Life party, Taras Kozak. The sanctions, among other things, provide for the revocation of licenses of these pro-Russian TV channels. As of the morning of February 3, the broadcasting of NewsOne, ZIK and 112 Ukraine was blocked.

ish
The U.S. military has chosen three companies to develop nuclear thermal propulsion, or NTP systems to be tested in space by 2025. The goal is to test the space travel technology in cislunar space  the area between Earth and the moon.

What is NTP?

The U.S. Department of Energy describes on its website how an NTP system works. It needs a radioactive material such as uranium and another element, such as hydrogen, in liquid form. The liquid propellant is pumped through a reactor core. This causes uranium atoms to break apart inside the core and release heat. The heat turns the propellant into gas, which expands through an opening to produce thrust.

Scientists say NTP engines have far higher energy density and are twice as efficient as rocket engines.

The contracts to produce a flight demonstration of NTP technology were awarded by the militarys Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA. The winning contractors were General Atomics, Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin. DARPA did not announce how much the contracts were worth.

In a recent announcement about the project, DARPA said the area of space, or space domain, will be very important to business, scientific discovery and national defense. Establishing space domain awareness in cislunar spacewill require a leap-ahead in propulsion technology, the agency said.

The agency added that one of the most important abilities of modern military operations is for forces to be able to react quickly to threats on land, at sea and in the air. However, doing this in space is difficult because current spacecraft designs lack the necessary speed and propellant power.

The project is called the Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations, or DRACO. It aims to have a rocket successfully demonstrate a working NTP system above low Earth orbit by 2025. The companies will be working to develop and demonstrate reactor, propulsion and spacecraft systems.

Air Force Major Nathan Greiner is the program manager for DRACO. The NTP technology we seek to develop and demonstrate under the DRACO program aims to be foundational to future operations in space, he said in a statement.

DARPA said the first part of the demonstration process is to be carried out in two parts or tracks. This process will last 18 months.

The first track will create a design for an NTP reactor and propulsion system. The second will produce an operational system spacecraft concept for demonstration purposes. The early development process will center on risk reduction efforts on the path to reaching the on-orbit demonstration by 2025, DARPA said.

NTP and NASA

The U.S. space agency NASA has long been interested in nuclear propulsion systems to power its spacecraft of the future. But the technology has not yet been demonstrated.

NASA has said that in recent years, its engineers have been considering NTP technology to support future missions to the moon and Mars. NASA is also considering a related technology, nuclear electric. That system uses propellants much more efficiently than chemical rockets, but provides a much lower amount of thrust compared to NTP.

NASA says it is working with the Department of Energy on the design and development efforts.

NASA said in a statement in February that its main goal with nuclear propulsion would be to greatly reduce the amount of time it takes crews to travel between Earth and Mars. With chemical propulsion, the trip to Mars would take about seven months. But with an NTP system, it could take three to four months. This would permit more trips, while improving the safety for astronauts in future space travel, NASA officials said.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from DARPA and NASA. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

Quiz - US Military Seeks Nuclear Space Flight Test by 2025 Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

____________________________________________

Words in This Story

propulsion  n. a force that moves something forward

propellant  n. an explosive substance of fuel that causes something to move forward

thrust  n. upward push or force

core  n. the basic and most important part of something

efficient  adj. capable of producing the desired results without wasting time and energy

leap  adj. a big change, increase or improvement

concept  n. an idea of what something is or how it works

mission  n. the flight of a spacecraft to perform a task or job
Mumbai, April 25 : Spelling breathing relief, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation on Sunday announced that it has sufficient stocks of oxygen to tackle the ongoing Covid-19 requirements in the country's commercial capital - the worst-hit in the country in terms of deaths.

"All issues relative oxygn supplies under the BMC stands resolved now. Supply situation is normal," BMC Municipal Commissioner I.S. Chahal said, but did not give details.

This comes a day after the BMC said it would set up 16 oxygen plants in 12 Mumbai hospitals which would produce around 43 tonnes of the life-saving air per day from the atmospheric air.

In another related development, a Western Railway train with 3 oxygen tankers left Hapa in Gujarat for Kalamboli in Maharashtra carrying around 44 tonnes of liquid medial oxygen (LMO).

So far, the WR has carried 10 tankers with 150 tonnes of LMO by trains to Maharashtra from different parts of India, said its chief spokesperson Sumit Thakur.

Last week, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had appealed to top industrialists in Maharashtra to set up oxygen plants in their factories and other premises and give the entire production to the state government to tackle the oxygen crisis.
Sen. Cory Booker is normally the first to grab the microphone, but he wont say a word about his central role in the push to install Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez as the next top federal prosecutor for New Jersey.

Booker can stop this, all by himself, and he should. The fact that hes been avoiding questions for weeks tells us that he cant defend this nomination, or his complicity in it. The next time Booker talks glowingly about transparent government, remember that his silence is shutting the public out of this important discussion. Hed rather this one stay behind closed doors, with no fingerprints.

For good reason. Suarez is an awful pick who has long been a close political ally of corrupt machines in Bergen and Hudson counties. Yet she would oversee the fight against corruption in New Jersey.

Suarez was chief counsel to Joe Ferriero, the former Democratic chairman in Bergen County, who was jailed on bribery charges after his sleazy fundraising practices inspired the states pay-to-play laws. Later, Suarez served as treasurer of a political group and was penalized more than $9,000 by the states election authorities for hiding the names of donors. And as prosecutor, shes found little corruption in Hudson County, yielding instead to state and federal authorities with more appetite for the job.

The history of corruption in Hudson and Bergen makes it very problematic for someone who has been a functionary in those political environments to manage corruption investigations, says Ed Stier, former director of the state Division of Criminal Justice. Her ascent as a lawyer has been based on the connection she has to those political machines.

This starts with Sen. Robert Menendez, who is senior senator and has the right by tradition to send a name to the White House for consideration as U.S. attorney. Several sources say he has already sent Suarezs name to the White House, and he wont confirm or deny it.

Booker is cast in a supporting role in this drama. While Menendez makes the pick, Booker has veto power over it, a power granted the junior senator by another Senate tradition. And while its rarely invoked, it happens. In 1999, Sen. Robert Torricelli blocked the nomination of Paul Fishman, who was the choice of the senior senator at the time, Frank Lautenberg.

A lot of this depends on the relationship between the two senators, says Rutgers Professor Ross Baker, whose specialty is the U.S. Senate. Knowing Booker and Menendez, I would think unless its something really glaring, like a conflict of interest or legal problem or drunk driving episode, that Bookers inclination would be to say, If Menendez likes this nominee, Ill sign off on it. This is not the person I would have chosen, but my long-term relationship with Menendez transcends those reservations.

Torricelli says his poisonous rivalry with Lautenberg didnt hurt New Jersey, and may even have helped.

Lautenberg and I had spirited competition, while Jon Corzine and I had almost a partnership in the Senate, Torricelli says. I think the state was well-served by both models. The spirited competition had value. Both of us wanted to get credit for achievements, so we worked a little harder. Corzine and I did everything together, and I found that effective, too.

Booker is a lover, not a fighter. And if he battles Menendez, it could get ugly. Menendez could block federal nominees that Booker holds dear. He could aggressively raise money from Democratic donors in years when Booker faces reelection. Chance meetings on the Acela could induce indigestion.

But whats best for New Jersey?

And why exactly did Menendez pick Suarez? The states Hispanic Bar Association is supporting Passaic Prosecutor Camelia Valdes, and Ricardo Solano, a widely respected former federal prosecutor, would be a stronger Latino choice. Several Black ministers are pushing for Jamal Semper, now the chief of the organized crime and gang unit as an assistant U.S. Attorney. So, if the concern is diversity, Menendez has options.

Suarez has not distinguished herself in the job as prosecutor, to put it mildly. She famously mishandled the investigation of Katie Brennans rape charge, allowing her staff to investigate the case even though she personally knew the accused, Al Alvarez, a senior staffer in Gov. Phil Murphys 2017 campaign. Suarez was copied on several emails discussing the case but says she didnt read the substance of them and didnt know Alvarez, who was not charged, was the target of the investigation. Today, the FBI is investigating the theft of cash from the evidence locker in Suarezs office.

Her real distinction is that she has roots in the political machines that have long been closely tied to Menendez, who has a troubled history with federal prosecutors. He was investigated in 2006 for renting personal property to a social service group that he advocated for in Washington and was indicted in 2015 by the federal Department of Justice for accepting gifts from a friend and doing political favors for him. In that case, the jury was divided, and the DOJ decided against pressing charges a second time.

President Biden doesnt need a headache like this, so one hopes that he will reject Suarez, and ask Menendez for new names. But we cant count on that, especially given Bidens need for every Democratic vote in an evenly split Senate.

That means we need Booker to step up. It might be unpleasant for him, but for the sake of the state, thats a price he should be willing to pay.

More: Tom Moran columns

Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.
There are a lot of interns and doctors who have made their way through the doors of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in Greys Anatomy over the last decade or more, meaning there are several different personalities, accents, and beliefs introduced to fans. However, not all of them have become highly favored by viewers, especially one accent in particular.

Since she arrived at Greys in 2012, fans have always loved the concept of Jos character and her resilience, but they are not impressed with her fake American accent.

Camilla Luddington is British

British. When I pray Ive realized its in a completely Brit accent.  https://t.co/tvqJgNOgx6  Camilla Luddington (@camilluddington) April 12, 2019

RELATED: Greys Anatomy: Camilla Luddington Thanks Fans For the Jo Love on Her Characters Anniversary

The up-and-coming star has been in the limelight since she entered Greys in 2012, but she has also had some memorable performances as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider and Rise of the Tomb Raider, and as Zatanna in the Justice League Dark.

Although Luddington is mostly known for her fictional American character Jo, she is actually British (accent and all!) in real life. Dual citizenship aside, The Famous People reports that she was born in Ascot, Berkshire, England, and didnt make her way to American until she moved to Austin, Texas as a teenager.

Her character on Greys Anatomy

RELATED: Greys Anatomy Showrunner Says It Would Have Been Dull to Keep Jo and Alex Together

On Greys Anatomy, Luddingtons character is an attending general surgeon at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Jo has a heartbreaking past of abandonment and abuse that many couldnt help but compare to the tragic upbringing of Alex  making them a good fit.

Fans loved her for her character development and relationship with Alex but got a bombshell of a shock when it came out that she was already married, and Jo Wilson wasnt even her real name  its Brook Stadler.

The strong female character moves past this problem only to face many more before and after the highly-loved romance. Ranging from many other troubling relationships, struggles with her career, drama with co-workers, and much more.

Her American accent isnt believable to many fans

CAMILLA LUDDINGTON | Kelsey McNeal via Getty Images

RELATED: Greys Anatomy: Why Camilla Luddington Doesnt Think Jo Wilson Needs Alex Karev to Come Back

In a Reddit forum created to complain about Luddingtons character, one Reddit user admitted, Her American accent is kinda annoying, sometimes her British accent is breaking through and prompted others to chime in.

This brought about a conversation on why she wasnt just introduced as a British character, to begin with. Some fans think that wouldve been better than making her mask her accent altogether.

I think it would have been better to let Camilla play a British character in the first place, another Reddit user complained. Then she wouldnt have to fake an American accent.

Another fan gave one theory, saying that they did actually get her to audition with both accents and went with American. I am guessing it would be harder for Jo to be a female Alex if she was British, and the ex-street kid thing would be even more unbelievable, for her to be able to emigrate to US and attend a top school, etc

Jo has always been a controversial topic since her debut on the show, but over the years, many fans have actually grown to love the person her character has evolved into being. However, unbelieving accent aside, fans think Camilla Luddingtons Jo is steadily being written off the show. This comes after the shocking news of Alex Karev running back to ex-wife Izzie and leaving Jo behind to pick up the pieces. Only time will tell as this season nears its ending, and something crazy is sure to happen.
On the red carpet, Alan was asked by E! Live From the Red Carpet host Giuliana Rancic what he loved most about filming the 1980s-set drama, which centers on a South Korean family trying to make it in rural Arkansas.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Albuquerque police say one person is dead and another is in custody following a domestic dispute in Northeast Albuquerque early Sunday morning.

Sgt. Tanner Tixier, an Albuquerque Police Department spokesman, said officers were dispatched to 1200 Chama NE for a domestic abuse call in which the female had shot the male.

Officers located a male subject who was shot and subsequently died as a result of his injuries, he added. The female is in custody.

Tixier said additional details would be provided as they become available.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

This is the 40th homicide of the year in Albuquerque, according to Journal records.
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.
(Natural News) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration might have recorded an unidentified flying object (UFO) slamming into the International Space Station (ISS) on March 19.

A British UFO enthusiast named Graham claimed that the orb-like object that struck the ISS was intelligent-controlled. He explained that the orb appeared to have changed direction after the impact. It also stayed bright while it hurtled back into the darkness.

As I was watching the footage, the object struck the ISS close to the camera on the station, I flinched as I was not expecting that to happen, he said. The crew was performing a port relocation in the Soyuz craft to move it to the space-facing side of the station to make way for the arrival of the new crew members.

NASA clip shows weird orb hitting the ISS

The mysterious event was seen on NASAs livestream of a port relocation maneuver by the ISS crew. A camera installed on the ISS initially showed the Soyuz capsule and a thin film of smoke against a black background. After a while, a white, luminous, perfectly spherical orb emerged from behind the capsule and zoomed past it, heading straight toward the space station. The supposed UFO then quickly bounced and changed its direction by drifting to the left.

The object appears to change course and moves away from the Soyuz and the ISS at increasing speed, Graham said. Another thing that I found interesting is the object does not seem to lose any brightness as it approaches the top of the screen and goes into shadow. Is this an indication of self-illumination?

The UFO enthusiast, who runs a YouTube channel called Conspiracy Depot, also noticed an elongated object that darted from the center of the screen. He suggested that this could be watching over the ISS.

I have never seen anything like this to be honest, I have done many videos on my channel of strange things seen from the ISS but this is unique in that it seems to change direction which would indicate intelligent control, he remarked. (Related: Advanced, non-human UFO technology repeatedly observed, documented and filmed by U.S. Navy pilots.)

Many viewers expressed their fascination with the footage, saying that the supposed UFO was unlike anything they had seen before.

Ive never seen one of these orbs in space either but have seen plenty in videos on earth, one person commented. I do think more than likely the cigar-shaped thing is a craft.

Another agreed that spherical UFOs were common on the planet, and added: Also anything that doesnt go in a straight line is definitely intelligently controlled.

But not all agreed. Others opined that the object was just space debris passing by the ISS.

Disclosures are mounting with upcoming UFO report

Graham surmised that more information on UFO sightings will surface as June draws near. The Department of Defense (DoD) and other intelligence agencies will be submitting a report on past UFO sightings on the first day of that month.

The report was mandated by an order included in this years appropriations bill.

Graham also noted that disclosures about past UFO sightings had been mounting recently. Just last month former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe disclosed that the Pentagon has evidence of UFOs that could not be explained by known technology. These included flying objects that broke the sound barrier without a sonic boom. The ex-intel chief revealed that there were more of these sightings than had been made public.

On April 8, filmmaker Jeremy Corbell leaked a video of pyramid-shaped UFOs swarming a Navy warship. An anonymous source gave him the clip, along with pictures of other UFOs and information about a Pentagon briefing on such unexplained aerial events. DoD spokesperson Susan Gough later confirmed that the materials were indeed taken by Navy personnel.

Unexplained.news has more on UFO sightings.

Sources include:

DailyStar.co.uk

Military.com

DailyMail.co.uk

ExtraordinaryBeliefs.com

TheGuardian.com
Phuket people leaving the province and returning now face rapid test requirement

PHUKET: Phuket people who leave the province and return now face having to undergo a rapid antigen test to return home if they are unable to prove they are fully vaccinated or present a COVID-free certificate issued within 72 hours of arriving.

COVID-19Coronavirushealthtourismtransport

By The Phuket News

Sunday 25 April 2021, 08:30AM

The news was announced by Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong yesterday (Apr 24), with the official order posted online just after midnight (at 12:15am) last night.

The official order, signed by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew, is marked to remain in effect until at least Apr 30.

The order also added three more provinces  Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Surat Thani and Narathiwat  to the list of 17 red zones previously announced.

Under the order issued by Governor that came into effect on Wednesday (Apr 21), all people arriving from red zone provinces must have completed two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine recognised by the Thai FDA or the traveller must have been tested for COVID-19 by RT-PCR within 72 hours before departure and be able to prove this with a medical certificate.

If the traveller is unable to provide either document, they "must be tested for COVID-19 by Antigen Rapid Test, the new order issued last night repeated.

The Ministry of Public Health is responsible for the cost, except foreigners must be responsible for their own expenses, the order also repeated.

The full list of red zone provinces under the order issued last night is as follows: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Samut Prakan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Sakhon, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Songkhla, Tak, Udon Thani, Suphan Buri, Sa Kaeo, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Narathiwat, Surat Thani, and people who leave Phuket and return.

Of note, Phuket was named as one the original 18 red zone provinces for COVID-19 infections in the re-categorising of all provinces in the country by the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Apr 16.

However, before now, Phuket officials did not consider Phuket as a province to be included on the rapid test requirement list.

Vice Governor Pichet explained that the meeting of the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee held yesterday was an urgent meeting.

It appears that now provinces in South, which can easily be travelled to from Phuket by car, are experiencing an increase in the number of infections of COVID-19, especially in three provinces, namely Narathiwat, Surat Thani and Nakhon Sri Thammarat, he said.

Meanwhile, Songkhla and Prachuap Khiri Khan were already among the 17 red maximum control provinces for Phuket, he added, using the national governments label for red zones.

There are some citizens who may leave Phuket to these maximum control risk areas and come back by car, which is difficult to determine whether they are from a vulnerable area.

Therefore, the Phuket Government aims to solve the problem by focusing on the national ID card. If a person is found with an identity card from Narathiwat, Surat Thani, Nakhon Sri Thammarat or Phuket, they must go through the Antigen Rapid Test process [sic] at the Tha Chatchai Checkpoint, Vice Governor Pichet explained.

For operations at Phuket Airport, all travelers entering Phuket province [via the airport] are already checked, he said.

LATEST CASES

At the time of the meeting of the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday afternoon, Phuket still had 292 confirmed cases of infection.

By 6pm last night, the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office reported that 22 new cases of infection had been confirmed, bringing the total number of officially recognised infections during the current outbreak to 314.

Of those, 253 people remained under hospital care, wheil the number of people released from hospital care in the previous 24 hours had risen to 60. One person had been transferred to Bangkok for treatment, the PPHO noted.

Vice Governor Pichet yesterday also confirmed that from April 3-23, a total of 5,486 people at risk of infection had been screened for the virus. Of those, 5,194 people tested negative.

He also confirmed that Phuket has a total of 440 beds available for COVID patients under medical care: 262 of the beds are already occupied, and the remaining 178 beds remaining waiting for use, he said.
Wind and solar energy are both essentially obsolete technologies. There is a reason why only the very rich or the very adventurous sail across oceans: the wind is unreliable, and at best produces relatively little energy. Nevertheless, liberals have concocted fantasies whereby all of our electricity, or perhaps our entire economy, will be powered by those fickle sources.

There are a number of reasons why this will never happen, but a paper published last week by Center of the American Experiment argues that land use constraints are the most basic reason why wind and solar are inexorably destined to fail. The paper, titled Not In Our Backyard, is authored by internationally recognized energy expert Robert Bryce, producer of the terrific documentary Juice: How Electricity Explains The World and the book A Question of Power: Electricity and the Wealth of Nations

Roberts paper acknowledges that there are multiple reasons why wind and solar energy will never meet Americas energy needs, but focuses on the particular problem of land use:

Of course, other factors, including the incurable intermittency of renewables as well as the massive amounts of materials, including steel, concrete, copper, and rare earth elements, will limit the deployment of wind and solar. But the biggest barrier is the land-use problem. The ferocity and extent of rural land-use conflicts are showing that any attempt to convert the domestic economy to run solely on renewables is destined to fail.

Why is land use such a problem for wind and solar, but not for coal, nuclear or natural gas? Because wind and solar are pathetically low-intensity energy sources, as reflected in this chart from Bryces paper:

Because wind and solar produce so little energy per square mile, an enormous amount of land would have to be devoted to panels and turbines if we seriously tried to get all of our present electricity needs from those weak sources:

Miller and Keith determined that meeting present-day U.S. electricity consumption, for example, would require 12 percent of the continental U.S. land area for wind. A bit of math reveals what that 12 percent figure means. The land area of the continental U.S. is about 2.9 million square miles, or 7.6 million square kilometers. Twelve percent of that area would be about 350,000 square miles or 912,000 square kilometers. Therefore, merely meeting Americas current electricity needs with wind energy would require a territory more than two times the size of California.

Suffice to say that this just isnt going to happen.

For one thing, no one places wind farms in Washington, D.C. or midtown Manhattan. Nor are wind projects slated for Long Island, Marin County, or near any valuable suburban developments. It is rural America that bears the burden of many square miles of wind and solar installations.

And it is a burden: apart from the obvious aesthetic issues, Bryces paper reviews substantial medical evidence that the noise produced by wind turbines adversely affects human health. And, of course, wind turbines are fatal to wildlife. As a result of such concerns, rural communities across Americahundreds of themhave risen up to oppose wind turbine developments. These efforts have largely been successful.

Germany undertook to mandate wind energy, but its mandates have fallen flat because of public opposition to specific wind projects. The same thing is happening in the U.S. Roberts paper includes a database of communities that have moved to reject or restrict wind projects. American Experiment will continue to maintain this database, and make it available to towns, townships and counties that are threatened by wind developments. Public opposition promises to bring the Green New Deal to a screeching halt.

When green advocates tabulate the costs of wind and solar energy, they generally dont include the thousands of miles of transmission lines that are required to bring electricity from the rural areas that are stuck with green development to the urban areas where the electricity is used. But such transmission lines represent a huge economic and environmental issue:

Connecting lots of wind and solar to the grid also requires appropriating land for transmission projects. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, converting the domestic electric grid to run on renewables will require roughly doubling the amount of high-voltage transmission capacity in the U.S. At present, the U.S. has about 240,000 miles of high-voltage transmission. Therefore, renewables conversion means adding enough high-voltage transmission lines to circle the Earth about 10 times.

No problem! says Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But any attempt to construct 240,000 more miles of high-voltage wires will, like the wind turbines themselves, encounter local opposition that likely will make such an effort impossible.

Please do read Roberts report in its entirety. Together with research being done by experts like Isaac Orr, it sounds a death knell for green energy, which is intermittent, unreliable, low-intensity at best, outrageously expensive, and dependent on vast natural resources that may not exist, or at a minimum would require the greatest explosion of mining, manufacturing and transportation in world history.

So why does the green dream persist? In part, because it is inflicted on children from elementary school on. But mostly because there is a great deal of money in it. This chart shows the volume of U.S. tax incentives per unit of energy produced for various energy sources:

Green energy holds political sway, which has made a relative handful of people (largely non-Americans and lobbyists) immensely wealthy, while impoverishing utility rate payers and taxpayersthat is to say, the rest of us. This insanity will continue until voters wise up, ormore likely, I am afraiduntil the laws of physics, along with land use and raw materials constraints, make it blindingly obvious that the green dream is just that. A nightmare.

By that time, an astonishing amount of wealth will have been destroyed.
Senior CPC official calls for high-quality development of digital China

Xinhua) 15:22, April 25, 2021

Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attends and makes a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth Digital China Summit in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

FUZHOU, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official on Sunday stressed the importance of pursuing self-reliant, innovation-driven and high-quality development in advancing the construction of a digital China.

Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth Digital China Summit in Fuzhou, capital city of east China's Fujian Province.

Huang said efforts should be made to strengthen science and technology to provide strategic support for the promotion of opening up, and innovation to energize all factors and resources.

It is necessary to advance the development of new forms of infrastructure, deepen the integration of the digital economy with the real economy, and foster a healthy digital ecosystem, the official noted.

Huang called for the development of smart cities and digital villages to provide more inclusive, convenient, high-quality and efficient digital services so that people can share the fruits of informatization. Enditem

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
Naypyitaw: Myanmar`s pro-democracy activists sharply criticized an agreement between the country`s junta chief and Southeast Asian leaders to end the nation`s violent post-coup crisis and vowed on Sunday (April 25) to continue their protest campaign.

Some scattered peaceful protests took place in Myanmar`s big cities on Sunday, a day after the meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Jakarta, Indonesia, reached a consensus to end the turmoil in the country, but gave no timeline.

"Whether it is ASEAN or the U.N., they will only speak from outside saying dont fight but negotiate and solve the issues. But that doesnt reflect Myanmars ground situation," said Khin Sandar from a protest group called the General Strikes Collaboration Committee.

"We will continue the protests. We have plans to do so," she said.

According to a statement from ASEAN chair Brunei, a consensus was reached in Jakarta on five points - ending violence, constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid, and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar.

The five-point consensus did not mention political prisoners, although the chairman`s statement said the meeting "heard calls" for their release.

ASEAN leaders had wanted a commitment from Min Aung Hlaing to restrain his security forces, which the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) says have killed 748 people since a mass civil disobedience movement erupted to challenge his Feb. 1 coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

AAPP, a Myanmar activist group, says over 3,300 are in detention.

"We realized that whatever the outcome from the ASEAN meeting, it will not reflect what people want," said Wai Aung a protest organizer in Yangon. "We will keep up protests and strikes till the military regime completely fails."

`SLAP ON THE FACE`

Several people took to social media to criticize the deal.

"ASEAN`s statement is a slap on the face of the people who have been abused, killed, and terrorized by the military," said a Facebook user called Mawchi Tun. "We do not need your help with that mindset and approach."

Aaron Htwe, another Facebook user, wrote: "Who will pay the price for the over 700 innocent lives."

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said it was unfortunate that only the junta chief represented Myanmar at the meeting.

"Not only were the representatives of the Myanmar people not invited to the Jakarta meeting but they also got left out of the consensus that ASEAN is now patting itself on the back for reaching," he said in a statement.

"The lack of a clear timeline for action, and ASEAN`s well-known weakness in implementing the decisions and plans that it issues, are real concerns that no one should overlook."

The ASEAN gathering was the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in Myanmar, an impoverished country that neighbours China, India, and Thailand and has been in turmoil since the coup. Besides the protests, deaths, and arrests, a nationwide strike has crippled economic activity.

Myanmar`s parallel National Unity Government (NUG), comprised of pro-democracy figures, remnants of Suu Kyi`s ousted administration, and representatives of armed ethnic groups, said it welcomed the consensus reached but added the junta had to be held to its promises.

"We look forward to firm action by ASEAN to follow up its decisions and to restore our democracy," said Dr. Sasa, spokesman for the NUG.

Besides the junta chief, the leaders of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Brunei were at the meeting, along with the foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand, and the Philippines. The NUG was not invited but spoke privately to some of the participating countries before the meeting.

Live TV
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan says the federal government must step up to improve Australias quarantine system by setting up its own safer quarantine facilities to use instead of hotels.

The Premier also labelled it nuts that Australians were being allowed to leave the country and travel overseas to weddings in COVID-19 hot spots, potentially coming back with the virus. The man who sparked the current WA lockdown, when his neighbouring hotel guests got the virus, had travelled to India for a wedding.

Mark McGowan has demanded the Commonwealth to step in and help with quarantining returning Australians. Credit:Peter De Kruijff

The remarks on Saturday by Mr McGowan were his strongest call for federal management of the national quarantine system to date, as the Perth and Peel regions grapple with a three-day lockdown and a virus outbreak, but his plea may not get that far.

The Premier said the federal governments facilities on Christmas Island and at RAAF Base Curtin in the Kimberley should be used for returning travellers. Hotels were not a system Australia should be relying on to stop the virus entering the community.
Diane Warren has hit the red carpet at the 93rd Oscars with a pure white look as she tries to win her first Oscar.

The 64-year-old composer and songwriter earned her 12th Oscar nomination for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) for Io Si (Seen) from The Life Ahead, shared with Laura Pausini.

Warren has been nominated 12 times, all in the Original Song category, with her nomination this year marking her fourth year in a row being nominated.

Red carpet ready: Diane Warren has hit the red carpet at the 93rd Oscars with a pure white look as she tries to win her first Oscar

Warren stepped out with a pure white suit coat with a sparkling bedazzled turtleneck under the coat plus pins on each of her coat's lapels.

The songwriter and composer wore a number of bracelets with small gold hoop earrings as she hit the red carpet.

She completed her look with matching white pants with white heeled boots with a silver watch peeking out from under her white coat.

Diane's look: Warren stepped out with a pure white suit coat with a sparkling bedazzled turtleneck under the coat plus pins on each of her coat's lapels.

Warren and Laura Pausini, who co-wrote the lyrics with Warren writing the music, will be going up against four more songs for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song).

Other nominees include Fight For You from Judas and the Black Messiah (Music by H.E.R. and Dernst Emile II; Lyric by H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas) and Hear My Voice from The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Music by Daniel Pemberton; Lyric by Daniel Pemberton and Celeste Waite).

The last two nominees are Husavik from Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (Music and Lyric by Savan Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus and Rickard Goransson) and Speak Now from One Night in Miami... (Music and Lyric by Leslie Odom, Jr. and Sam Ashworth).

Nominee: Warren and Laura Pausini, who co-wrote the lyrics with Warren writing the music, will be going up against four more songs for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)

Warren's Original Song nomination this year marks her fourth in a row, following nominations for I'm Standing With You from Breakthrough, I'll Fight from RBG and Stand Up For Something from Marshall, shared with Common.

She also shared a nomination with Lady Gaga for 'Til It Happens To You from The Hunting Ground in 2016 and earned a nomination for Grateful from Beyond the Lights in 2015.

Her other nominations include There You'll Be from Pearl Harbor in 2002, the title track from Music From the Heart in 2000, I Don't Want to Miss a Thing from Armageddon in 1999, How Do I Live from Con Air in 1998, Because You Loved Me from Up Close & Personal in 1997 and Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now from Mannequin in 1998, shared with Richard Hammond.

Fourth in a row: Warren's Original Song nomination this year marks her fourth in a row, following nominations for I'm Standing With You from Breakthrough, I'll Fight from RBG and Stand Up For Something from Marshall, shared with Common

Pausini also performed Io Si (Seen) with Warren accompanying her at the piano during Oscars: Into the Spotlight before the Oscar telecast.

Warren also spoke about coming aboard to write the song, and how she came up with the title.

'I read the script and the word "Seen" came to my mind because they are invisible to the world. We live in a time where everybody feels they are not seen and invisible,' Warren said.

'But, the movie is in Italian. It didn't work in English. I thought, we met each other years ago and we wanted to work together,' Warren added.

Accompanying: Pausini also performed Io Si (Seen) with Warren accompanying her at the piano during Oscars: Into the Spotlight before the Oscar telecast
The New Services from TICKMARK are Ideal for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Powered by Azure/AWS

RESTON, VA / ACCESSWIRE / April 25, 2021 / The founders of TICKMARKS, a leading virtual bookkeeping service based in Reston, Virginia, are pleased to announce that they have launched a complete online accounting and bookkeeping service using a cloud-based platform.

To learn more about TICKMARKS and the services that they offer, please visit https://www.tickmarks.net/.

As a company spokesperson noted, the new technology ensures seamless integration of data, technology, and services to offer a secure and confidential accounting and bookkeeping process. The new cloud-based solutions will help small and medium-sized businesses that are powered by Azure/AWS.

"We now have a set of accounting apps and virtual accounting software that will be customized for every business need," the spokesperson noted, adding that the company's goal is to eliminate traditional forms of accounting and bookkeeping, which in turn will provide the business owner with ample time to plan for business growth.

"The technology will help prevent the headaches associated with managing accounts, taxes, audits and payrolls, as our cloud-based accounting services take up the heavy lifting."

In addition, the new online services offer an organized and systematic approach to accounting and bookkeeping that can help keep business in a safe place. The team from TICKMARKS is using the proper technology to ensure that the client data and information is secure.

"We understand that financial data must be kept confidential," the spokesperson noted, adding that the founders are also aware of how data-driven decisions will steer the business on the right path.

"Business owners can make informed decisions to push their business forward. The technology-integrated solution will provide accurate and reliable financial information so the business owners can take proactive measures."

As a TICKMARK client noted in a review of the new online accounting and bookkeeping services, it is now easier for him to concentrate on his business.

"I have all financial data at my fingertips using the accounting app customized for my business requirements. I process my accounts whenever and wherever I am."

This Press Release is powered by Digital SEO, the Digital Marketing Firm in Chennai that has also designed a user-friendly and creative website.

About TICKMARKS

TICKMARKS, a trustworthy online accounting company, offers reliable and affordable virtual accounting and bookkeeping services. They provide virtual bookkeeping services, advisory services, bank reconciliation, employee expense management, financial reporting, payroll processing services, and accounts payables and receivables. They offer 24/7 assistance, dedicated staff, on-time delivery, customized solutions, and improved efficiency. For more information, please visit https://www.tickmarks.net/.

TICKMARKS, Inc.

12020 Sunrise Valley Dr., Suite 100

Reston, VA 20191

Contact:

Contact Person: Mr. Vignesh

Phone: +1 571 206 4974

Email: contact@tickmarks.net

SOURCE: TICKMARKS

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642124/TICKMARKS-a-Virtual-Bookkeeping-Service-in-VA-Launches-New-Online-Accounting-Services-Through-a-Cloud-Based-Platform
Sheridan Smith has befriended a mother whose son Anthony Walgate was murdered by 'Grindr serial killer', Stephen Port.

The actress, 39 - who is set to play Sarah Sak in an upcoming BBC drama based on the harrowing incident - was touched by the grieving parent's drive to catch the convicted murderer, and the pair now regularly exchange texts.

Detailing her stint on Four Lives, the TV star recently told Rob Brydon in an interview: 'With the woman I play, I got to be really good friends with her. The strength and what they went through  I think it's going to be a really harrowing piece.'

The criminal, 46, drugged and raped four young gay men and dumped their bodies near his home in Barking, east London, between 2014 and 2015.

Close: Sheridan Smith (pictured as Sarah Sak in Four Lives) has befriended a mother whose son Anthony Walgate was murdered by 'Grindr serial killer', Stephen Port

The Gavin & Stacey icon added during her virtual chat with her former co-star Rob: 'You just feel such a responsibility to tell their story. It must be hard for all the families because they were on set here and there.'

Port is now serving a whole life term for the murders of fashion student Anthony, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, chef Daniel Whitworth, 21, and forklift truck driver Jack Taylor, 25.

BBC producers reached out to the performer after Sarah, 55, requested to be portrayed by a 'gobby northern bird, someone like Sheridan Smith or Sarah Lancashire.'

The brave mum told The Mirror: 'Sheridan had me to a T, and the actor who plays my son got all his mannerisms just right. It was like watching Anthony in motion. It made me so sad  and when a break came Sheridan said, ''Shall we go and have a fag?''

Jailed: The criminal (pictured), 46, drugged and raped four young gay men and dumped their bodies near his home in Barking, east London , between 2014 and 2015

Tragic: Port is now serving a whole life term for the murders of (L-R) chef Daniel Whitworth, 21, forklift truck driver Jack Taylor, 25, fashion student Anthony, 23, and Gabriel Kovari, 22

'Sheridan walked in and within five minutes it was like I'd known her for ever. She's so down to earth and had a cuppa with me and my sister Kate. She said she always wants to meet the people she plays and she hoped she would do me proud.

'There's a moment when Stephen Merchant [who plays Port] stares at Sheridan as he walks into court and he's really got the look of Port about him. It sent a chill down my spine.'

The supermarket worker also recalled watching the screen star 'dote' on her baby son Billy, 11 months, and revealed she's due to meet him once Covid restrictions have completely lifted.

Sarah insisted she only took part in the drama as the families of the other victims agreed to do so and paid tribute to her 'caring' son, who she believes is 'still looking after me in a way'.

''With the woman I play, I got to be really good friends with her': The actress, 39, detailed her stint during an interview with her former Gavin and Stacey co-star, Rob Brydon, 55

Four Lives, formerly called The Barking Murders, was filmed in 2019, but the pandemic and an inquest into the victims' deaths has delayed its release.

Sheridan added in a press release: 'I love playing real life characters - especially an inspirational woman like Sarah Sak - but with it comes responsibility.

'Along with the other families, Sarah went through so much heartache and it would have been easy for her to just accept what she was being told by the police, but something inside made her keep fighting for her son.'

Port had a fetish for sex with the unconscious so drugged and raped his victims to 'satisfy his lust' after meeting them on dating app Grindr.

Port first came to the attention of the police in June 2014 when a young man he had drugged collapsed next to him at Barking train station in East London.

Despite admitting that both he and his companion had taken illegal drugs, he was released without charge.

Two weeks later, he raped and murdered his first victim Anthony, before dumping the body outside his flat. He then called 999 anonymously and pretended he had merely come across his lifeless body.

Police realised that Port was lying and charged him with perverting the course of justice after he claimed that Anthony died of an accidental overdose following consensual sex.

The Metropolitan Police spent 25,000 and 980 man-hours on the investigation - but crucially never opened a murder investigation.

Sarah and the sister's of Port's fourth victim picked up on the pattern of deaths and pushed authorities to look into it further.

Horrific: Port (pictured) had a fetish for sex with the unconscious so drugged and raped his victims to 'satisfy his lust' after meeting them on dating app Grindr

While on police bail, he raped and killed two more victims, whose bodies were found within a month of each other in the summer of 2014 in the same graveyard by the same dog walker only 400 yards from his flat in Barking.

In each case, their mobile phones were missing and post-mortem examinations found the cause of death to be a GHB overdose.

It was only after the death of his final victim that a full investigation was launched. The Independent Office for Police Conduct launched an investigation after Scotland Yard admitted 'missed opportunities' to catch the killer.

Sarah's book, A Life Stolen: The Tragic True Story of My Sons Murder, is due to be published next year.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 17:56:03|Editor: huaxia

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YEREVAN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Sunday announced his resignation to pave the way for snap parliamentary elections scheduled for June.

"In order to implement the decision on holding snap parliamentary elections on June 20, today I resign from the position of the Prime Minister of Armenia," Pashinyan said in a televised address to the nation.

"I am resigning on Citizens' Day, and this is a symbol of the fact that we are returning to the people the power that we received from the people," he said.

Pashinyan said his party will participate in the elections and that he would be its candidate for prime minister.

Meanwhile, he stressed that he will continue to perform the duties of caretaker prime minister before the elections.

Following the statement, the presidential administration of Armenia announced that the country's president has approved Pashinyan's resignation.

According to the Constitution of Armenia, snap parliamentary elections are possible only when the prime minister resigns and no new prime minister is nominated.

Earlier in March, Pashinyan said Armenia would hold early parliamentary elections on June 20 and that he would resign in April. Enditem
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By Kim Bo-eun







Personal care manufacturer Yuhan-Kimberly is stepping up efforts to engage customers by continuing to be a socially responsible company.







Last month, it launched a campaign in which participants upload photos wearing masks. Yuhan-Kimberly decided to donate 10 masks to delivery workers and bus drivers for every participant, setting aside a total of 100,000 masks for that purpose.







The company said that the campaign was designed to raise awareness about the importance of wearing masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic.







Yuhan-Kimberly also hosted an event in which it donated menstrual pads after reaching its viewership target for a live session.







The company earlier pledged to donate 100,000 pads if the show managed to attract 100,000 viewers. More than 150,000 viewers joined the show.







This pledge enabled a 250-percent increase in the sales of pads, from sales generated through a live show held a month earlier.







Earlier, Yuhan-Kimberly held another menstrual pad donation campaign, which garnered 170,000 supporters and 1,098 donors.







The company has been donating 1 million pads to underprivileged women and teenagers every year since 2016. It has donated 6.17 million pads so far.







"It appears that trust has been built up between Yuhan-Kimberly and consumers, as we have continued to host campaigns that seek to show our sincerity," an official in charge of corporate social responsibility (CSR) at the company said.







"We will continue efforts to exert a good influence on society through donations to which consumers can relate."







Yuhan-Kimberly has been leading the corporate social responsibility movement. It is known for its campaign in which it has planted and cared for 54 million trees since 1984.







The company was set up in 1970 as a joint venture between U.S.based Kimberly-Clark and the Korean pharmaceutical firm, Yuhan Corporation. Among its products are: Huggies baby diapers, menstrual pads and Kleenex tissues.


Covid surge in India, but travel bubble with Lanka continues By Damith Wickremasekara View(s): View(s):

The Government has decided to continue the bubble concept for travel between India and Sri Lanka, despite the massive surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in India, officials said.

The only revision will be that the quarantine period for those travelling from India to Sri Lanka has been increased from the existing seven days to two weeks. Under the travel bubble concept, people or groups travelling for tourism, business purposes, pilgrimages and functions were allowed to travel between the two countries.

A senior Tourism Ministry official said that in consultations with the Indian High Commission and the local health authorities, the Government had decided to continue with the travel arrangements.

COVID-Control State Minister Sudharshani Fernandopulle told the Sunday Times that the extension of the quarantine period to two weeks would be sufficient to detect any COVID-19 cases and therefore approval was granted.

The moves came as passenger flights from India continue to arrive in Sri Lanka. Last morning 161 passengers arrived from Chennai while another flight was due from New Delhi last night while another flight from Bengaluru is due today.

The moves come as New Delhi has proposed that visitors from India be allowed to travel through the Palaly airport in Jaffna. The proposal has been accepted by the government pending the preparation of the logistical arrangements to implement the proposal.

The Government also has signed air service agreements with Afghanistan, Myanmar and Israel enabling tourists to visit Sri Lanka under COVID-19 arrangements.

The Government also is negotiating with Germany and Switzerland to sign similar air service agreements enabling tourists to visit Sri Lanka. Similar agreements are to be signed up with more than 90 countries in the next few months.

The Tourism Ministry official said that Government during the past four months after reopening the country for tourists was able to gain a revenue of about US$ 16 million .
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A submarine which vanished in Indonesia has been found broken in three parts off the coast of Bali.

All 53 crew members on board have been declared dead, Indonesia's military confirmed.

The grim announcement comes a day after Indonesia said the submarine, which went missing last week, was considered sunk.

Officials had also said the KRI Nanggala 402's oxygen supply would have run out early on Saturday, three days after the vessel went missing off the resort island of Bali.

'It was broken into three pieces,' said Navy Chief of Staff Yudo Margono.

More parts from the doomed submarine were retrieved, including an anchor and fluorescent orange safety suits for emergencies, authorities said.

The discovery comes a day after the navy had first confirmed the retrieval of fragments from the submarine and declared that it had sunk, effectively ending any chance of finding survivors.

Among the earlier items recovered were a piece of the torpedo system and a bottle of grease used to lubricate periscopes.

Underwater photo released today by the Indonesian Navy shows parts of submarine KRI Nanggala that sank in Bali Sea, Indonesia

Indonesia's military has also officially announced that all 53 crew members are dead. Pictured: Underwater photograph of the sunken vessel

Officials had also said the KRI Nanggala 402's oxygen supply would have run out early on Saturday, three days after the vessel went missing off the resort island of Bali

'It was broken into three pieces,' said Navy Chief of Staff Yudo Margono. More parts from the doomed submarine were also retrieved, including an anchor and fluorescent orange safety suits for emergencies, authorities said

The submarine was conducting a torpedo drill in waters 60 miles north of the island of Bali on Wednesday, but failed to relay the results as expected

They also found a prayer mat commonly used in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation.

Warships, planes and hundreds of military personnel had led a frantic search for the submarine since it disappeared this week during training exercises, hoping for a miracle rescue before its known oxygen reserves ran out.

But on Sunday, Indonesian military head Hadi Tjahjanto said there was no chance of finding any of the crew alive.

He said: 'With deep sadness, I can say that all 53 personnel onboard have passed.

The discovery comes a day after the navy had first confirmed the retrieval of fragments from the submarine and declared that it had sunk, effectively ending any chance of finding survivors

Among the earlier items recovered were a piece of the torpedo system and a bottle of grease used to lubricate periscopes

'We received underwater pictures that are confirmed as the parts of the submarine, including its rear vertical rudder, anchors, outer pressure body, embossed dive rudder and other ship parts.

'With this authentic evidence, we can declare that KRI Nanggala 402 has sunk and all the crew members are dead.'

The navy previously said it believes the submarine sank to a depth of 2,000-2,300ft, much deeper than its collapse depth of 655ft, at which point water pressure would be greater than the hull could withstand.

An underwater robot equipped with cameras and deployed by Singaporean vessel MV Swift Rescue provided the images, while the Indonesian vessel KRI Rigel had scanned the area where the submarine was believed to have sunk using multibeam sonar and a magnetometer, Tjahjanto said.

Warships, planes and hundreds of military personnel had led a frantic search for the submarine since it disappeared this week during training exercises, hoping for a miracle rescue before its known oxygen reserves ran out

The cause of the disappearance was still uncertain.

The navy had previously said an electrical failure could have left the submarine unable to execute emergency procedures to resurface.

An American reconnaissance plane, a P-8 Poseidon, landed early on Saturday and had been set to join the search, along with 20 Indonesian ships, a sonar-equipped Australian warship and four Indonesian aircraft.

The German-built diesel-powered KRI Nanggala 402 had been in service in Indonesia since 1981 and was carrying 49 crew members and three gunners as well as its commander, the Indonesian Defence Ministry said.

A military personnel holds an escape suit believed to be from the sunken Indonesian Navy KRI Nanggala-402 submarine during a media conference at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali today

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago nation with more than 17,000 islands, has faced growing challenges to its maritime claims in recent years, including numerous incidents involving Chinese vessels near the Natuna islands.

Relatives of First Lieutenant Muhammad Imam Adi, a 29-year-old father of a young son, clung to hope earlier Sunday.

'My wish now is that my son and all the crew can be found,' Adi's father Edy Sujianto said from his home on Java island.

'My son had wanted to become a soldier since he was a child. That was his dream.'

The cause of the disappearance was still uncertain. The navy had previously said an electrical failure could have left the submarine unable to execute emergency procedures to resurface

President Joko Widodo described the sailors as Indonesia's 'best patriots'.

'All Indonesians convey their deep sadness over this incident, especially to the families of the submarine crew,' he said.

Authorities have not given an explanation for the accident, but said that the submarine may have suffered a blackout that left its crew unable to resurface.

They discounted an explosion, however, saying Saturday that the evidence suggested the submarine came apart as it was crushed by massive water pressure in the vast depths.

'Submarine hulls are pressurised... but when they're breached then water would come flooding inside,' said Wisnu Wardhana, a maritime expert at Indonesia's Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology.

The German-built diesel-powered KRI Nanggala 402 had been in service in Indonesia since 1981 and was carrying 49 crew members and three gunners as well as its commander, the Indonesian Defence Ministry said

'Can you imagine if water with that kind of pressure hits people?'

Retired French vice-admiral Jean-Louis Vichot earlier told AFP that a submarine's hull could collapse 'like a folding accordion' if it hits depths way beyond its limits.

Any salvage operation would be risky and difficult, navy chief Margono said.

'We'll discuss it to make a decision on how to lift the submarine in this condition,' he said Sunday.

'I want to lift it, but how do we bring it up from (these depths)?'

Neighbouring Malaysia, as well as the United States, India and Australia, were among the nations helping in the hunt.

The submarine - one of five in Indonesia's fleet - disappeared early Wednesday while it was scheduled to do live torpedo training exercises off Bali

Search vessels, reconnaissance aircraft and submarine rescue ships had been deployed to scour a zone of about 10 square nautical miles (34 square kilometres).

The submarine - one of five in Indonesia's fleet - disappeared early Wednesday while it was scheduled to do live torpedo training exercises off Bali.

The crew asked for permission to dive. It lost contact shortly after.

Later, search teams spotted an oil spill where the vessel was thought to have submerged, pointing to possible fuel-tank damage, and a catastrophic accident.

The submarine - delivered to Indonesia in 1981 - was seaworthy, the military said.

The model has been used by more than a dozen navies around the world.

But investigators would look at the Indonesian submarine's age as a potential factor, analysts have said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison contacted Indonesian President Joko Widodo after the vessel was found in three pieces at the bottom of the Bali sea, hundreds of metres beyond its diving range.

'Deepest sympathies to President Jokiwi and all our Indonesian friends on the loss of KRI Nanggala,' Mr Morrison said on Sunday night.

'A tragic reminder of the ultimate sacrifice our service people make for their country. It was an honour to contribute to search efforts. Australia stands by you in your time of loss.'

Australia took part in an international search for the vessel, which involved dozens of helicopters and ships equipped with sonar systems.

The search for the missing Indonesian submarine ended as navy crew members located the vessel and confirmed all 53 people on board have perished.
Paris: France plans to help India with medical oxygen capacity in the coming days to help the country combat the record surge in COVID-19 cases, the French presidency said on Sunday (April 25).

This comes hours after German Chancellor Angela Merkel, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and the EU announced plans to aid India against a pandemic that led to the storage of hospital beds and medical-grade oxygen in the country.

Expressing solidarity with the people of India to combat COVID-19, the German Chancellor said that they are preparing a "mission to support" to aid India."To the people of India, I want to express my sympathy for the terrible suffering that COVID-19 has again brought over your communities. The fight against the pandemic is our common fight. Germany stands in solidarity with India and is urgently preparing a mission of support," Merkel said in a message shared on Twitter by her spokesperson Steffen Seibert.

More than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment will be sent to India to support the country in its fight against COVID-19, the British High Commission (BHC) has announced. The BHC release said that the assistance package, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, includes ventilators and oxygen concentrators from surplus stocks.

Earlier today, the European Union (EU) said it will do its utmost to support India, amid a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country which has led to a shortage of hospital beds and medical-grade oxygen in some parts of the country.

"The EU together with its Member States will do its utmost to support India in this difficult moment," said Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India and Bhutan.

Janez Lenarcic, the European Emergency Response Coordinator today informed that the EU has activated its Civil Protection Mechanism to help India with the COVID-19 crisis.

Several other countries including Iran, Russia, Australia, Bhutan, and the EU have extended support to India.

India recorded 3,49,691 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike since the pandemic broke out last year. According to the Union Health Ministry, the country has recorded 2,767 new deaths due to COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

(Inputs from ANI)

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The Prime Minister Office has stated that PM CARES Fund has given approval for setting up 551 dedicated Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) medical oxygen generation plants inside public health facilities across the country. This will be done in order to boost the availability of oxygen in hospitals that are dealing with the worsening COVID-19 situation.

"PM has directed that these plants should be made functional as soon as possible. He said that these plants will serve as a major boost to oxygen availability at the district level," read a PMO press release.

The PMO has stated that these medical oxygen generation plants will be set up in identified government hospitals in district headquarters of various states and Union Territories. The procurement for these will be done through the Union Health Ministry.

Earlier, the PM CARES fund had allocated Rs 201,58 crores for the installation of an additional 162 dedicated PSA medical oxygen generation plants inside public health facilities across the country, as per the release.

The aim behind setting up PSA medical oxygen generation plants at government hospitals in district headquarters is to strengthen the public health system and to ensure that these public hospitals have captive oxygen generating facility.

"Such an in-house captive oxygen generation facility would address the day to day medical oxygen needs of these hospitals and the district. In addition, the liquid medical oxygen (LMO) would serve as a "top up" to the captive oxygen generation," noted the release.

The PMO adds that such a system will ensure that government hospitals don't face sudden disruption of oxygen supplies. It will also ensure that public hospitals have adequate uninterrupted oxygen supply in order to manage COVID-19 patients and other patients who are in need of oxygen support.

Also read: Support pours in from countries amid India's devastating second COVID-19 wave

Also read: COVID-19 second wave: Ladakh makes RT-PCR test mandatory for passengers at Leh airport

Also read: COVID-19 crisis: India reports over 3.46 lakh cases; 13.83 crore vaccines given so far
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Hanoi at midnight on April 24, successfully concluding their trip to attend the ASEAN Leaders Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia.

PM Pham Minh Chinh attends the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 24. (Photo: VNA)

This was his first overseas working trip since Chinh was elected as the Prime Minister earlier this month.

During the trip, Chinh attended the ASEAN Leaders Meeting; held talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo; met with Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Haji Hassanal Bolkiah; had bilateral meetings with Cambodian PM Hun Sen, Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin; and received ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi.

At the ASEAN Leaders Meeting, the regional leaders focused on discussing ASEAN Community building, the blocs external relations, and issues of regional and international concerns.

On the Myanmar situation, Chinh affirmed that Vietnam, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021 and the Council's President for April 2021, has worked to create favourable conditions for the ASEAN member nations to collaborate closely at UN forums in mobilising support for the blocs efforts in approaching and finding suitable solutions to the Myanmar issue.

During the bilateral meetings, Chinh was congratulated on his election as the PM as well as Vietnams successes in COVID-19 prevention and control, and taking over the role of ASEAN Chair 2020. The foreign leaders affirmed that they have attached great importance to and want to further strengthen cooperative and friendly relations with Vietnam.

For his part, Chinh asserted that Vietnam has continued to pursue a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of international relations, being a responsible member of the international community, and proactive and active international integration.

The Vietnamese PM and the leaders of the ASEAN nations agreed to continue developing multifaceted cooperation, especially in the fields of investment, trade and response to emerging pandemics such as COVID-19.

VNA
Recordings of wartime speeches given by John Curtin, tapes of the Stolen Generation royal commission and even the records of the Bounty mutineers could disappear forever without an injection of cash into the National Archives.

Years of funding and staff cuts have caught up with the archives, which is struggling to prevent the disintegration of unique pieces of Australian history, including the personnel files of RAAF non-commissioned officers from World War II and papers for suffragettes Adela Pankhurst and Celia John.

National Archives Director-General David Fricker stands among the archives boxes at its Canberra repository in 2012. Credit:Colleen Petch

Even surveillance films taken by ASIO, video of the 1998 Constitutional Convention and original films of early Australian Antarctic research expeditions are at risk as the Archives struggles to protect 384 kilometres of records that are growing rapidly every year.

Nicola Laurent, president of the Australian Society of Archivists, of which the National Archives is an institutional member, says its highly concerning it has come to the point where such important records are at risk.
ZURICH (Reuters) - The first case of the Indian variant of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Switzerland, the Federal Office for Public Health (BAG) said, as other countries introduce travel bans to contain its spread.

The case involved a passenger who arrived in Switzerland via a transit airport and not directly from India, which has been hit hard by a massive wave of infections in recent days, the BAG said on Twitter.

The test took place at the end of March, BAG told Reuters on Sunday, adding the person entered Switzerland via a European country.

BAG said consultations were now underway on whether to add India to its list of high-risk countries, from where people must immediately go into quarantine upon arrival in Switzerland.

"The reason for this is the rapid spread of the variant in the country," a spokesman said, referring to India, adding there was currently no accurate information on how infectious or how much more dangerous the new variant was.

Italy on Sunday joined other countries by imposing restrictions on travel from India to avert the spread of the variant.

India has reported more than 300,000 new cases each day for the past four days, more than anywhere else in the world since the pandemic began.

(Reporting by John Revill; editing by David Evans)
NORWALK  Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the summer of 2020 was an unusually calm one at Cove Marina in Norwalk, except for one new restaurant: The Galley.

The Galley is the latest effort in revamping the marina, an effort supplemented by city officials in encouraging residents to frequent Calf Pasture Beach and the shoreline.

Originally the Captains Cup, solely a coffee shop, the space was rebranded and reopened as The Galley in June.

Chef and owner Paige Treglia, 25, was offered the rebranding of the shop by Robbie Gardella, Cove manager and cousin of Treglias mother.

5 1 of 5 Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 5 of 5









It used to just be Captains Cup and that was when it was just a coffee shop. There was no hot food involved, Treglia said. It has always been something thats been a dream of mine to open my own restaurant. It is fast and casual, and sandwiches have always been my thing.

The idea to convert the coffee shop into an eatery came about while the state began closing restaurants to prevent the spread of the virus, and the shops renovations were already in progress, Treglia said.

The Galley opened in June, and with outdoor-only seating, quickly gained traction.

Its hard to compare it to anything since it was our first season and first of everyone dealing with the pandemic, Treglia said. Its hard to tell if we did so well because everyone wanted to be outside and in their boats. Not only were they saying its a great set up for pandemic, but it was great to hear they arent only coming because of that.

With its outdoor-only seating and walk-up window for ordering, The Galley is a seasonal restaurant, open from about April to October, but Treglia said she plans to use the few winter months of closure to offer her sandwiches for catering services.

Alongside the opening of The Galley, Cove Marina expanded outdoor seating at the Sunset Grille, Gardella said.

Like rebranding for The Galley, the Sunset Grille expansion was planned prior to the pandemic and its opening coincided with the increased demand for outdoor dining.

When COVID happened, outdoors was only thing you could do anywhere, Gardella said. That wouldve come about anyway, its just that it was strange with COVID and everything it became very useful. It started out as a small idea it ended up being very helpful.

The marina also revamped its event venue on the west point, dubbed The Point, which hosts weddings, parties and corporate events in a tent along the shore. The venue is already highly sought after, given the various events set to take place in 2020 that were postponed due to the pandemic, Gardella said.

Everything that was put off last year and people are scrambling with dates, he said.

The Cove expects this summer to be a busy one, particularly given the lifting of capacity limits on the beach that were in place last summer.

Last summer, the beach initially opened at 50 percent capacity, shifting to 75 percent later in the summer with other amenities such as the splash pad and playground closed to the public to prevent the spread of COVID-19, city spokesperson Josh Morgan previously said.

On Monday, Gov. Ned Lamont announced his plans to lift all business and dining restrictions come mid-May, if the state continues to increase vaccination and decrease positive COVID-19 cases.

With 61 percent of Connecticut residents and about 50 percent of Norwalk residents having received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the city plans to open the beach this summer at full capacity, with other coronavirus prevention tactics remaining in place.

However, it is still unclear whether the splash pad, skateboarding park and playground will be open this summer, and whether masks will be required when moving about the park and beach, Morgan said.

Despite the uncertainty of Calf Pasture amenities availability, Cove Marina is prepared for and excited by the investments the city and is residents seem to be making in the beach.

Its so great to see how Norwalk as a whole has really been working to become a better town, Treglia said. I really appreciate the support of all the small local businesses. Its great to be part of small local business community where no one is really competing with each other, theyre here to support.

abigail.brone@hearstmediact.com
Today sacked defence minister Johnny Mercer will take a seat in the gallery at Belfast Crown Court where the first servicemen in British military history will face trial for the killing of an active IRA member.

He is determined that he, at least, will not abandon the two ex-paratroopers, known only as Soldier A and Soldier C, who stand accused over the shooting of official IRA man Joe McCann almost half a century ago.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed, during his leadership campaign, to protect our veterans from legal witch-hunts. He appointed Johnny as veterans minister, who tried with all his might to honour the Governments pledge until it finally dawned on him earlier this month that he was, to borrow his salty language, p***ing in the wind.

We have failed in our promise to our Northern Ireland veterans, he says. I cant take it that weve cut these men off, so Ill sit there and at least theyll know they have one friend in the room  but thats not citizen Johnny Mercers job, thats the UK Governments job.

Johnny, a former army captain of 14 years who has completed three tours of Afghanistan, is not a man prone to hyperbole, but he tells me a little part of me died when it finally dawned on him two weeks ago the cowards and snakes that surround the Prime Minister at the heart of government had failed the men and women he vowed to support

This is the first in-depth interview he has given since he was sacked by text last week  a day before he intended to resign over the appalling betrayal of those who served during the Troubles.

We meet at his airy family home in Cornwall as a courier arrives to collect his ministerial laptop.

When you get sacked its brutal, he says. I actually didnt want to go and kick the system. I wanted to explain myself at the despatch box before I went. But the system starts doing what the system does. I have to defend myself.

That place is a cesspit. When I read an unnamed Government insider at No10 saying, Weve destroyed his little plan to flounce out in a blaze of glory I realised they just didnt get it. They cannot understand I would resign because I actually care about the veterans.

Johnny, a former army captain of 14 years who has completed three tours of Afghanistan, is not a man prone to hyperbole, but he tells me a little part of me died when it finally dawned on him two weeks ago the cowards and snakes that surround the Prime Minister at the heart of government had failed the men and women he vowed to support.

I was told, Well deliver legislation [to protect the Northern Ireland veterans] within 100 days. Then its, We will deliver something by the summer, then autumn, then Christmas. Then, two weeks ago, the people who are supposed to be drawing up the legislation tell me not to worry because theyre looking at powers to either reduce sentences or grant mercy. He shakes his head, as well he might.

A decade ago when Johnny, now 39, served his country in Afghanistan, a colleague and friend was shot in the face and died in his arms. There were nine in his patrol

This is the first time this truly shabby proposal has been made public. These are, after all, our old soldiers, many of whom are now grandfathers. Some are so terrified of the effect upon their families of prosecution that they are taking their own lives or drinking themselves to death. They were promised their country would not throw them to the wolves. Today it has.

I wrote to the Prime Minister at Christmas saying I was really concerned that the first trial was coming down the track and wed made promises to these guys that it wasnt happening, he says.

I said hed asked me to look at it and what they were going through was unacceptable. That letter was sent back from No10 to my senior civil servant for him to reply to. You laugh. Its like a comedy sketch. But another little piece of you dies, too.

Johnny has recently showered when I arrive. He has been on his peloton bike in the garage working off his fury. He says at least he can be happy again now he is out of the horrendous job.

The levels of dishonesty currently in that place are unacceptable, he says. We had a written ministerial statement that landed with the first reading of the Overseas Operations Bill [a bill he championed ensuring veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq were protected from legal witch-hunts] that committed to equal treatment for those in Northern Ireland. That was a big deal. It was the first time the Government had committed to something.

Then I was asked to stop repeating that ministerial statement. I was asked to stop repeating our manifesto commitment. I was asked to stop repeating what the Prime Minister said at the despatch box. I said, No, of course Im going to repeat it.

A decade ago when Johnny, now 39, served his country in Afghanistan, a colleague and friend was shot in the face and died in his arms. There were nine in his patrol.

Thats when you earn your stripes. Some guys are stunned, some guys are crying and some guys are unable to function. You have to think clearly not to get everyone killed. Were literally running and shooting whilst carrying his body out.

Determined not to ambush those with whom hed worked, Johnny informed Boris Johnson of his decision on Monday and his boss, defence secretary Ben Wallace, and whip Leo Doherty on Tuesday

Johnny retrieved the body and supported the soldiers parents until their deaths. This is a man who has duty in his DNA. No wonder he is appalled by the antics of the self-serving snakes at Westminster  some of whom, he says, are so crooked they cant lie straight in bed.

I respect Dominic Raab, he says. He shoots straight. Sajid Javid [the former Chancellor] shot straight, too. He shot so straight he shot himself out of a job  like me.

I like Boris. Hes my friend but hes immeasurably busy and tries really hard to keep people happy. Does that mean at times a few snakes get into the operation? Yes. When I finally was able to see him at the end of March he was visibly shocked and upset by my experience in Government.

I could see he wasnt acting. I understand he spoke to the Northern Ireland office but hes got a whole country to run. Solving the veterans issue in Northern Ireland requires absolute commitment from everybody in the process. He looks truly exasperated.

How can they say to the veterans minister, Its OK because were going to pardon them? They have fundamentally missed the point of the whole thing. This isnt a game. Its peoples lives.

Felicity, his wife of seven years, constituency stalwart and mother of their three daughters, agrees. I had my reservations about him going into politics, she says. Hes a freethinker. I knew it was going to be tough but not this tough. For him to call Westminster a cesspit, when hes been sh***ing in a bag in the south of Afghanistan.

Felicity is not a coarse woman but she is truly livid. She is sitting on a stool at their kitchen island and her foot works back and forth.

Darling, you mustnt get emotional, theyre not worth it, Johnny says. Felicity, who is 41 today, is furious on her husbands behalf. He is, she says, the best person I know. She was feeding their ten-month-old daughter Audrey on Tuesday evening when she learned on Twitter he had been sacked.

They hadnt even given him a chance to phone his wife, she says. When he did call to say, Ive been sacked, I said, I know, Ive seen it on Twitter.

Within a few minutes, the chief whip texted Johnny to say he was being relieved of his responsibilities and boasted to the next door Government whips office, Ive just sacked Johnny Mercer

When she and Johnny realised a fortnight ago he had no choice but to resign and support the veterans from the back benches, they were determined he would do so with integrity. He wanted to announce his resignation from the despatch box on Wednesday as the Overseas Operation Bill he had championed to protect veterans in Afghanistan and Iraq finished passing through Parliament. Quickly, formally and without fuss.

Determined not to ambush those with whom hed worked, Johnny informed Boris Johnson of his decision on Monday and his boss, defence secretary Ben Wallace, and whip Leo Doherty on Tuesday. Within three hours, Downing Street leaked he was on the brink of resigning as they set out to shape the news agenda.

Its called the grid and the special advisers try to control it. Its not about reacting to events and leadership. Its a game and these guys, who are essentially unemployable outside politics, decide what the news is on any given day, says Johnny.

They sort of laze around with their feet on the desks, with lots of self-confidence, an abrasive manner towards the civil servants, and absolutely zero respect for people whove actually gone out and won seats for the Conservative Party and come here because they actually believe in something.

I remember in January 2020 we had a bit of a spike in veteran suicides. Id try and meet every bereaved widow and family. There was help available for these guys, but it is very hard to understand where it is and how to access it. I really wanted to go out and talk about what was available, but was repeatedly told it wasnt part of the agenda. The Today programme had phoned me up asking me on.

Today Johnnys whip, Leo Doherty, has his job while Mr Wallace is taking ownership of his Overseas Operations Bill

I remember pleading with the director of communications [then Lee Cain, Dominic Cummings right-hand man] saying, Please just let me go out and say something about veteran suicide so they know where to turn.

He said, The Prime Minister specifically asked me to tell you not to do the Today programme tomorrow. I knew at the time it was b******s and I asked the PM directly about it later. But my die was cast. Veterans were committing suicide at a faster rate than usual and the Government is blocking me from speaking to them  that is clearly unsustainable.

Johnny was attending a debate in the Commons at 7pm on Tuesday evening when he was summoned to the office of chief whip Mark Spencer.

He said the Prime Minister wanted me to resign immediately for grandstanding to journalists on this Northern Ireland issue.

I said, Name me one journalist Ive spoken to about this. They couldnt. I said, Youve actually leaked it and now youre trying to bully me out of government and Im not going anywhere. I will resign tomorrow and you simply arent going to bully me.

He said, Resign now and you can have a really nice letter from the Prime Minister. I was a bit rude about that. I said, If you want me to leave youre going to have to sack me right now. There was a pause and he just looked at the floor like a little boy. I said, Right, Im off.

Johnny stands up, his jaw is firmly set and you know jolly well those old soldiers couldnt want for a better friend in court today

Within a few minutes, the chief whip texted Johnny to say he was being relieved of his responsibilities and boasted to the next door Government whips office, Ive just sacked Johnny Mercer.

When I read the text I was angry, says Johnny. Then I laughed  you have to. It was captured by a cameraman for Sky News who just happened to be there at 7pm on a Tuesday evening  it was a complete set-up. Sack me then get someone to film my reaction. For a party and government Ive poured my heart and soul into, that was nice. I knew they were pathetic but not this pathetic.

Today Johnnys whip, Leo Doherty, has his job while Mr Wallace is taking ownership of his Overseas Operations Bill.

I just felt completely alone in government, like I was a different breed and didnt get it, he says. Why else would you go into parliament other than to fight? Just to keep a seat warm, be an MP, get a nice ministerial office and have everyone call you, Yes minister? Whats the point?

Im away from my young kids. Im away from my wife. I live on my own in London. Its crap but Im there because I want to get things done.

I remember I sat down with a couple of senior ministers [a few days after he had been appointed veterans minister] and said, Boris Johnson is absolutely committed to ending the issues in Northern Ireland. He wants me to look at it. They said, Well, hes going to have to tell us that then.

Felicitys eyes flash in fury. Hes gutted because the people who he thought were onside when he took this job havent done what they said they were going to do. Nothings going to stop this trial now.

Darling, he says, I will make sure those people care about these soldiers in Northern Ireland as much as they care about being popular in the polls.

Johnny stands up, his jaw is firmly set and you know jolly well those old soldiers couldnt want for a better friend in court today.

Will convicted Troubles soldiers be pardoned?

By Glen Keogh

Northern Ireland veterans convicted of crimes relating to Troubles shootings could be pardoned under plans being considered by the Government, sacked former minister Johnny Mercer has revealed.

In an explosive interview with the Mail, Mr Mercer said a part of him died when he discovered two weeks ago that senior figures are looking at powers to reduce sentences or grant mercy to convicted veterans.

He reiterated the sentiment expressed in his resignation letter last week that the Government has failed in its promise to former troops who served in Northern Ireland.

Two ex-paratroopers, known as Soldiers A and C, face trial in Belfast today accused of the murder of official IRA commander Joe McCann in 1972.

Northern Ireland veterans convicted of crimes relating to Troubles shootings could be pardoned under plans being considered by the Government, sacked former minister Johnny Mercer (pictured) has revealed

It is the first prosecution of British soldiers in relation to Troubles shootings since the Good Friday Agreement.

Hundreds of ex-servicemen fear being hauled to court for incidents dating back up to 50 years. Many were investigated at the time, only for cases to be reopened by legacy units of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, which is examining all 3,000-plus deaths. The use of royal pardons for those convicted of criminal offences is often reserved for exceptional or historical cases, such as codebreaker Alan Turing.

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Office said: The Government has been clear it will bring forward legislation to address the legacy of the Troubles which focuses on reconciliation, delivers for victims and ends the cycle of investigations.
AS the country continues to digest the news of a polygamous Gweru businessman who went berserk and allegedly shot four people and killed two instantly, it has emerged that he initially allegedly held hostage his son and his cousin for two hours while waiting for their mothers whom he later shot.

In addition, he also pointed the firearm at the two children but was refrained by one of the women whom he later shot and is battling for life at Gweru Provincial Hospital. On Friday morning Gweru woke up to the news of a frenzied gun attack, in which prominent car dealer Peter Dube (35) shot and killed his second wifes alleged lover, Shelton Chinhango, also a car dealer based in Kwekwe and her friend Gamuchirai Mudungwe (30).

He also shot and injured his second wife, Nyasha Nharingo (31) and her sister Nyaradzo (34). Nyaradzos 16-year-old daughter, who witnessed the horrific incident said she and her cousin, a toddler, who is Dubes son with Nyasha, survived death by a whisker after he attempted to fire the gun at them only to be refrained by Mudungwe. She narrated the ordeal to Sunday News yesterday.

One of the shooting victims, Nyaradzo Nharingo is my mother and Nyasha is her sister. On the day of the shooting, my mother, my aunt and their friends went to Masvingo to collect my mothers passport. She wanted to fly to South Africa on Friday where she was supposed to assume duty on a new job she had got. Dube came home and locked the door. He then told me that we were going to Senga and he also fired the maid and gave her, her salary. I then informed my mother around 8pm and they said they were in Mvuma on their way back, she said.

The teenage girl said all hell broke loose when Nyasha arrived from Masvingo.

When my mother and my aunt arrived in the company of their friends, they asked me to tell Dube to open the door but he refused. He told me to pack all our belongings and leave. My mother started shouting at him and demanded that he opens the door for me to get out.

My mother then told him that they were going to call the police. His first wife also arrived. She said Dube had lied to her saying that he was going to Kadoma to attend to a breakdown and took US$50 which he used to pay the maid.

When my mother went to the police station, he then chucked me out of the house. This was around 10pm, she said.

She said when the police arrived and found the children outside, they assumed that the situation was under control and left. However, Dube continued to refuse to open the door for the women to get their clothes.

Dube refused to open the door. His first wife then called his brother Advance Dube informing him about the issue.

Advance managed to convince his brother to open the door. My aunt then started packing and went into the car which was waiting for us downstairs. My mother then went back to collect her bag as well, she said.

The 16-year old said Dube suddenly went berserk and shot the alleged boyfriend Chinhango, Mudungwe, Nyasha and Nyaradzo.

Dube then came down the stairs running and went into his car and took a pistol. He then came to the Toyota Haice that we were in and confronted the driver (Shelton) accusing him of snatching his wife. He cocked his gun and shot the driver on the head. I then opened the door and ran away. He then pointed the gun at me but my mothers friend Gamuchirai Mudungwe restrained him. He then turned on her and shot her on the chest. He went upstairs and shot my mother and my aunt. After that I saw the maid coming downstairs screaming for help, she said.

The two sisters who are battling for life at Gweru Provincial Hospital are said to have undergone a lifesaving surgery yesterday. Dube is still on the run but sources said he contacted his friend and police later on Friday and promised to hand himself over. Acting Midlands police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said police were still looking for him. Sunday News
Demi Sims broke down in tears on Sunday's episode of The Only Way Is Essex as she told her sisters Chloe and Frankie she had split from Francesca Farago.

The reality star, 25, admitted the relationship she had with Francesca, 27, in private was very different to the one they showed in public.

Francesca took to Instagram just hours before the scene aired and said she was 'pretending everything's fine' in a cryptic post.

Emotional: Demi Sims broke down in tears on Sunday's episode of The Only Way Is Essex as she told her sisters Chloe and Frankie she had split from Francesca Farago

Arriving to meet her sisters, Demi teared up as she said: 'Me and Francesca broke up. I feel literally heart broken but it was for the best. It was the best for both of us.

'We just werent getting on behind closed doors. The relationship we were having in front of everyone else was a different relationship from what we were having when no one was there.

Further explaining the distance that grew between them, Demi said: 'The spark was gone. There was no conversation, it was like getting blood out of a stone.'

'I just feel so unhappy. I would've given her the world if she wanted it but, I don't know, it just didn't work. It just really hurt me.'

Single again: Francesca took to Instagram just hours before the scene aired and said she was 'pretending everything's fine' in a cryptic post

Demi's sisters were quick to reassure her they would be there for her, with Frankie saying: 'I'm not going to lie to you, this is going to be so hard but youve got us. Were going to get through it, its fine.'

Chloe became emotional as she provided Demi with moral support, reminding her that Frankie got through her breakup with Harry Lee and she would do the same.

She said: 'Youve been upset in the past about other relationships. Yous two girls are so strong. She did it and youre gonna do the same.'

Feeling defeated, Demi said: 'I feel like every time I break up with someone, theres no fight for me, its starting to wear me down.'

Heartbroken: The reality star, 25, admitted the relationship she had with Francesca, 27, in private was very different to the one they showed in public

Francesca, who is from Canada, has remained in London since her split from Demi and posted a snap of herself in Elan Cafe on Sunday.

She wrote: 'On todays episode of pretending everythings fine, here we have me enjoying a beautiful lunch at @elan_cafe'.

TOWIE fans took to Twitter after the emotional scene to express their support for Demi with one writing: 'can't deal when Demi cries. Beautiful person inside and out.'

Another said: 'Demi, someday you'll meet someone that will give you the world if you want it and not the other way around.'

Family: Demi's sisters Chloe (left) and Frankie (right) were quick to reassure her they would be there for her

Demi said: 'The spark was gone. There was no conversation, it was like getting blood out of a stone'

Another viewer added: 'Aw poor Demi she looks heartbroken, just shows you don't know what goes on behind closed doors.'

It comes after Demi slammed Francesca over a cryptic TikTok video about 'getting back with an ex' just days after their shock split.

Demi took to Instagram to release a statement on Friday night as she accused the Too Hot To Handle beauty of 'falling for her ex-boyfriend again'.

Prior to their relationship, Francesca dated Too Hot To Handle co-star Harry Jowsey with the two splitting in June - it is not known if he is the alleged ex in question.

Reaction: TOWIE fans took to Twitter after the emotional scene to express their support for Demi

Demi penned: 'Thanks guys for all your messages checking in on me to make sure I'm okay after my ex GF's TikTok (which btw we've only been broke up for a week and she's already posting about falling for her ex boyfriend again).

'But I can assure you I'm okay, after having a hard week of crying and a broken heart I've now realised I've dodged a bullet. I appreciate you all and all your support.'

Demi then shared a screenshot from a fan account where it showed Francesca's TikTok in question and alleged that the reality star had shared a throwback picture of herself with ex Harry.

The TOWIE star captioned it with 'LMAO we've been broken up a week...'

Slammed: It comes after Demi slammed Francesca over a cryptic TikTok video about 'getting back with an ex' just days after their split

Signing off her statement, Demi said: 'Anyways, got to let people get on with it haven't you. Fresh start tomorrow, I'll be moving forwards and leaving that part of my life in the past [heart emoji] appreciate all the lovely messages, good night.'

Francesca appeared to hit back at Demi's claims as she shared a cryptic Instagram Story of her her pet Pomeranian Romeo on Friday night, which she captioned: 'Only boy I'm falling for' followed by a heart emoji.

In her TikTok video, which is still uploaded on the platform, the Canadian beauty lipsyncs to Dua Lipa's Levitating.

It is captioned with 'single and ready to focus on me', then the video changes to 'my ex;' to which she mimes the lyrics: 'You want me, I want you, baby'.

MailOnline has contacted Francesca's representative for comment.

Hitting out: Demi took to Instagram to release a statement on Friday night as she accused the Too Hot To Handle beauty of 'falling for her ex-boyfriend again'

Statement: Prior to their relationship, Francesca dated Too Hot To Handle co-star Harry Jowsey with the two splitting in June - it is not known if he is the alleged ex in question in Demi's statement (pictured)

Demi and Francesca called it quits after a whirlwind four-month romance.

On last week's show, the reality star and her sister Frankie had a heart-to-heart as the model admitted she felt 'lonely' ever since she moved out of the home they shared in Essex to live with the Canadian bombshell in London.

Frankie recalled a chat she had with Amy Childs and Harry about missing her younger sister, sharing: 'I just told them I was feeling so lonely. You're my best friend and sister, we haven't had any time on our own.

'I feel like we're so distant. I just feel so empty at the minute Dem. I'm so scared of losing you as you're everything wrapped up in one Dem. This is the first time we've been separated, and it's just been really hard.'

Claims: Demi then shared a screenshot from a fan account where it showed Francesca's TikTok in question and alleged that the reality star had shared a throwback picture of herself with ex Harry

Moving on: Signing off her statement, Demi said: 'Anyways, got to let people get on with it haven't you. Fresh start tomorrow, I'll be moving forwards and leaving that part of my life in the past [heart emoji] appreciate all the lovely messages, good night.'

'I feel like I've always been your rock, I moved out and it wasn't planned. I've missed you too, you've always been my best friend', Demi replied.

Sharing a picture of roses, Francesca confirmed their break-up on Instagram last week, penning: 'I really didn't want to have to address this today, but I am already getting attacked on social media so I might as well bite the bullet since I have no choice.

'Demi and I are no longer together. We decided to go our separate ways this morning. Nothing bad happened. We were both loyal to one another and still love each other.

'Sometimes people just don't work perfectly together and that's OK. We rushed into living together without knowing if our personalities and daily life meshed well together.

Whirlwind: It comes after Demi and Francesca recently called it quits after a whirlwind four-month romance (pictured in March)

'I wish we could have had a few days to emotionally cope with this in private but we chose to share our entire relationship with you guys which is why I'm posting this now.'

Eagle-eyed fans noticed the former couple had stopped following each other on social media.

Francesca asked her followers to respect her privacy because they are having an 'extremely difficult time.

She added: 'I would have loved to remain friends and in each other's lives but she thought seeing me on social media would be too difficult for her, which is why she wanted to block me.

'We rushed into things': Sharing a picture of roses, the Canadian beauty confirmed their break-up in a heartfelt Instagram

'In life when a couple breaks up this is a coping mechanism and they don't get scrutinised by thousands of people for how they choose to act after a heartbreaking situation. I want you guys to know nothing bad happened between us.

'Please be kind and respect our privacy. It is an extremely difficult time for both of us and negative, inaccurate and presumptuous comments make it much more difficult. It did take a toll on our relationship as well.'

The pair had moved in with each other after falling in love on holiday in Mexico, and even got tattoo tributes of their initials.

The Only Way Is Essex continues Sunday at 9pm on ITVBe and available on the ITV Hub.
Bharat Biotech has reportedly written to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to extend the shelf life of its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin. Originally the shelf life of the vaccine was determined to be six months when stored at 2-8 degrees Celsius.

"Now, we are herewith applying for the extension of shelf life from six months to 24 months when stored at 2-8 degrees Celsius," news agency PTI cited the firm's application to the drugs regulator.

The Hyderabad-based vaccine manufacturer has submitted updated accelerated and real-time stability data of Coaxin along with the justification for the extension of shelf life.

ALSO READ: Bharat Biotech's Covaxin to cost Rs 600 for state govts, Rs 1,200 for pvt hospitals

The development comes a day after Bharat Biotech announced that it will supply Covaxin to state governments at Rs 600 for a dose and to private hospitals at Rs 1,200 per dose. The company also said that it will export the vaccine at $15-20 (Rs 1,124-1,499) per dose.

Covaxin is one of the two vaccines, along with Serum Institute of India's Covishield, being used in India's vaccination programme against the coronavirus. DCGI had extended the sheld life of Covishield from six to nine months in February. Sputnik V, the Russia-made vaccine developed by Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, has also been given approval for emergency use in India.

Covaxin has been developed jointly by Bharat Biotech, Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of Virology (NIV). The inoculation is based on the coronavirus sample isolated by the NIV. It also is the first indigenous vaccine against coronavirus.

Recently published Phase III trial data shows that Covaxin has an overall interim clinical efficacy of 78 per cent and 100 per cent efficacy against severe COVID-19 disease.

ALSO READ: E-pharmacies plan COVID-19 vaccination; PharmEasy to vaccinate 3 crore people in coming months

Covaxin has also shown resistance against multiple variants of coronavirus, including the double mutant variant. "ICMR study shows Covaxin neutralises against multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 and effectively neutralises the double mutant strain as well," ICMR recently announced.

In order to arrive at this conclusion, the ICMR-National Institute of Virology isolated and cultured multiple variants of the virus - B.1.1.7 (UK variant), B.1.1.28 (Brazil variant) and B.1.1.351 (South Africa variant). India's premier health research body said that COVAXIN has shown its potential in neutralising the UK and Brazil variants.

Recently, ICMR-NIV was successful in isolating and culturing the double mutant strain B.1.617 SARS-CoV-2 which has been identified in Maharashtra, and several other countries outside India. This led to countries like Hong Kong, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, the US and the UK impose travel restrictions on India. According to ICMR, "Covaxin has been found to effectively neutralise the double mutant strain as well."

ALSO READ: India to expand COVID-19 vaccination but supplies run short, imports delayed
LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Apr, 2021 ) :Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has urged people to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent coronavirus.

During his address at Koh-e-Sulaiman, he said that pressure on hospitals was increasing due to increase in corona affectees.

The increase in the death rate was also increasing, he said adding that use of face-mask was the only preventative measure and people's lives could be saved by following the SOPs.

He urged people to stay at their homes and remain safe and avoid going out unnecessarily. Rush in market places was resulting in the rapid increase in corona affectees, he added.
MasterChef Australia viewers went wild for Nigella Lawson on Sunday night, after she made a video-chat appearance on the show all the way from London, England.

But some fans were left scratching their heads after the 61-year-old challenged five of the contestants to bake her iconic marshmallow and rhubarb cake from scratch.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Nigella obviously couldn't appear on the show in person - and therefore couldn't make the cake herself for contestants to compare their own creations to.

Scroll down for video

Whodunit? MasterChef viewers went wild for Nigella Lawson on Sunday night - but after the English chef, 61, challenged five of the contestants to make her iconic marshmallow and rhubarb cake, some fans were left questioning who made her cake in Australia

But after no mention was made as to how the cake suddenly materialised on-set by the show's judges, many took to social media to question who should take credit for the baked good in question.

'Did Nigella make her cake and send it to Australia via express post?' one fan laughed, while another added: 'So who made this version of Nigellas cake?'

'If Nigella didnt bake that cake, can she really take credit for how delicious it is?' another added.

Bizarre: The contestants had to compare their cake to Nigella's (right), yet the team gave no indication as to who actually made it thanks to the British chef being stuck in the UK

'Any credit for the staff member who made it? I mean its not actually Nigellas cake?' a fourth chimed in.

'I can only assume that if Nigella made that cake it was shipped to Australia in refrigerated transport with a bunch of vaccines,' a fifth said.

'Wait, who actually made Nigella's cake? Or did they Fedex it from the UK? I missed this crucial information?' another giggled.

On Sunday's episode, Nigella first introduced a task in which the contestants were asked to identify the ingredients to 18 different types of biscuit in 15 minutes.

Speaking out: Fans in their masses took to social media to question just who crafted the pretty cake in question

Delicious: Nigella explained the recipe for this marshmallow and rhubarb cake

The five who identified the least - Conor Curran, Brent Draper, Maja Veit, Yoyo Yang and Tom Levick - then had to bake Nigella's beloved toasted marshmallow and rhubarb cake from scratch.

The twist was that they would have to create the dish from Nigella's description alone, or risk being eliminated from the competition.

YoYo Yang became the second contestant to be booted off the show, after failing to wow the judges with her creation.
New Delhi, April 25 : Amazon on Sunday announced to donate 10,000 oxygen concentrators and BiPAP machines to hospitals and public institutions to augment their capacity to help Covid-19 infected patients across multiple cities in India.

The first of these consignments was set to land in Mumbai on Sunday and a majority of the shipping is expected to be completed by April 30.

Amazon has joined hands with ACT Grants, Temasek Foundation, Pune Platform for COVID-19 Response (PPCR) and other partners to urgently airlift over 8,000 oxygen concentrators and 500 BiPAP machines from Singapore.

Additionally, Amazon India is also procuring over 1,500 oxygen concentrators and other critical medical equipment in partnership with non-profits including Swasth, Concern India and impact organisations like ACT Grants and Sattva Consulting.

The company said that the organisations are working closely with the Indian government to expedite the entry of these oxygen concentrators and BiPAP machines into the country.

"We stand firmly with the country, deploying our global logistics network to urgently airlift the needed oxygen concentrators to support the nation's immediate need," said Amit Agarwal, Global SVP and Country Head, Amazon India.

Amazon will bear the cost of airlifting these oxygen concentrators and BiPAP machines, procured through multiple funders including ACT Grants and PPCR from Singapore to India through Air India and other international carriers.

Additionally, the company will also manage the movement of these oxygen concentrators and other donations from the local airport to identified hospitals and institutions.
In season 3 of The Handmaids Tale, June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) tells her husband Luke Bankole (O-T Fagbenle) that she is not the woman he remembers. That point is evident throughout the first eight episodes of the fourth season made available to critics.

Compared to the first season of The Handmaids Tale, based on a novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood, the fourth season almost feels like a different show entirely. It has broken away from Atwoods source material of the 1985 novel but has not quite reached the plot of Atwoods 2019 sequel The Testaments. Instead, season 4 of The Handmaids Tale acts as a bridge between the two.

At its best, the fourth season is a metamorphosis to becoming something new. Characters are changing, and pacing-wise, stories move forward to set up future seasons. By the end of the third episode, you wonder where the show will go next, and the answer is anywhere but backward.

[Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for Season 4 of The Handmaids Tale.]

Elisabeth Moss as June in season 4 of The Handmaids Tale | Hulu

June has become ruthless in The Handmaids Tale

The fourth season picks up where the third season ended: June orchestrated the escape of 86 children and she was shot in the process. Janine (Madeline Brewer), Alma (Nina Kiri), Brianna (Bahia Watson), and other Handmaids carry June to safety, and the group ultimately finds refuge at a farm belonging to a 14-year-old Wife, Mrs. Esther Keyes (Mckenna Grace).

As a self-proclaimed leader in Mayday, June is ruthless and ready to destroy Gilead no matter the cost. She seems to enjoy killing people now, and she has little patience for those who stand in the way of that.

At times, Junes plot armor makes her a larger-than-life superhero, but the casualties that occur around her push her into anti-hero territory. In her darkest moments, she channels Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), and her friends call her out for the danger her new outlook brings them.

RELATED: The Handmaids Tale Season 4: Elisabeth Moss Says the New Season Is Bigger in Every Way

Season 4 of The Handmaids Tale highlights other characters in Gilead

While June is the central character of The Handmaids Tale, the show boasts an array of talented actors and nuanced characters waiting for their stories to be told.

Nick Blaine (Max Minghella) has always been a character of many masks, and this season he has a new one: trusted Commander. It is a convincing act by Nick, but any time June is so much as mentioned that aura of authority disappears and the man is reduced to tears.

Instead of working in the shadows as an Eye and driver, he calls the shots as Commander Blaine, desperately pulling what few strings he has to keep June alive.

Meanwhile, Aunt Lydia is determined to bring June down. This season, Aunt Lydias tough front is not as strong, and Dowds brilliance allows for some of the characters buried sadness to seep through.

Grace is a welcome addition to the cast as Mrs. Keyes, expertly balancing her characters pain and desire for chaos. Brewers Janine remains a delight onscreen, and viewers are finally gifted with her backstory that feels long overdue.

Commander Joseph Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) is still an enigma when it comes to his loyalty and motives, but if any actor can handle the nuance, its Whitford.

Time moves faster in Canada

Like past seasons, some of the most cathartic and character-driven scenes occur in Canada. Emily (Alexis Bledel), Moira (Samira Wiley), and Rita (Amanda Brugel) do their best to help the children of Gilead acclimate to Canada, but it is not the pretty picture June might have hoped for.

Luke is easy to sympathize with as he raises June and Nicks daughter and clings to the hope that June will return to him. For the first time, he begins to realize what viewers and every other character already know: June has changed.

RELATED: The Handmaids Tale: What Are the Episode Titles for Season 4?

While Commander Fred Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) and Serena Joy Waterford (Yvonne Strahovski) are in Canada awaiting their trial, they are still trapped in their Gilead loop of despising each other but always crawling back.

As magnetic as Strahovski is onscreen as Serena, one can only hope that after this season, the Waterfords storyline will be done. Fiennes and Strahovski have done a magnificent job as the main antagonists, and because of this, it feels time for their characters to be imprisoned for good.

Season 4 of The Handmaids Tale is a welcome change

Unlike a majority of the third season, things happen in season 4 of The Handmaids Tale. By midseason, fans will finally witness results, though it is easy to wish those payoffs happened sooner and were bigger.

Overall, it feels like the fourth season is building for its fifth season, and The Handmaids Tale is finally beginning to look forward. While this new season still features some things that might frustrate viewers and scenes that will surely invite valid criticism, the repetitive loop of June nearly escaping Gilead only to remain a Handmaid is over.

The first three episodes of season 4 of The Handmaids Tale premiere on Hulu on April 28.
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What is the meaning of security of the person and right to liberty in a state of emergency (SoE)?

The security of the person is a basic and most fundamental of all human rights (as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights), and involves the liberty of the person, the right not to be unlawfully detained, or the right to be detained only with due cause or with due process.
The Biden administration is loud and insistent that its dinner-triangle policies have nothing to do with the migrant surge rolling through our southern border. Never mind what the President of Mexico says, Biden and his vice president, Kamala Harris, are adamant.

"The truth is, nothing has changed," Biden told the nation in a national address. Explaining the surge, Biden claimed: "I'd like to think it's because I'm a nice guy, but it's not." He insisted that the surgers were just seasonal surgers, nothing to do with his recission of President Trump's migration treaties with Mexico and Central America, nor his attempt to halt funding for the border wall, or his promise to the migrants themselves that if they enter as unaccompanied children dumped off by human smugglers in the desert or entering through a border wall hole in a high-speed car chase, they won't be sent back. Nothing to see here, move along.

Now that the illegal migrants are fanning out across the country, they're not just getting free Biden t-shirts on the Mexico side, they're getting free "welcome packets" at a new Long Beach migrant shelter as a reward for their illegal entry, like a party favor for making it across, and certainly a sales tool for human smugglers to use to whip up more "business" to keep the surge coming.

Don't come here now, say Joe, but if you do, start with this welcome packet here in Long Beach.

Who is doing the welcoming? Well, perhaps the packet itself will offer a clue: It includes not only a new backpack, shoes, toiletries, and clothing, but a 2019 children's book with a retail value of $17.99, authored by none other than Vice President Kamala Harris, titled "Superheroes are Everywhere."

Which is a little ironic, given that Kamala is nowhere near the border herself. Whoever these superheroes are that appear "everywhere," Kamala is not one of them in a border crisis. She's made herself scarce and was last seen shilling Joe Biden's $3 trillion infrastructure deal in New Hampshire with protestors chanting that she went to the wrong border.

Maybe she could have titled it this:

More seriously, who paid for this $17.99 book to hand out to every illegal border surger that Biden is welcoming into the country? How many were handed out? If it was a thousand kids at the Long Beach facility, that could mean $17,990 for Kamala's bankbook assuming the books were only handed out there alone. The New York Post, which broke the story and has a great cover, reported that no one at the Long Beach center wanted to say.

Well, someone paid. And someone connected to the Bidenites doesn't want you to know.

It's as mysterious a purchase as the Biden t-shirts being worn by thousands of illegals who demanded to be allowed into the U.S.

It does point to a pretty strong possibility of corruption, for one. Book deals with their big payouts and large buying orders, have been endless sources of corruption since at least the 1990s.

And it certainly resembles what the Democrat mayor of Baltimore was successfully prosecuted for last year - her "Healthy Holly" series - and last April she checked in for a three-year stretch in federal prison for that book scheme.

Remember this?

[Baltimore Mayor Catherine] Pughs political fall began in March when The Baltimore Sun revealed she had entered into a no-bid deal with the University of Maryland Medical System, where Pugh sat on the board of directors, to buy 100,000 copies of her sloppily self-published Healthy Holly books for $500,000. She later resigned from the board and as mayor amid multiple investigations into her finances and the book sales. In total, she netted more than $850,000, prosecutors say. At the same time, she failed to print thousands of copies, double-sold thousands more and took many others to use for self-promotion, according to prosecutors. Investigators also uncovered that she laundered illegal campaign contributions and failed to pay taxes.

Based on this book stunt, about which Kamala claims to know nothing (a typical claim for her), she appears to have taken that Baltimore incident not as a cautionary tale, but as a how-to guide.

Surge in, and somehow, it gets profitable for Kamala, who benefits from these book sales, which incidentally are rather useless to the migrants, given that they are written in a language the migrants don't understand, but could work a propaganda tool based on the byline. Can you imagine what the press would say if, say, Ivanka Trump, were to pull a book-sales stunt like this on some pet cause of hers?

The press of course, reports nothing about this incredibly suspicious matter, but obviously, someone is buying the books, which financially benefit Kamala, and then distributing the books as keepsakes for every illegal managing to break into the country. It almost looks like a plot to propagandize them actually, for a profit, and turn them early into Democrat voters. Win-win-win-win.

Who might be behind this book-for-profit scheme? It has the look of the other money-making schemes done by Kamala's greedy relatives, such as Meena Harris, who was warned by Joe to quit trying to cash in on the vice president's name, as she blithely ignored the old foof. Even the book itself purportedly written by Kamala Harris, looks a hell of a lot like Meena's own kid book, and on Amazon, the two are sold together as a packet with another book for $38.04. It's enough to make one wonder about the actual authorship of this book, making one wonder if it was just put out there as a money-making tool for Kamala. To be fair, the graphics, which appear similar, are done by two different artists, and the publishers are different, but the formulaic likeness of the two books remains still uncanny.

In any case, Victory Girls took their hand to some creative writing and offered some helpful suggestions for future works to Kamala, based on the gagworthy content of her children's book -- I'll post just a portion, click to read the whole thing:

Gag me with a spoon. With the exception of the border patrol agents who found them in the desert or loaded them on the bus to go to the holding facility while the kids are processed, I am sure these kids cannot identify with any of Kammies superheroes. And, interestingly, the friendly neighborhood cop is not in her list of superheroes. How about a demotivational book,Supervillains Are Everywhere. For instance: Mom and Dad  Mom and Dad who sold me for the third time to a single, male adult who wanted to cross the Southern Border.

UPDATE 4/28/21: The report from the New York Post, which broke the story were apparently overstated. The reporter, Laura Italiano, apparently based her story on a single photo distributed by Reuters, which featured a Kamala Harris book displayed alongside a welcome backpack. Apparently, it was not fact-checked to be a mass distribution, or for that matter even a single book, so it seems the matter is unresolved; all we know now is that one book was visible. With the photo I saw myself on another site, and the Long Beach city government call for donations for migrants, and her report, I errantly took the Post report as checked. The Post has modified its story. Italiano has since resigned and now says she was pressured into reporting it as she did. As it stands now, it's not known how many Harris books were distributed to migrants, or why the Long Beach officials didn't screen those out for the appearance of conflict of interest, or why they chose the Harris book for the Reuters-distributed photo, done by a local journalist. The potential for corruption in brand-new, rather than used, book purchases, as LongBeach.gov demands, remains rather high, even if the original story was overstated.

Photo illustration by Monica Showalter with use of two cropped images from Pixabay / Pixabay license

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
HEFEI -- Chinese Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan has called for stepping up the building of a modern vocational education system to support economic and social development as well as enhancing the competitiveness of the country.

Sun, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in East China's Anhui province from Thursday to Friday.

During the inspection, Sun visited technician colleges and enterprises to learn about reform in teaching and cooperation between schools and enterprises.

Vocational schools should have greater say over professional settings, the evaluation and employment of teachers, and teaching reforms, Sun said, calling for efforts to improve the quality of higher vocational schools and promote bachelor-level vocational education.

She also stressed improving policies to encourage cooperation between schools and enterprises, and attracting more technical personnel with practical experience to serve as teachers in vocational schools.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 25)  The chief of the Department of Agriculture is facing a graft complaint over his alleged failure to implement sufficient meat inspection facilities, contributing to the spread of the African swine fever that has disrupted the Philippine market.

The complaint filed before the Ombudsman, copies of which were issued to the media over the weekend, showed that the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura and its chair Rosendo Ong So slapped Agriculture Secretary William Dar with charges for allegedly violating Section 3e of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The agriculture industry group also lodged a complaint against the DA executive for violating Section 12B of Republic Act No. 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013.

The complaint is related to the department's failure to act on equipping the Philippines with strengthened border control versus the ASF, and other diseases.

This, So stressed, should be blamed for the spread of the ASFwhich has been branded as the COVID-19 to pigs. Data from the Bureau of Animal Industry showed there were 466,670 culled pigs nationwide due to ASF, with active cases concentrated in 43 barangays in 5 regions.

He noted the group has long been urging the government to fully implement the first border inspection as mandated by the Food Safety Act.

"Instead of heeding the request of the local agriculture sector, ASD (Agriculture Secretary Dar) moved to increase the MAV allocation for pork and reduce pork tariffs," the SINAG chair was quoted as saying in the statement.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this month signed an executive order lowering tariffs on imported pork meat for a year, from the current 30% to 40% to 5% to 20%.

The government is pushing for the increase in the minimum access volume of frozen pork meat to be shipped to the Philippines to up to 400,000 metric tons from the current 54,000 MT to augment pork supply in the country amid the rising prices.

READ: Pork imports may hit 600M kilos this year as traders take advantage of cheap duties

"The spread of other animal/aquatic diseases and plant diseases like avian flu, foot and mouth disease, salmonella, weevil/bukbuk for rice puts further at risk our fragile public health structure, our food safety and animal health concerns," So said.
The Crown producers are reportedly struggling to find an actor to play Prince Andrew in the fifth season of the Netflix show.

The forthcoming series of the hit royal drama will cover 1991 to 1997 and see an older actor replace Tom Byrne, 26, as Andrew in his mid 30s to early 40s - but bosses are allegedly struggling to find a replacement.

It comes over a year after the Duke of York's disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, where he was questioned over his friendship with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Demand to play Andrew in The Crown is so low that producers have advertised the a job on the actors database Spotlight - trying to attract potential candidates by labelling it a 'very good role', according to the Sun.

Producers of The Crown are struggling to find an actor to play Prince Andrew in the upcoming fifth series of the Netflix show. Pictured: Andrew earlier this month at the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral at Windsor Castle

The forthcoming series of the hit royal drama will cover 1991 to 1997 and see an older actor replace Tom Byrne, 26, (pictured) as Andrew in his mid 30s to early 40s

'Prince Andrew is one of the most unpopular members of the royal family and wannabe stars aren't exactly queuing up to play him,' a casting source told the publication.

'It's not the sexiest role and is unlikely to set a Hollywood career alight.'

Newcomer Byrne revealed in November last year admitted he had to 'switch part of his brain off' to get into the role of playing the controversial royal.

Describing it as 'an odd time', Tom said that he made a 'concerted effort' to avoid reading stories or watching the interview as he 'didn't need to bring his own judgement into the role'.

The actor, who had recently graduated Bristol's Old Vic theatre school, began filming the Golden Globe-wining series in autumn 2019, shortly after the royal's infamous Newsnight interview.

Demand to play the prince is so low that producers have advertised the job on Spotlight, a database for actors, as a 'very good role'. Pictured, the Duke of York in 1997 in New York

In the BBC interview, the Duke of York - who has denied any wrongdoing - infamously said he was at Pizza Express Woking on a night he had been accused of going to a night club with Virginia Giuffre, adding that he couldn't sweat due to a rare medical condition.

Filming for series five of The Crown is set to commence this summer, with Imelda Staunton taking over from Olivia Colman as the Queen.

Emma Corrin is set to be replaced by Elizabeth Debicki, 30, for the final two seasons and Dominic West will succeed Josh O'Connor as Charles.

Jonathan Pryce, 73, will take over the role of Prince Philip, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 99, and will portray the royal throughout the 1990s.

The difficulty to cast an actor as Andrew comes over a year after Duke of York's disastrous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, where he was questioned over his friendship with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein

Royal correspondent Michael Cole predicted the series, which is expected to cover Diana's relationship with Dodi Fayed and her death in August 1997, will contain plenty of 'dramatic material and startling revelations'.

Last month Martin Childs, the production designer on The Crown, said while he couldn't divulge details, scripts for the forthcoming series are 'juicy'.

But royal author Hugo Vickers told the Express: 'In my view all 40 episodes are [unpalatable]. And as they approach the present day, they seem to be getting worse. There was quite a backlash against season four.'

The show has already faced widespread criticism over its 'twisted' depiction of the Firm, which portrays Charles as callous and self-serving and his mother the Queen as cold.
Google will join forces with tech rivals this week to try to block a 750million claim that could trigger a raft of class action cases against social media giants.

The company will appear in the Supreme Court to argue that former Which? director Richard Lloyd should not be allowed to sue it for allegedly illegally tracking the internet habits of 4.4 million iPhone users in 2011 and 2012. Facebook, YouTube and TikTok are facing similar court cases over the alleged misuse of personal data.

Lloyd launched a class action case against Google in 2017 in an attempt to win damages for every iPhone user allegedly affected. He claims Google bypassed privacy settings to track users' internet histories.

Battle: Google has drafted in powerful tech lobbyists that also represent companies including Facebook and Twitter

Google has tried to stop the case by arguing that each iPhone user should have to bring an individual claim. Google succeeded in the High Court, but the Court of Appeal allowed the case to go forward.

The company has now drafted in powerful tech lobbyists that also represent companies including Facebook and Twitter. The court will hear statements from both Tech UK and the Internet Association  an influential group working for the tech giants in Washington.

Lloyd's team will be supported by statements from UK data regulator the Information Commissioner and charities that promote children's rights and access to justice.

'I've rarely seen such a big opportunity to hold one of the world's most powerful companies to account,' said Lloyd. 'The law is there to stop businesses misusing millions of consumers' personal data, but we need the means to exercise our legal rights.'

Tech giants face paying out hundreds of millions of pounds in damages in similar claims if the Supreme Court allows class action cases to go ahead. There are at least five class action cases resting on the judgment. Facebook faces two cases over its Cambridge Analytica data scandal in 2015. Lawyers have also filed cases against YouTube, TikTok and Marriott hotels.

Emily Cox, head of media disputes at Stewarts law firm, said: 'We don't have a class action system in the UK like there is in the US. People have to issue their own claim. This situation is exciting because it might change that.'

A Google spokesman said: 'These claims relate to events that took place a decade ago and that we addressed at the time. We look forward to making our case in court.'

It comes after the owner of The Mail on Sunday launched a legal action against Google over claims it exploits its dominance in digital advertising. The parent company of MailOnline and DailyMail.com said the tech giant 'manipulates' search results to 'punish publishers'. Google called the claims 'completely inaccurate'.
Police met with Strike It Lucky star Michael Barrymore again over Stuart Lubbock's death in the swimming pool of his Essex home in 2001.

It comes as a 50-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and indecent assault in Cheshire on March 17 after 'significant new information' came to light, was released under investigation earlier this month.

Butcher Mr Lubbock, 31, had been attending a party at Barrymore's luxury home in Roydon with eight other people when he died.

According to The Sun, Essex Police met with Barrymore again and spoke with him last week.

Michael Barrymore, 68, (pictured walking his dog with a friend in March) reportedly met with police last week after Stuart Lubbock was found dead in his swimming pool during a party at his house in Roydon, Essex

Mr Lubbock, 31, (pictured) had been attending a party at Barrymore's luxury home in Roydon with eight other people when he died

Mike Browne, his former agent, said: 'The police asked us if we had anything new that might have come to mind in the last 20 years but we dont.

'We both just want this to be resolved for everyones sake.'

Essex Police has been approached by MailOnline for comment.

Mike Browne said Essex Police detectives visited his home earlier this month - shortly after a man, 50, was held in Cheshire in connection with Stuart's death.

He told the Mirror: 'They just really wanted to clarify if I was aware of anything coming to light over the last 20 years. Of course, my honest answer was believe me, if anything had done, you would have been made aware of it'.

Stuart was found floating in Mr Barrymore's swimming pool but nobody has been brought to justice for causing his death.

Detectives believe that Mr Lubbock may also have been abused by a pool thermometer and outhouse handle that went missing after his suspected murder.

The initial investigation was deeply flawed after officers failed to secure the crime scene and assumed Stuart had drowned.

A post-mortem examination showed Mr Lubbock had suffered severe internal injuries which suggested he had been sexually assaulted.

Michael Barrymore's meeting with Essex Police comes as a 50-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder and indecent assault in Cheshire on March 17 was released under investigation this week. Pictured: Michael Barrymore's swimming pool

Mr Lubbock, 31, had been attending a party at Barrymore's luxury home in the Essex village of Roydon with eight other people on March 31, 2001

Alcohol, ecstasy and cocaine were found in his bloodstream.

The coroner recorded an open verdict.

Stuart Lubbock's death shocked Britain and ended Michael Barrymore's TV career overnight. The star, who made millions as one of the UK's top TV personalities of the 1980s and 1990s, has always denied playing any part in his suspected murder.

He has been reduced to playing Strike It Lucky live with fans on Instagram and was last seen on TV during a stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006.

A planned appearance on Dancing on Ice last year never happened after he broke his wrist and he was never invited back.

Last year's Channel 4 documentary about the case prompted Barrymore, 68, to issue a fresh denial of any wrongdoing, saying: 'I have had nothing to do with this whatsoever and yet I keep getting bashed and bullied by the media.'
Mr. LORNE MICHAELS, late of The Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour, respectfully informs the public that his celebrated VARIETY SHOW will return to the City of New York on May 8, a week from Saturday next. Anxious to afford his patrons the best possible comedic treat, Mr. Michaels has spared no expense in securing the services of Mr. ELON MUSK, the eccentric industrialist whose ELECTRIC CARRIAGES and FLYING CONTRAPTIONS have become notorious for erupting into UNQUENCHABLE FLAMES. This gentleman, having until recently devoted his efforts to the art of INVENTION, prays that the public will receive his upcoming tribute to THALIA with the same kindness with which they have indulged his TWEETS and SECURITIES FRAUD, andno, it looks like booking Elon Musk to host Saturday Night Live wouldnt have made any sense during the last Gilded Age, either. SNL announced Saturday that the Tesla founder, accompanied by musical guest Miley Cyrus, will inexplicably be hosting the show when it returns on May 8:

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Since booking a cameo in Iron Man 2 back in 2010, Musk has played himself in a variety of shows and movies, including The Simpsons, The Big Bang Theory, and Machete Kills, but this will be his first venture into live, nationally televised sketch comedy. Still, for a newcomer, hes doing everything right: Saturday Night Live has long been seen as a valuable incubator for comedic talent, helping to launch the careers of legends like Gilda Radner, Eddie Murphy, and Miskel Spillman. Will Elon Musk soon join their ranks? Judging from the perfect timing and deadpan delivery Musk demonstrated in his short film Watch the Tesla Cybertrucks Windows Get Smashed, we wouldnt rule it out.

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Elon Musk will be the first billionaire to host Saturday Night Live since November 7, 2015, when the show was presided over by New York real estate developer and up-and-coming politician Donald Trump. Oh no. Oh, God, no!
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Aizawl, April 25 : The Indian Air Force (IAF) would deploy two helicopters to douse the forest fire in Mizoram even as the state's fighters and disaster management personnel are battling the blaze in Lunglei district and its adjoining areas, officials said on Sunday.

IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Ratnakar Singh said the two IAF Mi-17V5 helicopters equipped with Bambi buckets would be positioned to douse the wildfire in Lunglei district and adjoining areas.

Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Sunday sought help from the IAF as well as the locals in dousing the major forest inferno in the mountainous district, which shares borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Officials here said that Zoramthanga has earlier asked the Chief Secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo to talk to the IAF authority to urgently deploy helicopters to douse the forest fire which has been rapidly spreading in the adjoining localities and small towns of Lunglei and the adjacent district in southern Mizoram.

Assam Rifles, Border Security Force (BSF), hundreds of volunteers, disaster management and Fire and Emergency Services personnel are continuing their efforts to control the inferno.

An official statement said that the fire was initially concentrated in uninhabited forest areas surrounding the Lunglei town on Saturday and on Sunday have spread to more than 10 village council areas adjoining the town.

"Dry vegetation due to drought conditions, coupled with strong winds, has made the mission extremely challenging, and the unfriendly terrain of the area also poses a very serious risk and hindrance for the firefighters," the statement said.Lunglei district's Deputy Commissioner Kulothungan said that the state's fire fighters and disaster management personnel accompanied by the locals are doing their best but the wind is further increasing the fire spread to newer areas."There is no casualty in the fire so far. We are unable to assess the gravity and volume of the damages due to the fire right now as we are busy in dousing the inferno," Deputy Commissioner told IANS.

The Lunglei district blaze is the fifth major forest fire in the four northeastern states - Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Mizoram - since January this year.

The Army's Spear Corps successfully doused a major forest fire at the Bada Kandun Village of Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh earlier this month.

The IAF's two helicopters, disaster management personnel and villagers doused a major forest fire at Shirui peak in Ukhrul district of Manipur in the last month end.

In the mid February Army troops successfully doused a major forest fire in Arunachal Pradesh's Dibang Valley district along the China border.In January, the Army, Indian Air Force, National and State Disaster Response Force, local volunteers and administration jointly doused a major wildfire in the famous Dzukou Valley on Nagaland-Manipur borders after two weeks of battle.

The forest fire caused huge damage to the flora and fauna, forest and environment of the Dzukou Valley, which is one of the 10 most beautiful places in the mountainous northeast India.

The Dzukou valley, situated at an altitude of 2,452 metres above the sea level and 30 km from Nagaland capital Kohima, is also a sanctuary for the endangered Blyth's tragopan - Nagaland's state bird - and other species of birds and animals.
We all know that safety technology in vehicles is saving lives and saving on auto insurance, but don't forget the role of GPS in telematics and usage-based auto insurance in doing that as well, such as pay-as-you-drive car insurance.

Technology has also positioned insurance companies to save potential and current clients time, from getting rate quotes to making the accident filing process easier, thanks to image analytics assisting with auto repair claims.

Review how technology is saving auto insurance customers time and money, and also see what the future holds: Driverless autos, yes. Flying autos, ever? Cheaper insurance? Read on.

Technology Saving You Money on Auto Insurance

Millennials and Generation Z drivers can't fathom a world without that sonorous voice emitting from their dashboard or their cell phone giving them directions. The Global Positioning System (GPS) made those unruly road maps nearly extinct for all. And for those with a dash cam, it can provide the ultimate vehicle tracking solution.

And it's currently helping customize your auto insurance, which can lower your premium.

Vehicle Tracking with Telematics

Vehicle tracking devices with a built-in GPS receiver have spawned usage-based insurance (UBI). The telecommunications (telematics) devices - embedded in the vehicle, a plug-in, or a mobile app - monitor you whenever you hit the road.

The data it collects determines how much you pay. So instead of paying the same rates as more reckless drivers or drivers who log higher-than-average mileage, your premium is customized to your individual driving behavior.

Most major insurance companies offer a usage-based insurance discount. But since many of these usage-based programs aren't available from coast to coast, check with your current insurance carrier or comparison shop to see what's available in your area.

There are two main types of UBI.

Pay-How-You-Drive Auto Insurance

Pay-how-you-drive insurance monitors your speed, braking, acceleration, and other driving patterns such as when and how often you drive. So if you're a careful driver, here's how much you could save on your premium and with what carriers:

This includes:

- Up to 15 percent savings: Allstate's DriveWise and Farmers' Signal

- Up to 20 percent savings: American Family's KnowYourDrive, Geico's DriveEasy, Progressive's Snapshot, Travelers' IntelliDrive, and USAA's SafePilot

- Up to 30 percent savings: Liberty Mutual's RightTrack and State Farm's Drive Safe and Save

- Up to 40 percent savings: Nationwide's SmartRide

Pay-Per-Mile Auto Insurance

Pay-per-mile insurance calculates your premium based on your actual usage of your vehicle. So if you don't drive frequently - for example, if the pandemic has transitioned your job to a work-from-home one - here's how much you could save on your premium and with what carriers.

This includes:

- Up to 20% savings: Allstate's MileWise

- Up to 25% savings: Liberty Mutual's ByMile

- Up to 40% savings: Nationwide's SmartMiles

Usage-based auto insurance is gaining popularity. In fact, some insurance industry experts venture that it will be the norm within the next decade.

Technology Saves You Time on Auto Insurance

Thankfully, auto insurance companies haven't started personalizing just some types of their insurance policies. They're expanding the convenience and customization afforded by technology to virtually all facets of their interactions with customers.

Tech Launches Multiple Online Auto Insurance Quotes

Remember the days of calling each auto insurance company individually and repeatedly providing the same information in order to get a rate quote?

You can still do that, of course, if you want that old-school, personal connection, but you'll save a big chunk of time and aggravation by starting your search for auto insurance online.

Free online quotes are available from all of the top auto insurance companies through a seemingly infinite amount of insurance comparison websites. And the more information you provide, the more accurate your quote.

It's a convenient, low-pressure experience. You can adjust policy details to see different prices, and you can get results in mere minutes and compare several companies in one session.

But it still holds true that you should do more than look at your rate when deciding on auto insurance. Thanks to the internet, that's also quick and easy to do.

Check company ratings on third-party sites like the Better Business Bureau, Consumer Reports, or Trustpilot. See if and what complaints have been filed against the insurers through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), as well as if there are any legal or regulatory problems related to their licensing, or if any financial issues come up.

And those auto insurance comparison sites usually feature content that includes auto insurance company reviews, so check those out, too.

Tech Revolutionizes Auto Insurance Customer Service

You can not only get auto insurance quotes online. While many companies will finalize your quote over the phone, you can also buy your policy online. Many of the top companies accommodate this convenience, and the most affordable ones are Progressive, State Farm, and USAA.

The established carriers are driven to do this in order to keep up with one of their newest competitors: online-only insurance companies. Esurance, one of the first companies to sell direct to consumers online, starting way back in 1999, is available in 43 states so far.

And Metromile, an exclusively pay-per-mile insurance company, also coordinates everything online. Launching in 2011, it's only available in eight states.

There's also Root Insurance, which came on the scene just a few years ago starting in Ohio and is now available in all but 13 states. It was founded by Alexander Timm, who had a long career at Nationwide and saw the writing on the wall. Root is the first and only auto insurance company that's entirely handled on a smartphone.

The top insurance companies have also been automating more to expedite other interactions with their customers. This includes a great reduction in time on "housekeeping" items, from updating your information to viewing your policy and accessing your auto insurance ID card.

But technology has greatly helped in the realm of claims. You can access an auto accident checklist, file your claim, upload photos and documents related to it, get roadside assistance, find repair shops, and track the status of your claim.

And with telematics, insurers can collect data from the incident - such as speed, braking, and force of impact - which can help verify a claim and determine if it should be paid as quickly as possible. This accelerates the whole claims process, reducing cycle times and improving the customer experience.

In fact, carriers are setting their sights on virtual claims handling. Many of them are considering improving their competitive edge by utilizing technology-based inspections to enable remote assessments and processing.

While the major insurers don't anticipate full automation with claims, chatbot technology can help take care of minor ones, which enables customer service teams to spend more time helping people with complex or sensitive cases. This is another step toward improved customer satisfaction.

Technology Impacting Your Future Auto Insurance

If you think there has been a lot of change in the auto insurance industry in the past decade, just wait for the next decade. Vehicle manufacturers continue to add and improve upon safety features. They're revved up in hot competition for what they consider the epitome of safety: the age of the driverless auto, in which they'll virtually reduce all human error.

Let's take a peek at what this could mean for auto insurance rates.

Auto Insurance Changes and Cost Estimates

Ready to reduce your auto insurance premium by 26 percent in 2030? That's what a report on the future of auto insurance from financial consulting firm Deloitte estimates. They attribute that number to the safety benefits of autonomous vehicles.

And if you don't have yourself an autonomous vehicle by then, they still have good news. They estimate that additional safety benefits, reduced fraud, and other factors from driver-driven and autonomous vehicles will reduce premiums by up to 18 percent.

The future of auto insurance premiums continues to look rosy: By 2040, Deloitte expects that further safety improvements from autonomous vehicles could decrease total annual auto insurance premiums by up to 30 percent from current levels.

So while we also look to 2040 for those flying autos - or earlier, if Tesla, Terrafugia, Hyundai, Uber, Apple, SkyDrive, or PAL-V has an unprecedented breakthrough - take advantage of how well current tech is making it much easier to deal with your auto insurance company and greatly helping lower what you have to pay them for your coverage.

Karen Condor is an insurance expert who writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, BuyAutoInsurance.com.
A former Victorian public servant was told he could lose his job for hosting a not-for-profit podcast in his spare time last month, in what he says was an attack on his free speech and an unfair impingement on his private life.

The head of the states public sector union has criticised the Victorian government for its overly zealous application of an antiquated code of conduct, arguing such threats set a dangerous precedent for the states 50,000 public service employees.

Mike Davis worked on mental health for the Victorian government and hosted a mental health podcast. Credit:Scott McNaughton

Karen Batt, Victorian and federal secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union, said she wanted to meet with the Andrews government to discuss how the code can be modernised for the digital age in a world where every individual can become a publisher through social media and podcasts.

Melbourne man Mike Davis has hosted Humans of Purpose since 2017, a podcast profiling inspiring and purpose-driven leaders from our local community. He also hosted Mental Wellth, a paid mental health podcast commissioned by an equity fund, until March 23.
and launched four astronauts to the Space Station (ISS), the third crewed mission of the US commercial rocket company in less than a year.

The Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying four astronauts from three countries has safely reached orbit a few minutes after the liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at 5.49 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (0949 GMT), according to NASA's twitter, Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

It was the first time that Elon Musk's reused a capsule and a rocket to launch astronauts. The spacecraft is due to arrive at the ISS early Saturday following a flight of over 23 hours.

The four-member team includes US astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, France's Thomas Pesquet, and Japan's Akihiko Hoshide.

"It has been an incredible year for and our Commercial Crew Program, with three crewed launches to the space station since last May," said Acting Administrator Steve Jurczyk.

"This is another important milestone for NASA, SpaceX, and our partners at ESA (European Space Agency) and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and for the future of scientific research on board the space station. It will be an exciting moment to see our crews greet one another on station for our first crew handover under the Commercial Crew Program," he said.

During Crew Dragon's flight, will command the spacecraft from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California, and NASA teams will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from Mission Control Center at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The Crew-2 mission is the second of six crewed missions NASA and SpaceX will fly as part of the agency's Commercial Crew Program.

The Crew-2 members will conduct science and maintenance during a six-month stay aboard the orbiting laboratory and will return no earlier than October 31, according to NASA.

The launch was postponed for about one day due to unfavourable weather conditions.

--IANS

int/

(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.)
Q: With multiple public killings of unarmed Black, Indigenous and people of color by police, how can white allies offer support to colleagues of color at work, and what should they not say?

A: 1. Acknowledge the killings: Sometimes we dont mention things because we dont want to remind people of their pain. But what actually happens when we dont acknowledge the issue is that people feel alone in their pain.

You can encourage your jobs leadership to send out a statement whenever racist killings occur, and also reach out personally and say something like, Hey, Ive seen theres been a lot of highly publicized killings of people of color in the news, and its all been so awful. I wanted to acknowledge that this is happening and not pretend like today is a normal day because its not. If itd help for me to lighten your load at all  like taking over a task or keeping notes for you at a meeting in case you need to duck out, let me know.

2. Act for racial justice when no ones watching: White allies sometimes focus more on looking good for their allyship than actually helping the cause. Thats why theres been so much backlash against the black square on Instagram  so many people posted the black square but then failed to recruit, promote and listen to POC co-workers.

POC want allies who are genuinely committed to racial justice, rather than being committed to looking like they are. If youre committed to racial justice, you should be willing to contribute to the cause even when no one knows about it, by doing things like donating to victims of racist killings, protesting or sending letters to Congress.

3. Dont wait for employees of color to create workplace change: Racial justice will only be achieved when white people take it as seriously as its victims do. Yet, in workplaces, we typically see only employees of color advocating for more equitable policies or serving on diversity and inclusion boards. As a white co-worker, dont wait for your colleagues of color to advocate for diversity and inclusion. Lobby your boss for diversity training, encourage HR to recruit more employees of color, comment when committees and panels include only white people, and call out racially biased treatment, racist comments and microaggressions.

Marisa G. Franco, psychologist and friendship expert

A: Were you given the talk? You know, the conversation parents of Black and brown kids have, usually before those children enter school; the one that goes, This is how you have to behave in crisis situations, or you will die.

Many white kids arent given that talk, because their parents believe that, since their child will never face danger because of the color of their skin, they as parents dont need to educate their offspring about that reality - even though their kids are more likely to be the ones who will grow up to hurt Black and brown people. The people being given the talk are not the ones who have any power over the situation they are being trained for.

I think about this a lot when police officers kill people of color  how, when we return to work the next day, its usually the white people who refuse to acknowledge that the situation has changed.

Like it or not, when massive injustice happens, it adds to the stress people bring into the workspace. The trial of convicted murderer Derek Chauvin was on the cover of almost every national paper for weeks, only occasionally replaced by other terrifying stories of killings by police officers, including the recent death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo, a Latino 13-year-old killed by a Chicago police officer.

Something as simple as stating at the top of a meeting that an injustice has happened  and this group cares about things like that  allows the reality to live in the room, if only for a second. Dont wait for the person whos suffering to tell you times are hard. If you know theres a situation happening, its up to you to set a tone where people feel safe.

Its scary to be the only Black or brown face in a workplace and call attention to the fact that a verdict is about to be read: If youre a white ally, realize your power, and make sure your workplace is somewhere people dont have to walk on eggshells until something finally breaks.

Ike Holter, Chicago playwright and screenwriter
Sydney Water is experiencing a steep rise in whistleblower complaints, with dozens of allegations of serious wrongdoing or corrupt conduct made by its employees.

It received 45 complaints from 45 individual whistleblowers in 2019/20, vastly outstripping the number of whistleblower complaints made in most other NSW government agencies.

A worker at a Sydney Water plant. The government agency has experienced an increase in whistleblower complaints since 2015. Credit:Kate Geraghty

However, there were also elevated numbers of whistleblower complaints by employees of NSW Health and Fire and Rescue NSW.

Sydney Water has blamed a change in the way it categorises complaints for the soaring numbers since 2015/16, when only one was lodged.
Italy celebrates the Festa della Liberazione on 25 April.

Italian premier Mario Draghi will pay a visit to the Historic Museum of the Liberation of Rome on the morning of 25 April, as part of his official duties to mark Liberation Day, a national public holiday in Italy.

However not many people are aware of the Museo storico della Liberazione di Roma, one of Rome's least-visited museums, and the horrors that once took place inside its windowless walls.

Located on a nondescript side street in the city's S. Giovanni neighbourhood, the three-storey museum is housed in what was the Gestapo headquarters during the Nazi occupation of Rome in the second world war.

Comprising prison cells and torture chambers, Rome's Liberation Museum documents the persecution of Jews and Italian resistance figures, or partigiani, interrogated here by the SS from 1943-1944.

The museum places a particular focus on the Fosse Ardeatine Massacre when some of the 335 victims were taken from the prisons on Via Tasso before being murdered in a quarry near the Appia Antica.

Amidst the horror of the museum are touching messages, about life and freedom, scrawled or carved into the walls of the cells, often written by prisoners in the last hours of their lives.

Today this bleak building contains archive photographs and Gestapo documents as well as personal items belonging to the victims of the Nazi massacres at Fosse Ardeatine and Forte Bravetta.

The building's history

Built in the late 1930s, the building was used initially as the cultural office of the German embassy in Rome, however in September 1943 it became the base of the Sicherheitspolizei (SiPo), an agency of the SS, led by Herbert Kappler.

The building's location was also near the wartime headquarters of the Nazi Gestapo at Villa Wolkonsky, today the residence of the British ambassador to Italy.

Kappler transformed the building on Via Tasso into a prison, its rooms turned into cells, and by January 1944 all its windows had been walled up to facilitate the imprisonment, interrogation and torture of its prisoners.

An estimated 2,000 people passed through its doors until the Liberation of Rome on 4 June 1944 when the people of Rome broke into the jail and freed the prisoners who had not been taken and murdered by the retreating SS.

Becoming a museum

The apartments occupied by the SS were donated to the Italian state in 1950 by Princess Josepha Ruspoli in Savorgnan di Brazza, who stipulated that the rooms be used as a permanent museum.

The Museo storico della liberazione di Roma was inaugurated in 1955 by Italian president Giovanni Gronchi and was opened definitively in 1957.

Visiting the museum

The museum has been closed recently under Italy's covid-19 restrictions but is expected to reopen in the coming days.

Entry is free but donations are encouraged for the museum's upkeep. For full visiting details, in English, see museum website.
New Delhi, April 25 : The Congress has setup control room to coordinate with PCC control rooms and provide assistance and relief to the people infected with coronavirus. Congress president Sonia Gandhi has appointed four persons to man the control room. They are Manish Chatrath, Ajoy Kumar, Pawan Khera and Gurdeep Singh Sappal.

The Congress statement said, this group of four persons will coordinate the relief activities of various state control rooms.

India reported yet another grim milestone of highest number of daily new Covid-19 cases. A total of 3,49,691 Covid cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, and 2,767 deaths, the highest single-day toll so far in the country, according to health ministry's reports on Sunday.

A total of 1,92,311 have lost their lives due to Covid-19 in India since last year.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said malaria is responsible for an annual reduction of 1.3 per cent in Africas economic growth.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti disclosed this in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES to commemorate the 2021 World Malaria Day (WMD).

According to Ms Moeti, for every year that malaria spread, health and development suffer the most.

She noted that malaria-related absenteeism and productivity losses cost Nigeria an estimated US$ 1.1 billion every year.

Malaria is responsible for an average annual reduction of 1.3 per cent in Africas economic growth, Ms Moeti said.

Malaria-related absenteeism and productivity losses cost Nigeria, for example, an estimated US$ 1.1 billion every year.

In 2003, malaria cost Uganda an estimated gross domestic product equivalent to US$ 11 million and in Kenya, approximately 170 million working days and 11 per cent of primary school days are lost to malaria each year.

The regional director said more efforts are needed to change the situation and to help at-risk populations.

World Malaria Day

World Malaria Day is marked on April 25 every year to highlight global efforts to control malaria and celebrate the gains that have been made.

The theme for this years celebration is Zero Malaria  Draw the Line Against Malaria because every malaria case is preventable, and every malaria death is unacceptable, WHO said.

Malaria, a disease caused by a parasite spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes, kills more than 400,000 people yearly, mostly children in sub-Saharan Africa.

Malaria is endemic in Nigeria with about 53 million cases annually (one in four residents) and 81,640 deaths annually (nine deaths per hour) from the disease.

However, there is hope of ending malaria as a vaccine has been found to surpass the 75 per cent efficacy goal set by the WHO for a malaria vaccine to receive a nod.

The findings come from the first 12 months of an ongoing phase two trial, which was first launched in Burkina Faso in May 2019 and involves 450 children, aged 5 to 17 months, according to a report by the Independent UK on Friday.

If safety is assured, health authorities say that it will become the key weapon in eliminating the disease, which is responsible for half a million deaths a year, mostly in children, Nigerias health minister Osagie Ehanire said on Friday.

Apart from the potential vaccine, Mr Ehanire said N1.89 trillion will be needed if Nigeria is to achieve a malaria prevalence rate of less than 10 per cent and reduce mortality rate to less than 50 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2025.

Regional Statistics

Ms Moeti said in 2019, the African region accounted for 94 per cent of both the 229 million malaria cases and 409,000 malaria deaths reported globally.

She said between 2000 and 2019, malaria incidence declined by 29 per cent and deaths by 60 per cent.

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She explained that more than 1.2 billion cases and 7.1 million deaths were averted in the region.

Cabo Verde has maintained zero malaria status since 2018, Algeria was certified malaria free in 2019, and Botswana, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Namibia and South Africa achieved the 2020 milestones of reducing malaria incidence and deaths by 40 per cent compared to 2015.

Ms Moeti, however, said 36 of the 44 malaria-endemic countries in the region did not achieve these milestones.

Overall, the region was off track by 37 per cent and 25 per cent for the incidence and deaths milestones respectively.

While malaria incidence in the region dropped by 9 per cent to 10 per cent every five years between 2000 and 2015, in the last five years, this has slowed to less than 2 per cent, she said.

Major improvement

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative in Nigeria, Walter Mulombo, while speaking during a press conference on Friday said

Nigeria has recorded a drop in malaria prevalence from 42 per cent in 2010 to 23 per cent in 2018.

Despite the progress, he said, malaria still accounts for more than 60 per cent of hospital visits, 20 per cent of under 5 mortality and 11 per cent of maternal mortality.

Mr Mulombo said 44 per cent of household out of pocket expenditure is on malaria despite funding from government and partners.

He said this causes a significant loss in economic growth and also puts a strain on household finances.

He, however, said there has been a growing political commitment at country, regional and international levels to tackle malaria.

Mr Mulombo noted that this years theme re-emphasizes the need for collective responsibility towards ending the devastating scourge of a disease that is preventable and curable.

Today therefore is a reminder to every individual, community, stakeholder, organizations and government to accelerate actions required to end the disease, he said.
Education unions to hold protest in Galle town on April 29 View(s):

Teachers have continued to demand for a revision of their salary anomalies, through a series of protests organised across the country.

A Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) spokesperson said the next protest by the education unions will be held in Galle town on April 29.

Last month a protest was held in Badulla, and teachers demanded the current government officials to review their salaries.

The unions have been continuously requesting the government to grant the promised revisions salary anomalies, which have been delayed for several years.

Successive governments have postponed the decision to grant the revisions which are estimated to cost the State an additional sum of Rs. 54 billion annually.

-CC
"Vincenzo" indeed made an epic comeback on the weekend primetime after a week of hiatus, and these legendary moments prove that Episode 17 is worth the wait!

In the latest "Vincenzo" episode, Vincenzo (Song Joong Ki) says it'll be a hassle for him to kill his enemies in an instant, as he goes by his mantra: "A painful death is a blessing."

For our anti-hero, humiliation is worse than death, and a slow death is more satisfying.

Without further ado, here are "Vincenzo" Episode 17's most epic moments we just can't forget! Read at your discretion, though, 'cause there will be huge spoilers below.

Jang Joon Woo Caught a Glimpse of Hell

Viewers were pleased to see Babel Group's CEO Jang Joon Woo (Ok Taecyeon), the psychopath and the epitome of evil, running for his life after Vincenzo infiltrated the enemies' den. He gave Jang Joon Woo a preview on how he should leave his life for a couple of weeks. Instead of shooting his head, the mafia consigliere shot Jang Joon Woo's right ear, making the CEO cry in agony.

Cassano Family Humiliated the Babel Group

From neighbors to friends, Vincenzo found a family in the people who reside in Geumga Plaza. After mourning the death of his mother, the Geumga tenants decided to stop their businesses' operations for a while and proposed to help the mafia consigliere counterattack the Babel Group.

And soon enough, the residents emerged one by one and strutted outside the Plaza, all clad in black suit and tie, marking the official commencement of their mission as members of the Cassano Family. They successfully concluded their first mission to humiliate Jang Joon Woo and Choi Myung Hee (Kim Yeo Jin) in front of their supposed investors during the bidding party.

best team ever. the family that #Vincenzo found in these strangers is honestly the best part of the drama. 



the two weeks of wait is definitely worth it. 

the casts, writers and directors are on fire. #VincenzoEp17 pic.twitter.com/2SdIFKKjQk  zee base (@zygmaund) April 24, 2021

Han Seung Hyeok Helped Jang Han Seo become the Babel Group Chairman

Bringing the brilliant prosecutor in, Han Seung Hyeok (Jo Han Chul) allied with the presidential candidate Park Seung Jun. He mentioned the Guillotine file and the gold bars to the politician and that an Italian lawyer has control over them.

And the fact that all the mess will point to him left him no choice but to accept Han Seung Hyeok's offer to be his "unbreakable shield." In exchange, he wanted to be appointed as the new Chief Prosecutor and let Jang Han Seo (Kwak Dong Yeon) be reinstated as the Babel Group CEO.

Jang Joon Woo and Choi Myung Hee were in despair upon knowing Hang Seung Hyeok used his connections against them.

Vincenzo Made an Alliance with the International Organized Crime Bureau's Director

It was then revealed in "Vincenzo" Episode 17 that the director of the International Organized Crime Bureau, Tae Jong Gu, is on Vincenzo's side. He became a spy to know all the Babel Group's secrets. He made sure that no one goes after Vincenzo Cassano - to scare those in the position off and let the people know that he is a dangerous Italian man involved in various corruption and crimes.

it is now confirmed that everyone in their agency is dramatic af #VincenzoEp17 #Vincenzo pic.twitter.com/pQON2us9AO  dy (@cheorinyeop) April 24, 2021

The much-awaited episode 17 indeed made a satisfying return on the weekend primetime. But there are still lots of exciting and epic moments that viewers should look forward to. Three more episodes left, and we surely can't wait!

What can you say about the legendary return of "Vincenzo" on the weekend primetime? Don't forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Written by Shai Collins
Imperial Valley News Center

Fisherman and Fish Dealer Charged with Conspiracy, Fraud, and Obstruction

New York - Wednesday, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of New York unsealed the indictment of one fisherman, a wholesale fish dealer, and two of its managers for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and obstruction in connection with a scheme to illegally overharvest fluke and black sea bass. All four defendants are from Montauk.

Christopher Winkler, 61, Bryan Gosman, 48, Asa Gosman, 45, and Bob Gosman Co. Inc. were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud as well as to unlawfully frustrate the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) efforts at regulating federal fisheries. Winker and the corporate defendant each face substantive fraud charges. In addition, each of the defendants was charged with obstruction.

The indictment alleges that between May 2014 and July 2016, Winkler, as captain of the New Age, went on approximately 70 fishing trips where he caught fluke or black sea bass in excess of applicable quotas. This fish was then sold to a now-defunct company and unindicted co-conspirator in the New Fulton Fish Market in the Bronx. Both Asa Gosman and Bryan Gosman had an ownership interest in the defunct company. After the Bronx company went under, Winkler sold a smaller quantity of his illegal catch directly to Bob Gosman Co. Inc., a Montauk fish dealer in which Asa Gosman and Bryan Gosman had a management role. The overages of fish included at least 74,000 pounds of fluke, and the overall over-quota fish (of all species) were valued at least $250,000 wholesale.

Under federal law, a fishing captain is required to accurately detail his catch on a form known as a Fishing Vessel Trip Report (FVTR), which is mailed to NOAA. Similarly, the first company that buys fish directly from a fishing vessel is termed a fish dealer, and fish dealers are required to specify what they purchase on a federal form known as a dealer report, which is transmitted electronically to NOAA. Pursuant to statutory mandate, NOAA utilizes this information to set policies designed to ensure a sustainable fishery. The indictment alleges that the part of the conspiracy was to falsify both FVTRs and dealer reports in order to cover-up the fact that fish were taken in excess of quotas.

Additionally, Asa Gosman, Bryan Gosman, and Bob Gosman Co. Inc., acting through its agents and employees, were charged with obstructing the investigation into these crimes by corruptly withholding certain documents and records sought by a federal grand jury.

Initiated as part of Operation One-Way Chandelier, the indictment is part of a multi-year, ongoing investigation into fisheries fraud on Long Island. The case is being investigated by NOAAs Office of Law Enforcement. Trial Attorney Christopher Hale of the Justice Departments Environment and Natural Resources Division's Environmental Crimes Section is prosecuting the case.

The defendants will be arraigned at a future date.

An indictment is only an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise before a jury at trial.
South Carolinians can now receive the single-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, state health authorities announced Friday.

The CDC and FDA lifted a pause on the vaccine, also known as the Janssen vaccine, on April 23 after determining its benefits outweigh the risks. 15 women have developed a rare and severe type of blood clot between 6 and 15 days after receiving the vaccine, according to the CDC.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control issued statewide notification on Friday evening that any provider with properly stored Janssen vaccines can administer them to the public.

"DHEC encourages all South Carolinians who have not yet received their vaccination to get their Janssen, Moderna or Pfizer shots as soon as possible. Getting your COVID-19 vaccine has never been easier, with many clinics offering extended hours with no appointments and no ID or insurance required," reads DHEC's press release. "COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and they are helping save lives. These vaccines are how we end this pandemic once and for all."

COVID-19 updates

DHEC confirmed Saturday that another 10 South Carolinians died of COVID-19, including seven elderly and three middle-aged people.

This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the state to 8,289. Confirmed cases stand at 478,739.

In Aiken County, DHEC reported 13 new coronavirus cases as of Thursday. Edgefield and Barnwell counties each have two more confirmed cases.

Aiken County has had a cumulative confirmed total of 12,732 cases and 176 coronavirus deaths, according to DHEC.

Out of 30,596 coronavirus tests reported to DHEC Thursday, 5.3% were positive.

DHEC reports a 2.6% positive rate for the 1,005 tests performed in Aiken County on Thursday.

As of Friday night, 87.7% of hospital beds in Aiken County are occupied, according to DHEC. Five patients are on ventilators.

According to DHEC, 40.5% of South Carolina residents have received at least one vaccine shot, and 28.8% have completed the vaccination process.
The federal government is likely to bring forward COVID-19 vaccinations for Olympic and Paralympic athletes, with national cabinet poised to make a decision on Friday.

There is a growing expectation the government will sign off on the early vaccination of Australias Olympic delegation of about 1400 people including athletes and officials, but details are still being worked through with the states.

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has requested all involved receive the Pfizer jab because of the tight time frames involved - the two jabs can be delivered three weeks apart, rather than 12 weeks apart for AstraZeneca.

AOC chief executive Matt Carroll remains pretty confident that the team will be vaccinated before Tokyo. Credit:SMH

One of the major sticking points yet to be resolved is where athletes would quarantine after the Games, given there are expected to be COVID-19 positive athletes in the Olympic Village.
BRANFORD  Investigators recovered 196 spent shell casings and 13 firearms  none of them secured  from Matthew Lee Walkers second-floor apartment at 241 Main St. after his seven-hour standoff with police, police said.

Had Walker continued shooting bullets out of his apartment overlooking the Richlin store and Country Plaza, he had thousands of rounds left, said police Lt. Dominick Eula, who is supervising the investigation.

The armed standoff in the neighborhood off Main Street and Cherry Hill Road  during which Walker, son of a Darien minister, shot one neighbor in the leg as the man stood in front of his own business  ended with Walker, 38, dying by suicide , according to authorities.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media

The spent shell casings were all from .223-caliber rifle bullets and 9 mm bullets that are mostly used in handguns but also are used in some of the rifles Walker had on hand, Eula said.

Of the 196 spent casings, I cant even tell you thats how many rounds he fired, but thats how many we seized, Eula said.

Police recovered eight handguns and five rifles from Walkers residence. They also recovered one lower section of a rifle, which had a serial number but wasnt a fully-assembled gun, Eula said.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

The handguns all appeared to be semiautomatic, as were all five of the rifles. Three of the rifles were AR-style rifles that used .223-caliber bullets and two were 9 mm.

None of the rifles was classified in Connecticut as an assault rifle and none of the rounds I heard fired were from an automatic gun, said Eula, who supervises the detective bureau and was at the scene as the drama unfolded April 13.

All of the firearms in Walkers apartment were immediately accessible, Eula said. There were safes in his apartment but they were open.

The bystander who was wounded by a gunshot, Ashwin Patel, owner of Shoreline Wine & Spirits at 181 Main St., two doors down from Walkers home above the Leon James International Hair Salon, was shot in the leg. He was whisked to safety by the owner and employees of Pepes Service Station, located just west of his package store at 177 Main St.

Patel was released from Yale New Haven Hospital last Friday and is recovering at home, his family has said.

Michael Lawlor, an associate professor of criminal justice at University of New Havens Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, who during a 24-year career in the state House of Representatives wrote the 1999 red flag law that resulted from the March 6, 1998, Connecticut State Lottery shootings, said that law was intended to head off situations such as Walkers.

Lawlor, a former state prosecutor, said he considers 13 guns to be a whole bunch.

There are a lot of people who have more than that, but its still a lot, he said.

With the knowledge that a neighbor previously had complained to police after receiving a troubling text from Walker three days before he sprayed his neighborhood with bullets and then died by suicide, Lawlor said police could have at least temporarily removed Walkers guns and gotten him help.

These are classic red flags. Thats why they call it a red flag law, said Lawlor, who represented East Haven and was chairman of the House Judiciary Committee from 1995-2011 before serving as former Gov. Dannel P. Malloys undersecretary for criminal justice policy and planning. You should at that point start investigating.

Why check it out? Lawlor asked. Because this guy might start shooting out his window at some point at people walking by. Thats why you should investigate.

It may turn out you dont have enough  you bring it to a judge and the judge says you dont have enough, Lawlor said. But you have an obligation to investigate.

The law, which has been used thousands of times since being passed, gives police a tool when someone has guns and there is reason to believe theres imminent danger to themselves or other people, Lawlor said.

Asked about Lawlors comments, We have an independent investigation thats commenced, Police Chief Jonathan Mulhern said Friday , and until we have a full report, Im not going to comment.

All I can do is the right thing, said Mulhern, who is bringing in an outside attorney to look at the case after a neighbor of Walker said she complained to police three days before the incident that a text from Walker that made her wonder whether he posed a threat to himself or others.

Were going to have an independent investigation and that investigation is just beginning, Mulhern said.

Meanwhile, the Branford Counseling Center, which offered counseling to anyone in the neighborhood or in town who was having trouble processing what happened, has handled more than a dozen calls from residents seeking help, said Executive Director Peter Cimino.

In some cases, the help involved was just a phone call, while others required more help. Cimino said he wouldnt be surprised if the center received more inquiries as time goes on.

People want to kind of process what was going on, Cimino said.

While the counseling center continuously receives calls from residents needing help, This is a little different, because were dealing with people who had a traumatic event, he said. We just try to acknowledge that some of the things that they are feeling are a part of this event.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
Smugglers Endangered the Lives of a Mother and Her Two Children by Lowering Them Down 30-Foot Border Wall

Calexico, California - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended a group of three adults with a two-year-old and a six-year-old after human smugglers lowered them by rope down a 30-foot section of the border wall early Thursday morning.

The incident occurred at about 3:15 a.m., when camera operators assigned to the El Centro Stations Remote Video Surveillance System (RVSS) observed a man being lowered down the border wall with the use of a rope, approximately three miles west of the Calexico West Port of Entry. RVSS camera operators then noticed another man being lowered, only this time they realized that a small child was clinging on to his back. Subsequently, a third adult, a woman, holding on to another child, was lowered by the smugglers.





Camera operators saw three smugglers provide a ladder to climb the fence on the Mexican side. They also provided a rope and physically lowered each adult down the border wall into the United States. Smugglers often use this tactic to minimize their own risk of injury, said Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino. They are willing to put others in jeopardy, including children, even when they wont risk themselves.



Agents took the three adults with the two children into custody. They were transported to the El Centro Station Processing Center for further processing.



These heartless, greedy smugglers continue to endanger the lives of undocumented individuals for money, said Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino. We were lucky that the mother and her two children, as well as the other two men, were not dropped from the 30-foot border wall. I implore those who are looking to hire these smugglers to consider the extreme dangers of crossing the border illegally into the United States.



Agents determined that the two children, a 2-year-old girl, a 6-year-old boy, and their 32-year-old mother, were all undocumented individuals from Venezuela.



The two other adults, a 28-year-old man and a 31-year-old man, both undocumented individuals from Venezuela, had no relation to the mother and two children.
Chennai (Tamil Nadu): The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday announced new restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state. The new restrictions will come into effect from April 26.



According to fresh guidelines, beauty parlours, salons, spas, and barber shops will remain closed. Only takeaways will be allowed in hotels, restaurants, and tea shops.

All places of worship will also be closed for the public from April 26. The state government has also restricted the number of people at wedding ceremonies to maximum of 50 people and 25 people will be allowed in funerals. Except for Puducherry, passengers from other states need to apply for e-pass through the government portal.

The Palaniswami government had earlier announced several restrictions, including a night curfew, a ban on tourists at hill stations, and a total lockdown on Sundays, with exemption for essential services. The night curfew from 10 pm to 4 am and Sunday lockdown will continue.

India saw 3,46,786 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours. It is the highest single-day spike since the pandemic broke out last year.
New Delhi, April 25 : More than two weeks after oxygen shortages were reported across India, particularly in the national capital, many technology leaders have come forward to help the citizens.

"We have sourced supplies for oxygen concentrators of different sizes while we place the order using our own money. We want you to join hands in solving #OxygenShortage," Vijay Shekhar, Founder Paytm said in a tweet on Sunday.

"Donate here https://paytm.com/offer/donateoxygen and we will match your contribution and use it to source OCs. Also, do RT," he added.

Foodtech platform Zomato on Wednesday rolled out a priority delivery feature for Covid-19 emergencies, including oxygen, Chief Executive Officer Deepinder Goyal announced on Twitter.

"Zomato Feeding India, our not-for-profit has kickstarted the "Help Save My Indiaa endeavour today in association with @delhivery to source oxygen concentrators and related supplies to help hospitals and families in need," Goyal tweeted.

He also called up start-ups and companies to contribute at this crucial hour.

"We have already kickstarted the effort, and now need your help to raise a,50 crores for @FeedingIndia in the next few days (hours?) to save hundreds of thousands of lives. If we raise more, we will get more oxygen. Domestic donors go here - http://zoma.to/oxygen," he added.

Under its "feed the daily wager" campaign, initiated last year, Zomato distributed 78 million meals for poor who lost access to livelihood, it said.

The second wave of Covid has turned more deadly as more and more people this time are complaining of breathlessness and need oxygen support. However, the sudden spike in demand across cities has led to severe shortage.

Several major hospitals in Delhi have repeatedly come close to running out of oxygen and have sent SOS messages. Besides Delhi, hospitals across Maharashtra,Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh are also facing an oxygen shortage.

"I'm willing to fund hospitals in India that need funding to import bulk planeloads of oxygen or supplies into India to increase supply. Public hospitals/NGO's also pls reach out," Vinod Khosla, technology guru and entrepreneur, said in a tweet on Sunday.

A lot of people have also turned to social media to find oxygen or a hospital bed for their friends and family.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual meeting with the leading oxygen manufacturers to address the acute shortage of medical oxygen and oxygen cylinders across the country.

India on Sunday reported a record daily rise of 349,691 new coronavirus infections, taking its overall tally to 1,69,60,172.

A total of 2,767 people were reported dead on Sunday, according to health ministry data, taking total coronavirus fatalities to 192,311.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday asked the party workers to "leave all work" except the public welfare as the "system" has failed.

"The system has failed so public welfare should be done. In this crisis responsible citizens are needed ,I will appeal to Congress colleagues to leave all political work and work to help the people of the country as this is the Congress's dharma," he tweeted in Hindi.



Rahul Gandhi's criticism comes after many media houses aired reports of "system failure" while the Congress has been alleging that it's "Prime Minister's failure".



India reported yet another grim milestone of highest number of daily new Covid-19 cases. A total of 349,691 Covid cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, and 2,767deaths, the highest single-day deaths so far in the country, according to health ministry's reports on Sunday.





The active cases in India stood at 26,82,751on Sunday, while the total Covid-19 cases were registered so far 1,69,60,172.



A total of 2,17,113 Covid infected people were recovered in the last 24 hours, taking the total recovery so far 1,40,85,110.



India registered over 2,000 deaths for the fifth consecutive day with the highest spike in single-day deaths. On Saturday India reported 2,624 deaths, on Friday 2,263, while on Thursday 2,104 deaths and 2023 deaths were reported on Wednesday.



A total of 1,92,311 have lost their lives due to Covid-19 in India since last year.
India and Pakistan, two South Asian nations that have been military adversaries since the late 1940s, have both had difficulty developing local defense industries. That is still a problem but in the last five years (2016-20) both nations have made major changes in how they handle imports and local manufacturing. Pakistan has become almost entirely dependent on China for weapons, and is the major customer for Chinese military exports. India, in contrast, has cut military imports by a third, mainly by making major reductions in what it buys from Russia. In response to this, Russia has offered Pakistan weapons similar to what China delivers. Russia points out that having two main suppliers creates competition that great for the customer.

India wants to continue reducing its dependence on imports, even it means accepting clearly inferior (to Western and Chinese alternatives) weapons. During the Cold War India declared itself neutral but became a major importer of Russian weapons because they were cheaper, and Russia more willing to transfer manufacturing technology so India could build many of the Russian weapons under license. Pakistan obtained most of its imported weapons from European and American manufacturers.

After the Cold War both Pakistan and India made major efforts to develop and produce major weapons systems, and both largely failed. Except for nuclear weapons, which both nations developed internally by the late 1990s, and ballistic missile tech based on what they could obtain from China and Russia respectively, Pakistan and India have handled their failures to develop and build their own conventional weapons differently. India believes its nuclear weapons aimed at China will prevent major losses on the border while Pakistan, even with superior Chinese weapons, is not a major threat.

In contrast Pakistan, or at least the Pakistani military, has long considered India a military threat, despite the fact that India does not reciprocate. The only dispute the two nations have is over who should own the border province of Kashmir. Technically it belonged to India according to the 1948 agreement both nations developed to handle the separation of British India into Moslem and non-Moslem portions. Pakistan reneged on that deal at the last minute and grabbed about half of Kashmir. Pakistan has been fighting, unsuccessfully, ever since to obtain the rest of Kashmir. After three failed wars, in the 1980s Pakistan switched to a campaign of supporting Islamic terrorism in Kashmir. That failed as well but the Pakistani military insists on continuing to try.

India considered the Pakistani efforts to regain Kashmir a secondary defense concern as India had more problems with leftist rebels in eastern India and tribal separatists in the northeast. The Pakistani Islamic terrorism policy eventually, over the last two decades, led to an end of American military imports and total dependence on China. During that period China renewed long (since the 1950s) dormant claims on portions of the Indian and Pakistani border territory. Pakistan gave up what China wanted while India refused. Now China and India are confronting each other in disputed border areas, with a growing number of violent clashes. This made it clear that China was militarily superior to India while India maintained its military superiority versus Pakistan. China did not become a military ally of Pakistan because China does not have allies, it has foreign customers for Chinese products, including weapons and will adjust its diplomacy to further that. China has a military defense treaty with North Korea, but that is only to ensure that North Korea remains a compliant neighbor of China and nothing else.

During and after the Cold War (1948-1991) Pakistan and India relied on importing many of their weapons. This was unpopular in both countries, especially since much smaller nations, like Israel and South Korea were becoming developers and manufacturers of world-class defense equipment and weapons while India and Pakistan largely failed to do so. What was particularly embarrassing for India was that China, with the same population as India has, since the 1990s, far surpassed India in economic growth and the ability to manufacture world class weapons. Back in 1948, when India became independent of British colonial rule and China was reunited after two decades dealing with invasion and civil war, India had a larger GDP and more modern military. Pakistan consisted of Moslem majority portions of British India and became an independent state because Moslem leaders in British India insisted and the rest of India was willing to go along with that. Since 1948 India evolved into the worlds largest democracy with the military firmly under government control while Pakistan evolved into an army with a country attached. While both nations are democracies with fair voting and many political parties, the Pakistani military has become a major, if technically illegal power broker in Pakistani politics.

Another major development in the past five years it the Pakistani government budget and economy undergoing a crisis caused by unwillingness to control corruption and military spending. The problem has been building for years but has now created a fiscal disaster as Pakistan ran out of nations willing to provide military aid or loans. As a result, Pakistan has had to cut back on military imports and instead pay more attention to upgrading or refurbishing existing equipment. That was a serious problem because the foe the Pakistani military is preparing to fight has a lot more money, people and creditworthiness. This made Chinese offers to supply cheaper weapons and massive investments in building needed infrastructure projects palatable. The billions in Chinese investments went to build rail, pipeline and road links from China to Pakistan and the Indian Ocean. Many Pakistanis opposed this policy but the military insisted and that was that.

The Pakistani generals still pushed the idea that India might invade with non-nuclear forces. Anyone paying attention to Indian media and politics would realize that isnt true but the Pakistani military needed to maintain the illusion of an Indian threat to justify its relatively large military budget. With that Pakistan maintains an active-duty force of 650,000 troops using a large number of older, but upgraded, tanks and warplanes. India has more modern equipment and a million troops on active duty.

The Indian population is six times larger and the Indian economy (GDP) is ten times that of Pakistan. India spends nearly $66 billion a year on defense, the fifth largest defense budget on the planet, right behind the United States, China, Russia and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan barely makes the top 20 with $12 billion. Indian spending is 3.1 percent of GDP while Pakistan is now at four percent. The usual general financial support for the military did not survive the Pakistani debt crises of 2019, and now the Pakistani military has lost most of its recent budget gains and is likely to lose even more.

Pakistan has fought several wars with India since 1948 and lost all of them. What Pakistan does have going for it is Chinese claims on a lot of Indian territory. India and China fought a brief border war in 1967 which India lost, along with some territory high in the mountains where most of the India-China border is. Both China and India have nuclear-armed ballistic missiles aimed at each other so if there are going to be any wars, they will be small scale and brief ones on this high-altitude mountain border. Unlike Pakistan, China is a real threat to India.

At the same time, India and Pakistan share a border that contains lots of flat, lowland terrain that has been the scene of tank battles in the past. As a result, Pakistan tries to maintain a force of tanks equal, at least in numbers, to the more modern Indian tank fleet.

All this leaves Pakistan on its own to maintain a credible force of armored vehicles to face the Indian threat. The Pakistani air force is largely dependent on F-16s bought from the United States over the last few decades and upgraded somewhat since then. But now with American aid gone along with cash for additional (and often much needed) refurbishment for the 78 remaining F-16s, Pakistan is more dependent on a hundred or more of the Chinese JF-17s. This is a Chinese design that is similar to the F-16 but only Pakistan uses it. China prefers other aircraft it has designed and only got the JF-17 into production so Pakistan could assemble most of them in Pakistan and call them Pakistani built fighters. Most Pakistani fighters are about 600 older French and Chinese models.

There was a similar situation with tanks but early in 2019, Pakistan decided to get out of the tank design/development/manufacturing business, at least for now. Because of that, the army placed an order for a hundred Chinese made 52-ton VT4/MBT-3000 tanks. This order is now on hold because of the budget cuts. The VT4 is an updated version of the 330 46 ton VT1/MBT-2000/Al Khalid tanks Pakistan already has. The Al Khalid was a joint China-Pakistan project to create a Pakistani tank that built in Pakistan. Basically, Al Khalid was a variant of the Chinese VT1 (also known as the MBT2000). The VT1 was the export version of the Chinese Type 90 tank. Actually, the Type 90 (an improved T-72) was not accepted by the Chinese army which preferred the 54-ton Type 99, a superior T-72 variant that entered service in 2001 and underwent a major upgrade (the 58-ton Type 99A) in 2011 and is still in production.

The rest of the 2,000 Pakistani tanks are based on much older (1950s) Russian models, with some upgrades. Pakistan also looked at the latest Ukraine had to offer but decided to go with China, which has access to more advanced tech than Ukraine and is willing to be competitive when it comes to price. This confidence in China was based on how the 2012 agreement worked out. For that deal, Pakistan and China also agreed to jointly market the Al Khalid tank but had limited success. That was because there were a lot of improved T-72s on the market, including the Chinese MBT-2000. Al Khalid was more expensive to develop as Pakistan began the project in 1991 and made a lot of mistakes. The Al Khalid ended up costing ten percent more than the MBT-2000, and Pakistan was unable to keep its costs under control when it came time to develop and a major upgrade for Al Khalid. It was pointed out that China already had what Pakistan wanted in the VT4. In the end the Al Khalid demonstrated why Pakistan has never been a major player in the arms export business and this deal with China was more for show than anything else.

Because of the current budget crisis, the military released a long list of alternate procurement plans that rely on items that can be produced locally. The air force plans to increase JF-17 production from 16 a year to 24. Work will also continue on developing UAVs and building them in Pakistan. Design and development will also continue on the AZM fifth generation (stealth) fighter. This is largely a propaganda effort because Pakistan expressed interest in buying one of the two new Chinese stealth fighter designs but could not afford it, and China has reduced its own construction plans because of performance issues. Most of the local procurement will be rebuilding or refurbishing older armored vehicles with local electronic or mechanical items. This does not improve the Pakistani arsenal as much as it tries to maintain what it has. In this respect, Pakistan has something of an edge over India. The military procurement bureaucracy India is burdened with is spectacularly inefficient and a major reason why India does not have much better weapons than Pakistan. The Indian military knows this but Indian politicians refuse to recognize the problem, which is a tremendous benefit for the Pakistani military. Even with that, and the Chinese threat to India, Pakistan is still not a major conventional military threat to India.

With China the major threat, India has to obtain the best weapons possible to deal with that. As a result, the remaining imports, which are still substantial, concentrate on systems India cannot produce at all. This includes first-line jet fighters like the Russian Su-30, and French Rafale. India still buys air defense and electronic items from Israel and specialized UAVs from the United States. Russia has a more modern and recent fleet of the latest Russian tank models. In fact, India has more of these T-90 tanks than Russia. India is trying to eliminate its dependence on Russia for modern warships but continues to encounter problems with Indian built nuclear submarines. Indian ballistic missiles appear to be competitive, as are their nuclear weapons. New restrictions on military imports are forcing the armed forces and Indian manufacturers to catch up in the areas of developing and manufacturing competitive modern weapons. This isnt easy because India has a long, and growing, list of locally developed systems that failed, even after several generations of improved models.
TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - On Saturday a group of motorcycle riders took the time out of their day to do what they love and raised money for civilian and Veteran groups.

"Its fun, I enjoy it," biker Jeffrey Taylor said. "It's a lot of fun to get out there with everyone."

Jeffrey Taylor geared up to hit the road on his bike, but this time it wasn't for a joy ride but for a good cause.

"To donate for a good cause for something you love," Taylor said. "How can you ask for anything better."

The Cav VFW hosted a Poker Run. It's a game of Poker, but on wheels. The event is a fundraiser for Veteran groups who plan to work with families of military members serving overseas.

The event is typically known for bike riders but ---

"To support the cause, you don't have to be on a bike," biker Mike Winter said.

Mike Winter served in one tour in Vietnam. On Saturday, he arrived in his Slingshot car to also support the cause.

"Anytime the VFW is doing something we try to support them," Winter said. "Because the money goes right back in the community through the Veterans."

The event was the first fundraiser by the Cav VFW and over 20 riders participated.
A Da Nang court sentenced one man to death and a woman to life imprisonment on Saturday for storing and transporting five kilos of drugs.

The Da Nang Peoples Court found Dang Thai Long, 45, guilty of storing and transporting narcotics and awarded him a death sentence. Bui Thi Thuy, 43, was given life imprisonment for illegally transporting narcotics.

According to the indictment, on September 17, 2019, Long and Thuy of Hanoi took a train to Da Nang in central Vietnam with a plan to transport drugs and sell them to local drug users.

Dang Thai Long (L) and Bui Thi Thuy at the Da Nang People's Court, April 24, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Truong,

Two days later, Long received a phone call from a man called Hieu (who is yet to be found), who hired him to go to Laos, collect drugs and take them to 36-year-old Nguyen Kim Thang in Hanoi for VND295 million ($12,830).

Long took a bus to Vientiane, where Hieu took him to a hotel and handed over 39 packages of methamphetamine (around four kg), three packages of around 3,000 ecstasy pills, and 170 pills of amphetamine.

Long divided the drugs and hid them in rice cookers that he bought and sent them to Vietnam by bus. He took a flight back to the country.

On the afternoon of September 23, 2019, he called Thuy and told her to go to a bus station on Da Nangs Hoang Van Thai Street to receive the drugs. The woman was caught red-handed by local police officers.

In Hanoi, police discovered a large amount of drugs in Longs house in Hoang Mai District.

He told the police that by hiding drugs in rice cookers, he had successfully transported drugs from Laos to Vietnam four times, earning VND700 million ($30,447).
When talking about Dr. Seuss and Japan, it'd be weird not to kick your childhood in the nutsack by mentioning that the beloved children's writer drew some despicably racist anti-Japanese cartoons during WWII and even defended the internment of Japanese-Americans. He later had a change of heart and wrote Horton Hears a Who! as an apology for the things he said about Japanese people and not, as too many people think, as an anti-abortion parable. The first clue was probably him dedicating the book to "My Great Friend, Mitsugi Nakamura," the dean of Doshisha University in Kyoto.

Whether this was enough to redeem him is up to you, but that's not what we're here to talk about today. We are here because, no, really, we suspect that Dr. Seuss and Hayao Miyazaki, possibly the greatest anime director ever and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, might secretly be the same person. Which is just our pop-culture-disordered brain's way of saying that there are some fascinating similarities between the two artists. Exhibit A:

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Also, both men kinda hated the world and themselves.

While a lot of Miyazaki's works are family productions that anyone can enjoy, like My Neighbor Totoro, his magnum opus is arguably the very violent and adult epic fantasy Princess Mononoke. The first clue to it not really being for kids might be a scene early on where a dude has both of his arms sliced clean off by an arrow.
George Floyd had a lethal dose of fentanyl in his body. His post-mortem blood oxygen level was a robust 98%, despite significant heart disease. He was complaining that he couldnt breathe long before the police, following a violent struggle, got him to the ground in the Minneapolis-approved position for excited delirium. Accurate, previously unseen footage showed that Officer Chauvins knee was on Floyds shoulders, not his neck. Oh, and an alternate juror said that she was afraid the mob would go after her for a non-guilty verdict. On these and other facts, the prosecution got a guilty verdict. Armed with it, the Democrats are now working to destroy a former medical who dared to testify in Chauvins favor.

Heres the story according to the Daily Mail:

A former medical examiner who served as a witness in Derek Chauvins murder trial will have 17 years worth of his in-custody death reports independently reviewed after he testified that the cop was not responsible for George Floyds death, officials have announced. Dr. David Fowler, Marylands chief medical examiner from 2002 to 2019, was a key defense witness for Chauvin, who was convicted Tuesday of murder and manslaughter for kneeling on Floyds neck for more than nine minutes last May. Fowler had testified that the primary cause of Floyds death was a sudden heart rhythm disturbance during police restraint due to underlying heart disease, contradicting several experts who said Floyd died due to a lack of oxygen. He also said that Floyds drug use and exposure to carbon monoxide from the police car contributed to his death. Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh made the review announcement Friday, a day after receiving a letter from former Washington DC medical examiner Roger A. Mitchell that was signed by 431 doctors from around the country.

You can read the rest here.

Theres a certain primitive ferocity to the left. They may be the people who, in their own estimation, live on the correct side of that bending arc of justice and, of course, theyre all modern science. Nevertheless, their approach to victory is every bit as scorched earth as the Ancient Romans approach.

After all, who can forget that, following the unsuccessful slave revolt that Spartacus led in 71 B.C., the Romans crucified six thousand slaves to make the point that there had better not be another revolt? As every Christian knows, crucifixion was one of the worst ways to die in an era dedicated to new ways to inflict gruesome, painful deaths.

Tacitus, the Roman historian, left us a memory of Calgacus, a chieftain of the Caledonia confederacy who fought the Romans in whats now Scotland, back in 83 or 84 A.D. According to Tacitus, before the fateful battle with the Romans, Calgacus reminded his troops that victory was the only option. To reinforce this, he described to them that the terrible Romans were a people

[F]rom whose oppression escape is vainly sought by obedience and submission. Robbers of the world, having by their universal plunder exhausted the land, they rifle the deep. If the enemy be rich, they are rapacious; if he be poor, they lust for dominion; neither the east nor the west has been able to satisfy them. Alone among men they covet with equal eagerness poverty and riches. To robbery, slaughter, plunder, they give the lying name of empire; they make a solitude and call it peace.

If you substitute Democrats for Romans, theres little difference in outlook between the two. Calgacuss last clause, often translated as they make a desert and call it peace, perfectly describes victorious leftists. There is no mercy. If you stand against them, and they win, by fair means or foul, they will do whatever it takes to make sure you never rise again.

After all, leftists are the people who impeached Trump as he was on his way out of office following an election that at least half of Americans think was gamed in Bidens favor. So why should it surprise us that, merely for daring to speak on behalf of a defendant in a criminal trial, a mans legacy, reputation, and career should be destroyed?

Thats how Democrats roll. They have sent a warning to conservatives or independents in America that, if they run up against the Democrats on a single issue and lose, they will be destroyed. Does that mean we shouldnt take principled stands, show courage, and fight the good fight? Of course not. It means only that, like Calgacus before us, we must understand the stakes.

IMAGE: David Fowler. YouTube screengrab.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Simon Cowell, 61, combined comfort with style on Saturday as he sported a navy jumper and white shorts for America's Got Talent filming in California.

The music mogul teamed his understated look with classic black trainers and socks.

He shielded his eyes with circular shades as he entered the Los Angeles studio with a water bottle in his hand.

Simple ensemble: Simon Cowell, 61, combined comfort with style on Saturday as he sported a navy jumper and white shorts for America's Got Talent filming in California

Simon was accompanied by crew who sported PPE to protect from the coronavirus outbreak.

In between auditions, a make-up artist was seen powdering the music executive's nose.

Last month, it was revealed that Simon walks over 40 miles a week to help him recover from breaking his back in an electric bike accident last year.

Practical footwear: The Got Talent mogul teamed his understated look with classic black trainers and socks

In August, he was rushed to hospital to undergo six hours of surgery after injuring himself in the accident, forcing him to cancel all his planned TV work for the rest of the year.

But now the record executive is determined to do everything he can to ensure he makes a full recovery, including walking for several hours a day and holding business meetings at 9AM so that he no longer lives like a 'vampire'.

Of his new fitness regime, a source told MailOnline: 'Simon said how he hasn't worn trainers as much as this in 20 years.

Staying hydrated: He shielded his eyes with circular shades as he entered the Los Angeles studio with a water bottle in his hand

Team work makes the dream work: Simon was accompanied by crew who sported PPE to protect from the coronavirus outbreak

'He feels fitter than ever before and is keeping to a normal routine rather than being on the phone until into the early hours of the morning.'

Adding to this, The Sun also reported at the time that Simon was set to start filming the talent show as a source said he was excited to be back.

The insider told the publication: 'Simon cant wait to get back to doing what he loves. Hes been focused on his return for months.'

Last year, reports claimed Simon was considering legal action against the manufacturers of his electric bike after breaking his back.

Healing: Last month, it was revealed that Simon walks over 40 miles a week to help him recover from breaking his back in an electric bike accident last year

Recovery: In August, he was rushed to hospital to undergo six hours of surgery after injuring himself in the accident, forcing him to cancel all his planned TV work for the rest of the year

The TV mogul and his team were said to be 'weighing up' legal options and have been 'pressing' the manufacturers, Swindon Powertrain.

One lawyer claimed that a successful lawsuit could see Simon get up to 10million for medical bills and loss of earnings, The Sun reported once more.

Meanwhile, the iconic British variety show Britain's Got Talent has been put on hold until 2022.

But filming for season 16 of America's Got Talent is moving along and the show will air on NBC in June.
After an all-night scramble for an oxygen refill, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital here received five metric tonnes of the life-saving gas in the early hours of Sunday, according to officials.

The hospital had raised an alarm at 10:30 PM on Saturday, saying its oxygen stock would last only an hour. There were 130 patients in the ICU, including 30 on invasive ventilation, when the SOS was sent.

Around 12:20 am it received a tanker, with the help of local AAP MLA Raghav Chadha, which supplied one metric tonne of oxygen.

"It should last two hours," a hospital spokesperson said around 12:45 pm.

According to him, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital's primary supplier in Faridabad was supposed to send a tanker before 3 am.

The tanker finally arrived at 4:15 am and delivered 5 metric tonnes of medical oxygen, the highest volume that the hospital has received in the last three days in one refill, he said.

"It should last for 11-12 hours. Oxygen running at full pressure after a long time," the spokesperson said.

Also Read: 'Please help': Delhi hospitals seek help amid severe oxygen shortage
No schools closure yet despite kids turning up with virus By Chrishanthi Christopher View(s): View(s):

Despite COVID-19 patient numbers spiralling in the past week, especially amongst young people, the education ministry said no decision has been taken to close schools.

Ministry Secretary Professor Kapila Perera said the ministry was monitoring the situation in schools and a decision would be taken if the situation intensifies.

Already, some schools have closed following students turning up ill with the virus.

On the first day of school for the second term last Monday, a school in Pannipitiya reported six COVID cases among students in the primary grades and in Grade 8.

A junior school in Dickoya had to be quickly shut down when two students reported positive for the disease.

Schools in the Kuliyapitya and Kurunegala area were shut down following an increase in the number of cases identified with the virus.

In Walapane, in the Nuwara Eliya district, 10 students have been tested for COVID at the Norwood Estate school following one child turning positive for the disease.

They all come from line houses in the same area.

Many grama sevaka divisions and villagers have been placed on isolation.

The increase in COVID cases has prompted health authorities to once again limit crowds at weddings and funerals to 50 and 25 respectively.

In this backdrop of rising anxiety, the education ministry has set up a committee comprising school authorities, parents and public health inspectors to monitor the situation and make an early report.

We are following the situation closely, the education ministry secretary said.

The main education union claim the ministry has failed to fund schools for the purchase of personal protection equipment (PPE) and that schools are being burdened with the expenses of providing sanitiser, soap and sanitary facilities for students.

The Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) said that apart from a Rs. 15,000 allocation to schools last year, schools have not received any funds to buy PPE equipment this year.

It also said that despite ministry guidelines, some schools were filling classrooms with 40-50 pupils.

The education ministry has insisted that classes with 30-40 students be divided so that no more than 15 students attend class at a time, with classes held on alternate days or on a similar roster.

This has to be strictly followed, Prof. Perera said.

But schools in most provinces failed to adhere to the guidelines. In the Jaffna and Nuwara Eliya districts, except for a few schools, classrooms were packed.

Many schoolchildren and teachers who use public transport also say there is no way health protocols can be followed in overcrowded buses.

Some teachers and students this week walked to school due to lack of transport.

In an attempt to cover syllabuses, some schools are putting on extra classes.

This is taxing children over the limit, Nuwara Eliya CTU District Secretary V. Indraselvan said.

CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said already around 50 teaching days have been lost due to COVID lockdowns and it would be difficult to cover the entire syllabus. They should make a shorter version of the syllabuses for this year for all grades, he suggested.

Meanwhile, the ministry has postponed by two weeks a decision to reopen universities on April 27.
Police officers block the access next to the Police station in Rambouillet, south west of Paris, on April 23, 2021, after a 49-year-old female officer was stabbed to death inside the station by an Islamic extremist, who was shot and killed by police at the scene. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

4 Held as French Investigate Suspected Islamic Terrorist Attack Killing Policewoman Inside Station

RAMBOUILLET, FranceFrench authorities detained a fourth person Saturday as anti-terrorism investigators questioned three others after a policewoman was fatally stabbed by man shouting Allahu akbar! while she was on duty inside a police station outside Paris.

French police killed the Tunisian suspect in the Friday slaying of an unarmed administrative employee at the entrance of her police station in the town of Rambouillet. The suspects father is among the four currently held, a judicial official said. A couple who had housed the suspect at one point and a member of his entourage, who was detained Saturday, also were being questioned.

The victim, a National Police employee, had left the station to extend her time on a parking meter and was followed into the entry area by the attacker, who was shot to death by a police officer.

The attack jolted the French government into taking a deeper look at new steps needed to protect police officers. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin is to present a bill shortly giving new teeth to an anti-terrorism law, the national intelligence coordinator, Laurent Nunez, said Saturday on BMFTV.

(Police) know we have a difficult fight against Islamist terrorism  the fight wont stop tomorrow or the next day, Darmanin said after meeting with police in the Brittany town of Quimper, which he was visiting.

French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, visited the family of the victim, a 49-year-old identified only as Stephanie M. She lived in Thoiry, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Rambouillet. The presidents office said he wanted to show support and solidarity with the family  very upset and very dignified.

A steady stream of people bearing flowers handed the bouquets to police officers in Rambouillet who were guarding the blocked-off street where the station sits.

The attacker, identified by authorities as Djamel G., entered France illegally in 2009 and was given residency papers in 2020, a judicial official said.

He had staked out the police station ahead of time, anti-terrorism prosecutor Jean-France Ricard said. The preparation, along with statements he said during the attack and the targeting of a police official, prompted the national anti-terrorism prosecutors office to take over the investigation.

Police officers gather outside the Police station in Rambouillet, south west of Paris, on April 23, 2021, after a 49-year-old female officer was stabbed to death inside the station by an Islamic extremist, who was shot and killed by police at the scene. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Witnesses heard the 37-year-old suspect say Allahu akbar! Arabic for God is great, during the attack, said the judicial official who was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly.

At least some in his hometown of Msaken, near the eastern coastal town of Sousse, were shocked that he could be the attacker. While authorities identify him as DJamel, he identifies himself as Jamel on Facebook.

He is a man who belongs to an average family and hes a kind person. We grew up together, said Mohamed Ben Abdejlil , 35.

Ben Abdejlil said he had visited Jamel in Rambouillet, before his friend obtained residency papers, but had not heard from him since. Still, he said, I was shocked by what I heard today about what he had done, unbelievable.

Infrequent Facebook and Instagram posts from accounts thought to have belonged to the suspected attacker hinted at a man who waffled over the years about his allegiances but showed no overt ties to extremist Islamic ideology. Until 2020, his social media posts were almost exclusively to fight against Islamophobia, according to French media reports. The U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group initially uncovered the accounts.

The judicial official confirmed to The Associated Press that the name associated with the accounts appears correct but in keeping with French practice, the official would not confirm the attackers full name.

Jamel G.s last post on April 18 is a prayer for a blessed Ramadan, the Muslim holy month now in progress.

Nunez, the intelligence coordinator, said apparently isolated people off authorities radar who suddenly go on the attack means that more work on psychological profiles is needed.

Its becoming very, very complicated to  detect this type of profile with no apparent links to known extremists, Nunez said.

The French government has been emphasizing security, mindful of the presidential election next year. Macron has vowed to put more officers in the streets and the interior minister says 10,000 will be added by next year. Darmanin has made a point of defending police amid claims of brutality amid the Black Lives Matter movement and the growing popularity of nationalist leader Marine Le Pen.

Among previous attacks, three French police officers and an administrative employee were killed by a colleague in 2019 inside Paris police headquarters. A police couple was also murdered in 2016 in their home in the same region as Rambouillet.

By Elaine Ganley and Michel Euler. The Epoch Times contributed to this report.
OSH, Kyrgyzstan -- Hundreds of Uzbek migrant workers, including many women from the countrys densely populated Ferghana Valley, cross into neighboring Kyrgyzstan every day looking for jobs.

Large crowds of Uzbek migrants gather near the Dostuk border crossing in the southern Kara-Suu district of the Osh region early every morning.

Its where many of the migrants get hired for short-term, informal jobs. Others travel deeper into the country in search of employment.

Those who arrive early usually find work by midday, says Oibek, a laborer from the eastern Uzbek province of Andijon.

On average we make about $10 to $20 a day in Kyrgyzstan. Its quite good, Oibek says. In Uzbekistan the median salary is about $130 per month.

Of course, there are some days that we cant find any work and go back home empty-handed, he adds.

Oibek says most of the Uzbek migrants in Kyrgyzstan are those who were not able to go to Russia due to the pandemic-related travel restrictions and high ticket prices.

There is a reasonably good demand for Uzbek laborers in Kyrgyzstan, says one Kyrgyz employer. Sultan Aibashev, a Kara-Suu resident, was in Dostuk to hire a carpenter.

Migrants from Uzbekistan agree to do the work for much lower money than our local workers, Aibashev said. Besides, they do their work efficiently. There are many skilled workers among them.

But not everybody is happy.

Some Kyrgyz officials say the cheaper Uzbek workforce is putting increasing pressure on the local job market, squeezing out Kyrgyz workers.

Kyrgyzstan itself faces an unemployment crisis that has worsened during the pandemic.

A recent survey by the U.S.-based International Republican Institute showed that nearly 60 percent of the respondents in Kyrgyzstan consider unemployment the most serious problem facing the country.

We need to provide jobs for our own citizens first, says Oroz Sheripbaeva, the head of the Osh regional Employment and Social Development Department.

People from the most vulnerable segments of the population come to us saying they are unable for find work. Meanwhile, there are so many people from Uzbekistan who are working at our construction sites, Sheripbaeva told RFE/RL.

According to government statistics, nearly 157,000 people in Kyrgyzstan were registered as unemployed in 2020. The real number, however, is estimated to be about 500,000 in a country of some 6.5 million people.

Let Them Pay Taxes

Officials at the Dostuk checkpoint say some 300 Uzbek nationals, mostly residents of Andijon, cross into Kara-Suu every day.

Only a handful of them are thought to be entering Kyrgyzstan for a family visit or to go sightseeing. The majority come for black market work.

Its not known how many migrants from Uzbekistan currently work in Kyrgyzstan because most of them are hired informally by private employers to build or renovate houses, demolish old buildings, and do other manual jobs. Women are often hired for housework and both men and women work on farms.

The jobs are short-term, lasting from several hours, such as cutting down trees or spring cleaning, to a few weeks working in construction or agriculture.

The workers usually stay in accommodation provided by the employer. Those who come from the border villages return home in the evening.

The jobs are offered informally, with a verbal agreement between the worker and the employer. Salaries are only paid in cash.

Its highly uncommon for either the worker or the employer to register with authorities and pay taxes.

There are calls among some Kyrgyz officials and others to regulate the illegal labor sector, introducing a mandatory work permit and income tax for migrant workers.

Migrants from Uzbekistan began coming to Kyrgyzstan -- on a smaller scale -- in September 2017, when the two countries reopened checkpoints and simplified border-crossing procedures.

Just a year later, Kyrgyz lawmaker Kenjebek Bokoev said Uzbek migrants working informally bring no benefit to Kyrgyzstan.

Bokoev said the migrants, who force thousands of Kyrgyz out of jobs, must work legally and pay Kyrgyz taxes.

Until Russia Reopens

The number of Uzbek workers in Kyrgyzstan is not expected to drop until Russia removes pandemic-related travel restrictions.

Russia -- the top destination for Central Asian migrant workers -- reopened its doors to Uzbek citizens on April 1. But theyre only allowed to enter Russia by flying.

With just two flights a week scheduled for migrant workers, all of the plane tickets for the summer were quickly sold out.

Central Asias most-populous country, with some 35 million inhabitants, Uzbekistan depends heavily on remittances from migrant workers.

The official unemployment rate in 2020 was 13 percent. But even top government officials acknowledge that the jobless rate is actually much higher.

An estimated 6 million Uzbeks traveled abroad -- mostly to Russia -- for seasonal jobs every year before the COVID-19 pandemic struck early last year.

According to the Transport Ministry, Uzbekistan Airways made 87 flights per week from Uzbekistan to Russia before the pandemic.

There were also 97 flights a week operated by various Russian airlines at the height of the migrant labor season.

The most popular and affordable option for migrant workers was to travel by land, with 12 buses and 13 trains a week connecting Tashkent and Andijon to various Russian cities.

Talks are reportedly under way to reopen the train service, which was suspended in March 2020. But no exact date for a resumption of service has been announced.
OTTAWA, ON, April 25, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ 

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create stress and anxiety for many Canadians, particularly those who do not have ready access to their regular support networks. Through the Wellness Together Canada online portal, people of all ages across the country can access immediate, free and confidential mental health and substance use supports, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Celebrating National Immunization Awareness Week

Yesterday marked the beginning of National Immunization Awareness Week (NIAW). This is an annual event which is held during the last week of April that serves to highlight and recognize the importance of immunization. NIAW coincides with the Pan American Health Organization's Vaccination Week in the Americas and the World Health Organization's World Immunization Week.

NIAW is a longstanding campaign here in Canada and this Sunday Edition is dedicated to this initiative. In its efforts to raise public awareness on the importance of vaccination, NIAW helps to maintain the health and protect the lives of those we hold dear across the country.

Vaccines are certainly top-of-mind for us all across Canada at this time  whether we have been vaccinated against COVID-19 already, are assisting others in getting vaccinated, and/or are eagerly awaiting our own turn. Thanks to remarkable scientific advancements and unprecedented levels of global collaboration, we are fortunate to have a number of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines that are bringing us growing hope.

This year's NIAW theme is, fittingly, "Vaccines Bring Us Closer." Every time someone gets vaccinated we are closer to getting back the things we've missed so much. Vaccines truly are one of the greatest public health achievements of the twentieth century  and as we are seeing with COVID-19, advancements in this area continue to be critical to our health into the twenty-first century.

A Historical Perspective

For those of you who are not familiar with NIAW, its history in the context of the vaccination programs in Canada is worth learning about! NIAW was launched by Immunize Canada in the 1990s. It was based on a very successful program carried out in Canada in the 1930s. In those days, vaccines were new, and the diseases they prevented were very common. Therefore, informing the public on vaccines was a very necessary undertaking. One of the earliest campaigns, launched in 1931, was Toronto's Toxoid Week, which focused on diphtheria.

By the mid-1970s, vaccination was common in Canada, and several serious diseases began to fade from our collective memory. New vaccines also continued to be developed and distributed widely. In 1980, smallpox (a serious infectious disease caused by the variola virus, with a fatality rate of about 30%), was officially eradicated globally. In 1994, Canada was certified as being free of polio (a disabling and life threatening infectious disease caused by the polio virus). These successes are the result of widespread vaccination campaigns.

COVID-19 Vaccines in Canada: History in the Making

COVID-19 has brought vaccines to the forefront of public health once again.

The development of COVID-19 vaccines has been an incredible global scientific achievement. A vaccine development process that generally takes years has been achieved in about 11 months. This development process, built on years of scientific and technological advances, is only possible thanks to the tireless work and collaboration of many researchers around the world. Within a years' time, we now have several safe and effective vaccines to help protect us against COVID-19. I cannot emphasize enough what a tremendous feat this is.

We now know that the COVID-19 vaccines can help to protect us from becoming sick, being hospitalized or dying if we are infected with the virus, as well as reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community, protecting those who cannot, or have yet to be vaccinated. And real-world examples of vaccine effectiveness continue to grow here in Canada! We are seeing reduced cases among older populations who have been vaccinated, and fewer and more contained outbreaks in long-term care facilities. We are also witnessing a decline in COVID-19 cases among people working in healthcare settings. Another heartening and positive example is the high vaccine uptake in Indigenous communities that has contributed to a decline in active cases.

NIAW  Spreading the Message

When National Immunization Week was launched back in 1942, it was noted that the prevention of communicable diseases for which there were specific "preventative agents" was of such significance to public health, and future productivity of the country, that all means available be enlisted in this education effort. Implementation of the plan remained limited to what was technologically possible at the time. Posters (in colour!) were printed for distribution in schools, a series of radio addresses were arranged, and even a "motion picture film" was prepared.

If we consider the ways that we use today to communicate public health-related information, the progress is considerable, with many additional technologies and information-sharing platforms at our disposal. However, inevitably, with these advances comes additional challenges, particularly in terms of the ease and rapidity at which mis- and disinformation can be disseminated (see also my related Sunday Edition).

This is our challenge at this moment in time. It isn't so much about getting the message out anymore  we have countless ways to do so, even as individuals. It is about having the message seen, heard and not have it be misconstrued, or drowned out by all the other 'noise.' As more people in Canada become eligible for vaccination, it has been truly heartening to see many join in the effort to help spread the message about the importance of getting vaccinated, sharing their own vaccination stories and what prompted them to do so. These stories are positive, inspiring, and collectively, they are creating a strong voice in support of vaccination against COVID-19, and the protection of ourselves and one another. I encourage you to continue sharing your stories and the stories of others you know, with social media campaigns like #MyWhy. Together, we can make this voice even stronger!

NIAW  Inspiration to Stay the Course

As COVID-19 vaccines work to protect more and more people in Canada, NIAW can also help to remind and inspire us all to do what we can to stay strong and help protect one another during this time, as we face increased COVID-19 activity and a rise in the proportion of cases involving more contagious variants of concern. I urge everyone to continue to follow public health advice, keep up with individual practices, and get vaccinated when it is your turn.

In addition, and very importantly, although our minds may be focused on COVID-19 vaccines, NIAW also serves as a good opportunity to remind us all about how essential it is that we keep up with routine vaccine recommendations during the pandemic. Your healthcare provider or local public health authority have put in place safe ways for you to get your routine vaccines and to keep your families' vaccinations up to date.

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada

For further information: Contacts: Media Relations, Public Health Agency of Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]
I guess the best way to describe how I felt after the jury found former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder was that I let out a deep breath.

I dont think I was even aware that I had been holding my breath until the verdict was announced.

Guilty. I had been waiting a long time to hear that word and it was ringing in my ear.

Finally, a police officer was held accountable for needlessly killing a Black man. It was something they had been doing throughout my lifetime, using that blue uniform and their bullets to bully, intimidate and maintain control of Black Americans.

From the time I was a kid in Newark, N.J., in the 1960s when they held a gun on my mother to the time I was a teenager and thrown into an adult jail because the cop didnt like my attitude. to the time I was stopped by Fairfield police in 2017 because I was driving while Black, I had been waiting for this day.

Guilty. I just cant say that word enough. It feels almost like a fog is lifting. Finally, a jury looked beyond the ideology and hype of the blue uniform and believed what they saw with their own eyes: Murder.

Now we will find out how much time Chauvin will spend behind bars.

I didnt watch the trial because I didnt want to listen to the defense attorney tell the world that Chauvin was justified in killing George Floyd because he may have been involved in passing a counterfeit $20 bill and resisted arrest.

I didnt want to listen to another defense attorney tear down and dehumanize another Black man while extolling the character of a killer simply because he wore a blue uniform.

Most of all, I didnt want to have my psyche crushed again by a judicial system that always managed to find a way to clear the officers name, even if the suspect was unarmed and shot in the back or are seat-belted in their vehicle, as long as the victim was Black.

It has never mattered how much evidence there was against an officer or if there were eyewitnesses or video; time and time again, what Black Americans heard was not guilty.

This was a verdict of guilt that had to happen. To have rendered any other verdict would have strengthened this countrys already suffocating systemic racism.

There was no doubt in the 9 minutes and 29 seconds that Chauvin had his knee on Floyds neck while he lay handcuffed and not a threat, that Chauvin put on a full display of just how brutal, uncaring and, most of all, arrogant that Americas police force had become.

And the world witnessed it, too.

Now we wait to find out if this really is a pivotal moment in police reform, despite a flurry of pending laws around the nation.

I can say watching news accounts of different police officers testifying against their own, including a police chief, was encouraging because there can be no reform without police policing their own.

But just like police wonder where are the snitches in the Black community who remain silent while shootings and drug-dealing run rampant, the Black community wonders where are the snitches in the police department that allow killers to go unchecked.

Because it is not possible that the good cops dont know who the bad cops are. The only question that remains is, has enough of the blue wall been brought down to turn the tide?

The public should not forget that it was not police, but an unedited video recorded by Black teenager Darnella Frazier that exposed minute-by-minute the horrifying end to Floyds life.

The public should not forget that other police officers stood by silently for 9 minutes and 29 seconds watching one of their own slowly murder a man in front of their eyes  and not only did they not intervene, but they backed up Chauvins version of the story.

If not for Fraziers video, Floyd would have been just another Black man murdered and covered-up by police and ignored by the country.

Like so many Black Americans, I deeply distrust the men and women in blue  a feeling that has only deepened each decade Ive been here on Earth because of the lack of accountability they face and the countrys willingness to believe what they say.

Even here in Connecticut, we have cases about police misconduct languishing for years.

I dont think anyone, myself included, can say they have not benefited from the work of good cops and want these same cops on the streets. But this column is not about good cops and I am not going to give them any more ink.

Because it will be a long time, at least for me, before the deeds of good police officers can erase the ugly stain of racism that they allowed to bring disgrace and dishonor to their uniform.

Instead, I think about all the other Black men and women who have been shot dead or died under suspicious circumstances while in police custody. I wonder, if they were alive today, how much different their story would be than the official police report on file.

Even as I write this column, police are still shooting and killing Black Americans and asking questions later.

I wanted Chauvin found guilty. I wanted it badly in order to keep what little trust I have in the judicial system intact.

I am a Black man in America and I am tired of being targeted by police. I am tired of justifying walking down the street, driving a car, shopping, how I dress or how I wear my hair.

I dont know a single Black man who doesnt have a story to tell of a bad encounter with police and there are countless unarmed Black fathers, brothers, husbands, uncles and cousins who died with the police version of what happened as their final words.

May 20, 2020, and April 21, 2021, are days that will be marked in the annals of Black history.

One signifies death and the other a possible rebirth  but together, they show the ongoing atrocities Black people have to overcome in order to breathe in America.

Guilty. One bad cop down but so many more to go.

Reform? It will take more than Chauvins verdict.

James Walker is the host of the podcast, Real talk, Real people. Listen at jameswalkermedia.com. He can be reached at 203-605-1859 or at realtalkrealpeoplect@gmail.com. @thelieonroars on Twitter
OTTAWA  The federal government's plan to engineer a booming COVID-19 recovery involves channeling billions of dollars to Indigenous communities to rectify decades of socio-economic gaps, and assert autonomy in Manitoba.

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller is seen during a news conference Friday April 16, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA  The federal government's plan to engineer a booming COVID-19 recovery involves channeling billions of dollars to Indigenous communities to rectify decades of socio-economic gaps, and assert autonomy in Manitoba.

"It's large amounts, for the short term," Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller told the Free Press.

In a wide-ranging interview, Miller said the $13 billion of new spending outlined in last Mondays budget for specific Indigenous programming  in addition to $5 billion for COVID-19 supports  aims to put plans into action that have long been under study.

The cash is front-loaded, with the largest chunk earmarked for the coming 12 months, and gradually decreasing over the coming five years. That breaks with the common practice of governments promising huge amounts of funds that mostly flow after one or two election cycles.

At its core is a $6-billion commitment to upgrade infrastructure, largely on First Nations reserves but also in Metis and Inuit communities.

The budget gave examples ranging from airstrips to schools, but didn't mention the need for new and repaired homes on Manitoba reserves, where cramped housing has allowed COVID-19 to thrive.

In 2016, an internal government document found it would cost $1.9 billion to solve on-reserve housing needs in Manitoba alone, and many First Nations' populations have grown since that assessment.

Miller said the infrastructure allocation actually does include on-reserve housing, and that the idea is to let local leadership decide how best to spend those dollars.

"Its a community-driven, priority basis  not the priorities of the Government of Canada," Miller said.

Still, the budgets support for off-reserve housing disappointed advocates.

Winnipeg has the most urban-Indigenous people in Canada, both proportionately and as a raw number. The Liberals launched their national housing strategy and promised a plan for this population, which is still nowhere to be seen.

Cabinet minister Dan Vandal, who handles Manitoba issues, said prior to the budget that his government must do more to address homelessness in the city.

The budget allocated $1.5 billion to retrofit unused buildings into homes, but advocates said more should have been put on the table, which Miller seems to agree with.

"Clearly there need to be more investments," said Miller. But he said urban-Indigenous housing is extremely complex as it touches on five federal ministers portfolios, and involves the provincial government.

"There shouldn't be as much worry as I've heard; we're dealing with very large sums of money that need to reflect  looking at housing from a health perspective."

The budget also pledges $600 million for mental health and wellness, which will extend existing crisis telephone lines, and launch programs to deal with substance use and suicide prevention.

The money might help bring to reality a treatment centre for the remote Island Lake region, which has grappled with a meth crisis since a 2017 wildfire evacuation to Winnipeg introduced residents to city drug-dealers.

Members of the four reserves walked 3,000 kilometres to Ottawa in 2018, demanding a treatment centre because few feel comfortable flying to Winnipeg for rehab.

Miller said he couldnt speak to specific projects, but said the funding should help with substance-use projects that address intergenerational trauma. He hinted Ottawa might lean on the provincial government to help fund these programs.

"There is very real demand for treatment centres across Canada, and we've heard that loud and clear," Miller said.

"The hard work is now; we have to pass the budget and then work with our partners  and we need provinces to be on-board with this because we're talking about the wellness of all Canadians."

Many expect a federal election this year, though Miller said a lot of the promised funding could still flow once the budget is passed, likely before June, including through COVID-19 programming.

Manitoba leaders gave last weeks budget a warm initial reception, though all are still studying the dozens of promises.

The Manitoba Metis Federation applauded the scope of the budget and Metis-specific programming, but said it would still like separate dollars for health services.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs praised the "unprecedented" scope of the budget, and urged all parties to pass the legislation quickly, but said First Nations really want cash without strings attached.

"It would be even better if the government just got out of the way and transferred our funding directly," Grand Chief Arlen Dumas wrote, adding that the Indigenous funding pales in comparison to the overall COVID-19 supports.

Southern Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said there will still be gaps if everything in the budget is put into place, but said it was it would still have a huge impact in Manitoba.

"There are signs of a strengthened commitment by our federal treaty partner, to begin to take the necessary steps to end structural racism in federal institutions," Daniels said Friday.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
ROME (AP)  Rescue groups and the Vatican are decrying the latest deaths of migrants who put to sea in traffickers unseaworthy boats, amid laments that central Mediterranean nations are choosing not to dispatch vessels to save them.

Aid group Alarm Phone said in a tweet that despite a spotter plane locating an overcrowded ship in the sea north of Libya on Wednesday and pleas for help from the occupants, "only non-state actors actively searched for the boat in distress at sea.

By the time a charity rescue ship reached the site on Thursday evening, the boat had capsized and all the estimated 130 occupants are believed to have drowned.

Abandoned and buried at sea read the headline across a photo of the sea on the front page of LOsservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper on Saturday.

On Sunday, Pope Francis somberly built on the newspapers denunciation of what he called a moment of shame.

Let us pray ... for those who can help but who prefer to look the other way. Lets pray for them in silence, he told the public in St. Peters Square.

The existence of the dangerously overcrowded boat was first signaled in a call to the aid group Alarm Phone on Wednesday.

Alarm Phone said it was in contact with the dinghy over a period of 10 hours on Wednesday. It said it repeatedly relayed its GPS position and the dire situation on board to European and Libyan authorities and the wider public.

The European Union border protection agency Frontex told The AP in an interview that it had alerted Italian, Maltese and Libyan authorities after one of its patrol planes spotted the dinghy.

Despite Frontex spotting the distressed boat from the sky, only non-state actors actively searched for the boat in distress at sea, Alarm Phone said in a tweeted statement.

Ocean Viking, a rescue ship operated by the charity group SOS Mediterranee, together with MY ROSE, one of three merchant vessels which complied with requests from Italy and Libya to lend assistance, reached the site on Thursday and found several bodies, one of them hunched over a life preserver, but no survivors.

Story continues

Frontex spokesman Krzysztof Borowski blamed the incident on bad weather.

Unfortunately, the deadly weather that occurred over the last few days in that area made it almost impossible to do any type of rescue mission, he said in a Zoom interview on Saturday from Warsaw, Poland, where the EU agency is based.

According to Ocean Viking's log, a Libyan coast guard vessel, Ubari, was supposedly headed to the dinghy's aid.

When the Ocean Viking arrived and found the bodies, it noted in its log that there is no sign of patrol vessel Ubari in the vicinity nor contact established with the Ocean Viking.

The Libyan coast guard has said bad weather, combined with the need to rescue other migrants off the Libyan coast, prevented involvement in the efforts to help the dinghy. Ubari, supplied by Italy to Libya's coast guard in 2018, had rescued 104 migrants and recovered two bodies from a traffickers' boat off the country's coast on Thursday, according to Italian news reports.

The traffickers were particularly reckless to launch the doomed dinghy in such conditions, Frontexs Borowski said. There were massive waves, two to three meters (6.6 to 10 feet) high. It was almost guaranteed that a rubber dinghy would overturn and people all end up in the sea.

Italy trained and equipped the Libyan coast guard but has come under fire from aid groups, which say the fleet in the violence-wracked north African nation. is not up to the task. Additionally, when the Libyan coast guard does rescue migrants from flimsy dinghies or fishing boats, they are brought back to inhumane conditions in detention centers, U.N. refugee agencies and human rights groups have lamented.

Italian Premier Mario Draghi sparked criticism when, during a recent visit to Libya, he praised the work of the Libyan coast guard.

Both Italy and Malta have contended that charity ships in effect help ensure that the migrants, who pay the Libyan-based smugglers, safely reach European shores. Both nations also insist  mainly in vain  that fellow European Union countries should take in far more rescued migrants, many of whom ultimately hope to find relatives and jobs in northern Europe.

An email request to a spokesperson for Maltas Home Affairs ministry on Saturday wasnt immediately answered.

On Saturday, another boat was reported to be in distress, with 42 migrants aboard, but it couldnt be located, SOS Mediterranees Italy director general, Valeria Taurino, told Italian Rai state TV. Lamenting the loss of lives, Taurino said the charity calls on Europe to take up its responsibilities and not to block NGO rescue boats from operating.

Italy has repeatedly kept charity rescue ships in port for weeks for administrative inspections after the vessels brought rescued migrants to Italian shores.

On Sunday, the Italian coast guard said that with a help of a container ship in the waters off Italy, it aided an overcrowded motorized fishing boat struggling in towering waves and stiff winds.

The vessel, with at least 100 passengers aboard, including children, had people crowded on the bridge and below deck when it was spotted on Saturday, a coast guard statement said. After the boats motor quit working, it was towed to the Italian mainland, where it arrived in port on Sunday. The exact number and nationalities of those rescued, who are presumably migrants, werent immediately available.

___

Renata Brito in Barcelona, Spain, contributed to this report.
The European Union (EU) inculpated China on Saturday to have jeopardised peace in the South China Sea. The EU urged all its parties to abide by the ruling of a 2016 tribunal in order to eliminate most of China's claim to sovereignty in the sea. A United Nations tribunal dismissed China's claim to virtually claim all sovereignty of the South China Sea. Earlier, Beijing had rejected this ruling. Also, a new policy was released last week by the EU to counter China's emergence as a power in the region. In the said policy, EU intends to extend its presence in the ascendancy of the Indo-Pacific region.

EU spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday,

"Tensions in the South China Sea, including the recent presence of large Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef, endanger peace and stability in the region."

China has been more assertive in sovereignty disputes of the South China Sea. According to research by the Centre of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), significant numbers of vessels have been at Whitsun Reef since February 2020. Whitsun Reef is among maritime features in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. It is in a shallow coral region of the resource-rich Spratly Islands and is now at the centre of a deepening maritime row between Beijing and Manila. The said islands are subject to a territorial dispute and are in whole or partly claimed by numerous countries, namely, Brunei, China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

China claims virtually all of the South China Sea while the Philippines claim the Spratly Islands as being within its exclusive economic zone alias West Philippines.

'Chinese vessels moored at Whitsun Reef'

According to the National Task Force of West Philippines Sea (NTF-WPS) around 220 Chinese fishing ships were monitored to have moored at Whitsun Reef as early as March 7, 2021. The NTF-WPS then reported that the Chinese vessels did not engage in fishing activities. Department of National Defense of Philippines and authorities from Vietnam, both claimant countries of Whitsun Reef alleged China of incursion and issued a demand to China to have the vessels withdraw from Whitsun.

Republic of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs later disputed these allegations and in return reasoned stalled vessels by saying that fishing boats took shelter at Whitsun Reef due to rough sea and wind conditions sheltering from a storm and insisted that their mooring was normal. Further, China had clarified the Philippines' claim, "there is no Chinese Maritime Militia as alleged. Thus, reasonable and lawful."

However, the region's recent fine weather reports around Whitsun Reef debunked the initial excuse from China that they were riding out a storm. "Blue skies in the area undermine Chinas claims that vessels were riding out bad weather", the report says.

Meanwhile, this outlines a requirement under Chinese law as Beijing deploys maritime militia- fishing vessels in paramilitary service.

China Drills In Disputed South China Sea

Amid tensions over disputed waters, China on April 9 drilled deep in the South China Sea in a bid to retrieve sediment core from the seabed. According to the Xinhua news agency, the Chinese scientists on a maritime research vessel have used Chinas homemade Sea Bull II drilling system to obtain a sediment core 231 metres long at a depth of 2,060 metres. The presence of the Chinese vessels deepens concern of several claimants in the region. These hundreds of Chinese vessels have been moored inside Manila's 320-kilometre exclusive zone since last month.

China dismissed UN Tribunal Ruling: 2016

A 2016 ruling by a United Nations tribunal dismissed China's claim to virtually claim all sovereignty of the South China Sea, though Beijing has refused to recognise the decision. The Chinese statement insisted that China's sovereignty, rights and interests in the South China Sea were formed in the 'long course of history and consistent with international law' and rejected the 2016 tribunal ruling as "null and void".

The US Navy strike group also entered the disputed waters after the president of the Philippines, a US ally, voiced concern about the Chinese vessels massing in Manilas 320km exclusive economic zone. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month said
(Newser)  The wreckage of a missing Indonesian Navy submarine with 53 crew members has been located, the military said Sunday. Searchers found items and parts from the submarine, including the anchor and safety suits for crew members, CNN reports. "Based on that authentic proof, I declare here that the Nanggala submarine sank and all of the crew died," Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto said at a news conference Sunday. The wreckage was found on the sea floor, 2,800 feet down in the Bali Sea, per NBC. The sub's collapse depth, below which the hull could not handle the water pressure, was 655 feet. No cause was given, though Adm. Yudo Margono said, "This is not a human error, but a natural/environment factor." On Saturday, he said it appeared that heavy pressure on the submarine likely caused it to crack, while discounting the possibility of an explosion. The KRI Nanggala broke into three pieces.

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Among the items displayed Sunday was an escape suit. "Normally it is stored inside the box, but since we found it outside we believe that the crew were going to wear it but they had no chance," Margono said. Tjahjanto said the crew members will be honored, and he offered his condolences to their families, per the Washington Post. He said recovering the German-made submarine will require international help. Contact was lost when the sub was conducting an exercise Wednesday off Bali. The loss has prompted calls to modernize Indonesia's military. "This can be a learning point for the government to advance its military technology and be careful in how it uses its (existing) technology," said a resident of the town that's the base for the search effort, "because its people's lives are at stake." (Read more submarine stories.)
BRIDGEPORT  Connecticuts largest municipality is trying to go paperless when it comes to permitting, and it cannot happen soon enough for local contractors and construction labor leaders.

Willie McBride of WC McBride Electric said that change would not just make local government more efficient, but his own business.

Just the resources of having someone to go to City Hall to wait in line to pull a permit, whereas we could just go on a computer to do it, McBride said Friday. Definitely it would be beneficial to the smaller contractors with limited resources.

Duane Gates, president of the Fairfield County Building Trades, said: Its the same problem throughout the state  it takes too long to get permits to do any type of construction. Developers are losing money. ... Im all for any type of streamlining, whether Bridgeport or the state level. ... Its going to be more attractive for people to come to Bridgeport and Connecticut.

Mayor Joe Ganims administration has been working behind-the-scenes to install new EnerGov software and train personnel in several key departments  building, engineering, zoning, the fire marshal, housing code, blight, environmental health and water pollution control  on its usage.

Tom Gaudett, the Ganim aide responsible for the project with information technology services, said Friday he was relatively confident that roughly within the next two months citizens, contractors and businesses could begin applying online for plans, permits and licenses.

However, we would still allow people to submit items via the current, paper-based processes if they so choose, Gaudett said. After a few months  depending on how things go  we will move to Phase III and eliminate paper applications completely. At that time, almost 100 percent of the process from the point of application to the point of approval will be electronic.

Gaudett said the EnerGov initiative, which will be dubbed Park City Portal upon launch, dates back to when Ganim took office in December 2015 and his transition team encouraged the new administration prioritize tackling inefficiencies in the planning, permitting, licensing, and code enforcement processes and bring our departments into the 21st century.

The transition report, issued in February 2016, specifically stated: Digitization is almost non-existent. ... Departments use paper records and the building permits are still typed on a typewriter ... A contractor may take a chance and do a project in Bridgeport, but if (s)he wastes time and money waiting for inspectors and a permit, (s)he may not return.

Gaudett acknowledges the coronavirus pandemics impact on the workplace and need to limit person-to-person interactions to prevent the illness spread underscores the need for such paperless ... processes that allow customers to do business with the city remotely and at their convenience.

City buildings shut down when the pandemic struck Connecticut in March 2020. Ganim eventually announced a limited re-opening of some departments for appointment-only permitting.

Bridgeport staffers are still adjusting to the new way of doing things. When the topic of EnerGov came up Thursday at a meeting of the City Councils budget committee, Janene Hawkins, Ganims chief administrative officer, reported some employees are challenged, technologically.

Were doing our very best to ... get them trained and do whatever is necessary to bring them to the 21st century, Hawkins said.

Councilman Matthew McCarthy took that opportunity to lambaste the building department in particular. I know many contractors, and it is the worst building department process in any town or city, he said. He alleged it can take six to eight months to get something done.

Hawkins said, I, too, am not pleased. ... It is very antiquated and it oftentimes is a hindrance as far as our ability to do more as far as persons who would like to come to the city to build.

She told McCarthy the EnerGov software should help so people dont have to wait on long lines and be delayed and cant get inspected for their buildings to go up.

But she also acknowledged some self-inflicted staffing shortages in Ganims City Hall dating back to 2015 and 2016 when dozens were laid off.

The desire when we first came in as an administration was to look at the budget, cut it, Hawkins said. We cut a lot of positions. ... Many cuts we probably should not have (made), but we did it based on the financial situation we were in at that time as far as the deficit is concerned.
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DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 25th Apr, 2021) Emirates Environmental Group organised the 21st cycle of the annual Inter-School Environmental Public Speaking Competition on 21st & 22nd April 2021, to coincide with the global celebration of Earth Day.

The competition build on the success of transforming this competition to take place virtually since last year.

The two day programme registered over 431 participants, including the accompanying teachers, who all came together from various government and private schools across all the Emirates, united with in their passion for Environmental advocacy to achieve development that is sustainable.

The sub-senior students between the ages of 13 and 15 competed on two topics, "Sustainable Living: A path for a Greener Future?" and "Environment & Education: Need for Change". Gems Millennium School, Sharjah won in first topic and Dubai National School, Al Barsha (Boys) was the winner in the second topic.

The second day was for the senior category of students in the age bracket of 16-18. The Philippine School, Dubai was crowned the winner for the topic "Balancing the 3 Pillars of Sustainability in a Post Pandemic World" and Dubai National School, Al Barsha (Boys) was the winner for the last topic, "Integrating Environment & technology: A Solution to Sustainability?"

The overall winner for the 21st cycle of Inter school Environmental Public Speaking Competition is Dubai National School, Al Barsha (Boys).

The topics chosen for the competition were the result of a rigorous process taking into account the feedback received from last years participating teams that was mainly influenced by the Pandemic and designed to encompass several UN SDGs.

The topics aimed to encourage the students to consider sustainable lifestyles, the importance of greening the curriculum, to focus on building a more resilient global economy and the profound impact of technology in shaping societies, economies and the environment.

The discussions and presentations provided by the students reflected the immense efforts invested in research and the sense of environmental awareness and understanding of sustainability issues exhibited by the participating teams.

Habiba Al Marashi, Co-founder and Chairperson of Emirates Environmental Group welcomed the participating teams; those who have joined for the 1st time and those who ensure to enroll their students in all the creative platforms that EEG rolls out annually. She further thanked OUNASS Company for coming on board as a support sponsor and went on to say: "We at EEG are eager this year to embark with positive attitude and strive towards environmental education for the youth. While the year 2020 will not be looked upon confidently by many, it was a learning curve for humanity, and it did in fact open up new avenues of opportunities. We need to look back with positivity and take stock of the many lessons learned".

She further added "Since the programmes inception in 2001, the ISEPSC has become an exceptional platform for students to showcase their innovation, creativity, cooperative team work and critical thinking skills all to advocate for environmental sustainability. Moreover, the programme has provided students with the opportunity to develop their oratory skills and harness their unique abilities to proactively contribute to the change that is necessary to conserve our environment."
Supermodel Victoria Lee and fashion blogger Nicole Warne have teamed up with WWF-Australia to support koala habitat regeneration, following the devastating Black Summer bushfires.

With Australia's iconic koalas on the brink of extinction, WWF-Australia is on a mission to double the number of the species across Eastern Australia by 2050.

Last week, Victoria and Nicole visited conservation organisations Bangalow Koalas and Friends of the Koala to plant trees and play a small part in supporting koalas to ensure theyre here for the future.

Koal-ty work! Supermodel Victoria Lee (pictured) and fashion blogger Nicole Warne have teamed up with WWF-Australia to support koala habitat regeneration, following the devastating Black Summer bushfires

They both wore matching WWF T-shirts that feature the panda emblem on the front.

Makeup free, the pair showed off their natural beauty and pared back looks away from Instagram.

It comes after Victoria put on a very glam display while leading the arrivals at the FRED launch in Sydney Tower last week.

The 27-year-old model looked to be the belle of the ball in $365,000 worth of jewellery - including the same diamond necklace Julia Roberts wore in Pretty Woman.

'I have so many memories watching it at home growing up, it is one of those films you always go back to watch, and Julia Roberts is just so beautiful and the love story between her and Richard Gere is amazing,' she told The Daily Telegraph.

Good cause: Last week, Victoria and Nicole visited conservation organisations Bangalow Koalas and Friends of the Koala to plant trees and play a small part in supporting koalas to ensure theyre here for the future

Elegant: It comes after Victoria put on a very glam display while leading the arrivals at the FRED launch in Sydney Tower last week

'Julia Roberts' character, Vivian, represents a woman that envisioned something for her life and went after it. She found love along the way but always had ambitions and goals,' she added.

Victoria opted for a tailored white pants suit for the luxe brand shindig, paired with a body-hugging Dion Lee corset.

She completed the high-glam look with a pair of black sandal heels.

The David Jones ambassador wore her cropped tresses down and opted for a matte makeup palette for the event.

Bejwelled: The 27-year-old model looked to be the belle of the ball in $365,000 worth of jewellery - including the same diamond necklace Julia Roberts wore in Pretty Woman

'Julia Roberts' character, Vivian, represents a woman that envisioned something for her life and went after it. She found love along the way but always had ambitions and goals,' Victoria said of the experience

Just beautiful: Victoria opted for a tailored white pants suit for the luxe brand shindig, paired with a body-hugging Dion Lee corset. She completed the high-glam look with a pair of black sandal heels

Victoria made herself comfortable during the launch wearing a number of pieces from FRED's new 'Pretty Woman', including the iconic heart necklace featured in the iconic 1990s film of the same name.

Meanwhile, E! Presenter Francesca Hung also kept it glam in a pink, high-neck graphic frock.

The raven-haired beauty wore her tresses down and opted for minimal makeup at the event.

Glittering: Meanwhile, E! Presenter Francesca Hung also kept it glam in a pink, high-neck graphic frock

Also attending the event was model Yan Yan Chan, who opted for an off-white pantsuit at the glamorous event.

She paired it with a pair high-end Louis Vuitton sneakers.

Yan Yan wore her dyed tresses down allowing them to frame her face.
By Nilufar Rizki and Sultan Anshori

DENPASAR (Reuters) -A missing Indonesian submarine has been found, broken into at least three parts, at the bottom of the Bali Sea, army and navy officials said on Sunday, as the president sent condolences to relatives of the 53 crew.

Rescuers also found new objects, including a life vest, that they believe belong to those aboard the 44-year old KRI Nanggala-402, which lost contact on Wednesday as it prepared to conduct a torpedo drill.

"Based on the evidence, it can be stated that the KRI Nanggala has sunk and all of its crew have died," military chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto told reporters.

Navy chief of staff Yudo Margono said the crew were not to blame for the accident and that the submarine did not experience a blackout, blaming "forces of nature".

"The KRI Nanggala is divided into three parts, the hull of the ship, the stern of the ship, and the main parts are all separated, with the main part found cracked," he said. "There are scattered parts of the submarine and its interior in the water."

President Joko Widodo earlier confirmed the discovery in the Bali Sea and sent the families of the victims his condolences.

"All of us Indonesians express our deep sorrow over this tragedy, especially to the families of the submarine crew."

A sonar scan on Saturday detected the submarine at 850 metres (2,790 feet), far beyond the Nanggala's diving range.

More than a dozen helicopters and ships are searching the area where contact was lost, with the United States, Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia providing assistance.

Navy officials said international help will be crucial in recovering the remains of the vessel.

Singapore Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean wrote on social media late on Sunday that a ROV (remotely operated vehicle) sent by the Singapore Navy was able to "recover a few critical items from the seabed at depth of more than 800 meters".

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"We hope that this will help the families find some closure and certainty on the fate of their loved ones," he added.

Search teams said on Saturday they had found objects including prayer mat fragments near the submarine's last known location, leading the navy to believe the vessel had cracked.

Indonesia police said it would deploy teams to Bali and the Java town of Banyuwangi, which hosts the naval base from where the main search and recovery operations are being conducted, to help identify the victims once the bodies are retrieved.

Residents of Banyuwangi joined nationwide calls to accelerate the modernisation of Indonesia's defence forces.

"This can be a learning point for the government to advance its military technology and be careful in how it uses its (existing) technology because its people's lives are at stake," said 29-year old resident Hein Ferdy Sentoso.

Southeast Asia's most-populous country has sought to revamp its military capability, yet some equipment is still old and there have been fatal accidents in recent years.

Indonesia had five submarines before the latest accident: two German-built Type 209s including Nanggala and three newer South Korean vessels.

(Additional reporting and writing by Fanny Potkin; Editing by Michael Perry and Philippa Fletcher)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 12:48:11|Editor: huaxia

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SYDNEY, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Australian aviation experts believed the industry is on track to re-enter the international market, with the first step being to start quarantine-free travel with New Zealand.

However, the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic makes international border reopening a risky issue.

STARTING TO FLY

The aviation industry was one of the worst-hit sectors in the pandemic due to travel restrictions. Australia's biggest airline Qantas swung to an underlying loss before tax of 1.03 billion Australian dollars (0.8 billion U.S. dollars) for the six months ending Dec. 31, 2020.

An analysis by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in February showed that the airline industry is expected to remain cash negative throughout 2021.

Therefore, the travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand, which was hailed by IATA as a model for other governments, was taken by the Australian aviation industry as a great opportunity to start to return to the international game.

Qantas announced it would relaunch flights to 22 international destinations from October 31 this year while Virgin Australia said short-haul overseas routes to Bali and the Pacific would be among its first international routes to resume, followed by long-haul flights to Japan and the United States.

OCCUPYING TIME SLOTS

Australia's international travel ban was extended for another three months from March to June. Facing the nation's delay in COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the aviation companies' plan to boost international flights seemed to be a bit bold.

Aviation lecturer and researcher Mirjam Wiedemann from the University of South Australia, told Xinhua recently that the early decision by Qantas regarding overseas travel was probably to secure its position in the international market during the valuable Australian summer market.

"They need to make sure they are securing the (time) slots at airports around the world now where air travel starts to come back after the pandemic globally," Wiedemann said.

"Our super important summer market is mainly in January and February. So even if they are not flying in November, but then may end up flying in January, they are still getting half of this gain."

The slots are vital for airlines as they give them the right to take off and land at a specific airport at a designated time. An airline wishing to operate a new service needs to apply for a slot with the airports.

STUMBLING AHEAD

From Saturday, the state of Western Australia (WA) entered a three-day snap lockdown after a man from the state of Victoria tested positive in Melbourne after completing 14 days of quarantine at a WA hotel.

The New Zealand government soon paused travel with WA following the state's decision. A flight due to leave Perth for the country late on Friday night was also canceled.

Last year, the one-way travel bubble from New Zealand to Australia was also temporarily suspended due to an outbreak in Auckland.

"If we do not open our borders soon, we start losing out not only in regard to passenger air connectivity but also in terms of international trade," Wiedemann said.

There were 32,900 estimated overseas arrivals to Australia in March this year, a 96.4-percent decrease compared to the corresponding month of the previous year. All overseas departures from Australia in the same month also witnessed a 96.2-percent decrease.

"It really depends on the vaccinations," said Wiedemann, with regard to the sector's recovery prospect.

Volodymyr Bilotkach, associate professor from the Singapore Institute of Technology, said, "The IATA's February forecast of global travel volumes being back to 80 percent of 2019 levels by the last quarter of the year now principally rests on the speed of vaccination programs around the globe, and what happens with new COVID-19 variants."

"Crucial to international travel returning to normal will be 'vaccine passports', some form of which will likely be needed for most international travel for at least the next five years," he said. Enditem
Gurugram, April 25 : In view of the spike in Covid cases, the Haryana government announced that all IT sector and corporate offices in six districts -- Gurugram, Faridabad, Hisar, Panchkula, Karnal and Sonepat, would remain closed till May 3 up to 9 p.m.

Also, the government offices in all districts will operate with 50 per cent strength. Even the industry has been asked to work in shifts.

According to an order released by the chief secretary-cum-Chairperson Vijay Vardhan, no lockdown would be imposed in Gurugram and Faridabad. "Work-from-home should be followed, amid rise in covid infections," he said.

An order in this regard was released late on Saturday night.

All private hospitals have been asked to reserve 50 per cent beds for Covid patients. Earlier, the reservation was 40 per cent.

After 6 p.m., the markets have been ordered to be closed. The maximum gathering in indoor programs has been reduced to 50 from 200.

According to the order, the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) have been authorized to impose Section 144 wherever required. They have been asked to deal strictly wherever the cases are higher.

Disobeying government order will initiate action against the offenders under relevant sections of the IPC, the order said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
On Sunday's finale of Dancing With The Stars Australia, Luke Jacobz took home the Mirrorball.

History failed to repeat for Bec Hewitt, with the former Home and Away star missing out, after she and her then-dancer partner, Michael Mizner, won the series in 2004.

It was a close competition, with judge Helen Richey admitting there was 'almost nothing' between the quality of the performers on the night.

Winner: On Sunday's finale of Dancing With The Stars Australia, Luke Jacobz took home the Mirrorball. Pictured with dance partner Jorja Rae Freeman

When it came down to it, Bec and her dance partner Craig Monley made it into the final two couples, alongside Luke and his partner Jorja Rae Freeman.

Judge Mark Wilson heaped praise on Luke and Jorja, saying he had no idea how they would top last week's Paso Doble - but they had.

The pair smashed their freestyle performance, set to the hard-rock Imagine Dragons song Natural.

Luke said after his win: 'To win is honestly the greatest achievement of my life. To experience it with Jorja, who is by far the most creative and talented person I know, is like a dream'

Wow! The pair smashed their freestyle performance, set to the hard-rock Imagine Dragons song Natural

Winners: They were awarded a total of 40 from the judges - a perfect result, and when teamed with the audience score, the pair raced to the finish in first place

They were awarded a total of 40 from the judges - a perfect result, and when teamed with the audience score, the pair raced to the finish in first place.

Bec and Craig however matched that result, with a series of perfect tens from the judges for a total of 40.

It was not enough to get them over the line, coming in second after the audience vote.

Close! Bec Hewitt (left) and her dance partner Craig Monley (right) made in into the final two couples and scored perfect tens, but it was not enough once the audience score was tallied

So close! History failed to repeat for Bec with the former Home and Away star missing out, after she and her then-dancer partner, Michael Mizner, won the series in 2004

Also missing out were finalists Lincoln Lewis and Lily Cornish, Kyly Clarke and Gustavo Viglio, Ada Nicodemou and Aric Yegudkin, and Manu Feildel and Katrina Patchett.

Luke said after his win: 'To win is honestly the greatest achievement of my life. To experience it with Jorja, who is by far the most creative and talented person I know, is like a dream.'

The actor raised $20,000 for his chosen charity, Carrie Bickmore's foundation, Beanies 4 Brain Cancer.
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Medicine is very much like driving. As an emergency physician, when you see a patient, you ask the same questions, What brought you in today? Whats bothering you? and go through the normal flow of the history and physical. You order the same labs and imaging reflexively. When youre driving to a location that youve been to many times before, when you get into your car again and turn the ignition on, it seems like seconds later you are at your destination. And you dont even realize this happened until after the fact.

Is this unconsciousness in medicine a good thing? When time is of the essence, sometimes yes. You allow your knowledge and reflexes to take over in emergency cases while pressing the brakes slowly if you need to recalibrate and seek assistance.

Surgeons would tell you this too. I was on a helicopter to retrieve a heart one time, and when we came back to the hospital, the cardiothoracic surgeon had his arms crossed, took a hard look at the heart, and slowly cradled it to the operating table. 10+ hours later, with minimal complications, the patient had a new heart.

Though, lets think of unconsciousness as implicit biases. As medical students, were taught that African Americans run a higher risk of elevated blood pressure. The elderly have several comorbidities and are frail. Patients who are obese because they dont eat right or exercise regularly. The implicit biases are endless, and some are outright dangerous.

Fact: Black cardiac arrest victims receive fewer bystander CPR than white cardiac arrest victims.

Fact: Patients of color are frequently blamed for not taking an active part in their health care.

Fact: The homeless are often assumed to be medication-seeking and come to the ER feigning illness for food and shelter.

Regardless of medical training, we all have implicit biases. In situations where we must act right away, we often fall back on our implicit biases for answers. For guidance as to how to proceed next. Do I give this medication or not? Do I need to consult this service or not? Do I trust what this patient is telling me or not?

Its far too easy to make assumptions because its the path of least resistance in our way of thinking. To truly see the patient in front of you and hear the words they say takes time and consideration, which is often lost in different places like the ER because of the demanding and high-stress environment. Trust in medicine is lost too, leading to patients who are discriminated against to them rarely trusting the medical profession again.

How do we then address implicit biases? It starts in medical school and whats taught by professors, mentors, residents, and attendings. Not only what is taught, but the verbal and nonverbal actions students see from their teachers. Students model what they see, and if they see discrimination against minorities not being addressed, some students may see this as acceptable behavior. And from that point forward, the implicit biases of their teachers become theirs. Medical schools also need to have courses that teach about implicit biases, racism in medicine, and real-life examples of both.

Outside of education, self-reflection is a big part of reducing implicit bias. Reflecting on a past patient and how things could have gone differently. Actively changing your worldview to take out the stereotypes of others you may hold true. Most of all, every future interaction with a patient is a conversation with a person. A person who has a story to tell based on a life lived so far.

So yes, medicine is very much like driving. But, instead of being a passive driver and allowing the streets to pass you by, be conscious and take time to make decisions. The more time you take and the more thought you give, there is no more unconsciousness in medicine.

Ton La, Jr. is a medical student and can be reached on LinkedIn.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Heres how to make sure your summer vacation dollars arent left on the rental car counter.

Book early

Those $400-plus-per-day rates in Hawaii went to the people who failed to book ahead. Last-minute planners at vacation spots across the country were stunned to find near-empty lots, and they paid for their laid-back approach.

Extend your search

Faced with reduced inventory, some car rental companies are dismissing searches of just a few days, holding out for more lucrative longer rental periods, Weinberg says. When AutoSlash staff sees a no cars available notice while searching for a weekend, they expand their search by a few days. Sometimes cars are indeed available  and some companies will credit drivers for unused days if they return a car ahead of schedule.

Let taxis or ride-shares help

Renting a car at the airport often comes with a higher price tag, courtesy of airport taxes. Renting from a location in town is almost always less expensive. Explore what it might cost to taxi to a rental office away from the airport. Factor in convenience, time and effort, because your vacation time is limited, Rathner says.
Governors of the South-east and opinion leaders in the zone are currently in a closed-door security meeting at the Government House, Enugu State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that leaders of religious groups, traditional and sociocultural institutions in the area are also part of the meeting.

This is the second security meeting called at the instance of the South-East Governors Forum in the last two weeks and might not be unconnected to the worsening security situation in the area.

In the latest security breach in the region, hoodlums on Saturday attacked the country home of Imo governor, Hope Uzodinma, in Omuma, Orlu, during which part of the building and some vehicles were burnt down.

Already in attendance are Ebonyi governor, David Umahi, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Deputy Governor of Imo, Placid Njoku.

Others are the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, the President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, George Obiozor, Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, Emmanuel Chukwuma.

Also in attendance are Chairperson, Christian Association of Nigeria, South-East, former Governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, elder statesman, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu , among others.

NAN further reports that the governors of the South-east had during a similar meeting held in Owerri on April 11 floated a joint security outfit code-named Ebube Agu. (NAN)
The 2021 Oscars broadcast has already sparked speculation about just how the producers will bring off this most unusual show. The Sunday, April 25 broadcast is taking place much later than normal, comes after a year when the coronavirus pandemic mostly forced viewers to watch the nominated films at home rather than in movie theaters, and is likely to feature more stars delivering their speeches via video-conference links.

 You can watch The Oscars LIVE for free with FuboTV (free trial)

But even if the 93rd Academy Awards promises to bring surprises, with a show that takes place at Union Station Los Angeles and the Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center, the pre-show programming is hoping to grab viewers who want to get at least a taste of red carpet coverage, along with some new additions in pre- and post-show programming.

We may not be in store for the usual parade of big names showing dripping in borrowed diamonds, but the E! channel is again offering a 2021 version of red carpet coverage, and ABC has programmed some special coverage surrounding the big bash. Here are highlights.

What: Live From E!: Brunch at the Oscars 2021

Details: As usual, the E! channel is offering awards show obsessives a chance to start the day with a bunch of chatter and filler, just to get everybody in the mood. Described as a boozy brunch, this preamble features Superstore stalwart Lauren Ash, Rotten Tomatoes editor Jacqueline Coley, E! personality Nina Parker, and celebrity stylist Brad Goreski, who will, were told, discuss how to craft the perfect Academy Awards party feast with bartender Cari Hah and chef Nyesha Arrington.

Time: Noon PT; 3 p.m. ET Sunday

Channel: E!

What: Live From E!: Oscars 2021

Details: Giuliana Rancic hosts, joined by guest cohost Karamo, of Queer Eye, Parker, Goreski, Coley, and E! style expert Zanna Roberts Rassi, as they focus on this years stars and nominees.

Time: 2 p.m. PT; 5 p.m. ET Sunday

Channel: E!

Online: Check out the E! channel Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts to follow live streams from the Roosevelt Hotel; and at 2:40 p.m., a second live stream, Live From E! Stream, will be available via @enews Twitter, eonline.com, and the E! News app.

Related: The 2021 Oscars ceremony will try to woo viewers, even as TV awards show ratings have tumbled

What: KATU Celebrates Hollywoods Biggest Night

Details: More pre-Oscar coverage, which will lead up to even more pre-Oscar coverage.

Time: 2 p.m. PT Sunday

Channel: KATU

What: Oscars: Into the Spotlight

Details: This year, the Oscars are leaning into the fact that the ceremony is bound to be impacted by the pandemic. This special features artists performing Oscar-nominated original songs. Ariana DeBose and Lil Rel Howery host. Performers include Celeste, H.E.R., Leslie Odom Jr., Laura Pausini, Daniel Pemberton, Molly Sanden and Diane Warren. According to ABC, one performance will be recorded in Husavik, Iceland, and four at the Dolby Family Terrace of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. The 90-minute special is also designed to give fans around the world the ultimate insiders sneak peek to the party and, for the first time, bring Oscar music to the festivities.

Time: 3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET Sunday

Channel: ABC

Online: Watch on the ABC app or on ABC.com by authenticating with your provider; stream also on Hulu + Live TV; FuboTV.

What: Live From E!: Red Carpet Rundown: As if watching the E! red carpet coverage earlier wasnt enough, heres a round-up of what some viewers may have seen earlier. Back for more are Parker, Goreski, Coley and Roberts Rassi.

Time: 4 p.m. PT; 7 p.m. ET Sunday

Channel: E!

Related: How to watch and stream 2021 Oscar Best Picture nominees Mank, Nomadland, and more

What: Oscars: After Dark

Details: Another official Oscar-related show, this will recap the ceremony, and feature hosts Colman Domingo and Andrew Rannells, who will be joined by film critics Elvis Mitchell.

Time: The show will air after the Oscars, which are scheduled to conclude at 8 p.m. PT/11 p.m. ET Sunday.

Channel: ABC

Online: Watch on the ABC app or on ABC.com by authenticating with your provider; stream also on Hulu + Live TV; FuboTV.

And dont forget the main event: The 2021 Oscars show is scheduled for a three-hour time slot, beginning at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET Sunday, on ABC. Show producers Jesse Collins, Stacey Sher and Steven Soderbergh have announced an ensemble cast for the show, including Riz Ahmed, Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, Bryan Cranston, Viola Davis, Laura Dern, Harrison Ford, Bong Joon Ho, Regina King, Marlee Matlin, Rita Moreno, Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Steven Yeun, Renee Zellweger and Zendaya.

Subscribe to our free weekly What to Watch newsletter. Email:



-- Kristi Turnquist

kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist
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Scientists have found that volcanoes deep in the ocean discharge so much energy potential when they erupt that they could theoretically power the whole of the United States. Scientists at the University of Leeds in the UK have gathered data via remotely operated vehicles from deep-sea volcanic activity in the Northeast Pacific. They found that ocean volcanoes were as intriguing to study as volcanoes on land, although the observer doesnt get as spectacular views from ocean-erupting volcanoes as from those on land.

The University of Leeds scientists suggest in their research, published this week in the journal Nature Communications, that submarine volcanoes create the so-called hydrothermal megaplumes when they erupt. The researchers estimate that extremely high rates of energy are being discharged during those eruptions.

The rate of energy released and required to carry ash to the observed distances is extremely high  equivalent to the power used by the whole of the USA, the University of Leeds said about the research carried out by Dr Sam Pegler, from the School of Mathematics, and Dr David Ferguson, from the School of Earth and Environment.

The rapid release of immense energy from submarine eruptions means that submarine volcanic eruptions lead to the rapid emptying of reservoirs of hot fluids within the earths crust. As the magma forces its way upwards towards the seafloor, it drives this hot fluid with it, the scientists say.

Our results demonstrate that intervals of rapid hydrothermal discharge are likely commonplace during deep-ocean volcanism, the researchers said in their paper.

Observing a submarine eruption in person remains extremely difficult but the development of instruments based on the seafloor means data can be streamed live as the activity occurs, Dr. Ferguson said in a statement.

Although scientists have now begun to understand how ocean volcanoes work, the harnessing of the immense energy could be impossible.

Geothermal energy on land is one thing, but capturing the huge energy deep in the Pacific Ocean could be a whole different story.

Major oil corporations have moved to invest in geothermal energy on land. One of the latest was an announcement from U.S. supermajor Chevron last month that it invested in a private investment company focused on the development and operation of low-temperature geothermal and heat power assets in the United States and internationally.

The U.S. Department of Energy says that Geothermal is Americas untapped energy giant, highlighting in its analysis that this kind of always-on flexible renewable energy resource could grow 26-fold to generate 8.5 percent of U.S. electricity by 2050.

Geothermal resources in the U.S. are enormous, but geothermal energy accounted for just 0.4 percent of total utility-scale electricity generation in the United States in 2020, according to EIA data. Globally, America leads in geothermal electricity generation, but on a U.S. scale, geothermal is a negligible part of total electricity generation.

Related: The Best Is Yet To Come For The Worlds Hottest Oil Play

However, geothermal energy generation near volcanic activity is riskier to operate, as a recent incident showed.

In Hawaii, the lava flows from the Kilauea volcano led to the shutdown of the Puna Geothermal Venture power plant in 2018, which voluntarily ceased operations ahead of the approaching lava flow. The 38-megawatt (MW) facility is the only geothermal plant on the island, and it produced about 29 percent of the islands electricity generation in 2017, as per EIA data.

In 2018 during the Kilauea volcano eruption, production wells at a geothermal plant were plugged to prevent the release of toxic gases.

The power plant returned online in November 2020, sending electricity to the Hawaii Island grid two and a half years after the eruption of the Kilauea volcano put it out of operation.

Geothermal power development near active volcanoes on land is not without risks. In the ocean, the energy from submarine volcanoes could be enormous, but it will likely never be tapped. Still, understanding deep ocean volcano activity could give scientists more insight into how the earth works and how it affects marine life.



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
A woman has died after being pulled from the water near a hovercraft slipway at Portsmouth harbour.

The 59-year-old victim was pulled from the water while unconscious in Clarence Pier, Portsmouth, yesterday afternoon.

She was rushed to hospital in a critical condition, but later died.

A spokesman for Hampshire Police said: 'We were called shortly after 5.45pm on Saturday April 24 to a report that a woman was unconscious in the water on Clarence Esplanade, Southsea.

'Officers attended and a 59-year-old woman was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital. Despite best efforts, she was sadly pronounced dead on Saturday evening.

A woman in her 40s is now in a life-threatening condition in hospital, according to the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS)

'Next of Kin have been informed and are being supported by officers. Officers do not believe the Hovercraft to have been involved in any way at this time.

'The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file shall be prepared for the coroner.'

The incident happened near to the Hovertravel slipway at Clarence Pier, Southsea, Hampshire, at about 5.30pm on Saturday, the Coastguard said.

The UK Coastguard, Military Police, a coastguard rescue helicopter and Gosport and Fareham independent lifeboat were all called to the scene in Portsmouth.

A spokesman for SCAS told MailOnline: 'The incident in Old Portsmouth earlier was in relation to a woman who was found unresponsive in the water by the Coastguard and recovered to Camber Dock Lifeboat Jetty where they were met by our team comprising two ambulance crews, a paramedic team leader and an emergency doctor.

'After initial treatment the patient was then taken to the Queen Alexandra Hospital where she was handed over to colleagues in the emergency department in a life-threatening condition.'

The woman, thought to have been unconscious, was dragged from the water and CPR was administered.

The UK Coastguard, Military Police, a coastguard rescue helicopter, Gosport and Fareham independent lifeboat were all called to the scene in Portsmouth today

James Baggott, the coxswain of Gosport and Fareham Independent lifeboat service, told MailOnline: 'We were tasked at 17.30 to a person in the water near Portsmouth Harbour.

'We launched within six minutes and we were on scene four minutes later. The causality was recovered from the water.

'One of my crew members is a Hampshire paramedic. He worked on the casualty with CPR with another of our crew members.

'He transferred that casualty into the hands of the ambulance service. The helicopter team, Portsmouth coastguard rescue, and Hampshire police all attended as well.'

A spokesman from the Maritime and Coastguards Agency said: 'At around 5.30pm on Saturday 24 April, HM Coastguard received multiple 999 calls about an incident near the hovercraft slipway in Southsea, Portsmouth.

'Portsmouth coastguard rescue team, Gosport independent lifeboat and the search and rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent were sent, in addition to MOD Police vessels from Portsmouth Harbour and the South Central Ambulance Service.

'A woman was pulled from the water and passed into the care of the ambulance service.'

Crew from HoverTravel, which operates a ferry between the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth, originally called the police after seeing a body in the water.

A spokesman said: 'The Solent Flyer hovercraft was not involved with the incident involving a body in water but the crew were alerted.

'As the craft landed at Southsea this afternoon, the ground team alerted the pilot about a body in the water, as per Hovertravel's normal safety procedure.

'The pilot landed safely and the service is operating as normal. The person has subsequently been recovered by the emergency services and the police are dealing with the matter.'
HELSINKI, April 23 (Xinhua) -- The Finland-based forestry giant Stora Enso reported Friday increased sales and operational business result during the first quarter (Q1) of 2021, which exceeded analysts' expectations.

Sales of Stora Enso increased by 3.1 percent to 2,276 million euros (2,747 million U.S. dollars) year-on-year. Its operational business result in Q1 reached 328 million euros from 180 million euros one year ago, according to a report published on Friday by the company.

Stora Enso's business result exceeded analysts' expectations, which had been 243 million euros, Finnish business daily Kauppalehti noted.

Founded in 1998, Stora Enso is a major manufacturer of pulp paper and other forest products.

Annica Bresky, president and chief executive officer of the company, said in the report that the demand prospects are healthy in all other sectors than the paper sector. Excluding the paper sector, Q1 sales of Stora Enso increased by 14.3 percent and the operational business result reached 362 million euros.

Earlier this week, the company announced plans to close the paper and pulp plants in Veitsiluoto, Finland and Kvarnsveden, Sweden, which were expected to cut back the company's paper production capacity by 35 percent to 2.6 million tonnes per year.

Bresky told a press conference that a three or four percent increase in the demand for pulp is expected globally, "mainly driven by China." Bresky noted that performance in the company's package materials sector has been robust and the production capacity is fully sold out, and the market situation in China has continued to improve.

Stora Enso also gave more details in the report about its end-of-March announcement to pull out of making dissolving pulp, which is a raw material for the textile industry.

Chief financial officer Seppo Parvi said that the company had concluded that Stora Enso had no vistas for attaining a major market position in the dissolving pulp sector. (1 euro=1.21 U.S. dollars)

[ Editor: WPY ]
Disgraced fund manager Neil Woodford is poised to set up his new venture in notorious tax haven, the Cayman Islands.

Woodford, whose Equity Income Fund was at the centre of a scandal two years ago, had previously suggested his company could be based in Jersey.

But after the crown dependency's regulator warned it could not be used as a 'back door' to restart the 61-year-old's career, he has turned to the Caribbean, according to financial website Citywire.

Life's a beach: Neil Woodford is said to have registered WCM Partners Healthcare on April 16 in the Caymans

He is said to have registered WCM Partners Healthcare on April 16 in the Caymans, a British overseas territory.

The islands were dubbed 'one of the world's most notorious tax havens' by Oxfam last year, due to their light-touch regulatory regime and tax exemptions.

It comes after Woodford's decision to start a new fund prompted dismay among politicians and savers who lost under the stock picker.

Some 200million is owed to investors.

The fund's collapse is being investigated by City regulators, while a legal battle is also underway over compensation for savers.
TORRINGTON  While district officials have pared down proposed schools spending for next year, the current iteration of next years budget still would increase by 1.26 over this year, according to an updated budget proposal from Superintendent of Schools Susan Lubomski.

The updated 2021-22 schools budget totals $77,502,179, cut back from an initial proposal discussed with the Board of Education in February of $78 million.

Approved spending for the current years budget was $76.5 million.

The school board and budget subcommittee have met weekly to analyze the spending plan.

In an April 12 letter to the Board of Education, Lubomski explained that the districts contractual obligations accounted for 0.1 percent of the budget, or an $80,632 increase over current levels.

Of our total requested budget amount, 69.2 percent is attributable to salaries and benefits, 7 percent to transportation, 2 percent to energy and 14 percent to tuition, Magnet and special education school choice, special education outplacement and vocational-agricultural schools, Lubomski said.

Additional staff also is driving the proposed increase for the coming year, according to the superintendent.

The Connecticut State Legislature passed a law mandating an increase in the number of credits high school students must earn in order to graduate from high school and receive a diploma, she said. The number of credits has been increased from 22 to 25. The first class to be impacted is the class of 2023, which is our current 10th grade class.

Our sophomores and future students will need to acquire an increased number of credits each year in order to meet the mandate and graduate in four years, Lubomski said. To meet these mandates at the high school level, we are requesting (a full time) English teacher, a Social Studies teacher, and a science teacher. To enhance our Career Pathways (program), provide additional elective offerings and to increase the number of students who are able to enroll in our popular Child Development and Foods classes, a Family Consumer Science teacher has been added.

The school district is also requesting a full-time special education teacher at Torrington High School and Torrington Middle School.

A teacher is needed at each site to support students with disabilities within the regular education ... setting and for those students returning from out of district placements, Lubomski explained.

Other staffing in the proposed budget includes a human resources employee, two social workers, and an English language coordinator for grades K-12, to ensure newcomers and all English (as a second language) students are on track and prepared to graduate on time, the superintendent said.

She noted that because of the pandemic and remote learning, students are likely to need more guidance and support to adjust to being back in school in person.

Six English language teachers will also join district staff, one for each school; a bilingual paraeducator at each school; tutors for grades 9-12; and four bilingual teachers at Torringford School.

Salaries for these positions total $923,660, according to the proposed budget.

Residents can read the entire budget on the school districts website at www.torrington.org/b_o_e_proposed_2020-2021_budget.
Four years after their last peace talks failed, rival Cypriot leaders will meet in Switzerland from Tuesday to explore elusive "common ground" on the divided Mediterranean island.

"We go to Geneva... steadfastly committed to resuming negotiations for reunifying Cyprus in a bi-zonal bi-communal federation," said Nikos Christodoulides, foreign minister of the Greek Cypriot-run Republic of Cyprus, an EU member.

That is in line with UN resolutions, international and EU law.

But his counterpart in the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) -- recognised only by Ankara -- told AFP last month that "there is no common ground".

"The issue is 'one island, two states'," Tahsin Ertugruloglu said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey occupied its northern third in response to a coup orchestrated by an Athens-backed junta seeking to annex the island to Greece.

The Turkish-occupied zone later declared independence, but remains heavily dependent on Ankara.

On Saturday, Cypriots protested on both sides of the divided capital Nicosia to demand a settlement. Some brandished placards calling for peace and reunification.

The United Nations is trying to mediate a deal, almost six decades since it first deployed peacekeepers following intercommunal clashes in December 1963.

The UN mission's mandate was expanded after the 1974 conflict, and to this day a buffer zone divides the island, carving through Nicosia -- the world's last divided capital.

- 'Changed the paradigm' -

Pro-reunification Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci was ousted in polls last October by hardliner Ersin Tatar, a protege of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

On Saturday, Tatar urged the international community to "acknowledge the existence" of two states in Cyprus.

"We are going to Geneva with a new vision for Cyprus, one based on the realities on the island," he said in a statement.

Story continues

"There are two peoples with distinct national identities, running their own affairs separately."

Tatar is scheduled to meet with Erdogan in Ankara on Monday before the start of talks in Geneva the following day.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who will oversee the three-day meeting, wants to "show that he has exhausted all options", said Kemal Baykalli, a Turkish Cypriot analyst and UniteCyprusNow activist.

He said

Guterres "needs to hear officially that the two sides will not find an agreement within the framework" currently on the table -- reunification in a federation.

July 2017 talks in Switzerland on that basis collapsed over the withdrawal of tens of thousands of Turkish troops and over Ankara's status as a guarantor power.

Turkey has also been invited to the latest talks, along with Greece and Britain, the two other guarantors of the island's 1960 independence.

The EU will only send two junior officials who will not participate directly or even formally observe, according to the Cyprus Mail daily on Sunday.

Ankara has strongly opposed the European Union's attendance.

Since the last talks floundered, several factors have added to the traditional sticking points over security guarantees, political equality, territorial adjustments and refugees' property rights.

The term "decentralised federation" has found its way into Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades' lexicon, something his critics call a "confederation in disguise" as sought by the Turkish Cypriots.

Giannis Ioannou, a journalist and founder of the think-tank Geopolitical Cyprus, said "Turkey has changed the paradigm," notably by exploring for gas deposits in waters claimed by Cyprus and Greece.

Ankara has also angered Greek Cypriots by reopening Varosha, a once glamorous seaside resort that became a ghost town fenced off by Turkey's military ever since the 1974 invasion.

- 'Small ship, big game' -

The "Cyprus problem is now part of a broader geopolitical context" of "future relations between the EU and Turkey", and on gas in the eastern Mediterranean, said Ioannou.

Cyprus remains "a small ship in the game of the Big Powers", at the expense of Cypriots on both sides of the divide, said Baykalli.

"Turkey could use the discussions to win certain issues... in exchange for compromises in Cyprus," he said.

Or it could bolster its stand within the framework of Ankara's "blue homeland" ambitions, aimed at expanding Turkish influence.

In Cyprus, there is little optimism.

The Covid-19 crisis has brought the TRNC's heavily Turkey-dependent economy to its knees, making it difficult to challenge the "motherland".

In the south, corruption scandals such as the "Golden Passport" fiasco have reinforced distrust of the political class, which also stands accused of mismanaging the pandemic.

The goal in Geneva is "to open a breach... It will be an intermediate step, the parties could agree to continue discussions", said Ioannou.

Baykalli said it would also "definitively turn the page on Crans-Montana".

mdz/lg/par
The 100 years of service to Australians by the Royal Australian Air Force have been recognised in Brisbane by Queensland Governor, His Excellency Paul de Jersey AC, and large crowds to commemorate Anzac Day.

Over the past 100 years, the planes and technology have changed beyond recognition, Mr de Jersey said at the dawn ceremony in Brisbane.

Queensland Governor, His Excellency Paul de Jersey AC takes the salute from serving men and women in Adelaide Street at the 2021 Anzac Day March in Brisbane. Credit:Tony Moore

What hasnt altered is Air Force personnels commitment to service and their country.

Mr de Jersey paid tribute to Harry Cobby, Australias leading fighter ace and one of 50 pilots who comprised the Australian Flying Corps and returned from active service to add the Royal Australian Air Force to the nations armed forces in 1921.
SUV

SH-AWD

All Wheel Drive

AWD

The Acura MDX model series started its career in 2000 as a representative product for a new era in the history of the young Japanese luxury brand (Acura was established in 1986). When youre not a traditional luxury carmaker, having to follow certain directions and references, the horizon is widely open.Although, when choosing the path of innovation from a different perspective, there comes the risk that your products will not be perceived or understood as intended  in a premium-creative manner, talking about Acura. Being progressive without any restraint becomes a must in this case.The 2001 Acura MDX was the industry's first three-row crossover, defining a new kind of vehicles that now dominates the segment. During the last couple of decades, across three generations of development, the MDX became a hit , with more than one million units sold, earning its place as America's all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV.An advanced product, leaving all the others behind, also gains a specific status of exclusivity. And thats exactly what the MDX is about. At Acura, theyve been working on the MDX theme for three generations, doing it better each time.Now, with its fourth generation, a special feeling of substantial and shiny supremacy emerges. For a hard to explain reason, this MDX might convince a lot of onlookers to turn their eyes from Lexus, Infiniti or other European premium mid-size SUVs toward Acuras proposal. We believe Acura managed to touch the zone of the intuitive sympathy with the 2022 MDX and thats something pretty cool to achieve.How many cars with a length of about 200 inches (508 cm) have left you cold until now? Plenty of, we are sure. On the other hand, its hard to believe anyone may have this kind of experience regarding the 2022 Acura MDX . Its appearance wont let you go away, just like that, even if youre not exactly a fan of the premium crossover-SUV genre. Interacting with this car in the first stage might go two ways. Either you will let yourself be immersed in the well-being ambiance it offers, or you will feel interested to attentively examine everything on board, trying to find out how deep its premium character truly is. No real chance to feel disappointed, whatever you choose to do.After all, size matters. A proper image of superiority is complemented also by the exterior dimensions of the object, themselves. The 2022 Acura MDX is noticeably larger than the former generation. Its length grew by 2.2 inches, reaching 198.4 inches (504 cm), while the wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer, measuring 113.8 inches (289 cm). The width also grew by about one inch. These figures say enough about the care taken for the passengers space. Implicitly, the roomy interior offers a generous space for developing a glamorous design. Needless to tell it, the people from Acura didnt miss this expression opportunity.Elaborated details and fine materials are there to please the eye. The interior is so wide, that the two big screens on the dashboard (both the instruments cluster and the multimedia screen have diagonals of 12.3 inches) no longer look too large. Another premiere: equipped with Advance Package, the MDX features a large 10.5-inch color Head-Up Display (HUD), which projects a broad range of customizable information on the lower portion of the windshield in the driver's line of sight. The vertical location and the brightness of the projection can be adjusted via switches on the instrument panel.Another impressive high-tech feature: positioned just below the climate controls, the large Dynamic Mode Dial takes direct inspiration from the NSX supercar and makes it easy to quickly select one of four pre-set Integrated Dynamics System driving modes: Normal, Sport, Comfort and Snow.Heated front seats with three temperature settings and 12 ways of adjustment are standard in all MDX models. And you can always ask for more: the MDX A-Spec and MDX with Advance Package add 3-mode ventilated seats with an auto climate function.Any supreme refinement would be jeopardized with less than 6 cylinders under the hood. The MDX draws its power from a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter i-VTEC 24-valve V6 engine rated at 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to variable distribution and direct injection, this engine produces its maximum power at 6200 rpm, and the peak torque at 4500 rpm. The Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) function helps keeping the fuel consumption under a strict control.With such a wide range of revolutions and respectable potential, it would have been easy to make the car good enough by adding a typical 8-speed automatic transmission (they are very popular nowadays) or something like that. Yet, Acura insisted for excellence. Thats why the in-house developed 10-speed automatic transmission upholds the endeavors of the V6 engine with responsive and smooth shifts for achieving the best in terms of performance and efficiency.The transmission can be operated via an electronic shift-by-wire push-button gear selector, and drivers can manually select gears using Acura's Sequential SportShift paddles located on the steering wheel. The 2022 MDX is available with front-wheel-drive or with the fourth-generation of Acura's torque-vectoring(Super Handling). Because we are talking about a maximum power so close to the 300 hp threshold, the choice of the SH-($2000) appears to be preferable.So, you want a luxury car, but you dont feel like spending energy and time to configure it? The standard Acura MDX ($ 46,900) wont disappoint you at all. Among others, it includes a 350-watt Acura premium audio system with 9 speakers strategically located throughout the MDX cabin. Even the ultra-wide panoramic moonroof is a standard feature! Our advice: add here the $ 2000 supposed for the SH-AWD.However, would you prefer a subtle dynamic accent for your car? The exterior of the Acura MDX A-Spec is distinguished from the standard MDX by some specific cues, like the black grille surround, black headlight and taillight trim, 20-inch Shark Gray wheels with a machined finish, plus A-Spec badges on the front quarter panels, black side window moldings, black door mirror housings, and gloss-black lower garnishes. Also, the Apex Blue Pearl paint is exclusive to the A-Spec package ($3500).Well, they call this the Technology Package ($4700), but it is rather about refinement. It includes Perforated Milano Premium Leather Sport Seats, ambient LED cabin lighting, ELS Studio hi-fi audio system and 20-inch Shark Gray wheels with a machined finish. There is also a so-called Advance Package ($7050). For double the score of the A-Spec, you can get the ELS Studio hi-fi audio system, a surround-view camera system, full-color head-up display, front 16-way power seats with power lumbar support, thigh extension and side bolsters.The basic price of an Acura MDX with Advance Package (SH-AWD is included) is $60,650. We would rather go for the luxurious enough standard MDX with SH-AWD. Otherwise, the overwhelming flatteries can bring the price up quite a bit.
Syracuse womens lacrosse earned the No. 2 seed in the ACC tournament after defeating Boston College, 16-7, on Saturday. That was the final game of the regular season for both the Orange and the Eagles, and the two teams ended the year with identical records in overall and conference play.

The Orange (12-2, 8-2 ACC) received the No. 2 seed over Boston College based on goal differential.

They will face off against No. 7 seed Virginia Tech (5-10, 1-8) at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 28. The winner of that game will take on the victor in the Boston College-Virginia matchup at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 30. All tournament games are In Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

>> Full tournament bracket

When Syracuse played Virginia Tech earlier this season, the Orange rallied from behind to beat the Hokies, 17-10. As had been standard for Syracuse this season, eight different players scored at least one goal against Virginia Tech. Megan Carney led the scoring with six goals, but the Orange will be without her heading into postseason competition.

Virginia Tech has not beaten Syracuse since 2018 when the Hokies needed two overtimes to pull out a 15-14 victory. In the past 10 years, the Orange is 7-1 against Virginia Tech.

Syracuses opening-round game against Virginia Tech will be broadcast on the ACC Network.

MORE ORANGE LACROSSE

Syracuse womens lacrosse defense, goalie Asa Goldstock shut down Boston College

Its all about the Emmas as Tyrrell, Ward combine for 9 goals in win vs. Boston College

Syracuse womens lacrosse caps regular season with 16-7 win vs. Boston College

Syracuse mens lacrosse holds off Virginia, 13-11 for clutch win

ORANGE LACROSSE FANS

Face masks | Gear and apparel | Stream games on fuboTV, Sling, Hulu + Live TV
The European Union's foreign policy chief held talks with Mali's top leaders in Bamako on Saturday, pledging EU support as the African country undergoes a transition to an elected government following last year's military coup.

"It's a transition that should be historical. It will serve as a basis to the new Mali, with a process and an calendar that should be followed, with elections, structural reforms and good governance," said Josep Borrell Fontelles, after meeting with the country's President, Bah N'Daw.

He also held a roundtable meeting Moctar Ouane, the country's Prime Minister.

Presidential and legislative elections are due to take place in Mali in February 2022.

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LOS ANGELES (AP)  Armenian Americans celebrated the news Saturday that President Joe Biden formally declared the systematic killing and deportation of hundreds of thousands of their ancestors by Ottoman Empire forces in the early 1900s to be genocide, saying the recognition was long overdue.

His action came after decades of activism, most of which was centered in California, home of the largest Armenian community in the nation.

He's the first American president to have the guts to talk about it. I never understood why the U.S. waited this long when they knew the truth about what happened. It's amazing and I'm very happy he did what he did, said Varoujan Kioudjian, 74.

He was among hundreds of people who streamed to a hilltop monument in Montebello, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles, to mark Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.

Dressed in black for the solemn ceremony, they laid flowers around a tomb and said prayers for the estimated 1.5 million Armenians who were killed in the events beginning in 1915 known as Metz Yeghern.

Kioudjian said for as long as he can remember his late father, whose parents were killed in the genocide and grew up in an orphanage, took him to memorials and demonstrations every April 24. That was the day in 1915 when Ottoman authorities began arresting Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople, now known as Istanbul.

The day April 24 comes around, tears flowed from his eyes, from his heart. It was that sad, he said.

Outside the Turkish consulate in Beverly Hills, several thousand people blocked off Wilshire Boulevard, the main artery through the city, to demand that Turkey recognize as genocide the events that began 106 years ago. The demonstrators waved the national flag of Armenia and called for reparations.

Taleen Nazarian, 22, said at the rally that activists like herself have built their identities around fighting for recognition.

We feel this passion to continue the fight for justice ... and do everything we can to pass it down to the next generation," she said.

She said she was gratified by Biden's proclamation.

It's still surreal that the day we've been fighting for finally came, she said.

Can Oguz, consul general of Turkey in Los Angeles, said his country vehemently rejects Biden's statement.

None of the conditions defined by the international law have been met that would warrant the use of genocide concerning the events of 1915, Oguz said in a email. "Todays statement will hurt our bilateral relations and undermine dialogue efforts for peace and stability in the region.

The White House had avoided using using the term genocide for decades for fear of alienating Turkey, a NATO ally and important power in the Middle East. Biden followed through on a campaign promise to make human rights a central guidepost of his foreign policy. He argued last year that failing to call the atrocities against the Armenian people a genocide would pave the way for future mass atrocities.

Today is an historic and emotional day for the Armenian people, including members of my own family who are descendants of genocide survivors, state Sen. Andreas Borgeas, a Republican from Fresno, said in a statement. "After more than a century, the United States has mustered the courage to acknowledge the truth despite the potential political consequences with the Republic of Turkey.

Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from Los Angeles, praised Biden for following through on his pledge.

This is a momentous day for thousands upon thousands of my Armenian American constituents who have been working, advocating, and praying for recognition for their entire lives  and I am heartened that this announcement comes at a time when there are still some genocide survivors alive to witness it, though their numbers are very small," he said in a statement.

The survivors, many of them orphans who were brought to the United States, were recognized by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who proclaimed Saturday a day of remembrance of the Armenian genocide."

Forced to build new lives in all corners of the globe, Armenians bravely forged ahead in the face of unimaginable tragedy. Thousands made their homes in California, and we are greater for their contributions, the proclamation states. Today and every day, let us recommit ourselves to making certain that we never forget the Armenian Genocide, and that we always speak out against hatred and atrocities anywhere they occur.

____

Nguyen reported from Oakland.
An effort to raise the age of retirement and include a 401(k)-style component to the pension plan for many newly hired rank-and-file state workers took its first step Monday when a state Senate panel backed the legislation.

This is a bill that I believe is a good policy for the state of Louisiana, said Sen. Barrow Peacock, chairman of the Senate Retirement Committee and sponsor of the measure.

Though 25 pages of sweeping technical language, Senate Bill 14 essentially would require employees hired after Jan. 1, 2020, to contribute 4 percent of their income to their pensions. The other 4 percent contributed by employees would go into a defined contribution, which is similar to a 401(k) in that the workers can invest those monies as they like.

Currently, workers contribute 8 percent of their pay into a pension plan. Called defined benefits, retired state workers receive a check, based on their earnings and years worked, each month for the rest of their lives.

Some have long advocated that the state should move to a 401(k)-type plan to save the state money. This hybrid plan would mean that pensions would be smaller but that could be made up with the investment component, supporters say. Also, 65 years old would become the new age to receive full benefits, rather than 62.

SB14 would cover new employees in Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System. LASERS has about 39,000 active employees and about 48,000 retirees.

Cindy Rougeou, LASERS executive director, said it would take about 30 years to phase in and have all the state employees on the hybrid plan.

Calling the hybrid a pension for a new generation, Rougeou said it would address the problem of so many workers leaving state employ. They would be allowed to take their contributions, along with any earnings, to new jobs in the private sector. Additionally, cost-of-living adjustments would be paid automatically every other year under the new plan.

Currently COLAs are paid from whatever is left from investment earnings after LASERS pays its obligations. Legislators must approve the COLAs. Under the hybrid plan, cost of living adjustments would be funded from the contributions to the plan and COLAs would be automatic every other year.

Steven Procopio, PARs policy director, said the legislation is better for taxpayers, better for short term employees and better for long-term employees.

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Were fixing the COLA system with this bill, Procopio said. I struggle to see how any one can be opposed to this.

AFL-CIO president Louis Reine countered that opposition is pretty visible.

I represent the people who this is going to affect," Reine said. We're looking at an instrument that provides a lower benefit at a higher cost and raises the retirement age. Gee, wonder why were against it?

He pointed to the list of supporters and opponents.

The labor organizations representing teachers and fire fighters all came out against the hybrid plan. Their pensions are not included in the legislation, but they could be made to adopt the concept in the future.

The Retired State Employees Association support the hybrid plan for a public retirement system. Most proponents are from the private business community represented by lobbying groups, such as the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce.

Robert Scott, of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, testified in favor of the legislation, which is rare for PAR. The Baton Rouge-based government policy research group tends to limits its legislative testimony to providing information on issues.

Scott said the hybrid includes many of the changes PAR has recommended over the years. He points out the Pew Charitable Trusts and other groups that watch retirement issues similarly give a thumbs up to the idea.

Because the COLAs are paid up front, Scott said the hybrid plan has less risk of adding to the shortfall in the amount of money available now to cover retiree benefits in the future.

The legislation, which the Senate Retirement Committee advanced on a 4-1 vote, now must be reviewed by another panel because it would cost about $9.86 million to implement over the next five years. If SB14 clears the Senate Finance committee, the measure would need the approval of two-thirds of the full Senate before heading to the Louisiana House.

Voting for the measure was Peacock and Sens. Norby Chabert, R-Houma; Gerald Long, R-Natchitoches; and Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton. Sen. Ed Price, D-Gonzales, voted against SB14.
You could make a reasonable argument that residents of the District of Columbia are getting shortchanged  in one respect. They pay taxes just like you and me, but have no voting representation in Congress (though they can vote for presidents). Democrats want to remedy this problem by making the city a state, though apparently a duchy or a kingdom has not been considered. In fact, the House of Representatives passed a bill last week that would make D.C. the 51st state, by a strict party-line vote of 216-208.

This is a bad idea for several reasons, and fortunately it will wither on the vine in the Senate. There are other ways to address this issue for district residents, which in the grand scheme of things, is not that major.

Everyone in both parties knows that the issue of no taxation without representation (where have we heard that before?) is not the real reason that Democrats are crying crocodile tears for the denizens of D.C. Statehood would bring two more Democrats to the Senate, currently split 50-50 and closely divided for much of the last decade. Its a cynical ploy at a time when our politics are perilously cynical  and yes, Republicans would be trying the same stunt if it added two more GOP seats.

Anyone arguing passionately for statehood should review how the district was set up back in 1801. The founders specifically wanted a federal district that would not be part of any state so that the seat of the U.S. government would be a neutral entity which oversaw the states without being part of them. Which makes sense.

Anyone in the district who is greatly bothered by this political quirk could move a few miles into Maryland or Virginia, which are actual states. D.C. residents could also be allowed to vote as part of one of those two states, or divided between them.

The main reason, however, that statehood is unjustified is that the district is just a city  only 68 square miles with 700,000 residents. Making a small enclave like that a state on par with mighty Texas or California would be ridiculous. Every resident of this new state would also be a resident of its capital city. Would it have a state House of Representatives and a state Senate? If so, what happens to the D.C. City Council?

Yes, it can be argued that Rhode Island is hardly huge at 1,214 square miles, though thats still nearly 18 times the acreage of D.C. And you could point out that D.C. has more people than Vermont and Wyoming  and is only slightly behind North Dakota and Alaska. Still those places are actual states, with size and national parks and farms and businesses. The only thing D.C. makes is laws, and it doesnt even do a good job of that.

Another reason not to pack the roster of states is the same for not packing the Supreme Court  retaliation. Republicans could respond by carving out a small section of a solid GOP state and making this new territory the 52nd state. Democrats could return the favor by slicing off a portion of a blue state and adding two more Senate seats for their party. Since D.C. is so tiny, it wouldnt be hard to detach a few square miles of another state to make it roughly comparable to the district. Instead of 100 senators, we might have 100 states someday. (I dont think all those stars would fit on a flag.)

D.C. residents will just have to suck it up. They may lack statehood, but they get to see the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and Smithsonian Institution all the time. For many Americans, that wouldnt be a bad tradeoff.

Thomas Taschinger, TTaschinger@BeaumontEnterprise.com, is the editorial page editor of The Beaumont Enterprise. Follow him on Twitter at @PoliticalTom
Peter Dutton has been forced to miss his first Anzac Day as defence minister after visiting Perth at the same time a Covid infected man was out in the community.

Mr Dutton was unable to attend any of the services on Sunday as he continues to self-isolate in Queensland, having already caught the virus last March.

The defence minister was ordered to quarantine after returning from a trip to Perth on Monday.

He had visited an SAS regiment and left the city before it was plunged into a three-day lockdown on Saturday over after a Covid-19 outbreak from hotel quarantine.

Queensland Health has ordered any travellers who returned from the Western Australia capital since April 17 to get tested for Covid-19 and quarantine until Tuesday.

Servicemen and women are seen at Coogee Beach, in Sydney, following the dawn service on Sunday

Peter Dutton told the Today Show he has commemorated Anzac Day in his own way, despite not being able to attend any services

Mr Dutton told the Today Show he has commemorated Anzac Day in his own way, despite not being able to attend any services.

'I woke up this morning and read through many emails that I've received from veterans who are doing it tough, and some who are doing well, and that's how I started this morning,' he said.

'We are the country we are today because of the sacrifice of those original Anzacs, those who fought in Vietnam and the Korean war, in peacekeeping missions, and deployments otherwise.'

The defence minister turned his attention to the troops who have fought in the Middle East since 2001.

'I think the first point to make out this morning is to recognise the amazing effort, in particular of the 39,000 men and women who have fought in the middle east over the last 20 years, their efforts have saved the country like ours from terrorist attacks,' he said.

Mr Dutton also praised the high turnout for the several Anzac Day parades and services held across the country.

'I'm incredibly grateful for the thousands of Australians who have turned out,' he said.

'Obviously, there was a lot of debate. The RSL was frustrated about the caps on numbers, but people have turned out in significant numbers.'

Several states have imposed caps on the number of people allowed at the Anzac Day marches because of Covid-19 (pictured, crowds at Coogee in Sydney)

Mr Dutton said it was reassuring to see Australians were still commemorating Anzac Day from their homes (pictured, a family in Biggera Waters)

Several states have imposed caps on the number of people allowed at the Anzac Day marches because of Covid-19.

Canberra axed its traditional march for the second year in a row and has only allowed a smaller group of 200 people to march up Anzac Parade to the Australian War Memorial.

Victoria limited the march to 8,000 veterans while New South Wales capped it to 10,000 people.

'They've also commemorated at home, and in their communities, and that's really to be recognised as a modern reality,' Mr Dutton said.

'I think it's good families are involved, because our troops need to hear that reassurance.'

Jenny Morrison and Prime Minister Scott Morrison pose for a photo at the conclusion of the Anzac Day commemorative service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra

It is not the first time Mr Dutton has been forced to self-isolate after the defence minister tested positive for Covid-19 in March, 2020.

Mr Dutton became the first Australian politician to be diagnosed with the virus.

He was taken to hospital after experiencing a 'temperature and sore throat', having returned from a work trip to the United States, where he met with officials from the US, UK and Canada in Washington.
Hyderabad, April 25 : The April 30 election to seven urban local bodies in Telangana is drawing more attention for being conducted amid an intense second wave of Covid-19 pandemic than the contest among political parties.

Despite the demands by opposition parties to postpone the polls in view of the massive surge in Covid cases across the state, the State Election Commission (SEC) is going ahead with the conduct of the polls as Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government is not in favour of deferring the elections.

Both the major opposition parties Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have demanded postponement of the polls and even sought the intervention by Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan.

The governor reportedly sought a report from SEC but the latter informed her of the measures being taken by it to check the spread of Covid during the polling.

SEC issued the notification for the polls on April 15 despite the intense second wave of the pandemic sweeping through the state. It announced that the Covid-19 guidelines will be strictly adhered to during the polling. This, however, failed to convince the opposition parties.

Though senior Congress leader Mohammed Ali Shabbir approached Telangana High Court, seeking orders to SEC to postpone the polls in view of the spike in Covid cases, the latter declined to intervene and suggested him to move the SEC.

The SEC decided to go ahead with the polls as scheduled, apparently after the state government conveyed that the elections can be held with all Covid related precautions in place. The decision baffled the opposition parties as the state is battling a big surge in Covid cases.

The SEC decided to go ahead despite the night curfew imposed by the state government last week after the High Court pulled it up for not taking any steps to check the public gatherings. The government acted after the High Court set 48-hour ultimatum to take a decision on imposing night curfew or week-end lockdown.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, his son and minister K. T. Rama Rao and some other leaders have also been hit by the pandemic.

The chief minister is said to have infected after he addressed an election rally in Nagarjuna Sagar Assembly constituency, where the by-election was held on April 17. TRS candidate Nomula Bhagat and some others also tested positive for Covid.

The poll panel has only curtailed the duration of the poll campaign for municipal elections. The campaign will come to an end 72 hours before the polling. Usually, the campaign ends 48 hours before the polling.

State Election Commissioner C. Partha Sarathi also issued orders that there should be no campaign from 7 p.m. till 8 a.m.

The SEC on April 15 issued notification for elections to Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation, Khammam Municipal Corporation, Atchampet, Siddipet, Nakrekaral, Jadcherla and Kothur municipalities.

A total of 11,26,221 voters are eligible to cast their votes in 248 wards of these urban local bodies.

Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation has 66 wards while Khammam Municipal Corporation has 60 wards. Among five municipalities, Siddipet is the largest with 43 wards while Kothur is smallest with only 12 wards.

Warangal, Khammam and Siddipet are among the towns witnessing a surge in Covid cases over last few days. Health minister Eatala Rajender himself admitted that urban areas like corporations and municipalities were reporting more cases.

Telangana Congress president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, who too has been found infected by Covid, has appealed to the governor to stop elections to the urban local bodies. He fears that these elections may become super spreader. "This will endanger the lives of over 30 lakh people including voters, leaders, officials and their family members," Reddy wrote to the governor.

BJP also submitted a memorandum to the governor, urging to her to use her special powers and advise the SEC to postpone the elections.

"Elections for local bodies are important, but more important is the lives of people. Elections ought to happen in a free atmosphere but not in a situation when every individual is skeptical of another for fear of catching infection. Under the circumstances, electioneering process would expose the parties, workers and people at large to greater risk," said BJP.

It's not just the opposition parties who are opposing the urban local body polls. Even the government employees are reluctant to report for election duties.

Despite the assurances by the SEC that all precautions will be taken to check the spread of Covid, the government employees who have been drafted for poll duties are seeking exemption from election duties. About 9,000 polling personnel are to be deployed for the elections.

Some of the employees are either already infected with Covid or fear they may contract the virus during the poll duty as Covid-19 patients will be allowed to cast their votes in the last one hour. Employees who are above 50 years of age and suffer from co-morbidities have sought exemption from the election duty.

The poll panel, however, has directed the returning officers not to give exemptions, except in cases where the employees have strong reasons due to their health condition.

On the political side, the elections will be witnessing multi-cornered contests. Presence of large number of rebels in the fray and potpourri of alliances between political parties have thrown the contest open.

Political analysts say that it will not be a straight TRS versus BJP fight as witnessed in most of the recent by-elections and the polls to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). They point out that the political parties have formed alliances or entered into electoral understandings keeping in view the local factors.

Each urban local body is witnessing a different situation. Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC), the second largest civic body in the state after GHMC, likely to witness a multi-cornered contest in many of the total 66 wards.

Though the main contest is likely to be among TRS, BJP and Congress, the entry of rebels, independents and parties like Telugu Desam, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), actor Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena, Telangana Jana Samithi (TJSP), All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) have thrown the election wide open.

While BJP and Jana Sena have entered into an alliance for polls in Khammam Municipal Corporation (KMC), they are contesting GWMC on their own.

In KMC, which has 60 seats, TRS has entered into an alliance with the CPI. The ruling party has left three seats for the CPI. The CPI-M has entered into an alliance with the Congress. Khammam has been traditionally considered a stronghold of the Left parties but this time CPI and CPI-M have joined hands with rival parties.

TRS, which is way ahead of its rivals in the campaigning, appears confident to capture the urban bodies. It has already deployed its ministers and top leaders for the campaign. The ruling party is upbeat over the results of last month's elections to two graduate constituencies of State Legislative Council. It not only retained one seat but also wrested the other from BJP.

The saffron party, on the other hand, is going all out to win a big chunk of wards to show that it alone can provide a viable alternative to TRS.

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Gaylord Nelson was a relatively unknown American senator when an oil spill off the coast of California polluted vast swathes of the Pacific Ocean, killing thousands of sea creatures and coating beaches with black slime.

It was 1969 and the scale of the disaster gave Nelson an idea. A year later, he led the first Earth Day, when 20 million Americans took to the streets to protest against environmental damage to their country.

Last Thursday, Earth Day celebrated its 51st anniversary, as more than a billion people around the world participated in climate and environment-related events.

Wind of change: Foresight Group is poised to benefit from action on climate change fuelled by Earth Day last week.

US President Joe Biden was one of them, launching his first Leaders Summit on Climate, to show his commitment to a greener world.

Like it or loathe it, the climate action movement is gaining momentum and Foresight Group is well placed to benefit.

Founded in 1984, the group listed on the market in February at 4.20. Today the shares are 4.25, but should move substantially higher over time. Chairman Bernard Fairman is highly ambitious, determined to succeed and has decades of experience behind him.

Now 71, Fairman co-founded Foresight in 1984, as an asset management business specialising in technology. Fairman spotted the green trend early on and shifted towards renewable energy almost 15 years ago. Foresight now operates 33 funds, including Foresight Solar, Foresight Global Real Infrastructure and a host of others.

These funds own around 300 infrastructure projects, capable of powering nearly two million homes with renewable energy.

Most of the funds focus on wind and solar but there are other areas too, including forestry, energy from food waste and battery storage. Alongside all these green assets, a number of Foresight funds invest in small businesses in the regions.

Often run by a single person or family, these firms can face problems when the founder wants to retire and senior managers cannot afford to buy him or her out.

Foresight steps in with money  and advice, helping these businesses to grow and develop. Fairman sees this as an integral part of the group, a way of supporting entrepreneurs, as he once was.

Firms are many and varied. Lancashire-based Hedges Direct supplies shrubs and hedging online. Hertfordshire-based Equus Products offers specialist clothing for horse-riding enthusiasts. Manchester-based DA Languages offers interpreting and translation services and is currently helping to deliver the NHS Track and Trace system for people who cannot speak English.

Foresight has been making strides over the past year. A trading update earlier this month revealed that assets under management increased by 60 per cent to 7.2billion in the year to March 31.

Fairman is keen to increase that by another 1.5billion in the current year and brokers expect the business to reach 10billion of assets under management in the next two to three years.

The group makes most of its money from annual management fees and brokers predict sales of 64million for the year to March 2021, rising to 76million next year. Profits are likely to rise from 19.5million to 25.2million over the same period.

Foresight is expected to become a decent dividend stock too. The payout is likely to be a nominal 1p for the year just ended, as the business floated just a few weeks previously. However, a payment of 10p is expected in the year to next March, rising to around 16p in 2023.

Fairman made more than 90million from the flotation but he still owns 29 per cent of the shares. Around 200 staff have participated in a share scheme so they are also motivated to make the listing a success.

Top managers hope that the flotation itself will turbocharge growth, raising Foresight's profile, so the group can develop new funds, attract more customers to existing funds and make selective acquisitions.

Midas verdict: Many 71-year-olds with 90million in the bank might decide to hang up their hat. Not Fairman. Having built Foresight into a successful private business, he is determined to do even better in the public arena. The signs are encouraging. Green energy is all the rage among big institutional investors so demand for Foresight funds should be strong. And the group's support for small businesses has widespread appeal as well. At 4.25, the shares are an attractive long-term buy.

Traded on: Main market Ticker: FSG Contact: foresightgroup.eu or 020 3667 8100
A protest to support trans people in 2017 in New York City. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

I am a transmasculine reporter who reports on transgender health in the US.

I started testosterone the same day the US passed its first trans medical ban.

Reporting on issues that strip me of my humanity is difficult, but I'm fighting for my community.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

On April 6, I began hormone replacement therapy to treat my gender dysphoria, a common mental health problem for trans people. It was a huge step. My body has been an acute source of anxiety and pain since I hit puberty.

Knowing the appointment could be long and arduous - much like the entire year it had taken to get the medication - I'd taken the day off of work. After the testosterone was in my veins with a bandaid on my thigh as proof, my partner and I decided to have a celebratory drink around other queer people. I live in New York City, so we sat outside The Stonewall Inn, the birthplace of the modern queer liberation movement, and mused about gender over rum and cokes, occasionally pausing to watch the drag show in the park across the street.

The celebration was short-lived.

Three hours after receiving my first dose of testosterone, Arkansas became the first US state to ban gender-affirming treatment, like hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers, for minors. In disbelief, I sat outside the bar, scrolling through the horror show on Twitter. Eyes still glued to our phones, we quietly asked the waitress to bring us tequila shots instead.

Just a day earlier, I wrote a piece when Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson vetoed the bill because of its "extreme nature." But that wasn't enough to stop Arkansas state legislators from overturning his decision and passing it into law.

As a reporter covering trans issues day in and day out, I've grown accustomed to devastating turns legislation can take. But "reporter" isn't the only aspect of my identity. As a trans person covering this beat, what I report often can't be separated from my own humanity.

Story continues

Violence at the legislative and interpersonal level is nothing new for trans people

I've been covering trans issues since I came out in 2016. Over the five years I've reported on my own community, I've had to develop a certain kind of thick skin about the problems that impact us.

The Arkansas news cut deep, but it's important to understand that while anti-trans legislation is big news right now, state violence has always impacted trans people, particularly trans people of color. The trouble is, issues that impact Black and brown trans bodies rarely make the front page headlines.

One of the stories that brought me to tears happened in early 2020. I was fresh on the health beat and looking for trans-specific stories to report on when I saw the headline. A trans woman named Alexa Negron Luciano had been brutally murdered by a group of men in Puerto Rico for using the women's restroom.

Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images

As the months went on, more and more names went on the list of trans people murdered in 2020, mostly trans Black and Latinx women, some as young as 17. It was an epidemic within a pandemic that few were reporting on, with the exception of queer-specific media.

Each name added more fury and more despair. These were people who looked like me and members of my community. And yet, as with many stories centering trans people of color, it's hard to get people to pay attention.

It's crucial to have trans storytellers telling the stories of our community

The mainstream media tends to rediscover our pain every six to eight months, like clockwork. It's treated as news, rather than an ongoing crisis, which makes it all the more crucial for trans people to tell trans stories.

A common question I get as a trans person covering my own community is if I truly believe I can be objective in my reporting. The answer is complicated.

I don't believe there is such a thing as an objective storyteller. All of our personal experiences deeply influence the way we see and interact with the world around us.

What I do know is that, as a trans person who has had to interact with the medical system and the US government for my entire life, I have an intimate understanding of these issues no cis person will ever have.

In the last week, as cis people asked me about these pieces of legislation, I've found even the most well-intentioned of allies can have deep misunderstandings of trans medicine and trans issue.

From misgendering to believing trans children are getting gender-affirming surgeries regularly, the average cis person has very little knowledge of what trans healthcare looks like. This is what makes it crucial to hire trans people to tell trans stories.

It also ensures that mentions of trans people aren't just about our pain. Publications have an obligation to hire storytellers who grasp our full humanity and belong to our community. We know how to capture moments of joy, love, and power.

Focusing on the triumph of trans activists, the power of our artists, and our ability to support ourselves is so important because it reflects a more complete story. It prevents the reporting process from feeling predatory and exploitative, and instead makes it a platform to uplift unheard stories.

The toll this beat takes is difficult, but for me, it's the best way to serve my community

NurPhoto / Getty Images

This job isn't all rainbows and queer liberation.

In recent months, I've found myself letting my phone die on the weekend or after work, just to avoid the onslaught of legislative violence, if only for a moment.

It often feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders because I work in a newsroom with very few trans reporters. If I miss a news hit, I wonder if anyone will care.

Though I've worked to let go of that feeling of sole responsibility, it still haunts me, particularly at night when I have nothing but the moon and dim Twitter homepage as company.

I know I'm not the only one who feels this, as many folks marginalized by the existing structures of oppression in the US feel a similar weight.

But what makes the nights spent awake and wondering worth it for me is the feeling that I'm fighting for my community in the best way I know how to.

My task in the struggle for trans liberation is helping document our history. I'm not going to throw the first stone at the next Stonewall. But I sure as hell will be one of the many with a camera and pad of paper to credit whoever does.

Read the original article on Insider
Perths sudden three-day lockdown has left a New Zealander living there worried he won't get to see his parents for the first time in years.

Johnny Crawford was due to fly out of the Western Australian city at 1.30am local time or 5.30am NZT on Saturday.

But the snap lockdown came into effect at 12am -or 4am NZT, after a Covid cluster was identified at the Mercure Hotel Perth, meaning New Zealands travel bubble with the state also closed.

After a stop in Melbourne, Johnny was to head to Wellington and finally drive a rental car to his parents home in Whanganui in time for a special hangi for Saturday dinner.

Instead, he remains in Perth, not knowing if hell be able to catch another flight on Tuesday or soon after, if the lockdown ends.

Johnny says he was going to spend a week with his family, but has to be back in Perth by May 4, when he starts a new job.

The trip would have been the first time hed seen his dad Allan in more than a decade. The 36-year-old last saw his mum Marilyn in 2015 when she visited him in Geelong in Victoria. He moved from there to Perth in 2017.

He hasnt returned to New Zealand since he left in November 2008, originally planning to visit last year before the coronavirus crisis halted travel.

It was important for Johnny to make it home this week, he says, because his parents hadnt been in good health.

When you hear your sister say things like, every day is a blessing, for mum especially, it pulls on the heart strings. I love my mum. Im a mummys boy. Hearing things like that makes it even harder.

When you work, especially in another country, you have to find these gaps to go home, and its not cheap.

He thought the decision to close the New Zealand travel bubble with Western Australia was a knee-jerk reaction.

WA Premier Mark McGowan announced the Perth and Peel region would go into lockdown on Friday.

The virus had spread among quarantining guests in separate rooms, infecting a mother, her four-year-old daughter, and the Victorian man at the hotel.

Authorities rolled out the restrictions amid fears the man, who arrived in WA from China and spent five days in Perth as a tourist after completing quarantine, could have spread the virus in the community.

A female friend the man was staying with in the suburb of Kardinya has since tested positive for the virus.

Information for travellers can be found on the Australian Smartraveller website and New Zealand's Unite Against Covid-19 website.

Meanwhile in New Zealand, there were no new cases in the community reported on Saturday.

There were two new positive cases of COVID-19 in managed isolation as of Saturday.

Global toll

The global number of cases has reached 145.9 million, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Global deaths have now surpassed 3m.

The United States continues to record the most cases and fatalities - 32m infections, and 571,805 deaths.



India and Brazil have the second and third most cases, with 16.6m and 14.2m infections, respectively.

What should I do?

Anyone who wants to get tested can find their local testing centres by visiting the Ministry of Health website.

New Zealand, including Auckland, is at Covid-19 alert level 1, with masks still mandatory on public transport. People should continue to use the Covid-19 Tracer App.

If you are sick, call your GP before you visit, or Healthline on 0800 358 5453.

To avoid contracting and spreading the virus, wash your hands properly, cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow and throw tissues away immediately.

Reach out, find support from people who care, connect with your community or help a neighbour in need.

Jimmy Ellingham/Stuff
Le ministre du Tourisme, Steven Obeegadoo, va presider une cellule de reflexion sur louverture des frontieres et la relance des activites touristiques dans le pays dans les mois a venir.

Cabinet has taken note that a Joint Public-Private Sectors Working Group has been set up, under the chair of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism, to formulate recommendations for the re-opening of borders of the Republic of Mauritius and relaunching of the tourism sector. The terms of reference of the Joint Public-Private Sectors Working Group are to:

(a) determine the optimal conditions for the early reopening of borders in a safe environment; and

(b) recommend specific measures therefor.

Three Sub-Committees have also been set up to work on the following topics:

(i) entry requirements and health protocols;

(ii) air connectivity; and

(iii) destination marketing
A map detailing the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines internationally has sparked anger with some claiming it shows poorer countries are being left behind.

The map, created by The New York Times and shared to Twitter, shows the US ahead of most other countries in vaccinating its population, with about 41 doses administered per 100 people.

European countries are recording about 25 doses per 100 people.

However, it also shows many African countries and other developing nations falling behind with about 1.1 vaccinations per 100 people.

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Andrew Stroehlein, European media director for Human Rights Watch, shared the map on Twitter claiming it shows the current rollout is hugely uneven.

Rich governments are hogging scarce supplies. Eighty-three per cent of shots that have gone into arms worldwide have been administered in high and upper-middle-income countries, he tweeted.

Only 0.2 per cent in low-income countries.

A health worker prepares a dose of Covishield at a New Delhi Municipal Council dispensary in India. Source: Getty Images

Vulnerable and disabled

On Twitter, people expressed their frustrations with the vaccination programs worldwide and in their own countries.

While I agree we should be supporting worldwide vaccines, Australia has not even come close to vaccinating all of our own people yet. Our government is failing all around, both nationally and globally, one woman tweeted.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said an October deadline for having the population vaccinated was being scrapped after issues with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

In response to the map one woman tweeted shame, shame on the US.

Another said it shows how greedy people are.

Its humiliating. Everyone is trying to pull sneaky under the table fast ones, while the global economy and local economies are vulnerable and disabled, another man tweeted.

US, UK, EU pledge to help India

Story continues

US President Joe Biden pledged to help India in its time of need.

The White House on Sunday said in a statement National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has spoken with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

India recorded more than 2700 deaths from coronavirus on Sunday alone with more than 340,000 new cases, which is a global record.

America will send resources to help India manufacture the Covishield vaccine along with therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits and ventilators.

A man approves after receiving his first Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine at St John's Well Child and Family Center at Abraham Lincoln High School in Los Angeles. Source: Getty Images

Washington's announcement came after Britain, France and Germany pledged aid over the weekend.

The UK is sending more than 600 medical devices including oxygen concentrators and ventilators.

The equipment comes from Britain's surplus stock and the first shipment was due to arrive in New Delhi early on Tuesday, the British foreign ministry said.

"We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

"We will continue to work closely with the Indian government during this difficult time and I'm determined to make sure that the UK does everything it can to support the international community in the global fight against pandemic."

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The European Union also pledged to help India, activating its EU Civil Protection Mechanism as it seeks to send oxygen and medicine after a request from Delhi.

"Alarmed by the epidemiological situation in India. We are ready to support," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

with AAP

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On April 23, first-year students of Jincheng Primary School in Huanggang Town, Funan County received donated books as World Reading Day gifts. These books as well as some school supplies are bought by donors who were born in Funan County to encourage left-behind children to develop good reading habits. (Photo by Lv Naiming) (Translated by Li Yuxin)
DMX was the ghetto-est person that ever existed, Styles P said. What he means to us is indescribable. ... He celebrated us and pushed us. He was one of the most incredible individuals, because from the beginning of his career to the end, he accomplished something no one has ever accomplished. He was in pain the whole way. Whenever you (saw) him, that man was in pain, but he was built out of love. He was a beast with the rhymes.
A teenage boy has been arrested after a 14-year-old girl was dragged into bushes in a park in Wigan and raped.

The victim was targeted as she walked on open land to the south of Westleigh Park in Leigh on Thursday afternoon.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested on Saturday and is currently being questioned in custody.

The victim was targeted as she walked on open land to the south of Westleigh Park (general view of entrance, pictured above) in Leigh, Wigan, Greater Manchester on Thursday afternoon

Police have said that incident took place between 4pm and 5.30pm when the girl was approached by a male and pulled into bushes.

Superintendent Mark Kenny, of Greater Manchester Police has encouraged anyone with information to come forward.

'This has been a fast-paced investigation and as a result of our enquiries we have now made an arrest,' he said.

'While people in the area will continue to see an increased police presence this evening and over the coming days, I would like to stress that we don't consider there to be any wider threat to the public following this attack.

'At this stage of our investigations we are not seeking anyone further in connection with this incident.

'However I'd like to encourage anyone with information to still get in touch if you have not done so already.

Superintendent Mark Kenny, of Greater Manchester Police has encouraged anyone with information to come forward (pictured an image of the park)

'I would also like to thank those members of the public who have already come forward with information.

'Our thoughts remain with the girl and her family as she continues to receive specialist care.'

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 7251 quoting incident 1033 of 23/04/21. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Baghdad: The death toll from a massive fire in a Baghdad hospital for coronavirus patients rose to 82 Sunday, as anxious relatives searched for those missing and the government suspended key health officials for alleged negligence.

The blaze, described by one witness as 'volcanoes of fire,' swept through the intensive care unit of the Ibn al-Khatib hospital which tends exclusively to coronavirus patients with severe symptoms. Officials said the blaze, which also injured 110 people, was set off by an exploding oxygen cylinder.

Maher Ahmed, a nurse, was called at 9:45 pm Saturday night, to come to the scene and help evacuate patients.

"I could not have imagined it would be a massive blaze like that," he said. "The flames overwhelmed the second floor isolation hall of the hospital within three to four minutes of the oxygen cylinder exploding, he said. "Volcanoes of fire."

Most of those killed suffered severe burns, he said. Others were overcome by smoke inhalation, unwilling to leave behind their coronavirus-afflicted relatives hooked up to ventilators. Ahmed said these patients could not be moved.

"They would have minutes to live with the absence of oxygen." He said he and others watched helplessly as one patient struggled to breathe, overwhelmed by smoke. "Everyone has some responsibility for this incident. From regular citizens to (officials) at the top of the pyramid," he said.

Widespread negligence on the part of health officials is to blame for the deadly fire, Iraq's prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, said on Sunday. Following a special cabinet meeting to discuss the incident, the government suspended key officials, including the health minister and the governor of Baghdad province. Other officials, including the director of the Ibn al-Khatib Hospital, were withdrawn from their posts.

It took firefighters and civil defense teams until the early hours of Sunday to put out the flames.

Among the dead were at least 28 patients on ventilators battling severe symptoms of the virus, tweeted Ali al-Bayati, a spokesman of the country's independent Human Rights Commission, a semi-official body.

Paramedics carried the bodies, many burned beyond recognition, to al-Zafaraniya Hospital, where Ahmed said forensics teams will attempt to identify them by matching DNA samples to relatives.

By midday Sunday, relatives were still searching anxiously for unaccounted loved ones.

"Please, two of my relatives are missing. ... I am going to die (without news about them)," posted a young woman on social media after a fruitless search for her family members.

"I hope someone can help us find Sadi Abdul Kareem and Samir Abdul Kareem, they were in the ICU." Roky Kareem, 30, was looking frantically for his friend Riyam Rahman, a pharmacist, who was visiting her mother at the hospital. Riyam's mother, Basima was admitted to Ibh al-Khatib 45 days ago due to complications from COVID-19.

"All we know is they were in the room next to where the fire started," he said. "Her phone is switched off and her family has gone to every hospital trying to find them." The fire came as Iraq grapples with a severe second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Daily virus cases now average around 8,000, the highest since Iraq began recording infection rates early last year.

At least 15,200 people have died of coronavirus in Iraq among a total of at least 100,000 confirmed cases. Hours after the fire broke out, the prime minister convened a special cabinet session.

The cabinet suspended the health minister, Hasan al-Tamimi, and ordered an investigation of him and key hospital officials responsible for overseeing safety measures.

The cabinet also suspended Baghdad's governor over the incident.

The cabinet fired the director-general of the Baghdad health department in the al-Rusafa area, where the hospital is located, as well as the hospital director and its director of engineering and maintenance, according to a statement from the Health Ministry and the prime minister's office.

"Negligence in such matters is not a mistake, but a crime for which all negligent parties must bear responsibility,' al-Kadhimi said after a security meeting Sunday.

UN envoy to Iraq Jeannine Hennis-Plasschaert expressed 'shock and pain' over the incident in a statement and called for stronger protection measures in hospitals.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis, who concluded a historic trip to Iraq last month, remembered those who perished in the blaze.

Addressing people gathered in St. Peter's Square for his customary Sunday noon appearance, Francis mentioned the news of the dead. "Let's pray for them,'' Francis said.
"I'm looking for a kumquat. Do you know what that looks like?"

Kay Kingsman flagged down a fellow shopper in the grocery store with that question - and no, he couldn't identify a kumquat. But she kept on talking. "How's your day?" she recalls asking. "Having a fun grocery trip?"

Kingsman, a 27-year-old manufacturing engineer in Portland, Ore., dragged the conversation on so long that this stranger in the citrus aisle interjected with an answer to a question she hadn't pondered: "I'm married."

GENERATION ZOOM: Abandon all those awful, never-ending Zoom calls with this app

That's when Kingsman realized she didn't know how to have a casual conversation with a stranger anymore. She hadn't been flirting, at least not intentionally. She'd been earnestly seeking those little orange oblongs for a cake she was baking, and once she opened her mouth, she was so excited to be talking to someone that she couldn't stop.

Verbal diarrhea is just one symptom of late-stage pandemic social awkwardness. Others include asking yourself: How far away did I used to stand when talking to someone? Should I stand farther now? How long is a conversation supposed to last anyway? Do my friends still like me?

As vaccinations ramp up and our social lives restart, many of us are rusty, tongue-tied, rambling or insecure - and it shows. "Social interaction is a million things knitted into one," says Marisa Franco, a psychologist who specializes in friendship. It's turning thoughts into speech, making eye contact, entering and exiting a conversation, and more. "It's like you haven't practiced a language, then you go back to the country and it starts to come back."

Rest assured fellow awkwards, your social skills will come back. And you're not the only one feeling out of sorts.

The coronavirus pandemic brought with it so many new rules: We were urged to wear masks in public, to stand at least six feet away from others, to socialize indoors only with those in a defined pod, to mute and unmute ourselves at the appropriate times on Zoom. All of that was uncomfortable at first. Shouldn't reemergence be the easy part?

Not necessarily. Our new reality isn't the same as life before covid-19; it's an in-between stage, a collective adolescence of sorts. We've changed. The world has, too. "What is awkward is that different people have different rules," says Dave Nadelberg, founder of the "Mortified" podcast and stage shows that feature embarrassing childhood stories. "Everyone says they care about covid safety, but everybody has a different definition. People are appalled if you're too restrictive or permissive. As the world is opening up, that tension is a little stronger."

The freshly vaxxed vibe resembles a middle school dance: We're eager to be with others, but don't know quite how to act. And our dance moves have aged terribly. "We've been sitting around in our sweatpants and not showering for a year. We have to now worry about bad breath and all the things that Zoom conference calls insulated us from," Nadelberg adds.

At the beginning of the pandemic, says Ty Tashiro, a psychologist and author of "Awkward: The Science of Why We're Socially Awkward and Why That's Awesome," discomfort over social distancing or Zoom etiquette was often outweighed by the pervasive fear and anxiety surrounding catching or spreading the novel coronavirus. "Now the awkwardness gets to stand on its own."

Loneliness is another emotion that's ballooned during the pandemic. And the lonelier you are, the likelier you are to be socially anxious, says Franco, the friendship expert. When Franco asked her Instagram followers if they felt their social skills had deteriorated during the pandemic, about 80 percent said yes. However, even if you perceive yourself as awkward, there's a good chance others haven't noticed. "We all have a bias to think other people are judging us more than they actually are," Franco says.

For Alexandra Clemente, a 29-year-old consultant in San Francisco, her awkwardness manifests as fear of overstaying her welcome. She used to understand the cadence of a party, but the pandemic has thrown off her sense of timing. "I don't want to be rude," Clemente says. "I'm trying to be aware of what people's boundaries are." Her friends have promised to help her read the room, saying: "We'll tell you when to leave, don't worry."

In our new reality, maybe we'll care less about being perceived as rude and more about just being real. Derek Brown, owner of the Columbia Room bar in Washington, finds small talk to be difficult these days. "Politeness feels awkward," Brown says, "not just because of the time you spent without people, but the enormity of what people have gone through" in the past year.

Returning to the office has made some workers recognize the perks of Zoom. Jennifer Sonne, a 33-year-old environmental consultant in Anchorage, started a new job during the pandemic, so when she started coming into the office in the fall, she had trouble recognizing her co-workers in masks. "On Zoom, you see names," she says. "In the office, I almost wish we could put some name tags on foreheads."

She can't quite remember how to gracefully exit an in-person conversation. And then there's body language, something office workers toiling at home haven't had to think much about in the past year. "On video conferences or phone calls, you don't have to worry about your hands or anything more than chest up," Sonne says. During an impromptu conversation with a colleague in the office, Sonne caught herself wondering what to do with her hands: "Do I put my hands on this chair? On the desk? Do I fiddle with my clothes? Where do humans put their hands? What is body language anymore?"

Jordan Hall found that even going to the mall to buy a shirt at Uniqlo felt strange. "I feel like an ant. I feel small," the 28-year-old videographer in Los Angeles recalls thinking while trying to maneuver between hundreds of shoppers at Glendale Galleria. "I'm my own main character in my house and now I'm in this flood of people." He chose the escalator over being in an elevator with strangers and constantly worried about where everyone else had been.

Shielding yourself against awkwardness starts even before you leave the house. Ilana Dunn, co-host of the "Seeing Other People" podcast, now tries on about seven outfits before she picks a pair of pants. After a year of athleisure,"the act of getting yourself together, putting makeup on, putting an outfit on, has become so difficult," Dunn says. "It's been tough to figure out what to present myself as."

Before the pandemic, Dunn, a 26-year-old in New York, was "the most social person ever." Now she'll have to excuse herself from an outdoor hangout to take a walk because it's just too much. "I've suddenly become that quiet, awkward person off to the corner not really engaging with people. Part of me is still questioning: 'I don't know if these people are safe to be around. I don't even know what to talk about.' " If you talk about doing lots of things, it sounds like you're bragging or that you've been reckless, Dunn says. "And if you talk about doing nothing, it's like: 'Why not? . . . You can finally do things again.' "

For those with reduced social stamina, Franco suggests going slowly and being intentional about whom you reconnect with. "Maybe there are select few [people] you want to talk to," Franco says. "Be strategic about what getting out there means to you."

And the next time you're feeling awkward, Tashiro advises leaning into it. "The best thing to do is to say: 'It's a little weird getting back out into public and socializing again, isn't it?' "

Because we're all searching for some kind of normalcy. Or kumquats.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

More than 2,400 violations were removed from the Capital Municipality area during the first quarter of this year. Violations removed include illegal posters and banners, unlicensed street vendors, scrap cars, dilapidated houses, encroachments on public roads, building violations, cars parked for sale, dead animals and rainwater pools.

The municipal officials said these campaigns are part of efforts to modernise and enhance the aesthetic value of the capital area.

Illegally placed advertisement poster dominated the violations, with the officials removing 970 of them. Violations related to road works came second, with the officials removing a total of 570 iron poles, ginkgo umbrellas and plantings that harmed pedestrian and traffic movements.

Authorities also pressed charges against 541 street vendors and removed 121 construction waste piles. Municipal officials removed 164 cars parked illegally on public roads and other areas with for-sale tags. The number of scrap cars removed reached 15.

Officials also removed 19 dead animals during the past three months, from January to March. Capital officials also said they removed 2,534 shipments of household septic waste during the first quarter.
State governments are drawing up plans to procure vaccines for people in the 18-45 age group and have started price negotiations with manufacturers.

While Uttar Pradesh has sought 10 million doses (five million each from Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech), Maharashtra is looking to procure 15 million and is floating a global tender for this. Vaccine makers, however, say are seeking to procure the products at Rs 150 per dose after the Centre said it would continue to get them at that price.

However, Maharashtra is yet to firm up its views on free doses. While Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope had earlier ruled out free vaccination for all, Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik indicated on Sunday the government would give free doses to residents in Maharashtra.

would have to fund procurement from their own budgets and bridge funding from the Centre is unlikely. As of now we estimate that the state will have to spend around Rs 5,000 crore on procuring vaccines. We will negotiate prices with vaccine manufacturers and try to get them at a lower price than the one declared by them, said a Maharashtra government official.

have, nonetheless, started indicating their immediate requirements to vaccine makers. Most states have formed high-level committees comprising ministers and bureaucrats who will decide on the number of beneficiaries, expenditure on free vaccination drive, pricing strategy, etc.

West Bengal health department officials said the mode of procurement for the 18-44 age group was under discussion. Discussions are being held at every level, one of them said.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has said it would continue to buy the two vaccines  Covishield and Covaxin  at Rs 150 per dose. The Centre will supply the doses it supplies states for free. The Centre will continue to pick up the tab for those above 45 years if they visit a government hospital or vaccination centre for the jab. States have to procure for those above 18 and citizens also have the option to pay for a shot in a private hospital.

Both companies have announced the prices at which private hospitals can buy the vaccines  Rs 600 (Covishield) and Rs 1,200 (Covaxin).
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-26 00:19:36|Editor: huaxia

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DOHA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The Qatari health ministry on Sunday announced 705 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total number of confirmed cases in the Gulf state to 202,201, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

Meanwhile, 1,548 more recovered from the virus, bringing the overall recoveries to 181,522, while the fatalities increased by 10 to 428, according to a ministry statement quoted by QNA.

A total of 1,880,180 persons in Qatar have taken lab tests for COVID-19 so far, while the total number of vaccine doses administered is 1,415,761. Enditem
Ashley Cain and Safiyya Vorajee are mourning the death of their 8-month-old baby girl Azaylia Diamond after a battle with leukemia.

On Sunday, The Challenge star, 30, revealed the tragic news that his daughter died after first revealing that she was fighting leukemia last October.

"Rest In Paradise Princess  I will always hold you in my heart until I can hold you again in heaven  #AzayliaDiamondCain," he wrote on Instagram.

"You are my Angel my heartbeat my soul, RIP my precious baby, you will always be with me like a handprint on my heart," Vorajee wrote in her own tribute.

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RELATED: Ashley Cain Remains an 'Optimist' as Doctors Say 'Make the Most' of This Weekend with 8-Month-Old

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Ahead of Azaylia's death, Cain was told to "make the most" of his time with his daughter by doctors who told him that the infant was nearing her final days.

Speaking to fans on his Instagram Story while taking Azaylia for a stroll near their home on April 23, Cain spoke about the message he had received from the doctors. "You can understand what that message means," he said, "but the fact of the matter is that you make the most of it every day and we enjoy every day."

"I'll tell you one thing, I ain't got no plans for going anywhere this weekend. I'm an optimist. I'm a believer. I have a positive mind frame and I know her strength and I know mine," he continued.

Vorajee added in a heartfelt Instagram caption that same day that when she sees her baby girl's face in the morning, her "heart instantly overflows with abundance of love for you." She added that Azaylia's eyes have been "intensely dry," requiring eye drops "so her eyes can move," and that her care is around the clock "24/7."

"Feeling the heartache more and more today, as the Nurses woke me up this morning for a home visit & told me to enjoy the weekend as they now think her body is slowly shutting down," wrote Vorajee at the time. "I got told this a couple of weeks ago and she has stayed so strong through this I'm so proud of how strong you are Azaylia."

Story continues

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"Hearing these words, rips and tears my heart and soul into pieces watching my little girl get tired is painful but giving her 100% everyday is what she was promised, even when her eyes are closed I talk sing and shake her fav rattles so she is constantly surrounded by a positive vibe," the mom continued. "Appreciating the day the hour and the min is something I never thought I would do as we all take life for granted."

She added, "Azaylia [you're] my inspiration & my hero mummy loves you. For everyone reading this Have a lovely day enjoy your moments they are special."

RELATED: Ashley Cain Thanks Mom and Sister for 'Selflessness' in Helping Care for Baby in Her Final Days

Cain first shared news of Azaylia's leukemia diagnosis in October, revealing that his then-2-month-old baby girl, whom she shares with Vorajee, had "a very rare and aggressive form" of cancer.

In February, the former pro soccer player said the family was "urgently informed that Azaylia's leukemia had returned" moments before she was due to leave the hospital after a stem-cell transplantation.

Then, in late March, Cain said his daughter had "heartbreakingly relapsed and we have immediately been admitted back into hospital as inpatients," adding, "We are devastated at the news and are left with very few options."

In an emotional Instagram video on April 8, the reality star revealed the devastating news that doctors had found cancerous tumors throughout his baby girl's body. According to Cain, their daughter's chemotherapy is was "not working" and plans to take her to Singapore for CAR T-cell therapy were no longer feasible given the discovery of tumors on her brain.

Cain explained that "the intrathecal treatment that is usually given to treat leukemia in the spine or the brain will not be available" due to "too much pressure" in her head.

"If they tried to even go through the spinal tap it would kill her," he continued, adding that consultants told him at the time that "they think she's only got one, two days to live  and it could even be that night."

Safiyya Vorajee/instagram Ashley Cain and Safiyya Vorajee with their daughter Azaylia Diamond

RELATED: Ashley Cain Has Castings of His Daughter Azaylia's Feet Made After Learning She Has 'Days to Live'

Though doctors initially spoke to Cain about "potential options of radiotherapy to target the tumors in her head," another CT scan that showed tumors in Azaylia's stomach, spleen, lungs and kidneys made further treatment difficult.

"And the chemotherapy is not working," Cain shared, choking back tears. "Her disease is that aggressive that nothing they are doing ... is working."

"She's one in a trillion, but unfortunately so is her disease," he continued, explaining that doctors in Singapore "can't create a CAR-T for her leukemia" given the circumstances.

"So, that means we're going back home. We're going back home and we're gonna try and make our baby as comfortable as possible," Cain said. "We're gonna be strong, and we're gonna go out with honor."

Cain and his wife brought their daughter home in time for her 8-month birthday.

"Yesterday Azaylia returned home from hospital like the fearless little lioness that she is," he wrote on April 11. "You taught me how to be strong when I needed strength, you taught me how to smile when I am feeling sad, you taught me how to cherish every single moment - as these moments are all we have. You've been tenacious, fearless, courageous, positive, happy and loving through times which I thought would make it impossible!"

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RELATED: Dwayne Johnson Tells Ashley Cain and His Daughter Azalyia to 'Stay Strong' amid Her Leukemia Fight

Vorajee opened up about making the most of the final days with her baby girl while also struggling with the emotional ups and down of the situation. Speaking out on Instagram after Azaylia was taken back to the hospital briefly for an emergency platelet transfusion, the mom said it "feels like torture."

Vorajee also shared that she plans to get a tattoo of her baby's hands and feet to commemorate Azaylia "so I could always have her so close."

In an April 16 Instagram post, Vorajee wrote that the "day me and Daddy was blessed with you Azaylia was the best day of our life's, you have bought us happiness every single day, despite what we are faced with we made you a promise from the day you was born & told you again in intensive care and that was to give you 100% your whole life & that promise will never be broken."

"No words can compare to how proud I am of you Azaylia, being a mummy has changed my life and this journey has humbled me & made me appreciate the true meaning to life & at number 1 is health," she added.
NEW HARTFORD, NY - This weekend volunteer fire departments across the state are in search of some new recruits.

The program, organized by the Firemen's Association of the State of New York, is called Recruit NY and many local departments have opened their doors to give the public a look at what they do.

It was put on hold last year because of the pandemic but is back again for its 12th year.

Local departments say volunteers are needed now more than ever, and that there are more things you can do to help out your community than just fighting fires.

"Were always looking for drivers, fire police officers to do traffic, as well as ladies auxiliary, says Capt. Mike Galligano of the New Hartford fire department.

Theres always something to be done, not just fighting fires. The feeling of helping your community - there's nothing like it. We all love the excitement and the adrenalin rush. Theres a lot to it, but once you pick up on it you kind of fall in love with it."

If youre interested in becoming a volunteer for your local volunteer fire department check out Recruit NY and see what they have to offer.
In an image from police bodycam video that the Columbus Police Department played during a news conference, MaKhia Bryant wields a knife while attacking another girl before being shot by a police officer, in Columbus, Ohio, on April 20, 2021. (Columbus Police Department via WSYX-TV via AP)

Democratic Congresswoman: Officer in MaKhia Bryants Death Responded as He Was Trained

Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.) said the officer who fatally shot MaKhia Bryant, 16, last week appeared to have been responding as he was trained to deal with the situation, saying he had to make a split-second decision.

Bryant, of Columbus, Ohio, was seen on body camera footage being shot by an officer. She appeared to be holding a knife and was lunging at a young woman.

I also was a patrol officer who was out there on the street having to make those split-second decisions, Demings told CBS News on Sunday. You know, now everybody has the benefit of slowing the video down and seizing the perfect moment. The officer on the street does not have that ability. He or she has to make those split-second decisions, and theyre tough.

Demings, a former police chief, added: But the limited information that I know in viewing the videoit appears that the officer responded as he was trained to do with the main thought of preventing a tragedy and loss of life of the person who was about to be assaulted.

The officer who shot Bryant was identified as Nicholas Reardon.

Going further, Demings called on Americans not to make her death a political issue, saying that our good police officers need it, and quite frankly, the American people need it.

We in Congress in both chambers can meet this moment as well if we have the political will to do so, she added to CBS.

This undated selfie photo provided by family members Don Bryant and Paula Bryant shows MaKhia Bryant and her mother Paula. The 16-year-old Bryant was shot and killed by police as she swung a knife at two other people on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (MaKhia Bryant/Don Bryant and Paula Bryant via AP)

Bryant, 16, was in foster care with Franklin County Childrens Services at the time of her death. Her grandmother, Debra Wilcox, described her as a shy and quiet girl.

The fact that I see what I saw on that video is not how I know my MaKhia, her grandmother was quoted as saying by The Associated Press. I dont know what happened there unless she was fearful for her life.

Some news outlets like CBS News were criticized for apparently ignoring the fact that Bryant was seen on video holding a knife and was shouting that she was going to kill the other woman. Bryants death came on the same day that a jury returned a guilty verdict against former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd.

Several metropolitan areas saw protests after Bryants death, including in Upper Manhattan where vandals and rioters spray-painted anti-police slogans on a Columbus Circle monument.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 20:49:09|Editor: huaxia

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KAMPALA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- As the world commemorated World Malaria Day on Sunday, dozens of riders in Uganda, including young and old, rode over 30 km to raise awareness against the disease.

The commemorations were held under the theme, "Domestic financing for Malaria - The time is now." The theme according to ministry of health aims at echoing the call for an increase in domestic financing for Malaria control in the face of the reducing donor funding.

Ruth Aceng, minister of health, flagged of the event, saying that the country was making effort to fight the disease.

"The sky will be the limit. Soon malaria will be gone from Uganda. It is not easy but every step counts," Aceng said.

She said during the period under COVID-19, government had distributed 28 million mosquito nets to Ugandans.

"I request all of us to keep on speaking about sleeping under an insecticide-treated mosquito net," she added.

"Try as much as possible to ensure that there is not stagnant water around your home, clear the bushes and close all the windows before you sleep," she added.

Under the free mosquito net distribution, the ministry targets to have all citizens sleep under a mosquito net every night to prevent malaria.

Other interventions that the country has put in place to fight malaria include indoor residual spraying, larval source management, strengthening health worker capacities for malaria diagnosis and treatment as well as strengthening the management of malaria in pregnancy.

The country has also set up Village Health Teams (VHT) which have been trained to manage children under five years of age with complicated and uncomplicated malaria.

"VHTs can give Rectal Artesunate to children with severe malaria and refer them to health facilities in a timely manner," the ministry said.

These efforts, according to the ministry, have started yielding positive results. The country has recorded a reduction in malaria prevalence, according to the Malaria Indicator Survey 2018/2019.

MALARIA BURDEN

According to Minister Aceng, malaria continues to be a burden to households and the country.

The disease is responsible for 30 to 40 percent of outpatient hospital visits, 15 to 20 percent of admissions and 10 percent of inpatient deaths, mostly pregnant mothers and children, according to the health ministry figures.

The disease remains a serious health problem that continues to stagnate economic growth and social development as man-hours are lost because of absenteeism and the meager household incomes spent on treatment.

The country last year warned that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is likely to reverse gains made in the fight against malaria.

External donors, according to the ministry, fund over 95 percent of the fight against the disease in the country.

The country is now looking at domestic resourcing in view of the global uncertainties like the COVID-19 pandemic that is affecting foreign financing.

Uganda in September last year launched the board of directors of the Malaria Free Uganda Fund in efforts to look at domestic financing.

Malaria Free Uganda Fund is a nonprofit public-private partnership established to mainstream responsibility for malaria across all sectors and help remove financial and operational bottlenecks in fighting the disease. Enditem
States including Texas and Florida, which have completely reopened, are reporting fewer coronavirus cases than Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York, which have COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates in place, according CDC data.

Texas Gov Greg Abbott ended a mask mandate on March 10 and fully reopened the state. In Florida, which doesn't have a mandate, Gov Ron DeSantis allowed businesses to fully reopen in September.

However, there are still restrictions in place for Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan, which for the last few weeks led the daily increase in COVID-19 cases.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Michigan reported 390.2 cases of the virus per 100,000 in the last seven days.

In Pennsylvania, health officials have reported 221.4 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days.

New York City alone has recorded 206.1 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days with the remainder of the state reported 176.4 cases per 100,000 in the last week.

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There are still restrictions in place for Pennsylvania, New York (pictured New Yorkers in Manhattan) and Michigan, which for the last few weeks led the daily increase in COVID-19 cases

According to data from the CDC, Michigan reported 390.2 cases of the virus per 100,000 in the last seven days

New York City alone has recorded 206.1 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days with the remainder of the state reported 176.4 cases per 100,000 in the last week. The state data, above, includes only the broader state; New York City's cases aren't represented

However in states where there aren't any restrictions, it appears that cases are lower.

Texas health officials reported 70.4 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days while Florida recorded 186.8 cases per 100,000 in the last week.

Despite the number being lower than Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York - which all have mask mandates - the Sunshine State's increase in infections keeps it in the top 10 states with the highest daily cases.

On Sunday, Dr Fauci said that he expects the CDC to issue updated guidelines on wearing masks outside.

'Obviously the risk is really very low, particularly if you're vaccinated,' Fauci said of outdoor activities during ABCs This Week.

Multiple variants of the coronavirus have been blamed on increasing cases in states like Michigan.

Texas Gov Greg Abbott ended a mask mandate on March 10 and fully reopened the state (people at a bar in Houston). In Florida, which doesn't have a mandate, Gov Ron DeSantis allowed businesses to fully reopen in September

In Florida, health officials reported 186.8 cases per 100,000 in the last week

Texas health officials reported 70.4 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days

Michigan has become the current national hotspot for COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations at a time when more than half the US adult population has been vaccinated and other states have seen the virus diminish substantially.

Doctors, medical professionals and public health officials point to a number of factors that explain how the situation has gotten so bad in Michigan.

More contagious variants, especially the mutation first discovered in Britain, have taken root here with greater prevalence than other states.

Residents have emerged from harsh, lengthy state restrictions on dining and crowd sizes and abandoned mask wearing and social distancing, especially in rural, northern parts of the state that had largely avoided severe outbreaks. The state has also had average vaccine compliance.

Michigan has recorded a highest-in-the-nation 91,000 new COVID-19 cases over the last two weeks, despite improvements in the numbers in recent days. By comparison, that is more cases than California and Texas had combined in the same period.

Beaumont Health, a major hospital system in Michigan, recently warned that its hospitals and staff had hit critical capacity levels. COVID-19 patient numbers across the eight-hospital health system jumped from 128 on February 28 to more than 800 patients.

'A year ago, the phrase was tsunami,' said Dr Paul Bozyk, assistant chief of critical care and pulmonary medicine at Beaumont Royal Oak.

More than 40 per cent of the population has been given at least one dose of the COVID vaccine

'It was chaotic. People were overwhelmed with what they were seeing: Death and dying. This year, it's more of a slow, rising flood. No big surge of patients, but we keep getting more each day. We're full.'

Detroit was an early epicenter a year ago when the virus first arrived in the US, prompting aggressive measures by Democratic Gov Gretchen Whitmer to stop the spread.

That made her a target of then-President Donald Trump and right-wing protesters who vilified her as the epitome of government overreach in a year when Michigan played a pivotal role in the presidential election.

Toni Schmittling, a nurse anesthetist who works at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit, says that when Detroit was hard-hit and her hospital had to double-up ventilator patients in one room, the rest of Michigan was wondering why restrictions were needed.

'We'd say, "Are you kidding me, people are dying right and left here,"' Schmittling said.

Now, cases are more spread out and rural areas are getting hit hard. At Sinai-Grace, Beaumont Royal Oak and other hospitals across the US, patients are younger than before, in their 30s to 50s, but don't seem to get quite as sick.

More than 32 million infections have been confirmed in the US since the pandemic started in 2020

Dr Mark Hamed, medical director in the emergency department at McKenzie Hospital in Sandusky, Michigan, and for several counties in the state's northern region, says the area was spared from rampant COVID-19 last year and that may have created a false sense of security, especially among the region's farmers and blue-collar workers who suffered economically from the pandemic and already were feeling COVID fatigue.

'Businesses weren't really enforcing mask-wearing,' and many people in the region shunned them anyway, he said.

Now, with variants spreading and many people still unvaccinated, his area 'is being hit pretty hard,' Hamed said. 'Our ER is absolutely swamped beyond belief.'

The current surge has left medical staff beleaguered. Unlike their colleagues in other states where the virus is relatively under control, Michigan doctors and nurses are enduring another crisis - more than a full year after hospitals in Detroit were besieged.

'We start to gain some hope when the plateau hits and then here we are with another surge,' said Lizzie Smagala, a registered nurse in Beaumont Royal Oak's medical ICU, where masked-up hospital personnel quietly and methodically tend to the sick.'

'I think the people on the outside of our situation don't understand the depths of what we're going through, how long we've been going through it here in the hospital and that COVID's not really ever left.'

Vaccine hesitancy has also been an issue in Michigan. About 40 per cent of the state has received at least one vaccine dose - about the same as the national average.

About 28 per cent of city residents 16 and older in Detroit have received at least one dose of vaccine.

The city is planning to go door-to-door to urge people to get vaccine doses - many of which are manufactured in Michigan at Pfizer's plant near Kalamazoo.
Black Lives Matter's Houston chapter held a vigil for George Floyd on Saturday in MacGregor Park near the University of Houston. A crowd of roughly 20 people, mostly white, gathered by the Martin Luther King Jr. statue around 3 p.m.

It's the second vigil that Black Lives Matter has organized this week. The first one took place on Tuesday, just after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering Floyd on all three charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
By Maureen Madden

They say they built the train tracks over the Alps  before there was a train that could make the trip. They built it anyway. They knew one day the train would come. This familiar line comes from a popular motion picture, Under the Tuscan Sun.

Decades later, the train did come to Italy. In fact, the Italian railway system is one of the most important parts of the infrastructure of Italy and has grown with a new high-speed rail network.

So, if Italy can be the European pioneer despite a challenging terrain of mountains, why cant Pennsylvania transportation thrive on our rails?

At a recent House Democratic Policy hearing on the Progress of the Passenger Rail Restoration Project, legislative members explored that topic. The hearing was chaired by Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, D-Erie, and state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery.

As a policy committee member, I welcomed Lawrence C. Malski, president of the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority, who testified about the restoration of passenger rail service, currently under construction in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Malski testified that over 20,000 Pennsylvania residents currently reside in northeastern Pennsylvania and commute to workplaces in northern New Jersey and New York City by bus and car. He said the dire daily and increasing congestion these commuters face on Interstate 80 threatens their ability to get to work. The commuter rail aspect of the rail restoration project would provide a safe, secure, all-weather, and reliable transportation alternative for Pennsylvanias commuter residents and will help relieve congestion on I-80 for New Jersey residents traveling this route during rush hour.

The Scranton-to-New-York-City rail corridor is owned by two state public agencies: the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority between Scranton and the Delaware Water Gap, and New Jersey Transit between Delaware Water Gap and New York City. He said this is significant because it does not require access to private Class I rail carrier properties or facilities, which has been an impediment to other proposed new passenger rail proposals in Pennsylvania.

Malski also stressed another significant benefit of the project involves Amtraks proposed new rail route between New York City, the Poconos, and Scranton. This Amtrak service will benefit the tourism, recreation and educational markets in the Pocono Region and Scranton and allow Pennsylvania residents and northern New Jersey residents to access the national Amtrak rail network to travel to the over 500 Amtrak stations in the United States and Canada.

In 2019, Amtrak had a record 32.5 million passengers, with the largest travel indicated from the Northeast Corridor being from Boston to Washington, D.C. The company has a $30-to-$40-billion backlog of infrastructure investments.

Of course, the plans for passenger rail do not come without a price. Malski said Pennsylvania General Assembly needs to provide the continued funding for the project. The Federal Transit Administration, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and PNRRA have already expended $94.5 million on acquisition and construction for getting this project completed. Phase II would cost another $288 million, with the total project cost at $588 million, split between the two public agencies that own the corridor. With proper and consistent funding, Malski is hopeful that the project would be accomplished in a four-to-five-year time frame for completion.

Recently, Gov. Tom Wolf invested in rail infrastructure, approving 26 rail freight projects that will create jobs. The members of the Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission gave their blessing to the assistance program. We need to make that type of investment in our passenger rail system.

Regardless of whether one is a Democrat or Republican, we all agree that Pennsylvanias infrastructure is poor in just about every corner of the Commonwealth and needs to be improved. The establishment of high-speed rail is overdue.

Passenger rail should not be dismissed as obsolete. Our neglected railroads spanning across Pennsylvania towns and cities can be revitalized for future generations.

Trains represent one of the most important ways people and goods travel. Big cities rely on fully operational passenger trains that carry millions of people a day. Freight trains carry over 40% of goods between our towns and cities throughout the United States.

As our population continues to grow, so does the use of our transportation infrastructure. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the federal and state levels to pass comprehensive transportation bills that provide a strong and dedicated funding stream to strengthen rail transportation.

Maureen Madden is a Democratic Pennsylvania state representative in Monroe County.
POTTSVILLE  A Philadelphia murderer will spend extra time behind state prison bars after admitting Thursday to a Schuylkill County judge that he possessed two types of drugs in July 2019 while imprisoned in the county.

Naeem Q. Davis, 36, must serve one to two years in a state correctional institution, Judge Charles M. Miller ruled. He made it consecutive to the sentence of 20 to 40 years Davis already is serving.

Were going to put that in the order, Miller said.

Davis pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of possession of a controlled substance/contraband and one of possession of drug paraphernalia.

State Department of Corrections officials charged Davis with possessing Suboxone and synthetic marijuana on July 1 and 3, 2019, at SCI/Frackville.

Im knowingly and intentionally moving forward, Davis said. I had a bit of a drug problem. Im going to try my hardest. Im a work in progress.

Drugs are not the only problem Davis has had.

Davis was convicted on Aug. 20, 2009, in Philadelphia County Court of third-degree murder and two lesser offenses. Judge Lillian Ransom sentenced him on Oct. 30, 2009, to serve 20 to 40 years in a state correctional institution.

Philadelphia police charged Davis with murdering Donnell Murphy, 26, also of Philadelphia, on May 24, 2008.

Davis already is an inmate at SCI/Dallas in Luzerne County, and Miller conducted Thursdays hearing by videoconference.

On Wednesday in the county court, Miller revoked the probation of Deborah A. Morse, 55, of Pottsville, and sentenced her to serve four to 12 months in prison and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Morse admitted violating her probation by failing to report to her supervising officer, committing a new crime, using drugs and not making payments on her court-ordered costs and fees.

She originally pleaded guilty on Aug. 11, 2020, to adulteration or misbranding of a controlled substance. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of driving under the influence.

At that time, Miller placed her on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.

Schuylkill Haven borough police charged Morse with possessing the altered substance on Aug. 24, 2017, in the borough.

Morse already is an inmate at the county prison, and Miller conducted Wednesdays hearing by videoconference.

In another county court case, president William E. Baldwin revoked the probation of Kori C. McCabe, 22, of Pottsville, for the second time and sentenced her to serve four to 12 months in prison.

McCabe originally pleaded guilty on Jan. 8, 2019, to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. At that time, Baldwin placed her on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced her to pay costs, a $100 SAEF payment, a $50 CJEA payment and $176 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Pottsville police had charged McCabe with possessing drugs and paraphernalia on Feb. 12, 2018, in the city.

Baldwin then revoked her probation on Nov. 12, 2019, and sentenced her to spend four to 12 months in prison and an additional 12 months on probation.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 19:33:53|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The following are the updates on the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

- - - -

KABUL -- Afghanistan's Public Health Ministry has registered 172 new COVID-19 positive cases over the past 24 hours on Sunday, raising the total number of patients infected with the disease to 59,015 in the country.

According to a statement of the ministry released Sunday, 10 patients have died over the past 24 hours, bringing the number of COVID-19 related deaths to 2,592 since the outbreak of novel coronavirus in February last year in Afghanistan.

- - - -

MINSK -- Belarus reported 1,276 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, taking its total to 352,950, according to the country's health ministry.

There have been 1,455 new recoveries in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 343,557, the ministry added.

So far, 2,493 people have died of the disease in the country, including 10 over the past 24 hours, it said.

- - - -

MANILA -- The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported on Sunday 8,162 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 997,523.

The death toll climbed to 16,783 after 109 more patients died from the viral disease, the DOH said.

The Philippines has been reporting below 10,000 daily cases for seven straight days but the transmission rate remains high.

- - - -

VIENTIANE -- Laos recorded 76 new cases of COVID-19, raising the total in the country to 323, according to the Lao Ministry of Health on Sunday.

Director General of the National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology under the Lao Ministry of Health, Phonepadith Xangsayarath, told a press conference here on Sunday that among the new cases, 64 were detected in the capital, five in Saravan, four in Luang Namtha, two in Savannakhet, and one in Bokeo province. Enditem
He's the proud father of a baby boy.

And Love is Blind star Mark Cuevas celebrated the birth of his first child with fiancee Aubrey Rainey on Saturday.

The 27-year-old reality television personality shared a few sweet snaps of their newborn son, Ace Anthony Cuevas, as he excitedly told PEOPLE magazine: 'Let the sleepless nights begin!'

Mom and Dad: Love is Blind star Mark Cuevas celebrated the birth of his first child with fiancee Aubrey Rainey on Saturday

Their little one was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 24 and weighed in at six pounds, 10 ounces, and 18.5 inches long.

'We chose this name because of the uniqueness and the meaning behind the name which, of Latin origin, stands for unity and the bringing of everyone together,' Cuevas said.

'Tears of joy and excitement that our baby boy made it healthy and happy. Let the sleepless nights begin!'

Cutie: Ace looked perfectly content at home as he relaxed underneath a duck print cloth while Mark wrote: 'Little mans first bath'

Ready for his close up: Another snap showed the newborn's Instagram handle with the caption: 'Been chillin for 9 months, what's poppin?'

Proud parents: Their little one was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 24 and weighed in at six pounds, 10 ounces, and 18.5 inches long

Aubrey added: 'The nine months flew by and every second was worth it to finally have our healthy baby boy in our arms.'

Ace looked perfectly content at home as he relaxed underneath a duck print cloth while Mark wrote: 'Little mans first bath.'

Another snap showed the newborn's Instagram handle with the caption: 'Been chillin for 9 months, what's poppin?'

Mark dropped down to one knee and proposed to Aubrey in November just one month after announcing she was pregnant with their first child.

Happiness: They first began dating in summer 2020 after meeting at a restaurant in Atlanta, and 'never left each other's side' since a Fourth of July trip to Savannah, Georgia

Unique approach: Mark found fame on the first season of Netflix's popular dating show which was filmed in 2018 and followed contestants getting engaged sight unseen

They first began dating in summer 2020 after meeting at a restaurant in Atlanta, and 'never left each other's side' since a Fourth of July trip to Savannah, Georgia.

Mark found fame on the first season of Netflix's popular dating show which was filmed in 2018 and followed contestants getting engaged sight unseen.

After seemingly forming a deep connection before officially meeting, he was left at the alter by ex-fiancee Jessica Batten, who cited their 10-year age gap as the reason she couldn't commit.
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Nigeria recorded no new deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday, making it the twelfth consecutive day that nobody died from the disease in the country.

Also, in continuation of a steady run of low infection figures, the country recorded 51 new cases on Saturday.

Saturdays tally brings the total number of infections in the West African nation to 164,684

This is according to an update published by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) late Saturday night.

With no new death on Saturday, the fatality toll from COVID-19 in Nigeria remains 2,061, according to the infectious disease body.

A breakdown of the data shows that 44 persons were discharged on Saturday after testing negative to the virus. This brings the total number of discharged persons after treatment to 154,687.

Meanwhile, over 9,000 infections are still active in the country.

Latest data

According to the NCDC, the 51 new cases were reported from six states: Yobe-19, Lagos-17, Rivers-8, FCT-4, Akwa Ibom-2 and Bayelsa-1.

Since the pandemic broke out in Nigeria in February 2020, the country has carried out over 1.8 million tests, the NCDC said.

Vaccination campaign

Nigeria commenced COVID-19 vaccination on March 5 after receiving 3.94 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine through COVAX, a UN-backed effort that promises access to free vaccines for up to 20 per cent of participating countries population.

The Nigerian government had said it plans 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 in four phases.

The current phase of vaccination covers health workers and other frontline workers although Nigerians from other groups are also getting vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Faisal Shuaib, said the inoculation of frontline health workers in some states has been completed, and attention has shifted to older adults, aged 65 and above.

We have been careful to ensure that only those who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the current phase are being vaccinated.

These include health workers and their support staff, other frontline workers, strategic leaders and in the last few days, we have also included those who meet the age requirements, he said.

Mr Shuaib urged everyone to get vaccinated when they can, saying the vaccine is safe and efficacious.
The Chairmans Statement on the ASEAN Leaders Meeting was issued at the end of the gathering in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 24.





In the statement, ASEAN leaders expressed their commitment to support the timely realisation of Brunei Darussalams Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) under the ASEAN Economic Community Pillar, which are divided into three strategic thrusts of Recovery, Digitalisation, and Sustainability.

They appreciated the continued efforts to further strengthen the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Pillar and its Sectoral Bodies agendas towards ASEAN Community building, to ensure ASEAN will be more coordinated, resilient and prepared for the future.

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN leaders reiterated their commitment to implement the Implementation Plan of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework in a timely manner, and welcomed the decision to utilise the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund to procure vaccines for the people of ASEAN as soon as possible.

ASEAN leaders agreed to encourage the expeditious conclusion of the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework (ATCAF), as well as the early operationalisation of the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health Emergencies, and underscored the importance of establishing the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases in a timely manner.

The statement also mentioned the situation in Myanmar, expressing deep concern of ASEAN leaders on reports of fatalities and escalation of violence, and reiterating that the political stability in ASEAN member states is essential to achieving a peaceful, stable and prosperous ASEAN Community.

ASEAN leaders acknowledged the blocs positive and constructive role in facilitating a peaceful solution in the interest and livelihoods of the people of Myanmar.

They agreed to the Five-Point Consensus attached to this Chairmans Statement on the situation in the country, which demands an immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and all parties shall exercise utmost restraint.

The Five Point of Consensus underlined the need to carry out constructive dialogue among all parties to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people.

A special envoy of the ASEAN Chair shall facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the Secretary-General of ASEAN, and ASEAN shall provide humanitarian assistance through the AHA Centre, the consensus said.

ASEAN leaders also underscored the importance of Myanmars continued efforts in addressing the situation in the Rakhine State, including commencing the repatriation process, in a voluntary, safe and dignified manner in accordance with its bilateral agreements with Bangladesh.

Regarding foreign relations, ASEAN leaders agreed to instructed the ASEAN Foreign Ministers to hold their meetings with the Peoples Republic of China and the US as soon as possible, prior to the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, and agreed with the ASEAN Secretariats recommendation for the group to accept the UKs application for Dialogue Partnership and tasked the ASEAN Foreign Ministers to undertake the appropriate process to facilitate the UK to become a Dialogue Partner by the 54th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting/Post Ministerial Conferences (54th AMM/PMC).

VNA
Sitting in their booth at an IHOP this week, four Black Army soldiers received an offer to have their lunch paid for them by a customer appreciative of their service at nearby Fort Belvoir. The White woman ended up giving them just $6 after initially putting down $30 on their table as the men in uniform were wrapping up their meal, an Army spokesman said.

But what began as a small gesture soon turned ugly on Monday when the woman, for reasons that remain unclear, went from offering to pay for their lunch to harassing the troops and accusing them of stealing her money. One of the officers alleged the White woman, who has not been publicly identified, called the group the n-word multiple times at the restaurant in Lorton, Va.

The exchange, which was partially captured in TikTok videos recorded by one of the soldiers that have gone viral, caused the Army to announce this week that it had launched an internal review of the incident to gather more information on the woman and her motivations.

Joe Richard, a Fort Belvoir spokesman, condemned the woman's "racially charged language" at the Black men.

"A view of the video will show the Soldiers maintained their composure and military bearing throughout this shocking incident," Richard said in a statement to The Washington Post.

Joe Jeffers Jr., one of the service members who was accosted by the customer and posted the clips to TikTok, summed up the experience in one caption: "I'm a U.S. Army soldier and I had my first encounter with a racist woman."

The incident at IHOP comes weeks after a Black Army officer in Virginia, Lt. Caron Nazario, filed a federal lawsuit against police officers in Windsor, Va., for holding him at gunpoint and pepper-spraying and assaulting him during a traffic stop last December. The Nazario case, which led to the firing of one of the police officers, has triggered a civil rights probe from the Virginia attorney general. The fallout from the traffic stop in Windsor was a painful reminder to some Black troops and veterans in Virginia this month that even military service "is not going to save you in this country."

At some point during their lunch Monday, the woman approached the four men and started chatting with them about life in the military, according to a statement from Fort Belvoir. After initially putting down $30 to help pay for their meal, she took $24 back before leaving, Richard said.

In a Facebook video posted after the encounter, Jeffers claimed that when the woman returned to the table, she called them the n-word twice and used a homophobic slur. Jeffers then began recording the scene on his phone.

The beginning of his TikTok video shows the antagonistic woman claiming the men took her money and calling them an expletive.

"Ma'am, please walk away," Jeffers responded.

But instead of walking away, she proceeded to sit down next to Jeffers in their booth. Three of the soldiers started to leave, but stopped when they realized the woman had blocked Jeffers. "I can't leave Jeffers," said one of the troops in the video.

When the woman did not allow Jeffers to exit the restaurant, another customer attempted to intervene. The White man, purportedly an Air Force veteran, asked the woman to leave, according to video.

"You're making a problem," he said to her, as he handed Jeffers's patrol cap to him.

Then, the woman confronted the customer with obscenities, threatening to "drop" the man in a lunchtime fight at IHOP.

"You wanna go? You wanna go?" she said, according to video.

As a manager came over to help escort the woman out of the restaurant, video shows that she began yelling at customers, "Are you the thin blue line? Are you BLM? Are you antifa?"

Before the four soldiers returned to Fort Belvoir and reported the incident to their chain of command, Jeffers took to Facebook to recount what just happened, muttering, "This is America."

"We were just four soldiers who said, 'Man, let's go to IHOP, we want some lunch,'" Jeffers recalled from inside his car. "And then we dealt with that."

An IHOP regional official would not say whether local law enforcement was involved or if the woman has been identified. A request for comment from the Fairfax County Police Department was not immediately returned Saturday.

In a statement to The Post, an IHOP spokesman rejected the woman's actions, saying what happened at the Lorton location goes against the company's values.

"IHOP and its franchisees do not condone the statements made by the guest in this video, and will not tolerate racism, bigotry or harassment of any kind," the spokesperson said. "For more than 60 years, we have strived to create a warm and hospitable dining experience for all guests, and this isolated incident is not reflected of that ongoing commitment."

Elaine Baldwin, the mother of one of the soldiers at the IHOP, Jaime Crankfield Jr., told WUSA that her son was in tears and "didn't understand why it happened and why people act like that." Baldwin, an Army veteran who said she spent three tours overseas, noted to the outlet that the video "brings awareness to everyone about racism and issues in this world and here that we're going to have to fix."

"No one should have to be treated like that, especially soldiers," Baldwin said to WUSA.

Days after the lunch, Jeffers returned to TikTok to thank people for their support. He said he hoped the woman was watching the video. Jeffers had a message for her.

"Whoever she is, if you're seeing this, ma'am, it's OK," he said. "I forgive you."

- - -

The Washington Post's Alex Horton and Meryl Kornfield contributed to this report.
Technically, people with arrests or certain convictions in their pasts are entitled to have their public-facing records scrubbed. But the diff
Youn Yuh-jung / Korea Times file



One day before the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony, veteran actress Youn Yuh-jung is grabbing attention over whether she will become the first South Korean to win an acting award at the Oscars.



The 73-year-old screen veteran was nominated for best supporting actress for her role in the immigration film "Minari."



Youn plays Soon-ja, an eccentric grandmother who flies to rural Arkansas from South Korea to help her daughter's family striving to build a new life in America.



Youn is competing against Maria Bakalova from "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm," Glenn Close from "Hillbilly Elegy," Olivia Colman from "The Father" and "Amanda Seyfried from "Mank."



She is a leading contender in the category. A poll by Gold Derby, an American awards prediction website, predicted Youn will win the award at the Oscars slated for Sunday (U.S. time).



She has already collected about 30 trophies including ones from the U.S. Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), which are leading precursors to the Oscars.





Youn Yuh-jung, right, and Alan Kim in a scene of "Minari" / Korea Times file
April 24, 2021 NYT Investigates U.S. Jewish Billionaire Funding For Anti-Islamists - Then Distracts With Loads Of Anti-Russian Slander A current New York Times report finds that the British anti-Islam agitator and grifter Tommy Robinson was financed by American Jewish billionaires who promote Zionist colonialism in Palestine. For several years Robert J. Shillman, founder and chairman of Cognex Corporation, and Nina Rosenwald, an heiress of the Sears Roebuck fortune funneled a monthly check to Robinson via the exteremist Middle East Forum run by the notorious Daniel Pipes. Shillman sits on the boards of The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous, and the David Horowitz Freedom Center. Rosenwald has served on the board of directors of many pro-Israel organizations and was vice president of Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA). Another donor involved was the Jewish hedge fund manager Robert Mercer who gives to many extreme right causes. As the Times summarizes it: Mr. Robinsons American connection was deeper than previously known. Interviews and internal documents newly released in court show how the U.S. research institute, the Middle East Forum, provided him with financial backing for three years, using cash from an American tech billionaire and Trump donor, while its president helped shape his message. The details are quite intriguing and the reporting on the financial ties is well done. But for the Times the fact that right-wing U.S. Zionists billionaires are financing proto-fascist anti-Islam movements in Europe is not the core concern. Instead it uses a short visit to Russia Robinson made a year ago to smear and agitate against that country and its government. That push of the story, not justified by any facts as we will show below, starts with the misleading headline: U.K. Far Right, Lifted by Trump, Now Turns to Russia.

The anti-Islam agitator Tommy Robinson struck gold in America. Keeping it might require help from Moscow, where other British far-right activists are also finding friends. The first part of the story introduces Robinson and lists his deep U.S. connections. It then turns to his short trip to Russia: Now that Mr. Trump is out of office and the American money is apparently drying up, Mr. Robinson and some other far-right figures are turning to Moscow. Mr. Robinson, who is fighting a potentially costly libel case in London this week, did a media tour of Russia last year but three associates told The New York Times that part of his agenda was kept secret  to seek accounts with Russian banks. Why else would you visit Russia? said Andrew Edge, a former senior figure in the English Defence League and another far-right group, Britain First, who said that he discussed moving money to Russian banks with Mr. Robinson and Britain Firsts leader, Paul Golding. In many ways, Mr. Robinson is now useful to the Kremlin  which has often encouraged fringe political figures who might destabilize Western democracies  for the same reasons he was welcome in Mr. Trumps Washington. How please has a discussion about opening a Russian bank account, to move money from Britain because it is under thread of being impounded, related to being 'useful to the Kremlin'? Hint - it isn't. It follows another long section describing in detail Robinson's connections to the U.S. Zionist billionaires and his various crimes. It reports of a riot during a pro-Robinson / anti-Islam rally in London: To British authorities, it was an alarming spasm of violence a short walk from Parliament. To the Middle East Forum, the rally was an unabashed success. The organization later proudly declared that it had sponsored the event in Mr. Robinsons moment of danger. Mr. Pipes, the organizations president, said his group was vindicated. In an interview, Mr. Pipes acknowledged that Robert Shillman, a wealthy Trump supporter, was a Middle East Forum donor, though he declined to disclose who paid for the rally.

...

Mr. Shillman, who has previously been publicly identified as funding another project with Mr. Robinson, did not respond to requests for comment. Mr. Robinson said he had never spoken to Mr. Shillman but wished he had been able to thank him for all his shekels, a reference to the Israeli currency that is also a turn of phrase sometimes favored by anti-Semitic conspiracy theorists. Another dozen more paragraphs look deeper in Robinson's financing. Then the story suddenly turns back to Russia: Mr. Robinson had already been banned from many social media platforms when, in February 2020, he posted a new video on YouTube. Dressed in a gray three-piece suit, Mr. Robinson is seen strolling through Moscow. Red Squares beautiful, he said. I was surprised just how nice it is. I might move to Russia, he added. Mr. Robinsons week in Russia was a full-throttle media tour, including a 30-minute interview with RT, the Kremlins English-language propaganda channel, as well as an appearance at a packed auditorium in St. Petersburg, where he gave a lecture titled The Rape of Britain. In one interview, with a libertarian activist and Kremlin critic, Mikhail Svetov, Mr. Robinson explained that he had flown to Russia because he felt silenced in the U.K. Ive come to seek a platform, he said. By rushing to Moscow, Mr. Robinson was perpetuating a myth on the Western far right that portrays Russia as a defender of white conservative Christian values and its president, Vladimir V. Putin, as a paragon of valor. Russia also gives a platform to Western extremists blocked from social media. By using Tommy Robinson, the Kremlin is obviously sowing chaos, Mr. Svetov said in an interview. But its only happening because Tommy is cornered. The last quote from Mikhail Svetov, a libertarian Kremlin critic as the Times notes, is interesting because it was Mikhail Svetov, not the Kremlin, who had invited Robinson to Russia to hold his "Rape of Britain" speech at Svetov's party congress: [Robinson] posted pictures of his lecture at the Libertarian Party conference in St. Petersburg on his Telegram channel, with the words Thank you Russia. The party itself also tweeted pictures of him speaking to a packed hall. He was an odd choice of guest for a party, the leader of which  Mikhail Svetov  was one of the organisers of anti-Putin protests in Moscow last summer. But, if people on the fringes are likely to get together somewhere, it will be in Russia. The fact that it was Kremlin critic Svetov, not the Kremlin, who brought Robinson to Russia is not mentioned in the Times report. It obviously does not fit the Times slant of the story which is the unsupported claim that the Kremlin sponsors European right wingers. How else could the Times let the Svetov quote 'By using Tommy Robinson, the Kremlin is obviously sowing chaos' stand when it is so obviously false? While in Moscow Robinson did the media rounds. But, unmentioned by the Times, his 30 minutes interview with RT was hostile and the host, RTs Oksana Boyko who is herself married to a Muslim, attacked Robinson's anti-Islam positions again and again: Boyko took issue with the idea that Islam is to blame for the grooming gangs that have come to light in the UK, arguing that the men involved are simply criminals that have distorted Islam. She said that it is dangerous to make generalizations about Islam, noting for example that it would be wrong to characterize all British citizens as rapists and plunderers, despite the British Empire carrying out unconscionable crimes against native populations in the past. RT is 'Kremlin related' as it is funded by the Russian government. But Robinson's media round in Moscow were organized by Edvard Chesnokov, a deputy foreign editor of Komsomolskaya Pravda, which is Russias largest tabloid and privately owned. It trends, like most tabloids, towards the rights and likes screamers like Robinson who generate sensational headlines. It is as much 'Kremlin related' as the New York Times is 'White House related'. Towards the end of the story the Times' Russia angle of the 'U.S. Zionist billionaires finance anti-Islamists in Europe' completely breaks down. Two people who talked with Robinson before he went to Moscow say that he thought about opening a Russian bank account. One person who was with Robinson in Moscow and another one who extensively talked with him afterwards say that he did not opened an account. Robinson himself confirms that: In a phone interview that he filmed, Mr. Robinson joked that he had gone to Moscow to find a Russian wife, but denied opening or discussing opening any bank accounts in Russia, or holding assets outside Britain. He said he had simply accepted an invitation to speak in a country that welcomed him more warmly than his own. I wanted to go and see what Russia was like and try to understand the freedom aspect because our politicians and journalists go on about how Russians have no free speech, how Russians have no freedom, he said. But I wanted just to let them know that we dont over here, we have a facade. It is a message that the Kremlins propaganda networks dutifully conveyed. The New York Times story is a weird composition. At its core is a solid investigation into Jewish billionaire financing of anti-Islamisms in Europe. But artificially propped onto that is a very weak tale pulled from hot air and full of slander, lack of context and disinformation. It tries, unsuccessfully, to connect the U.S. financed rightwing protagonist to some assumed Russian government desire without providing a shred of evidence for that. That part is, down to the last line, completely baseless propaganda. It devalues the original investigation. Posted by b on April 24, 2021 at 18:45 UTC | Permalink Comments
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 10:08:39|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland on Saturday reported 13 new COVID-19 cases, all of which were imported, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Sunday.

Of them, nine were reported in Shanghai, three in Fujian, and one in Tianjin.

Two new suspected cases arriving from outside the mainland were reported in Shanghai, the commission said.

No new deaths related to COVID-19 were reported Saturday, it added.

A total of 5,590 imported cases had been reported on the mainland by the end of Saturday. Among them, 5,328 had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, and 262 remained hospitalized. No deaths had been reported among the imported cases.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland reached 90,588 by Saturday, including 308 patients still receiving treatment, four of whom were in severe conditions.

A total of 85,644 patients had been discharged following recovery on the mainland, and 4,636 had died as a result of the virus.

There were six suspected COVID-19 cases on the mainland on Saturday.

Fourteen asymptomatic cases were newly reported, all arriving from outside the mainland. There were a total of 322 asymptomatic cases, of whom 311 were imported, under medical observation by Saturday.

By the end of Saturday, 11,730 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 209 deaths, had been reported in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), while 49 cases had been reported in the Macao SAR, and 1,097 cases, including 11 deaths, had been reported in Taiwan.

A total of 11,340 COVID-19 patients in the Hong Kong SAR had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, while 49 had been discharged in the Macao SAR, and 1,045 had been discharged in Taiwan. Enditem
Dear Joe:

I know I should call you Mr. President, but theres no time for formalities. You must move fast if youre going to save Californias high-speed rail project.

No malarkey: It has to be you. California has shown itself incapable of funding, managing or building deep popular support for this $80 billion train, which would be the first truly high-speed rail system in the United States. You  Amtrak Joe, with your personal devotion to riding the rail and your multitrillion-dollar infrastructure proposal  are now the last, best hope for making it a reality.

Is it worth the political risk of associating yourself with an epic failure? You and your advisers are cautious people who dont want to give Republicans who oppose infrastructure spending a tempting target. Saving high-speed rail would enrage the House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, whose hostility to progress runs so deep that he has spent years opposing the project even though it would run through his own Bakersfield district.

But should you succeed, the potential rewards extend far beyond California. If you can fix this problematic and high-profile project, you will show the world just how committed you are to remaking this countrys infrastructure, and fulfilling your campaign promise to build back better.

Taking on this California headache wont be easy. To have any chance of success, youll have to change the mindset around the project. Most of the attention paid to high-speed rail focuses on its lack of money  its short by tens of billions. But the fundamental problem with high-speed rail, as with other mega-projects in wealthy California, is not money, but a lack of management.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is a failed agency. Thirteen years after California voters approved the railway, this agency still hasnt managed the fundamental task of assembling the land it needs to build the first stretch in the San Joaquin Valley. It lacks the size, engineering expertise and management chops to handle a construction project of this scale. Contractors have run amok, adding extra charges while failing to meet deadlines. And the authoritys board is weak and part time.

Leading state politicians, instead of supporting the project, are taking it apart. In early 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom abruptly and foolishly abandoned the plan to connect the first piece of the project from the Bay Area to the Central Valley, leaving behind a diminished rail line running from Bakersfield to Merced. By making high-speed rail a Central Valley-only regional project, Newsom hurt support for rail in other regions. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Los Angeles, has started pushing to redirect high-speed rails limited funds to Southern California.

Joe, this unwinding of the project will end in high-speed rails eventual demise  unless you intervene, and soon. The good news is that Californias vast mismanagement of the project offers your administration multiple leverage points to jump in and start calling the shots.

Two big leverage points involve money. The first is $929 million in rail funding that the Trump administration pulled back in 2019 after Newsom abandoned the Bay Area-to-San Joaquin plan (and made intemperate remarks about the federal government in the process). The second involves $2.6 billion the state received for high-speed rail from the 2009 federal stimulus bill that it still hasnt spent. California is almost certain to miss a 2022 deadline for using the money, which means you have the power to take it back.

To put it in your earthy style, Joe, since you control $3.5 billion that this project badly needs to stay afloat, you have California by the balls.

You can force Californians to confront the question: Are we serious about completing this train or not?

Your demands should not be bashful. As a condition of California getting the money it needs to keep the project alive  not to mention the tens of billions of additional federal dollars that will eventually be necessary to complete it  you can demand major changes in the management and operations of high-speed rail.

First, you should require the resignation of all authority board members  and insist that the governor and Legislature appoint a board, and a new chief executive, of your administrations choice.

Second, you need to insist that the new CEO replace the current, ineffective contractors with a real corporate engineering and management heavyweight  Im thinking Kiewit Corp., or that California giant, Bechtel  that can handle a project of this scale.

And most of all, you must insist that the project plan take the high-speed rail from the Bay Area all the way to L.A. Otherwise, whats the point?

Some California politicians will balk at such a severe intervention. But dont give them an inch. When they object, go right after their pretensions of national leadership and say: Well, if California is no longer interested in building the American future like the governor says, Id be happy to send Californias money to projects in Texas or Florida, where they still have ambitions. They should fall in line. After all, youll be stepping up to ensure proper management of a project they never bothered to oversee.

One cautionary note: You may be tempted to throw in tens of billions in federal money right now, when the pandemic has opened the door for big federal spending. But slow down. Only once your preferred team is in place should you offer a schedule of future federal payments. And that support must be tied to measurable progress in the construction and testing. Joe, we Californians need to be kept on a short leash.

Youll have to shrug off criticism, including from Californians who say that the state, having put bond money and cap-and-trade dollars into the project, deserves to hold the reins. The hard truth about California is that weve never built much of anything big without federal assistance  our aqueducts, our highways and our internet all required help from Washington.

But the biggest thing youll need is the resolve to walk away. If California wont meet your demands, or if our leaders undermine the project, you should pull back the money and leave the state to clean up its own unfinished mess.

Your love must be tough, but high-speed rail is worth the trouble. The project also isnt quite as big a loser as it looks right now. Already, thousands of people are building it in the Central Valley, starting with the replacement of dozens of at-grade crossings that will prevent deadly rail accidents and free up capacity for freight rail. High-speed rail has a proven record of success in other countries, and could provide a more convenient, climate-friendlier alternative to flying or driving.

But none of that will happen, Joe, unless you kick California in the butt right now.

Joe Mathews writes the Connecting California column for Zocalo Public Square.
After a decade of entertaining superhero fans worldwide by leading the line for Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) Avengers, Chris Evans' Captain America along with Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man bowed out of the superhero ensemble, in what was to be the end of a glorious era.



 YouTube

While fans were clearly disheartened at the thought of not seen the two return as the much-loved and respected characters, the introduction of the new MCU Phase IV means that fans will be able to see an array of new and exciting superheroes bring their stories on the big screen as well as on the TV.



Importantly, there is an even more exciting piece of news for Marvel fans around the globe.

 Marvel

Following the strong critical and fan reception of Marvel's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier starring Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, Marvel has decided to start work on the fourth Captain America movie.



CAPTAIN AMERICA 4 is in the works with Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson set to write the script.



(Source: https://t.co/Ll4kXUXVkc) pic.twitter.com/LRKhrWOwwL  DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 23, 2021

According to reports, Marvel Studios, under the helm of President Kevin Feige, has tapped Falcon and the Winter Soldier head writer Malcolm Spellman to write the screenplay for the fourth instalment along with Dalan Musson, who is a staff writer on the Disney Plus tv series.

So far, no director has been attached to the upcoming Marvel project, and only time will tell whether we will get to see Evans return in any role in the movie.

 Walt Disney

Evans, having played the role of Steve Rogers AKA Captain America toplined the last three films of the franchise: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), and Captain America: Civil War (2016), before he retired from the role.



However, what is certain is that we will see Sam Wilson (Mackie), the current wielder of the Captain America Shield, reprise his role in the new movie.

 Disney

The new developments are a clear message to fans that Marvel is not sitting at the perch of the Superhero cinematic universe kingdom and will only kick on from where they left off.



The new Disney Plus television series that includes the upcoming Loki, and other movies like Spider-Man: No Way Home, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Black Widow, and others under the MCU Phase IV, is only a start to a new dawn of superhero drama.

Well, we sure as hell cannot wait for it!
Mumbai: Maharashtra state minister Nawab Malik on Sunday (April 25) announced that the people in the state will get the vaccination free of cost.

The third phase of the vaccinations will begin on May 1 which will include people from the age group of 18 to 45 years old.

Maharashtra Government to vaccinate all its citizens free of cost, news agency ANI quoted Minister Nawab Malik saying.

In the wake of high demand for Medical oxygen for COVID-19 patients, 14 plants for producing the life-saving gas from the atmospheric air will come up soon in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde said on Sunday.

Talking to the media, Shinde said one plant will produce about 2 tonnes (960 litres per minute) of oxygen in a day, which is adequate for 200 oxygen beds.

Shinde said the agencies involved in oxygen production have been identified and work orders have been issued.

The minister also said that five to six plants producing 1 to 1.5 tonnes of oxygen daily were also being set up in Gadchiroli district.

Maharashtra`s Covid-19 death toll fell on Saturday even as the state`s case tally zoomed past the 42 lakh-mark, with an increase in the number of active cases, health officials said.

(With agency inputs)

Live TV
New Delhi, April 25 : She is clear that the films she distributes must resonate with the audience and tell untold stories. "While every film is made with heart, the key is how they will be told and presented. 'Darpan' has a special outlook on distributing the film in a myriad ways and partnerships, and not just checking the box on publicity. Selecting audiences that are already part of special interest groups that echo with the idea of the content..." Singapore-based Sreyashi Sen, the only woman film distributor in South and South- East Asia told IANS.

'Darpan' started as a film festival wanting to bring in for the first time in SE Asia independent Indian films to Singapore as regional independent films from Indian subcontinent were not available for audiences there. "I had been on the media development committees and cultural festival advisory teams and thus a festival 'Darpan' (reflection/mirror) that would integrate through the arts. The festival ran for a few years which then paved the way for a greater number of independent films from the Indian sub-continent to see distribution commercially in Singapore and South East Asia," said Sen.

Talking about the challenges in launching Darpan, Sen feels that creating something that's not been done before will face challenges. "That's perhaps the beauty of it. An entrepreneur's life is about risk taking and facing a lot with a smile. I have made mistakes and learnt from it. I believe that every experience leads to evolution. I have made amazing friends in the industry and outside who have given respect to the work I do. I have challenged my limits too many times. Not just letting my challenges limit me." On the fact that she happens to be the only woman film distributor in the region, especially for Indian content in theatrical distribution, she points that it has been an interesting journey, with joyful memories of setting benchmarks. "Though the distribution market is still very patriarchal, breaking those barriers has been a challenge but a happy one." Currently working on two international co productions and one reality show, besides two web series that are in the development stage, she is also directing a documentary, marking her debut as a director. "The Covid crisis, in a way has allowed me to read more scripts and have intense discussions across borders with fellow producers and filmmakers," she said.

Even as most film-festivals across the world including in India have gone digital ever since the pandemic hit last year, Sen believes that that once physical screenings start again, we will value festivals more. "A film always gets its respectful pride of place in a theatre with an active audience. Nothing can be more warm and reassuring for filmmakers. But what this pandemic has also done is taught us different ways of looking at work. Different models that help us appreciate what we have. I miss festivals and markets even as a producer and distributor, but what virtual meetings and markets have taught many of us is how much we can still be together despite being miles away. People have become more appreciative of one another and perhaps we have much more time in hand which we may have otherwise lost in travel." The distributor, who was part of 'Celebrating Women in Cinema' recently organised by the French embassy in India says that such discussions were key to forming policies, making workplaces more conducive to men and women and developing cross border partnerships all in the spirit of telling beautiful stories.

Believing that the OTT boom in India has led to a scenario where audiences have started appreciating actors across the board and not just super stars, she feels that there has been a tremendous increase in employment opportunities.

Adding that the only safeguard in place needs to be quality of content which should not suffer due to the numbers being churned out, she said, "While we realise the Indian audience is not homogeneous and content made needs to cater to all we also need to look at diversifying from the usual story-lines which only allows the evolution of audience. What pains is the recent trend of direct to OTT for some of the bigger commercial content in features. Or the short theatrical window that is becoming a worry for chains. Yet, while it troubles me as a distributor, my producer hat sees the rationale on money time. We need to reach a better middle path as an industry to hand hold one another in these very difficult times especially for theatrical distribution. This perhaps has been enhanced due to the pandemic, but a gradual decline in movie going audiences was already a reality pre-Covid. Maybe this phase will allow us all to think deeper for a better path for all."
Troy Carter fulfilled a long-held ambition Saturday as voters in the 2nd Congressional District elected him to the U.S. House of Representatives, triumphing over Karen Carter Peterson after a bruising campaign between two Democratic state senators from New Orleans who agreed on issues more often than not.

Carter won the race with 55% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State. He notched 48,511 votes to Peterson's 39,295 in the runoff that saw just 16.6% of voters turn out to the polls.

"I will wake up every day with you on my mind," Carter told a jubilant crowd at the Sugar Mill event site in New Orleans just after 10 p.m. "Now I want to go to Washington to be your voice."

By all accounts, Carter will be a reliable supporter of President Joe Biden and the Democratic agenda in Washington, and he will likely work well with the other seven members of the states congressional delegation  all Republicans  for Louisiana spending projects.

Carter will replace Cedric Richmond in a New Orleans-based district that stretches through the River Parishes to north Baton Rouge, and he probably owes his victory more to Richmond than anyone else.

Richmond, who held the seat for a decade before resigning in January to become an adviser to Biden, backed Carter and helped to clear the field of other potential high-profile candidates from New Orleans, with the exception of Peterson.

Peterson serves as the titular head of a political organization, known as BOLD, that competes with Richmond for power in New Orleans. Following her loss, Peterson will return to the state Senate, where she has served since 2010.

Like Carter, Peterson, 50, has long aspired to the congressional seat. This may have been her last chance since Carter, at 57, is poised to hold the position for years.

Carter will represent a Black-majority congressional district that is one of the poorest in the country. It is mostly based in Democratic areas of metro New Orleans. About 44% of the voters live in the city, 24% in Jefferson Parish, mostly on the west bank, 20% in the River Parishes and 12% in Baton Rouge, according to an analysis by John Couvillon, a Baton Rouge-based pollster and demographer.

Carter seemed to hold the edge throughout the runoff after leading the March 20 primary with 36% of the vote to Petersons 23%.

Two main blocs of voters were up for grabs during the runoff: the 21% of voters who in the primary favored Gary Chambers Jr., the Baton Rouge social justice advocate, and the 16% of primary voters who supported Republican candidates.

Peterson emphasized progressive views during the campaign and won Chambers endorsement. Peterson also had the support of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Georgias Stacey Abrams, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the Black Lives Matter PAC, the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, the Working Families Party and EMILYs List, which supports pro-abortion rights female Democrats.

The support from EMILYs List probably mattered the most because the group spent an astounding $1.2 million during the runoff attacking Carter and supporting Peterson, even though both candidates support abortion rights. The group spent more money than either Carter or Peterson during the runoff.

Carter noted his support from Richmond and such Biden allies in the House as U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn from South Carolina and U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries from New York. He also had the support of Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams; East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome; Helena Moreno, an at-large New Orleans City Council member; Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng, a Republican; and all eight of the Black state senators not running in the race.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Over the past five years in the state Senate, Carter has been a moderate Democrat who has worked well with Republicans, and he pushed those themes during the runoff.

Carter frequently invoked Biden and included a photo of him with Biden and his wife, Jill, during one TV ad.

He supported the framework of the Green New Deal while calling for a transition away from fossil fuels.

He didnt support wholesale changes in police departments, calling instead for getting rid of the bad cops.

He supported an expansion of public health care, but not through the Medicare for All plan pushed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, rather through the so-called public option favored by Biden. The latter plan would allow people to choose between moving to government-provided health insurance or remaining with their private plan.

Carter sought and won the endorsement of the Greater New Orleans Republican PAC but emphasized that he chaired the Senate Democratic Caucus and had the co-endorsement from the Louisiana Democratic Party, when Peterson used the groups support to tie him to President Donald Trump.

Late in the campaign, Peterson termed Carters legislative approach as going along to get along.

She promised to shake things up and provide bold, courageous leadership.

Peterson supported the Green New Deal, said Carter was tone deaf for expressing support for cops in the wake of George Floyds murder, endorsed Medicare for All and bashed U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, the No. 2 Republican in the House, when asked whether she would work with Republicans as the only Democrat in Louisianas congressional delegation.

The two candidates conducted much of their campaigning virtually, with numerous joint appearances before interest groups via Zoom.

They debated each other three times. The last one, on WWL-TV on Thursday night, exposed the enmity that had developed between the two, who until the campaign had been political allies in the state Senate.

Carter repeatedly called Peterson a liar while adding at one point, Youre angry; youre desperate. Peterson said her opponent has distorted her record, had not been truthful and, near the end, she called Carter a bit discombobulated.

Carter got his start in politics with his election in 1991 to the state House. He served there for two years before winning a seat on the New Orleans City Council in 1994. He served there for two terms but failed to make the runoff in the 2002 mayors race.

Carter lost races for the 2nd Congressional District seat in 2006 and again in 2008. Peterson also sought the seat in 2006.

A business consultant who lives in the English Turn subdivision of Algiers, Carter entered office again after winning an open state Senate seat in 2015.
LONDON  In this post-Brexit, mid-pandemic moment in the United Kingdom, with its economy battered by recession and the royal family in mourning and turmoil, it is hard to find a topic that unites this fractious nation. But U.S. chickens  yes, the lowly, clucking farm animal, consumed daily by the millions in all 50 states  have done it.

Everybody hates them.

The odd thing is that U.S. chicken is not sold anywhere in Britain, and if people here get their way, it never will be.

What precisely have U.S. chickens done to so thoroughly appall the British, even though few of the latter have ever sampled the former?

The short answer is that some U.S. chicken carcasses are washed in chlorine, to eliminate potentially harmful pathogens. Americans for years have been devouring these birds without any fuss, but in Britain, U.S. chickens are now attached to the word chlorinated the way warning labels are attached to cigarettes  which is to say, always. U.S. chickens have been denounced by editorialists, academics, politicians, farmers and a wide variety of activists. In October, a group of protesters dressed in chicken costumes milled around Parliament.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 05:48:19|Editor: huaxia

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Aerial photo taken on July 24, 2020 shows a sperm whale in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

"The South China Sea should not become a tool for certain countries to contain and suppress China, still less a wrestling ground for major-power rivalry," said a spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU).

Countries in the region and beyond have in recent years seen clearly that "the destabilizing factors and security risks in the South China Sea mainly come from outside the region."

BRUSSELS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Security risks in the South China Sea mainly come from outside the region, a spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) said Saturday, urging the EU to stop sowing discord.

"The South China Sea should not become a tool for certain countries to contain and suppress China, still less a wrestling ground for major-power rivalry," said the spokesperson.

The comments came in response to a statement issued by the European External Action Service (EEAS) earlier Saturday. The EU's diplomatic service claimed that tensions in the region, "including the recent presence of large Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef," endanger peace and stability.

The EEAS statement also recalled the "South China Sea arbitration" in 2016.

The Chinese Mission spokesperson said that Niu'E Jiao Reef (Whitsun Reef) is part of China's Nansha Islands, and the reef and its adjacent waters have always been important operating areas and shelters for Chinese fishing boats.

"Chinese fishing boats are recently operating in the area and sheltering from wind, which is reasonable and lawful," said the spokesperson. "How come does it endanger regional peace and stability?"

"We have reiterated on various occasions that China's sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea are formed in the long course of history and are consistent with international law," the spokesperson said.

Aerial photo taken on Nov. 18, 2020 shows a ship loaded with reef-like artificial coral reef nurseries heading for designated areas in Yazhou Bay of Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

The spokesperson noted that the so-called Arbitral Tribunal on the South China Sea was established on the basis of illegal acts and claims of the Philippines. "It has no legitimacy and the award it issued is null and void. China does not accept or recognize the award, and firmly rejects any claims or actions based on the award."

Commenting on the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which was proposed by the EU on Monday, the spokesperson pointed out that the current situation in the South China Sea is on the whole stable.

China maintains close communication on relevant issues with countries in the region, including the Philippines, said the spokesperson, adding that countries in the region and beyond have in recent years seen clearly that "the destabilizing factors and security risks in the South China Sea mainly come from outside the region."

The spokesperson urged the EU "to respect the efforts of countries in the region in properly addressing differences and maintaining stability in the South China Sea, and to stop sowing discord." 
Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, 20 (pictured) has been hailed a hero after it was learned he was one of two people who dived into the water just after midnight on April 24 to save the woman, but sadly drowned in the process

Friends have paid tribute to a 'kind and loving' Good Samaritan who died after jumping into the River Thames to rescue a woman who fell from London Bridge.

Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, 20, has been hailed a hero after it was learned he was one of two people who dived into the water just after midnight on April 24 to save the woman, but sadly drowned in the process.

Emergency services were able to pull the woman and the other man who jumped in from the river alive, but were unable to find Mr Olubunmi-Adewole.

The body of man, known as Jimi by his friends who identified him on social media as being the person who died in the incident, was found six hours later after an extensive search and rescue effort on The Thames.

Police marine units and the coastguard recovered Jimi's body from the water at around 6am on Saturday.

It emerged later that the Nigerian-born Briton was a former pupil at the Harris Academy in Peckham, South East London, according to My London.

He was also connected to the charity Malcolm's World Foundation, which was set up by the parents of Malcolm Mide-Madaiola, a pupil from the same school who was murdered at the age of 17 in 2018.

At around 3 p.m. on Saturday, the charity appeared to confirm that Jimi was the man who died in the incident, tweeting a message along with a picture.

'Sad this family just lost another hero Folajimi Olubunmi- Adewole who died saving the woman [...] in River Thames yesterday,' the tweet read.

'Pure-hearted soul. Great helper. Loving boy. RIP #JimiTheHero,' it added.

Officials are yet to confirm how or why the woman fell into the River Thames.

Pictured: A police boat on the River Thames with London Bridge in the background during the search for the man who jumped into the river to save a woman

Tributes poured in on social media from friends and strangers alike after Jimi's identity was revealed.

'Very sad to hear he died while bravely trying to save another person. He was a hero and should be remembered for his act of bravery. Sorry for his familys loss,' one person wrote on the social media site.

'So very sad, What an Amazing young man .. RIP Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole,' another tweeted.

A third person wrote: 'This is incredibly sad. What a brave and selfless man Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole was to sacrificed his life to save a woman. May he sleep peacefully. My thoughts and prayers are with his heartbroken family.'

It comes as the search for another person who fell in the Thames this week  a 13-year-old schoolboy  continues.

A man who jumped into the River thames to rescue a woman who fell from London Bridge has died. Pictured: London Bridge

A City of London Police spokesperson said: 'We were called at 12.12am on Saturday April 24 to reports of a woman in the River Thames close to London Bridge.

'Two men, who had witnessed the woman fall from the bridge, entered the river to try and save her.

'The Coastguard and Metropolitan Police Marine Units were able to rescue the woman and one of the men.

'Sadly, following an extensive search involving police helicopters, marine units, LFB, LAS and City Police officers, the missing man was not located.

'At 6am the same morning, a body was found believed to be that of the missing man.

'His next of kin have been made aware and are being supported by officers from the City of London Police.'

Witnesses say there was at least one police boat on the Thames and around six police cars and an ambulance were sent to the scene.

The tide was high and the water was rough and choppy at the time.

Police have launched a search for a 13-year-old boy who went missing after falling into the River Thames from Tower Bridge on his way to school (emergency services at the scene)

River police, firefighters, the RNLI (pictured) and a police helicopter were also involved in the search for the youngster

It was the second incident of someone falling into the Thames this week, after a hero woman jumped into the River Thames to try and save a 13-year-old boy.

She heard screams when he fell from Tower Bridge on his way to school on Tuesday, according to witnesses.

The pupil was wearing his full uniform when he got off a bus as he made his way to The Ark Globe Academy in Southwark, London, at around 8am.

He and a friend had boarded the bus together but the youngster got off near Tower Bridge  ahead of his usual stop in Elephant and Castle  before falling into the river, the school's principal said in a letter to parents.

Emergency services (pictured on the River Thames) including the river police, firefighters, the RNLI and a police helicopter were all involved in the search

Witnesses described hearing screams before one woman jumped into the water to try and save the boy.

Despite using a life-float to swim into the Thames, she was only able to recover his school jacket and school bag.

City of London Police confirmed officers have launched an 'intensive search' for the boy involving helicopter and marine searches but he has not yet been found.

The boy is thought to have celebrated his 13th birthday only last week.

Police confirmed officers have launched an 'intensive search' for the boy involving helicopter and marine searches but he has not yet been found (emergency services at the scene)

The 13-year-old boy went missing after falling into the River Thames from Tower Bridge (police at the scene) as he was on his way to school, his headteacher said

Officers have launched an 'intensive search' for the boy involving helicopter and marine searches but he has not yet been found (teams at the scene)

A spokeswoman for City of London Police told MailOnline: 'City of London Police is leading an investigation into a missing person, working alongside our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police Service.

'We believe this is linked to an incident where a child fell into the Thames from Tower Bridge.

'Despite an intensive search by City of London Police, the police helicopter and marine units, this person has not yet been found.

'We ask anyone who witnessed anything on Tuesday 20 April at 8.09am, to call us on 020 7601 2999, quoting reference 21000215310.'
Indian smugglers go scot free due to fear of Indias raging COVID View(s):

Whenever the Navy arrested persons or foreigners who are trying to smuggle items to the country via sea routes, they would be arrested and handed over to the relevant authority, usually the Police for further legal action.

During these unprecedented global pandemic times, even the authorities had to make adjustments.

On Friday, five Indian fishermen trying to smuggle fancy good items and pharmaceutical products into the country were taken into Naval custody in Mannar, but were released hours later without being subjected to any legal action.

The five fishermen with the trawler were taken into custody near Kudhiramalai, Mannar and the fishermen were allowed to return to Tamil Nadu on their own vessel due to COVID-19 concerns as India is recording a massive number of COVID-19 cases and deaths daily due to the spread of the virus.

All the smuggled items found in the Indian vessel will be handed over to the Customs department.

SJB wants study on King Ravana

A Private Members Motion calling on Parliament to approve Conducting a systematic study about King Ravana has been submitted by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Matara District MP Buddhika Pathirana. The Motion has been included as an Addendum to the Order Book of Parliament dated April 9. Accordingly, it will be placed on

the Order Paper of Parliament at a future date.

The Motion in its entirety is as follows: That this Parliament resolves that a study should be conducted about King Ravana through a panel of experts due to the fact that a study on King Ravana enables to unveil a hidden period of time in Sri Lankan history, and use the knowledge that King Ravana possessed for the uplifting of the country and enhance the attitudes in the country about him, even though specific historical information about him are not available.

A different kind of victimisation amidst heat over Political Victimisation

It was the second day of the debate on the Political Victimisation Commission report where government and opposition members were in a heated argument.

Samagai Jana Balawegaya Member of Parliament Chaminda Wijesiri from the Badulla district stood up to raise an issue about a different type of victimisation.

He told the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that the Police were not allowing his vehicle in which he arrived to Parliament to come to pick him up.

He went on to explain that he had arrived at Parliament in a three-wheeler and the Police were not allowing the three-wheeler to return to pick him up. The MP raised the question as to who had given instructions to the Police to that effect.

The Speaker assured that the Serjeant-at-arms will look into the matter.

But question remained whether the three wheeler  the small mans vehicle had no permission to enter Parliament, and only BMWs, Land Cruisers and the like were allowed into the sacred grounds .

COVID danger blow to local liquor test

With the COVID19 outbreak the Traffic police have been faced with a tough task in detecting persons driving under the influence of liquor.

This is as usually as the policemen get into close proximity of the driver to check if the driver smells of liquor. But in most cases the policemen are reluctant to do so with the COVID19 situation.

However, last week when a motorist was stopped at night in Colombo by a policeman and was instructed to put down the shutter he was told by the policeman that he was under the influence of liquor.

The driver insisted he was not under the influence of liquor and was ready to face any test, but the policeman claimed he could get the smell of liquor.

The driver pointed out to the sanitiser bottle and said he had sanitised his hands before leaving as vehicle had been used by another person earlier in

the day.

The policeman resorted to the next local test. He wanted the driver to take off his face mask and blow into the face of the policeman and

the motorist did so without any hesitation.

The policeman cleared the driver with an apology saying whats to be done if we are suspicious we have to check.

With the COVID19 cases on the rise, it is not certain if the policeman was taking the right action.

Lots of chocolates for him to eat, says Choka Malli

Ratnapura District Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Premalal Jayasekara has always been better known by his alias Choka Malli. For much of the country, the name has been associated with thuggery and violence, especially given that Mr Jayasekara is the only sitting MP to have been sentenced to death by a High Court for murder, though he is appealing his conviction in the Court of Appeal. During Fridays adjournment debate on the report of the Commission of Inquiry into Political Victimisation, Mr Jayasekara related to the House how he came by his nickname during an exchange with Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka.

They nicknamed me Choka Malli because I was fond of chocolates from my young age. But they are painting me as an underworld leader today using that nickname. We are not beggars. My father gave me Rs 200 everyday during my schooldays to buy chocolates. That is how I got my nickname, not because I indulged in thuggery. I was never into thuggish politics, he claimed.

Some on social media pointed out that Rs 200 was a princely sum during the school days of Mr Jayasekara, who was born in 1974. Others pointed out that they got only about Rs 5 a day from their parents even in the 1990s. How many chocolates did he eat for Rs 200? questioned one. He should have been nicknamed Choka King, some said.

Pictures do tell the story, but depends on whos saying it

There has been little said from Chinese authorities on the famous picture of Tank man- a Chinese national standing in front of a column of Chinese military tanks days after protests at Tiananmen Square in 1989.

Associated Press photographer Jeff Widener took that shot from a six-storey building. The topic re-emerged this week when the Chinese Embassy in Colombo commented on the picture.

One user in the microblogging platform of Twitter asked the embassy what do they make of that iconic image as the Chinese-funded Port City is dominating the public discourse in recent weeks.

Tanks stopped, with highest tolerance & respect to human lives. The man left freely, unharmed. Western media wont tell you. What destroyed USSR didnt succeed in China, fortunately. Communist Party continued leading the country for a brighter future. The rest is history. the embassy said.

UPFs V. Radhakrishnan unhappy with MP Shanakiyan for no show in the hills

Leader of the Upcountry Peoples Front (UPF) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentarian representing Nuwara  Eliya, V. Radhakrishnan was furious on Thursday when he accidentally met young TNA MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam outside the parliamentary chambers.

The reason was that the young TNA MP who assured Mr Radhakrishnan of taking part in the Youth Wing Conference of his party last week in Nuwara Eliya did not turn up as scheduled. Not only him, but fellow SJB firebrand Harin Fernando was another guest who did not turn up as well.

For Radhakrishnan, it was totally embarrassing as his party announced in public that the two MPs will be the guests of honour of the event, and posters were also pasted across the upcountry region in addition to social media platforms.

MP Shanakiyan who was reportedly in Nuwara-Eliya last week decided not to take part in the event due to reasons known only to himself. Party insiders say it would be the work of other leaders of the Tamil Peoples Alliance (TPA) since there have been sharp differences within the alliance.
For many people, summer is the time to resume, begin or advance in their academic career. For students looking forward to making the most out of their summer, the upcoming accelerated semester sessions will be beneficial in helping them finish their degrees at a faster pace to graduate earlier.

Our institution has adapted and evolved, and now we are back with more online, more hybrid and more in-person instruction options. Laredo College offers many associate degree programs, one-year degree programs and an array of certifications for high-demand careers. Academic courses at LC are transferrable to public state universities in Texas.

The high-quality, accredited programs that our college offers are a staple of our extensive online, hybrid and in-person instruction, LC President Dr. Ricardo J. Solis said. Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with the most innovative technology to provide high-quality training and entrepreneurial education to prepare students that will eventually become the future engine for the economic development and growth of our region.

LCs technical programs offer the instruction to develop necessary skills in various fields to prepare those who are seeking academic growth to enter the workforce or become future entrepreneurs. Some of the high-demand programs offered are business management, electrical technology, welding, logistics, culinary arts, automotive and diesel mechanics, cosmetology, computer technology and many more.

Our institution also offers award-winning health sciences programs that prepare the future healthcare professionals of our region. Students enrolled in the health sciences programs graduate ready to serve their community however, they can also choose to continue their education and complete a bachelors degree in nursing. LC nursing students graduate with the honor of having attended a college with one of the No. 1 Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Programs in the nation.

Furthermore, LC also offers a cutting-edge cybersecurity technology program that serves as an effective tool to prepare students to enter this exciting and continuously evolving field. Laredo College is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, a distinction designated by the United States Department of Homeland Security due to the quality education and training imparted in this program.

The college has also launched the Homeland Security Studies Program. This program creates an environment where academic study and practical scenarios can help students prepare and advance in the homeland security field.

Additionally, students can still enjoy all college services, such as 24/7 tutoring, access to digital library books and catalogs, counseling services, technical support, parking lot Wi-Fi services at both campuses and more. As of Wednesday, April 28, we will be providing in-person advising, counseling, financial aid and other services, as well as more physical access to the library. Restrictions will apply, and COVID-19 regulations will be enforced.

Students from around the region do not have to travel far or pay high tuition fees to get a quality education. They can stay close to home and take advantage of LCs Maymester and summer sessions. Prospective and current students may already begin the enrollment and registration process to attend the No. 1 community college in Texas and the higher education institution with the lowest student graduate debt in the state.

Students wishing to register are encouraged to begin the enrollment process as soon as possible as these accelerated sessions fill up quickly. All those interested in taking classes at our college for personal growth, advancing in their career or starting a new one can register online by visiting laredo.edu. Prospective students may also contact the Office of the Registrar and Admissions at admissions@laredo.edu. Advising sessions are also available by visiting laredo.edu/e-advising or sending an email to studentsuccessctr@laredo.edu.

Federal Student Financial Aid is offered to those who qualify. Students can contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@laredo.edu to verify their applications status or to learn about the diverse scholarship opportunities that LC offers. To make a payment or request an installment payment plan, students may contact the Bursars Office at bursaroffice@laredo.edu.

Maymester courses begin on May 10. Summer Session I begins on June 1, and Summer Session II begins on July 6.

For more information, current and prospective students can also reach us at (956) 721-5109 or (956) 794-4110, visit laredo.edu, email admissions@laredo.edu, or visit the Ft. McIntosh Campus or South Campus for additional information.

This Maymester and summer sessions, take it to the next level at Laredo College.
Atop the international military forces in Afghanistan, there are also roughly 18,000 contractors in the country, almost all of whom will also depart. Miller said that some of the contracts will have to be adjusted so that the Afghan security forces, which are heavily dependent on contractor assistance  especially the Afghan air force  will continue to be supported. The thousands of private contractors in Afghanistan are tasked with a range of jobs, including security, logistics and aircraft maintenance.
Bay of Plenty

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Lucknow, April 25 : Even as a special freight train, Oxygen Express, carrying 51,000 litres of medical oxygen in three tankers arrived in Uttar Pradesh from Bokaro on Saturday, problems continue for patients in home isolation.

The state government has made it mandatory for patients in home isolation to produce doctor's prescription before they can buy oxygen cylinders.

Lokendra Tripathi, who needs oxygen for his father, 83, and mother, 79, "I need to keep oxygen for an emergency situation and no doctor is ready to give a prescription even though they verbally advise me to keep a cylinder at hand. Both the parents are Covid positive though they are asymptomatic at the moment." Meanwhile, the Oxygen Express has brought some relief to the pandemic-battered state. The supplementary supply will provide a more than a 48-hour buffer for over 1,000 patients with low oxygen saturation, sources said.

Indian Medical Association, Lucknow head, Dr. Rama Srivastava, said, "We were told 38,000 litres has arrived in Lucknow. The supplementary supply will be a lifesaver for 800-1,000 patients with critical oxygen saturation levels in Lucknow. A Covid patient with poor oxygen saturation easily consumes 50 litre of jumbo cylinder in 24 hours. More O2 tankers are in queue to reach UP." Bipin Mishra, the additional district magistrate (finance), said: "We expect the supply of O2 delivered to Lucknow will last up to three-four days. The seven O2 plants in city will disburse the life-saving gas to government and private hospitals as well as individuals isolated in their homes after Covid infection." Divisional Commissioner Ranjan Kumar said: "The oxygen supply from Bokaro has been sent to hospitals in Lucknow and Barabanki. Some supplies have been diverted to patients in home isolation." Sanjay Tripathi, divisional railway manager of Northern Railways, Lucknow division, said: "Four empty tankers left for Bokaro on Saturday morning prior arrival of refilled three tankers, including two at Lucknow and one in Varanasi." "Similarly, by evening, at least four more empty tankers were being prepared to dispatch Bokaro."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
COLUMBUS, Ohio- Gov. Mike DeWine said Friday night coronavirus vaccine providers can resume using the Johnson & Johnson shots, hours after a federal panel cleared them.

Whether the J&J shot can be used at the Wolstein Center in downtown Cleveland and at other mass vaccination sites has not been determined at this time, according to a statement from the governor sent shortly before 9 p.m.

At around 5 p.m., the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended the use of Johnson & Johnsons vaccine again for Americans age 18 and older. The federal government had suspended the vaccines use on April 13. Fifteen women, including three who have died, developed blood clots after receiving the vaccine. Almost 8 million doses of J&J had been administered in the U.S.

In the immediate hours after the announcement, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Health said the state was waiting for guidance from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which came later.

DeWine said ODH is issuing guidance to providers to ensure they have access to the latest information on the use of Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

The countrys vaccine safety system worked as it was designed, DeWine said: Cases of blood clots were reported to the CDCs Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, distribution was paused to allow for a review and theres been time to educate health care providers on the rare events.

DeWine noted that the federal panel determined that the benefits of Johnson & Johnson vaccine outweigh the risks, and that vaccine administration resume, he said. The CDC and FDA have accepted those recommendations, lifting the pause on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Providers in Ohio are permitted to immediately resume administering Johnson & Johnson vaccines in Ohio, provided they continue to follow all guidance by the CDC and FDA.

In Ohio, there are around 245,000 unused Johnson & Johnson doses that DeWines administration asked vaccine providers to store when the federal government suspended their use.

At the Wolstein Center, the original plan was to administer Pfizer shots for the first six weeks of the mass vaccine clinic. Then the plan had been to switch to J&J for the final two weeks, beginning Tuesday, since people wouldnt have to return for a second dose.

That plan, however, changed when the J&J pause was announced. On Wednesday, DeWine said the mass vaccination center would continue with Pfizer because of the pause. DeWine had also said that the clinic would possibly have to be open for an extra four weeks so people could get the second dose.

But now the plans and alternatives are up in the air.

The ODHs Johnson & Johnson guidance is to ensure health care providers have access to the latest information on the use of the vaccines, and that they are aware of treatment methods for the blood clots, called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or TTS, which are extremely rare but can be life-threatening.

According to the FDA, people need to seek immediate care if they have received the J&J vaccine and develop shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, persistent abdominal pain, neurological symptoms - such as severe or persistent headaches or blurred vision -- or petechiae -- round spots on the skin as a result of bleeding -- beyond the site of vaccination.

More coverage:

89 new coronavirus deaths reported in Ohio: Friday update

Gov. Mike DeWine looking at changing metric for ending public health orders from case levels to vaccine levels

Wolstein Center mass vaccination clinic may stay open for an extra 4 weeks

State board votes to increase Ohio medical marijuana dispensaries to 130 from current 57
NYPD hate crime detectives are investigating six attacks against four synagogues they believe were carried out by the same suspect.

The carnage began when a suspect hurled large rocks at two Bronx synagogues, Chabad of Riverdale and Riverdale Jewish Center, at around 12:30am Friday, smashing windows and doors.

The next night the same suspect returned to cause more damage at the same two Jewish houses of worship.

He is also said to have attacked the Conservative Synagogue and Young Israel of Riverdale, which are based in the Bronx too. Significant damage was caused to all four synagogues as a result, an NYPD spokesman said.

The attacks come a year after worrying statistics revealed anti-Semitic hate attacks in New York and New Jersey had hit a 40 year high.

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio both condemned the latest Bronx attacks

Surveillance cameras captured the perpetrator - seen in a camo coat and face mask - and on Sunday, Mayor de Blasio said the NYPD's Hate Crimes Unit was closing in on the suspected vandal.

'The @NYPDHateCrimes task force has a solid lead on the vile acts of anti-Semitism in the Bronx and we will take swift action against the perpetrators. If you have any more information on this case, contact the NYPD right away,' Mayor de Blasio Tweeted on Sunday.

The NYPD released images, above left and right, of the person suspected of hurling large rocks at four synagogues in The Bronx on Friday and Saturday

The Riverdale Jewish Center in The Bronx where a suspect hurled rocks, smashing windows and doors over two nights

The attacks drew swift condemnation from Mayor Bill de Blasio, who said the NYPD's Hate Crimes Unit was close to identifying the suspect in a Tweet Sunday.

The NYPD were maintaining a heavy police presence at the sites on Sunday, The Algemeiner reported.

The suspect was described as a light-skinned African-American man in his 30s, approximately 5 foot 11 inches tall, and with a medium build.

Governor Andrew Cuomo called on the New York State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to be deployed to assist in the investigation.

'We stand with Jewish New Yorkers - an essential part of the fabric of our state - as we do with all victims of bigotry, and I look forward to seeing this investigation resolved quickly,' the governor said in a statement.

Several elected officials in New York issued a joint statement to blast the attack.

'We condemn in the strongest possible terms the hate crimes and vandalism that are occurring in Riverdale,' said Rep. Jamaal Bowman, State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, State assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Councilmember Eric Dinowitz.

No one should be attacked or living in fear because of their race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. The threat towards synagogues and other Jewish institutions is real and we must treat these issues head on.'

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said it was 'appalled' by the attacks and for anyone with knowledge of the attacks to come forward.

'This is a particularly troubling image for Jews because of their history,' the group said.

In May, a report by the ADL found there had been more than 2,100 anti-Semitic incidents around the US in 2019, the highest number since the group started tracking data in 1979.

It found New York had the highest rate of anti-Semitic crimes of any state in the country.

More than half of the attacks recorded in New York City in 2019 took place in Brooklyn, the ADL report found.

A rash of attacks in 2020 were feared to be linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jewish people had masks ripped off their faces and suffered verbal abuse in several recorded incidents.

At the time, the ADL's Jonathan Greenblatt said many of the attacks were filmed and posted online, resulting in copycat incidents.

In December 2019, a mass shooting in Jersey City claimed the lives of four people, including detective Joseph Seals.

Francine Graham and David Anderson shot Seals at Bayview Cemetery, before driving to the JC Kosher Supermarket nearby where Mindy Ferencz, Moshe Deutsch and Douglas Miguel Rodriguez were all killed in a gunfight.

The suspects, who were also killed, had been planning the attacks for months, police later said.
During the same-sex marriage plebiscite in 2017, a group of students at a northern Melbourne secondary school tore down posters advertising a no-uniform day during Pride Week and replaced them with posters reading wear black for the straights.

Natalie, who chose not to use her last name, was in year 11 at the time and had recently come out as bisexual.

Natalie and her former vice-principal, Colin Burke, are working together on the Speaking Up Speaks Volumes campaign.

People used [the plebiscite] as an opportunity for anti-yes rhetoric and things became quite awful, she said.

But the teachers really rallied together to support us students.
As cases surge, the number of cremations taking place at the city's crematoriums has increased several-fold -- far more than the 66 deaths officially attributed to the virus in the entire district over the past six days.

Data from Bhairoghat and Bhagwatghat crematoriums shows 462 bodies were consigned to flames from April 19 to April 24.

People have to wait with the bodies for the last rites and the situation is no different at burial grounds.

In the six-day period, Kanpur Nagar district officially recorded 66 COVID-19 deaths, while 406 cremations took place at Bhairoghat and 56 in Bhagwatghat alone. The Bhairoghat crematorium also includes an electric crematorium.

"The number of cremations has risen several fold in the last week," said Qamruddin, a Kanpur Municipal Corporation employee at the Bhairoghat electric crematorium.

"Until last month, we were cremating less than 10 bodies a day, but for the last 10 days, we have been handling over 50 bodies every day," he said.

Data shows that 91 of the 406 funerals were performed at Bhairoghat on April 21 alone, he added.

The spurt has forced the people to wait for hours to cremate the dead, Qamruddin said.

"We are working for long and incinerators are running full time, but many people still have to wait with the bodies for the last rites," he said.

Additional District Magistrate Atul Kumar said information about all the COVID-19 patients as well as their recovery or deaths is uploaded on the government portal, so "it is impossible to hide or alter the death toll".

He, however, refused to comment over the large number of bodies being brought to the crematoriums, contrary to the COVID-19 death figures being shared with the media and displayed on the official portal.

The divisional commissioner and the district magistrate were not available for their comments.

According to Dhaniram Panther, a social worker who voluntarily performs last rituals of unclaimed bodies, the electric and firewood funerals at the crematoriums have been running without a break almost everyday during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Over 400 bodies were cremated in the last six days, while the official death toll stood at 66 during the same period. We are working with 100 per cent capacity to cremate the bodies on time," Panther said.

The Bhairoghat crematorium has cremated 50 to 90 bodies a day during the last week, far in excess of the city's official daily death toll of approximately 10, said Panther.

"I have been regularly performing cremations of unclaimed bodies for decades, but I haven't seen bodies in such large numbers awaiting funeral. Sometimes the crematorium ran out of wood and people were asked to bring it themselves," Panther said.

A large number of bodies are being brought to the Muslim graveyards as well for burial and many graveyards are left with no space for further burial of bodies, Panther said.

A health official said 1,060 people have died so far from the coronavirus in the Kanpur Nagar district according to official data, while over 100 such deaths were reported in the last 11 days.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Its 14 years since Blas na hEireann, the Irish food awards, were founded, and the value and importance of celebrating and supporting our Irish producers has never been greater.

Entries are now open to producers in Longford and all across the country for Blas na hEireann 2021, with the very best in Irish food and drink being judged in the largest blind-tasted food awards on the island.

The last 12 months have been like no other in the history of Blas na hEireann, says Chairman Artie Clifford.

He added, We could never have imagined what lay ahead when we launched last years awards. It is testament to our team, our partners in UCC, IT Tralee and TU Dublin, our sponsors, the resilience and innovation of our amazing producers and our wider Blas community that we were able to announce our 2020 winners in a virtual celebration last October. It is with this experience under our belt that we can confidently launch Blas 2021  knowing that no matter what, we will celebrate the very finest Irish food and drink in the best way possible.

These are exceptionally rigorously-judged awards, as Blas na hEireann use an innovative blind-tasting judging system developed by Blas with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen that is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide.

Last year, these systems were successfully moved from the campus in UCC to Dingle to work within constraints of lockdown and travel restrictions.

2020 was an incredibly difficult year, says Blas na hEireann Chairman Artie Clifford.

He continued, With businesses pushed to the brink, the closure of the hospitality sector left many producers without some of their key accounts. However, with many producers pivoting their business quickly and the general public getting far more interested in the quality of the food in their basket and on their plate, there were deep ties made between communities and their local producers. Our goal is to build on this and ensure that when restaurants reopen, the ties made between the public and these products remains.

"We know that having a Blas sticker on a product makes a difference to a producers bottom line. Our 2020 winner of Best New Product, Kerry Kefir, increased sales by 50% following the awards and is now stocked in six SuperValu stores and six independent retailers. We are passionate about Irish food and drink and supporting the independent producers as they build their business and were looking forward to another successful year of Blas na hEireann doing just that.

So whether a new business has flourished over the past 12 months or an existing product is being used in a brand new way, a Blas na hEireann gold stamp of approval could see it reach new heights and, most importantly, new customers.

Entries for Blas na hEireann 2021 are now open and will close on May 28, fee for entry is 80 per entry (ex VAT).

http://www.irishfoodawards.com
A Texas couple has been charged with assaulting police officers during the Capitol siege.

A criminal complaint says the two were captured on police body cameras striking officers.

In since-deleted posts, the Middletons bragged about their participation on Facebook.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

A couple from North Texas was arrested Wednesday on charges related to the siege at the US Capitol on January 6, when a mob of Donald Trump's supporters breached the building to disrupt the certification of the election.

Facebook records in the criminal complaint show Mark and Jalise Middleton, FBI said. FBI, US Department of Justice

In a criminal complaint, the Federal Bureau of Investigations said Mark and Jalise Middleton of Forestburg were captured on footage from body cameras worn by police that showed them assaulting two Metropolitan Police Department officers who were guarding the Capitol.

Related: Pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol, forced into recess

They are facing charges that include assaulting police officers and remaining on restricted grounds, though they did not appear to have entered the building.

The footage shows the police officers struggling against rioters who are pushing against a barricade and trying to break the police line, ignoring commands from officers to step back, the complaint said.

Read more: Trump and his advisors are shrugging off DOJ's Capitol riot probe. But they see danger in the Georgia and New York investigations.

One man wearing a Trump beanie, later identified as Mark Middleton, 51, pushes against the officers and the barricade with his body. When officers repeatedly instructed Middleton to get back, he yelled "f you!" and continued to push. At one point, he grabs one of the officers and attempts to pull him forward.

Beside Mark, a woman wearing a Trump 2020 beanie, later identified as Jalise Middleton, 50, also grabbed at the officer with her hands, the complaint said. When another officer stepped in, Jalise Middleton struck him too.

The Middletons continued to strike the officers and jab flagpoles at their faces until one officer deployed a chemical spray, forcing them to retreat.

Story continues

The criminal complaint included still images of officers' body camera that purportedly showed the Middletons assaulting officers. FBI, US Department of Justice

After receiving a tip, the FBI examined photos and videos the Middletons had shared on Facebook.

"We are on the front lines. We helped push down the barriers. Jalise and I got pepper sprayed, clubbed, and tear gassed. We had to retreat, but more patriots pushed forward, and they're taking back our house," Mark Middleton said in a video shared to his personal account, the complaint said.

"Do not believe the news media, we're not rioters or mobs," he said in a separate comment. "We've been the ones supporting the police, backing the police, but this is how we're being treated?"

Jalise Middleton made incriminating posts on her Facebook page too.

"We fought the cops to get in the Capital and got pepper sprayed and beat but by gosh the patriots got in!" she said. When someone asked why they fought the cops, she replied: "To get in the Capital to send them bastards a clear message that this won't be tolerated."

The complaint said Jalise Middleton deleted the above post days after making them.

Facebook has said it was preserving data related to the Capitol siege in order to aid law enforcement.

To date, at least 439 people have been arrested in the Capitol insurrection.

Have a news tip? Contact this reporter at kvlamis@insider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Hyderabad, April 25 : Bharat Biotech's pricing announcement of its Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin on Saturday is likely to further intensify the debate on pricing as the critics have slammed both the vaccine manufacturers for 'profiteering'.

However, Bharat Biotech, like Serum Institute of India (SII), has justified the price saying recovering cost is essential in the journey of innovation towards other vaccines.

The Hyderabad-based company has fixed the price of Covaxin at Rs 1,200 for private hospitals. This is twice the cost fixed by Serum Institute of India (SII) for Covishield.

While SII has announced that Covishield will be provided to state governments for Rs 400 per dose, Bharat Biotech will be charging Rs 600.

For exports, Bharat Biotech has priced India's first indigenous Covid vaccine at $15-$20 (Rs 1,125-1,500).

Ever since the launch of Covid vaccination programme in India, Bharat Biotech and SII have been supplying their vaccines to the Centre at Rs 150 per dose.

While Bharat Biotech is likely to continue the supplies to the Centre at the same price, SII is seeking to revise this to Rs 400.

Both Bharat Biotech and SII have announced that they are reserving 50 per cent of their production capacities for supplies to the central government.

SII had come under criticism from various quarters ever since it announced the prices for Covishield on April 15. Bharat Biotech's announcement on Saturday is set to intensify the debate further on whether the pricing by the two private players is justified.

Former union finance minister P. Chidambaram had alleged that the government is silently endorsing the 'blatant profiteering' and 'exploitation' by the two manufacturers.

"The government's ineptitude has been called by the two vaccine manufacturers who have now put 5 prices on the tanks for similar vaccines and the government is silent! It is time to call the bluff of the two manufacturers," Chidambaram had tweeted.

"The way to do it is to invoke compulsory licencing and invite price bids from other Pharma manufacturers that will include royalty payable to SII and Bharat Biotech. L1, L2 etc will reveal the true cost of manufacturing of the two vaccines including a reasonable profit," wrote the Congress leader.

Both the companies have defended their pricing. SII, in its statement, pointed out that American vaccines in the private are priced Rs 1,500 per dose while Russian and Chinese vaccines are priced at Rs 750 each.

Bharat Biotech included the price for exports in its statement to justify the prices fixed in India.

Covaxin is an inactivated and highly purified vaccine, making manufacturing expensive due to very low process yields. All costs towards product development, manufacturing facilities and clinical trials were deployed primarily used internal funding and resources of Bharat Biotech, it said.

"Recovering costs is essential in the journey of innovation towards other vaccines such as intranasal COVID-19, Chikungunya, Zika, Cholera, and others. Our core mission for the last 25 years has been to provide affordable, world-class healthcare solutions for the globe," said Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech.

The different pricing for the Centre and state governments have also come under criticism from some states.

Telangana's industry minister K.T. Rama Rao has questioned the pricing policy. "Why there are two different prices for one nation," he asked and demanded that the Centre subsume any additional cost on vaccination from PM Cares.

Several states including Telangana plan to vaccinate people free of cost. It remains to be seen how they react to the difference in prices of the two vaccines.

Some states like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are already in talks with the manufacturers over the supplies.

Covaxin and Covishield are the two vaccines being administered as part of the vaccination programme in the country.

Covishield comprises over 90 per cent of the 13.87 crore COVID-19 vaccines administered across the country so far, according to government data on Sunday.

Of the 13,87,56,860 COVID-19 vaccination jabs administered till now, 12,59,23,959 are of Covishield, while 1,28,32,900 are Covaxin, according to the government's CO-WIN portal.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The government must act faster to save Bangladesh from Hefazats intense wrath

by Anwar A. Khan

Bangladeshs revival of the true spirit of the glorious liberation war of 1971 will now be a massive undertaking by our government.

Franzied dance by Hefazat, a killing offshoot of anti-Bangladesh liberation force

Those terrible people are so foxy that they wear Islamic garbs, keep beards, put on capsand pretend to be great Muslims very subtly and vauntingly want to dictate us to obey their fictitious notions of our holy religion - Islam.

They have their own manufactured religion in the name of Islam which has got no connection with Allahs Islam.

They run so many mosques and madrashas which are being used recklessly to earn only the financial benefits for them. Thus, these savage people in the guise of Muslims have amassed vast fortunes.

Shamefacedly homo-sex is going on in these holy places unabatedly by these so-called Muslims!

These are the places where our national flag is not hoisted; our national anthem is not sung. Look at their temerity! In other words, these criminals do not recognize Bangladesh and obey our states constitution. This is purely anti-state stance. This is irremissible under any setting. So, all these demonic creatures must be brought to justice in no time.

Having keen interest about these third-rater felons since my boyhood, I visit these holy places by choice on a regular basis to assess their actual activities and I am compelled to say these are all hellish creatures  so-called Muslims, sub-humans  anti-Islamists  anti-humanity and so on. They teach their students according to their own constructed religion to become the violent terrorists to implement their own so-called agenda in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh was created in 1971 for people of all religions or sects of religions to live to together in peace, and I had been to the battle field in 1971 for the same purpose, but these perpetrators are now combat-ready to annihilate people of other religions or sects of religions who want to live to together in peace.

All these are extremely terrible fraudsters in the real sense of the term. And they must get due punishment lawfully.

These feral people who call themselves Muslims and look like Muslims, are indeed totally anti-Islamic. They are nothing, but gangland killers. If they are not smacked-down ultimately, these culprits may raise the demand of breaking off the holy structures of other religions, say for Hindus, Christians, Buddhists whereas Bangladesh was attained at a very heavy price in 1971 for people of all religions to live together in peace. And we categorically say we shall live with people of all religions unitedly in a peaceful manner in Bangladesh.

The instigators, who were behind damage of the sculpture of Bangladeshs Founding Father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on November 13 last and also afterward, must be identified. Any strike to Bangabandhu's sculpture means hurt to the heart of Bengalis and Bangladesh, which is an unforgivable crime. We strongly condemn over vandalism of an under-construction sculpture of Bangabandhu in Kushtia in Bangladesh. Those who vandalised the Bangabandhu's sculpture do not believe in the country's independence, its sovereignty and liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. They are the ghosts of Pakistan and also do not believe in Bangladesh's constitution. They belong to Pakistan like a rogue state. So, our people will not wait to drive away these goons to their homeland - Pakistan.

In almost all Muslim countries, there are dazzlingly beautiful sculptures of famed citizens. Every day, Bangladeshs newspapers publish those sculptures as cogent evidence, but these demons would not listen to the Scriptures.

Those who vandalised the Bangabandhu's sculpture and want to implement the agendas of Pakistan must be brought to justice. The country's people must remain alert against any intrigue of the anti-liberation forces aiming to block in implementing the ideology of Bangabandhu and the spirit of the 1971 liberation war.

Derogative comments on Bangabandhus sculpture by some griffins like Junaid Babunagari, Mamunul Haque, Syed Fazlul Karim or any other persons must be dealt with an iron-hand.

In 971, when Bangladesh was established, it was conclusively ensconced how the country shall be run. So, it is a settled fact. Who are those kath mollahs  anti-Bangladesh liberation force  religion traders, to whom we have to listen to their prescription to administrate the country? Their temerity is irremissible under any circumstances.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), the mass-murderers of 1971, is the wealthiest business organisation in Bangladesh. It has many killing squads under so many fictitious names which are working under the cloak-and-dagger of NGOs. Hefajat-e-Islam is one of the murdering progenies of JeI which uses the name of our holy religion  Islam to allure people to come to their flexure to make Bangladesh, once again, with so many public places of execution of our people, as they did to us in 1971.

Pakistans horrendous killing outfit ISI has got a very strong ties with JeI to carry-out dreadful activities using Islam to destabilize Bangladesh according to their volition to impose their own and deceitful brand of Islam on us which has got no connection with our holy religion - Islam.

Pakistan High Commission (PHC) in Dhaka is also involved in all badly activities in collusion with JeI in Bangladesh. PHC is the den of ISI and JeI. Bangladesh government should immediately put PHC + ISI under their strong scanner to catch those malefactors to face virile punishment.

It is high time to dismantle Jamaat-e-Islami high command and its various killing off-shoots into pieces for betterment of Bangladesh and its people.

The government should also break-down their money channels, confiscate all their properties and take full control of their business entities to block up these perpetrators eternally.

Many political analysts also allege that from behind the screen, Jamaat-e-BNP is provoking or stirring-up Jamaat-e-IslamiHefazat-e-Islam clodhoppers to make all those disparaging statements on our Nations Founding Fathers sculptures using our holy religion - Islam. These crude uncouth ill-bred persons lacking culture or refinement are making discommodes in the country with a deceptive or fraudulent intention to do harm to the political party now in power, in particular and Bangladesh in general.

We know the Chinese government systematically dismantled C.I.A. spying operations in their country starting in 2010, killing or imprisoning more than a dozen sources over two years and crippling intelligence gathering there for years afterward.

Others were put in jail. The Chinese killed or imprisoned 18 to 20 of the C.I.A.s sources in China, according to two former senior American officials, effectively unraveling a network that had taken years to build.

The previously unreported episode shows how successful the Chinese were in disrupting American spying efforts and stealing secrets years before a well-publicized breach in 2015 gave Beijing access to thousands of government personnel records, including intelligence contractors. The C.I.A. considers spying in China one of its top priorities, but the countrys extensive security apparatus makes it exceptionally hard for Western spy services to develop sources there.

Bangladesh should also adopt the same method against ISI and its mango-twigs, especially Jamaat-e-IslamiHefazat-e-IslamJamaat-e-BNP gawks. Look at their audacities! These perps are also using the word Islam in the names of their killing squads whereas, in truth, they have no connection with our religion -Islam. Government should embrace the famed words of an old adage, Like dog, like hammer and use this plan of action against these griffins.

Hydra, a water beast with nine heads and poisonous breath in Greek Mythology, couldnt be killed simply by severing its head because each of the heads would grow back. The stump of each severed head had to be burned to prevent it from growing back. With the help of Iolaus, Hercules eventually managed to slaughter Hydra.

Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), are like Hydras in Bangladesh with many roots in different names. Simply putting their cadres into jail is like severing Hydras heads. Failing to prosecute the alleged Jamaat, Shibir and Hefazat terrorists in the courts will surely have far reaching consequences in Bangladesh.

It has rather been a part of the concerted effort by these sub-humans to eradicate progressive and pro-liberation activities in Bangladesh. Their ill-actions indicate how ferocious and tenacious they can get when confronting popular upsurge.

Perhaps, the capacity of both Jamaat, Shibir and Hefazat to perpetrate violence against progressive and pro-liberation forces makes them a highly coveted partner to have like Pakistans ISI. During 2001-06, being a partner of the BNP-led coalition government, Jamaats strong influence in controlling the governments agenda, placing its cadres in government offices, educational institutions, religious organisations, and penetrating diplomatic missions and security agencies should substantiate that claim convincingly. And, for the first time, as the testimonies of various individuals show, Jamaats complicity to state sponsored terrorists is beginning to come out.

Surprisingly, however, not a single Jamaat or Shibir cadre has ever been prosecuted for any of the alleged crimes. Neither has a single Shibir cadre ever been arraigned for any of their atrocities. Following the past tradition, if the alleged perpetrators of the fundamentalist party are allowed to walk free, then the venom of the re-grown fang of Jamaat-Shibir-Hefazat terrorists will harm the progressive and pro-liberation forces all the more.

To keep that from happening, the government must combine judicial prosecution with effective campaign making both the public and the international community aware of the consequences of the fundamentalists rise to state power. The government must not do anything where it ends up losing public support and making extremists look as if they are the victims of a government witch-hunt. Only an effective prosecution and public campaign will deny extremist outfits opportunities to resort to violence and spread the venom of ophidians.

These gawks look like Muslims, but in fact, they are anti-Islamic, anti-Muslim and bitter enemies of humanity. They are thieves, liars, mass killers, looters, rapists and what not. They did all these crimes under the guise of Islam in 1971 and afterwards. Does Islam permit these things? We witnessed these during our Liberation War in 1971.

This reminds us of the brutal, cruel and inhuman activities of Al-Badr and Al-Shams, the killing outfits of Jamaat, in 1971. Jamaat and its gangsters have got no relation with Islam or Muslims. They are just the devils. They are the Satans. They are the sinners. We should all try to bring these demons to justice without further delay. Otherwise, they will bring about a holocaust for the people of Bangladesh, once again. And it will be far more dangerous than that of 1971. Jamaat and its various outfits deserve to be banned and this is a dire emergency need of the hour.

We repeat these communal, reactionary and extremist forces are using the name of Islam as their shield to ascend the throne of Bangladesh to make it a public slaughterhouse, once again, like 1971. So, these savage forces must be brought to justice in no time. It is also high time to dismantle Jamaat-e-Islamis entire monstrous high command into very small pieces to keep Bangladesh peaceful.

The time is running out fast. So, the government must act faster to save Bangladesh from their intense wrath.

-The End 

The writer is an independent political analyst based in Dhaka, Bangladesh who writes on politics, political and human-centred figures, current and international affairs.
New Delhi:

Criticising the NDA governments move of demonetisation and the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan called them as attacks on the economy.

While speaking to the reporters in Karad (his hometown in Satara district), he said The government mistakenly assumed that currency in cash is black money. It is sometimes a provision for emergency situations but the government ignored this aspect and went ahead with note ban. Now, everybody knows the note ban has failed miserably.

The BJP-led Union government also failed to build up a proper system required for the implementation and execution of the GST. Now it is affecting the economy, he added.

These two moves of the Modi government are an attack on the nations economy, former Maharashtra CM said.

ALSO READ | 66 machines being used for counting demonetised notes: RBI

The government has completely ignored that black money could be in the form of real estate, jewellery items or even in some land purchases. It looks like the government completely ignored these areas and focused on scrapping high valued currency notes in circulation, Chavan said.

The Congress leaders across the country are working on strategies to counter and corner the BJP government on these fronts, he added.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley accuses Cong of opportunism, hails GST, demonetisation

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Mumbai, April 25 : In a significant decision, Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government has decided to vaccinate all the people in the state aged 18-45 free of cost, a minister said on Sunday.

The state will bear the cost of inoculation of all its people between the age group of 18-45, from the next phase which will start on May 1.

The ongoing vaccination drive and the plans ahead for the second phase were discussed at the weekly Cabinet meeting last week, said Nationalist Congress Party national spokesperson and Minorities Affairs Minister Nawab Malik.

Later, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar announced that the would float global tenders and vaccines would be purchased for the people of the state.

"Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray would make an announcement in this regard soon," he said.

Informing the media on Sunday, Malik said that in the time of crisis the government would go out and help its people.

"As per the Deputy CM's announcement, we will float tenders and get the best vaccine at the most competitive rates. We need to procure nearly 14 crore vaccine doses as two jabs are needed," he said.

The government's top officials are also in touch with managements of Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) and Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech (BB), which are manufacturers of Covishield and Covaxin, respectively, which are currently administered in the country.

Both companies have given vaccines to the Centre at Rs 150 per dose.

Serum Institute has offered vaccine at Rs 400 per dose for state governments and Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals, while Bharat Biotech vaccine will be available at Rs 600 per dose for state hospitals and Rs 1,200 per dose for private hospitals.

The MVA announcement was greeted with approval on social media as the state is the worst-hit by the corona pandemic.

Maharashtra, along with other states, had earlier also objected to the Centre's new vaccination policy and related issues.
Four people, including a child, have been killed in northeastern Zimbabwe after a military helicopter crashed in a house kilometres away from Harare. According to the Zimbabwean Air force, the victims involved the choppers two pilots, a technician and a child who was playing in the area. Additionally, it revealed that the tragic crash happened on Friday, April 23 and also burned two others.

"The helicopter crashed into a house and sadly claimed the lives of two pilots and a technician as well as a child on the ground," the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) said in a statement. It also added that the helicopter had lost contact with Manyame Air Base right after its takeoff.

Two suffer burns

The two who suffered burn injuries included another young girl and the childs mother. In the aftermath, Air Marshal Elson Moyo expressed condolences to the victims family. We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives. Our hearts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and those injured." In a later statement, it added that a probe on the cause of the incident will be launched immediately.

An Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopter crashed into a house in Arcturus, killing two pilots, a technician and child who was on the ground. Another young girl and her mother sustained burn injuries when the crash occurred. #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/EESBe1EaqS  263Chat.com  (@263Chat) April 23, 2021

Zimbabwe's air force has been unable to renew its fleet in recent years due to sanctions imposed by Western countries for alleged human rights violations. Over the years, various rights group have accused the country's law enforcement of torture, assault, death threats, unlawful arrests of residents.

Image Credits: 263chat/Twitter
He Jiaolong, a former deputy head of Zhaosu County, rides a horse to promote the county in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in December. [Xinhua/Ding Lei]

Riding a horse at a high speed on stunning grassland covered with snow while dressed in a red cloak and a white fur hat isn't something people would normally see a Chinese government official do. So it's no surprise that He Jiaolong, a woman official from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, almost instantly became a social media celebrity after she posted such a video.

He, 41, the former deputy head of Zhaosu County, came up with the idea to make the video when she was thinking about new ways to let more people know about the famous horse breed of the county in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture known as "heavenly horses".

Since she posted the 16-second video on short-video platform Douyin on Nov 23, it has been viewed more than 520 million times. Also, the number of followers of her account soared to almost 2.92 million after she posted a series of videos of her on horseback. Furthermore, the county has seen a significant increase in the number of tourists shortly after the video went viral.

Recently, she became even more famous after she announced in a video that she had been promoted to deputy head of the prefecture's culture and tourism bureau on April 13. In the video, she was on horseback again, roaming the prefecture's famous Narat grassland when apricot flowers were in full bloom.

"I never expected the video (last year) to be such a hit. At first, I really didn't like to be called a social media celebrity, because I never wanted to be one. But now I'm gradually getting used to using my influence to boost local development," He said.

Besides posting short videos, she has also been promoting local agricultural products and tourist resources via livestreaming sessions.

She said she now fully understands how her influence can benefit locals. With more followers, she can now help to sell local products worth more than 2 million yuan ($308,370) during a livestreaming session while sales were only about 5,000 yuan per session when she first started to livestream on social media.

While she continues to draw the public's attention to Ili, she also has to keep dealing with the stress brought by criticism, especially often being questioned if being a social media celebrity may affect her work as an official. She said that she had even thought of giving up appearing on social media several times.

"Horse riding is one of the basic skills for many local officials in Ili because the horse is the only means of transportation for them to reach villages in remote mountainous pastures, so I don't need to use stand-ins to film the videos as some people suspected," said He, who was born in Zhaosu.

"I am first and foremost a government official. I will never let what I do on social media affect my job," she said. "I want to see the locals appreciate my efforts in serving them, which is my duty. I don't want to be labeled a social media celebrity."

She said she only uses her spare time to make videos or livestream so sometimes she finds it difficult to balance work, life and social media appearances. Also, she still struggles to handle the hostile comments left on social media.

"As an official in the new era, I need to be innovative to keep up with the public. I always tell myself that I'm never on social media for myself but to better serve the locals so I need to learn to bear those comments," He said. "I hope people can feel the warmth and positive energy of Xinjiang officials at the grassroots level via my videos. I am simply one of them."

The development of telecommunication and social media have made China's border areas no longer remote and isolated, He said. "People may lose interest about me someday but the platform is always there for us officials to find innovative ways to support local development," she added.

(Source: China Daily)
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th April, 2021) Morocco's foreign ministry summoned the Spanish ambassador on Sunday after Spain said that a Western Saharan rebel leader was receiving medical care in the country.

"Morocco deplores the attitude of Spain, which hosts on its territory the man named Brahim Ghali, leader of the 'polisario' separatist militias," a statement read.

The ministry said that Madrid's decision to allow 71-year-old Ghali in the country, where he had been treated for COVID-19 since at least last week, was "contrary to the spirit of partnership."

"This is why the Ambassador of Spain in Rabat was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs... so that this position could be conveyed to him," the statement added.

Tensions between Morocco and Western Sahara's Polisario Front flared in fall after Morocco launched an offensive in the Guerguerat buffer zone, in the south of the former Spanish colony which it annexed in 1976.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held separate meetings with his Cambodian, Singaporean and Malaysian counterparts on April 24, on the occasion of the ASEAN Leaders Meeting in Jakarta.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Cambodian PM Samdech Techo Hun Sen (Photo: VNA)

In the meeting with Cambodian PM Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Chinh affirmed that Vietnam always treasures and gives the top priority to consolidating the fine neighborliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Cambodia.

He stressed that Vietnam always stays ready to assist Cambodia to prevent the pandemic. In such spirit, Vietnam provided 500,000 USD together with 800 respirators, 2 million medical masks and 300,000 N-95 masks for Cambodia.

Chinh suggested Cambodia continue offering support to the Vietnamese community in the country, especially in handling legal documents to help them stabilise lives.

Hun Sen, for his part, affirmed that Cambodia highly values its traditional friendship and neighbourliness with Vietnam. He thanked Vietnam for offering valuable material and experience support to Cambodia to fight the pandemic.

Despite the pandemic, two-way trade between Vietnam and Cambodia doubled to 2.69 billion USD in the first half of this year.

The two PMs agreed to work closely together to monitor border areas and conduct vaccination to the two nations citizens. They hailed the exchange of two legal documents approving 84 percent of border demarcation and consented to do the remaining work in the near future.



The Vietnamese PM proposed Cambodia support Vietnams launch of a centre on emerging diseases and medical contingencies.

They vowed to work with other ASEAN member states to step up negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong (Photo: VNA)

In his talks with Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong, Chinh noted Singapore is the biggest investor in Vietnam in 2020 and early 2021.

He suggested hastening negotiations on a priority travel mechanism in a flexible manner, soon resuming commercial flights, and promoting bilateral economic and tourism links. He asked Singapore to continue providing short- and mid-term scholarships for Vietnam, including training at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Lee, for his part, expressed his wish to foster close ties with Chinh to promote Vietnam  Singapore strategtic partnership, and also agreed with Chinhs proposals.

The two PMs pledged to continue boosting bilateral ties at regional and global forums, especially at ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Both sides will complete the ratification and effective implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, maintain ASEANs stance on the East Sea issue, and support ASEANs role in the settlement of Myanmar issue, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation in the region.



PM Chinh welcomed the upcoming Vietnam visit by the Singaporean Foreign Minister to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) high-level policy dialogue scheduled for next month, and invited Lee to visit Vietnam. The Singaporean PM accepted the invitation with pleasure and also invited Chinh to Singapore.

PM Pham Minh Chinh meets Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin (Photo: VNA)

In the conversation with Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin, Chinh wished to reinforce ties with Malaysia in bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

Yassin said he believes that with achievements in pandemic control, socio-economic stability and success in external relations, Vietnam will reap further successes in socio-economic development, thus improving its stature in the region and the world.

The two PMs promised to expand bilateral coordination in various fields in the near future, including maintaining all-level exchanges, both online and offline. The two countries will also hold the sixth meeting of the Vietnam  Malaysia Inter-Committee for Economic and Scientific-Technological Cooperation, and the fourth meeting of the Trade Joint Committee, towards raising two-way trade to 15 billion USD.



The two sides pledged to offer mutual support within the ASEAN framework and at regional and global forums, continue upholding ASEANs role in the East Sea issue, seriously abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and soon reach a practical and effective COC in accordance with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.

On the sidelines of the ASEAN Leaders Meeting, heads of delegations of Laos, Thailand, the Philippines and Myanmar also paid courtesy calls to PM Chinh, and wished that he would continue boosting bilateral ties.

PM meets Sultan of Brunei on sidelines of ASEAN Leaders Meeting

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Haji Hassanal Bolkiah on April 24 morning as part of his participation in the ASEAN Leaders Meeting.

The Sultan of Brunei repeated his congratulation to Chinh on his recent election as the Prime Minister of Vietnam and praised the countrys achievements in COVID-19 prevention and control, socio-economic development, and external relations.

He stressed that the nation successfully undertook the ASEAN chairmanship last year, coming up with many initiatives in contribution to the blocs peace, cooperation, and growth.

For his part, the Vietnamese PM congratulated Brunei on its progress in pandemic control, and affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to fostering the relations with Brunei and supports Bruneis 2021 ASEAN chairmanship.

Acknowledging positive progress in bilateral relations over the past time, both leaders emphasised the upgrade of the Vietnam - Brunei relations to a comprehensive partnership in 2019 during the Sultans visit to Vietnam as an important milestone, creating a driving force for their cooperation to be increasingly consolidated and enhanced.

They agreed upon key areas for collaboration in the time to come, which include increasing high-level exchanges and meetings when conditions allow; organising the 2nd meeting of the nations joint cooperation committees at the foreign ministerial level in 2021; building an action programme to implement their comprehensive partnership in the next five years; and promoting the effectiveness of bilateral join works in energy, agriculture, and education.

The leaders concurred to fortify economic ties and add new suitable sectors to the current cooperation in a bid to double the bilateral trade in the future.

The Bruneis side will assist Vietnamese companies in the production and issue licences allowing Vietnamese Halal products to enter the local market.

The leaders said they encourage Vietnamese and Brunei firms to expand their investment and trade relationships and support the two nations increasing collaboration at sea, particularly in aquaculture, seafood processing and information and experience exchange on law enforcement.

Expressing his gratitude toward Bruneis support for Vietnams positions as the Chair of ASEAN last year and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, Chinh asked Brunei to back Vietnams hosting of the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases.

The Sultan invited Chinh to visit Brunei, which he accepted with pleasure. The Vietnamese PM also offered an invitation to the Sultan to visit Vietnam again.

PM receives ASEAN Secretary General

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, while attending the ASEAN Leaders Meeting at the office of the groupings secretariat in Jakarta on April 24, received Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi.

PM Chinh spoke highly of the cooperation and coordination of the official and the secretariat with Vietnam, and pointed to the blocs priorities, namely the control of the pandemic, the acceleration of recovery, the rational settlement of issues, and the maintenance of the central role, prestige and position of ASEAN.

The ASEAN official congratulated Vietnam for successfully playing the role of the ASEAN Chair 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UNSC in the 2020-2021 tenure. He said he hopes Vietnam will further its support and contributions to the grouping.

PM Chinh asked Lim to support the effective implementation of the outcomes recorded by ASEAN last year, and expressed his hope the official will continue to bring into play his role, thus helping improve the efficiency of the operation of the bloc. He also proposed to continue pushing up the popularisation work so the people can understand more about the ASEAN Community and improve the groupings image in the eye of the international community./. VNA
2 charged with theft at Walmart

ELIZABETHVILLE  A man and woman were charged with retail theft and one jailed after an incident at the Walmart store on Kocher Lane in Washington Township, Dauphin County, around 6:10 p.m. April 16.

State police at Lykens said Antonia Oxenrider, 25, of Elizabethville, and Marshall Hoover, 37, of Halifax, stole items from the store. Oxenrider stole items valued at $72.82 while Hoover stole items valued at $257.18, police said. In addition, police said, Oxenrider was found with a small amount of marijuana.

In addition to retail theft, police said, Oxenrider was also charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana. Hoover was committed to Dauphin County Prison on outstanding bench warrants, police said.

Tamaqua police issue reports

Tamaqua police reported the following:

 Police took Ryan M. Ellis, 28, of Tamaqua, into custody for a probation related warrant on April 15 around 4:30 p.m. after seeing him in the Family Dollar parking lot on Center Street. He had a hypodermic needle in his pants pocket and a packet of suspected heroin stamped, truth or dare.

 Matthew D. Marchalk, 36, of Orwigsburg, was cited for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct after police were called to the parking lot of Boyers Food Markets on Cedar Street around 8:30 p.m. for a man who knocked over a construction fence and was jumping on cars and yelling. Using the description of the person provided to Schuylkill County 911 Center by the caller, police found the man in the parking lot for Family Dollar. Marchalk appeared to be under the influence of drugs. He was sweating profusely, talking fast, jumpy and not listening to officers questions. He was taken into custody and evaluated by an ambulance crew.
James Corden has sold his home in North London, sparking speculation that he plans to stay in the US.

The 42-year-old star used his pay cheque from the hit BBC comedy Gavin & Stacey to buy the five-storey home in Belsize Park. He is believed to have doubled the 3 million he paid for it in 2010.

Mr Corden, who moved to Los Angeles in 2015, is under contract to present The Late Late Show for US television network CBS until next August, after which it had been suggested that he could return to Britain.

James Corden wrote three series of Gavin & Stacey with Ruth Jones between 2007 and 2010 and an acclaimed Christmas special in 2019

The 42-year-old star used his pay cheque from the hit BBC comedy Gavin & Stacey to buy the five-storey home in Belsize Park (pictured)

However, he is regarded as an A-lister in America and counts Prince Harry, Jennifer Lawrence and Adele among his California-based friends.

A source said: This house sale doesnt necessarily mean that he has left the UK for good. The family will be looking for a new property in the UK that is more suitable for their three children.

That said, they love the States and there are always tempting offers going his way. He has managed to hold his popularity on both sides of the Atlantic. Mr Corden and his wife, Julia, who married in a star-studded ceremony at Babington House in Somerset in 2012, live in a 7.5 million mansion in Los Angeles with children Max, ten, Carey, six, and Charlotte, three.

He wrote three series of Gavin & Stacey with Ruth Jones between 2007 and 2010 and an acclaimed Christmas special in 2019.
Kaia Gerber has kept up her daily routine of attending a Pilates class to kick off each morning.

The leggy 19-year-old supermodel was spotted cutting a trim figure as she headed to her workout in Los Angeles on Saturday.

She sported an oversized beige sweatshirt and skintight black leggings for the sweat session.

Pilates fan: Kaia Gerber has kept up her daily routine of attending a Pilates class to kick off each morning. The leggy 19-year-old supermodel was spotted cutting a trim figure as she headed to her workout in Los Angeles on Saturday

Workout look: She sported an oversized beige sweatshirt and skintight black leggings for the sweat session

The Los Angeles-born beauty has become well-known for her off-duty athleisure style, as evidenced by her recurring exercise uniform.

The loose fitting pullover top was adorned with a colorful 'Golden Teacher' graphic that featured a group of children spinning around a giant mushroom.

Her trim stems were on full display in the dark bottoms as she exited her black Range Rover for the class.

Athleisure: The Los Angeles-born beauty has become well-known for her off-duty athleisure style, as evidenced by her recurring exercise uniform. Her trim stems were on full display in the dark bottoms as she exited her black Range Rover for the class

Graphic pullover: The loose fitting pullover top was adorned with a colorful 'Golden Teacher' graphic that featured a group of children spinning around a giant mushroom

Hidden locks: The daughter of Cindy Crawford kept her shoulder-length brunette locks buried underneath a grey knit beanie amid the chilly springtime weather

She kept her feet comfortable in a black pair of Birkenstock Arizona Shearling Suede Sandals and matching fuzzy socks.

The daughter of Cindy Crawford kept her shoulder-length brunette locks buried underneath a grey knit beanie amid the chilly springtime weather.

She accessorized her relaxed attire with a pair of The Row x Oliver Peoples sunglasses and her beloved tan Celine Triomphe Ava Bag.

Accessories: The fashionista accessorized her relaxed attire with a pair of The Row x Oliver Peoples sunglasses and her beloved tan Celine Triomphe Ava Bag

Sandals: She kept her feet comfortable in a black pair of Birkenstock Arizona Shearling Suede Sandals and matching fuzzy socks

To stay safe amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Gerber made sure to sport a white face mask the entire time. She took the hat off her head as she exited her class, instead pulling her tresses back into a messy ponytail.

She held tightly onto a large baby blue colored water bottle as she headed inside to ensure she wasn't at risk of dehydration.

To stay safe amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Gerber made sure to sport a white face mask the entire time.

She took the hat off her head as she exited her class, instead pulling her tresses back into a messy ponytail.

Adjusting: Kaia could be seen adjusting her mask as she walked to and from her vehicle to ensure it covered the entire lower region of her face

Solo stroll: Missing from the sighting was her boyfriend, 23-year-old Australian actor Jacob Elordi

Good genes: Kaia was born with modeling in her blood - and very good genes - as the daughter of Rande Gerber and catwalk legend Cindy Crawford

Later in the day, the star was seen taking her two adorable dogs to work with her for a photoshoot.

She kept it casual for her second appearance in black trousers and a dark blue crop top showing just a peek of her fit tummy.

Kaia finished the look with red Converse All Star high top sneakers and her Celine purse as she walked the two pups on their leashes.

Spotted again: Later in the day, the star was seen taking her two adorable dogs to work with her for a photoshoot. She kept it casual for her second appearance in black trousers and a dark blue crop top showing just a peek of her fit tummy

Dog walker: Kaia finished the look with red Converse All Star high top sneakers and her Celine purse as she walked the two pups on their leashes

Her hair was let down this time, with a pair of black shades and another face covering hiding her stunning face.

The sightings came one day after she slipped into skimpy orange and white Calvin Klein undies in a retro Instagram snap.

Recently the iconic fashion designer tapped Kaia to model for a new ad campaign, following in her mom Cindy Crawford's footsteps, who modeled for the brand decades ago.

80s vibe! The sightings came one day after she slipped into skimpy orange and white Calvin Klein undies in her a retro Instagram snap

The beauty posed in an 80s style bathroom - which vibed well with the retro style of her matching bra and panties.

With her arms propped on the counter, Kaia turned away from the mirror to gaze at the camera that was positioned in the doorway.

She wore a skimpy orange pair of high waisted thong panties with a thick while waist band and a matching bralette along with some tall white tube socks.

'in #MYCALVINS,' Kaia captioned her Instagram.

Gerber has been sharing photos recently of her new modeling campaign with CK. Her effortless California style is a perfect fit for the all-American brand.
Business abbreviations and business acronyms, also known as buzzwords, fill the workplace. You find them in marketing, technology, finance, and more. Business acronyms and abbreviations serve as shorthand for terms that busy professionals and marketing teams use often.

Business abbreviations help you write concise reports and effective email and text messages  unless overused. Our simple plain English list includes the most common business acronyms in the business world.

Learn These Common Business Acronyms and Abbreviations

Many of the business acronyms on this list are ones you see in communications every day, as CEO. Others arent so familiar, like CMO. But learning them will help put you in the know.

Office and Management Terminology

CEO

Chief Executive Officer. The highest-ranking executive of a company. The board and shareholders select the CEO.

CFO

Chief Financial Officer. The senior executive is responsible for managing the finances.

CIO

Chief Information Officer. This executive is responsible for the information and computer technologies of a company by managing, implementing, and addressing their usability.

CMO

Chief Marketing Officer. The executive is responsible for marketing activities.

COBRA

See Also: How to Turn Your Customer Complaints into Business Benefits

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Refers to the legal requirement to allow workers to remain on a group health plan after leaving the company. See insurance acronyms.

COO

Chief Operating Officer. The second in command and oversees the day-to-day administration and operations.

CSO

Chief Security Officer. Responsible for both digital and physical forms of security, the CSO is responsible for the security of personnel, premises and electronic systems.

CTO

Chief Technology Officer. An executive in charge of the technological needs of an organization as well as research and development (R&D).

EOW

End of Week.

FTE

Full-Time Equivalent. The work hours or people in a business, based on full-time employees and part-time employees whose hours taken together equate to full-time employment.

FYI

For Your Information. Indicates something is being shared in the message, but the receiver needs not take action on it.

HR

Human Resources. One of the best-known department abbreviations. The collective of people who make up the workforce of an organization, sector, industry, or economy.

HQ

Headquarters. The center of control of an organization or company.

Leave Without Pay. A temporary non-pay status and absence from duty, requested by the employee or supervisory discretion, without pay.

MGR

MGR is the abbreviation for a manager.

PTO

Paid Time Off. When employers pay employees for days or hours not worked, such as paid vacation and sick leave.

R&D

Research and Development. The process an organization works to gain new knowledge and create new technology, products, services, or systems.

SMB

Small to Medium Business. This is one of those abbreviations some people use interchangeably with the definition of small business but is different because it includes medium-sized entities, too.

SME

Subject matter expert: someone who knows a subject well.

QA

Quality Assurance. A way to prevent mistakes and defects in the manufacturing process as well as determining if a product meets quality standards.

QC

Quality Control. A process for ensuring product quality is maintained or improved.

WAHM

Work-at-home Mom. Mothers who work at a business or job from their homes.

WFH

Work From Home. Anyone who works from their residence all or some of the time.

YTD

Year to Date. The period starting the first day of the current calendar year or fiscal year up to the current date.

Marketing Abbreviations

AIDA

Attention, Interest, Desire, Action. The steps or stages from when a consumer becomes aware of a product or brand to the moment it is purchased.

BANT

Budget, authority, need, and timeline. A framework used to figure out how qualified a sales lead is and determine which lead your company should prioritize.

B2B

Business to Business. Refers to businesses that sell to other businesses. Also, the commercial transactions between two businesses.

B2C

Business to Consumer. Refers to businesses that sell directly to consumers, or to transactions between a business and a consumer.

BR

Bounce Rate. The percentage of visitors who enter the site and leave without viewing other pages.

CLV

Customer Lifetime Value. The total amount of money a customer is expected to spend on your products and services, as long as they are your customer.

CPA

Cost Per Acquisition/Action. An online advertising pricing model for making payments based on the completion of pre-determined actions.

CPC

Cost Per Click. A paid advertising term where an advertiser pays a cost to a publisher for every click on an ad. CPC is also called pay per click (PPC).

CR

Conversion Rate. The number of conversions (completed sales, subscriptions, or whatever you are measuring) divided by the total number of leads or website visitors.

CRM

Customer Relationship Management. Practices, strategies, and software for managing and analyzing customer interactions and data through the customer lifecycle.

CTA

Call to Action. A method for prompting an immediate response or encouraging an immediate sale.

CX

Customer Experience. The engagement of customers throughout their buying journey, from marketing to sales to customer support.

MLM

Multi-Level Marketing. Marketing where one recruits other marketers and earns from them.

POEM

Paid, Owned, Earned Media. Used in social media marketing, this is a way of thinking about content and other marketing assets depending on whether you paid for it (an ad), created and own it in-house (your own blog posts, etc.), or earned it (from users sharing it or mentioning it).

PPC

Pay per Click. Digital advertising where the advertiser pays only when a user clicks on an ad. Read PPC advertising.

POC

Point of Contact. A person or a department serving as the coordinator or focal point of an activity or program.

PR

Public relations. A promotion that involves good media relations and getting publicity aside from paid ads. Public Relations can also be the name of a department in a corporation.

SEM

Search Engine Marketing. Online marketing involving the promotion of websites by increasing their visibility in search engines, often through ads.

SEO

Search Engine Optimization. The practice of optimizing web pages to be found in search engines organically, i.e., without paying for ads.

SERP

Search Engine Results Page. The results returned in Google, Bing, and other search engines, for a specific query or search. Also called SERPS, plural.

SWOT

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. This is a method of analyzing a companys market position in strategic planning.

UV

Unique Visitor. Used in Web analytics to refer to a person who visits a site at least once within the reporting period.

WOM Marketing

Word of Mouth Marketing. When a consumers interest in a companys product or service is displayed in their daily conversations.

Email Communications and Social Slang

ASAP

As Soon as Possible. Indicating somethings urgent.

COB

Close of Business. Refers to the end of the business day, which in most office settings is 5 pm.

DM

Direct Message. Personal or private message communication between users on any platform.

EOD

End of Day. Alternative: end of business day, the abbreviation for which is EOB.

EOT

End of Thread. Used in social media and text messaging to indicate when its the end of a long related message often bifurcated into multiple smaller threads.

ETA

Estimated Time of Arrival. The time remaining for a certain transport to reach its destination.

IM

Instant Messaging. A type of online chat that offers real-time text transmission.

IMO

In My Opinion.

LMK

Let Me Know.

NVM

Never Mind.

NSFW

Not Safe for Work. A texting acronym used when sharing a video, image, or something else not appropriate for work.

NWR

Not Work-Related. Activities not related to the workplace.

ROFL

Rolling on Floor Laughing.

RT

Retweet. The repost or forward of a message posted by another user on Twitter.

TL;DR

Too Long; Didnt Read. A message, article, or anything that appears too long to invest the time to read it all. Alternative: TLTR, meaning Too Long to Read.

Finance and Legal Abbreviations

AOV

Average Order Value. Tracks the average dollar amount spent each time a customer places an order.

AP

Accounts Payable. The amount due for goods or services received that have not yet been paid to vendors or suppliers.

AR

Accounts Receivable. The balance of money due that the customer still hasnt paid.

BS

Balance Sheet. A statement of the financial position of a company reporting assets, liabilities and shareholders equity at a particular time.

CPI

Consumer Price Index. Measures the average change over time in the prices paid by consumers of a basket of consumer goods and services, such as transportation and food.

GP

Gross profit. The profit after deducting the costs of making and selling products, or with providing services.

IPO

Initial Public Offering. The offering of shares of a private company to the public in a new stock issuance.

KPI

Key Performance Indicator. Measures the performance of how an organization is doing in achieving key objectives.

MTD

Month to Date. The period starting at the beginning of the current calendar month and ending at the current date.

BLS

Bureau of Labor Statistics. The government agency collects and disseminates a range of economic and employment data in the US economy. This includes the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI).

CAGR

Compound Annual Growth Rate. A way of measuring the growth of sales or profit over a period of years, taking into account the preceding year(s) of growth and compounding it.

CPA

Certified Public Accountant. An accounting professional who has achieved a professional designation as a CPA  certified public accountant  more than an educational degree.

DBA

Doing Business As. A special operating name you legally adopt to run your business under, versus your companys legal name.

DOL

Department of Labor. A federal agency fostering and promoting the welfare of job seekers, wage earners, and retirees in the U.S.

EIDL

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL). A program created by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to assist businesses, renters, and homeowners located in regions affected by declared disasters.

EPS

Earnings Per Share. Indicates how much money a company makes for each share of its stock

FIFO

First In, First Out. Items produced or acquired first are sold, used, or disposed of first.

GAAP

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Refers to a standard of accounting rules and practices needed for acceptable financial reporting.

Last in, First Out. The last items produced or purchased are sold first.

LLC

Limited Liability Company. A business structure that offers limited personal liability. Read about: LLC formation.

MoM

Month on Month. Compares financial results, sales, and other activities for one month with those in previous months.

PE

Price to Earnings. The ratio for valuing a company that measures its current share price relative to its per-share earnings.

P&L or PL

Profit and Loss. A financial statement summarizing the revenues and expenses of a specific period, such as quarterly or annually.

PPP

Paycheck Protection Program. A special loan program designed to aid small businesses hurt in the 2020 pandemic. See more: Loan Terminology.

QBID

Qualified Business Income Deduction. A valuable deduction for small businesses enacted under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

ROA

Return on Assets. Indicates how profitable a company is relative to its total assets.

ROE

Return on Equity. Measures the financial performance of a business.

ROI

Return on Investment. ROI is one of the most common acronyms in business, measuring the value you get over and above your investment of capital or time. Helps you assess whether an investment is worth it.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A regulatory agency within the US Department of Labor ensuring safe and healthful working conditions.

SBA

Small Business Administration. A government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses.

SBDC

Small Business Development Center. A national network of centers providing entrepreneurship and small business help.

MSA

Metropolitan Statistical Area. An area having a minimum population of 50,000 consisting of a city and surrounding communities.

Technology Acronyms

API

Application Programming Interface (Or Application Program Interface). A set of functions that allows your software to communicate with other software.

CMS

Content Management System. Software used to create, maintain and modify digital content.

CPU

Central Processing Unit. The unit inside a computer that performs most of the processing consisting of four core functions or steps: fetch, decode, execute, and store.

CSS

Cascading Style Sheet. It describes how HTML elements are displayed. Developers use it to add style including fonts, colors and spacing to web documents.

CTR

Click-Through Rate. It measures the number of clicks advertisers receive on their ads per number of impressions.

DNS

Domain Name System. A naming database where website domain names are located and translated into internet protocol (IP) addresses.

ESP

Email Service Provider. A service provider for email hosting.

FTP

File Transport Protocol. A standard network protocol used to communicate and transfer files between computers on a TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) network or the internet.

HTML

HyperText Markup Language. The primary markup language used for creating pages and applications on the web.

IP

Internet Protocol. The method or protocol data is transmitted from one computer to another on the Internet.

ISP

Internet Service Provider. A company or organization that provides services for accessing, using, or participating on the Internet.

PV

Page View.

OEM

Original equipment manufacturer. A company whose goods are used as parts in the products of another company.

QR Code

Quick Response Code. A type of barcode anyone can scan with a smartphone. Read: How to Create a QR Code.

RFID

Radio Frequency Identification. Uses radio waves to passively identify a tagged object.

RSS

Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication. RSS is a feed of the latest content updates from a blog or website, in a machine-readable format, displayable elsewhere on the web.

SaaS

Software as a Service. Also referred to as on-demand software is a software licensing and delivery model. It is centrally hosted, and software is licensed on a subscription basis.

SLA

The SLA acronym stands for Service Level Agreement. This is a contract between a service provider and its customers establishing a set of deliverables.

TOS

Terms of Service. A legal agreement between a service provider and a user who wants to use that service.

UI

User Interface. Refers to what the user sees and uses in a product (usually a software app or website).

URL

Uniform Resource Locator. Also known as a web address it is an identifier to locate a resource on the internet and a mechanism for retrieving it.

UX

User Experience. It is everything encompassing the end users interaction with a website, a web application, or desktop software.

VPN

Virtual Private Network. An encrypted connection over the Internet from a device to a network that gives you online privacy and anonymity.

What is the Acronym for Business?

Biz is shorthand for business and is becoming a common way of writing the abbreviation. Biz is informal and often refers to a small business, such as small biz. The term biz may be used where space is limited, such as on vehicle license plates or in newspaper headlines.

What is the Abbreviation for Company?

Co. is the abbreviated term for company.

What Does Inc Mean in Business Communications?

Inc is a short phrase for a corporation  specifically a business that is incorporated. Many U.S. states require a corporation to be designated as such in its name. They will accept a name that has abbreviations like inc at the end, as well as co which is short for company.

What is the Abbreviation for Industry?

Ind is a short version of the word industry. It might be used in note-taking or on a building directory. For example, someone might informally abbreviate the name of Myers Industries to Myers Ind. This also can be used generally to refer to an industry, such as the mining industry.

What are the Benefits of Business Abbreviations?

The benefits of business abbreviations and acronyms are:

fast to write;

messages stay brief;

easy to remember.

However, make sure not to overuse business acronyms, abbreviations or industry lingo when you communicate in memos, letters, text, and presentations. Otherwise, your email and communications may become unintelligible. Remember, no one wants to have to unscramble jargon and read sentences like this:

IMO, your OS lacks QC and is enough to make me SMH and LOL. Until then, TTYL.

(Translation of the above two sentences in plain English: In my opinion, your operating system lacks quality control and is enough to make me shake my head and laugh out loud. Until then, talk to you later. )
Vice President Kamala Harris is set to virtually meet with Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador next month. The said virtual meeting will happen on May 7, and the high officials of the United States and Mexico will address the root cause of the border crisis, Fox News reported.

It can be remembered that in March, President Joe Biden tapped the U.S. Vice President to lead the efforts of the White House in addressing the border issues. Since then, Harris is expected to establish and work with Mexico and the northern triangle countries composed of EL Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.

READ NEXT: Kamala Harris Laughs When Asked if She Has Plans to Visit the Border

VP Harris' Virtual Meeting With Mexican President

The announcement of Harris' virtual meeting with Lopez Obrador was made by her office on Saturday, following the Republicans criticizing Biden and the vice president for not visiting the border, Newsweek reported.

"This meeting will deepen the partnership between our countries," Harris' office said in a statement. The vice president's office also noted that the partnership of the United States and Mexico aims to achieve the "common goals of prosperity, good governance, and addressing the root causes of migration."

Apart from Harris and Lopez Obrador, the vice president's office also disclosed that the Secretary of Foreign Relations Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, and Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier Carillo will join the virtual meeting that is set to happen next month.

Mexico's top diplomat on the other hand shared that the virtual meeting will also focus on Mexico's questioned tree-planting program, Associated Press reported. The said tree planting program is also known as "Sembrando Vida" which was proposed by Lopez Obrador to Biden, in an attempt to expand the program across Central America.

En el encuentro se tratara la cooperacion para hacer frente a la pandemia y la propuesta de Mexico para extender el programa Sembrando Vida a Centroamerica para hacer frente a la migracion forzada por la pobreza. Sera una conversacion productiva y cordial.  Marcelo Ebrard C. (@m_ebrard) April 24, 2021

Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard echoed the announcement on Twitter, noting that the meeting will also discuss the proposal of Mexico in expanding the Sembrando Vida that will deal with the forced migration because of poverty. Ebrard believed that that the virtual meeting will be productive.

The meeting will happen amid the Republicans and other critics blamed the "dramatic liberalization" of the immigration and border policy of the Biden administration. Fox News noted that the surge in the border has reached 172,000 migrants in March.

Mexico's Sembrando Vida

The tree-planting program has already planted 700,000 trees in Mexico while paying $225 to 450,000 Mexican farmers every month, Newsweek noted. Meanwhile, Lopez Obrador also mentioned in the climate change summit that the said trees which were planted will help offset the effects of climate change.

However, environmentalists are questioning the said welfare program, particularly the planting of commercial species, sometimes on land that held native forests. Associated Press noted that in Mexico alone, opinions are mixed whether the program is working and effective in offsetting Mexico's other policy of encouraging fossil fuel usage.

Apart from the virtual meeting with Mexico's president in May, Fox News noted that Kamala Harris has plans to travel to the northern triangle region in June.

READ MORE: Arizona Governor Disagrees with Kamala Harris Leading the White House Border Response

WATCH: Vice President Harris Convenes a Virtual Roundtable of Experts on the Northern Triangle - from The White House
New Delhi, April 25 : The government has directed all major ports to waive off all charges levied by the port trusts and to give priority to oxygen and related consignments for berthing.

The decision has been taken in view of the excessive requirement of oxygen and related equipment in the country.

"The Government of India has directed all Major Ports, including the Kamarajar Port Limited, to waive-off all charges levied by Major Port Trusts (including vessel related charges, storage charges etc.)," said an official statement.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has also asked the ports to accord highest priority in the berthing sequence to the vessels carrying consignments of medical grade oxygen, oxygen tanks, oxygen bottles, portable oxygen generators, oxygen concentrators, steel pipes for manufacturing oxygen cylinders and associated equipment for the next three months, or until further orders.

The ministry also asked port chairpersons to personally supervise logistic operations to ensure unhindered movement of such consignments for berthing of such vessel on top priority in the port, unloading of oxygen related cargo, coordination with Customs and other authorities for speedy clearance and documentation and expeditious evacuation of oxygen related cargo from port.

In case the vessel is carrying other cargo or containers in addition to oxygen related cargo, waiver of charges on pro-rata basis, considering the overall cargo or containers handled at port, should be provided for oxygen related cargo to such vessels.

The ministry will monitor the details of such vessels, cargo and time taken in the port from the time vessel entered in the port limits to exit of cargo from port gate.
EAST GREENBUSH  Using updated parks, expanded trails and new sidewalks, this suburban town is attempting to knit together its disparate neighborhoods to overcome its lack of a geographic and commercial center and bring its residents together.

Over the last five years, the town has pumped $2 million into park and recreation upgrades. Meanwhile, state-funded sidewalk improvements along Columbia Turnpike and the construction of the Albany Hudson Electric Trail have further expanded the towns efforts.

Connecting neighborhoods to create a feeling of community is doable, particularly in older suburbs where residential areas might not share a sense of belonging together.

Retrofitting the suburbs, Mark Castiglione, executive director of the Capital District Regional Planning Commission, said is a way to explain what East Greenbush and other municipalities are doing.

You are linking together the neighborhoods of the town. You are creating a positive environment, Castiglione said.

The expanded used of trails and sidewalks shows that the suburbs dont have to rely solely on vehicular transportation, Castiglione said.

Since before taking office in 2016 and having a doctorate in anthropology from Brown University, East Greenbush Supervisor Jack Conway has worked to overcome the absence of a focal point in his town to bring together its 16,473 residents.

Our sense of the town is theres no center. You dont have a town center, Conway emphasized sitting in the Red Barn thats become an attraction for town residents since it was built in 2018.

The town has pumped $2 million into recreation improvements. Its used fees paid by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and other developments to invest in its recreation programs and other services.

But the Red Barn, while a recreation center, is isolated in the East Greenbush Town Park away from the developments and neighborhoods that flank either side of Columbia Turnpike. Thats why the town has spent money in its main park, and in Hampton Manor along the lake, to upgrade playground equipment and create trails.

The town has also found that walking is a major pastime for its residents who have flocked to the 36-mile-long Albany-Hudson Electric Trail that runs through the community as it passes through from Albany on its way to Hudson in Columbia County along the former trolley line.

This trail connects neighborhoods and has ties to Columbia Turnpike, as Routes 9 and 20 are known, that further unite the town.

The New York State Recreation and Parks Society recently honored Conway as its elected official of the year for the towns increased investment in its park. Conway was nominated by Michael Martin, the towns recreation director.
Dawn services on Sunday in Perth on the national day of remembrance to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) during the First World War, have been cancelled for the second year in a row.

"COVID-19 is incredibly challenging as we are experiencing".

People arriving in Sydney from Western Australia from midnight tonight will also be made to complete a declaration which confirms they have not attended a flagged venue.

The teams will work to identify passengers who have attended any of the locations listed by Western Australia Health.

Fremantle's Round Six clash against North Melbourne at Optus Stadium will be played behind closed doors after an outbreak in Perth's hotel quarantine system.

McGowan said that under the lockdown residents of Perth and the adjacent Peel region would need to remain in their homes for three days from midnight Friday except for a small number of activities.

Authorities are tracking other people who came into contact with the man during five days he spent in Perth before flying to Melbourne, on Australia's southeast coast, where he tested positive on Wednesday and was put into isolation.

The man contracted the virus from a positive case who was staying on the same floor of his hotel, Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said.

"This is an important and I think timely reminder to all of us, that this global pandemic is not over", Foley told reporters in Melbourne.

The man is asymptomatic and has three household contacts - his partner and two children.

Mr McGowan said more specific details of danger areas and times would be released shortly, and anybody who had been to the locations would need to be tested and isolate until they return a negative result.

"We will be examining those movements for contact tracing purposes and for the purposes of establishing should there be any exposure sites", he said.

Two guests staying in rooms opposite each other tested positive for the virus and were later linked through genomic sequencing, the health department said in a statement. Several hotel quarantine guests have already travelled to other states and territories, Chant said.
Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has urged the UK to restore its overseas aid budget as soon as possible, saying it is of "critical importance" in getting vaccines to the developing world.

The Microsoft founder said British voters should be "very proud" of the role their country had played in supporting Gavi  the international vaccine alliance.

However he said its impact would be diminished unless the commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on aid  which has been cut temporarily due to economic effects of the pandemic  was restored.

"The quicker the UK can get its aid level back up to the 0.7 per cent the better," he told Sky Newss Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme.

"Its been the strongest proponent of getting behind vaccines and making sure we eradicate polio and with the cutbacks we wont be able to do as much so I hope that gets restored because it is of critical importance."

Mr Gates expressed confidence that Covid infection levels would be reduced to "very small numbers" by the end of 2022 as vaccines became increasingly available around the world.

He said within "the next three or four months" the US and other developed countries will start to have excess vaccines they can share with the developing world.

"Over the balance of the year, the US, the UK and others will be able to make sure that the vaccines are now going to the developing countries," he said.

"Because many of the vaccines worked, although we are looking at some of the side effects now and making sure we can treat those and that they are very rare, that good news means we will be able to supply others.

"The other good news is that the actual death rate from this epidemic in the poorest countries has actually been quite low.

"So the places where you want to get everyone over-60 vaccinated, like South Africa, Brazil, that will become a priority just in the next three or four months ... when the US will move into that excess position."

Mr Gates said it was a "good thing" that rich countries had been able to vaccinate their elderly populations as they had generally been harder hit than developing countries.

"The fact that now were vaccinating 30-year-olds in the UK and the US and we dont have all the 60-year-olds in Brazil and South Africa (vaccinated), thats not fair, but within three or four months the vaccine allocation will be getting to all the countries that have the very severe epidemic."
New Delhi: The US on Sunday (April 25, 2021) assured to help India in its war with coronavirus by offering to provide the necessary raw material to manufacture Covishield vaccine.

The development took place after the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held a phone conversation with India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

The White House issued a statement after the phone call which said: "The United States has given the assurance of providing raw materials to Indian manufacturers without the need for the Covishield vaccine."

Spoke today with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval about the spike in COVID cases in India and we agreed to stay in close touch in the coming days. The United States stands in solidarity with the people of India and we are deploying more supplies and resources: pic.twitter.com/yDM7v2J7OA  Jake Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) April 25, 2021

"To help treat COVID-19 patients and protect front-line health workers in India, the United States has identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that will immediately be made available for India," a statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne read.

The US is also considering providing oxygen production options to India. Further, the US will also deploy CDC and USAID experts to help India.

America's Development Finance Corporation (DFC) will fund Indian vaccine manufacturer BIOE to produce 100 million doses of its vaccine by 2022.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to get vaccinated at the earliest and exercise caution, as India set a global record for the highest COVID-19 infection in a single day.
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American tourists who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to visit Europe this summer, one of the EU's top bosses has said.

Tourists from the United States will finally be allowed to vacation in Europe after more than a year of closures after the European Union hailed the United States' 'huge' COVID-19 vaccine drive.

Ursula Von Der Leyen, the head of the European Union's executive body, told The New York Times on Sunday that the speedy pace of vaccinations in the United States will 'enable free movement and the travel to the European Union.'

She did not give an exact timeline for when tourism from the United States would resume and added that resuming leisure travel would depend 'on the epidemiological situation.'

'The Americans, as far as I can see, use European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines. This will enable free movement and the travel to the European Union,' she said.

'Because one thing is clear: All 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved by E.M.A.'

She added: 'But the situation is improving in the United States, as it is, hopefully, also improving in the European Union.'

American tourists who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to visit Europe this summer after more than a year of closures

The European Union hailed progress the United States has made in its COVID-19 vaccine drive

Visitors and staff wearing protective face masks, walk down the Main Street of Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallee on the outskirts of Paris in July 2020

Members of the Civil Protection man a COVID-19 control point where passengers from specific countries register for COVID-19 tests upon their arrival at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport in Roissy near Paris on Sunday

Travelers wearing protective masks line up to check-in for JetBlue Airways Corp. flights in Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on March 26

Parisians enjoy the good weather in the Louise Michel park, in front of the Sacre Coeur Basilica

The European Medicines Agency, which regulated drugs for the European Union, has approved the Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson jabs - which are the three vaccines being used in the United States.

There have been 229 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines given in the United States so far, according to Bloomberg. There was an average of 2.75 million doses given to Americans per day in the last week.

Around 140 million Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer require two shots three or four weeks apart, while Johnson & Johnson's vaccine is given as a single dose.

There are 94.8 million Americans who are now fully-vaccinated.

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen holds a press conference with the Swiss president during a meeting at the European Commission building in Brussels, Belgium

A map shows the total number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the United States on Sunday

A chart shows the total number of new coronavirus infections in the United States since the start of the pandemic

A chart shows the number of new coronavirus infections in the United States per day in March and April

A chart shows the number of new coronavirus deaths in the United States per day in March and April

A chart shows the total number of new coronavirus deaths in the United States since the start of the pandemic

According to The New York Times, officials in the European Union and United States have been in ongoing technical discussions 'on how to practically and technologically make vaccine certificates from each place broadly readable so that citizens can use them to travel without restrictions.'

Then-President Donald Trump banned leisure travel from the EU and UK last March, with that ban kept in place by Joe Biden after he became president in January.

It remains unclear if the US will reciprocate and end its travel ban in return for the EU lifting theirs.

Von Der Leyen says she hopes vaccine passports will enable people who have been vaccinated, or recovered from COVID, to return to Europe.

Efforts are also underway to develop a standardized document that would be recognized by multiple different countries.

The European Union has started to provide citizens with 'digital green certificates.' These certificates provide 'a digital proof that a person has either been vaccinated against COVID-19, received a negative test result or recovered from COVID-19,' according to the bloc's website.

The certificates will be provided to European citizens free of charge in a digital and paper formats that include a QR code, and will be valid in all 27 countries within the European Union.

'The digital version can be stored on a mobile device. Citizens can also request a paper version. Both will have a QR code that contains essential information, as well as a digital seal to make sure the certificate is authentic,' the EU website reads.

'The Digital Green Certificate will be accepted in all EU Member States. It will help to ensure that restrictions currently in place can be lifted in a coordinated manner.'

The New York Times noted that individual countries may adhere to stricter rules for tourism restrictions - though tourism dependent countries like Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal and Croatia are expected to quickly reopen for American tourists.

Some countries in the European Union have already made small exceptions to permit travelers from other countries including the United States starting on Monday if they provide proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test.
Bystanders reported hearing explosions underground in the Central Business District on Saturday night before spotting a fire burning nearby.

Video provided to The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate shows flames outside a building near Natchez and Magazine Streets.

A New Orleans Fire Department official confirmed that firefighters were responding to an underground transformer fire in that area.

Entergy cut the power in the area to aid firefighters in their efforts to douse the blaze, a New Orleans Fire Department official said.

#NewOrleans fire just now. Natchez St. at Magazine. Coming from underground. pic.twitter.com/cwLgBQ9Q7R  Wrecked Traffic (@WreckedTraffic) April 25, 2021

As of around 10 p.m., 400 customers were without power, according to Entergy spokesman David Freese. Officials were investigating an underground equipment issue as a possible cause.

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On Sunday, Freese said that to allow the New Orleans Fire Department to safely extinguish the fire and utility crews and to safely make repairs, crews had to "isolate and de-energize electric equipment in the area."

The repairs ultimately amounted to a power outage for approximately 1,500 customers, Freese said, adding that the power was restored by 12:30 a.m.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 23:11:47|Editor: huaxia

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BANGKOK, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Thailand registered 2,438 COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths in the last 24 hours, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said Sunday.

Of the infections, 2,433 were domestic transmissions and five were imported cases, according to CCSA spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin.

The record high 11 fatalities were reported to have pre-existing medical conditions.

Face mask wearing in public spaces in Bangkok will be strictly enforced from April 26 onwards, as COVID-19 cases have risen significantly in the national capital, according to a statement from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

People who fail to wear a mask will face a fine of maximum 20,000 baht (about 637 U.S. dollars), the statement said.

The government temporarily prohibited foreigners from India to enter Thailand due to the severe COVID-19 situation in the South Asian country.

Thailand has confirmed a total of 55,460 cases and 140 deaths since the start of the pandemic, of which 31,113 patients have fully recovered and been released from hospitals while 24,207 others are hospitalized. Enditem
A storm system moving eastward from California could hit Central U.S. mid-week, per CNN.

Driving the news: Starting Tuesday, the area stretching from Wichita, Kansas, to San Angelo, Texas may be subject to extreme weather that includes "damaging winds, hail and tornadoes," writes CNN.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

The storms may worsen during the week.

Areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri could receive between four to six inches of rain and be subject to flash floods.

What they're saying: "This could be the most substantial threat of the year so far in Oklahoma and Kansas," said Taylor Ward, a CNN meteorologist. "While this may be a bit late in the spring, this is certainly not unusual, as late April and May is the peak for severe weather in the Southern Plains."

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An outbreak of COVID-19 at the downtown Winnipeg Police Service headquarters and some districts has left dozens of officers and civilian staff isolating at home, and hampered the work of several units.

An outbreak of COVID-19 at the downtown Winnipeg Police Service headquarters and some districts has left dozens of officers and civilian staff isolating at home, and hampered the work of several units.

There are at least 14 people who have tested positive, while about 100 close contacts are off work because of it, the police union says.

"There have been one or two cases at a time throughout the pandemic, but this is the largest outbreak there has been," Winnipeg Police Association president Moe Sabourin said Friday.

"It has sprung up in the last three to four days. Weve had to close down entire units."

Sabourin, who estimated about half of the people isolating are officers and half are civilian staff, said the units affected include courts, as well as police records and reports. Also impacted is the centre which allows officers to access information from the countrys central police database, including warrants for arrest.

"These are all very, very important areas," he said. "An entire shift at the North End got sent home, because all were in contact with a positive COVID case."

Sabourin said to counter the spread of the novel coronavirus, WPS is making sure shifts dont overlap.

"Theres still enough resources to respond to emergency situations," he said. "These are mainly support staff, but they are very important to the running of the service."

WPS spokesman Const. Jay Murray said: "Like the general community we serve, (WPS) is experiencing increased COVID-19 numbers. We have provisions in place to ensure that emergency services are not impacted, and have no further comment at this time."

Coun. Markus Chambers, chairman of the Winnipeg Police Board, said "all board members are aware" of the situation and are monitoring it.

Sabourin said it points to why police officers and civilian staff should have been vaccinated against COVID-19 weeks ago, instead of just being allowed to book shots in recent days.

"You can imagine the stress level has really heightened," he said. "Can you imagine if the entire comm centre (which handles 911 calls) came down with it? We would be scrambling."

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Photo shows China's first lunar sample at the opening ceremony on the Space Day of China on April 24, 2021. Photo: Deng Xiaoci/GT

In the latest show of Chinas consistent open-mindedness in the space sector, China National Space Administration and its Russian counterpart issued a joint declaration on cooperation in the creation of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), with the two sides emphasizing the facility is open to all international partners interested in cooperation, the CNSA disclosed to the Global Times on Saturday, which marked the Space Day of China 2021.

CNSA deputy head Wu Yanhua said in a statement the agency provided to the Global Times on Saturday that China and Russia will work with other international partners in the cooperation of building the ILRS.

The ILRS will be another major contribution that China and Russia shall make to the promotion of long-term and sustainable development of UN outer space activities, Wu said.

Such a joint declaration also showcased the determination and confidence of China-Russia cooperation in the field of lunar and deeper-space exploration, the CNSA told the Global Times.

The ILRS is a complex set of experimental research facilities created on the surface and/or in the orbit of the moon with possible involvement with other countries and international organizations and partners, said the joint declaration.

It is designed to carry out multidisciplinary and multipurpose research activities, including the exploration and use of the moon, lunar observations, fundamental research experiments and technology verification with the possibility of long-term unmanned operation with the prospect of ensuring human presence, per the document.

China and Russia clarified in the joint declaration that ILRS is open to all international partners interested in cooperation in the planning, justification, design, development, implementation and operation of the ILRS, strengthening research exchanges and promoting peaceful exploration and use of outer space for the interests of all humankind.

To support the ambitious plan of building a moon base, Mou Yu, an official with Chinas Academy of Launch Vehicle Technologys general designing department, disclosed in his speech at a session of the China Space Conference, which started on Saturday as part of the Space Day of China activities, that China is developing a 10-meter-diameter heavy-lift carrier rocket.

Such a rocket would be capable of launching a payload of no less than 50 tons to the lunar orbit, which will strongly support the moon base building, as well as even bigger scale lunar exploration activities, Mou told the Global Times.

Besides the future ILRS, China will also host international experiments on its upcoming space station, as it might be the only one of its kind in orbit after the International Space Stations retirement.

As the centerpiece of an ambitious 2021 in space, China is slated to carry out consecutive missions for the construction of a space station which is to become fully operational by around 2022, exactly three decades after China approved the manned space project in 1992.

The Long March-5B Y2 carrier rocket and Tianhe core cabinet capsule for Chinas space station were rolled out to the launch tower in the Wenchang Space Launch Center, South Chinas Hainan Province on Friday, with pre-launch checkups underway, according to the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO).

Chinas space station is set to operate for 10 years, but can be extended to 15 years under proper repair and maintenance, developers have told the Global Times.

Following the core modules launch, the cargo spaceship Tianzhou-2 is expected to be sent to space in May if system evaluation goes smoothly. The Shenzhou-12 crewed spacecraft is scheduled for launch in June, sending astronauts to orbit for about three months, during which the regenerative life support system and maintenance will be tested.

China has scheduled 11 launches for space station building in the next two years, including four manned missions and four cargo missions.

China and the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) announced in June 2019 that the first batch of nine international scientific experiments of 17 countries and 23 research bodies would be included in Chinas space station.

The first batch of selected space science experiments to fly to Chinas space station include Gamma-ray burst polarimetry jointly proposed by Switzerland, Poland, Germany and China and a spectroscopic investigation of nebular gas by India and Russia.

Also on Saturday during the opening ceremony of the Space Day of China 2021, CNSA deputy head Wu Yanhua officially unveiled the name of Chinas Mars rover to be Zhurong, the same as that of a fire god in Chinese mythology, drawing a conclusion to the months-long global naming campaign.

Hopefully, by giving such a name to the rover, it will ignite the spark of China's interplanetary exploration and guide humanity deep into the vast and still unknown outer space, according to the CNSA.

CNSA explained that even separately, the two Chinese characters of the name each carries a wonderful message.

Zhu, or blessing in Chinese, embodies humanitys best wishes in the pursuit of dreams in the vast universe, while rong, meaning converge, represents Chinas stance and vision of peaceful use of space, enhancing humanitys wellbeing, and joining forces with partners from home and abroad, now and in the future, so as to make great contributions to the harmonious development of human society.

Chinas romanticism in naming space missions Infographic: Xu Zihe/GT

Day of celebration

Having achieved numerous milestones in the space sector in 2020 and ahead of the upcoming landing of its first Mars probe as well as the launch missions for Chinas space station construction, China kick-started Space Day annual celebrations in Nanjing, capital East Chinas Jiangsu Province.

Themed "Voyaging into space, pursuing dreams," this years Space Day of China provides a window not only for the Chinese public, but also the world to get a better understanding of Chinas aerospace progress.

The Global Times found Saturday that envoys and representatives from a dozen countries and international organizations, such as Russia, the US, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia and the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), participated in the opening ceremony for the Space Day of China 2021.

I am proud of participating in such a Chinese event, a representative from Bangladesh told the Global Times, as he browsed what he called a marvelous exhibition featuring lunar samples retrieved by the Change-5 robotic lunar probe in 2020.

Aside from moon samples, the parachute and return capsule of the robotic lunar probe were also displayed in the exhibition, which, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), is the first display of its kind to be held outside Beijing.

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs Director Simonetta Di Pippo, Russias space agency Roscosmos Director Dmitry Rogozin, and officials with Pakistans space agency Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission also sent congratulations to the Space Day of China on Saturday via video link.

I am really impressed with all the achievements and progress China is making in space. It is extraordinary and incredible. It is really amazing for everyone here to see how China has progressed throughout the years in space, Aisha Jagirani, director general with the Department of External Relations and Legal Affairs under the APSCO, told the Global Times on Saturday.

Aisha said what impressed her the most at the event was the history of development of Chinese rockets; how China in a short span of time has developed space technology, explored the moon and Mars also That is really amazing and encouraging.

China designated April 24 as Space Day in 2016 to mark the anniversary of the country's first satellite launch, Dongfanghong-1 in 1970.

Photo shows China's first lunar sample at the opening ceremony on the Space Day of China on April 24, 2021. Photo: Deng Xiaoci/GT

Fruitful 2020 on display

China has achieved multiple milestones in space in the past year.

The Long March-5B carrier rocket, a shorter version of Long March-5, the strongest member of the Long March launch vehicle family, made its successful maiden flight in May 2020, successfully sending a new-generation manned spaceship into space.

The Change-5 lunar probe concluded an epic Earth-Moon round trip, and managed to carry some 2 kilograms of lunar samples back to Earth on December 17, 2020, making China the third country in the world to achieve such a feat, and the first in more than four decades.

The success of the Change-5 lunar mission also involved several breakthroughs in Chinas space technology, including the first-ever sample collection on the lunar surface, a complex takeoff from the rough lunar terrain, and most challenging of all, the rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit, which are all believed to build a solid foundation for future manned lunar missions.

Also, in 2020, China launched the countrys first independent Mars probe mission, Tianwen-1, and the craft reached Mars orbit in February this year. Chinas Tianwen-1 will deploy a lander and a rover bundled together for landing at Utopia Planitia in mid or late May.

China in August 2020 launched the full global service of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System  or BDS  Chinas largest space-based system and one of four global navigation networks, alongside the US' GPS, Russia's GLONASS and the European Union's Galileo.
Islamabad, April 25 : Despite all the differences with arch-rival India, Pakistanis are praying for them as the country faces a deadly wave of coronavirus which has collapsed their health system.

On Saturday, once again, India's coronavirus infections rose by 346,786 overnight, the health ministry said, setting a new world record for the third consecutive day, the Geo TV reported.

Amid the rising cases hospitals are begging for oxygen supplies.

India surpassed the US record of 297,430 single-day infections anywhere in the world on Thursday, making it the global epicentre of a pandemic that is waning in many other countries.

Considering the worst situation in India, many Pakistanis have come out with their prayers for their neighbours.

On Friday, Pakistan's Edhi Foundation, in a magnanimous gesture offered a fleet of 50 ambulances and its staff to help manage the crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic in India.

"As a neighbouring friend, we sympathise with you greatly and during this strenuous time, we would like to extend our help in the form of a fleet of 50 ambulances along with our services to assist you in addressing, and further circumventing, the current health conditions," reads a letter written by Faisal Edhi, Chairman of the Edhi Foundation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Apart from Edhi, many Pakistanis, including federal ministers, have expressed their sentiments on social media.

The tweets came from people from a wide spectrum of people, with a trend #PakistanstandswithIndia also being on top in Pakistan.
WHEN the worlds richest man speaks, people tend to listen. When his company is bringing hundreds of new jobs to Winnipeg, his words may interest people here.

Opinion

WHEN the worlds richest man speaks, people tend to listen. When his company is bringing hundreds of new jobs to Winnipeg, his words may interest people here.

Jeff Bezos, whose net worth is US$198 billion, issued on April 15 a lengthy letter to shareholders of Amazon. He didnt mention Winnipeg specifically, of course. The new warehouse opening soon in Inkster Industrial Park is a miniscule part of the Amazon empire, which has 1.3 million employees globally.

But Amazon is currently inviting people to interview for jobs at its forthcoming operation in Winnipeg, and the promises made by Bezos in his letter will be relevant to people who are considering whether to apply.

Bezos dealt head-on with criticism of his companys treatment of its warehouse employees, some of whom say they work 10-hour shifts on their feet, are pressured to pack boxes and move products at quotas that are unrealistically high, with their breaks monitored to the minute.

"I think we need to do a better job with our employees," Bezos wrote. As an example, he said Amazon will this year roll out a job rotation program to protect employees from repetitive-stress injuries.

Even as Bezos was pledging to improve working conditions, Amazon was the source of two different controversies, one in Alabama and one in Hollywood.

At the annual Academy Awards, which air tomorrow evening, there is an Amazon-centred squabble about the leading contender for best picture. In the film Nomadland, the protagonist is Fern, a 60-something widow who lives in her van and enjoys two separate stints of working at an Amazon fulfilment centre. Fern says she likes to work, she smiles at her friendly Amazon colleagues and she considers it good money.

The controversy is that the movie drastically misrepresents the 2017 book on which its supposedly based. Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century is a fiery critique of capitalist exploitation, the gig economy and companies like Amazon that the author portrays as taking advantage of vulnerable people.

If the Nomadland movie wins Oscars as expected, the books author, journalist Jessica Bruder, will likely not message her congratulations, although its certainly understandable if Amazon founder Bezos sends flowers.

A separate controversy about Amazon deals with its lack of appreciation for employees who try to unionize. Only twice in Amazons 26-year history have unionization attempts reached the stage of a vote.

The latest unionization effort dealt specifically with workers at an Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Ala., but, in the larger context, it was a widely-watched test of Amazons winning record of defeating union flare-ups before they can spread. When the Alabama vote results were released on April 8, Amazon won decisively, with twice as many workers voting against unionization as those in favour.

Amazon commonly answers questions about unionization by saying its employees obviously dont want to pay union dues and feel the company offers them a better deal with its benefit plan, opportunity for career advancement and pay that begins at US$15 an hour, which is double the minimum wage in many U.S. states.

This is the type of contentious corporate identity that precedes Amazon as it arrives in Winnipeg and refurbishes the 113,000-square-foot warehouse it bought. The Winnipeg site  it will be Amazons first of its kind in the Canadian Prairies  will be a last-mile delivery station that distributes packages it gets from other distribution centres. At first, it will deliver just within Winnipeg, but expansion of its service area is possible.

As far as logistics and supply chain management, which is the lifeblood of Amazon, Winnipeg is an excellent fit geographically. This city is the hub of CentrePort Canada, which bills itself as North Americas largest trimodal inland port. CentrePort provides an intersection of rail, truck and air travel, a convenience that Amazon will utilize as it transports with maximum swiftness its daily deluge of goods. Its not a coincidence that the warehouse purchased by Amazon is at 11 Plymouth St., near the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.

Hiring a few hundred Winnipeggers at this time should be particularly easy, given the large number of Manitobans who lost jobs during the past year and are now nearing the end of government pandemic-relief cheques. The people who are hired will initially be grateful for the job and, as time goes on, can judge for themselves whether its suitable employment.

When it comes to Bezos recent pledge that his company will treat its employees better, there remains a lingering question: will Amazon deliver?

carl.degurse@freepress.mb.ca

Carl DeGurse is a member of the Free Press editorial board.
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.
A U.S.-based Christian group has commended President Joe Biden for standing up to Turkey and becoming the first president since Ronald Reagan to recognize the 1915 Armenian genocide on Saturday, the 106th anniversary of when the Ottoman Empire (modern Turkey) began to massacre its Armenian Christian minority, resulting in 1.5 million deaths.

President Biden is the only president since Ronald Reagan to refer to this mass atrocity perpetuated by Ottoman-era Turkish authorities against Armenian Christians as a genocide, persecution watchdog group International Christian Concern said in a statement.

Bidens predecessors have chosen not to use the word genocide in annual statements on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day due to pressure from the Turkish government, ICC charged.

Biden, ICC said, discussed his decision to make the designation on a call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday, the first call between the two since Biden took office in January.

Source:The Christian Post
Anyone who believes that the rendering of a guilty verdict by a jury of Chauvins peers signifies that policing in America is being reimagined fundamentally should think again. Recall that reforms like ending no-knock warrants, banning chokeholds and abolishing qualified immunity for police officers went nowhere in Congress. Not to mention that radical policing reforms are contrary to George Orwells assertion that People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
Lucknow, April 25 : Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the women wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is holding online sessions and seminars on various aspects related to Covid-19.

The Samiti is connecting to more and more women through social media to keep people informed during the pandemic.

Rashtra Sevika Samiti functionary, Abha Shukla, said, "Women being the centre of their families will pass on the knowledge or put it to the best use in keeping their families safe against the virus." E-shakhas have become the medium through which the organization is involving women to make them feel positive and stay upbeat.

Sessions like 'Corona kaal aur aadhyatm' (Corona times and spirituality), 'Corona aur online shiksha ka mahatv' (Corona and relevance of online education) and 'Corona mein lockdown ke laabh aur haani' (Benefits and harms of lockdown during corona period) are coming handy in keeping the routine life interesting for its women members and others who are joining the group.

Abha Shukla said, "The biggest challenge is to keep women involved in these online sessions since no physical meetings are taking place. We hold games to make shakhas interesting." Online sessions also provide knowledge on health tips during the pandemic.

This is the time when women wing of the Sangh wants to reach out to more and more people so that it can help the needy. One of the major reasons for not suspending the shakhas and holding them online is to not break the communication among members who are the organization's link with the society.
The Government is coming under increasing pressure to introduce legislation that will ensure nationwide access to cash and banking services. Such legislation was promised more than a year ago but has been delayed for a number of reasons including the pandemic.

Some experts now fear that unless the Government acts soon, the country's cash system could collapse within the next 12 to 24 months, leaving more than five million adults reliant on cash financially excluded. It would also be catastrophic for many small businesses that are still heavily dependent on cash sales.

Consumer group Which? says the Government should set out its plans in the Queen's Speech early next month. 'We're at a critical moment,' the organisation's Gareth Shaw told The Mail on Sunday yesterday. 'We need the Government to show us a roadmap that will safeguard consumers' access to cash, at a time when ATMs and bank branches are closing at record levels. Its intervention cannot come soon enough.'

The end of the line?: Some experts now fear that unless the Government acts soon, the country's cash system could collapse within the next 12 to 24 months

The latest data from Which? indicates that 50 bank branches per month have shut on average since the beginning of 2015 with NatWest Group axing nearly 1,100. Simultaneously, many free-to-use cash machines have been taken out of service  one in four since 2018.

In some deprived areas where cash usage is widespread, free-to-use ATMs have been replaced with fee-charging machines, resulting in vulnerable people being 'overcharged' for accessing their cash.

Shaw, head of money at Which?, believes that any legislation should require the Financial Conduct Authority  the City's regulator  to have overall responsibility for overseeing access to cash, including holding banks to account when they do not act in the best interests of consumers.

Without such regulatory oversight, he fears that the banks will simply keep encouraging more customers to jettison cash in favour of contactless payment and mobile banking. 'Legislation is key, not piecemeal solutions,' he said.

The plea by Which? for Government action follows in the wake of a key report on financial exclusion published yesterday by a House of Lords committee.

Among its many recommendations, the Liaison Committee calls for the Government to come up with a comprehensive financial inclusion strategy 'that will ensure access to cash' and 'protect the public'. Like Which?, it believes legislation should be introduced  laws that would impose a statutory duty on the banks to provide customers with access to cash in communities where they close branches or ATMs.

Baroness Tyler of Enfield was chair of a previous House of Lords report into financial exclusion back in 2017  work that formed the starting point for the latest suggestions.

Yesterday she told The Mail on Sunday: 'Access to cash was a problem in 2017. But now, with the pandemic, more bank and ATM closures and many retailers going cashless, it's a bigger issue than ever.'

She added: 'The current regulatory framework governing access to cash and banking services is not strong enough. The Financial Conduct Authority should be empowered to be more on the front foot when banks leave communities behind.

'Currently, the impression is that the banks pay lip service to customers' needs. That has to stop, which means regulation and a more proactive approach from the regulator.' Although she said it would be 'fantastic' to hear the promise of legislation in the Queen's Speech next month, she accepts that there is a 'fight for legislation time' which could result in disappointment.

Yesterday's House of Lords report also called for the Government to promote more aggressively the banking services of the Post Office.

When a last bank branch in a community is shut, the local post office is often the only place where customers can then deposit and withdraw cash. The committee argues for a 'public information campaign' explaining the services that post offices provide  a campaign that should be both 'comprehensive' and 'national'.

Baroness Tyler told The Mail on Sunday she was 'delighted' that new-style Post Office 'banking hubs' were also now being trialled as part of a 'community access to cash pilots' project funded by the banks via trade organisation UK Finance.

The pilots are being overseen by Natalie Ceeney, former boss of the Financial Ombudsman Service, who has done more than anyone in recent years to highlight the dangers posed by the rush to a cashless society. Three years ago, she published an 'Access to Cash' review calling for the Government and regulators to act in order to ensure cash remains a viable payment option.

Two of the eight pilots  in Rochford, Essex, and Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire  involve the testing of the banking hubs. Others are trialling different ways of making cash more accessible in communities  from simply installing a free-to-use cash machine in a community previously deprived of one, through to making cashback services more accessible (see below).

As well as offering banking services to personal and small business customers of all the big banks, the Post Office hubs allow people to meet a representative from their bank on a selected day. Feedback so far from Rochford indicates widespread support for the idea.

Although all the trials under the cash pilot project will only run for six months, Ceeney's wish is that if the two Post Office banking hubs prove successful, they could pave the way for a nationwide rollout.

Some, she believes, could be located in the very branches that are due to shut in the coming months as all the major banks  such as HSBC, Santander and TSB  reduce their high street presence. 'Such hubs would breathe life back into struggling communities,' says Ceeney.

Baroness Tyler said: 'I see these Post Office hubs as a really important part of fixing the access to cash problem.'

The Mail on Sunday has long campaigned for access to cash to be maintained. We have also been a longstanding supporter of shared bank branches  an idea first put forward by the Campaign for Community Banking Services in the late 1990s. Although trials were carried out, the banks quashed the idea.

Last week, we asked the Government to comment on when legislation on access to cash was likely. It failed to comment.
New Delhi, April 25 : Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday dared Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to lodge a case against her as she highlighted the oxygen shortage in the state.

"Mukhyamantriji (Chief Minister), whole UP is under oxygen emergency and if you want to lodge case against me, seize my property, please go ahead. But for God's sake, understand the gravity of the situation and help to save lives of the people," she said in a tweet in Hindi, attaching a media report of Adityanath directing seizure of property of those spreading rumours of oxygen shortage.

Ruling out any shortage, Adityanath has said that the state government will conduct an audit of the life-saving gas in collaboration with various institutes.

"There is no shortage of oxygen in any Covid hospital, be it private or government. The problem is black marketing and hoarding, which will be tackled with a heavy hand. We are going to conduct an oxygen audit in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, IIM Lucknow and IIT BHU for proper monitoring of medical oxygen. The system of live tracking of oxygen demand, supply and distribution will be implemented," the Chief Minister said in a virtual meeting with editors of various newspapers on Saturday evening.

He has also launched a digital platform for monitoring oxygen supply.

Adityanath also said that oxygen is not in short supply, provided only the needy use it.
A childhood friend of the Tunisian suspect in the fatal stabbing of a French police official on Saturday expressed his shock at hearing news of the attack.

Mohamed Ben Abdejlil told the AP he had grown up with the 37-year-old man of Tunisian nationality identified by authorities as Djamel G.

Ben Abdejlil, 35, said he had visited Djamel in Rambouillet, where he lived and carried out the attack on Friday, but had not heard from him since.

"I was shocked by what I heard today about what he had done, unbelievable," he said.

French police killed the suspect in the aftermath of the slaying of an unarmed administrative employee at the entrance of her police station in the town outside Paris.

The victim, a National Police employee, had left the station to extend her time on a parking meter and was followed into the entry area by the attacker.

The suspect entered France illegally in 2009 and was given residency papers in 2020, a judicial official said.

While authorities identify him as Djamel, he identifies himself as Jamel on Facebook.

He had staked out the police station ahead of time, anti-terrorism prosecutor Jean-France Ricard said.

The preparation, along with statements he said during the attack and the targeting of a police official, prompted the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office to take over the investigation.

The suspect had no criminal record or record of radicalization, French media reported.

However, witnesses heard him say "Allahu akbar!" Arabic for "God is great," during the attack, said the judicial official who was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly.

Infrequent Facebook and Instagram posts from accounts thought to have belonged to the suspected attacker hinted at a man who waffled over the years about his allegiances but showed no overt ties to an extremist ideology.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
LIMERICK Green Party TD Brian Leddin has welcomed multi-billion euro plans for an offshore wind farm at Moneypoint.

In huge news for the region, the ESB has announced a joint venture with Equinor to transform the old power station from coal burning to offshore wind production.

Mr Leddin, an engineer by trade, says he played a key role in the decision.

This is an enormous opportunity for our region and will provide thousands of high skilled jobs for Limerick, Clare and Kerry. I am proud to have played an important part in this, in negotiating the ambitious climate targets in the programme for government and also in inserting specific ambition into the programme on offshore wind and green hydrogen production. This has led to the ESBs decision, he said.

He said its significant that the Moneypoint wind farm will be made up of very large wind turbines on floating platforms tethered to the sea bed.

We do not have any of these wind turbines in Ireland yet, although ESBs partner Equinor are currently operating floating offshore wind turbines in the Hywind project off the Scottish coast. The advantage of floating wind turbines is that they can be deployed where the wind is stronger and more consistent, like off our western coast, Mr Leddin continued.

And the first-term TD also gave his support to Limerick Chambers call for a taskforce to develop the Shannon Estuary as a hub for the offshore wind industry.

Shannon Foynes Port Company released a report recently showing how the infrastructure in Foynes Port and the rail link is very well suited for servicing the offshore wind industry. The University of Limerick and the Limerick Institute of Technology are well-placed to train the talent we need, particularly in the civil, mechanical and electrical engineering fields, to push the region forward as a leader in offshore wind energy, he added.
Anzac Day each year reminds us of the vital role that history plays in our national identity but the federal government is failing to protect the national archives, which are the raw material of that history.

As the Herald reports today, the National Archives of Australia have been starved of funds because of government cost-cutting. Annual funding has been cut by $7 million, or 10 per cent, and staff numbers have been slashed by 14 per cent since 2014-15.

Precious paper and celluloid records that note extraordinary and controversial moments in our nations history will literally rot away unless something is done.

They include wartime speeches by prime minister John Curtin, video films of early Antarctic expeditions and video of the 1998 Constitutional Convention to debate becoming a republic.

The federal government in March released a review by senior public servant David Tune, which recommends spending $67.7 million to help digitise these documents before they turn to dust or jelly.
(@FahadShabbir)

Rabat, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Apr, 2021 ) :Morocco summoned the Spanish ambassador Saturday in "exasperation" after the leader of the Western Saharan independence movement was allowed into Spain for medical care, an official source told AFP.

The Spanish foreign ministry said Thursday that Brahim Ghali, who heads the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, is being treated for Covid-19 and had been transferred to Spain for "strictly humanitarian reasons".

"This will not obstruct or trouble the excellent relations Spain has with Morocco," Spanish foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said at a press conference Friday.

But her counterpart Nasser Bourita expressed Morocco's "incomprehension and exasperation" and "demanded an explanation" from Spain's ambassador, a Moroccan official told AFP late Saturday.

The status of Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony which the United Nations classifies as a "non-self-governing territory", has for decades pitted Morocco against the Polisario, who demand a referendum on an independent state.

Ghali, who is in his seventies, is recovering well, according to the movement.

On Saturday a group of refugees appealed to the Spanish authorities to arrest him, in a video published by Moroccan media.

They allege that he is responsible for human rights crimes carried out at a camp for refugees from Western Sahara in the town of Tindouf in neighbouring Algeria run by the Polisario.

Human Rights Watch in 2014 published a report alleging that residents of several Polisario-run camps around Tindouf faced curbs on some rights, pointing to "credible allegations" of harassment of critics.

The Polisario fought a war of independence with Morocco from 1975 to 1991 and its leaders proclaimed the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) in February 1976.

A war with the Polisario ensued, ending in 1991 with a UN-brokered ceasefire.

Morocco has offered autonomy but maintains the territory is a sovereign part of the kingdom.

Tensions rose sharply in November 2020 after Rabat deployed the army to reopen the kingdom's only highway into West Africa, which had been blocked by the Polisario, who argued it was built in violation of the UN truce deal.

The two sides have since exchanged regular fire along the demarcation line, though claims are difficult to independently verify in the hard-to-access area.

The Polisario Front announced earlier this month that its police chief Addah al-Bendir was killed in the field, in an attack that has been reported as a possible first ever drone strike by the Moroccan military in the contested territory.
With about two-thirds of the countrys oldest residents fully vaccinated, younger adults, many of whom only recently became eligible for vaccines, now make up a higher share of total hospitalizations. But the number of people in their 30s and 40s hospitalized with COVID-19 nationally has also increased somewhat since March, according to recent CDC data, with a more significant rise for people in their 50s. Hospitalizations among younger people have been up most notably in the Great Lakes states, with rises seen as well in the Mid-Atlantic.
Govt. not for withdrawal of civic rights but set to call off cases involving political victimisation

Basil Rajapaksa wants SLFP to talk directly to SLPP instead of involving other parties

Colombo-Beijing relations reach a new high as govt. moves away from the West and India

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa continues his silent peacemaker role amidst tensions in ruling alliance



A cavalcade of political controversies climaxed together in just a week to rock the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Nidahas Peramuna Sandanaya (SLPNS) and bring to the fore many an internecine issue afflicting it.

Just three days after the devastating resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa signed the Economic Commission Bill 2021. The controversial legislation is to govern the Chinese-backed Colombo Port City, the man-made promontory just a few hundred steps away from the Presidential Secretariat, across the Galle Road.

A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court heard arguments for and against the Bill and concluded sittings on Friday. Nineteen petitions filed against and 13 intervening petitions were taken up. The bench comprised Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Priyantha Jayawardena, Murdu Fernando and Janak De Silva. The main argument against the Bill was that it violated several clauses of the Constitution and hence required not only a special majority (two thirds) but also a referendum should be held.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Farzana Jameel PC, presented to court several amendments which the Government wants to make. This fuelled hopes at the highest levels of the government that the Supreme Court would approve the Bill with the proposed amendments. The SC decision on the Bill will be conveyed to the Speaker in the coming days.

The hearings also saw a mild diversion. Presidents Counsel, Romesh de Silva, who was defending the Bill declared that even a foreigner can become the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. In the technical sense, he was right for the legal provisions do not insist on being an Attorney-at-Law. However, it became grist to the mill for groups who were calling for foreign judges to probe alleged war crimes by troops and Tiger guerrillas  an element in the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka.

An untoward incident was to trigger more attention to the new legislation and accentuate a public debate. This was when Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, a ruling alliance parliamentarian, told a news conference that potential financial district would become a Chinese colony. It is no secret that the onetime UNP Justice Minister, Rajapakshe, has been deeply disappointed since he did not receive a ministerial portfolio. In fact, during the swearing in ceremonies he walked away, when he learnt that he was being assigned a State Minister portfolio.

At the news conference held at the Abhayarama Temple in Narahenpita, Rajapakshe raised a multitude of issues related to the Bill. He also took the opportunity to take personal swipes at both President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother Basil Rajapaksa, who heads the Presidential Task Force on Economic Recovery. The next day, he complained that President Rajapaksa had telephoned him and allegedly abused him prompting him to reciprocate the same way. President Rajapaksa also complained to the chief incumbent, Venerable Murutettuwe Ananda, who chaired the news conference, about Rajapakshes conduct.

In turn, Rajapakshe not only complained to Police Chief Chandana Wickremeratne, but also to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The astute politician that he is, the Premier told MP Rajapakshe even if the President scolded you, he does not bear that grudge. He is particularly good hearted. Hence, you should not bear such issues in mind. You must forget that episode. The encounter seems to have ended there. There was no mention of the event at other government fora, a usual practice if a member steps out of line. Ven Ananda had a visit from Minister G.L. Peiris who explained the provisions of the Bill to counter some of the claims made both by Rajapakshe and the prelate himself.

Chinas dominance of Sri Lankas economy

However, the resultant developments opened the curtains for an entirely new look Sri Lanka.

That indicates the levels to which the countrys relations with China have reached with the Colombo Port City soon becoming a reality. That jewel in the Crown of begging will make China a closer economic partner of Sri Lanka dominating the spheres of finance and foreign investment in particular. China extended a currency swap of US$ 1.5 billion and later extended a US$ 500 million loan. Now, there is talk in financial circles about a further US$ 700 million.

It came at a time when the rupee value which stood at Rs 203 against the US dollar appreciated to Rs 185. What we say, we deliver, boasted Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the governments financial wizard and onetime Governor of the Central Bank. Of course, he left out the most important reason  there was a slide of the US dollar in the world market. The currency swap, officials say, would lead to more Chinese goods entering the Sri Lankan market.

Just this week, a ship loaded with radioactive material entered the Chinese-built Hambantota Port. It was on a voyage from Rotterdam to a Chinese port when the ship developed operational problems. It was only upon discovery of the lethal cargo that it was asked to leave the port. Government officials stoutly defended their action in giving clearance but there were several questions that went unanswered. Opposition groups allege the incident indicated that there would be safe passage for such vessels in the future too.

The greater dominance of China in Sri Lankas economy comes at a time when the countrys foreign reserves are dwindling. Added to that, Sri Lanka has antagonised the western bloc of countries, particularly after the Foreign Ministry mishandling issues before the UNHRC where a resolution on Sri Lanka ended in disaster. Added to that are Indo-Sri Lanka relations, which hit a new low, over the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port. New Delhi is disappointed that the government reneged despite assurances that it would be given to India for development together with Japan. That highlights the increasing role of China in Sri Lanka not only in the economic sphere but also in closer military cooperation.

Since the outbreak of the separatist war, China has remained an uninterrupted supplier of military hardware to Sri Lanka. The post-war scenario has seen a growth in this sphere with training for troops and new hardware. Further enhancement of these measures is on the cards when Chinese National Defence Minister, Wei Fenghe, arrives in Colombo on Tuesday leading a high-level team on a three-day official visit. Material for the modernisation of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force is among the subjects of discussion besides enhanced training facilities in China.

The United States is one of the countries which have expressed apprehension over the contours of the legislation to deal with the Colombo Port City. US Ambassador Allaina B. Teplitz told a roundtable meet of journalists on April 8: That is a real challenge when you consider the size of the public sector in Sri Lanka and how that needs to be funded and that when you look at investment and why you want it, it is to help bring wealth to this country. Not just to rent out one office building. You want to be growing wealth here and creating jobs and making sure that the public is benefiting from that presence.

So, I think any legislation related to Port City has to be considered very, very carefully for its economic impact. It also must be considered very, very carefully for unintended consequences, and of course among those unintended consequences could be creating a haven for money launderers and others, sort of nefarious actors who want to take advantage of what was perceived as a permissive business environment, perhaps have activities that actually would be illegal.

There is a lot that needs to be done. I do recognise that the government in Sri Lanka wants to take advantage of the investment that is already been made in creating the Port City foundation. But the legislation really needs to reflect these challenges and to be careful about what it might do to open doors to bad practice and unfair competition in the rest of the country.

Asked whether the U.S. would support any debt relief efforts, Ambassador Teplitz replied, I think the governments got to look at its debt burden realistically, practically, and think about sustainability going forward. It is not necessarily a problem for a government to be carrying debt, but its got to be able to pay for that debt in a way that does not then exclude its ability to fund all of the other necessary activities of a government, the social networks and other things that are required.

So yes, the United States would support the government in managing its debt and finding a more sustainable path forward, and wed be happy to have those conversations. We have already indicated that we would like to see more economic stability in the country and that we would want to support that. We are contributing in a small way to that through our development programmes, but we would be happy to have the larger conversation as well.

The US apprehensions of a possible haven for money launderers at the Colombo Port City, where the facility of offshore banking is to be allowed, have some serious connotations. Depending on how the system functions, would not the US, with the help of its allies, seek to blacklist the Port City?

Both the Presidential Secretariat and the Chinese Embassy in Colombo were keen to get government MPs to make a field visit to the Port City. Arrangements were made on Thursday for President Rajapaksa to make a presentation to the MPs on the new legislation ahead of the visit. However, this task was undertaken by Presidential Secretary P.B. Jayasundera. He (Dr Jayasundera) explained to us the salient points in the Bill and the benefits that would accrue to the country from the Port City, Anuradhapura district parliamentarian K. H. Nandasena said. The main opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) was opposed to the field visit being arranged by the Chinese Embassy.

Harshana Rajakaruna, (SJB MP for Gampaha District) asked in a twitter message: Why does the @ChinaEmbsl want to take our Parliamentarians on a visit to the @Port City Colombo ?? There was a prompt response. In a tweet, the Chinese Embassy said @rajakaruana S @ Port City Colombo Why not? A field study will help to understand better about the project. Seeing is believing. Thousands of visitors from all walks of life have visited the site, even during the pandemic.

Perhaps no other diplomatic mission is more prompt and extraordinar in their assertions.

Issues within ruling alliance

There were also other political issues that played out this week. A meeting of representatives of eleven partner members of the ruling alliance, set to meet Premier Rajapaksa, last Tuesday fizzled out due to different reasons. Among those who came for the meeting were Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) leader Maithripala Sirisena and General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera. Contrary to expectations, other party leaders including  Wimal Weerawansa (National Freedom Front), Vasudeva Nanayakkara (Democratic Left Front) and Tiran Alles (United Peoples Party)  were absent. It was only days earlier they had met at the SLFP Darley Road headquarters under the leadership of former President Sirisena and chosen to place their woes before Premier Rajapaksa. A source close to Minister Weerawansa said they feared there was a trap laid out for them and chose not to attend it. They said they would seek another date and time.

In reality, that was not so. A group of fifty SLPP district leaders had been invited to discuss matters related to a possible Provincial Council election and related campaign strategy in such an event. That is after a Parliamentary Select Committee, to be named by the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, recommends the electoral process for PC polls. The move is expected to take several months since the Committee would first have to hear public representations and formulate a report. Thereafter, necessary legislation would have to be adopted to pave the way for the polls. The SLPP district leaders remained seated as the SLFP delegation discussed with Premier Rajapaksa their views on the electoral process for PC polls.

After meeting Premier Rajapaksa, the SLFP parliamentary group met in the morning at the party headquarters at Darley Road to discuss the issues to be placed. There were two subjects  one was the mode of voting for future Provincial Council elections and the other the May Day celebration. SLFP General Secretary Jayasekera proposed that the party should keep away from any rally. This was to register their protest of the ruling alliance leadership failing to resolve their demands. They will seek a meeting with Premier Rajapaksha.

There were yet others in favour of conducting the SLFP May Day rally in Colombo instead of the previously arranged venue of Polonnaruwa. Some suggested that in the light of COVID-19 spreading wildly, the party should urge district leaders to muster fifty supporters each. By then, like manna from heaven, news had arrived that May Day rallies will not be held this time too, for the third successive year. The decision has been made by Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander General Shavendra Silva.

The SLFP also undertook an outstanding task that Tuesday. That was a discussion with Basil Rajapaksa  a call re-iterated earlier by President Rajapaksa and Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa  to resolve outstanding party issues by talking to Basil Rajapaksa. As is known, he is the main architect of the SLPP and is widely credited for the partys presidential and parliamentary election victories. These talks ended in a deadlock. The Sunday Times learnt that Basil Rajapaksa made clear to SLFP General Secretary Jayasekera that issues between their party and the ruling alliance should be settled bi-laterally. He has pointed out that there was no need for involving other partners in the issue, a source familiar with the talks said. In doing so, the source pointed out, that the SLPP chief strategist was trying to separate other partner leaders. A heated exchange put paid to the meeting, the source said adding that another round was on the cards.

In a separate development, SLFP General Secretary, Jayasekera also hit out at former President and party leader, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. This was over a letter she wrote to him urging the cancellation of the SLFP All Island Committee meeting originally proposed for April 5. He said, I hope that you have understood that the party discipline should be the same to everyone. When the party convention, the Politburo, the Executive Committee and the All-Island Committee decided that they should support Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the presidency, supporting another candidate, urging groups to back another cause and giving leadership is a gross violation of party discipline, Jayasekera pointed out.

Jayasekera said he had been empowered by the partys decision-making bodies to expel electoral and district organisers who took part in the meeting on January 16, 2020. He pointed out that the event was under Ms Kumaratungas leadership though she had remained the SLFP organiser for Minuwangoda at that time. Furthermore, he has pointed out that Kumaratunga and Ruwan Ranatunga had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sajtih Premadasa at the Taj Samudra in violation of party principles. Denying accusations that he was destroying the party, Jayasekera has added that you are a leader who worked to get our party into power ending 17 years of corrupt UNP rule. Yet, you worked against the Central Committee. Can a breach of discipline be compared equal to positions held or outstanding actions?

For the ruling alliance, two separate issues, one with the SLFP and the other with Minister Weerawansas group, remain unresolved. If that in itself is a cause for concern for the alliance leaders, the fact that they have leaned on the SLFP to back them to play the role of the conscience keeper of ruling disposition is a cause for greater worry. Such a role has been defined both by Ministers Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila who say they want to be the opposition from within the government. This raises the question whether this is because there is no opposition now or is it a tit-for-tat for the groups voice not being heard at the leadership level? That they have an agenda which is sometimes at conflict with that of the parent SLPP is no secret. When the 20th Amendment to the Constitution was being introduced, they opposed provisions relating to dual citizenship. They said those holding dual citizenship should not be allowed to contest elections. Their effort, however, failed. They succeeded when they objected to the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port being given to India and Japan.

An interesting aspect with regard to these issues is the troubleshooter role played by Premier Rajapaksa in a bid to keep together those who held dissenting views. In other words, he has become the virtual behind-the-scenes peacemaker still saying yes or no to critical issues among the constituents. Of course, how long he could single handed play this holding role is like asking when will man reach the Mars. At the government parliamentary group meeting last Tuesday evening, such aspects surfaced. When this meeting at Temple Trees ended, MPs present were invited to an avurudhu dinner hosted by the Premier.

The question of civic rights being removed

The government MPs discussed political victimisation, a subject triggered by the findings of a Commission of Inquiry. It was headed by onetime Supreme Court Judge, Upali Abeyratne. It was Gevindu Kumaratunga (Yuthukama) who raised the question whether the government would do away with the civic rights of persons accused of causing such victimisation. The discussion came particularly in the wake of a motion dated April 21 listed in the Order Book for Parliament. Speaker Abeywardena had, after a meeting of party leaders, agreed to a debate on the subject for two days  April 21 and 22. He insisted that the government should not deprive civic rights. This ill-treatment had been meted out to even the late Sirimavo Bandaranaike but the government should not make that mistake. Adding his voice was Minister Namal Rajapaksa. Minister Johnston Fernando boasted that the government won a major victory.

At the meeting chaired by Speaker Abeywardena they would propose an adjournment debate. Eka loku satanak, he said.

Premier Rajapaksa called upon Justice Minister Ali Sabry to present his views. I also agree, he said and added that civic rights should not be taken away. That should not be a part of our agenda.

Minister Wimal Weerawansa declared that he had become a political victim. I was remanded purely on a B Report. He insisted that those found guilty of deliberate political victimisation, however, should not have their civic rights removed. Yes, yes, exhorted Premier Rajapaksa, while adding that we should not set a precedent. Minister Johnston Fernando then pointed out that the Commission of Inquiry had in fact recommended the withdrawal of civic rights. Yet, there were others who said that withdrawal was not the answer but punitive action would have to be taken to send those guilty to jail. They argued that those responsible should be punished. One was to cite an instance where a case was transferred to the court in Kaduwela purely for political reasons. Premier Rajapaksa added that he was aware of the instance.

Parliamentarians also discussed the removal of Mohan Peries from the post of Chief Justice. One of them cited an instance where a controversial politician, now in custody, had gone to the official residence of Chief Justice Peiris, intimidated him, and asked him to quit immediately. Premier Rajapaksa told MPs that on no account should any of our own people be referred to without proper facts or context. A government source said those remarks were in particular to ensure the interests of partner leaders of the SLPNS (including the SLFP) were not embarrassed but safeguarded. That was how the two-day debate took place in Parliament on Thursday and Friday.

Contrary to Premier Rajapaksas claim that withdrawing the civic rights of opposition politicians for alleged political victimisation would set a precedent, the ruling alliance has nevertheless created a new benchmark. That is the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry which had identified such claimed instances of victimisation and recommended punitive action. The government has now discounted withdrawal of civic rights.

However, it still wants to ask the Attorney General to withdraw cases which are considered political victimisation with disregard to the rule of law and all established principles of justice. This precedent, 72 years after independence, is far more damaging and raises the question whether Police and the Courts are needed any more. The Commissions could decide instead. Little wonder Sri Lanka has become a laughing stock.
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Chaucer's Canterbury Tales are to be relabelled in the British Library to explain how it once came to be owned by a slave-trading family.

The relabelling of the collection is part of the institution's 'anti-racism action plan' which was put in place after the Black Lives Matter protests last year, internal documents seen by The Sunday Telegraph reveal.

It will see an overhaul of all 210 items in the library's public-facing Treasures Collection which includes invaluable literary artefacts such as Shakespeare's First Folio, some of which have links to the slave trade in their history.

Labels will explain how the item came to be in the country and if it has at any point changed hands via dubious means, i.e. being 'taken, captured, seized or looted'.

Portrait of Geoffrey Chaucer (c 1342 to 1400), who wrote The Canterbury Tales (right)

For the case of Geoffrey Chaucer's manuscript of The Canterbury Tales, written between 1387 and 1400 - before the Portuguese started the Atlantic slave trade - it will be explained how the book came to be owned by the Harley family of slave-traders around 300 years later.

The family became wealthy through the exploits of Robert Harley (1661 - 1724) who, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, established the South Sea Company in 1711 and was connected to plantations in Barbados, Antigua and Surinam.

The South Sea Company was responsible for the transportation of around 64,000 enslaved Africans between 1715 and 1731 to Spanish plantations in Central and Southern America.

Robert Harley (1661 - 1724) who, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, established the South Sea Company in 1711 and was connected to plantations in Barbados, Antigua and Surinam

Many of the works in the library's Treasures Collection once belonged to the Harley family and formed the Harley Collection.

Explaining this link with slavery alongside the artefacts is part of the British Library's plan to 'tell a clearer history of how works were acquired', The Sunday Telegraph reports.

Chaucer, the Father of English Literature Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1342 - 1400) ranks alongside William Shakespeare as one the most important poets of the English language. His masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales, is considered one of the first works written in modern English, marking a shift from the Old English which preceded the Middle Ages. For this reason he is described as 'the first finder of our language.' The Canterbury Tales was hugely popular in Medieval England because it was one of the few works which was written in English rather than French - the language of the ruling classes. Chaucer's poem follows a group of pilgrims on their way from London to Canterbury to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at the cathedral. The pilgrims, including Chaucer himself, have a story-telling contest on their way to Canterbury and their 24 stories form the basis of the narrative. The enduring popularity of the work is testament to its humour, characters and vivid descriptions of various social groups from knights to cooks. Pilgrims tell tales of varying tones, some are pious and witty, others are vulgar and bawdy. Chaucer originally planned to write more than a hundred tales but only completed 24. In surviving copies the stories appear in various orders with the Hengwrt manuscript, held in the National Library of Wales, considered to be the most accurate. Chaucer was born in London, his father was a wine maker as per family tradition. In addition to his literature, Chaucer contributed to society as a courtier, diplomat and civil servant and was the trusted aide of three successive kings: Edward III, Richard II and Henry IV. In 1994, literary critic Harold Bloom placed Chaucer among the greatest Western writers of all time. Such is the respect for the writer, he was first person to be buried in Westminster Abbey's Poets' Corner. Advertisement

Another work which is set to be relabeled under the plan is Shakespeare's First Folio, a collection of 36 of his plays produced in 1623 by two of his best friends, John Heminge and Henry Condell, 'only to keep the memory of so worthy a friend and fellow alive, as was our Shakespeare'.

The book was owned by George III and George IV, who were anti-abolition and also acted as South Sea Company governors - who later donated the work to the British Library.

Donations from Sir Hans Sloane are also being reviewed, the 18th-century philanthropist partly funded his collection of 71,000 artefacts with money from his wife's sugar plantation in Jamaica, which used slave labour.

In the document seen by The Sunday Telegraph the relabeling plan is aimed to offer 'transparent provenance information' to allow visitors to contextualise when and where works were acquired.

In August of last year internal documents revealed that changes to the library's displays could take place to 'decolonise' the British Library's collection after a letter signed by hundreds of members of staff declared a racial 'state of emergency', The Telegraph reported.

Chief librarian Liz Jolly urged white members of staff at the British Library to support the 'anti racism action plan'.

Her comments were made as she backed plans for a cultural overhaul at the library and urged white colleagues to show the same support.

In a video clip, she tells colleagues: 'I think, as I have said before, that we need to make sure some white colleagues are involved because racism is a creation of white people.'

Speaking to staff following the murder of George Floyd Chief Executive Roly Keating described an urgent need for a 'generational shift' to ensure the Library becomes 'truly representative of its staff, collections and the users it serves.

Mr Keating said: 'The killing of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement are the biggest challenge to the complacency of organisations, institutions and ways of doing things that we're likely to see in our lifetimes.

'There have been incremental changes over the years, but this is a wake-up call for the Library's leadership that it's not enough.

'Our duty at this moment is to show humility, to listen, to learn and then to enact change.'

Issues raised in the meeting included the long-standing lack of BAME representation within the institution's executive management as well as senior curatorial staff.

The meeting also addressed what the library described as an 'urgent and overdue need to reckon fully and openly with the colonial origins and legacy of some of the library's historic collections and practices'.
Tehran: Iran Health Minister Saeed Namaki has written to his Indian counterpart Dr Harsh Vardhan, expressing readiness to support India as it battles the second wave of COVID-19.

Namaki in his letter wrote that Tehran is ready to offer "technical assistance, expertise and equipment in these difficult days and at the height of the plight of the dear citizens of India"."Managing this pandemic is possible only with solidarity, cooperation and assistance of all countries in the shadow of equity, elimination of discrimination and sanctions, as well as the fair access to all effective facilities in prevention, diagnosis and treatment for each needy people of the world and political, expertise and economic support of international organisations and non-governmental organisations," the letter from the Iranian Minister read.

Highlighting that Iran has "gone through difficult times due to the unlawful unilateral sanctions and its implications on medicine, vaccines and medical equipment supplies, he said: "We are facing the fourth wave of the disease caused by the English variant."

He further said that the exchange of experiences with scientific, research and production centres can create a brighter future for the two countries with a long history of scientific, cultural and production exchanges."The government and people of Iran are ready to spare no technical assistance, expertise and equipment in these difficult days and at the height of the plight of the dear citizens of India with the COVID-19 epidemic," he wrote.

Earlier in the day, expressing solidarity with the people of India amid the record surge in COVID-19 cases, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that they are preparing a "mission to support" to aid India`s fight against the pandemic.

India recorded 3,49,691 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike since the pandemic broke out last year. According to the Union Health Ministry, the country has recorded 2,767 new deaths due to COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

Merkel's show of support comes days after her criticism of the slowdown of vaccine exports from India against the backdrop of a record spike in coronavirus infections in the country. Earlier today, the European Union (EU) has said it will do its utmost to support India, amid a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country which has led to a shortage of hospital beds and medical-grade oxygen in some parts of the country.

"The EU together with its Member States will do its utmost to support India in this difficult moment," said Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India and Bhutan. Janez Lenarcic, the European Emergency Response Coordinator today informed that the EU has activated its Civil Protection Mechanism to help India with the COVID-19 crisis.

As India announced a grim record -- the highest daily coronavirus infection tallies in a single country, several US lawmakers have voiced their concerns and have heaped pressure on the Biden administration to extend assistance, release vaccines and other raw materials critical for India.US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday had said that the US is working closely with its partners in the Indian government to deploy more supplies and additional support amid the spike in COVID-19 infections in the country.

Several other countries including Iran, Russia, Australia, Bhutan, and the EU have extended support to India.

Live TV
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 20:03:35|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Physics Nobel laureate Chen Ning Yang expressed confidence in China's scientific sector, saying its advancement will encourage more Chinese researchers studying abroad to return home.

Yang, honorary director of Tsinghua University Institute for Advanced Study, made the remarks in an interview ahead of the university's 110th anniversary that was celebrated on Sunday.

While some claim China is still lagging behind in cutting-edge research, the progress in this field is long-term in nature, said the theoretical physicist who returned to China after working in the United States.

"Scientific research needs a long time of accumulation and accretion to lay a good tradition," Yang said. "To push back the frontier of science also requires new perspectives and courage, which are not easy."

Calling for building self-confidence, Yang said China has taken a leading position in multiple scientific and technological fields and has trained a number of talented scientists.

"As China grows stronger, more outstanding researchers and graduates from Tsinghua will come back (from abroad) in the next 10 or 15 years. You can visit me 20 years later to discuss this again," the 99-year-old researcher told Xinhua.

A Tsinghua graduate, Yang spent decades working as a physicist in the United States. In 1957, he received the Nobel Prize in Physics with another Chinese-American Tsung-Dao Lee for their work on the so-called parity laws, which led to important discoveries regarding the elementary particles.

Yang returned to Tsinghua in 2003 as a professor and the honorary director of the newly established Institute for Advanced Study. Despite his age, he has insisted on giving lectures to undergraduate students to "help and point the way for would-be researchers."

Tsinghua has become "a top-notch university in the world," said the veteran researcher, adding that the institution's fate has been entwined with China's rise.

"Today I can probably say 'I've seen the dawn'," Yang said. "China has gone from its poverty-ridden past to a state of dawn. Tsinghua has contributed to this process and will continue to make more contributions." Enditem
New Delhi, April 25 : In a significant blow to vulture conservation, a mass vulture mortality owing to the poison bait incident was reported in Nepal, severely impacting the population of the critically endangered species in the wild, ornithologists said on Sunday.

At least 69 vultures died in farmland of the terai last week, said SAVE (Saving Asia's Vulture from Extinction), a consortium of 24 partners.

Apparently local villagers illegally used poison to kill stray dogs, and these dog carcasses were then eaten by the vultures, killing them.

The incident was reported 50 km west from the main vulture release site in Nawalparasi district, prompted a quick response with officials from the Municipality, police, division forest, livestock and veterinary office, NTNC and Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) reaching the scene within hours of the alarm being raised.

Photographs and tissue samples were taken from the birds to firmly establish the cause, before the vulture and dog carcasses were buried. A crime scene report has been filed, and SAVE partner, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation, the Ministry of Forest and environment officials have launched a further investigation and will be following up with punishment as appropriate.

Samples will be tested at the National Forensic Science Laboratory in Kathmandu, says a post on SAVE.

In total, the death toll included 35 white-rumped vultures, one slender-billed (both critically endangered species) 31 Himalayan griffon and two cinereous vultures (classified as near threatened).

One Himalayan griffon is still alive and now being treated.

Although it was diclofenac that has so dramatically reduced vulture numbers since the 1990s, Nepal has made excellent progress in removing diclofenac from veterinary use, especially through Vulture Safe Zone and other community-based work, as well as clear action of the government in declaring diclofenac illegal for veterinary purposes since 2006.

The poison baits threat could undermine all the efforts if it is repeated, warns SAVE.

Responding to the shocking incident, BCN CEO Ishana Thapa said, "We have been working to save vultures in Nepal for almost 20 years now, and the progress in breeding the birds, and reaching the stage of releases over the past three years, along with the wild vulture population trends showing significant population increases in recent years, has encouraged us that we, together with all involved in the vulture team are on the right track." "But events like this are a big worry, and we need to do more to ensure this kind of event isn't repeated." SAVE Programme Manager and Co-chair of the IUCN Vulture Specialist Group Chris Bowden said, "We know that the threat of poison baits is the biggest single challenge to vulture populations worldwide, usually when people try to poison dogs or large carnivores but accidentally killing vultures.

"Although diclofenac and other veterinary drugs used on cattle have had the biggest negative impact on vultures across Asia, and this issue still urgently needs more work, addressing the poison-baits threat does need more attention. We can learn from other regions, notably Africa, how it is being addressed elsewhere."
A tech solutions company, Kosmero Ltd, is pleased to announce the launch of two products, Kosmero Food (K-Food) and Kosmero Ride (K-Ride).

Kosmero is responsible for the web and mobile application designed primarily to cater to customers expectations of immediacy.

K-Food, an advanced online food ordering and delivery service system, caters to the needs of both buyers and sellers on the platform.

The Chief Executive Officer of Kosmero Ltd, Williams Peter, said K-Food was designed to improve the food delivery industry by ensuring speed, affordability and efficiency.

We enjoy solving problems through technology, and this is just one of our solutions to eradicate the challenges faced in the food delivery space.

The food app allows customers to browse and order from their favourite local restaurants and food vendors. Customers can also book personal chef services with the Book Ahead option.

Through the Special Instruction button, customers can give special directives, which will be accessed by a restaurant during order processing.

According to Peter, the app also gives users the option of selecting a preferred language to make their purchases.

Another feature of the K-Food app is its responsiveness. Customers will receive a response almost immediately after their order is placed. This way, they are able to quickly satisfy their cravings the moment they start to have it.

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In terms of payment, our app permits users the option of cryptocurrency and that makes us the first to accept crypto in the food delivery space in Africa, the Kosmero CEO said.

Kosmero believes that the app will allow food vendors and restaurants to increase their scope of business and reduce the cost of labour incurred.

We are focused on making online food ordering and delivery affordable. This we do without compromising on the profitability of a given restaurant and driving the force of assortments, Peter said.

K-Ride addresses the communitys needs for logistics and service providers in general.

K-Ride stands out to be a SuperApp, a one-stop platform for many services connecting users with registered partners. What makes it different from others is our ability to fully integrate an on-demand, multi-service tech platform providing access to a wide range of services including logistics, pharmacies, groceries, and many more services, Peters said.

The app gives users a pleasant experience by connecting them to the nearest service provider and logistics personnel who can make purchases and pick up items from any location for them.

Through this platform, users can easily engage a service provider close to them, and the difficulty of moving an item from one point to the other is solved.

Most importantly, the Live Navigation button in the app makes it easy for riders to navigate to the customer without switching between apps. This also ensures that a customer can track their order as soon as it is sent out for delivery.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to the Kosmero CEO, K-Ride began with several questions, which inspired a group of amazing friends to start the company in their house.

Today, the tiny company has turned to be K-Ride, a SuperApp taking on the problems that affect the region including access inequality, outdated infrastructure and income disparity, he said.

Kosmeros core value is built on speed as it understands the importance of time in delivering services to customers in the most affordable ways.

Our solutions in the food delivery and logistics industries are built on cutting-edge technologies to eliminate the gap between ordering and satisfaction. Kosmero is focused on serving customers in the quickest way possible.

Users and service providers can earn from using the app. All they have to do is share invite codes with others and earn money upon successful registrations.
Tyrannosaurus rex walked surprisingly slowly, new study finds CNN

Global chip shortage spreads to toasters and washing machines FT. Thats a damn shame.

Junk Just Keeps Notching Records Heisenberg Report

Lego Heirs $20 Billion Fund Says Future of Offices Is Unclear Bloomberg

The internet is breaking. Heres how to save it. Dan Kaminksy, Cyberscoop. RIP Dan Kaminsky.

US electricity emissions are halfway to zero Volts

Hes a climate scientist working for the Saudis. Can oil money help him save the planet? Reuters

Australian academics enlist amateur scientists to study microplastics Reuters

#COVID19

Gifts of Mars: Warfare and Europes Early Rise to Riches (PDF) Journal of Economic Perspectives. Interesting:

In this paper, we argue that Europes rise to riches during the First Divergence n this paper, we argue that Europes rise to riches during the First Divergence was driven by the nature of its politics after 1350it was a highly fragmented contiinent characterized by constant warfare and major religious strife. Our explanation emphasizes two crucial and inescapable consequences of political rivalry: war and death. No other continent in recorded history fought so frequently, for such long periods, killing such a high proportion of its population. When it comes to destroying human life, the atomic bomb and machine guns may be highly efficient, but nothing rivaled the impact of early modern Europes armies spreading hunger and disease.

China

Myanmar

India

Why the fire on Cape Towns iconic Table Mountain was particularly devastating The Conversation

Pfizer backs down over unreasonable terms in South Africa vaccine deal Bureau of Investigative Journalism

Syraqistan

UK/EU

Biden Administration

Trump Legacy

Police State Watch

Assange

#182 Conspiracy in Plain Sight (with Edward Snowden) (podcast) Russell Brand, Under the Skin. Nice get!

Gunz

Experts believe a contagion effect could be tied to recent mass shootings NBC

Images: Downtown Decaturs latest mixed-use project has liftoff Urbanize Atlanta. Amenities call for a full-time concierge and activity director, along with the pet spa and coworking space thats becoming par for the course with intown multifamily development. Also in the mix are a sauna, pool, and rooftop deck with a greenhouse, coffee bar, courtyard, and gas-fire tables. Its like you never have to leave the facility. Will there be guard towers? A moat?

Guillotine Watch

Class Warfare

Apples $29 AirTag is a coin-sized tracker that helps you find lost things  heres how it works CNBC. Poetry break. A villanelle, not a sonnet

The Heretical Origins of the Sonnet JSTOR. Highly dialectical.

How To Live In Wonder Caitlin Johnstone

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-26 03:18:28|Editor: huaxia

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PARIS, April 25 (Xinhua) -- France has launched a battle to contain highly infectious variants of COVID-19 by reinforcing border control, ramping up tests and imposing mandatory 10-day quarantine for all arrivals from high-risk countries, where the new coronavirus strains are active, Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Sunday.

"We have launched the battle against these variants which are a threat against which we must protect ourselves," Castex told reporters at Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle airport.

Starting from Saturday, all arrivals from Chile, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina and India are subject to a strict 10-day quarantine. Prior to boarding on the plane, authorised travellers are required to present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test less than 36 hours old.

Only people residing in France or holding a French or European Union passport will be allowed to fly to the country, Castex said.

He noted that the coronavirus new strain, first detected in Brazil and South Africa, was behind "a few new cases" and "tends to regress" at home. But, "it's imperative to keep this trend, while developing vaccine rollout. That's the way out of this health crisis."

Data from health authorities released on Sunday showed that around 5.5 million COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in France and 102,858 deaths have been reported since the pandemic outbreak.

There are 30,287 patients treated in hospital, of whom 5,978 required life support, surpassing the country's initial capacity of 5,100 resuscitation beds.

To date, 14 million people in France have got at least one vaccine shot, representing 26.8 percent of the adult population, and over 5.5 million people have received the two jabs.

The French government aims to administer 20 million jabs by mid-May and to inoculate a total of 30 million, or two-thirds of the adults, by mid-June. Enditem
Australians and New Zealanders paid tribute to their war dead on Sunday as both nations prepared to withdraw from their longest war in Afghanistan.

The neighbouring countries commemorate Anzac Day every April 25, the date in 1915 when the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on Turkey in an ill-fated campaign that provided the soldiers first combat of the First World War.

New Zealand will withdraw its last troops from Afghanistan in May and Australia in September in line with US plans to end the 20-year campaign.

Australians and New Zealanders paid tribute to their war dead (Mark Baker/AP)

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton said the withdrawal allowed Australia to focus on its own region, where China was changing the security environment.

Our focus now  is to our own region, to providing support to our near neighbours, Mr Dutton told Nine Network television, referring to natural disaster and pandemic relief.

We need to recognise our region is changing. China is militarising ports across our region. We need to deal with all of that, and thats exactly what were now focused on.

After the public was banned because of the pandemic from last years Australian commemorations, thousands gathered for a dawn service in the centre of Brisbane without restrictions on numbers, with little evidence of social distancing and with few people wearing masks.

Both nations are preparing to withdraw from their longest war in Afghanistan (Mark Baker/AP)

Commemorative events were cancelled in the city of Perth because of a three-day lockdown that started on Saturday due to recent coronavirus infections.

Western Australia state Premier Mark McGowan and thousands of others remembered the fallen in dawn ceremonies on their own on driveways, as they did last year.

Melbourne, Australias second largest city that last year became the nations worst pandemic hot spot, recently lifted its Anzac Day march limit from 5,500 to 8,000 after veterans complained that more than 75,000 spectators would be allowed to attend an Australian Rules Football match in the city on the same day.

Given Australias relative success in preventing Covid-19 from spreading in the community, veterans have complained that pandemic restrictions have been excessive in parts of the country.

Services and marches were livestreamed for those who could not attend or did not wish to take the risk of attending.

We honour the original ANZACs with the way we choose to live our lives today. Good to see thousands of Australians attending services around the nation or pausing for personal vigils. #AnzacDay #TYFYS #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/MwwgFEk1aH  Darren Chester MP (@DarrenChesterMP) April 25, 2021

Sydney, Australias largest city, limited its march to 10,000 people. A Maori choir sang at a Sydney dawn service in a mark of the intrinsic link that Anzac Day brings to the two nations.

A soldier played a didgeridoo for the first time at the dawn service the Australian War Memorial in the national capital Canberra, in recognition of the sacrifices of indigenous Australians in war.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison acknowledged at the Canberra service Australian troops would soon leave Afghanistan after losing 41 Australian soldiers there.

It has been our longest war. The world is safer from the threat of terrorism than when the Twin Towers were felled almost 20 years ago, but we remain vigilant. However, this has come at a great cost, Mr Morrison said.
- By GF Value





The stock of EnPro Industries (NYSE:NPO, 30-year Financials) appears to be significantly overvalued, according to GuruFocus Value calculation. GuruFocus Value is GuruFocus' estimate of the fair value at which the stock should be traded. It is calculated based on the historical multiples that the stock has traded at, the past business growth and analyst estimates of future business performance. If the price of a stock is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued and its future return is likely to be poor. On the other hand, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher. At its current price of $85.95 per share and the market cap of $1.8 billion, EnPro Industries stock shows every sign of being significantly overvalued. GF Value for EnPro Industries is shown in the chart below.





EnPro Industries Stock Is Estimated To Be Significantly Overvalued

Because EnPro Industries is significantly overvalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be much lower than its future business growth, which averaged 1.2% over the past five years.

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

Investing in companies with poor financial strength has a higher risk of permanent loss of capital. Thus, it is important to carefully review the financial strength of a company before deciding whether to buy its stock. Looking at the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage is a great starting point for understanding the financial strength of a company. EnPro Industries has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.46, which is worse than 69% of the companies in Industrial Products industry. GuruFocus ranks the overall financial strength of EnPro Industries at 5 out of 10, which indicates that the financial strength of EnPro Industries is fair. This is the debt and cash of EnPro Industries over the past years:

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EnPro Industries Stock Is Estimated To Be Significantly Overvalued

Investing in profitable companies carries less risk, especially in companies that have demonstrated consistent profitability over the long term. Typically, a company with high profit margins offers better performance potential than a company with low profit margins. EnPro Industries has been profitable 8 years over the past 10 years. During the past 12 months, the company had revenues of $1.1 billion and earnings of $8.93 a share. Its operating margin of 2.41% worse than 67% of the companies in Industrial Products industry. Overall, GuruFocus ranks EnPro Industries's profitability as fair. This is the revenue and net income of EnPro Industries over the past years:

EnPro Industries Stock Is Estimated To Be Significantly Overvalued

Growth is probably the most important factor in the valuation of a company. GuruFocus research has found that growth is closely correlated with the long term stock performance of a company. A faster growing company creates more value for shareholders, especially if the growth is profitable. The 3-year average annual revenue growth of EnPro Industries is 1.2%, which ranks in the middle range of the companies in Industrial Products industry. The 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is -53.9%, which ranks in the bottom 10% of the companies in Industrial Products industry.

Another way to evaluate a company's profitability is to compare its return on invested capital (ROIC) to its weighted cost of capital (WACC). Return on invested capital (ROIC) measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. If the ROIC is higher than the WACC, it indicates that the company is creating value for shareholders. Over the past 12 months, EnPro Industries's ROIC was 1.50, while its WACC came in at 10.08. The historical ROIC vs WACC comparison of EnPro Industries is shown below:

EnPro Industries Stock Is Estimated To Be Significantly Overvalued

In summary, EnPro Industries (NYSE:NPO, 30-year Financials) stock is believed to be significantly overvalued. The company's financial condition is fair and its profitability is fair. Its growth ranks in the bottom 10% of the companies in Industrial Products industry. To learn more about EnPro Industries stock, you can check out its 30-year Financials here.

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

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


New Delhi:

"Ferry service is a first of sorts. Its a dream come true for people of Gujarat," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while inaugurating ro-ro ferry service in poll-bound Gujarat's Bhavnagar on Sunday.

He addressed a gathering in Ghogha and undertook a journey to Dahej from Ghogha on the ferry. From Dahej, he will leave for Vadodara, where he is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 1,140 crore.

The prime minister had called the ferry service, which will reduce the distance between the two towns from 310 kilometres by road to 30 kilometres, his dream project while addressing a gathering at Gandhinagar on Monday.

LIVE UPDATES:

# Khoj-khoj kar files nikalwa raha hun aur jo pariyojanayein dashakon se atki hui hain unhe pura karwa raha hun: PM Modi

# We believe Sagar Mala project alone will provide around 1 Crore jobs: PM Narendra Modi in Dahej

# India needs better ports and more ports: PM Modi in Dahej

# Our mantra is P for P - Ports for Prosperity: PM Narendra Modi in Dahej



# We are planning to link a number of other places also through ferries: PM Modi

We are planning to link a number of other places also through ferries: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/5pyenZtyVH  ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2017

# Gujarat is blessed with a long coastline and we should harness opportunities arising due to this. We took steps in developing coastal infrastructure: PM Modi

Gujarat is blessed with a long coastline and we should harness opportunities arising due to this. We took steps in developing coastal infrastructure: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/BRrx6lbzvl  PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 22, 2017

# When I was serving as CM, I faced hostility from the then Central Government. Efforts were made to stall industries and the state's growth. Over the last three years we have changed that and given importance to the development of Gujarat: PM Modi

When I was serving as CM, I faced hostility from the then Central Government. Efforts were made to stall industries and the state's growth. Over the last three years we have changed that and given importance to the development of Gujarat: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/0GGdQQM2Sp  PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 22, 2017

# Imagine how much time and petrol this ferry service will save. This ferry service connects Saurashtra and South Gujarat...people from these regions frequently travel to and fro: PM Modi

Imagine how much time and petrol this ferry service will save. This ferry service connects Saurashtra and South Gujarat...people from these regions frequently travel to and fro: PM @narendramodi  PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 22, 2017

# Ferry service is a first of sorts. Its a dream come true for people of Gujarat. I am also here with regard to a project in dairy sector, a sector to which we have given immense importance over the last two decades. I urge people to explore opportunities in animal husbandry: PM

Ferry service is a first of sorts. Its a dream come true for people of Gujarat. I am also here with regard to a project in dairy sector, a sector to which we have given immense importance over the last two decades. I urge people to explore opportunities in animal husbandry: PM pic.twitter.com/xPC0SBjVoe  PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 22, 2017

# I am happy to be in Gujarat to personally convey new year greetings. This programme may be for a ferry between Ghogha and Dahej but this programme is of vital importance for the entire nation: PM Narendra Modi

I am happy to be in Gujarat to personally convey new year greetings. This programme may be for a ferry between Ghogha and Dahej but this programme is of vital importance for the entire nation: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/jpFV6tlcjn  PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 22, 2017

# Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the launch of RO-RO ferry service and other projects in Ghogha, Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the launch of RO-RO ferry service and other projects in Ghogha, Gujarat pic.twitter.com/0W1wruJKq0  ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2017

# PM Narendra Modi arrives in Bhavnagar, received by CM Rupani and Deputy CM Nitin Patel

Gujarat: PM Narendra Modi arrives in Bhavnagar, received by CM Rupani and Deputy CM Nitin Patel pic.twitter.com/RFXDgYHQA9  ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2017

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The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost.
After coming into the final table, third in chips, PokerStars Team Online member, Fintan "EasyWithAces" Hand has won the 2021 SCOOP-82-H: $5,200 NLHE [8-Max, Progressive KO, High Roller] for $232,156 which included $136,719 in bounties. The tournament attracted 155 unique players to Day 1 who reentered 67 times to get to 222 entries and a prize pool of $1,110,000 with the lion share being awarded on the final table.

According to his profile on the PokerStars website, Hand started as a poker dealer but quickly realized that there was more money that could be earned by being a poker player. The Twitch streamer claimed his first SCOOP title in 2020 when he won SCOOP 69-H: $1,050 NLHE [Afternoon Deep Stack], $350K Gtd for $73,652 and has now more than tripled that result with his second title.

Hand mentioned on the PokerStars stream that he was put into the tournament by his sponsor and was super grateful already. He could be seen dancing away on his own stream towards the final minutes of the tournament but the final hands were not streamed as he suffered from a power cut according to James Hartigan on the PokerStars stream.

Hand beat Lucas "landapincha" Landa who started the day as the chip leader and kept that position until the heads-up battle started. Landa got into the tournament by qualifying in a $530 satellite and can also see an incredible return on investment with this result.

SCOOP-82-H: $5,200 NLHE [8-Max, Progressive KO, High Roller] Final Table Results

Place Player Country Bounty Prize Total 1 Fintan "EasyWithAces" Hand Ireland $136,719 $95,437 $232,156 2 Lucas "landapincha" Landa Argentina $62,656 $95,437 $158,094 3 Jon "luckyfish89" Clark United Kingdom $15,547 $62,940 $78,487 4 Andy "BowieEffect" Wilson United Kingdom $28,516 $47,980 $76,496 5 Jareth "jareth3542" East United Kingdom $20,000 $36,576 $56,576 6 Marius "DEX888" Gierse Austria $5,313 $27,882 $33,194 7 Thomas "WushuTM" Muehloecker Austria $13,594 $21,255 $34,848 8 "hello_totti" Russia $4,688 $16,203 $20,890 9 Wiktor "Iimitless" Malinowski Poland $15,156 $13,179 $28,335

Final Table Action

No one at the final table started with a short stack as the average was at 77 big blinds when action resumed but within the first 10 minutes, Wiktor "Iimitless" Malinowski fell to Hand while "hello_totti" was taken out by Landa. But this did not set the pace for the rest of the tournament as seven-handed play lasted almost 2 full hours with Jareth "jareth3542" East doubling up twice before Thomas "WushuTM" Muehloecker was eliminated by Jon "luckyfish89" Clark.

East doubled up again for Marius "DEX888" Gierse to go next when all his chips went to Landa. East left the final table a few minutes later when Andy "BowieEffect" Wilson took him out. Wilson was second in chips but doubled Clark up to then bust to the hands of Landa in fourth place. Hand held the shortest stack at that point but found a double through Landa to get even with Clark. But Hand put the pressure on his opponents and soon Clark was eliminated by Landa when he ran his ace-eight into the aces of the Argentinian.

Heads-up lasted around 40 minutes with Landa holding an almost 2:1 chip lead to Hand but the Irishman didn't roll over in any way. He took over the chip lead when he caught Landa's bluff and lost it for a little bit before claiming it back and then increasing it. In the end, Landa three-bet jammed his 35 big blinds in with ace-queen and Hand looked him up with pocket fours. The four on the flop gave him a set but he improved it to a full house on the turn to take the tournament down.

This concludes the PokerNews coverage of this event but the live reporting team will be back on Sunday, April 25 to bring you all the action from all the Main Events so make sure to follow along!
More than 50 years after returning from Vietnam, Thomas Crawford still remembers the advice his commanding officer gave when his unit arrived in Providence, Rhode Island. Put on civilian clothes for the final leg of your journey home, they were told, to avoid being harassed by people angry about the war.

That experience in 1970 has stayed with Crawford the rest of his life, and it's one reason why a trip he took with dozens of other veterans in 2017 was so meaningful. When he was able to visit Washington, D.C., as part of the Cayuga County Operation Enduring Gratitude trip, Crawford and his fellow Vietnam veterans finally felt like heroes.

"People down there were shaking our hands and patting us on the back, and they gave us a welcome home that we never saw before," Crawford said last week.
A two-year-old boy has tested positive to coronavirus after he recently returned to Australia with his family from virus-ravaged India.

The Northern Territory government confirmed the positive case on Sunday, just days after the Federal Government declared the sub-continent nation as a 'high risk' zone and has slashed flights from India by 30 per cent cent.

The boy has been at the territory's quarantine facility at Howard Springs 25km from Darwin since arriving back in Australia last week, where he's recovering.

'A two-year-old male who arrived on the repatriation flight from New Delhi on April 17 has tested positive for COVID-19,' the Northern Territory government said.

'The child is asymptomatic and in the care of the AUSMAT team at the NT Centre for National Resilience.'

India is suffering through its darkest days since the pandemic began, with a huge spike in cases of 314,000 in a single day and hospitals at breaking point, fast running out of oxygen.

A two-year-old boy is recovering at Darwin's Howard Springs quarantine facility (pictured) after he tested positive to coronavirus a week after returning from India

Almost 6,700 overseas arrivals have undergone quarantine at Howard Springs since repatriation flights to the Northern Territory began last October.

The latest case comes a day the territory recorded 10 new COVID-19 cases were quarantine on Saturday, including two US Marines.

Other cases recorded on Saturday include two women aged 31 and 32 and four males, including an infant, two boys aged three and six, and a 73 year-old, who arrived on a repatriation flight from eastern Indian city of Chennai on April 15.

Two more women aged 34 and 36 who arrived from New Delhi on April 17 also tested positive on Saturday.

Almost 6,700 overseas arrivals have undergone quarantine at Howard Springs since repatriation flights to the Northern Territory six months ago. Pictured are healthcare workers at the facility

The Northern Territory has not recorded a locally-acquired case since the start of the pandemic with all 161 cases detected in quarantine.

Its tally of active cases currently stands at 49.

The specialist health team chief at the Howard Springs quarantine facility insists the issue is under control with 'stops and checks' in place, despite a recent spike in cases from repatriated flights from India.

'If we get to a particular point, say in excess of 10 or 12 per cent, we would slow down the flights and indeed be very cautious in terms of how many people we actually took on,' the of the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre executive director Professor Len Notaras told the ABC.

'We will maintain the very high level of dealing with those particular people,' he said.

There are growing calls for the federal government to slash flights from India further after the country recorded 346,786 new cases on Saturday, setting a world record for the third straight day.

A man who returned to Western Australia from India was identified as the source of an outbreak which saw Perth and the surrounding Peel region enter a snap three-day lockdown.

All of the 161 cases recorded in the Northern Territory since the the start of pandemic have been international arrivals in quarantine. Pictured are returned travellers touching down in Darwin at the start of the pandemic

India is at breaking point as the nation battles a devastating second wave of the virus with overcrowded hospitals and oxygen supplies running low.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared Australians will only be permitted to travel to a high-risk country under 'very urgent circumstances'.

'An arrangement where if you have been in a high-risk country in the previous 14 days, before getting on your last point of embarkation to Australia, then you would need to have had a PCR test 72 hours before leaving that last point of embarkation,' he told reporters last week.

'This would apply to India.'
A Japanese man has been accused of dating 35 women at the same time to get hundreds of pounds worth of birthday presents.

Takashi Miyagawa, 39, allegedly gave different dates for his birthday to each of his potential partners after claiming he wanted a serious relationship.

He is said to have received cards and presents totalling 100,000 yen (668), including a 200 suit.

The women eventually realised his scam and formed a victims association before going to police in February, according to MBS News.

He has now been arrested on suspicion of fraud.

It is alleged that Miyagawa told a 47-year-old woman his birthday was on 22 February, a 40-year-old woman that it was in July and a 35-year-old woman that it was in April.

However his real birthday is believed to be 13 November.

Local news sites reported that Miyagawa met the women while working for a marketing company selling hydrogen water shower heads and other products.

One woman told MBS News that he kissed her on the second date. She added: I told him, I dont want to do that unless [you] are someone who wants to get married and really be with me in the future. He responded, Im serious. Im going to be with you for the rest of my life.'

Photographs published by the network show Miyagawa with several different women at restaurants and at a park. In one image two small cakes can be seen with the message "Happy Birthday".
I want to add a few footnotes in the form of bullet points to our coverage of the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd:

 The thirteenth and fourteenth seated jurors served as alternates and were released at the end of the trial. Juror number 96  Lisa Christensen  was the thirteenth seated juror. She made the media rounds last week in the aftermath of the verdict.

KARE 11s Lou Raguse interviewed Christensen in I wish it didnt have to happen: Alternate juror reflects on Derek Chauvin trial. Christensen lives in Brooklyn Center and had to navigate her way home through the crowds blocking intersections to protest the death of Daunte Wright.

Quotable quote:

Raguse: Did you want to be a juror? Christensen: I had mixed feelings. There was a question on the questionnaire about it and I put I did not know. The reason, at that time, was I did not know what the outcome was going to be, so I felt like either way you are going to disappoint one group or the other. I did not want to go through rioting and destruction again and I was concerned about people coming to my house if they were not happy with the verdict.

 The Biden-Harris Department of Justice announced an investigation of the Minneapolis Police Department the day following the verdict. They are from the federal government and they are here to help us. NRs Andrew McCarthy explains in the Corner post Obama Encore: Biden Justice Department Announces Investigation of Minneapolis Police Department.

 The Manhattan Institutes Heather Mac Donald said everything I would have said if I had the necessities in A troubled rule of law. Heathers column is the best thing I have read since the jury handed down the verdicts in the Chauvin trial.

 Alan Dershowitz takes up a theme that has preoccupied me in my own comments on the case in the Gatestone column A Long and Sordid History of Crowds Threatening Violence in the Event of a Jury Acquittal.

 As I noted last week, I spoke with Spectator editor Freddy Gray on the Friday before the jury heard closing arguments and retired to deliberate (podcast below). The Spectator also posted the column I wrote immediately following the jurys return of the verdicts on Tuesday under the headline How fair was the Derek Chauvin trial? Working on the column put me in mind of Robert Blys beautiful poem Driving toward the Lac Qui Parle River.

 Friends sent me the BBC clips below.
A woman was injured in a shooting near the intersection of Canal and Bourbon streets early Sunday morning, according to the New Orleans Police Department.

This was the sixth shooting injury near Bourbon Street this weekend.

+6 Five wounded in Bourbon Street shooting early Saturday, New Orleans police say Five people were wounded when gunfire erupted early Saturday on Bourbon Street, New Orleans police said.

Around 2 a.m. Sunday, at the intersections of Canal and Bourbon streets, NOPD found a 33-year-old woman with a gunshot graze wound in her leg. She was transported to a local hospital.

The woman reported hearing gunshots and then discovered she was grazed by a bullet.

The investigation of this shooting is ongoing.

Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

+6 Photos: After five people were shot on Bourbon Street, French Quarter is quiet and empty At least five people were wounded in gunfire that erupted early Saturday morning on Bourbon street, according to a release from New Orleans police.

This incident comes after five people were wounded in a shooting early Saturday morning on Bourbon Street.

The injuries are not life-threatening. Police say the gunfire broke out because of a verbal disagreement between two men.

The rash of shooting injuries comes on a weekend where French Quarter residents approved a second attempt at a sales tax to fund more police patrols in the area.
The state has set a record by administering 6.2 lakh doses of the jab in a day, thanks to the presence of a strong health infrastructure backed by the commitment of the health care personnel to fight the menace.  Representational image/PTI

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government aims to administer Covid19 vaccine free of cost to nearly 1.5 crore youths aged above 18 years from May 1. State health authorities are getting some 1,400 vaccination centres ready for the purpose.

From the start of the C-vaccination in the state on January 16, some nine lakh persons have been given the jabs so far. These included frontline warriors including health care staff and those above 45 years, the original target being 11 lakh persons.

A good number of people aged above 45 years, out of a total of nearly 80 lakh, have been vaccinated so far while vaccination of both the first and second dose is going on for the remaining targeted beneficiaries, officials said.

Though the state has big plans for administering the jabs to those between 18 and 45 years, the coverage will be based on the quantum of vaccine doses that are available to the state.

The state has set a record by administering 6.2 lakh doses of the jab in a day, thanks to the presence of a strong health infrastructure backed by the commitment of the health care personnel to fight the menace.

The health department is planning to administer nearly five lakh doses per day subject to availability of doses in order to vaccinate all the targeted beneficiaries in an expeditious manner, officials said.

On the other hand, with more number of people turning up to undergo Covid19 test and the state government deciding to conduct only RT-PCR test, only a limited number of tests could be done in some districts. Health officials in the districts admit they are having huge backlogs of swab samples for the test and hence not taking fresh swab samples.

The state government plans to address the issue by resuming TrueNat tests from April 26 and conducting Rapid Antigen tests also, besides the ongoing RT-PCR tests.

State Covid-19 nodal officer Dr Arja Srikanth said, There are nearly 1.5 crore youths aged between 18 and 45 to get the jab and the arrangements are being made. We are also expediting the tests to cover more number of people even by way of TrueNat and Rapid Antigen tests besides the RT-PCR.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  New Mexico State Police Officer Leonel Palomares had a bad feeling on that February morning as he and Officer Alfonso Montez waited along Interstate 10.

The two had been tasked with stopping Omar Cueva, a suspected drug trafficker who, Homeland Security Investigations had warned Palomares, was paranoid and carrying a rifle and large amount of meth.

The officers rehearsed the traffic stop before they heard a fellow officer, Darian Jarrott, had stopped Cueva instead. Within minutes, they learned that Jarrott had been shot and Cueva was headed their way.

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Palomares suggested they set up spike strips. Montez disagreed, saying they should try to take Cueva out because he had just shot Jarrott, had no regard for human life and based on his criminal history.

In the chaotic half-hour that followed, Cueva would exchange gunfire with both officers, along with a few other deputies and agents, before being shot to death.

Documents released by State Police late detail the Feb. 4 pursuit and interviews with those who fired upon, and were shot at, by Cueva as he left a trail of spent shells between Deming and Las Cruces.

According to New Mexico State Police incident reports:

Palomares and Montez found Cueva trying to blend in with traffic on Interstate 10 near milepost 113 and the officers gave chase. He pulled onto the shoulder, and the officers pulled behind him. Cueva opened his drivers-side door and fired at the officers as they took cover behind their vehicles.

Cueva then drove off, and both officers fired at the truck before pursuing him down the highway. As they were driving, Palomares said, he saw Cuevas back window exploding and realized he was shooting at them.

The officers hung back and used the shoulder to avoid being hit by gunfire as multiple other agencies joined in, at times nearly crashing into one another as they pursued Cueva at high speeds.

Dona Ana County sheriffs Deputy Diego Herrera told investigators he heard about the shooting of a Deming State Police officer and a pursuit of the suspect. Herrera said he called his brother, a police captain in Deming, and told him they would stop Cueva in Las Cruces.

As the pursuit got closer, pursuing officers relayed that Cueva was dodging spike strips and shooting at authorities as he drove by.

Herrera was waiting at mile marker 132.

As the pursuit approached, he noticed a big gap between Cueva and the officers chasing him. He jumped into the chase.

He did not want this guy to get away. In Deputy Herreras mind, this guy needed to be stopped with whatever it took, he was going to be stopped, one investigator wrote.

Moments later, Las Cruces police Officer Adrian De La Garza jumped in front of Herrera and Herrera had to swerve to avoid crashing into the officer.

De La Garza told investigators he was about to eat when he heard the dispatch that an officer had been shot. He said he turned up the radio and heard the suspect was on I-10 approaching Las Cruces.

De La Garza ran out of the station and sped toward the highway, planning to set up a spike strip. The officer saw that Cueva was already closing in and decided he needed to try to do a pursuit intervention technique on the truck.

As De La Garza got close he saw Cueva point a pistol out the back window and was taking his time to try and aim at him. De La Garza slammed on the brakes and swerved back and forth trying to dodge Cuevas aim before Cueva opened fire.

Soon after, De La Garza said, he and Cueva both drove over spike strips and he heard multiple shots being fired from authorities on the side of I-10. The officer told investigators it sounded like his police car and Cuevas truck were struck by bullets.

De La Garza said he saw Cueva slump over the wheel as if he had been shot and he seized the opportunity to do a PIT maneuver on the truck. Cueva lost control of the truck, and De La Garza assumed he would be one step ahead of Cueva once they came to a stop.

That wasnt the case.

De La Garza fought back tears as he told investigators that, by the time he put his car in park, Cueva was already standing at the front of his hood holding a pistol.

The officer jumped out of the car and fired at Cueva before being shot in the arm.

De La Garza told investigators he fell to the ground and thought he was done for. He pushed that thought out of his mind, telling himself, Dont give up.

The officer stood up and fired at Cueva, who then backed up behind the truck bed.

De La Garza said he saw Cuevas head over the truck bed and approached him, firing until his gun was empty. By the time he reloaded and took a deep breath Cueva was motionless on the ground.

De La Garza said he then felt like his body was on fire and realized he could not move his arm. He had been shot through the biceps.

His police car had been shot numerous times, and bullet casings littered the highway.

Inside Cuevas truck, authorities found a shopping bag filled with several packages of a crystal-like substance, an Aero AR-style .223 rifle with a skull emblazoned on the side and a handheld Whistler radio scanner. Bullet casings from a pistol and rifle were strewn about the truck and there were loaded rifle magazines on the floor.

Near Cuevas body was a Century Arms Canik 9mm handgun and on Cueva, they found a bag of a crystal-like substance and a blood-soaked $20 bill with a bullet hole through it.

At Cuevas house in Deming, authorities found a shotgun, multiple types of ammo, a bag of pills, a digital scale, six cellphones and more than $1,000 in cash.

Authorities learned that Cuevas wife, Laura Swanquist Chavez, had shown up to work distraught after he had called her that day.

The wife told investigators she and Cueva had met a year ago after she and her mother moved to Deming from California due to too many people dying from COVID-19 in her town. Cueva was in a halfway house at the time and told her he thought of changing his life and starting a family.

She said the two began dating, got married and have a 7-month-old son. She described the relationship as a loving one. The wife said Cueva had anger issues and could be jealous but never abused her.

Swanquist Chavez said they struggled with money as Cueva worked construction before leaving his job so the couple could start a business selling cars and merchandise.

She told investigators Cueva would smoke marijuana to relieve severe headaches and he would often leave without notice or telling her what he is doing. Swanquist Chavez said Cueva insisted she buy a handgun from a local pawnshop because there are a lot of coyotes and wild animals around their house.

She said Cueva received phone calls on Feb. 4 and was in and out the house. They had made plans to spend time together, but she noticed he was gone, an investigator wrote. She also noticed that the box and the handgun were also gone.

When investigators told Swanquist Chavez her husband had been killed in a shootout with authorities, she became emotionally distraught and was unable to continue the interview.
A mother who killed her three-year-old son and dumped his body in a suitcase has been released from jail after less than seven years.

Rosdeep Adekoya, 41, was jailed for 11 years for beating her son Mikaeel Kular to death and dumping his body in woodland area behind her sister's house in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, in 2013.

His death came just six months after he was returned to Adekoya's care following more than a year with foster carers.

In 2014, Adekoya admitted culpable homicide and a second charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

However it is understood she was released from Cornton Vale prison in Stirling on Friday.

Rosdeep Adekoya, 41, was jailed for 11 years for beating her three-year-old Mikaeel Kular to death in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in 2013

The High Court in Edinburgh had heard that Adekoya dialled 999 to report her son missing, sparking a major two-day search operation involving the emergency services and hundreds of local volunteers.

But it was later found Adekoya had 'lost her temper' and beaten her son when he was repeatedly sick following a trip to Nando's at Edinburgh's Fountain Park, the court heard.

When Mikaeel was sick for a third time, she dragged him to the shower by his arms and 'beat him heavily' on his back.

Over the next few days Mikaeel's condition worsened and he became 'listless' but his mother did not take him to a doctor because of the bruising.

His body was later found with more than 40 separate injuries.

A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said: 'We don't comment on individual prisoners.'

The High Court previously heard Adekoya had a history of depression and had attempted suicide in 2001.

Passing sentence, judge Lord Glennie said he accepted that Adekoya's remorse was 'genuine and heartfelt'.

But he said what she did was 'cruel and inexcusable'.

Mikaeel Kular, who was returned to Adekoya's care following more than a year with foster carers, was found with more than 40 separate injuries

In 2015, in the wake of the tragedy, the Fife and Edinburgh Child Protection Committees commissioned an independent significant case review to establish whether care teams could have predicted the killing.

A summary of the review concluded that Adekoya's behaviour towards her son was 'unprecedented and out of character' and that the killing 'could not have been predicted', even though a number of concerns had been raised and the toddler had spent time in care.

Between February 2012 and July 2012, Fife social work and NHS Fife health visiting services carried out a number of joint home visits after concerns were twice raised.

Mikaeel was taken into care in July 2012 after Adekoya left him and other children unattended.

He remained with foster carers until August 2013, while social workers were waiting for a Children's Hearing before returning the boy to his mother.

The report noted that while waiting for the hearing, contact arrangements were not increased.

The review team felt that this should have been undertaken and used as an opportunity to test out and monitor his mother's ability to manage her parenting responsibilities.

After Mikaeel was returned to his mother, the family was visited five times by Fife social workers and twice by the Edinburgh health visitors.

The teams found no factors that suggested a level of risk that required intervention.

The review concluded that 'the circumstances that led to Mikaeel's death could not have been predicted'.
A publisher in Vietnam has apologized an Australian author and recalled a book on journalism and communication after he found two university lecturers who are the writers of an article in the book plagiarizing his journal paper.

The publishing house under the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) had already pulled the book, published in Vietnamese in 2020, and registered for its republication, Tran Nam, chief of the communication and corporate relations bureau of the VNU-HCMs University of Social Sciences and Humanities, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Friday.

Hoang Xuan Phuong and Vu Mong Lan, the writers of an article in the book, had been found plagiarizing a paper by Australian author Jim Macnamara in Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, a peer-reviewed academic journal.

Phuong admitted to such plagiarism, saying Lan translated 85 percent of the paper into Vietnamese and included it in their book article without crediting Macnamara.

She claimed that Lan had asked her to symbolically co-author the article, which was meant to make it easier for the writing to be approved for publication, as Phuong was then head of the applied communication department, which is a part of the journalism and communication faculty under the top-tier University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Phuong would have never made such straight lifting if she had written the article herself, she said.

This is an oversight and a stain on my career, Phuong admitted.

Im not denying that it has cost me my credebility, affecting the universities Ive worked for.

It is a painful lesson for me.

Phuong is now vice-dean of the communication and public relations faculty under Van Lang University in Ho Chi Minh City, while Lan is a lecturer of the faculty.

Phuong quit her job at the journalism and communication faculty in October 2020.

On January 13, Macnamara emailed the journalism and communication faculty, which was responsible for compiling the book, to protest Phuong and Lans plagiarism.

The Australian author said that both had copied his paper, which was published in the Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly journal in 2016.

The Vietnamese publisher then apologized Macnamara and he accepted it, said Nam, the communication and corporate relations bureau chief.

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State Farm, the state's largest automobile insurer, got approval to raise auto insurance rates as drivers returned to roadways in Louisiana.

The company increased auto insurance rates by an average 4.3% as of April 5 for new customers and existing customers as their auto policies are renewed.

State Farm previously cut rates by 9.6% in Louisiana, just several months earlier, and like many other companies issued credits on existing premiums during the coronavirus pandemic to adjust to fewer travelers.

Louisiana getting $216M to connect New Orleans to Lafayette, other transportation projects Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Monday the state is getting $216 million in transportation aid from one of the federal stimulus bills, includi

Statewide, the increase amounts to $53.5 million for State Farm, spread across 1 million policy holders. State Farm is the largest auto insurance company in Louisiana when ranked by market share, with nearly one-third of all auto insurance policies in the state.

The rate increase was approved by the Louisiana Insurance Commissioner in mid-December, records show.

"We continue to monitor trends to ensure were accurately matching price to risk, and to minimize the impact to customers as much as possible. Our data indicates more people are driving and it's resulting in an increase in auto claims from the levels in the spring of 2020," said Angie Harrier, spokesperson for State Farm. "Even with these adjustments, rates remain below pre-COVID-19 levels."

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State Farm previously credited customers an average dividend of 25% on premiums owed between March 20 and May 31, 2020. That's about $20 per month for each vehicle insured. Across the country, that totaled $2 billion in rebates to State Farm customers, who received them in the form of credits on future premiums.

In Louisiana, the company dropped rates by 2.3% in March 2020 after previous reductions of 6.5% in 2019 and 4.5% in 2018.

Those previous rate cuts had been attributed by the insurance commissioner to a decline in customers and effort to regain market share.

In July 2016, State Farm had 1.14 million customers in Louisiana when it raised rates by 8%, but its customer base started declining. In August 2017, State Farm had 1.1 million policy holders in Louisiana and raised rates by 13% that year.

Between July 2016 and January 2019, State Farm reported that it had 117,852 fewer customers in the state.
CNI College is honored to be selected as the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS) 2021 3rd Place-Bronze Community Service Award Winner. The CAPPS Excellence in Community Service Awards were inaugurated in 2016 to recognize CAPPS Member Schools that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their local community. The award recognizes initiatives in community service, service learning, and civic engagement that have a significant impact on the communities served by CAPPS member schools.

Jim and I are incredibly grateful and honored to receive this prominent award from CAPPS, said Colleen Buffington, Co-owner of CNI College. When we started CNI College, we had a vision to provide excellence within our community and we made this a foundation of the institution. 2020 was truly an unprecedented year, but we remained flexible to respond to the needs of the community as the pandemic unfolded. In instilling the core value of community responsibility in our students, we all worked together to implement creative programs to continue fundraising efforts for our partners in the area. We are proud to say that we have been blessed with being a member of CAPPS for over 25 years, and we thank the CAPPS team for all the amazing hard work that they do on our behalf. The work that they do every day makes a difference in the lives of our students.

CNI Colleges outreach efforts in 2020 included:



Students and faculty raised over $130,000 for the American Heart Association

Helped coordinate Parades of Praise for several hospitals including Kaiser Permanene, UC Irvine and Anaheim Regional

Placed several THANK YOU HEALTH CARE WORKER signs and banners at local hospitals and sent out CNI personal appreciation letters to the hospitals and their teams to show our support and to remind them that they are always in our hearts

In June, Colleen Buffington received the Difference Maker Award from the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce

Colleen Buffington was honored with the 34th Senate District Women of Distinction 2020 Recognition, for her dedication to serving the community through CNI College

Students participated in CPR Training with the American Heart Association, which included NO TOUCH CPR, due to COVID issues

Supported Anaheim Police Department police officer, Shawn Boatwright with his battle with Leukemia by participating in a Be the Match Bone Marrow Drive to help Shawn find a match for his needed Stem Cell transplant

Donated and catered dinner for the residents at the Orange County Ronald McDonald House

Collected 16 units of blood for the American Red Cross

Donated sibling backpacks and memory boxes from Forever Footprints to St. Joseph Hospital of Orange

For more information on CNI Colleges community outreach efforts in 2020, visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M12hxK5Wqvg
Hello! Are you an aspiring director, screenwriter, or costume designer, looking for that special something to make your villain seem extra menacing? Have you considered giving them some kind of respiratory issue? Y'know, an oxygen tank or an inhaler, or, if you're into sci-fi, a fancy, scary-looking mask that acts like one? Something that very obviously labels your character as sick and therefore evil and less deserving of the audience's sympathy. Or, actually, better yet? Maybe you could try not doing that bullshit anymore; you ableist hacks.

Seriously, in Hollywood, the rule seems to be that if you want your villain to be responsible for the soiling of every pair of pants in the audience, make it difficult for them to inhale oxygen like a normal. Darth Vader is the first and most obvious offender, but he's far from the only one. There's also Jigsaw from the Saw series, Immortan Joe in Mad Max: Fury Road, Le Chiffre from Casino Royale, Kabal in Mortal Kombat, Marie L'Angelle in Preacher, and, of course, Hector Salamanca from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

Like this guy wasnt scary enough already.

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But wait! There's more! Saw Gerrera, onetime Rebel, has a respirator in Rogue One  y'know, after he's branded a terrorist. He didn't have one when he was still a good guy! Meanwhile, Bane from Dark Knight Rises looks and sounds like he has a breathing problem, though it's technically an anesthetic gas he's huffing. And if you want to expand it just a little bit further into more general life support, you've got Mr. Freeze, General Grievous, the Emperor in Rise of Skywalker ...
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
People gather for a "Celebration of Life Memorial" for rapper DMX at Barclays Center, Saturday, April. 24, 2021, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. AP-Yonhap



DMX's legacy was immortalized as a man beloved by his family, honored for his strong faith and respected as one of hip-hop's greatest icons at his memorial service Saturday, with several heartfelt speeches from those who knew the rapper best.



The speakers included friends Swizz Beatz and Nas, as well as his daughter, who rapped in honor of her father.



Kanye West and Busta Rhymes were among the big names who attended the two-hour ceremony at the Barclays Center in New York. The service at the Brooklyn arena was closed to the public and restricted to close friends and family because of the coronavirus pandemic.



In a touching moment, DMX's 15 children gathered on stage to talk  and sometimes rap  about the star as a father who taught them such lessons as ''always say thank you,'' ''be kind to everyone'' and that being afraid can sometimes show a person how to be brave.



''Our father is a king. Our father is an icon,'' eldest son Xavier Simmons said, adding that he was honored to be his son: ''This man deepened my ability to love.''



Tashera Simmons, DMX's ex-wife, told the audience: ''Everything he did, he did for you all. He always wanted to please you. He always wanted to give you his best show.''



''What he wants you to do,'' she said, ''is love Jesus the same way he did. Love his babies. Love his family.''



West's Sunday Service Choir kicked off the ceremony with a gospel performance. The hoodie sweatshirt-wearing ensemble performed a few songs, including their arrangement of ''Excellent'' and Soul II Soul's ''Keep On Movin'.'' The choir took the stage during other moments of the ceremony, performing ''Ultralight Beam'' and Whitney Houston's assisted vocals on the hymn ''Jesus Loves Me.''





People gather for a "Celebration of Life Memorial" for rapper DMX at Barclays Center, Saturday, April 24, 2021, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. AP



Nas reminisced about having a conversation with a teary-eyed DMX while filming a scene for ''Belly,'' a crime drama. He said DMX became emotional knowing the rapper was about to embark on a journey to become a ''hip-hop icon.''



''It's a sad day as well as a glorious day,'' said Nas, who starred with DMX in the 1998 film. ''That was my brother. We did a great movie together. On that movie, he was just rising up as a star. His first album didn't even come out yet, but he knew his journey was starting.''



Eve said she was still having a hard time with DMX's death, remembering him as a ''man, a father, a friend.'' She stood on stage with the Ruff Ryders collective, which helped launch the careers of Grammy winners Eve and Swizz Beatz and relaunch The Lox, formerly signed to Bad Boy Records.



After Eve spoke, Styles P talked about a time when he and DMX were both in the same jail. He said DMX fetched him from his cell and then took him to a part of the jail where he had a band set up along with a string of MCs.



''DMX was the ghetto-est person that ever existed,'' Styles P said. ''What he means to us is indescribable. ... He celebrated us and pushed us. He was one of the most incredible individuals, because from the beginning of his career to the end, he accomplished something no one has ever accomplished. He was in pain the whole way. Whenever you (saw) him, that man was in pain, but he was built out of love. He was a beast with the rhymes.''



Jadakiss said DMX was the ''happiest he ever been in life'' during the last couple years.



Before the service, a massive black big-wheel truck with the words ''LONG LIVE DMX'' on a side of the vehicle carried DMX's shiny red casket for more than 15 miles from Yonkers, New York  where the rapper grew up  to the Barclays Center. A plethora of motorcycles trailed the truck during the procession before arriving at the arena, where thousands of people crowded the streets.



Thousands of motorcycle riders surrounded the monster truck, revving up their engines. Others gathered at the arena while some of DMX's biggest songs from ''Where The Hood At'' and ''Ruff Ryders' Anthem'' blared from the crowd's speakers.





A person holds a newspaper with a photo of musician and actor Earl Simmons, known by his stage name DMX, outside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City, U.S., April 24, 2021. REUTERS-Yonhap
New Delhi, April 24: At a time when the country is battling the coronavirus pandemic, several fake news reports and messages regarding COVID-19 vaccination and registration are being circulated on social media platforms. In the latest such case, a fake news report regarding COVID-19 registration has gone viral on social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp claiming that people above 18 years of age can register for COVID-19 Vaccination from today, i.e. from April 24.

Dismissing the fake claims, a fact check by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said that the Twitter account, that the COVID-19 Vaccine registration for those above 18 years of age will start from April 28, 2021 and not from April 24, 2021. "The claim is FAKE. The registrations will start on the CoWIN platform and Aarogya Setu App from 28th April 2021 onwards", the tweet read. COVID-19 Vaccine Registration for Those Above 18 To Start From April 28; Know List of Required Documents, Charges and How To Register on CoWIN Portal.

Here's the tweet by PIB:

Some media reports have claimed that people above 18 can register for #COVID19Vaccine from 24th April.#PIBFactCheck: The claim is #FAKE. The registrations will start on the #CoWIN platform and Aarogya Setu App from 28th April 2021 onwards. Read here: https://t.co/OpirTNhxM0 pic.twitter.com/gZSFZdYjxA  PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 23, 2021

Earlier this week, the government announced that the registration for the third phase of COVID-19 vaccination for everyone above 18 years of age will start on April 28. The registration will start on the CoWIN platform and Aarogya Setu App. There will be no walk-in allowed for beneficiaries in the third phase.

Fact check

Claim : Some media reports have claimed that people above 18 can register for COVID-19 Vaccine from April 24. Conclusion : The claim is FAKE. The registrations will start on the CoWIN platform and Aarogya Setu App from April 28, 2021 onwards. Full of Trash Clean

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 24, 2021 11:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Xi attends commissioning of Chinese naval vessels

Xinhua) 08:14, April 25, 2021

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents People's Liberation Army (PLA) flag and the naming certificate to the captain and political commissar of the Changzheng-18 in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, April 23, 2021. Xi attended the commissioning ceremony of three naval vessels, the Changzheng-18, the Dalian, and the Hainan, and boarded the vessels after the ceremony. The vessels were delivered to the PLA Navy and placed in active service on Friday at a naval port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

SANYA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), attended the commissioning ceremony of three naval vessels, the Changzheng-18, the Dalian, and the Hainan.

The vessels were delivered to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and placed in active service on Friday at a naval port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province.

The ceremony started at around 3:30 p.m. and was attended by about 2,400 people.

Xi presented PLA flags and the naming certificates to the captain and political commissar of each of the three vessels, and posed for group photos with them.

After the ceremony, Xi boarded the vessels and reviewed the guards of honor. He also inspected the onboard weapons and equipment, greeted the officers and soldiers, and signed his name in the logs.

At the dock, Xi met with representatives of vessel researchers and naval officers and soldiers.

Approved by the CMC, the Changzheng-18 received the hull number 421, the Dalian 105, and the Hainan 31.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Bianji)
The British government is engaged in a protracted and brutal effort to de-legitimise and demonise asylum seekers.

A newly announced two-tier asylum system essentially outlaws claiming asylum in the UK. Another grotesque part of their campaign entails sending asylum seekers back to where they were being persecuted without even bothering to hear their case.

LBC Radio revealed that asylum seekers are being removed from Britain without their cases being legally considered. The radio station is not the first place one would expect to find sympathetic treatment of asylum seekers. Pro-Brexit anti-immigrant demagogue Nigel Farage was until recently a star turn on their broadcasting roster. But its evidence of systematic law breaking by a government denying the legal rights to some of the most desperate and vulnerable people on the planet was not picked up by any other news media source.

A UK Border Force vessel brings a group of people thought to be migrants into the port city of Dover, England, from small boats, Saturday Aug. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Figures seen under Freedom of Information law by LBC show that over half of the people removed by the Home Office on specially arranged charter flights over the summer of 2020 did not have a lawyer on record. More than half of the people being removed were not afforded access to adequate legal representation or had no legal representation whatsoever. Of the 71 people removed in August and September, 37 did not have a lawyer on record.

During the summer of 2020, in anticipation of Britains departure from the European Union (EU), the Home Office began to accelerate deportations and removals. LBC was at pains to distinguish between deportations (which frequently include convicted criminals) and administrative removals, which include migrants and asylum seekers. The figures seen by LBC refer to the latter category. These removal flights continued apace until the UK left the EU in December.

The distinction made by LBC between respectable migrants and asylum seekers removed by fiat and those deported because of a criminal record is a false one. These deportees are frequently one and the same, with evidence of legal representation having also been denied to those accused of crimes while in the UK.

Journalist and lawyer Monir Ahmadi, a refugee himself from Afghanistan, told LBC, "I have friends whose cases were rejected but they didn't have any chance to speak to a lawyer. If you don't have a lawyer, you don't know how to present your case. Asylum seekers don't know what arguments they can provide to support their case. They may have their documents and evidence, but they don't know how to present it."

In response, the Home Office issued a statement ignoring their breach of human rights, insisting, "We only return those who have no right to be in the UK. All claimants have the opportunity to be legally represented during the consideration of their asylum claim and the Legal Aid Agency ensures legal aid funding is provided to those who need it. The current system is broken. Our New Immigration Plan will address abuse of the system and help stop the waste of significant judicial resources.

The government sought to legitimise its brutal policy of removal by announcing last month that their own research suggested eight out of 10 last-minute attempts to avoid removal are rejected. In fact, their figures reveal that 25 percent of last-minute reprieves, even in the jaundiced eye of the government, are legitimate. The Detention Duty Advice Scheme, by which the Legal Aid Agency provides legal assistance to immigration detainees, is currently facing a potential legal challenge from a number of NGOs, including Detention Action.

Organisations advocating on behalf of asylum seekers told LBC they have seen multiple instances of legitimate asylum seekers or trafficking victims failing to have their cases taken on. They argue there is evidence that some law firms involved in the scheme have taken on only a very small number of the cases they've been assigned.

Speaking on behalf of Detention Action, director Bella Sankey said, "The system is in disarray, it's not fit for purpose. People don't have lawyers available to them. The legal advice that is being given at times is wrong. We've raised these concerns consistently with the Legal Aid Agency and more recently with government, and we're now in the process of initiating litigation over this."

The brutality of the Home Offices forced-removal programme was illustrated just days after the LBC exposure, when Home Secretary Priti Patel was found to have acted unlawfully in attempting to remove a failed asylum seeker before he could testify at an inquest into the death of another asylum seeker at a detention centre.

The Financial Times reported how the Home Office wanted to send Ahmed Lawa on a flight to Nigeria on September 17, 2019. This was just five days after the death of Oscar Okurime, a friend living in the next room at Harmondsworth immigration detention centre.

Lawal knew his removal from the UK would prevent him giving evidence at the inquest into Okurimes death. After hearing Lawals evidence, a coroners jury found Okurimes death (from a brain haemorrhage) to be unnatural, brought about partially by multiple failures of management to follow healthcare procedures at the detention centre.

Judge Lane ruled that Patel acted unlawfully by trying to put Lawal on the flight without taking reasonable steps to secure his evidence towards the inquest into Okurimes death. The judge ruled a Home Office policy document, Death in Immigration Detention, unlawful because under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which covers the right to life, it risks breaching detainees rights. In addition, Lane said the Home Office had breached the law by failing to provide adequate instructions for caseworkers to handle the case of a witness to a death in custody.

In his judgment, Judge Lane explained how Lawal testified at the inquest that he heard screaming and shouting and efforts to push the alarm bell from Okurimes room around 11pm the night before he was found dead. Okurime was only discovered dead the following morning, by which time rigor mortis had set in. Previously a judge issued a last-minute injunction on the day of Lawals planned removal to prevent him being returned to Nigeria. The coroner in the case later said Lawal would not have been able to give evidence adequately online via video link.

Jamie Bell, of Duncan Lewis Solicitors, the immigration lawyer who represented Lawal, told the FT, This case demonstrates the cavalier attitude of the home secretary when enforcing removals.

Bell continued Despite a tragic death within her detention centre, the home secretary did not hesitate to maintain her plan to remove potential witnesses by charter flight, ignoring anyone who wished to come forward to give evidence. Bell said the case demonstrated the vital importance of judicial review and access to appropriate legal advice in immigration detention.

The working class must wage a determined struggle in defence of immigrants and asylum seekers now being denied basic democratic rights. 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 Socialist Equality Party demands an end to all deportations and calls for refugees to be welcomed and provided with all the benefits of citizenship.
Aussie academic Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert's ex-husband has been seen out and about with his new lover for the first since having an affair while she was imprisoned in a hellhole Iranian jail as she declared she no longer cares about him.

Dr Moore-Gilbert, an Islamic studies scholar, was freed last November in a prisoner swap deal after spending 804 days behind bars on spying charges and arrived home to discover her husband Ruslan Hodorov had moved on with another woman.

The 33-year-old's mother broke the news while she was in quarantine that her Russian-Israeli husband was having an affair with Dr Kylie Baxter, her university colleague and PhD supervisor, while she was held captive in Iran.

An 'upset and disappointed' Dr Moore-Gilbert filed for divorce shortly after, and made the announcement it was official on her Twitter account earlier this month.

Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert (pictured this month) said she no longer cares about her ex-husband after he had an affair while she was locked-up in an Iranian jail on spying charges

Dr Moore-Gilbert's ex-husband Ruslan Hodorov was this month pictured out walking in Melbourne with his new lover Dr Kylie Baxter

Dr Moore-Gilbert (pictured this month) was told while she was in quarantine after arriving back in Australia from Iran that her now ex-husband had been having an affair

Mr Hodorov and Dr Baxter were pictured walking hand-in-hand while out and about near their home in the exclusive Melbourne suburb of Toorak

She last week told how she wanted nothing to do with her former husband having previously revealed how she was keen to 'move on' from the marriage.

'I don't care what he is doing. He is none of my business that is my ex and I don't care about him,' she told the Herald Sun.

Before her September 2018 arrest Dr Moore-Gilbert and Mr Hodorov had just bought a house in Melbourne after marrying the previous year in a Jewish ceremony.

They met a decade earlier when she visited Israel, where Mr Hodorov lived after emigrating from Russia with his family.

Both Mr Hodorov, 31, and Dr Baxter, 43, pushed for Dr Moore-Gilbert's release after her arrest for espionage at Tehran airport as she attempted to leave the country.

Mr Hodorov was this month pictured walking hand-in-hand with Dr Baxter along Melbourne's Yarra River close to their home in the exclusive suburb of Toorak.

Dr Moore-Gilbert (left) filed divorce shortly after her release after finding out Mr Hodorov was having an affair with Dr Baxter (pictured together at right)

Dr Moore-Gilbert declared the divorce was finalised in a post on Twitter, making light of the situation with a reference to a Kylie Minogue cameo in Australian sit-com Kath & Kim

Dr Moore-Gilbert, an Islamic studies scholar, was freed last November in a prisoner swap deal after spending 804 days in an Iranian jail on spying charges, which she denies

He told media he was relieved Dr Moore-Gilbert was home and 'appreciated the interest' in his ex-wife but declined to comment further.

Dr Moore-Gilbert revealed in a bombshell interview last month that while locked up in the Middle East Mr Hodorov eventually stopped saying 'I love you' during phone calls.

'I knew that it (the marriage) wasn't in the same state that it was when I left. I knew that there was a problem at least 12 months before I came home,' she told Melissa Doyle in a Sky News tell-all.

'My mother told me when I arrived in hotel quarantine. She found out the day before from a third person, a third party... My family found out and called (him), and he confirmed it.'

Dr Moore-Gilbert said she became suspicious when her husband had not contacted her after touching down in Australia.

'He hasn't even called to say "I'm happy you're free", so I said you have to tell me mum it's obvious somethings up - I'm strong I can handle it,' she said.

Dr Moore-Gilbert added she 'was upset and disappointed (Mr Hodorov) was not supporting me to the extent that I hoped he would' while she was in jail.

Dr Moore-Gilbert (pictured) married Mr Hodorov in 2017 in a Jewish ceremony after meeting him a decade earlier while visiting Israel

Mr Hodorov and Dr Baxter (pictured together) pushed for Dr Moore-Gilbert's release after her arrest for espionage in September 2018

'I understand something had shifted for him and for me too. I didn't necessarily think that our marriage was over, but I was thinking to myself based on that maybe I didn't want to stay with him, so it wasn't necessarily a surprise that my marriage came to an end.

'He never told my family, or told me, that he wanted to leave me. He maintained the deception right up until the end.'

Dr Moore-Gilbert said Dr Baxter liaised between the University of Melbourne and her family and husband during her time behind bars.

She and Dr Baxter are both experts in Middle Eastern studies at the university, where she teaches

'The nature of it given my closeness to both of them was very disappointing for me. In a way it has been harder for me to process and come to terms with that then it has been with what happened to me in Iran,' she said.

The academic admitted her husband 'suffered a lot at the beginning' of her arrest and was 'quite vulnerable'.

'I don't know what happened, I don't want to know, I don't want to dwell on it. I just want to move on,' she said.

Dr Moore-Gilbert was given a 10-year sentence but always denied the charges, that reportedly stemmed from the Iranian authorities' belief that she was a spy for Israel because of her relationship with her husband - an Israeli citizen.

Mr Hodorov (pictured with his new partner Dr Kylie Baxter) eventually stopped saying 'I love you' to Dr Moore-Gilbert while she was in jail, she revealed last month

Dr Moore-Gilbert (pictured) said she was 'upset and disappointed (Mr Hodorov) was not supporting me to the extent that I hoped he would' while she was in an Iranian jail

While in prison, she refused to help lure him to Iran in a plot concocted by her captors, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC).

A letter from Dr Moore-Gilbert to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, which was smuggled out of Evin prison, revealed how the IRGC tried to set a trap for Mr Hodorov, who they accused of being an Israeli spy.

When she was arrested, Dr Moore-Gilbert - who is also the cousin of Julian Assange - had been attending a conference in Iran when she was flagged as 'suspicious' by a fellow academic and by a subject she had interviewed for research.

She was subsequently tried and sentenced, and held in Evin prison in solitary confinement. Iranian authorities reportedly tried to recruit her as a spy in exchange for her release, which she declined.

While imprisoned Dr Moore-Gilbert was kept in a tiny cell in freezing temperatures and was subjected to psychological torture. She staged several hunger strikes, and in May 2020 her family denied reports she had attempted suicide.

Nick Warner, the head of Australia's intelligence service, successfully negotiated a prison swap for Dr Moore-Gilbert's freedom.

She was exchanged for three Iranian prisoners in Thailand, two of whom had been convicted in connection with the 2012 Bangkok bomb plot.

Dr Moore-Gilbert (pictured) was locked up in solitary confinement in a windowless, two-by-two metre cell, with noise and lights blaring 24/7

Dr Moore-Gilbert (pictured) admitted her husband 'suffered a lot at the beginning' of her arrest and was 'quite vulnerable' in an interview with Sky News last month

He is understood to have spent months convincing officials in meetings and even at social functions to get the Thai prisoners released - who the Iranian government called 'businessmen'.

Australia's ambassador to Thailand, Allan McKinnon, also lobbied with Thai officials to release the three Iranian terrorists as an exchange for the Melbourne University lecturer.

Dr Moore-Gilbert has carried out research into revolutions in the Middle East, particularly in Bahrain.

To this day, no evidence of her alleged crimes have been brought forward by Iran, and the Australian government has rejected them as 'baseless and politically motivated'.

In December 2020, Western and Israeli media claimed Iran had launched a media misinformation campaign against Moore-Gilbert 'accusing her of coordinating with a former Bahraini MP, Jasim Husain, to steal secrets for Israel'.

Husain was accused by Iran of teaching Moore-Gilbert Arabic and Persia, and offering to help her spy on Shia exiles in Iran.
Faizabad : , April 25 (IANS) Five militants have been confirmed dead as a clash erupted in Shahr-e-Bazarg district of northern Badakhshan province on Sunday, provincial government spokesman Sanahullah Rohani said.

The clash flared up after a group of Taliban militants attacked the police checkpoints in Shahr-e-Bazarg district early Sunday morning and police returned fire, killing five insurgents and forcing the militants to flee, the official said.

Eight more militants sustained injury in the firefight, Rohani further said without providing more details, the Xinhua news agency reported.

In the meantime, an army officer in province Abdul Razaq confirmed with Xinhua about the fighting and said two security personnel were injured in the gun battle.

Taliban militants are yet to comment on the situation in the relatively troubled district.
An extremely rare two-headed calf has been born in North Macedonia.

The baby cow has a condition called polycephaly, and consequently has fused skulls, two pairs of eyes and one pair of ears.

The unique multi-headed animal is even able to suck milk simultaneously using its two mouths, as reported by Reuters.

Farmer Vasko Pestrovski knew something was different when the calf was being born in his barn in Lazec, a small village in the Bitola municipality, last week.

He said: Early in the morning we heard that the cow was about to deliver. When she delivered, we saw the calf was rather extraordinary, with two heads.

We immediately called on the veterinarian, he came and said it was a was a very natural phenomenon. The calf is functioning normally.

I will keep it as long as it is alive, no matter how long. We will do everything to ensure this.

Local media quoted veterinarians as saying cases of polycephaly are rare. Unfortunately the two-headed calf only has a small chance of long-term survival.
Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Marcel Ciolacu says that 16 years after the signing of Romania's Treaty of Accession to the European Union (EU), current politicians "are not capable" of sending a "coherent plan" to the European Commission consistent with the National Resilience and Recovery Plan (PNRR) requirements.

According to the Social Democratic leader, the signing of the treaty on April 25, 2005 paved the way for Romanian society to "European values and standards". In this context, he is drawing a comparison with the current situation, claiming that "some have written history, others miss historical chances for Romania".

"Today marks 16 years since the signing of Romania's Treaty of Accession to the European Union. On April 25, 2005, Romania wrote history in Luxembourg and paved the way for Romanian society to European values and standards. Unfortunately, the current leaders of the Romanian state - Iohannis, Citu or Orban did not take the time to say at least word about this essential moment in the modern history of Romania, and it is not surprising that after 16 years, these politicians are not even capable of sending a coherent plan to the European Commission that observes European requirements regarding the PNRR. Some have written history, others miss historical chances for Romania!," Ciolacu wrote on Facebook on Sunday.
Following the government's announcement that everyone in the country above the age of 18 can get vaccinated against COVID-19 from May 1, a message has started making rounds online warning women not to take the jab five days before and after their periods.

The reason mentioned in the viral post is that womens immunity is low during those days and taking the vaccine during periods can be dangerous.

Twitter

But according to scientists, there is no data to suggest that womans immunity is reduced during their periods.

#Fake post circulating on social media claims that women should not take #COVID19Vaccine 5 days before and after their menstrual cycle.



Don't fall for rumours!



All people above 18 should get vaccinated after May 1. Registration starts on April 28 on https://t.co/61Oox5pH7x pic.twitter.com/JMxoxnEFsy  PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 24, 2021

Fertility expert and gynaecologist Dr. Yuvraj took to social media to debunk this claim and called it a way to 'stigmatize periods'. Dr. Yuvraj further said that there is "no science as of now that says that women or girls shouldn't take the vaccines on these days."

What professionals say

Dr. Shimna Azeez, a Kerala-based medical practitioner also pointed out that, in the first phase medical professionals and frontline workers of all ages, including women of menstruating age had received the vaccine and there have been no reports of any complications from taking the jab during those days.

BCCL

Experts also rejected another claim that the Covid-19 vaccines may affect menstrual cycles and fertility, after anecdotal reports that some people experienced earlier, later, heavier or more painful periods following the jab.

BCCL

So far, theres no data linking the vaccines to changes in menstruation, Alice Lu-Culligan and Dr Randi Hutter Epstein at Yale School of Medicine wrote in the New York Times. Even if there is a connection, one unusual period is no cause for alarm.
For Subscribers Is Washington County as Republican as everyone thinks? Maybe

A few local voters have converted to Democrats so far this year. Several have left the GOP. Big winners? The unaffiliated.
Russia is prepared to take new retaliatory measures against the US if Washington keeps the escalation path, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on the Rossiya-1 TV channel, TASS reports.

"Everything was said in our response to the latest unfriendly US steps. We announced all measures, which have been taken and are ready to take more if this escalation continues," Lavrov said.

Russian-US relations significantly soured after Bidens notorious ABC News interview when he said that Moscow would have to "pay a price" for allegedly interfering in US elections and went on to uphold a disparaging remark about President Vladimir Putin. Russias envoy to the US Anatoly Antonov was then pulled, returning to Moscow for consultations. That said, he has been in the Russian capital since March 21.

On April 15, the White House announced more sanctions against Russia. Moscow retaliated with tit-for-tat moves on April 16.
Tiger Shroff-Disha Patani And Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt Return Home From Their Maldives Holiday

A week ago, Bollywood heartthrob Tiger Shroff was snapped at the airport along with his rumored girlfriend Disha Patani. They jetted off for a much needed holiday to Maldives, which is currently a popular hub for actors to blow off steam. Sadly, the star couple was brutally trolled by netizens for taking a vacation amid the pandemic. Well, as they returned home today they were snapped by the paparazzi. While Disha walked ahead in a pink crop top and ripped jeans, Tiger followed in a blue tank t-shirt paired with white pants. Cool as a breeze!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

A day after they left for their vacation, another star couple was spotted at the airport. It was none other than Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt! Ranbir had tested positive for coronavirus in March and a few weeks later his girlfriend also contracted the virus. Well, after recovering from COVID-19, the love birds flew away to Maldives too. Interestingly, they also returned to the city today. Unlike Disha and Tiger, Ranbir and Alia walked side by side in matching white t-shirts and sneakers. Take a look:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

Recently, actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui lashed out at Bollywood celebs, who have been vacationing in Maldives, for posting their fun-filled holiday pictures while there are people in the world starving amid the pandemic.
New Delhi: After the big announcement by the Centre allowing all above the age of 18 to avail of the COVID-19 vaccine, many states have declared that they will provide the vaccine for free to the people of their state.

This move comes after the Centre decided to allow the states and private hospitals to buy the vaccine on their own, leaving the pricing up to the vaccine manufacturers.

Many officials are pleading with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the pricing of the vaccine and regulate it throughout the nation.

Take a look at which states have announced to provide free vaccines to the people:

Maharashtra

State Minister Nawab Malik announced on Sunday (March 25) that the Maharashtra Government to vaccinate all its citizens free of cost.

Madhya Pradesh

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that all people above the age of 18 years will be offered the Covid-19 vaccine free in the state from May 1.

Delhi

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that the Delhi government has decided to provide free COVID-19 vaccines to everyone above 18 years of age.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced free vaccination for people above 18 years of age in the state for the next vaccination round which starts from May 1.

Jammu and Kashmir

A statement from the office of Jammu and Kashmirs lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha said, "It has been decided that Covid-19 vaccination for people in the age group of 18 to 45 years will be free of cost in the Union Territory, and the cost of vaccine will be borne by the government of Jammu and Kashmir."

Himachal Pradesh

Following a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, the Himachal Pradesh government decided to provide the COVID-19 vaccine free of cost.

Goa

Goa will be procuring 500,000 doses of Covishield vaccine initially, it said in a statement. The state government also announced that all between the age of 18 to 45 will get the vaccine for free.

Kerala

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that he will provide the COVID-19 vaccine free of cost to the people of his state.

Chattisgarh

Free COVID-19 vaccines will be provided for all above the age of 18 in Chattisgarh.

Bihar

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced on Wednesday (April 21) that all above the age of 18 will get the COVID-19 vaccine jab for free.

Jharkhand

"Corona will lose, Jharkhand will win," Chief Minister Hemant Soren said after he announced that the COVID-19 vaccination will be available for free.

Uttar Pradesh

BJP national general secretary BL Santhosh on Tuesday informed that Uttar Pradesh will vaccinate the population above 18 years free of cost.

Assam

Assam has placed an order for 10 million vaccines with Bharath Biotech and announced that everyone above the age of 18 will get the vaccine for free.

Sikkim

Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang on Wednesday announced that the state government will provide free Covid-19 vaccine to all citizens between 18 to 45 years.

West Bengal

Since the West Bengal Assembly elections are still on, the free vaccine doses will be available from May 5 onwards, CM Mamata Banerjee announced.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu on Thursday said it will provide free Covid-19 vaccination for all from May 1, when the next phase of inoculation drive covering all above 18 years would start.

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh state government announced on Saturday (April 24) that they too will be providing the vaccine free of cost.

Telangana

Telangana will administer the COVID-19 vaccine free of cost to the entire population in the state irrespective of their age, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao announced.

Haryana

Everyone above 18 years of age will be vaccinated free of cost at government hospitals in Haryana.

Odisha

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced free COVID vaccination for all above the age of 18.

Live TV
Victorians are breathing a sigh of relief on Monday morning after no new Covid cases were found.

There were zero community and hotel quarantine cases detected in the 24 hours to midnight on Sunday, out of 12,680 tests.

The welcomed news comes despite more than 100 Qantas passengers still waiting for Covid test results after flying to Melbourne with an infected traveller five days ago.

Of the 241 other Qantas passengers, 135 have so far tested negative, but more than a hundred others are still waiting on a result

A 45-year-old man carrying the virus flew on QF778 from Perth on Wednesday.

Of the 241 other passengers, 135 have so far tested negative, but more than a hundred others are still waiting on their results.

The man's four close contacts - his spouse, two children and one child's friend - have also tested negative.

Of the 10 airport staff potentially exposed to the case, six have tested negative, and health authorities said messages had been sent to all passengers from the flight.

The state has not had any new local cases, making 58 days with no community transmission, with the Melbourne passenger counting as an 'interstate case'.

After playing at Perth's Optus Stadium at the weekend, North Melbourne's AFL side returned to Melbourne on Sunday.

All members of the party were tested on arrival and must isolate at home, but have been granted an exemption for training and on medical and compassionate grounds.
A Texas sheriffs Facebook post in response to recent officer-involved shootings across the U.S. has been met with mixed responses online.

Throckmorton County Sheriff Doc Wigington on Friday posted to the offices Facebook page admonishing parents for what he called a failure to raise respectful, responsible children who listen to authority figures.

In the news cycle over the last few weeks have been stories of young people being shot by police in some type of altercation or another, Wigington wrote. The public is quick to jump on the officers involved stating a need for more training, better de-escalation tactics, and possibly shooting the subject in the leg.

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His post comes during a month that has seen several officer-involved shootings and just days after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted on three charges in the 2020 death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man. Floyd died after Chauvin kneeled on his neck for several minutes.

As Chauvins conviction was handed down, police in Columbus, Ohio, shot and killed 16-year-old MaKhia Bryant, who was seen on body camera footage lunging at another girl with a knife, USA Today reported. Police were on the scene about 10 seconds before the shots were fired, according to the outlet.

On April 11, Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, was fatally shot by a police officer in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, who officials said mistakenly pulled out her gun instead of her Taser, the Associated Press reported.

Just a few days later, 13-year-old Adam Toledo was shot and killed with his hands raised by a Chicago police officer. Toledo was running down an alley early April 16 when the officer yelled for Toledo to stop and raise his hands, according to KXAS.

Andrew Brown Jr., a 42-year-old Black man, was fatally shot by sheriffs deputies as they carried out a search warrant in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, on April 21, the Raleigh News & Observer reported.

Story continues

Their deaths sent shockwaves through the country, sparking protests, outrage and calls for police reform.

Wigington defended police training in his post before chiding parents for how they raise their kids.

He also addressed suggestions that police should be trained in and implement deescalation tactics, saying that such tactics only work when the subject is willing to listen and not in a rage.

IT IS NOT THE JOB OF THE OFFICER TO RAISE YOUR KID, he wrote, adding that parents need to take responsibility for the actions of their FAILURE to raise their child to be respectful, responsible and listen to authority figures.

He goes on to say that sometimes children are wrong and need to be disciplined.

Jumping on teachers, coaches etc. All their life gives the kids a feeling they can do no wrong and they do not have to comply with authority figures, he said, finishing his post saying, By the time that law enforcement has to get involved in your childs life its usually past time to be a parent.

His post as been met with mixed responses.

Some said Wigingtons post doesnt address corruption or poor practices within law enforcement agencies.

Sheriff, with all due respect, all parents expect their children, as the public expects, to be protected and served by law enforcement. Unfortunately, many in your ranks take extrajudicial measures and are easily corrupted, one person wrote. The good in law enforcement is tainted by those behaviors and especially worsened when the good turns their back upon witnessing bad.

Its not always about respect, another wrote. Sometimes they need help and I think officers need to be trained in order to handle situations like this.

Others said they thought Wigington was spot-on.

Its definitely a family problem in this country, one person wrote. These young adults have no regard for anyone but themselves. Its called friending your child, instead of Discipline!!!

Following his post, Wigington talked to KTXS and addressed his comments along with the Chauvin trial, calling the former officers actions a failure of leadership and saying that he should have been off the force a long time ago.

He added that his post wasnt meant to be political and that he just wanted to call out parents and urge them to step up.

My post had nothing to do with race, it has nothing to do with any race unless you want to count the human race, he told the outlet. It has nothing to do with any political (party) whether theyre Democrat, Republican, Independent, it doesnt have anything to do with that.

Many law enforcement officers have vowed to do better In the wake of Chauvins conviction and Aprils police shootings.

Justice has been served. NYPD will be out tonight to ensure that peaceful demonstrations have the ability to proceed safely, New York Police Department Commissioner Dermot Shay tweeted.

San Francisco Police Chief William Scott tweeted the work of doing justice for George Floyd doesnt end today, adding, those of us entrusted with the responsibility of law enforcement must build trust where we have it, restore trust where weve lost it, and earn trust even where weve never had it.

Abilene, Texas, police chief Marcus Dudley said,justice has been served, but it is essential for us to continue our efforts to do better as our nation begins to heal, KTXS reported.

Throckmorton County is about two hours west of Fort Worth.

Read next:

Police kill 2 Black people within hours of Chauvin conviction. More to do, activists say

7-year-old girl fatally shot in McDonalds drive-thru, Illinois police say
Posted Sunday, April 25, 2021 4:07 am

A 67-year-old man from Vancouver died in collision after he attempted to pass a school bus and struck a vehicle parked on the shoulder of the road.

David J. Sarault was reported dead at the scene by the Washington State Patrol on Thursday, April 22.

Sarault was traveling northbound in the southbound lane of State Route 503 near milepost 13 as he attempted to pass a school bus.

Sarault, who was driving a 1999 Chevy Blazer, swerved back into the northbound lane, lost control of his vehicle and struck a parked 1987 Suzuki Samurai. Christopher W. Stricker, 46 of Woodland, who was in the Suzuki was injured and transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Clinic.

Saraults vehicle came to rest off the roadway in the trees where he was pronounced dead at the scene, stated a news release from WSP.

Sticker was wearing a seatbelt, according to WSP, but Sarault was not.

It's unknown if drugs or alcohol were involved, stated the release.
Rule of MPs and the Rule of Law View(s):

The Governments decision to proceed on the recommendations of what were blatantly biased findings of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) calling for blanket withdrawals of corruption related and other criminal cases now before court, betrays a dangerous mindset prevailing among the countrys political leadership.

The COI opined that certain cases filed by the Bribery Commission and the Attorney General against members of the present Government were politically motivated, and therefore, the accused ought to be discharged from proceedings with a nolle prosecui (no further prosecution). For the Government to buy that line may have been its original intention when it appointed a puppet COI, but it is not just a flagrant tinkering with the Constitution and the tenets of a modern democratic state, it is a bad joke!

If any of the suspects now before court feel they were politically victimised, and they might well have been, their only recourse was to defend their cases before whom they have been indicted and be vindicated. This attempt to bypass what is before court by a Parliamentary motion  whether it is binding or not, is setting a dangerous precedent that tests the already questionable commitment of the Government to the Rule of Law, Independence of the Judiciary and the Attorney General, and the Doctrine of the Separation of Powers.

When the COI report was in the public domain unofficially, there was a howl of horrified protests at the manner in which it had conducted its business and the recommendations it had made. Government voices, especially its lawyers including the Minister of Justice must have themselves blushed at the uproar that was created. Instead of waiting till the findings were challenged and tested in court, the Governments brainwave has been to bring a resolution before Parliament to circumvent such a challenge.

Just this week, the Minister asked that aspersions not be cast on the Government for delaying indictments against those involved in the Easter Sunday 2019 bombings saying that this job was for the Attorney General, not the Government.

Article 4 (c) of the prevailing Constitution (until such time as it is amended or revoked) states that the Judicial Powers of the sovereign People shall be exercised through courts, tribunals and institutions established by law. The exception being in matters relating to the privileges of MPs and the powers of Parliament. There is no law that gives Parliament the power to interfere with pending court cases. Long-held Parliamentary tradition goes further in that no pending case before a court of law is discussed in Parliament.

Article 111C goes on to prescribe interference with the Judiciary as an offence. This extends the argument to whether the COI is therefore in infringement of the Constitution. This COI was a fact-finding body and the law under which it is established (Act No. 17 of 1948) gives it no power to interfere with court cases or indeed, steps taken by the Attorney General in that regard.

Furthermore, Section 194 of the Criminal Procedure Code is the law that applies to withdrawal of indictments before a court. This can only be done by the Attorney General in agreement with the respective sitting judge. Historically, even the courts have been reluctant to interfere with this extraordinary power vested with the Attorney General.

Not all past Attorney Generals were paragons of professional virtue. Dont we know of cases where the then Minister of Justice asked the then AG to file indictments even when there was no case to prosecute, and other instances where indictments were withdrawn, or cases crashed by the AG on a political diktat. The Supreme Court has developed the law in recent years to have the right to consider whether the AGs indictment has been executed properly, i.e. without bias and undue political influence. That right must remain vested solely with the Supreme Court  not Parliament.

The current exercise is going to the extreme in making a mockery of Government and the Rule of Law when MPs who are indicted before court raise their hands to vote Aye to withdraw a case against them in court.

Climate change: Lanka must play its part

While the entire world is grappling with the immediate challenge of tackling a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic that is ravaging nation after nation with new waves and new variants of the virus, it was refreshing to see world leaders had not lost sight of the future.

Earth Day was marked with the US making a statement that the country that produces 15 percent of the worlds carbon emissions contributing to global warming and climate change was back on board in meeting targets towards carbon neutrality. The previous US Administration dismissed climate change as a hoax, the same way it did the COVID-19 virus. The results from the reckless latter course are there to be seen in the US while the disastrous policy on the global campaign for a cleaner planet is fortunately being recalibrated before it is too late.

There may be some element of international power play involved in the US initiative to have a global virtual summit this week with the worlds worst polluting nations  the US, China, India and the industrialised West engaged along with the worst victims from Bangladesh and African states suffering through floods, droughts and extreme temperatures.

Yet, the US President said this was a decisive decade to overcome the existential crisis of our time. China and India made no specific promises to meet targets set by various international protocols from Kyoto to Paris to Glasgow. Interestingly, however, the Chinese leader said his country was aiming to be a coal-free nation in the future. China has much to gain by futuristic carbon neutral policies like electric cars. Much of the minerals required for such components are found in China. Coal fired energy plants are some of the biggest pollutants of the atmosphere, but how is it that China has no qualms about exporting coal plants to countries like Sri Lanka. Norochcholai has seen a dirty plant here  not only riddled with corrupt kickbacks, but constantly breaking down. Now there are plans to expand it.

In Sri Lanka, recent instances of deforestation, plans to rape the Sinharaja Reserve, rampant sand mining and the like have been much debated and criticised but plans on a sustainable platform for clean, renewable energy are torpedoed by energy mafias. The Government should realise the dangers of wearing blinkers to the prospect of climate change. Like the coronavirus, these are not issues to easily wish away, or to tackle in splendid isolation from the rest of the world.
A 69-year-old man has died after being run over by his own car as he tried to stop it rolling downhill.

The pensioner had returned to his white Kia Sportage after an afternoon walk with his son, believed to be 25, and their pet whippet today in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

He opens the boot to put the dog in the car and as his son - who is understood to be autistic - gets in, the motor begins to roll backwards downhill.

The man is thought to have travelled from Manchester to visit the Seven Acres Country Park in Bolton for a walk.

He can be seen attempting to stop the car from rolling but tragically falls under the weight of it and is crushed to death.

Horrified residents on the tiny cul-de-sac then rush out into the street to try to help the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

The man's son is comforted by neighbours as he begged: 'Please don't let my dad die.'

A 69-year-old man has died after being run over by his own car as he tried to stop it rolling downhill (pictured)

Distressed local resident Lee Houghton, 54, said he was unable to sleep last night after the horrific incident happened.

He said: 'It has shocked me.

'I have had to download the CCTV and give it to the police.

'I was downstairs getting ready to watch the football and didn't know anything about it.

'If I had seen him, I'd have shouted at him to just let it roll, let it hit my house.

'It's only bricks and mortar, I wish he'd have just let it go and he'd still be here with us.'

Lee said neighbours were alerted to the son's cries for help as the car rolled backwards.

He added: 'My next door neighbour heard the lad screaming 'dad' and 'help'.

'He got out of the car shouting 'I didn't touch the handbrake'.

The pensioner had returned to his vehicle (pictured), a Kia Sportage, after an afternoon walk earlier today in Bolton, Greater Manchester

'Because he's from Manchester and his mum doesn't drive, his carers had to come for him. He sat with my neighbours and he begged them "don't let my dad die".

'A neighbour called the ambulance and the emergency services came to the street, but there was nothing that could be done for him. I think they knew instantly.

'It's just so sad, so tragic. I'm still in shock now. I just wish he'd let it roll, but I guess it's just instinct. You do whatever you can to protect your kids.

'He had no chance once it started rolling.

'My sister rang me to say there was a commotion on the street. I came out and a paramedic said to go back inside, you don't want to see this, it's gruesome.'

Sergeant Philip Shaw, of Greater Manchester Police's serious collision investigation unit, said: 'This appears to be a tragic accident and our thoughts are with this man's family at this terribly difficult time for them.

'It remains important that we conduct an investigation into the circumstances of this incident to make sure the family have answers to why this happened.

'We encourage anyone who witnessed the incident, saw the car prior to the man's return to it, or has any information that may assist our inquiries to get in touch.'

Anyone with information can contact police on 0161 856 4741 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The pensioner had returned to his vehicle, a Kia Sportage, after an afternoon walk earlier today in Bolton, Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: 'Police are appealing for information following a fatal road incident in Bolton.

'At around 2.20pm on Saturday 23 April 2021 a man aged 69 returned to his Kia Sportage at the junction of Crompton Way and Crompton Vale following a walk.

'The vehicle began to roll downhill and while attempting to stop it, the man was run over.

'Emergency services attended but the man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.'
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College Renters Insurance 101

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Insurance usually isn't top of mind when you're young and going off to college. You may have thought about car insurance. And you may have heard of tuition insurance, due to the coronavirus crisis. But you probably haven't thought about buying renters insurance.

Since this topic will likely be brand new to you, we'll get you prepared with the right coverage whether you're living on or off campus.

Why You Need Renters Insurance

While you're usually not carting all of your worldly goods off to school with you, just think of all the things you do bring - laptop, TV, supplies for your major, jewelry, appliances - and that's just for a dorm! If you're off-campus, that list could also include furnishings.

These belongings can easily reach thousands of dollars. And college students don't usually have emergency funds to quickly cover those losses.

Additionally, with meeting new people and parties, there are a lot of people coming in and out of both on- and off-campus housing at all hours, and some of them take advantage of the usually relaxed campus security.

According to the most recent dorm security data, 62,787 burglaries occurred in college dorm rooms from 2012-2014. Dorm burglaries are the top dorm security threat, accounting for 70 percent of the total crimes, while 15.4 percent were vehicle thefts and 7.6 percent were dorm robberies.

What's stolen most? Electronics, money (cash, credit cards, debit cards), bicycles, textbooks, and jewelry/clothing. But there's not only theft to consider.

Nearly 2,000 fires were reported in campus-based student housing, according to the Clery Act Reports from 2009-2019. And 98 percent of colleges and universities don't replace stolen or damaged student property, according to HigherEdStudy.

What Renters Insurance Covers

Typically, renters insurance covers four main areas.

Theft

Renters insurance will cover your lost or damaged items up to the policy amount if you're burglarized or robbed. Once your deductible is met, your insurance company will pay for the damage based on the replacement value of the items.

The deductible is the out-of-pocket amount you pay to cover any loss before your insurance company pays the rest. One of the ways to save on your insurance rate is set your deductible higher than the minimum, but that's only recommended if you have the funds to pay that higher deductible amount in the event of a loss.

Fire

Renters insurance will cover fire and smoke damage to your household goods. Like with theft coverage, the insurance company will cover up to the policy amount once the deductible is met.

Liability

Renters insurance will protect you if you're sued. For example, if you caused a fire where you're renting, your landlord may be able to sue for damages. Your insurance company would cover up to the policy limit in legal fees and damages.

Renters insurance will also protect you if someone got injured while on the property. Your insurance company would cover the legal costs and any awarded damages up to the policy limit.

Loss of Use

Renters insurance will cover your living expenses up to the policy limit in the event you must vacate your living premises. Your insurance company would cover hotel rentals, dining out, and transportation if all of these additional costs are due to being forced out of your living space.

Renters Insurance for On-Campus Housing

Your checklist for moving into your dorm should include bedding, shower supplies, your coffee machine...and insurance?

Check Your Parents Homeowners Insurance

Find out what your parents' homeowners insurance policy covers.

If you'll be living in a dorm, their insurance may extend to a limited amount of your personal property. And their insurance won't usually cover liability or loss of use. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, students under the age of 26 and living on campus may be covered through their parents' policy.

When you're checking if your parents coverage extends to you, check on the policy's coverage limits for you, which are often referred to as off-premises coverage. This coverage usually comes with limits. For example, if your parents' policy has $100,000 worth of coverage for belongings, the limit for off-premises belongings might be 10 percent of that or $10,000.

If the off-premises coverage isn't enough to cover the items you'll be taking to school, your parents may be able to add what's termed scheduled personal property coverage to their policy to help cover for that.

And note - while you share a tiny space with your dorm mate and you may be best friends forever, you can't add them to your parents' insurance policy.

On-Campus Renters Insurance Possibilities

Find out what your school offers. Many colleges and universities have established relationships with insurance companies that provide discounts to students.

Another option is to talk to insurance companies about dorm insurance, which is also sometimes called college renters insurance. This type of policy covers your personal property and usually has a lower deductible, under $100. And while it covers your personal property, unlike full renters insurance, it usually doesn't cover liability or loss-of-use.

Regarding liability, you're usually excluded from this if you live on campus. And loss of use won't apply if you live in dorms owned by your college or university. If your dorm becomes uninhabitable, it's probably the school's responsibility to provide you with alternate accommodations.

Even if your parents' coverage extends to your dorm life, you may still want to opt for your own dorm insurance for two reasons:

If you tend to lose or break items frequently, a dorm policy's deductible tends to be on the lower end

If you own your own policy, you can make claims directly and not have to bother or wait for your parents to deal with their insurance company

Renters Insurance for Off-Campus Housing

Insurance is one of the essential expenses to track when you're creating a student budget.

Get Your Own Renters Insurance

If you're living off campus, your parents' homeowners insurance will most likely not extend to you. You will need to get your own renters insurance.

Off-Campus Renters Insurance Possibilities

Renters insurance for off-campus could be considered a mini college course in itself. It's perfect prep for renters insurance after you graduate since it's identical to typical renters insurance. Your renters insurance should provide you with all of the protections for personal property, liability, and alternative accommodations.

And you'll be able to adjust the amount of coverage you need to reflect the amount of the belongings you own. Renters insurance policies usually cover up to $20,000 to $30,000.

And if you want to add a roommate to your off-campus renters insurance policy, you can, but since this is seen as extra coverage the insurance company will raise the price of your premium. So it's recommended that each roommate get their own insurance policy.

Average Cost of Renters Insurance for College

Since there are three main factors that will affect the cost of your renters insurance, prices can vary. But know that you'll be paying less than homeowners insurance because a renters policy doesn't cover the actual structure itself, only the goods inside of it.

Renters insurance for college students is more affordable than you may think. The average cost for on-campus renters insurance will run you $160-$170 for a year of coverage which is only $13-$14 a month. The average cost for off-campus renters insurance is usually a little higher, about $20, so only $15-$16 a month.

So one less pizza a month, and your belongings are covered!

The factors that will affect your price include the following.

Coverage Limit

Consider this factor carefully when you're selecting coverage. The coverage limit includes the amount of personal property, and for off-campus housing, the total liability amount as well as the amount desired for loss-of-use reimbursement.

Location

This is a factor out of your control. Insurance companies establish the pricing of this factor based on areas that have higher crime rates and disasters. So if you're in the inner city where the crime rate is higher, your premium will typically be higher than if you're living in a lower crime neighborhood.

Structure and Security

While renters insurance doesn't cover the structure, the type of building you're in, the building materials, and the protection equipment installed in it also determines the price of your policy. For example, a home with an alarm system or deadbolts is harder to burglarize, so your rate will tend to be lower.

Buildings with built-in fire alarm systems that contact the fire department automatically can also reduce your rate.

Choosing Renters Insurance for College

The good news is that you have options in choosing renters insurance. It's recommended to get quotes from at least three companies, and one of the first and easiest ones to get could be the insurance company your parents use since there's already an established relationship.

But whatever type of coverage you do get, make sure to do what's called a home inventory, a list of your possessions backed up with relevant information like item type, purchase date, and price. Serial numbers, receipts, and photographs are also helpful. Your inventory can also include a video.

Be sure to keep your checklist and digital record in a safe place.

Your inventory will be invaluable if you need to file a claim, as the insurance company will ask for proof of loss of what was damaged, and how much it was worth. Your claim could be denied if you can't provide evidence

Now that you know that what you bring with you to school can be taken care of, it's time to take care of getting ready for college during COVID-19. Stay safe, and be smart!

Karen Condor is an insurance expert who writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, ExpertInsuranceReviews.com.

See Now: Facebook will use AI to detect users with suicidal thoughts and prevent suicide

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Turkish officials struck back immediately. We reject and denounce in the strongest terms the statement of the President of the US regarding the events of 1915 made under the pressure of radical Armenian circles and anti-Turkey groups, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted that words cannot change history or rewrite it and Turkey completely rejected Bidens statement. Minutes before Bidens announcement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a message to the Armenian community and patriarch of the Armenian church calling for not allowing the culture of coexistence of the Muslim Turks and Christian Armenians to be forgotten. He said the issue has been politicised by third parties and turned into a tool of intervention against our country. The US embassy and consulates in Turkey issued a demonstration alert, and announced their offices would be closed for routine services on Monday and Tuesday as a precautionary measure. They cautioned Americans to avoid areas around US government buildings and exercise caution in locations where foreigners gather.

During a telephone call on Friday (US time), Biden had informed Erdogan of his plan to issue the statement, said a person familiar with the matter who was not authorised to publicly discuss the private conversation and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The US and Turkish governments, in separate statements following Biden and Erdogans call, made no mention of the American plan to recognise the Armenian genocide. But the White House said Biden told Erdogan he wants to improve the two countries relationship and find effective management of disagreements. The two also agreed to hold a bilateral meeting at the NATO summit in Brussels in June. In Armenia on Saturday, people streamed to the hilltop complex in Yerevan, the capital, that memorialises the victims. Many laid flowers around the eternal flame, creating a wall of blooms two meters high. Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Avet Adonts, speaking at the memorial before Biden issued his statement, said a US president using the term genocide would serve as an example for the rest of the civilised world. Bidens call with Erdogan was his first since taking office more than three months ago. The delay had become a worrying sign in Ankara; Erdogan had good rapport with former President Donald Trump and had been hoping for a reset despite past friction with Biden.

Erdogan reiterated his long-running claims that the US is supporting Kurdish fighters in Syria who are affiliated with the Iraq-based Kurdistan Workers Party, known as the PKK. The PKK has led an insurgency against Turkey for more than three decades. In recent years, Turkey has launched military operations against PKK enclaves in Turkey and in northern Iraq and against US-allied Syrian Kurdish fighters. The State Department has designated the PKK a terrorist organisation but has argued with Turkey over the groups ties to the Syrian Kurds. Biden, during the campaign, drew ire from Turkish officials after an interview with The New York Times in which he spoke about supporting Turkeys opposition against autocrat Erdogan. In 2019, Biden accused Trump of betraying U.S. allies, following Trumps decision to withdraw troops from northern Syria, which paved the way for a Turkish military offensive against the Syrian Kurdish group. In 2014, when he was vice president, Biden apologised to Erdogan after suggesting in a speech that Turkey helped facilitate the rise of the Islamic State group by allowing foreign fighters to cross Turkeys border with Syria. Lawmakers and Armenian American activists had lobbied Biden to make the genocide announcement on or before remembrance day. The closest that a US president had come to recognising the World War I-era atrocities as genocide was in 1981 when Ronald Reagan uttered the words Armenian genocide during a Holocaust Remembrance Day event. But he did not make it US policy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, lamented that the truth of these heinous crimes has too often been denied, its monstrosity minimised. History teaches us that if we ignore its darkest chapters, we are destined to witness the horrors of the past be repeated, she added.

Rep. Adam Schiff, also a California Democrat, praised Biden for following through on the pledge. For Armenian-Americans and everyone who believes in human rights and the truth, today marks an historic milestone: President Biden has defied Turkish threats and recognised the slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians for what it was  the first genocide of the 20th century, Schiff said in a statement. California is home to large concentrations of Armenian Americans. Salpi Ghazarian, director of the University of Southern Californias Institute of Armenian Studies, said the recognition of genocide would resonate beyond Armenia and show Bidens seriousness about respect for human rights as a central principle in his foreign policy. Within the United States and outside the United States, the American commitment to basic human values has been questioned now for decades, she said. It is very important for people in the world to continue to have the hope and the faith that Americas aspirational values are still relevant, and that we can in fact do several things at once. We can in fact carry on trade and other relations with countries while also calling out the fact that a government cannot get away with murdering its own citizens.
Northern Ireland veterans convicted of crimes relating to Troubles shootings could be pardoned under plans being considered by the Government, sacked former minister Johnny Mercer has revealed.

In an explosive interview with the Mail, Mr Mercer said a part of him died when he discovered two weeks ago that senior figures are looking at powers to reduce sentences or grant mercy to convicted veterans.

He reiterated the sentiment expressed in his resignation letter last week that the Government has failed in its promise to former troops who served in Northern Ireland.

Mr Mercer said a part of him died when he discovered two weeks ago that senior figures are looking at powers to reduce sentences or grant mercy to convicted veterans

Hundreds of ex-servicemen fear being hauled to court for incidents dating back up to 50 years. Many were investigated at the time, only for cases to be reopened by legacy units of the Police Service of Northern Ireland

Two ex-paratroopers, known as Soldiers A and C, face trial in Belfast today accused of the murder of official IRA commander Joe McCann in 1972.

It is the first prosecution of British soldiers in relation to Troubles shootings since the Good Friday Agreement.

Hundreds of ex-servicemen fear being hauled to court for incidents dating back up to 50 years. Many were investigated at the time, only for cases to be reopened by legacy units of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, which is examining all 3,000-plus deaths. The use of royal pardons for those convicted of criminal offences is often reserved for exceptional or historical cases, such as codebreaker Alan Turing.

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Office said: The Government has been clear it will bring forward legislation to address the legacy of the Troubles which focuses on reconciliation, delivers for victims and ends the cycle of investigations.
The older brother of the Manchester Arena bomber was known to the MI5, who found extremist material on his Facebook account two years before the attack that killed 22 people.

Ishmale Abedi, 27, was flagged by the MI5 in July 2015 when they searched his Facebook account and discovered a picture of Lieutenant Muath al-Kasasbeh, 26, a Jordanian air force pilot whose plane was shot down in Syria in 2014 by ISIS fighters, The Sunday Times reports.

The image showed Mr al-Kasasbeh shortly before he was burnt to death after being taken captive by ISIS, Ishmale captioned the image: 'Looking for seasoned firewood'.

Ishmale also shared an image of himself sitting with the son of Abu Anas al-Libi, a senior al-Qaeda figure - who was holding a handgun.

Ishmale was pictured holding a variety of weapons including a machine gun, rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and anti-aircraft gun. One photograph saw Ishmale dressed in camouflage with the ISIS flag burning behind him, The Sunday Times reports.

Two months later in September 3 2015, Ishmale was detained by border officials at Heathrow when entering the UK on return from his honeymoon, his phone was seized and its contents downloaded.

On the phone authorities found ISIS recruitment videos as well as chants and literature encouraging suicide missions and the murder of 'infadels', the Sunday Times reports.

Ishmale Abedi, 27, was flagged by the MI5 in July 2015 when they searched his Facebook account. Pictured: Ishmale holding a large weapon

Almost two years later his brother Salman Abedi, 22, detonated a rucksack bomb in a foyer area of the Manchester Arena, known as the City Rooms, at the end of an Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 people and injuring hundreds more on May 22, 2017.

The family moved to the UK fleeing Colonel Gaddafi's Libya, now Ishmale is the only remaining member of the family to live freely in Manchester.

He has so far refused to answer questions about his terrorist brothers who made the improvised bomb, Salman and Hashem, at the inquest into the attack.

He is expected to be compelled to give evidence in October and could face prison if he does not comply, The Sunday Times reports.

Ishmale denies any knowledge of his brothers' plans for the attack, or that he had any part of it.

His younger brother suicide bomber Salman, 22, died with the 22 people he murdered in the blast.

Ishmale's youngest brother Hashem, now 23, had originally pleaded not guilty to 22 counts of murder, attempted murder and plotting to cause an explosion likely to endanger life after being extradited to the UK from Libya.

A CCTV image of Salman Abedi at Victoria Station making his way to the Manchester Arena, on May 22, 2017, where he detonated his bomb

Suicide bomber Salman Abedi walking from Vitoria Station towards the Manchester Arena on May 22, 2017

He did not give evidence at the Old Bailey but provided a pre-prepared defence statement in which he denied involvement, claiming to have been 'shocked' by what his brother had done and that he did not hold extremist views.

He went on to be convicted by a jury of all the offences and was handed 24 life sentences in August with a minimum term of 55 years before he can be considered for parole.

But on October 22 2020 Hashem was interviewed in prison where he admitted he played 'a full and knowing part', the inquiry was told.

Ishmale, who attended Didsbury mosque, was arrested in Manchester the day after the attack has been interviewed 22 times by Greater Manchester anti-terrorism police since the attack but has not been charged.

Months before the attack in April 2017 he purchased one-way tickets to Libya for Salam and Hashem - Salam returned to the UK five days before bombing Manchester arena, Hashem remained in Libya.

A former friend told The Sunday Times: 'He had quite a dominant role in the family. He was the eldest brother and was supposed to look after Salman and Hashem when the parents were away in Libya. I think he had trouble controlling them. They wouldn't do what they were told.'

The inquiry heard evidence about the arena's security arrangements and the 'planning and preparation' carried out by the Abedi brothers. Pictured, Salman

Jailed terrorist Hashem Abedi (pictured) admitted his involvement in planning the Manchester Arena bombing which killed 22 people, a public inquiry heard

Salman Abedi (pictured arriving at the arena), 22, detonated a rucksack bomb in a foyer area of the arena, known as the City Rooms, at the end of an Ariana Grande concert, killing 22 people and injuring hundreds more on May 22, 2017

Following a 19-day search of Ishmale's home police found two computer disk drives with images of burnt bodies, his brother Salam and himself holding weapons, an ISIS flag and videos of former al-Qaeda recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki, The Sunday Times reports.

Ishmale's DNA or fingerprints were found on a hammer in the Nissan Micra where materials for the homemade bomb had been kept but no TATP explosive was reported to have been found in Ishmale's home.

Police could not conclude whether Ishmale had been in the car as the hammer is a 'moveable object', The Sunday Times reports.

Victims (top row left to right) Elaine McIver, 43, Saffie Roussos, 8, Sorrell Leczkowski, 14, Eilidh MacLeod, 14, Nell Jones, 14, Olivia Campbell-Hardy, 15, Megan Hurley, 15, Georgina Callander, 18, Chloe Rutherford,17, Liam Curry, 19, Courtney Boyle, 19, and Philip Tron, 32, John Atkinson, 26, Martyn Hett, 29, Kelly Brewster, 32, Angelika Klis, 39, Marcin Klis, 42, Michelle Kiss, 45, Alison Howe, 45, and Lisa Lees, 43, Wendy Fawell, 50 and Jane Tweddle, 51

The brother's parents, who had lived in Fallowfield, Manchester, and were living in Libya at the time of the attack, are also refusing to cooperate with the inquest.

His father Ramadan will face arrest if he returns to the UK as he is wanted for questioning by Greater Manchester police.

It is thought the brothers, Salam and Hashem, used their mother's HSBC bank account to fund the attack. Ishmale was the principal controller of the account but claims he did not know of any transactions made by his brothers.


RHS, I have been wondering how long it would take before the Trumpist would start defending the insurrectionists of Jan. 6. You defend the Oath Keepers, which the FBI has classified as an anti-government militia, because they claim to defend an oath they once took. They forgot that oath when they joined the insurrection and seditious attack on the Capitol. In the Civil War, many of the Confederate generals were once members of the U.S. military, including Robert E. Lee, A.P. Hill, John Bell Hood, George Pickett, James Longstreet, Jeb Stuart, who took oaths to protect and defend the Constitution. Yet, they willingly committed treason when they joined the Confederate military. So much for oaths!
A small boy nicknamed Little Josh won the pool noodle fight and was crowned with a burger king crown and a belt to announce his victory (Twitter)

A five-year-old boy has been crowned the true owner of the name Josh after hundreds showed up to a heated pool noodle battle to win the title.

Hundreds of people showed up at Air Park in Lincoln on Saturday to participate in the lighthearted fight, which was open to anyone with the first name of Josh.

The bizarre phenomenon began when Josh Swain, a 22-year-old college student from Tucson, Arizona, messaged others who shared his name on social media and challenged them to a duel in 2020.

Mr Swain explained to KLKN: for a long time Ive gone on Twitter and Instagram and Ive tried to get the handle of just Josh Swain and its always been taken one day I was like alright we can fix this.

The college student explained that his message, in part, also came from boredom due to the coronavirus pandemic.

I didnt expect the whole internet to take it and start contacting every Josh they knew, he said. I did not expect people to be as adamant about this as they are right now.

On the day, there were two competitions, with the first being a grueling and righteous battle of Rock, Paper, Scissors for the title of Josh Swain.

KLKN reported that the Arizona student won that competition, allowing him to claim the title of the one and only Josh Swain.

A small boy nicknamed Little Josh won the pool noodle fight and was crowned with a burger king crown and a belt to announce his victory.

Mr Swain said he partnered with the Lincoln Food Bank to use the event to set up a food drive and set up a charity fund for the Childrens Hospital and Medical Center in the state.

The title is Legal Fees for Joshs to Change their Names but it actually just goes to the childrens hospital, Mr Swain said.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press

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A 19-year-old man who killed his mother and sister in Allen was arrested on Saturday at DFW Airport as he was awaiting a flight to San Francisco, police said.

Hezar Burak killed Isil Borat, 50, and Burcu Hezar, 16, in the house they shared in the 1800 block of Nueces Drive, Allen police said. A police spokesman did not release the cause of the victims deaths.

Police received a call about 9:15 a.m. regarding a disturbance with weapons at the familys house. Officers arrived and found the victims bodies.

Allen police investigators worked Saturday to find Burak, who was arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder Saturday afternoon at the airport.

Police did not describe a motive.
London, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Apr, 2021 ) :Britain said Sunday it was sending life-saving medical equipment to India, including ventilators and oxygen concentrators, as the country reels from record numbers of daily Covid-19 infections and deaths.

"Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a statement.
KPC News is available 24/7 online at kpcnews.com. Browse stories, view photos and videos or view the e-edition of your local newspaper any time online.
Investigations editor

Larry Parnass, investigations editor, joined The Eagle in 2016 from the Daily Hampshire Gazette, where he was editor in chief. His freelance work has appeared in the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant and CommonWealth Magazine.
NEW YORK (AP)  After a year of being stuck in sweatpants, pajamas and fuzzy slippers, Americans are starting to dress up and go out again.

Levi Strauss is seeing a resurgence in denim while demand for dresses at Macy's, Anthropologie and Nordstrom is going up as proms and weddings resume. And teen retailer American Eagle Outfitters said sales are rising due to pent-up demand for its fashions.

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During the three months ended February, market research firm NPD Group said jeans and casual pants began to cut their previous declines by more than half, indicating consumers are gearing up to spend more time out of the home. And more than half of U.S. consumers plan to buy clothing in the coming months, catapulting it back to the top category of anticipated spending, followed by footwear and beauty products, according to NPDs consumer survey.

My plan is to dress up and enjoy the things in my wardrobe, said Beth Embrescia, 51, an executive fundraiser who for the last year paired dressy tops with sweatpants and Birkenstocks for work Zoom calls but recently bought collared shirts and loafers with a wedge heel while on a recent vacation in Florida. I will not be going out to dinner in joggers.

Such signs of renewed interest offer a much-needed boost for clothing sales, which have been in the dumps for a year. They also serve as hopeful indications of a strong economic recovery as Americans show more willingness to travel and dine out as President Joe Bidens vaccination plan proceeds ahead of schedule.

Major transactions at full service restaurants rose more than twofold this March compared to year ago, though down 25% compared to two years ago, according to NPD. Hotels are making a comeback too, with demand during the week ended April 11 surging more than fourfold compared with a year ago and up 10.9% compared with the same week in 2019, according to Koddi, an advertising technology company.

Through the first 20 days in April, the Transportation Security Administration screened an average of 1.4 million people per day, a significant climb from a year ago when the number was just under 99,000 a day. But travel is still off from 2019, which averaged more than 2.3 million people a day over a comparable period.

The data on clothing sales is preliminary, and retailers and designers are still trying to figure out how a year of being homebound will change the way people think about dressing up. Casual wear was already strong before COVID-19, and many experts believe the pandemic only accelerated the trend.

A year ago, Los Angeles-based fashion designer Kevan Hall quickly moved away from his trademark gowns and cocktail dresses to caftans, tunics and pull-on pants. Now Hall is adding back some dressier looks, but hes eliminating the full skirts and scaling back the beading in favor of simple gowns and dresses in knit and tulle fabrics.

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I dont know whether women will ever want to go back to being with so much structure, said Hall, who has been getting calls from clients and stores in recent weeks asking for dressed-up looks. I think people are going to lean into comfort even more  even when they are getting dressed for evening or galas.

Retail executives are also looking at how business attire will change. While some corporations are starting to re-open their offices, many are extending work-from-home indefinitely or moving to a hybrid model, eliminating the need for office wear five days a week.

At the onset of the pandemic, sales of clothing and accessories cratered when non-essential stores were forced to temporarily close. But now business is starting to rebound above pre-pandemic levels . In March, spending at clothing and accessory stores rose 18.3% to $22.86 billion from the month before, according to the Commerce Department's most recent monthly retail report. That was almost double compared with the same month in March 2020 and up 2.3% compared with March 2019.

Retailers, burned by the sudden switch away from formal looks last year, are being cautious about how much to add back.

Janice Elliott, a buyer for designer clothing boutique Gus Mayer's Nashville, Tennessee location, says she's optimistic about people's return to going-out-clothes this spring and fall, but she's staying away from ordering items like structured sheaths and leaning toward flowy cotton dresses.

Before the pandemic, more than 50% of the business at Gus Mayer was in formal clothes; during the height of COVID-19, that fell to less than 10%.

I think there is going to be a pent-up demand, but I still think there will be a more relaxed way of dressing going forward," Elliott said.

Deirdre Quinn, CEO and co-founder of upscale clothing brand Lafayette 148 New York, says her team is designing multi-purpose items like blouses that can be worn from day into evening.

She noted that business was down 30% last year from a year earlier and this year has started out weak. Quinn hasn't seen any pickup in dresses yet and believes sales won't rebound to pre-pandemic levels until 2023.

I dont want to rush back to where we were, she said. I am going to control how quickly I grow. It is a reset time.

__________

AP Business Writer David Koenig in Dallas, Texas, contributed to this report.

Follow Anne DInnocenzio: http://twitter.com/ADInnocenzio
CLEVELAND -- Is it fair or ethical for news organizations to include information about the victims sobriety in stories about rape allegations?

Addressing that issue would have been a natural part of my role during the decade I spent as Reader Representative (ombudsman) for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com, a role from which I had free rein to weigh in on what we do and why  as I still do. So while Im not angling to get my old job back, the above question has arisen in these pages in recent weeks -- and since my opinion runs counter to others here, it seemed appropriate to offer some thoughts on the journalism of it all.

Beginning with the obvious: Over the last many decades, most responsible news folk have done their best to approach the reporting of rape cases with sensitivity, taking care to include the relevant facts while not adding to the trauma of what is often the worst moment of a victims life.

There is almost universal agreement that the alleged victims names not be used in stories about arrests and criminal trials, except in the rare cases when he or she actively requests that their name be used in the reporting  sometimes to publicly confront the attacker, sometimes in an effort to diminish the perceived stigma. But even then, the decision generally requires some soul-searching on the part of the editor or news director.

Withholding names is done not as a matter of law  it is perfectly legal to publish them. Names are withheld so that we dont add to the victims distress by publicly identifying them, and to not discourage them from bringing charges against their assailants.

Publishing plaintiffs names in civil trials can be another matter, but most news organizations refrain from using them there, also. And as a matter of course, stories resist including lascivious details or describing how the victim was dressed, so as to not indicate that the rape was somehow the victims fault.

Into this generally accepted policy of how to report these cases responsibly, cleveland.com and Plain Dealer Editor Chris Quinn has dropped a heretofore uncontroversial judgment issue.

It all started with an April 2 story about a man charged with raping two different women he encountered last year near bars on West 6th Street, one on Nov. 15 and the other on Dec. 14. The story followed our policy of not identifying the women, but noted that the police reports had said both women were intoxicated -- and thus easier prey for the alleged rapist.

In his Letter from the Editor column the following Sunday, Quinn wrote that he had heard from one of the women, who expressed dismay that the story had included information about her state of intoxication. She maintained it was not necessary to the story and that it feeds a notion that intoxication is an excuse to rape people.

In his column, Quinn expressed surprise at the objection, writing that the information had been included as a warning to others, and seemed particularly pertinent in light of a recent Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that vacated a rape conviction because of a bizarre state law specifying that voluntary intoxication does not constitute mental incapacitation, which had been part of the prosecutions case.

Nevertheless, Quinn invited readers to weigh in on the topic.

Did they ever.

In his column last Sunday, Quinn wrote that he had received more than 200 mostly thoughtful and detailed responses, with a stark division by gender: Sixty-one percent of the responses that were clearly from men said the detail should be included, while 69% of women said it should not.

Based on what he heard from readers, and his correspondence with the victim, he reversed his field and decreed that henceforth, in the name of empathy, stories about rape will not include details about the victims level of intoxication.

In note after note, he wrote, the women I heard from imagined themselves in the place of the 22-year-old victim who wrote to us. Some told me they had been raped, while inebriated. And in note after note, they told me that including the detail about intoxication makes the trauma far worse for the victim, causing an unfair sense of guilt, of worry that the community blames them for what happened.

I dont have the mere shadow of a doubt about whether I made the right decision, he told me last week.

My take on his decision is that, while empathy is an admirable and often appropriate emotion, it should not take the place of news judgment or be used as an editing tool.

I wrote above that we should endeavor in our reporting to not add to the victims distress. That goes only so far, however. The responsibility of a news story is to report the relevant facts as completely and accurately as we can, and there is little doubt that being in a severe state of intoxication can impair ones judgment and might make potential victims less able to defend themselves, scream or run for help.

How is that not important to any story that might be written about the attack?

Reporting it absolutely does not mean a rape was a victims fault, or that the intoxication is an excuse for the rapist. But it is an intrinsic part of what happened.

If somebody leaves his car running with the keys in it and his child in the back seat while he dashes into a store, and the car is stolen, we dont omit that fact because its embarrassing. The thief who stole the car is still a thief, but the detail is a piece of information that helps readers understand what happened and why.

Errors in judgment can have bad results. And, like it or not, drinking to incapacitation on a city street at night in an area where you might be surrounded by strangers with bad intent is an error in judgment. A news story that omits that detail is incomplete, and misses the chance to be a cautionary tale for others.

Every day, news organizations produce stories that some of the people in them wont like. In each of these, reporters and editors must weigh their responsibility to inform readers against their empathy for some of the people they are writing about.

The woman who wrote to Quinn said she should have the right to go out drinking with her friends without worrying about her safety.

She is absolutely correct. But that is not the world we live in, because of many factors far beyond the scope of this column.

Ill say it again: What happened to her is not her fault.

Empathy is misplaced, however, when it causes important details to be left out, and we should not be in the business of editing for the feelings of victims. It erodes our credibility pact with readers, who logically might ask themselves: What other important facts are we leaving out?

Thats a question we dont want readers pondering.

Ted Diadiun is a member of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

To reach Ted Diadiun: tdiadiun@cleveland.com

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions, comments or corrections regarding this opinion article to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com.
Labor leaders and state and local officials express appreciaion for front-line workers at Saturday's event. State Sen. Adam Hinds says 'big structural change' is needed to support workers. Brian Morrison and Liz Recko-Morrison reads the names of workers who died on or beacause of their jobs. PreviousNext

Workers Memorial Day Observed in Pittsfield



Arthur Butler, longtime member of IUPAT District Council 35, says it is important for government agencies to work with unions. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Workers Memorial Day was observed at South Street Memorial Park on Saturday.

The Berkshire Labor Assembly and Western Mass Area Labor Federation hosted a socially distanced memorial to remember all those who have lost their lives to preventable workplace injury or illness.

This includes deaths from COVID-19, workplace injury, or other work-related illnesses. Berkshire Central Labor Council President Brian Morrison and Liz Recko-Morrison, Berkshire chapter director of the Massachusetts Community College Council, read the names of t hose who died at or as a result of their work this year including essential workers, first responders, and firefighters.

State Sen. Adam Hinds, City Council President Peter Marchetti and Councilor at Large Pete White were in attendance. Hinds and White spoke on the importance of legislative changes to protect workers such as emergency paid sick time and a $15 minimum wage.

"We've got a lot of problems in our economy, the structure of our economy, the structure of our society when you're asking people to go out and do work on the front lines and you don't help them take care of their sick one at home or their kids at home," Hinds said.

"We don't have universal child care, are you kidding me? Now is the time we're realizing this isn't a moment for chipping around the edges, putting on a Band-Aid here and there, we need big structural change and this past year made us realize how many elements we just get wrong in our economy in our commonwealth and we're not standing up for workers, we're not standing up for working families, and there's a lot of work to do.

"So it's by coming together on a day like today to say thank you to honor those who have passed and to say 'we've got a heck of a lot of work to do together to make sure that we have a government and an economy that stands up for all of you.'"

White read a proclamation from Mayor Linda Tyer proclaiming April 24 as Worker Memorial Day in the City of Pittsfield.

"Whereas, more than 627,000 workers' lives have been saved since the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 many workers still remain in serious danger. And whereas in 2019 5333 workers lost their lives from job-related traumatic injuries, and an estimated 95,000 died from occupational diseases. In that same year employees reported 2.8 million injuries and illnesses in private sector workplaces, in over 682,700 injuries and illnesses in state and local public sector workplaces," She wrote.

"And whereas, COVID-19 has impacted so many lives, not only in our community but in the communities across the world, the pandemic highlighted the inextricable link between workplace safety and health in the community safety and health, public health cannot begin to be addressed without attending to the needs and safety of workers on the job."

White said he is passionate about this subject and is glad that the wider society is "waking up" and realizing that essential and frontline workers need better care.

"It's always a sobering moment to be here as a union steward myself and a job placement specialist who, working for the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, many of the jobs that I've been able to help people get this year have been on the front line," he said. People will put themselves at risk for often low wages, and not a lot of gratitude.

"We need to keep up the fight beyond COVID for workers to go to work and expect them to be able to go home safely every night to their families and not have workplace injuries and illnesses caused by cutting corners and not following laws, we need to continue to pass stronger laws, so it's always great to have Senator Hinds here with us fighting for us in Boston."

Longtime labor leader Arthur Butler reflected on the markedly difficult time it has been for workers and stressed the importance of government and union collaboration.

"Government agencies are important to work with unions to make sure everything is equal, also the safety and health, wage per hour, everything that we need," he said.
Delhi is likely to extend the lockdown by another week as rising coronavirus cases continues to wreak havoc in the national capital. The city's healthcare system has crumbled under the immense pressure with many hospitals running out of oxygen and beds. The city is currently under a lockdown after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal last week announced six-day lockdown till Monday.

An order announcing another week of lockdown is likely to be issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) today, as mentioned in a report in NDTV.

Announcing the lockdown last week, CM Kejriwal had said that it is necessary keeping in mind the city's resources that are at a breaking point. "If we don't impose a lockdown now, we might face a bigger calamity. The government will take full care of you. We took this tough decision taking the situation into consideration," he added.

Many hospitals in the city ran out of oxygen leading to deaths of patients on oxygen support. Twenty-five people died each at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and the Jaipur Golden Hospital in Delhi due to shortage of oxygen. Admissions to the emergency department of the AIIMS were restricted for around an hour as the oxygen pipelines were being reorganised due to an increased demand for the life-saving gas. Moolchand Hospital too appealed to the government to replenish its oxygen stock. Max Hospital said that it would not admit any more patients till it gets oxygen supply and later deleted the tweet.

In an appeal to all chief ministers last evening, Kejriwal said, "I am writing to all CMs requesting them to provide oxygen to Delhi, if they have spare. Though the Central government. is also helping us, the severity of corona is such that all available resources are proving inadequate."

Delhi High Court while hearing a hospital's petition on oxygen crisis said that if anyone obstructs oxygen supply then they will hang the man. The court also questioned the centre over the preparedness to tackle with the second wave. "We are calling it a wave, it is actually a Tsunami," the court said.

Also read: 'Anyone obstructing supply won't be spared': Delhi High Court on oxygen shortage

Also read: COVID-19 lockdown: 68% Delhi residents want 1-week extension, says survey
Dominic Cummings is to blame Boris Johnson personally for the UK's catastrophic coronavirus death toll, it was revealed today as the civil war surrounding the Prime Minister and his former top aide deepened.

Mr Cummings is said to be preparing to hand 'kompromat' - damaging private material - on Mr Johnson to MPs when he appears before a Covid inquiry in May, showing that the PM's intransigence contributed to the huge second wave of deaths last winter.

Downing Street furiously denies that Mr Johnson made a graphic remark  in which he is said to have ruled out any more 'f****** lockdowns', regardless of the 'bodies'  in front of what are said to have been 'shocked' political and civil service advisers.

A No 10 source last night described the claim that the PM made the comment after ordering the November lockdown in the face of fury from Tory MPs as 'another lie'.

Nonetheless, one source indicated that Mr Cummings might repeat it when he appears next month in front of the parliamentary inquiry into the Government's handling of the Covid crisis.

An ally of the former aide told the Sunday Times: 'Dominic has copies of everything and knows where all the bodies are buried.

'He was pushing the Prime Minister hard to lock down sooner in the autumn and he has lots of evidence that shows that his decision to delay led to devastating consequences.'

It came as No10 hit back at the former aide, who was forced out of his top role in December, after he attacked the regime over leaks and the renovation of Mr Johnson's private apartment.

Allies of the Prime Minister levelled the damning charge that those loyal to the ex-aide had been behind 'nasty and sexist briefings' against Mr Johnson's fiancee, Carrie Symonds, in which they exaggerated the influence she wields in No 10.

Downing Street launched a savage counter-attack against Dominic Cummings (pictured in March) last night  as the former adviser readied a fresh assault on Boris Johnson over Britain's Covid death toll

Allies of the Prime Minister levelled the damning charge that those loyal to the ex-aide had been behind 'nasty and sexist briefings' against Mr Johnson's fiancee, Carrie Symonds (left), in which they exaggerated the influence she wields in No 10

Cummings' claims about PM's flat renovation are 'tittle-tattle' says Truss A senior Cabinet minister dismissed Dominic Cummings' claims about who paid for a six-figure renovation of the Prime Minister's flat as 'tittle-tattle' today. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss leapt to Boris Johnson's defence as she faced the media this morning over allegations from the former aide that the funding of the No11 pad might have been illegal. Mr Johnson is facing claims that Tory donors contributed thousands towards the estimated 200,000 cost of the work for the Pm and Carrie Symonds. In his bombshell attack on the Government on Friday, Mr Cummings claimed: 'The PM stopped speaking to me about this matter in 2020 as I told him I thought his plans to have donors secretly pay for the renovation were unethical, foolish, possibly illegal and almost certainly broke the rules on proper disclosure of political donations if conducted in the way he intended. ' Ms Truss said the Prime Minister had personally met the costs of the work and she dismissed claims by his former top aide Dominic Cummings as 'tittle tattle'. However, she repeatedly refused to say whether Mr Johnson had received the money from a Tory donor or from the party to pay for it. 'I have been assured that the rules have been fully complied with and I know that he has met the costs of the flat refurbishment,' she told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme. 'I absolutely believe and trust that the Prime Minister has done that. 'What people want to know is that in line with the rules the Prime Minister has met the cost of this refurbishment. That has happened. All the costs will be declared in line with the rules. 'That, as far as I am concerned, completely answers that question.' Advertisement

Meanwhile a No10 insider painted a picture of a prime minister at sea since Mr Cummings' departure, despite his increased popularity caused by the vaccine success.

A source told the Sunday Times: 'After the departure of his closest aides last year, the Prime Minister has become increasingly isolated and paranoid. He has become known in some circles as the King Lear prime minister and we all know how that ended up.'

In Shakespeare's great tragedy, King Lear is betrayed by those around him who covet his throne, goes mad and eventually dies.

Labour's Jess Phillips called for a 'root and branch' independent inquiry into the use of taxpayers' money under Boris Johnson's Government.

The shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday: 'The truth of the matter is we don't know the truth and we've got scrapping between two very powerful men who seem more interested in who's lying about what and who's leaking what than the substantive of the issue.

'That is whether contracts get given out by text messages, whether tax breaks get given out by text messages or whether the Prime Minister uses his pals to get money to have his flat done up.

'Whether I back Dominic Cummings' view or Boris Johnson's view, what we need is a proper independent inquiry where it isn't about two boys fighting and is about taxpayers in our country.'

Ms Phillips indicated Labour would be seeking an urgent question in Parliament on the issue, adding: 'Integrity really, really matters.'

The war between Mr Cummings and Mr Johnson first erupted at the end of last year when Mr Cummings lost a power struggle with Ms Symonds. It followed the Prime Minister's decision to make one of his fiancee's friends, Allegra Stratton, the public face of now-abandoned televised Downing Street briefings.

It flared up again last week after No 10 briefed that Mr Cummings had been behind damaging leaks such as text messages exchanged between Mr Johnson and entrepreneur Sir James Dyson, and the now-infamous 'Chatty Rat' row about the November lockdown.

Mr Cummings hit back on Friday with a 1,000-word blog post in which he claimed the Prime Minister once had a 'possibly illegal' plan for Tory donors to pay for renovations of his Downing Street flat.

He also denied both leaks, adding that Mr Johnson had considered trying to block an inquiry into the 'Chatty Rat' in case it pointed to Henry Newman, a friend of Ms Symonds, who works in No 10.

In the latest salvos, sources told The Mail on Sunday that during their final conversation in Downing Street, Mr Cummings told the Prime Minister that he hoped they would be able to maintain a constructive relationship  but would only do so if Ms Symonds agreed to stop briefing against him to the media. 'I can't control her,' Mr Johnson is said to have replied. 'It's impossible.'

But a senior Johnson ally hit back, telling this newspaper: 'This is a completely inaccurate account of that meeting, which was entirely cordial. They agreed to stay in touch. This has proved to be impossible. What followed was a series of nasty and sexist briefings against Carrie.' Allies of Mr Newman also responded angrily, denying that he was the 'rat' and pointing the finger back at Mr Cummings.

One source claimed that the intelligence services had identified Mr Cummings as the culprit but 'could not publish their evidence because it would reveal the secrets of their tradecraft, including their penetration of WhatsApp messages'.

Mr Johnson faced further attacks over his conduct yesterday from the pro-Remain wing of the party. Former Attorney General Dominic Grieve described him as 'a vacuum of integrity' and accused him of 'smoke and mirrors' over how the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat would be paid for.

Mr Grieve claimed it was 'just one illustration of the chaos Mr Johnson seems to bring in his wake If you have someone who is a vacuum of integrity, you're going to get this sort of story coming up over and over again.'

He added that Mr Johnson's character 'has been apparent for a very long time', including to the Tory MPs who elected him party leader.

Mr Johnson is also facing crossparty calls to go to the Commons tomorrow to update MPs on the 'Chatty Rat' inquiry.

He was told MPs must be told if No 10 had unmasked the person who risked lives by leaking plans for the Covid lockdown last year. It is feared the disclosure prompted people to flock to pubs before they closed on November 4, risking further spread of the virus.

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, who has branded the leak a 'contempt of the Commons and the British people', also insisted that the Government 'should publish what they have got'.

Last year, Sir Iain demanded that any official found to have leaked the information should face the humiliating punishment of apologising in person to MPs in the Commons Chamber.

And senior Labour MP Chris Bryant told The Mail on Sunday: 'The Prime Minister should come clean and tell MPs as a matter of urgency whether a culprit has been found.

'And if he now wants to drop the whole thing because the guilty party is a mate of his fiancee, he should tell us that too.'

During the leak inquiry, No 10 has been forced to take the unusual step of briefing Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle on its progress under confidential 'Privy Council terms'. Mr Cummings will give evidence on May 26 to the joint parliamentary committee inquiry into lessons the Government must learn from its response to the coronavirus pandemic.

In his blog post, Mr Cummings said that he 'was not directly or indirectly a/the source for the BBC/[Laura] Kuenssberg story on the PM/Dyson texts', suggesting that screenshots had been leaked by disaffected civil servants.

And he claimed that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case had told the Prime Minister that the Chatty Rat leaker was 'neither me nor the then director of communications' [Lee Cain] and that 'all the evidence definitely leads to Henry Newman and others in that office'.

He added: 'The PM was very upset about this. He said to me afterwards, 'If Newman is confirmed as the leaker then I will have to fire him, and this will cause me very serious problems with Carrie as they're best friends [pause] Perhaps we could get the Cabinet Secretary to stop the leak inquiry?'

He concluded: 'It is sad to see the PM and his office fall so far below the standards of competence and integrity the country deserves.

'I will not engage in media briefing regarding these issues but will answer questions about any of these issues to Parliament on May 26 for as long as the MPs want.'
Turkey has summoned the US ambassador following President Joe Bidens decision to recognise the Armenian genocide in a remembrance day statement.

The countrys foreign ministry has summoned the American ambassador in Ankara, Turkeys capital, to protest the description of the killing of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks, beginning in 1915.

Deputy foreign minister Sedat Onal met David Satterfield late on Saturday to express Ankaras strong condemnation.

"The statement does not have legal ground in terms of international law and has hurt the Turkish people, opening a wound thats hard to fix in our relations," the ministry said.

The White House broke with previous administrations in its adoption of the phrase, with American presidents having long avoided using the term in order to not anger a major ally in the region

Each year on this day, we remember the lives of all those who died in the Ottoman-era Armenian genocide and recommit ourselves to preventing such an atrocity from ever again occurring, said Mr Biden in the statement.

He added: Beginning on April 24, 1915, with the arrest of Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople by Ottoman authorities, one and a half million Armenians were deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths in a campaign of extermination.

The president concluded: The American people honor all those Armenians who perished in the genocide that began 106 years ago today,

Modern-day Turkey, which emerged from the Ottoman era, has always denied that a genocide took place.

They reject the use of the word, saying both Turks and Armenians were killed, and have called for a joint history commission to investigate.

The White House declaration immediately prompted statements of condemnation from Turkish officials. However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is yet to address the issue.

Mr Biden made a promise in his 2020 campaign to recognise the genocide. Former presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush made similar promises but instead referred to it as a mass atrocity or mass killings.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press
India set a new global record of the most number of coronavirus infections in a day, as the United States said it was racing to send help to the country.

India's number of cases surged by 349,691 in the past 24 hours, the fourth straight day of record peaks, and hospitals in Delhi and across the country are turning away patients after running out of medical oxygen and beds.

Our hearts go out to the Indian people in the midst of the horrific COVID-19 outbreak. We are working closely with our partners in the Indian government, and we will rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India and Indias health care heroes, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on twitter.

The United States has faced criticism in India for its export controls on raw materials for vaccines put in place via the Defense Production Act and an associated export embargo in February.

Women mourn the death of a family member, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), outside a crematorium in New Delhi, India April 24, 2021. Photo: Reuters

The Serum Institute of India (SII), the worlds biggest vaccine maker, this month urged U.S. President Joe Biden to lift the embargo on U.S. exports of raw materials that is hurting its production of AstraZeneca shots.

Others such as U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi urged the Biden administration to release unused vaccines to India. "When people in India and elsewhere desperately need help, we can't let vaccines sit in a warehouse, we need to get them where they'll save lives," he said.

Indias total tally of infections stands at 16.96 million and deaths 192,311 after 2,767 more died overnight, health ministry data showed.

In the last month alone, daily cases have gone up eight times and deaths by ten times. Health experts say the death count is probably far higher.

Family members prepare the funeral pyre for a man who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a crematorium in New Delhi, India April 24, 2021. Photo: Reuters

People were arranging stretchers and oxygen cylinders outside hospitals as they desperately pleaded for authorities to take patients in, Reuters photographers said.

"Every day, it the same situation, we are left with two hours of oxygen, we only get assurances from the authorities," one doctor said on television.

The surge is expected to peak in mid-May with the daily count of infections reaching half a million, the Indian Express said citing an internal government assessment.

A person walks past funeral fires of those who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a crematorium in New Delhi, India April 24, 2021. Photo: Reuters

V.K. Paul, a COVID-task force leader, made the presentation during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state chief ministers and said that the health infrastructure in heavily populated states is not adequate enough to cope, according to the newspaper.

Paul did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Experts said India became complacent in the winter, when new cases were running at about 10,000 a day and seemed to be under control. Authorities lifted restrictions, allowing for the resumption of big gatherings.
A section of unemployed graduates protest outside the Presidential secretariat. They claimed that some of their colleagues had not been provided relief through the Governments scheme to provide jobs for them. Pic by Shantha Rathnayake
Vitaliy Grechin pictured in custody in Dubai

The American playboy in custody over a 'spur of the moment' picture of naked Ukrainian woman on a balcony in Dubai has claimed it was 'art' and denies telling 'his friends' to take off their clothes.

Vitaliy Grechin, 41, remains incarcerated in Dubai where he has tested positive for Covid-19.

Meanwhile the women in the shoot, from Ukraine, have all been released from 'jail hell' and deported in disgrace with a five year ban on returning to the United Arab Emirates.

In his first interview from a Dubai coronavirus detention facility, Grechin apologised for his 'mistake' over the so-called 'Butt Squad' photo but denied any intention to cause offence.

He claimed the photo, which saw Ukrainian models pose naked in front of Dubai's skyscrapers, was 'art' and in any other country the picture would be considered 'normal'.

Grechin claimed the photo, which saw Ukrainian models pose naked in front of Dubai's skyscrapers, was 'art' and in any other country the picture would be considered 'normal'.

Grechin also claimed the women were his 'friends' and they were just on holiday together.

He revealed he has now faced bills of hundreds of thousands of pounds in Dubai for securing the release of the dozen women who were held after posing in the naked photoshoot. He has also spent money on his own - he hopes - imminent freedom.

Grechin insisted the stunt was not to advertise sexual services or make pornography.

Asked if he apologised for offence caused in the Muslim city, Grechin said: 'Of course I do. And we all do.

'The girls have apologised in interviews (since their release). For me, it's also very unpleasant.'

He continued: 'When people make a mistake and apologise for it, it has to be taken as that.

'Clearly, there was no intent to offend anybody. Clearly, they were not climbing a mosque naked.'

He revealed he has now faced bills of hundreds of thousands of pounds in Dubai for securing the release of the dozen women who were held after posing in the naked photoshoot

Grechin has been pictured with a string of famous names including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, George Clooney, Sylvester Stallone, and Viktor Yanukovych junior, late son of the former Ukrainian president.

It was 'a spur of the moment decision' to take the picture against the background of Dubai's skyscrapers, he said.

Gretchen added that the women were 'not instructed' by him to pose nude.

'It happened within a minute. One girl said 'I'm going to take a picture', and then it was "Me too", "Me too", "Me too",' he said.

'It was a passionate decision to take a photo which wouldn't show their private parts.

'It's not porn. Everywhere else in the world it would be considered normal. In magazines it would be considered art it was a unique shot.'

He claimed he had paid for around 20 women - all 'friends' - to travel to Dubai on an all-expenses paid fun trip to escape lockdown, at a total cost of around $10,000.

He claimed he had paid for around 20 women - all 'friends' - to travel to Dubai on an all-expenses paid fun trip to escape lockdown, at a total cost of around $10,000

The property tycoon said: 'I choose to surround myself with the people I feel comfortable with. Everybody I know personally.

'It's the equivalent of going out to a club or for dinner. There was no escorting, selling, buying, none of that.'

They were a 'close group of friends', he added.

Hitting back at rumours about the women, he insisted: 'They are not models, escorts or anything else.'

While he had also flown in photographer Alexander Ten from Moscow, Grechin denied ordering the naked balcony picture or choreographing it.

'We were in my friend's swimming pool and at the end of the day the girls had to change,' he explained.

'There was nowhere else except his apartment. We went to change.

'The girls went to the apartment and they went on to the balcony to take a photo with a view.

'The neighbour took a video of it and it went viral.

'There seems a deduction that the girls are models and prostitutes but they are none of these things. '

Vitaliy Grechin poses with Barak Obama in 2011

Grechin was born in Soviet Ukraine and raised in the US where he became a donor to President Barack Obama, and he returned to live and work in Kyiv where he has a wife and son.

Speaking about the naked shoot, Grechin said: 'I should never probably have allowed something like this.

'The girls had the mindset that they were on private property behind closed doors.

'Even if they went on the balcony for 15 seconds it was still something enclosed.

'There was no intent to create or distribute anything like this. It was spur of the moment.

'Of course, I regret it. I lost a month of my life.'

He claimed that the women in the shoot 'spent ten days in jail, with no food or decent water, no hygiene supplies, no sheets, and with a metal bunk to sleep on.

'I feel responsible for this. And you can't imagine the lawyer fees I have to pay.'

They run well into six figures, he said. 'It makes me want to cry,'

Realising that police were getting involved, the photographer Alexander Ten and several women rushed to the airport and flew out to Russia.

He said the Dubai authorities held those who remained on suspicion of involvement in prostitution and pornography.

But these accusations had now been dropped against them all, he said.

'There was one case where everyone's name was listed. But this did not go forward because there was no evidence,' he said.

He had been told by the authorities to 'accept my sin' over the balcony picture, but had not done so, Grechin said.

'Did I take the picture? No. Was I in the picture? No. Was I on the balcony? No. Did I make them go outside? No. Did I post the video? No.'

He expected to be allowed home because there was no evidence of pornography or prostitution, he said.

Pictured: Scantily clad models pose for a photoshoot with Vitaliy Grechin

Grechin had been moved from jail to a prison hospital for Covid-19 sufferers but he is now in custody in a coronavirus holding facility since he showed no symptoms.

'They searched our phones, apartments, they took drug tests, we were clean,' he said.

'I have a paper saying that Dubai does not have anything against me since 15 April', he said. 'I was supposed to go home on the 22nd. But then I caught Covid in jail.

'I have a paper from the prosecutor saying we have no evidence that you did anything wrong.

'But I am still in custody and cannot leave the room I am in.'

He hopes to leave as soon as he has a negative Covid test.

He admitted there was another picture inside his Russian friend Alexei Kontsov's apartment showing Grechin surrounded by 20 naked women as he played the piano.

But this image had been behind closed doors and not in the view of anyone else, he said.

Grechin admitted there was another picture inside his Russian friend Alexei Kontsov's (pictured on board flight to Moscow) apartment showing Grechin surrounded by 20 naked women as he played the piano

He enjoyed travelling with friends and had been on previous trips with a large group of women to Mexico, the Carpathian Mountains, and elsewhere, he said.

This was how he chose to live and relax, even if it was unconventional, he said.

He knew all the women and some lived with him in Kyiv, he said.

They faced 'no stipulations, conditions nor obligations' in accepting his largesse, he insisted before outlining his view that women in eastern Europe were 'more liberal' and 'feminine' than in America.

'Girls are much more open, and liberal, and expressive - there are no 'Me Too' movements,' he claimed.

As well as Obama, Grechin has been pictured with Hillary Clinton, George Clooney, and Sylvester Stallone.

Among the group with him in Dubai was Vogue model Evgenia Taran, 21, who said: 'I made a lot of conclusions, realised my mistakes, and to some extent (I am) grateful for what happened.'

Another, trained lawyer Yana Graboshchuk, 27, complained they had been treated like 'animals' in jail.

Grechin said the legal and jail systems in Dubai were 'borderline barbaric'.

His friend Kontsov, 33, returned to Russia last week as did participant Anastasia Fursova, 25.
President Joe Biden, seen here at the White House on April 15, officially recognizes the massacre of Armenians in World War I as a genocide.
Shoppers are splashing out on new clothes  because their old ones don't fit them after months of lockdown.

Fashion retailers are getting a much-needed boost as consumers move to restock their wardrobes.

Data from the Covid Symptom Study app suggests a third of Britons have put on an average of 12 lb since the pandemic began, while a similar number of people have managed to lose 9 lb.

Shoppers are splashing out on new clothes  because their old ones don't fit them after months of lockdown, file photograph

Coes of Ipswich reported a big increase in shoppers buying running gear last spring, and now the same people are needing smaller sizes. Owner William Coe said: 'Last week we had one guy in who had lost 20 lb. People have been more conscious of their weight because of Covid and also they haven't been able to eat out as much.

'It's been a good start post-lockdown, probably on par with the boost we had after the November lockdown and we don't even have the excuse of Christmas.'

Melanie Duddy, owner of Brookes Clothing in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, said she had tripled her usual weekly trade last week. 'There is definitely a release with a lot of pent-up demand,' she added. 'Everyone is saying they want something new to freshen up their looks.'

Data from the Covid Symptom Study app suggests a third of Britons have put on an average of 12 lb since the pandemic began, while a similar number of people have managed to lose 9 lb, pictured

London-based tailor McCann Bespoke has seen a rush of visitors as workers return to their desks.

Founder Neil McCann said: 'We've found customers are very keen to make a statement as they rush back to the office.

'Many have told us they are looking forward to dressing up again  it's a novelty after so long working from home. There's also a sense of it being an important time to impress, with increased competition for jobs after the pandemic.'

Meanwhile, many people used their spare time during lockdown to declutter, with the average person getting rid of 16 textile items, according to data firm Statista.
The author is on the mark with Police killings of Black people are lynchings (Letters, April 17). The Black killings going on in our country are outrageous, and the author is right to call it contemporary lynchings. I have learned there is an Emmett Till Antilynching Act that got passed in the House recently, and has been stalled in the Senate by Sen. Rand Paul. Let us all join together, to get this senator removed from Congress, and send a big message across our country, that these acts by police are not tolerated. We are democracy for all people and our future depends on us working together as one people. So be it.

Priscilla Rich, Danville

End restrictions on care

Regarding Bill scrutinizes UCs deals with private hospitals (Front Page, April 20): When UCSF prepared for a merger with Catholic St. Marys Hospital, the UCSF doctors protested because of its restrictions on womens health care, and the merger was canceled.

By imposing Catholic dogma on the delivery of health care in the hospitals ironically named Dignity Health, these hospitals display the antithesis of Jesus Christs teachings about loving thy neighbor and not judging others. Patients in Californias rural and urban areas benefit greatly from collaboration with UC student doctors, nurses and administrators.

If Catholic hospitals really favored Dignity, they would suspend their restrictions on the full range of womens and transgenders health care, as well as end-of-life care. Medical professionals who employ these non-evidence-based restrictions are violating their Hippocratic oaths. End the restrictions, not the collaboration.

Sonja Blomquist, San Francisco

Focus on older projects

Regarding HOV lanes coming to 2 S.F. corridors (Bay Ara, April 21): The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agencys idea of putting HOV lanes in Crossover Drive and Park Presidio Boulevard is about as impractical and as high a priority as the school boards renaming of our schools.

Park Presidio northbound in the park is down to two lanes as it is because of the left turn lane going onto 25th Avenue. Removing one of the three lanes on an already busy northbound 19th Avenue will create a reliable traffic jam that the 19th Avenue residents will have to choke on and get to deal with. I believe that this will no doubt be as temporary as the removal of all of the metered public parking spaces in Civic Center that were replaced with city employee permit only parking spots.

The removal of public parking meters in Civic Center not only made it more difficult for the average citizen but the loss of parking meter income has to be in the millions by now. The SFMTA should complete the Van Ness Avenue and Geary Boulevard projects and see if they provide all of the promised benefits before they take on any new projects.

Thomas Gille, San Francisco

Alaskas aquaculture

Regarding Is sustainable fish a scam, like Netflix documentary Seaspiracy suggests? (April 5): Not always. Alaskas state fishery policy of milking salmon for their eggs and sperm throughout the fishing season, artificially inseminating them and giving them a couple of weeks head start in a controlled environment before releasing them into the wild to live most of their lives in the open seas, has dramatically increased their salmon stock since the policy began. In taking advantage of salmon returning to the streams they were born in, or it turns out, released from, Alaska has managed to create not merely sustainable aquaculture, but a real-life example of the elusive plus-sum-gain scenario.

They are an example to the world and a dramatic departure from the status quo, take without giving back mentality of most food producers regardless of being meat or vegetable. Consumers should reward their ingenuity rather than throw all seafood/meat providers into the same ideological category. The truth is that zero animal byproducts from agriculture equals more fossil fuel fertilizer which equals more climate change, fewer wild ecosystems and less biodiversity. If we raised cattle on grass, fed compostables to pigs instead of landfills and ate less meat overall, this wouldnt be an issue!
The leading proponent of gun control in the U.S. Senate only could bring condolences to the mother of the three-year-old boy shot to death two weeks ago.

Sen. Chris Murphy met with Solmary Cruz, the mother of the slain toddler, Randell Jones, in a private meeting arranged by the Rev. Henry Brown, an activist who once heckled Murphy as insufficiently engaged on urban violence. Brown is a co-founder of Mothers United Against Violence.

They talked about violence, the ease of a teenager obtaining a gun in America, and the difficulty of convincing a divided Congress to regulate the sale of firearms. It was Friday afternoon, around the same time her son was fatally wounded on April 10, a Saturday that saw two boys killed in Connecticuts capital city.

Then Murphy and Brown toured the neighborhood, starting at the corner bodega where Randell was shot while sitting in a parked car with his mother, two siblings and a man police assume was the intended target of the daylight driveby attack.

Joining them were some of the women in the collective Brown simply calls the mothers, a sorority of the forever grieving. The mother of Randell Jones did not join them. Too soon, Brown said.

Its getting worse, not better, Murphy said.

He was talking about violence, not the prospects of a passing a compromise version of H.R. 8, the gun-control bill recently passed by the House. It would require universal background checks before the sale of any firearm in the United States, even among family members.

I dont think its a secret that a universal background checks bill like H.R. 8 cant pass the Senate right now, Murphy said. Its more likely that we can get consensus around background checks on commercial sales.

He would like commercial sales to reach beyond federally licensed firearms dealer to private sales conducted at gun shows and online, two major loopholes in the current requirement for background checks.

Murphy said he spent much of the congressional recess in search of Republican votes, a necessity in a chamber where each caucus has 50 members and 60 votes are necessary to evade a filibuster.

Ive talked to at least half of the Senate Republican conference, and a surprising number of them are open to a potential compromise, Murphy said. The sort of tone Im hearing from Republican senators is very different than what I heard in five or six years ago. I think, especially with the NRA potentially down for the count, a lot of them see a potential path forward.

The NRA is in bankruptcy, and Murphy said the organizationss pledge to spend $2 million in advertising opposed to further gun controls  along with the confirmation of President Joe Bidens nomination to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms  is evidence of weakness.

If I were them, I wouldnt have planted a story about a buy that essentially telegraphs that they have no money. A national $2 million buy is like a needle in a mile-high haystack, Murphy said.

The tour Friday began outside La Caribena Grocery on the corner of Nelson and Garden Streets, where Cruz and her three children, ages 3, 4 and 5, sat with a male passenger in a car parked outside La Caribena Grocery Store. Two teens have been charged in the killing: a 19-year-old as the shooter; a juvenile as an accessory.

Murphy said Randells siblings were casualties, even if spared being shot.

I wont go into details about it, said Murphy, the father of two boys. But those kids are dealing with something thats unthinkable.

Henry Brown played a memorable role in Murphys first days as a U.S. senator in January 2013.

In a scene witnessed by reporters and recounted in a book Murphy published last fall, the Black minister scorned Murphy at a community meeting as a white dilettante disinterested in gun violence until it claimed the lives of 26 educators and children at Sandy Hook.

His book, The Violence Inside Us: A Brief History of an Ongoing American Tragedy, is as much about racial inequity as violence. On Friday, in his conversation with the mothers, he learned that the fear of the simplest conflicts turning violent causes parents to send their children away.

Its so impossible to calculate how big this problem is, Murphy said. Its not just the kids who get shot. Its not just their relatives, its all these kids who, in the middle of the school year, literally have to flee the city because theyve been threatened or theyre in a dispute. And moms and dads are so certain that thats gonna lead to gun violence that they send their kids away from home. I mean, its just something that a family in Avon has zero conception of and yet is a daily reality here.

Eight years have passed since the day Brown schooled Murphy and Sen. Richard Blumenthal at a community center in the citys North End, a few blocks from La Caribena.

Browns complaint in 2013 was that mass shootings generate headlines, but the steady loss of young Black men and children on corners like Nelson and Garden often go unnoticed, even when one is three-years-old.

I think now that the senators got it, Brown said. I think the president got it. And I think that now is the time for these changes to happen. If we dont get it done now, were not gonna get it done.

Lobbying for change is only a part of Mothers United Against Violence, a group known for public vigils and marches. When there is another shooting, another death of someones child, the mothers reach out without fanfare.

They came to Deborah Davis on a January day after her 20-year-old son, Phillip, was shot to death by another young man, a friend who told the police they were taking turns dry-firing what they thought was an unloaded gun.

They were the only ones that came to my house  and right at the beginning. You really needed that. And they stayed with me, Davis said, referring to the talks and calls that followed and continued.

That was 11 years ago. On Friday, Davis walked with Murphy, Brown and Mayor Luke Bronin, occasionally stopping to chat with women sitting on steps, enjoying the afternoon sun. She told one woman, who sat with toddlers, about the mothers.

Davis wore a blue windbreaker with the Mothers United logo, as did the others on the tour. The walk was a gesture.

it means that our senator, our mayor, they have to be thinking about us, Davis said. They have to give us some care. And that theyre demonstrating that they want to be here with us, you know, at the moment. And then they see literally whats happening in our city. They see how folks are sometimes living.

They walked south on Garden Street, a high-rise headquarters of a Fortune 500 company, The Hartford, visible at the end of the street. Then it was over to Enfield Street towards Magnolia, where 16-year-old JaMari Preston, 16, was shot and killed about two hours after Randell Jones.

Brown and some of the mothers were out that day, responding to Randells shooting, when they heard rapid gunfire on Magnolia. We were right here, Brown told Murphy.

On Enfield, they passed a shrine, a collection of votive candles and deflated Mylar balloons. It marked the spot where a 34-year-old man was shot to death in what police said was an exchange of gunfire with members of a federal anti-crime task force in January.

Later came the vacant lot, where Davis made them stop. She told Murphy was the spot last month where 30-year-old Alton Veal was shot to death. They didnt make it all way to Magnolia.

Murphy was recovering from knee surgery, a car arrived and he bid the group goodbye. There was no heckling from Brown.

Brown and the women gathered in a circle, joined by a Hartford police officer, for a prayer before leaving. They prayed for justice, for the children and the men and women in their lives.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 08:19:24|Editor: huaxia

Video Player Close

BAGHDAD, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A fire broke out in a coronavirus intensive care unit in the capital of Iraq late Saturday, killing at least 20 people and leaving dozens of others injured, local media reported.

The blaze occurred after an incident caused oxygen cylinders to explode at the Ibn al-Khatib hospital in southeastern Baghdad, medical sources were quoted as saying.

Firefighters and ambulances rushed to the hospital and tried to put out the flames and evacuate patients.

Iraqi state news agency INA quoted the chief of the country's civil defense unit as saying that about 90 others have been rescued from the hospital. Enditem
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

St. Therese Catholic Parish in Albuquerques North Valley was once the largest in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, with a holy shrine and tiled-roof church considered one of the finest ecclesiastical buildings in New Mexico.

These days, the parish on North Fourth is one of the smallest and struggles to make ends meet. It is behind on its property insurance and in debt to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, owing more than a years worth of Sunday collection plate assessments, according to its pastor.

Its usual fundraising efforts crippled by the COVID-19 virus, the parish has taken to holding green chile roasting events to pay bills.

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But sacrifice it will, as one of more than 90 parishes grappling with the archdioceses request to help pay a universal settlement in its Chapter 13 bankruptcy reorganization.

We have very minuscule savings at the Archdiocese Savings and Loan Program at the Catholic Center (the headquarters of the archdiocese). The Archdiocese is of course welcome to take these meager funds, St. Therese pastor, the Rev. Vincent Paul Chavez, wrote in a letter to Archbishop John C. Wester last month.

Nearly 400 survivors who were molested as children by priests and clergy in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe have filed claims in the settlement case, which has dragged on for two years.

Even with its insurance coverage and the potential sale of millions of dollars in archdiocese property considered nonessential to its mission, Catholic parishes across northern New Mexico have been asked to determine what sacrifices they are able to make toward the bankruptcy burden.

While St. Therese will struggle to scrape up any contribution, the story is different across the river on Albuquerques West Side, at the newer St. Joseph on the Rio Grande parish.

Those attending last Sundays Mass learned that the archdiocese had asked the parish for a $300,000 contribution and that parish officials agreed. The money will deplete parish savings by about half, but parish finance Chairperson Frances Donio reminded those in attendance at Mass of the parishs history of helping others.

We give without question and without judgment, she said.

Donio said the parish council and Monsignor Lambert Luna agreed to the contribution of $300,000, which she said wont be needed for the bankruptcy case for another six to eight months.

The financial press on parishes over the past several months comes as attorneys for the archdiocese, the states largest, and victims have tentatively settled on a yet-to-be-disclosed amount to be distributed to survivors.

Archdiocese Vicar General Rev. Glenn Jones in his most recent online update reported pretty fair progress in raising funds, but added, Some pastors fear the reaction of parishioners at giving such a huge chunk of parish savings, unused and/or unessential property for sale, etc.

He wrote that the Vatican cant help, because each diocese is responsible for its own finances. Anyway, the Vatican can barely pay its own bills these days, with COVID reducing contributions, he added.

If we dont meet certain goals soon, we risk losing the proposed settlement, and that very well may lead to lawsuits against individual parishes weve been worried about  maybe hundreds of them since there are just under 400 claims filed, Jones said in his update.

The proposed total settlement amount to victims is confidential by law, but Donio said at last Sundays Mass, It is substantial enough that it will require a collective effort not only by the archdiocese but also the parishes to raise the required amount.

St. Therese and St. Joseph on the Rio Grande illustrate the stark differences among parishes when it comes to assets and ability to contribute.

While some parishes are not able to contribute much, others will be asked to contribute on average several hundred thousand dollars, Donio said during Mass in a video presentation available online.

Donio made her unusual public announcement, she said, to ensure transparency.

Each parish is unique in its financial standing. Some are very poor and can barely keep their lights on. We are fortunate to be able to contribute and hopefully help cover for those who are not able to contribute as much.

There are no lawsuits or claims by survivors against St. Joseph on the Rio Grande, but that would not protect us from a suit, she said. Parishes that dont contribute risk being sued by victims and losing more than just their savings.

Those that do contribute would be eligible for a channeling injunction to protect them from lawsuits from individual survivors whose claims occurred before 2018, she said. That was the year the archdiocese filed for bankruptcy, under the strain of defending at least 36 clergy sex abuse claims or lawsuits.

Luna, St. Josephs pastor, said last week that the response from parishioners to the announcement has been minimal. One person wrote a note to thank parish leaders for their decision to contribute.

Luna said the parish is part of the archdiocese, and our membership teaches us that were one church, one body. If the archdiocese is in need, then we come to the aid of that body that were a member of.

Still, he said, Its difficult in the sense that we have been saving this money for a rainy day, thinking the rainy day is like the roof leaking, or the stucco needs to be done. But its a different kind of rainy day that appeared. It wasnt one of our choosing.

Should the bankruptcy fail, Vicar General Jones wrote earlier this month, Nothing is safe from liquidations for legal costs and lawsuit settlements  churches, halls, schools. Nothing. What a tragedy it would be to lose hundreds-of-years-old churches and property to legal fees and lawsuit settlements, not to mention much of New Mexicos cultural legacy built over centuries by donations of time, talent and treasure of your families and friends.

Property owned by St. Therese of the Infant Jesus includes the Shrine of the Little Flower and a Catholic school, pre-K to eighth grade. Chavez says those properties are essential to the mission. Donations help the school keep its tuition relatively low.

Chavez told Archbishop Wester in a March 10 letter that St. Therese Parish has been in a dire financial situation for years but plans to pay what it can to meet its obligations to the archdiocese.

Its largest annual fundraising event, three days of fiestas, was canceled last year because of pandemic restrictions. But this year, Chavez hopes to raise money from chile roasting in September, followed by parish fiestas in October.

Chavez told the Journal he was grateful for the response from Archbishop Wester.

I understand the parish is in financial straits, Wester wrote. Please keep the intention of the bankruptcy in your prayers.

Vicar General Jones acknowledged that the archdiocese was well aware that parishioners, through their parishes, have to bear the financial burden.

We in your Church leadership, lament so very much those who have failed you so grievously in the past, he wrote. Yet all we can do now is move forward and look to a new day  hopefully with some healing for victims AND the people of the Christs Church of northern New Mexico.
New Delhi:

The silence of a rape victim cannot be taken as proof of consent for sexual relations, the Delhi High Court has observed while upholding a mans 10-year jail term for raping a pregnant woman.

Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal made the observation while rejecting a rape convicts defence that the victims silence about the incident proved consensual sexual relations.

The defence taken by the accused that the prosecutrix (victim) had consensual sexual relations with him which is pointed out from her silence about the incident, holds no ground, as mere silence cannot be taken as proof of consensual sexual relations as she has also stated that she was being threatened by the accused.

Thus, any act of sexual intercourse in the absence of consent would amount to an act of rape, the high court said while upholding a trial courts 2015 decision to convict and sentence to 10-year imprisonment one Munna, who was then 28-years old, for repeatedly raping a 19-year-old woman.

The high court also upheld the decision of the trial court to acquit Munna of the offences of kidnapping, saying there were inconsistencies in the womans statements regarding how she had reached Delhi.

It also agreed with the subordinate courts decision to acquit him and co-accused Suman Kumar of the charge of trying to sell the woman into prostitution as alleged by her.

The high court was hearing Munnas appeal against his conviction and sentence, as well as the plea of the police challenging the trial courts decision to acquit the two men of the other offences.

According to the woman, she had come to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh in December 2010 and met Munna and Kumar who had allegedly lured her with the promise of work.

She had alleged that Munna took her to Panipat in Haryana where she was confined to a flat for around two months and was repeatedly raped by him. She had also alleged that he had threatened to kill her if she tried to escape.

Later, Munna took her to a flat in Noida in Uttar Pradesh, rented by Kumar, and from there they brought her to another flat in Shastri Park here, she had alleged.

She had also told the police that on April 1, 2011, when Kumar got to know that Munna had raped her in his absence, the two men had fought and the former had called the cops.

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When Ruben Diaz Jr. dropped out of the New York City mayors race last year, his decision surprised many. He had the support of the powerful Bronx Democratic Party, an alliance with Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and strong ties to Latino voters.

But Mr. Diaz, the Bronx borough president, still can influence the race: His endorsement became one of the most coveted in the contest  potentially carrying weight in the Bronx and among Latino voters, who make up roughly one-fifth of Democratic primary voters.

On Monday, Mr. Diaz will announce that he is endorsing Eric Adams, the Brooklyn borough president, boosting Mr. Adamss hopes of trying to assemble a diverse coalition to defeat Andrew Yang, the former presidential hopeful.

There have been so many issues where I witnessed firsthand how much Eric loves New York, but also how critical it is to have someone who has the life experience of a New Yorker to help inform them about how to fight for all New Yorkers, Mr. Diaz said in an interview.
Keep a tab on all thats new and exciting as day gets closer for Big Bad Wolf sale By Ruqyyaha Deane View(s): View(s):

Sri Lankas favourite wolf is almost here  the worlds biggest book sale  the Big Bad Wolf (BBW) Book Sale will be returning to Sri Lanka online for the second time from May 5  12 on the website bigbadwolfbooks.lk.

Speaking at a press conference held on Tuesday at Sahal, the organisers announced that the BBW sale would be returning to Sri Lanka for its fifth consecutive year, albeit in a manner in keeping with the ongoing pandemic. Co-founders of Big Bad Wolf Books Jacqueline Ng and Andrew Yap, Partner of Big Bad Wolf Books Sri Lanka Dipak Madhavan who joined through video conference from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Director of Pro Read Sri Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Nishan Wasalathanthri outlined their plans.

Unfortunately in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no way we could have the BBW sale physically and that brought in the concept of going online. This year as well we would be going online despite wanting to go back to how we usually did things because the safety of customers is our biggest concern, explained Nishan as he elaborated how borders being closed across the world was a huge factor.

From fiction, bestsellers, literature, non-fiction, business, cookbooks, art and design, and plenty of books for children, the BBW sale will showcase a massive range of more than 50,000 book titles. The organisers also assured that the issues that had cropped up last year such as payment problems, accessing titles, contacting customer support and more were all addressed and they have learnt and improved the sale accordingly.

A video demonstration was also done to show how user-friendly the website would be and they recommended that all potential customers register on the website beforehand for easier shopping. All the books are organised under appropriate titles and recommended title lists have also been created. Further, book lovers can expect major discounts of up to 90%, giveaways, free shipping with purchases over Rs. 9000 and more.

By going online, what we noticed was that when we had our physical sales in Colombo, our customer base would be mostly from those in Colombo but by going online we were able to reach all over the country and to those who werent really able to travel before were now able to buy books as well. This helped our mission of nurturing a reading habit with everyone in the country not just in Colombo, shared Jacqueline Ng on the most significant difference and benefit they found by moving online.

Keep up with the BBW sale with the rest of the wolf pack by following them on social media. Their Instagram handle is @bigbadwolfbooks_lk and Facebook is bbwbookssrilanka
KABUL  Deputy and Acting Foreign Minister Mirwais Nab spoke with Mohammad Sadiq Khan, Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan, and his accompanying delegation to strengthen bilateral cooperation and the Afghan peace process.

Shedding light on the new chapter of security, political, and development cooperation between Afghanistan and the international community, the Deputy and Acting Foreign Minister also spoke about the developments in the Afghan peace process and the need to expand bilateral cooperation between Kabul and Islamabad to establish peace in Afghanistan and enhance economic cooperation in the region.

Emphasizing the results of the recent meeting of the Foreign Ministries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkey, Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan assured Mr. Nab of his country's support for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The two sides also discussed the continuation of bilateral economic cooperation, especially ways of revising the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit and Trade Agreement (APTTA) and making the best use of the capacity and structures contained in the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) and utilizing the trade, investment and economic opportunities between the two countries.
Passengers wait in line for screening at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Ill. on Oct. 19, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

ACLU Asks Supreme Court to Rule on Warrantless Searches of Travelers Digital Devices

The Supreme Court has been asked to take on the issue of whether the federal government may search the smartphones and laptop computers of travelers at the U.S. border without a warrant or any suspicion of wrongdoing.

The number of electronic device searches at the border rose in 2016 and grew throughout former President Donald Trumps time in office. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers carried out upwards of 30,000 electronic device searches in fiscal 2018, over three times the number from fiscal 2015, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and the ACLU of Massachusetts, which filed a 377-page petition with the Supreme Court on April 23.

The searches are needed to protect the U.S. homeland, the government says.

The increase in electronic device searches is driven by CBPs mission to protect the American people and enforce the nations laws in this digital age, the government said in a statement previously.

CBP has adapted and adjusted its actions to align with current threat information. CBP border searches of electronic devices have resulted in evidence helpful in combating terrorist activity, child pornography, violations of export controls, intellectual property rights violations, and visa fraud, the statement read.

Then-CBP official John Wagner said: Electronic device searches are integral in some cases to determining an individuals intentions upon entering the United States.

These searches, which affect fewer than one-hundredth of one percent of international travelers, have contributed to national security investigations, arrests for child pornography and evidence of human trafficking. CBP officers are well trained to judiciously conduct electronic device searches and to protect sensitive information that may be encountered.

The case, Merchant v. Mayorkas, was originally filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. In November 2019, that court determined that border authorities may search a travelers electronic device only if they have reasonable suspicion that the device contains digital contraband. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit overturned the ruling in February 2021.

This case raises pressing questions about the Fourth Amendments protections in the digital age, Esha Bhandari, deputy director of the ACLUs Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, said in a statement.

When border officers search our phones and laptops, they can access massive amounts of sensitive personal information, such as private photographs, health information, and communications with partners, family, and friendsincluding discussions between lawyers and their clients, and between journalists and their sources. We are asking the Supreme Court to ensure that we dont lose our privacy rights when we travel.

EFF senior staff attorney Sophia Cope said: Border officers every day make an end-run around the Constitution by searching travelers electronic devices without a warrant or any suspicion of wrongdoing.

The U.S. government has granted itself unfettered authority to rummage through our digital lives just because we travel internationally. This egregious violation of privacy happens with no justification under constitutional law and no demonstrable benefit. The Supreme Court must put a stop to it.

According to the ACLU, these searches are often carried out for reasons that have nothing to do with halting the importation of contraband or determining a travelers admissibility to the United States.

Border officers claim the authority to search devices for a host of reasons, including enforcement of tax, financial, consumer protection, and environmental lawsall without suspicion of wrongdoing. Border officers also will search travelers devices if they are interested in information about someone other than the travelerlike a business partner, family member, or a journalists source, reads a statement on the ACLU of Massachusetts website.

The petitioners in the case include a military veteran, journalists, an artist, a NASA engineer, and a business owner, all of whom are U.S. citizens. These individuals werent subsequently accused of any wrongdoing. Officials confiscated and kept the devices of several of the individuals for weeks or months afterward.

Its been frustrating to be subjected to this power-grab by the government, Diane Zorri, a college professor, former U.S. Air Force captain, and a plaintiff in the case, said in a statement supplied by the ACLU.

My devices are mine, and the government should need a good reason before rifling through my phone and my computer. Im proud to be part of this case to help protect travelers rights.

Acting Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.
CAPE HATTERAS, N.C.  If you are going to visit North Carolina's Outer Banks, you must plan to do some fishing. Some of the world's best offshore fishing takes place out of Hatteras Inlet and Oregon Inlet. Fishing piers are scattered up and down the coast. And the Outer Banks offer some of the world's finest surf fishing.

Fishing wasn't the primary purpose of a vacation trip this past week to the Outer Banks, but it did offer me an opportunity to wet a line for a few hours in hopes of landing a trophy.

I jokingly told family and friends my goal was to catch the world record red drum, which was caught in 1994 just a few miles from where my wife and I were camped for the week. I packed a couple of rods and reels and a small tackle box with the basics  hooks, rigs, sinkers and a bait knife. I also watched a couple of YouTube videos about surf fishing on the Outer Banks.

When David Deuel, a scientist with the National Marine Fisheries Service, caught his 94-pound, 2-ounce world record red drum on Nov. 7, 1984, he was using a chunk of mullet, the same bait I would try to use if I was fishing at home.

Not having access to fresh mullet, I decided on a different tact. I could have purchased some frozen mullet but I hoped I could catch a smaller fish on either fresh shrimp ($3.99 for a small package) or bloodworms ($12.99 for a bag of 10) and then use that fish for cut bait to work my way up the food chain. I also purchased a 10-day non-resident saltwater fishing license for $11.

Unfortunately, I didn't have an opportunity to do a lot of scouting or get the scoop on fishing hotspots. But the waters off the Cape Hatteras Outer Banks KOA Campground looked as good as any with breakers indicating some underwater ditches and sloughs. So early Wednesday morning, I loaded my equipment into a small wagon and made the hundred-yard trek to the beach.

I set up two sand spikes and then began rigging my rods. I put chunks of fresh shrimp on one outfit and threaded bloodworms onto the hooks of the second outfit. I stepped down to the waters' edge and cast the rigs to where I hoped fish would be hanging out, then walked back to watch and wait. And wait. And wait.

Three hours of fishing and the only thing I managed to hook was a small stingray, which I carefully released. There was another fisherman a few hundred yards down the beach from me and I never saw him reel in anything but bait. The Cape Hatteras Outer Banks KOA wasn't the fishing spot I hoped it would be.

But that didn't mean I had given up on the world record red drum. A little Google research revealed that the trophy, or at least a replica, was close by.

That afternoon we headed south to the community of Avon and paid a visit to Frank and Fran's Bait and Tackle. A long wall in the store paid tribute to Deuel's catch. There was a replica of the red drum, which not only weighed 94 pounds, 2 ounces but measured 57 inches long with a girth of 38 inches. The rod and reel Deuel used also mounted alongside the red drum as well as the short gaff Deuel used to pull the fish in. Deuel fought the trophy for about 45 minutes and the battle took him about a mile down the beach.

I didn't catch my world record, and even if I had caught one bigger than Deuel's I wouldn't have been able to keep it. North Carolina has a limit of one red drum per angler per day, and the fish must measure at least 18 inches but can't be longer than 27 inches.

America's Boating Club

Americas Boating Club Charleston will hold a boating safety class May 15 at 1376 Orange Grove Road, Charleston. The class begins at 9 a.m. and ends around 4 p.m. Successful participants earn the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Boater Education Card. The cost is $25 for adults and youth 12-18 are free. Call 843-312-2876 or email lynes@tds.net.
An Aldi shopper has been left in tears after a stranger offered to pay for her groceries when her bank card was declined.

The Australian woman, called Meghan, posted on Facebook, where she said she was surprised by the generous move from the stranger, and will definitely be 'paying this forward' when she goes out in the future.

'A shout out to the kind-hearted lady at Aldi Maribrynong today, thank you again,' Meghan wrote.

An Aldi shopper has been left in tears after a stranger offered to pay for her groceries when her bank card was declined (stock image)

'I did a medium shop today without the kids and paid by card.

'The cashier didn't see the nappies at the end of the shop and so scanned them through as a second transaction.

'My card, for whatever reason, was declined. I tried three times, then said to the cashier, no worries I will have to come back another day.'

Meghan went on to say that the woman behind her suddenly said 'I'll pay for them! Here you go!'

'I thanked her and then left,' Meghan continued.

'As I walked out the front door, I burst into tears, I think for the surprise gesture and the fact that she wanted to make sure my child would have nappies when IAlways insert your card when paying at Aldi's..tap and pay takes a % for surcharge got home.'

She added that it is nice to see that 'people still care about others and a special few will go the extra mile'.

Meghan's post was quick to capture the attention of the internet, with more than three and a half thousand people commenting on it in praise of the kind stranger.

'Just came home from a night out with friends and that made me cry,' one woman wrote.

'I'm blubbering right now! Always thankful when our faith in other people is rewarded. Bless,' another added.

The Australian woman, called Meghan, posted on Facebook, where she said she was surprised by the generous move from the stranger (stock image)

Others shared helpful tips for what to do when your card gets declined.

Many said you should always insert your card when shopping at Aldi instead of just tapping, as this means it will be accepted.

'Always insert your card when paying at Aldi.. tap and pay takes a per cent for surcharge,' one woman wrote.

This isn't the first kind-hearted checkout moment to take the internet by storm.

Previously, a Woolworths shopper shared the heartwarming story of how a checkout worker went above and beyond to help her when she was short on cash to buy groceries.
COVID-19 patients recently returning from Cambodia have been infected with more transmissible variants of B1.1.7 of the UK and B.1.352 of South Africa, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said on April 25.

The results of genome sequencing show that 85.7% of the specimens had variant B1.1.7 and 14.3% carried variant B.1.351, the MoH announced.

Variant B1.1.7, first detected in Kent, the UK, in September 2020, is said to be 70% more transmissible, while variant B.1.351 found in Nelson Mandela Bay in October, 2020, is believed to be 20 to 200% more transmissible than the predecessor lineage.

Both variants have been detected in dozens of countries worldwide, according to experts.

Although the variants are yet to cause more severe illnesses, experts said it is hard to control the virus if an infection case is detected in the community. In addition, 80% of COVID-19 patients are asymptomatic.

Currently, an increasing number of people residing in COVID-19 ravaged Cambodia are seeking to cross the border into Vietnam, posing an imminent threat of a new coronavirus outbreak in the community.

The Prime Minister has issued a telegram, warning about a possible new outbreak from illegal entrants and requesting localities to tighten anti-coronavirus measures.

Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said the MoH and relevant agencies are working on scenarios in which a new outbreak is likely to occur in the coming weeks.

VOV
The bill has divided lawmakers firmly in support of charter schools (and the big-money group that funds them) and those who either aren't fans or believe the accountability isn't quite there (and the big-money groups that fund them).
Slovakia on Thursday became the first NATO ally to expel Russian diplomats as a sign of solidarity with neighboring Czech Republic, which is in a diplomatic crisis with Russia.

Prime Minister Eduard Heger said three diplomats were given seven days to leave. Their expulsion was based on information from the country's intelligence services.

The move comes after the Czech Republic ordered 63 more Russian diplomats to leave the country, further escalating a dispute between the two nations over the alleged involvement of Russian spies in a massive ammunition depot explosion in 2014.

The explosion at the storage facility in Vrbetice, Czech Republic killed two workers there and triggered many more explosions at the site and years of clean up.

Czech leaders said last Saturday they have evidence provided by the intelligence and security services of the country that points to the participation of two agents of Russia's GRU elite Unit 29155 in the 2014 blast.

Russia denied that.

Since then a diplomatic tit for tat has unfolded between the Czech Republic and Russia.

On Sunday, Russia ordered 20 Czech diplomats to leave the country, in response to the Czech government's order to expel 18 Russian diplomats its country identified as spies from the GRU and the SVR, Russia's military and foreign intelligence services.

On Monday, diplomats, and their families, from both countries, took specially chartered flights out of each of the countries back to their home countries.

Czech Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhanek said Russia won't be allowed to have more diplomats in Prague than the Czechs currently have at their embassy in Moscow.

The Czech secret services have repeatedly warned that Moscow had a disproportionately high number of diplomats at the embassy in the European Union nation, using it as a base for undercover spies.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Airfares on India-US flights have increased significantly since the American government's advisory to its citizens to avoid travelling to India due to a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, aviation industry sources said on Sunday.

Average fare for an economy class ticket on a India-US flight is around Rs 50,000, but the fares for this week's flights are hovering around Rs 150,000, the sources mentioned.

High demand for tickets on India-US flights after the advisory on Thursday has led to the spike in fares, they said.

"Many passengers want to go to US immediately as they don't want to get stuck here if further restrictions are put in place on India-US flights," said one of the sources.

Some other countries, including Germany, the UK and the UAE, have also restricted air travel from India. The UAE has banned travel from India for 10 days from Sunday due to the worsening COVID-19 situation in the country.

The US government on Thursday had put India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and the Maldives on its Level 4 travel advisory, which means asking Americans not to travel to these countries.

Meanwhile, private chartered flights within the country are also in high demand these days, mainly for taking COVID-19 patients from smaller cities to bigger cities for better medical treatment.

An official of a Mumbai-based charter flight operator said his planes have been busy for the last couple of days as they have been conducted continuous air ambulance flights for high net-worth individuals.

The price of private chartered flights have increased by up to two times, said a Delhi-based general aviation company official.

India logged a record 3,49,691 new infections in a day taking its total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,69,60,172, while active cases crossed the 26-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

The death toll increased to 1,92,311 with a record 2,767 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged states to comply with recommendations on international travel from the World Health Organizations International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee on testing and risk management during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In particular, IATA highlighted the following recommendations for states:

 Do not require proof of vaccination as a condition of entry.

IATA believes that the freedom to travel across borders should not be limited to those who are able to be vaccinated. It does, however, support governments opening borders to those who have been vaccinated and that testing should also play a key role where vaccination is not possible. Togethertesting and vaccinationare key measures for states to safely reopen their borders and restore freedom of movement while managing the public health risks of Covid-19.

 Implement coordinated, time-limited, risk-based, and evidence-based approaches for health measures in relation to international traffic."

IATA strongly supports risk-based measures to safely manage international travel. Most scientists believe that Covid-19 will become endemic and that society will need to learn to live with the virus. The air transport industry manages multiple riskstechnical, natural, geopolitical, etc.to maintain safe operations. In line with this recommendation, IATA continues to call on governments to work with the industry to establish plans to safely reconnect their people and economies via air transport based on clear benchmarks for reopening and testing/vaccination protocols to manage risks.

 Reduce the financial burden on international travellers for the measures such as testing, isolation/quarantine, and vaccination, in accordance with Article 40 of the International Health Regulations.

IATA firmly believes that government-mandated public health measures to manage the risks of Covid-19 should not be a financial barrier to travel. States agreed that the cost of mandatory measures such as testing should be borne by the government in Article 40 of the International Health Regulations. This should not be forgotten in a pandemic. With the cost of PCR testing at $100 at the low-end and the requirement for multiple tests for a single journey, this could easily make flying unaffordable for individuals and families  reversing decades of progress to make the freedom to travel more accessible. The same applies to quarantine measures where mandated by governments.

 Prioritise vaccination for seafarers and air crews.

IATA strongly supports the recommendation to prioritise air crew for vaccination. It will protect crew and underpin efficient operations. This is critically important during the crisis for global supply chains transporting vaccines, medicines and medical equipment required to combat the virus.

If implemented, these recommendations will help governments manage the risks of Covid-19, keep their citizens safe and protect millions of livelihoods that are at risk. The goal is to safely return to more normal lives, including the freedom to travel, while managing the risks of Covid-19 which are likely to be with us for some time. Airlines are experts at risk management. It underpins safe and reliable daily operations. Governments should tap into the airline industrys capabilities to help them implement efficient measures for testing and vaccination that can supersede the blunt instrument of quarantine. That could safely move us towards a more normal world with the freedom to travel and the opportunity to earn a living in the sector, said Willie Walsh, IATAs Director General.

Standards for Digital Documentation

The Emergency Committee also recommended that, WHO produce interim guidance and tools related to standardisation of paper and digital documentation of Covid-19 travel-related risk reduction measures (vaccination status, SARS-COV-2 testing and COVID-19 recovery status) in the context of international travel.

IATA fully supports this recommendation. Secure global standards for travel health credentials are critical to avoid fraud and facilitate efficient passenger processing when travel scales up. Industry is ready with the IATA Travel Pass to manage testing and vaccination documentation for travel. Governments are also producing similar apps of their own. But without global standards, these efforts will remain disjointed and never reach their full potential.

Agreement on a digital standard for testing and vaccination documentation is a critical next step. Without globally recognised standards to prove that someone has been vaccinated or tested, the potential for frustrated travellers, fraudulent actors and overwhelmed border authorities is very real. Work needs to be accelerated or the eventual restart will be defeated by mountains of paper, said Walsh. - TradeArabia News Service
New Delhi: Indias coronavirus second wave is rapidly sliding into a devastating crisis, with hospitals unbearably full, oxygen supplies running low, desperate people dying in line waiting to see doctors  and mounting evidence that the actual death toll is far higher than officially reported.

For the fourth consecutive day, the country set a global record of new infections a day, this time 349,691 cases on Sunday. India alone now accounts for almost half of all new cases.

New bodies arrive at a mass cremation site in Delhi, India, April 23, 2021. US government administration officials are coming under increasing pressure to lift restrictions on exports of supplies that vaccine makers in India say they need to expand production amid a devastating surge in COVID-19 deaths there. Credit:Atul Loke/The New York Times

But experts say those numbers, however staggering, represent just a fraction of the real reach of the virus spread, which has thrown this country into emergency mode. Millions of people refuse to even step outside  their fear of catching the virus is that extreme. Accounts from around the country tell of the sick being left to gasp for air as they wait at chaotic hospitals that are running out of lifesaving oxygen.

The sudden surge in recent weeks, with an insidious newer variant possibly playing a role, is casting increasing doubt on Indias official COVID-19 death toll of nearly 200,000, with more than 2000 people dying every day.
Singapore, Apr 25 (PTI) India, in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic, is trying to get as many cryogenic oxygen containers as possible globally, the countrys envoy here said on Sunday, after the Indian government airlifted four containers from Singapore on Saturday.

The Indian Air Force on Saturday brought four cryogenic tanks, to be used for transporting oxygen, from Singapore as the country scrambles to meet the spike in demand for medical oxygen amid a surge in COVID-19 infections.

The containers were airlifted from Singapore by C17 heavy-lift aircraft of the IAF.

Indias High Commissioner to Singapore P Kumaran told PTI that there will be more consignments in the coming days.

"We are trying to get as many cryogenic oxygen containers as we can from any part of the world," said Kumaran, adding that oxygen plants and concentrators are being contacted.

Acting swiftly to meet the high demand of oxygen requirements, India procured four containers of cryogenic O2 tanks from Singapore on Saturday.

The transfer of four containers of cryogenic oxygen tanks donated by Tata Group was moved from Singapore by the Indian Air Force, Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Singapore (MINDEF), Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, LINDE GAS (Singapore) and the Changi Airport and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, the Indian mission said in a Facebook post.

According to observers, Indian corporations with international network are supporting the Government of India's call in getting the cryogenic oxygen containers at the highest priority.

India is struggling with a second wave of the pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past few days, and hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds.

Since Friday, the IAF has been airlifting empty oxygen tankers and containers to various filling stations across the country to speed up the distribution of the much-needed medical oxygen in treating COVID-19 patients.

On Friday, the Union Home Ministry said it was in talks for the import of high-capacity oxygen-carrying tankers from Singapore and the UAE. PTI GS CPS AKJ CPS

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Australia paid tribute to its war dead early on Sunday as it marked Anzac Day, the annual commemoration of the day in 1915 when the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on Turkey's Gallipoli peninsula in an ill-fated campaign that provided the soldiers first combat of World War I.

Marches were organised all around the country except in Perth where a three-day lockdown is in place.

The Canberra march took place outside the Australian War Memorial and was attended by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the New Zealand High Commissioner Dame Annette King.

Marching groups were saluted by Air Marshall Melvin Hupfeld as they walked by him.

Morrison and King laid a wreath at the end of the ceremony at the Memorial catafalque.

Last year, marches were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic and remembrance services limited to the attendance of official dignitaries only.

In his dawn service speech in Canberra, Morrison mentioned the withdrawal of Australian and American troops from Afghanistan announced last week.

(Image: AP)

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Mumbai: India is facing the second wave of coronavirus and Maharashtra is one the most affected states in the country. Keeping this situation in consideration, the third Oxygen Express carrying three tankers of liquid medical oxygen (LMO), each with about 14 tonnes LMO, is scheduled to reach Kalamboli in Maharashtra on Sunday (April 25) from Gujarat's Hapa on Rajkot Division of Western Railway, said the Indian Railways.

Maharashtra is among the ten states that have reported 74.53 per cent of the country's new COVID-19 cases and among the twelve states displaying an upward trajectory in daily new cases, as per the Union Health Ministry.

It further stated that Maharashtra is among the eight States which cumulatively account for 69.94 per cent of India's total active cases. The state has reported the highest daily new cases at 67,160 in the last 24 hours, said the ministry. It further said that the state saw the maximum casualties at 676.

"An 'Oxygen Special' carrying 3 liquid medical oxygen tankers (each with about 14 tonnes) on wagons is planned from Hapa in Rajkot Division of Western Railway today destined to Kalamboli in Maharashtra. Oxygen tankers are supplied by Reliance Industries, Jamnagar," said the Indian Railways on Sunday (April 25).

The fourth Oxygen Express is planned from Lucknow today, it said. The Indian Railways is running Oxygen Express trains and will continue to run them over the next few days to transport liquid medical oxygen and oxygen cylinders across the country. Roll-on-roll-off trucks are being transported on flat wagons by the trains for a quick supply of medical oxygen.

The first Oxygen Express train, that left Visakhapatnam on Thursday (April 20), arrived in Maharashtra's Nagpur Friday (April 21) evening with seven tankers carrying the life-saving medical gas."Railways transported essential commodities and kept the supply chain intact even during the lockdown last year and continue to serve the nation in times of emergencies.

Indian Railways is working tirelessly to ensure that oxygen is supplied to corona patients in time across country.

First Oxygen Express loaded with Liquid Medical Oxygen tankers from Vizag has reached Nagpur.

3 Tankers have been offloaded at Nagpur,next destination is Nashik. pic.twitter.com/kmwj8trda5  Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) April 23, 2021

This time, the movement of 'Oxygen Express' towards different parts of the country will help patients and different hospitals," the Railways had earlier said in a statement.

India recorded 3,49,691 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike since the pandemic broke out last year.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-24 15:29:38|Editor: huaxia

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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) holds a leaders' meeting to discuss the ongoing situation in Myanmar at the ASEAN secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, April 24, 2021. The meeting is participated by leaders of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and chair of the country's newly formed State Administration Council Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. Foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines attend the meeting as representatives. (Photo by Laily Rachev/Presidential Press Bureau/Handout via Xinhua)

JAKARTA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is holding a leaders' meeting here on Saturday to discuss the ongoing situation in Myanmar.

The meeting is participated by leaders of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and chair of the country's newly formed State Administration Council Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines attend the meeting as representatives.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told a press conference on Friday evening that it would be the first in person meeting of ASEAN leaders since the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, which shows the leaders' concern about the situation in Myanmar.

"The commitment of leaders to meet physically is a reflection of a deep concern about the situation in Myanmar and ASEAN's determination to help Myanmar get out of this delicate situation," she said.

The one-day closed door meeting is a follow-up to Indonesian President Joko Widodo's talks with Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah as Chair of ASEAN, she said.

Around 4,400 police personnel have been deployed at 51 points across the Indonesian capital to secure the meeting. Roads around the ASEAN Secretariat where the meeting is held, are temporarily closed.

The meeting, Retno added, would be carried out by implementing maximum health protocols.

ASEAN said in a chair's statement released at the Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on March 2 this year that the regional organization was ready to assist Myanmar in a positive, peaceful and constructive manner.

Established in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Enditem
SDB bank says records strong performance in COVID-hit 2020 View(s):

The year 2020 proved to be one of unprecedented economic change across the globe and in Sri Lanka, presenting significant challenges in all industries, particularly impacting the banking and financial services sector, said SDB bank in a media statement on its 2020 performance.

Alongside the Government and Central Bank-led economic revival measures mandated industry-wide on account of COVID-19, including credit moratoriums and policy rate reductions, SDB bank maintained a strong focus on digital transformation which helped them overcome the pandemics negative impact rapidly. The bank placed equal emphasis on non-performing advances management and streamlining processes to enhance efficiencies, it said.

Identified by the bank as essential parameters in resuscitating the nationally critical SME sector, as it single-handedly accounts for 52 per cent of total GDP, the bank transformed rapidly and went on to record a profit of Rs. 835 million in 2020, a massive 229 per cent increase in annual profit from 2019.

This strong performance was impacted heavily by numerous SDB bank-led initiatives in SME and co-operative development, including the partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) to provide free, one-on-one expert mentorship and technical knowledge to SMEs through a team of fully-qualified accountants, with SDB performing the key role of funding partner. The banks partnerships with MILCO in supporting dairy farmers and DIMO to extend support to agri-farmers through leasing promotions to secure agricultural equipment and machinery, represent programmes of equal importance as part of its SME focus.

Active financial support of this nature offered to SMEs in far-flung areas, in addition to strengthening their entrepreneurial efforts plus helping them overcome the economic challenges experienced in 2020, assisted the bank in maintaining a Gross Non-Performing Advances Ratio of 4.54 per cent in 2020, considerably lower than the industry figures for the period. This positive impact on financial performance has helped them maintain their SME-focused initiatives, thereby boosting the national economy considerably.

The bank similarly realized Net Interest Income of Rs. 6.1 billion, displaying an 8 per cent growth from the previous year despite the prevailing lower lending rates and the associated reduction in customer deposits rates. Of equal significance, the bank displayed a Net Interest Margin of 5.89 per cent even with slowing down of borrowing and the extended loan moratoriums granted.

Parallelly, the banks revamped digital efforts were aided by its successful completion of the first-ever digital rights issue by a Colombo Stock Exchange-listed entity  officially recognised as the first digital share subscription to be oversubscribed  allowing them to raise a substantial volume of funds and provide low-cost funding to key customer segments.

The banks strong relationships with international finance partners such as the International Finance Corporation, Dutch development bank FMO, and Japan-based finance services institution SBI Holdings, have afforded assistance in the banks governing framework through the prevailing economic climate. Together with the banks independent growth initiatives, these partnerships contributed to the achieving of total assets of Rs. 129 billion and Total Equity of Rs. 9.9 billion in 2020, amounting to a 20 per cent balance sheet growth from 2019.
NORWALK  With rumors swirling about the leadership of Brien McMahon High School, the internal probe that has left three employees on administrative leave is not related to allegations of sexual misconduct, officials said Friday.

Alexandra Estrella, superintendent of Norwalk Public Schools, clarified a current pending internal investigation into staff members at the school after rumors circulated in recent weeks.

The high schools principal, Scott Hurwitz, was placed on leave at the beginning of the month. By April 20, officials confirmed two assistant principals  Barbara Wood and Qadir Abdus-Salaam  were also put on leave in connection with the probe involving undisclosed personnel matters.

Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media

While officials have not given a reason for the moves, rumors spread that the investigation was tied to possible sexual abuse. In her statement, Estrella denied the rumors.

As a parent, I am sympathetic to the concerns and questions you all may have, and I want to assure you that the safety of all Norwalk Public Schools students is of paramount importance, Estrella said. To that end, I want to dispel those rumors that have been most upsetting to our community and clarify that we are not investigating any allegations of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct.

Estrella said officials have made no findings concerning employees on administrative leave and that appropriate leadership is in place at the high school.

We appreciate your continued patience as we work to conclude this investigation promptly, Estrella said.

Mayor Harry Rilling on Friday also said there have been no allegations of criminal wrongdoing against any employees at the school.

At this point I have been assured there is no need for police involvement, he said.

Rilling said he had offered the support of the police department to Superintendent Alexandra Estrella and an attorney conducting an internal investigation into the school on behalf of the district, but was told the matter involved no criminal allegations.

Because of the length of time of this investigation and the need to protect the privacy of certain individuals, there has been much misinformation, rumors and speculation about this issue, he added. Ive stressed to Dr. Estrella and the attorney the importance of immediately releasing as much information as possible without compromising the investigation or the privacy of any individuals, and urged them to complete this investigation as quickly as they possibly can.

Norwalk police did not respond to requests for comment on Friday.

School officials have declined to discuss the reasons behind the decision to place the three administrators on leave this month, but they have stressed that the employees have not been fired or disciplined.

As you may know, we consider personnel matters to be confidential, and we have no further comment on this matter at this time. However, we are working to resolve this matter promptly, Estrella said in email to parents last week.

Rilling and Estrella are the latest officials who have sought to dispel mounting fear among some parents and students that the ongoing inquiry might center around allegations of misconduct. Board of Education Chairperson Colin Hosten on Wednesday urged the community to resist unfounded rumors as the district works to address the situation.

Please know that the safety of our students and the continuity of their instruction are our primary concern, and we remain committed to communicating with students and parents as the situation develops, Hosten wrote in a Facebook post.

The three administrators are not the only Brien McMahon staffers to be placed on administrative leave this school year. Three teachers with the schools music department were also previously placed on leave, according to Chief Communications Officer Brenda Wilcox Williams.

Frank Arcari, Scott Benson and Ron Secchi were all placed on leave, but none of the employees have been fired or disciplined by the school district, Williams said.

Arcari, when reached on Friday, declined to discuss the situation. Attempts to reach Benson and Secchi were unsuccessful.

It is unclear if the decision to place the music department on leave is connected to the situation involving the three Brien McMahon administrators. It is also unclear when the teachers were placed on leave or if they have returned to work. Williams did not respond to this inquiry on Friday.

Staff writer Tara ONeill contributed to this report
Tarek El Moussa got all dressed up this weekend to celebrate his upcoming wedding to Heather Rae Young.

The Flip Or Flop star, 39, wore a tuxedo suit and the bride to be, 33, had on a white jumpsuit as they threw an engagement party in Newport Beach, California.

Several of her Selling Sunset co-stars joined in on the fun including Chrishell Stause.

Here we go: Tarek El Moussa got all dressed up this weekend to celebrate his upcoming wedding to Heather Rae Young

Fun in white: The Flip Or Flop star, 39, wore a dark suit and the bride to be, 33, had on a white jumpsuit as they celebrated their engagement party in Newport Beach, California

El Moussa had on a blue velvet Canali tuxedo. His fiancee wore a white jumpsuit with diamond earrings and her hair was in a partial updo.

There was only a small group of pals due to COVID-19 but they still had 'fun' they shared on social media.

His daughter Taylor, 10, and son Brayden, 5, were also there; their mother is his ex-wife Christina Haack with whom he stars on Flip Or Flop.

Snazzy: El Moussa had on a blue velvet Canali tuxedo. His fiancee wore a white jumpsuit with diamond earrings and her hair was in a partial updo

The party was held at the steakhouse Louie's by the Bay which has a lakefront view.

The location has special meaning: This is also where the lovebirds met on July 4 in 2019.

'@Heatherraeyoung and I wanted tonight to be intimate- surrounded by our family and close friends,' El Moussa shared on his Instagram Story.

Fun time: There was only a small group of pals due to COVID-19 but they still had 'fun' they shared on social media

The kids were there: His daughter Taylor, 10, and son Brayden, 5, were also there; their mother is his ex-wife Christina Haack

And he posted a video too.

Young's Selling Sunset co-stars including Chrishell Stause, 39, came.

There were sticks that read #FlippingHerLastName and plenty of champagne - she will be changing her name to 'Heather Rae El Moussa.'

Ready for steak: The party was held at the steakhouse Louie's by the Bay which has a lakefront view

The wedding date is later this year.

They became engaged on July 25 on their one-year anniversary. He popped the question while on a boat near Catalina Island in California.

'We don't want to have a super big wedding, but our small wedding is probably gonna be someone else's big wedding, so we'll see how things go,' he said earlier this year. 'But we're planning on doing it far enough out to where hopefully the pandemic settles down a little.'
I parked my car in my girlfriend's driveway. We were returning from the park that Sunday in November, and Bob, my 3-year-old border collie mix, bounced around the back seat, trying to avoid Suzy, our rambunctious 5-month-old Australian cattle dog, who had a habit of biting his neck and legs.

My girlfriend exited the car first and, as I got out, she opened a back door. Bob jumped out and raced toward the backyard. Suzy, a blue heeler who had big, pointed ears, a stumped tail and a white face, normally followed Bob. If she didn't chase him, she was easy to grab, thanks to a seven-foot-long leash.

But we didn't have the leash that morning. Earlier, when we were in the kitchen getting ready to leave, my girlfriend said the leash was on the third floor. Sensing an imminent departure, the dogs sprinted around us, barking and crashing into furniture. Frustrated, I picked up Suzy and said, "I'll just carry her. Let's go."

I remembered to keep Suzy in my arms getting in and out of the car at the off-leash park, but when we returned to my girlfriend's house in Pittsburgh's East End, it had slipped my mind. Without a leash, Suzy zipped past us. But instead of following Bob, she ran into the street.

What happened next - the blur of a black SUV and Suzy's cry as she died - is seared into our memories.

Grieving the loss of a pet is often as painful as mourning a close friend or relative. But being responsible for and witnessing your pet's death can add guilt, trauma and shame to the heartbreak. And as we discovered after Suzy died, this emotional toll impedes the grieving process.

The pet industry has begun to help people mourn. Veterinary social work is a growing profession, and pet bereavement groups have become common. Cheri Barton Ross, an adjunct psychology professor at Santa Rosa Junior College, is a pioneer in the field. After a few one-on-one sessions with pet owners through her husband's veterinary office in California, she started hosting pet loss support groups in 1986 because she realized groups work better because they allow people to see they aren't alone.

"People often felt embarrassed and isolated in their grief for a pet," she said. "However deep those bonds go for whatever it is that you loved, that's how deeply you're often going to grieve." She also said people can develop post-traumatic stress disorder from witnessing their pet accidentally die. "With couples or families, you either pull apart or pull together in this crisis," said Ross, co-author of "Pet Loss and Human Emotion." "You might blame each other or blame yourself and not be able to navigate different stages of grief."

My girlfriend and I each blamed ourselves for the death of our first shared pet. We had gotten Suzy because we had time, while working from home during the pandemic, to raise a puppy together. Talking through what happened helped ease the grief and brought us closer. However, she initiated the conversations, and I only participated reluctantly. After eight years of therapy, I know articulating emotions is important, but part of me falsely believed that not talking about the accident would take my mind off the image of Suzy's lifeless body and make the pain go away faster.

My upbringing enhanced my reluctance. When I was a boy in suburban Pittsburgh, my dad competed in dogsled races, and our family had a kennel of huskies along the driveway of our six-car garage. A few of our pets died tragically, most notably our wolf, but we never talked about it. The family motto was, "It's over; move on." So, whenever my girlfriend brought up Suzy, I had to check my impulse to regurgitate my dad's response. And then I'd tell the truth: "I replay her getting run over in my head every day."

Walking past the accident site often triggered a flashback. Ross said this is so common that she's had clients who moved to escape the bad memories. People also avoid certain roads. Kevin Nicholson, a 41-year-old cybersecurity information engineer I met in a pet loss group page on Facebook, told me over the phone that he hasn't turned left out of his Long Island street since early March, because that's where Lulu, his family's 1-year-old cavapoo, slid out of her harness during a walk, ran into traffic and died.

Paweenudh Suanpan stopped driving on a section of Route 108 in Maryland after a teenage driver crashed into her car there in 2017. Piper, Suanpan's chocolate Labrador retriever who was in the back seat, was thrown so forcefully that she was paralyzed and had to be euthanized. "I need to return there and close the loop," said Suanpan, 34, "but I just haven't yet."

Suanpan, a special-education teacher who has become an advocate for dog safety belts, said she still blames herself for not securing Piper, just as my girlfriend still beats herself up for opening the car door and I can't forgive myself for not running upstairs to get that leash.

"Every single person blames themselves," said Dani McVety, a veterinarian who co-founded Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, an in-home end-of-life care provider that also hosts pet loss support meetings online. "Whether you had an accident or come home to find that your 15-year-old dog passed away naturally, there's always guilt." Owners might blame themselves for not realizing sooner that their pet was sick, she added, or for knowing they were sick but waiting too long to euthanize.

Deciding when to euthanize is fraught.Kristeen McPherson, an accountant I also met through a pet loss group page on Facebook, and her husband euthanized Carly, their 12-year-old golden retriever, after surgery and chemotherapy couldn't keep the dog's cancer at bay. McPherson, a 60-year-old Harrisburg, Pa., resident, said she feels guilty despite the medical interventions, because, "If it were me, I hope they wouldn't put me down and just keep trying and trying."

McPherson said their dog was more of a family member than a pet. Describing a pet like this has become the norm, and it's a fundamental shift from how they were treated a generation ago. The pet industry, which rakes in more than $100 billion each year, has dubbed it the humanization of pets.

Debbie Stoewen, a veterinarian who became a social worker in 2005 to help pet owners grieve, said the evolution of the human-animal bond can also be seen in how many pets today sleep in their owner's beds and are referred to as furbabies. "The emotionality of pet owners, who we now call pet parents, is so deep and complex," said Stoewen, who lives in Ontario, Canada. "This heightened bond amplifies the grief."

My girlfriend and I grieved differently. She told her close friends and family privately, and the more she talked, the better she felt. My shame ran so deep that I wanted to get another Australian cattle dog with a stumped tail, name her Suzy and never tell anyone. As a childless 40-year-old, part of my identity was tied to being a dog owner, and I was terrified people would think I wasn't a good one.

After talking to my therapist, I finally opened up to people. But the shame didn't recede until I joined a private Facebook group dedicated to grieving for dead dogs and realized how many other people had lost pets to car accidents.

Lindsey A. Wolko, founder of the Center for Pet Safety, wrote in an email that there are no official statistics tracking how many dogs are killed by cars each year. But it happens so frequently that emergency veterinarians have a term for it - HBC (hit by car). McVety, who worked in an emergency veterinarian hospital in Florida at the start of her career in the mid-2000s, said that she sometimes saw five HBCs a night. The term also applies to cats; McVety said that they, like dogs, are often accidentally run over by their owners in the driveway.

Stoewen, the veterinarian/social worker who is the director of veterinary services for Pet Plus Us, a pet health insurance company in Canada, said she can relate to what I've gone through. One morning 20 years ago, one of her dogs escaped her yard and was run over. The experience helped her become a better veterinarian and dog owner, she said. "The way you lost that pet is part of you, like an imprint. With your next dog, you're going to be that much more careful and intentional."

There is no right or wrong time to adopt a new dog, according to Ross, the psychology professor. She said her only advice is to make sure the new dog is not a replacement for the one that died: "No matter what, you're going to grieve that loss."

My girlfriend and I learned this lesson, too. A few days after Suzy died, we got another Australian cattle dog because a breeder had an available puppy, and we wanted an immediate shot at redemption. It wasn't easy. Until we worked through our trauma, playing with the new puppy, who we named Isabelle, made us feel even guiltier about Suzy, and we experienced anxiety while walking her on a busy street or getting her out of the car.

Bob, my border collie mix, probably wishes we had waited longer. Like Suzy, Isabelle is a natural herder and constant nipper.
Based on their shared brand values of quality and expertise in the luxury field, Sothebys and Bucherer have curated an exclusive exhibition allowing a preview of unique and rare luxury pieces which will be included in the LUXURY WEEK Auctions by Sothebys on May 11th and online.

Rolex Pearlmaster 81348SARO (manufactured in 20142015)  Rolex

Whats on @Bucherer

In the ongoing quest of surprising customers and celebrating the art of beauty, the Bucherer flagship boutique in Geneva becomes the platform for a takeover by Sothebys across all five floors. From April 24th until the auction on May 11th the two companies will host a new home for luxury aficionados with an exclusive chance to discover a preview of Sothebys special selection of rare and masterfully crafted items. The highlight selection with sought-after timepieces, highly desirable jewellery pieces as well as must-have luxury handbags and legendary sneakers takes centerstage on every floor. Clients have an exclusive opportunity to arrange a private appointment with Sothebys and Bucherer experts and enjoy a preview in the discreet ambiance of the Bucherer VIP rooms or the modern spirit and social feeling of an extraordinary concept store in the Bucherer Gallery. This exceptional boutique exhibition deeply exudes the love for tradition and innovation that is at the heart of both, Bucherer and Sothebys and a natural expression of timeless luxury.

Audemars Piguet Arnolds All-Stars Jules Audemars 26094BC.OO.D095CR.01 (manufactured in 2007)  Audemars Piguet

Inspiration meets expertise

Curated by Sothebys experts, stories brought to life at Bucherer. An exquisite line-up and plenty of space for interaction and inspiration with the Bucherer and Sothebys experts to capture customers imagination and re-interpret contemporary and informal luxury. All these elements combine to provide the perfect backdrop for iconic watches, jewellery and luxury handbag classics and collectors sneakers with a history. In a tasteful atmosphere, customers can discover pre-loved items that all tell their own unexpected stories: Stories of a passion for extraordinary beauty, the love for exquisite design and the desire to craft the perfect piece of luxury.

Longines Lindbergh 4365 (manufactured in 1944)  Longines

Every item tells a story

It is an invitation to embark on an endless voyage of discovery for all senses. As an expert in luxury watches and jewellery since 1888, Bucherer has provided a selection of special Certified Pre-Owned timepieces for the Sothebys auction, featured at the Geneva boutique. The Bucherer Expert team looks forward to welcoming everyone interested in discovering more about the auction timepieces and jewellery highlights. Please call to learn about the planned schedule of Sothebys inspiring expert talks, curated stories and exciting conversations between experts, connoisseurs and luxury lovers alike.

Michael Jordans Game Worn Air Jordan 1s  Nike

The exhibition features exceptional highlights and rare finds across all categories: From Michael Jordans game worn Air Jordan 1s with a nod towards one of the most pivotal moments in the advent of sneaker culture all the way to the Hermes Rouge Exotique Sellier Kelly 25cm in ostrich leather with gold hardware (2018), the exhibition showcases several collector items. The Bucherer Certified Pre-Owned highlights of the Sothebys LUXURY WEEK auction further include rare timepieces such as the Rolex Pearlmaster and Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar for true watch connoisseurs.
LONDON, April 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innovation comes with the demand for the specified field of technology. Things once were innovations, but as time passed, they became outdated. Once room-sized technologies are now in every household and have become a common way of communication. Current breakthroughs in the technologies offer even more advancement in serving the needs of the present audience. At some milestones, innovation needs to comprehend novelty to continue as productive as before.



Usually, advancements come with external costs. In the progressive world, safe energy generation, which powers machines, became one of the main subjects. These technological advancements require energy, and it is expensive, and it pollutes the environment nowadays. Businesses work on alternative solutions to lower the ecological and environmental effects of energy generation.

Teslafan project, with sustainability at its core, acts as a mediator among individuals, businesses, and high-tech solutions. The coexistence of cutting-edge solutions and support for renewable energy attracted many investors to the project worldwide. Based on insights, the principal demand for the Teslafan project and the Teslafan token ($TESLF) comes from the USA, China, and South Korea. The renewable energy companies located in those countries pay significant attention to the project.

The initial token sale of Teslafan token ($TESLF) will begin on the ICOHolder on 21st April. The project, which focuses on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and renewable energy, has already attracted significant attention from the Blockchain and AI communities.

What is Teslafan?

Teslafan is a privately held startup and tokenized ecosystem of services in the blockchain for artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, and sustainability projects. The projects form synergy between cognitive computing projects and blockchain and it will lead to the superior outcome.

The Teslafan ecosystem incorporates a crowdfunding platform and marketplace for AI/ML/DL projects, data comparison of renewable energy-related stocks, product sentiment analysis based on the social network responses, and focuses on donations to sustainable energy charities. By mustering those innovative approaches to blockchain, AI, and Big Data, Teslafan creates a unique network of services.

With each breakthrough in technology, the business operation becomes more efficient and effective, and the current trend in AI and blockchain-based systems leads this parade. Control over the operations change hands, and the importance of those systems becomes evident.

Democratizing AI Solutions

Currently, AI models are expensive for many organizations to acquire. The cost element hinders many businesses from making operations efficient and competent. On the other side, companies with resources utilize AI models and gain a competitive advantage. The need for AI solutions compels this field to be open to all.

Teslafan AI marketplace removes the barriers in the path of achieving productivity. Anyone- developers, companies, individuals can dive into a marketplace where various projects are listed. Such marketplaces allow businesses to get required AI solutions and developers to sell their masterpieces to the community.

Teslafan Boosts Crowdfunding Through Blockchain

Crowdfunding is a way of collecting funds for projects from many individuals who have an interest in investing. It is possible and widespread with the internet, and Teslafan improves it even further by adding blockchain elements to the process. Bringing decentralization to crowdfunding is a long waited and less encountered phenomenon nowadays.

Teslafan crowdfunding platform opens funding opportunities for artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, and many related projects. Developers can easily use the crowdfunding service to fund their projects and make them real. The advantage of the platform is being decentralized and as well as safe for investors and fundraisers.

Data Interpretation with AI

As the data becomes an inseparable part of business culture, data interpretation makes a significant difference in decision making. On the contrary, data analysis may seem out of reach for many individuals, and they do not benefit from the stack of data. Creating a platform that serves data review to the individuals can be a novel step in the industry. Data comparison of renewable energy-related stocks and product sentiment analysis based on the social network responses are both services of Teslafan, which empower anyone to use data in decision making.

AI-generated stock data comparison will help individuals to know price differences in different stock exchanges for the same stock. Various bourses list the same company stock and the ask-bid spread changes due to the user base of the bourse. Stock price comparison will assist investors to invest in stocks economically.

The market of products that use renewable energy is expanding, and the competition complicates choosing the right ones. People use different sources to decide on the commodities, but it takes time to find a reliable website to base their decisions. Teslafan product sentiment analysis saves your time and lowers concerns about products.

Teslafan's Commitment to the Sustainable Energy

Sustainable energy generation, preventing water pollution, and water loss are the main issues that the modern world experiences. Some organizations work to promote environmental conditions with donations. The charitable organization does a remarkable job in the process. However, the link between charities and cryptocurrencies is weak, and it blocks the contributions in crypto.

Protecting the environment is one of the core positions that Teslafan cares about most. By connecting the cryptocurrency holders with the charities, Teslafan emphasizes the importance of the environment at the organization level. The holders of TESLF- the native ecosystem currency can donate projects which focus on renewable- solar, wind, geothermal energy, water problems, and many more.

TESLF- the Native Token of Ecosystem

The native token of the Teslafan network is TESLF which plays as a medium of payment in every service they provide. TESLF token is an ERC-20 token that is also compatible with Binance Smart Chain. Users of the platform can use only TESLF during the transactions, and it provides a seamless, censorless experience.

Media contact

Company: Teslafan

E-mail: info@teslafan.io

Twitter: https://twitter.com/teslafantoken

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teslafantoken

Medium: https://medium.com/@teslafantoken

Website: https://teslafan.io/

SOURCE: Teslafan


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Dr. David Fowler, a retired forensic pathologist and former chief medical examiner for the state of Maryland, testifies in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn., on April 14, 2021. (Court TV via AP, Pool)

Maryland to Probe Chauvin Defense Witnesss Tenure as States Chief Medical Examiner

Maryland officials will conduct an investigation of reports of deaths in police custody overseen by former state chief medical examiner Dr. David Fowler, who testified at trial that former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin was not responsible for the death of George Floyd.

During the trial, Fowler, who was tapped by Chauvin defense attorney Eric Nelson to testify and provide his expert opinion, testified that Floyds cause of death could have been attributed to a myriad of factors. They include heart disease or the fact the Floyd was under the influence of drugs.

Fowler said that if he had been the medical examiner in Hennepin County, Minnesota, where Floyd died, he would have ruled his death as undetermined. The official determination was homicide by law enforcement restraint.

On April 23, Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh and Gov. Larry Hogan said they would begin an investigation into Fowlers tenure, from 2002 until 2019.

We welcome an independent review of reports on deaths in custody issued during David Fowlers tenure, and agree it is appropriate for the Office of the Attorney General to coordinate the workgroup, Michael Ricci, a spokesperson for Hogan, said in a statement to the Baltimore Sun.

Raquel Coombs, a spokeswoman for Froshs office, said that they have taken steps to wall off those in our office who are representing the [Office of the Chief Medical Examiner] and its current and former employees, including Dr. Fowler from the investigation, the newspaper reported.

Fowler told the Sun he stands by his work as chief state examiner.

People need to do what they need to do [but] theres a large team of forensic pathologists, with layers of supervision, and those medical examiners always did tremendous work, he said. He didnt make any comments about his testimony at Chauvins trial.

The investigation into Fowlers career could spark accusations that its politically motivated. Conservatives have argued that the guilty verdicts handed down against Chauvin were partially due to political pressure from Black Lives Matter protesters and some Democratic members of Congress.

One of Fowlers offices best-known rulings followed the death of Freddie Gray. According to the ruling, Gray died from injuries suffered in the back of a police van. The autopsy concluded that officers failure to take care of him and seek medical attention made his death a homicide, and prompted States Attorney Marilyn Mosby to swiftly file charges against six officers. All were either acquitted or had their charges dropped.

Brian Peterson, the chief medical examiner for Milwaukee County in Wisconsin, said he and Fowler have been friends for years and served together on committees. Peterson told The Washington Post he finds the investigation into Fowlers time as chief medical examiner unnecessary and called Fowler an excellent, experienced forensic pathologist.

Marylands governors office didnt respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment by press time.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on April 30, 1986

LONDON, Tuesday: The Soviet Union turned to the West for help today in putting out a fire at a stricken nuclear power plant whose core, say Swedish experts, has melted.

Moscow was reported to have sought advice from Sweden and West Germany. In Bonn, an expert on nuclear power said the request indicated that the nuclear core of a reactor had probably melted.

Soviet researchers measure radiation levels at the site on May 26, 1986. Credit:TASS

The nuclear plants graphite moderator is burning, and the core of the reactor has melted, in part or even completely, said Frigyes Reich, of the Swedish Nuclear Inspection Board SKI.
Imperial Valley News Center

Governor Newsom Swears in Rob Bonta as Attorney General of California

Sacramento, California - Governor Gavin Newsom Friday swore in Assemblymember Rob Bonta as Californias 34th Attorney General. A national leader in the fight to reform our justice system and stand up to the forces of hate, Bonta is the first Filipino American in the states history to serve in the role.

California and the nation need leaders like Rob Bonta to meet this pivotal moment in our history with the courage, energy and tenacity it will take to shape a society more reflective of our values, said Governor Newsom. Carrying the lessons of his remarkable upbringing at the center of historic social justice movements, Rob has been at the forefront of courageous fights for racial, economic and environmental justice from day one. As Attorney General, Rob brings to bear the legal and moral authority to effectively engage a broad array of groups  community leaders, law enforcement, the Legislature and more  in a meaningful dialogue, so that California continues to build bridges and advance together in a direction that does justice to all our communities.

Confirmed by the Legislature yesterday, Bonta was selected by Governor Newsom to fill the position vacated by Xavier Becerra, who was recently sworn in as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Governor announced the nomination last month at the historic International Hotel in San Francisco, a site where Asian and Pacific Islander Californians famously rallied in 1977 to save the homes of elderly residents and preserve their community.



Thank you, Governor Newsom for the faith and trust you have placed in me. Serving as Californias Attorney General is the honor of a lifetime, said Attorney General Rob Bonta. There are a lot of challenges we face across America today. People see institutions that work well for those with wealth and power  at the expense of everyone else. We see hate on the rise. And too often, justice and accountability for those who harm others feel out of reach. As The Peoples Attorney, I wont back down when I see Californians hurt. Together, we will get justice for families cheated by multi-national corporations. We will defend communities ravaged by big polluters. We will work to repair our justice system, and we will attack the forces of hate and white supremacy. I'm excited to get to work!

Labor, environmental and criminal justice reform advocates welcomed the appointment:

We congratulate Governor Gavin Newsom on the appointment of Rob Bonta as Attorney General of California, the first Filipino American in the states history to serve in this role. At an early age, Bonta learned about the values of social justice from his parents who worked for Civil Rights in the South and joined Cesar Chavez and myself as full-time volunteer organizers for the United Farm Workers, said labor leader Dolores Huerta. Rob Bonta has fought diligently throughout his career to correct the injustices affecting working families and Communities of Color. We are confident that Rob Bonta will work passionately to ensure our justice system protects all Californians. Si Se Puede!

CEJA celebrates the swearing-in of Attorney General Rob Bonta. We know he will be a strong ally for all environmental justice communities that have been harmed by pollution and often poverty, said California Environmental Justice Alliance (CEJA) Executive Director Gladys Limon. We have worked closely with Mr. Bonta and consider him a leader and friend, and trust that he will fight tirelessly on behalf of all Californians and not be afraid to hold polluters accountable."

This is a historic day for California. Im so proud to see Rob Bonta sworn-in as Californias new Attorney General, said REFORM Alliance Board Member and award-winning journalist Van Jones. Rob is a lifelong leader in the fight to restore justice in California. Ive known Rob for decades and hes demonstrated time and again the commitment and capacity to reform critical elements of our criminal justice system including providing key support for the REFORM Alliances major probation legislation. I have every confidence that Rob will make a phenomenal California Attorney General.

The son of activists, Bonta grew up in a trailer in La Paz, where his parents served at the headquarters of the United Farm Workers movement. Inspired to pursue justice through the law, Bonta studied at Yale Law School and went on to work pro-bono protecting vulnerable Californians from exploitation and racial profiling. He served nine years as a Deputy City Attorney in the San Francisco City Attorneys Office before running for local office in Alameda County. In 2012, Bonta became the first Filipino American in California history to win election to the Legislature, representing Assembly District 18 in the cities of Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro. Bonta has passed major reforms that reversed long-standing injustices:

Outlawed For-Profit Prisons in California: Bonta authored legislation that made California the first in the nation to ban for-profit prisons and immigration detention centers.

Led Major Sentencing Overhaul Effort: Following statewide marijuana legalization, Bonta authored the California law to automatically expunge and modify criminal records for people convicted of minor marijuana charges.

Took on Big Polluters: Bonta authored major environmental justice legislation and has been a leader in the fight against climate change and to ensure every community equitably benefits from our green economy.

Passed Nations Strongest Statewide Renter Protections: Bonta led the fight to pass statewide protections for renters, ultimately resulting in the nations strongest protections against wrongful evictions.

Fought to Strengthen Hate Crime Laws & Protect Communities: Bonta has introduced a number of bills to improve hate crime statutes, support victims of hate violence, and build bridges between law enforcement and targeted communities.

Protected Immigrant Families from Deceptive ICE Tactics: Bonta authored first-of-its-kind legislation requiring immigrants to be informed of their rights before speaking to ICE agents.

Sought to End Predatory Bail Laws: Bonta co-wrote the law that sought to end the racist and predatory for-profit bail system.

Required Independent Investigations of Unarmed Deaths: Bonta co-authored the law that required an independent investigation when there is a death of an unarmed civilian by law enforcement.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 15:08:08|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A consensus was released by China's Tsinghua University on Saturday to promote closer cooperation with global universities.

The consensus highlighted the importance of building more open, integrative and resilient universities all over the world.

During the Global Forum of University Presidents (GFUP 2021) on Saturday, the eve of the 110th anniversary of Tsinghua University, Qiu Yong, president of the university, said in his speech that more open, integrative and resilient universities would promote inclusive environments to address the challenges of the new era, break through physical boundaries, disciplinary barriers and technological limitations.

"In the last sixteen months, higher education has been tested by a once-in-a-century pandemic. But COVID-19 has only added to a long list of severely disruptive global challenges, like climate change, social inequality and the threat to international collaboration and exchange," Qiu said.

"Through this test, we now understand the effort needed to overcome threats of this magnitude, and we have proven that even closer collaboration will be needed to overcome future challenges."

He called on universities to remain steadfast in cultivating their values and identity as well as remain connected with each other and focused on the future by embracing innovation.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a congratulatory letter to the GFUP 2021, saying that universities have a central role to play in addressing longstanding global challenges, by nurturing new generations of young leaders and global citizens, promoting digital cooperation and helping to ensure access to quality education.

Francesco Ubertini, the rector of the University of Bologna, put forward the view that more open universities are a global need.

Stephen Kiama Gitahi, vice chancellor of the University of Nairobi, said that building resilience in universities required global partnership, and collective global responsibilities while various universities brought in their unique strengths and engaged together in developing sustainable solutions to addressing global challenges.

Peter Salovey, president of Yale University, said that the integrative approach is crucial to their success, and it fuels discoveries that improve lives today and in the future.

The forum was held both online and offline in Beijing, attracting more than 800 representatives from over 330 universities globally and 77 international organizations and academic institutions.

Tsinghua University has cooperated with 293 universities from more than 50 countries and has signed almost 20 strategic sci-tech cooperation agreements. Enditem
The boards of Australias mining, gas and energy giants will face more forceful pressure on global warming from next year as powerful investors threaten to vote against re-electing directors of companies falling short on emissions reduction.

In the latest sign of rising shareholder concerns about corporate Australias often-unhurried response to the climate emergency, the influential Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) has circulated a new set of expectations for ASX-listed companies exposed to climate-related risks.

AGL looks to separate DirtyCo from CleanCo

ACSI, whose 37 members own on average 10 per cent of every ASX200 company, said investors were continually engaging with companies to improve their practices, but not all companies have listened.

In many cases, the pace of change is moving too slowly, the groups chief executive Louise Davidson said.
Over 12 mln people fully vaccinated in UK: official figures

Xinhua) 11:19, April 25, 2021

LONDON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- More than 12 million people in Britain are fully vaccinated by Saturday, the official figures said.

The British government said that 12,071, 810 people are fully vaccinated, having had their second dose.

The total number of people who have had a first dose is 33,508,590. More than half Britain's population has had one jab, according to the official figures.

A total of 38,189,536 COVID-19 vaccinations took place in England between Dec. 8 and April 23, according to National Health Service (NHS) England data, including first and second doses, which is a rise of 501,800 over the previous day.

Government data up to April 23 showed that of the 45,580,400 jabs given in the country so far, 33,508,590 were first doses, a rise of 119,953 over the previous day.

Some 12,071,810 were second doses, an increase of 448,139, according to the official data.

Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, Britain is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants, particularly those first emerged in South Africa, Brazil and India, and the third wave of pandemic on the European continent.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
Take the M2 Bradley , the infantry fighting vehicle that has been in service since 1981. Although it proved itself time and time again on the worlds battlefields, its getting old enough that no amount of upgrades can keep it relevant indefinitely.That is why the U.S. Army launched in 2017 the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) program. It covers a number of new machines, and in the case of the Bradley a replacement called Optionally-Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV).There are two prototypes presently being tested for the OMFV, the Rheinmetall-made Lynx KF41, and General Dynamics Griffin III. In the case of the former, development just got a boost in mid-April.It was then when Rheinmetall announced it selected L3Harris to develop the vehicles mission, cybersecurity and its modular open systems approach.We are excited to have L3Harris join our growing team to support the U.S. Armys OMFV program, said in a statement Mathew Warnick, Managing Director for American Rheinmetall Vehicles.Their experience in open architecture, communications, and cybersecurity bring tremendous capability to the American Rheinmetall Vehicles team as we prepare our digitally engineered OMFV to provide our Soldiers overmatch now and for the future.The Lynx is a tracked armored vehicle equipped with autocannons, light machine guns, and grenade launchers. Its engine is capable of developing 750 hp and gives the thing a top speed of 70 kph (43 mph).But thats just one configuration, and because it is modular it can be transformed in anything from ambulance to infantry fighting vehicle. Rheinmetall plans two versions of it, one weighing up to 38 tons and capable of seating up to six soldiers, and a slightly larger one that can carry eight.
After a three-week trial, a jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder in the May 2020 death of a handcuffed George Floyd. Video evidence presented in court (and previously seen worldwide via social media) showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyds neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds until he died.

Several editorial cartoonists juxtaposed the image of Lady Justice with variations on Floyds anguished plea, I cant breathe. Joel Pett of the Lexington Herald-Leader drew a lopsided tally of police misconduct verdicts. One for me, Lady Justice says to an officer in riot gear. Whats the score?

The verdict led to joyous celebrations in Minneapolis, tempered by anger and sorrow over a police shooting during a traffic stop in a nearby suburb that left 20-year-old Daunte Wright dead.

Cartoonists also commented on these doings in the news: a global climate conference where President Joe Biden committed to reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by up to 52% from 2005 levels by 2030; the successful flight of a helicopter on the surface of Mars; a mass shooting at FedEx in Indianapolis; more reaction to Bidens intention to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan; debate over the size and content of Bidens infrastructure proposal; Supreme Court rulings putting the brakes on progressive causes; and gun violence in Chicago.

Cartoons were drawn by Nick Anderson, Bill Bramhall, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Phil Hands, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and A.F. Branco, Mike Luckovich and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate.

View more editorial cartoon galleries.
An Army bomb disposal team has shut down the M20 after police carried out a successful 'tactical stop' on a car after a brief chase.

Kent Police officers had tried to stop the car on the coastbound carriageway of the motorway, close to junction 12.

The driver refused and left the motorway before re-joining London-bound traffic, forcing officers to take action after a brief chase and bring it to a stop.

A bomb disposal team has closed the M20 over concerns about a car involved in a police chase

Police said the bomb disposal unit is there as a 'precautionary measure' to make scene safe

A 27-year-old man from Wales was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.

The army's bomb disposal team is now at the scene as a 'precautionary measure' over 'security concerns' about the suspect's vehicle.

A Kent Police spokesman said: 'It was pursued to junction 9 where a police car made tactical contact with the vehicle, bringing it to a stop with no injuries reported.'

It is not known how long the London-bound carriage of the M20 (pictured) will be closed for

Parts of the M20 have been completely closed off following the incident

'The motorway has been closed to allow for the carriageway to be made safe for road users, who are advised to find alternative routes if possible.

'The British Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team is also currently at the scene as a precautionary measure, following concerns about the security of the subject vehicle.'

Pictures from the scene show an army lorry parked across the London-bound carriageway and both sides are closed to traffic.
With India reporting more than 3 lakh cases every day, the Bangladesh government on Sunday decided to close its border for the country for the next 14 days as a precautionary step. The neighbouring country, however, assured that efforts will be put to assist all Indian nationals in Bangladesh, who need to enter India.

Entry into Bangladesh from India through land border routes stands suspended for the next 14 days. However, we have been assured that consideration will be given to assist all Indian nationals in Bangladesh, who need to enter India: High Commission of India in Bangladesh  ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2021

Earlier, countries such as Germany, Iran, United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates had also put a ban on the entry of Indians by suspending all passenger flights from the country in the wake of a surge in COVID-19 infections in the country.

COVID tally in India

Hitting a new record, India on Saturday, reported 3.49 lakh fresh cases, which is the highest single-day spike reported by any country across the world. With this, the total number of cases rose to 1.69 crore. Twelve States- Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Bihar and West Bengal are the major contributors of cases in the country.

Keeping in view the cases, the Central government on April 19 liberalized the third phase of its COVID-19 vaccination drive to include all aged 18 and above. To meet the need for vaccination, the Centre has asked the vaccine manufacturing companies to scale up their production with the help of International as well as national players and has allowed them to supply 50 per cent of the produced doses to state and private hospitals directly, which means now the States and the private hospitals do not have to go through the entire process, and can directly get it from the manufacturers at the price declared by them.

At present, India has in use two vaccines- Covaxin and Covishield, and will soon have the Sputnik V in the race. Besides, there are around five more vaccine candidates in the advanced clinical stages of development.

(Credit-ANI/PTI)
New Delhi:

Jammu and Kashmirs main opposition party the National Conference has said that the Taj Mahal is India's pride and the controversial statements made by some BJP leaders against the historical monument were aimed at "testing the waters" ahead of elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and "one of the core issues in the 2019 general elections."



National Conference provincial president Devender Singh Rana said the Taj Mahal was not only one of the seven wonders of the world but also a symbol of national diversity.



"Those generating passions (by commenting) on historical monuments, including the Taj Mahal, are anti-national," Rana said while addressing public meetings in the Nagrota assembly constituency in Jammu.



Sangeet Som, BJP legislator from Uttar Pradesh had questioned the Taj Mahal's place in India's heritage and said history would be rewritten to erase Mughal period.



Another BJP leader Vinay Katiyar had claimed Taj Mahal was Lord Shiva's temple which was forcefully converted into a tomb by Mughal emperor Shahjahan.



Without naming Som, Rana said his comments cannot be ignored as they appear to be a "well-planned strategy" by the BJP to "divide" the Indian society on communal lines.



He, however, said he was assured about the political sagacity of people who have not allowed passions drive them.



Rana further added that it was only a matter of time when the people of the state will show the PDP-BJP coalition government the door. "The BJP is undergoing the descending phase across the country and the day is not far when Jammu and Kashmir will prove to be its Waterloo."

Also read: Mughal emperors Babur, Akbar and Aurangzeb were traitors, says BJP MLA Sangeet Som



Also read: BJP parliamentarian Vinay Katiyar claims Taj Mahal was originally a Hindu temple

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Two more mosques were closed yesterday for violating COVID-19 protocols, the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments said. The latest move comes hot on the heels of the ministry closing three other mosques in the Southern Governorate for failing to comply with health regulations.

The ministry also blames the latest closures on the laxity of those in charge of denying entry to non-vaccinated and infected worshippers. Out of the two mosques closed yesterday, one is the southern governorate and another in the northern governorate.

The mosques, the ministry said, will remain closed for a week to carry out contact tracing, sterilisation and ensure the correct implementation of COVID-19 protocols.

The ministry also called upon worshipers to show responsibility and full compliance with health protocols to protect fellow citizens.
Mumbai, April 25 : Veteran actor Shekhar Suman on Sunday suggested netizens to take good care of themselves saying the safety of every single person is important amid a raging second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India.

"No one is safe until everyone is safe," Shekhar Suman tweeted on Sunday.

Suman's tweet comes at a time when India has reported more than three lakh Covid cases for the fourth consecutive day.

In a tweet posted on Saturday, the veteran actor suggested that it is important to stay bonded and spread love in these tough times.

"Now I've made it a daily routine to get up and pray for ev one's well -being. Its imp that in these tough time we stay bonded together and spread as much love as we can. God has put us thru this test of fire and we all must emerge as better human beings," he wrote.

"We are living in very scary times. Covid19 has become unsparingly lethal. So many ppl dying every day. Please guys be very careful and don't neglect the govt guidelines. We don't know wat is going to happen to whom n when. Be safe," Suman had tweeted earlier this week.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As part of the nation's fight against Covid-19, Indian Navy ships are progressing with "Oxygen Express" mission to support the Union Territory of Lakshadweep's administration.

On Sunday morning, INS Sharda, based at Kochi, undertook transfer of essential medical supplies to Lakshadweep's Kavaratti. The stores consisted of 35 oxygen cylinders, rapid antigen detection test (RADT) kits, personal protective equipment (PPE), masks and other items to fight the pandemic.



"The disembarkation of stores was coordinated by personnel from INS Dweeprakshak at Kavaratti. The ship then continued with her mission to the island of Minicoy for disembarkation of Oxygen cylinders and medical supplies," Commander Vivek Madhwal said. Additionally, 41 empty oxygen cylinders from the islands have been embarked onboard Indian Navy's hired vessel, Meghna.





The vessel is now headed to Kochi for refilling of the empty cylinders and will head back to Lakshadweep with filled cylinders soon to ensure that the Oxygen Express continues unabated. The operations are being progressed under the supervision of the Naval Officer-in-Charge at Lakshadweep in coordination with the Lakshadweep administration.



To assist the civil administration in fighting Covid at the island of Kadmat, a Naval contingent comprising one doctor, two medical assistants and one additional sailor reached Kadmat. The personnel have been deputed from Southern Naval Command, Kochi as well as from INS Dweeprakshak, Kavaratti.



Southern Naval Command headquarters has also reserved ten beds including ICU facilities for patients from Lakshadweep at INHS Sanjivani, Kochi to cater for shortages in beds at the islands. Also, Naval Air Station INS Garuda has also been placed on alert to extend Naval airfield facilities for UTL helicopters ferrying patients.



Air evacuation pods developed indigenously by the Naval Aircraft Yard, Kochi to airlift Covid-19 patients from the islands as well as from elsewhere are also being made ready for emergency requirements.
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Some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) , on Sunday, donated free urine malaria test kits to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in the FCT, in commemoration of the World malaria day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Malaria Day is celebrated globally every April 25, to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) 2019 report shows that 229 million cases of malaria and 409,000 malaria-related deaths were recorded in 87 countries with African Region shouldering 94 per cent of all malaria cases and deaths worldwide.

Speaking, Founder, Barr Sam Otoboeze Foundation (BSOF), Sam Otoboeze, said the gesture was aimed at eradicating malaria and reducing the high rate of deaths caused by malaria in the IDPs camps and the country.

We have a lot of concern on health. If we can kick malaria out, we will significantly have reduced the causes of deaths, he said.

Mr Otoboeze explained that the gesture would enable the less privileged in the camp, who are unable to access hospitals for proper diagnosis and treatment, have access to malaria test.

It does not require academic knowledge to do it and can be done anywhere.

So, we feel compelled to contribute to the society by giving it in places where there is prevalence of malaria and when tested, it will be easier to isolate and treat it, he said.

Also, Chair and CEO of Fyodor Biotechnologies, Eddy Agbo, said the urine malaria test kits were effective and did not require blood sample, reagent, or equipment for diagnosis.

We want to address those areas that need intervention. Mostly the IDPs camp needs a lot of intervention because they dont have a clinic, a laboratory and a lot of their problems is malaria in the camp, he said.

Similarly, Joseph Onus, founder , Leader Joe 1808 Foundation, stressed the need for all stakeholders to support government efforts at eradicating malaria in the country.

Malaria is a pandemic here, with such technology it will be easier to detect and get accurate results then go for treatment, he said.

On his part, Ikponmosa Success, executive director, 360 Childhood and Adult Learning Initiative (360 CAL-Initiative), said the gesture would improve the health status of the people.

He, therefore, stressed the need for a clean environment, clearing of bushes, regular fumigation exercise and availability of antimalarial drugs, to reduce the prevalence of the disease in the country.

Isa Umar, officer-in- charge of the Maternal and Child Health Clinic in the camp, expressed appreciation to the organisations for their support, which he said would reduce the cost of seeking malaria diagnosis for the IDPs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the groups had a talk show on malaria awareness, road walk, and sensitisation exercise.

They also distributed malaria test kits to the clinic at the Area one, Durumi IDP camp. (NAN)
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Certainly, Nigeria needs a partner like China and the revocation of the Addax leases would have resulted in serious reputational damage to the country, with possible unintended but dire diplomatic consequences. Kudos Mr. President for rising up to the occasion!

The decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to overrule the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on the revocation of Addax Petroleums Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 123, 124, 126 and 137 is quite instructive and significant in the context of the interplay of variegated interests in the determination of the bigger picture, as exemplified by the survival of the national economy. It is quite instructive because it has shown that for Buhari, personal interest is neither here nor there, absolutely having no place in this critical business consideration that has implications for national economic sustenance. It is also remarkably significant because the approval has bolstered the contemplation of national interest over and above other ancillary interests.

President Buhari could have pandered to the temptation to protect some vested interest at the expense of the survival of the national economy, obviously for filthy lucre  what he did not do over three decades ago as Federal Commissioner of Petroleum Resources and Head of State, when he was much younger and would have needed mega bucks to service a load of mundane things and for earthly acquisitions. But he was never cut out for such indulgences. Some others in his shoes would have considered personal interest over and above national interest in granting the critical revocation approval. This is thus a case of national interest trumping personal interest.

For clarity of context, let us consider the development and the trajectory. The DPR had on March 30 revoked the licences belonging to the federation. But in a statement issued on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President directed the DPR to retract the letter of revocation of the leases.

He also directed the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to utilise contractual provisions to resolve issues in line with the extant provisions of the production sharing contract arrangement between NNPC and Addax. The restoration of the blocks to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is expected to boost the organisations portfolio, thereby making the Corporation to, in the long run, boost its crude oil production and in turn increase the revenue it generates to the Federation Account. This is the real McCoy undergirding the Presidents decision that should make every well-meaning Nigerian who crave the survival of the national economy very proud. This is the pristine definition of patriotism.

The Presidency also realised that the president as an individual had taken a decision that would define it and the administration, as a leading exemplar in the utilitarian management of public assets and finances for posterity. Its statement on the issue was therefore very clearly and confidently presented. It read: In line with the current administrations commitment to the rule of law, fairness and enabling a stable business climate for investment, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the restoration of OMLs 123, 124, 126 And 137 leases to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation which is in Production sharing contract with Addax Petroleum (a company wholly owned by Government of the Peoples Republic of China) on the blocks.

The leases belonging to the Federation were revoked on March 30, 2021. This development reaffirms the commitment of President Buhari to rule of law and sanctity of contracts. While directing the DPR to retract the letter of revocation of leases, President Buhari also directed the NNPC to utilize contractual provisions to resolve issues in line with the extant provisions of the Production Sharing Contract arrangement between NNPC and Addax.

The reasons adduced by the DPR for the revocation would appear salutary. The DPR had on April 7 revoked the four Oil Mining Licences belonging to Addax Petroleum due to the non-development of the assets by the petroleum company. The Director/Chief Executive Officer, DPR, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, told journalists in Lagos that it was discovered that over 50 per cent of the assets had remained underdeveloped, stressing that the non-development of the assets had led to loss of revenue by the Federal Government.

According to him: Addax refused to develop the assets and Addax was, therefore, not operating the assets. He provided a legal context for the companys indiscretion in this regard. He stated: Going by the countrys Petroleum Act, the first reason for a revocation is when you discover that the asset is not being developed, according to the business guidelines, because it is economic sabotage You (Addax) know the potential of the asset, but you refused to develop it. This state of underdevelopment is against the principle of the Petroleum Act and constitutes revenue loss to the government.

For Auwalu and the DPR, the action taken against Addax was due to a lack of investment by the company. The consensus was that this negated the spirit of the Petroleum Sharing Contract. Besides, consider this: One of the assets  OML 137  holds a gas reserve of more than three trillion cubic meters. This has the potential for us to increase our gas reserve and it can support the integration of gas development of the asset. The entire OML 137 holds about five tcm in two key reserves, but the company failed to develop this asset in line with the governments gas revolution policy and it was, therefore, necessary to take a step to attract willing and capable investors to undertake the development of the assets both for our domestic use and exports.

According to him, the average reserve profile of the assets showed that oil reserves have remained essentially flat. Since Addax took over, its oil reserves have remained flat, adding that the company never made efforts to grow the reserves. He said crude oil in all three producing assets had been declining over the years due to inadequate investment by the company.

As he put it, again: There has also been significant gas flaring in all the assets, with no viable gas monetisation solution in place  either for domestic or export  which is contrary to our desire to make our economy gas-based by 2030. Above all, Addax has never supplied gas to the domestic market, even though they were given domestic gas supply obligation.

Auwalu stated that the revoked licences had been awarded to Kaztec and Salvic Consortium after due process, on the basis of the same terms and conditions given to Addax. This is where the intervention of President Buhari has become quite significant in the larger picture of preserving national interest in the context of sustained bilateral relations with China. The Presidents consideration is with his thinking cap on and his action has been considered spot on.

Indeed, in the handling of the OMLs 123, 124, 126 and 137, and other such investments, just as the president had done, national interest must be factored in to ensure sustained attraction of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into the country. As more businesses close or declare shutdowns and wage cuts as a result of the devastating impact of COVID 19 in 2020, it is important for the Federal Government to intervene in protecting foreign investments to save jobs and propel growth in both short and medium term

Analysts contend that nothing buttresses that fact more than the bold move by President Buhari in aborting the illegal revocation of OMLs 123, 124, 126 and 137 belonging to the NNPC under a production sharing contract with Addax Petroleum, a company owned by the Peoples Republic of China. China, the parent country of Addax, is the largest trading partner of Nigeria, representing over 20 per cent of international trade and almost three times the next largest trading partner. Chinese investment in Nigerias oil and gas sector is worth over $16 billion, in addition to other investments of over 160 Chinese companies in the country, employing over 200,000 Nigerians, worth over $20 billion, and still counting. In addition, China also provides financing for key infrastructural projects like the railways, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano pipeline, amongst others.

Certainly, Nigeria needs a partner like China and the revocation of the Addax leases would have resulted in serious reputational damage to the country, with possible unintended but dire diplomatic consequences. Kudos Mr. President for rising up to the occasion! The overriding of DPR on the four oil blocks by the president and restoration of ownership to the NNPC is in apple pie order and commendable.

Opeyemi Abegunde writes in from Lagos.
REBUILD, REENERGIZE, AND REVITALIZE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE  INCLUDING OUR NATION'S SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE FACILITIES

SOLIDIFY THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF OUR CARE ECONOMY

EXPAND JOB AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN

INVEST IN HEALTHY AND SAFE COMMUNITIES

You can visit a collection of all White House posts by clicking HERE.

Contact: White House

White House Press Office

There are now 3.7 million fewer women working than there were in February 2020, in large part because of the pandemic, eroding more than 30 years of progress in women's labor force participation. Even more women have reduced their hours. Many others have managed precarious job conditions and additional caregiving responsibilities, threatening economic security for them and their families and unmasking the fragility of our caregiving infrastructure. Our economic recovery depends on addressing longstanding discrimination and barriers that have hampered women  particularly women of color  from fully participating in the labor force. The resulting gender and racial income and wealth gaps have only been magnified and exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19.President Biden's American Jobs Plan is an historic public investment that will create millions of good jobs, rebuild our country's infrastructure and strengthen economic competitiveness  including by modernizing schools and upgrading child care centers; creating good-paying, quality jobs; investing in a robust care infrastructure, a cornerstone of a resilient and sustainable economy; and developing the workforce and new career pathways which will strengthen the pipeline for more women and communities of color. This includes ensuring jobs with fair and equal pay, safe and healthy workplaces, and workplaces free from racial, gender, and other forms of discrimination and harassment.Specifically, President Biden's American Jobs Plan will:The President's plan invests $100 billion to upgrade and build new public schools, through $50 billion in direct grants and an additional $50 billion leveraged through bonds. These funds will first go toward making sure our schools are safe and healthy places of learning for our kids and workplaces for teachers and other education professionals, for example by improving indoor air quality and ventilation. Too many students attend schools and child care centers that are run-down, unsafe, and pose health risks. These conditions are dangerous for our kids and exist disproportionately in schools with a high percentage of low-income students and students of color. And even before COVID-19, 43% of parents reported struggling to find an adequate child care facility for their children. President Biden believes we can't close the opportunity gap if low-income kids go to schools in buildings that undermine health and safety, while wealthier students get access to safe buildings with labs and technology that prepare them for the jobs of the future.Lack of access to child care makes it harder for parents to fully participate in the workforce, which still tends to have a disproportionate impact on mothers. These investments will provide safe, accessible, energy efficient, high-quality learning environments for providers to teach and care for children. Public investments in schools and childcare improve children's outcomes  the foundation for future productivity gains.President Biden's plan increases resilience in the most essential services, including the electric grid, food systems, urban infrastructure, community health and hospitals, and our roads, rail, and other transportation assets.President Biden's plan will eliminate all lead pipes and service lines in our drinking water systems, improving the health of our country's children, especially in communities of color. This investment will also reduce lead exposure in 400,000 schools and childcare facilities.Black and Latino families are less likely to be able to access home broadband internet than White families, compounding systemic barriers to opportunity and economic equality. The last year made painfully clear the cost of these disparities, particularly for students who struggled to connect while learning remotely, compounding learning loss and social isolation for those students.President Biden is calling on Congress to make substantial investments in the infrastructure of care in our country. Specifically, he is calling on Congress to put $400 billion towards expanding access to quality, affordable home- or community-based care for aging relatives and people with disabilities. These investments will help hundreds of thousands of Americans finally obtain the long-term services and support they need, while creating new jobs and offering caregiving workers a long-overdue raise, stronger benefits, and an opportunity to organize or join a union and collectively bargain.President Biden believes more people should have the opportunity to receive care at home, in a supportive community, or from a loved one. President Biden's plan will expand access to home and community-based services (HCBS) and extend the longstanding Money Follows the Person program that supports innovations in the delivery of long-term care.Caregivers  who are disproportionally women of color  have been underpaid and undervalued for far too long. Wages for essential home care workers, for example, are approximately $12 per hour, putting them among the lowest paid workers in our economy. In fact, one in six workers live in poverty, and the high rate of turnover in this sector results in lower care quality and higher employer costs. The HCBS expansion under Medicaid can support well-paying caregiving jobs that include benefits and the ability to collectively bargain, building state infrastructure to improve the quality of services and to support workers. This will improve wages and quality of life for essential home health workers and yield significant economic benefits for low-income communities and communities of color.This includes jobs with fair and equal pay, safe and healthy workplaces, and workplaces free from racial, gender, and other forms of discrimination and harassment. In addition to a $10 billion investment in enforcement as part of the plan's workforce proposals, the President is calling for increased penalties when employers violate workplace safety and health rules.President Biden is calling on Congress to ensure all workers have a free and fair choice to join a union by passing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. Unions benefit women's wages; in 2020 , the median weekly earning of full-time workers 16+ was $1,067 for women who are members of unions, $1,057 for women who are represented by unions, and $862 for non-union women. His plan also ensures domestic workers receive the legal benefits and protections they deserve and tackles pay inequities based on gender.As more Americans rejoin the workforce or seek out new opportunities in a changing economy, we must ensure workers have ready access to the skills they will need to succeed, and improve racial and gender equity. This includes registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, creating one to two million new registered apprenticeships slots, and strengthening the pipeline for more women and people of color to access these opportunities through successful pre-apprenticeship programs, such as through the Women in Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Occupations grants that help to expand pathways for women to enter and lead in all industries.These investments also include the creation of career pathway programs in middle and high schools, prioritizing increased access to computer science and high-quality career and technical programs that connect underrepresented students to STEM and in-demand sectors through partnerships with both institutions of higher education and employers.Discrimination leads to less innovation: one study found that innovation in the United States would quadruple if women, people of color, and children from low-income families invented at the same rate as other groups who are not held back by discrimination and structural barriers. Persistent inequities in access to R&D dollars and to careers in innovation industries prevents the U.S. economy from reaching its full potential.President Biden's plan will also invest in job training for formerly incarcerated women, men, and justice-involved youth, who, because of entrenched disparities in the criminal justice system, are disproportionately Black and Latino. President Biden's plan will facilitate effective reentry and support evidence-based violence prevention programs while promoting public safety.President Biden is calling on Congress to invest in federal programs that empower small firms to participate in federal research and other research and development initiatives that have the potential for commercialization. The American Jobs Plan will also create a new grant program through the Minority Business Development Agency that will help small manufacturing businesses owned by people of color and women of color access private capital. And, it will enable small businesses to drive the economic recovery by investing $15 billion in the Small Business Administration's 7(a) loan program and Small Business Investment Company program.Violence disrupts employment and prevents a community's economic development. Gun violence alone kills almost 40,000 people annually and injures more than twice as many. It disproportionately impacts Black communities and other communities of color. An average of 53 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner every month. One analysis has found that gun violence causes $280 billion in economic loss annually. President Biden's plan will invest $5 billion over 8 years in evidence-based community violence intervention programs that train at-risk individuals for jobs and provide other wraparound services to prevent violence and assist victims. These strategies have been proven to reduce violence and will help rebuild economies in the hardest hit areas.Following decades of racially discriminatory federal housing policies, people of color are more likely to be rent burdened, or to live in sub-standard housing. And, three-quarters of households living in public housing developments are female-headed, while the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population is women and families, with 84% of homeless families headed by single women. President Biden's plan invests $213 billion to produce, preserve, and retrofit more than two million affordable and sustainable places to live, extending affordable housing opportunities to underserved communities nationwide.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 21:27:00|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a section of the Lijiang River and learns about local efforts in the ecological conservation of the river in Yangshuo, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, April 25, 2021. Xi Jinping on Sunday inspected Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

NANNING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Sunday inspected south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

In the morning, Xi went to Caiwan, a town in Quanzhou County in the city of Guilin.

Xi visited a memorial park dedicated to the Battle of the Xiangjiang River during the Long March in the 1930s, and laid a flower basket in homage to Red Army soldiers who died in the battle.

He also visited a memorial hall in the park to pay respect to revolutionary martyrs.

Xi then went to the village of Maozhushan, where he inspected progress in promoting rural vitalization and grassroots-level governance.

In the afternoon, Xi visited a section of the Lijiang River, where he learned about local efforts in the ecological conservation of the river. Enditem
Elon Musk admits 'a bunch of people will probably die' during SpaceX's initial voyages to Mars - but has insisted it will be a 'glorious adventure and amazing experience'.

The SpaceX founder was speaking with Peter Diamandis, founder of the X Prize Foundation, when he made the stark prediction.

Musk has already said he hopes to get humans on Mars by 2026  seven years before NASA aims to land astronauts on the Red Planet.

But a barefoot Musk warned Thursday: 'Going to Mars reads like that advert for Shackleton going to the Antarctic. You know it is dangerous, it's uncomfortable and it's a long journey.

'You might not come back alive but it is a glorious adventure and it will be an amazing experience.

'Yeah, honestly a bunch of people will probably die in the beginning.

'It's tough going over there.'

Elon Musk and Peter Diamandis in conversation about the launch of the largest incentive prize in history, the $100M XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition. During the chat Musk admitted 'a bunch of people will probably die' during SpaceX's initial voyages to Mars

The Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying four astronauts from three countries launches from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral Friday. Musk has already said he hopes to get humans on Mars by 2026  seven years before NASA aims to land astronauts there

SpaceX brought spaceflight back to America in May last year by launching NASA astronauts from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the to the International Space Station (ISS)  an event that has not happened in nearly a decade.

Dubbed 'Launch America,' it was also the first time a private company has put astronauts into space.

In February Musk told the Good Times Show his goal was to establish a self-sustaining Martian civilization.

SpaceX brought spaceflight back to America in May last year by launching NASA astronauts from Kennedy Space Center in Florida to the to the International Space Station (ISS)  an event that has not happened in nearly a decade. Astronauts are pictured Friday

NASA plans to put the first humans on Mars by 2033 as part of its Artemis program that will see the next man and first woman land on the Moon in 2024.

Although Musk hopes to achieve his goal of landing humans on the Red Planet by 2026, he was realistic and said it isn't a hard deadline due to the technical hurdles.

Musk says there are a number of technological advances that need to be made between now and 2026 before humans can travel to Mars on Starship.

These include ensuring Starship is fully reusable and that it can reach orbit where it is able to refuel ready for the long six month trip to Mars.

Musk says there are a number of technological advances that need to be made between now and 2026 before humans can travel to Mars on Starship

SpaceX Starships SN9 and SN10. After a series of successful test flights, Musk hopes to send an uncrewed Starship to Mars and back at some point in 2024 - before a crewed flight in 2026

After a series of successful test flights, Musk hopes to send an uncrewed Starship to Mars and back at some point in 2024 - before a crewed flight in 2026.

'For the first time in the four and a half billion year history of Earth it has been possible to extend life beyond Earth and make life multi-planetary,' he said.

'Humanity is the agent of life and we have an obligation to ensure the creatures of Earth continue even if there is a calamity on Earth, whether it is man-made or a natural calamity - if you look at the fossil record there are many mass extinctions.

'It is about ensuring we pass that threshold where it is self-sustaining if some calamity prevents the ships from going there.

'What comes first - a self-sustaining city on Mars or World War Three?'

He said it would be a tiny, dangerous outpost to start with requiring a lot of hard work, a 'frontier environment' with far more ways to die than there are on Earth.

'It will be fun and a great adventure, but it will not be a luxurious thing to start'.

He said the propellant plant, solar power, food production, iron ore refinery are all 'fundamentals of industry' required to make Mars self-sustaining.

On Saturday the International Space Station's population swelled to 11 with the jubilant arrival of SpaceX's third crew capsule in less than a year. It's the biggest crowd up there in more than a decade.

All of the astronauts - representing the U.S., Russia, Japan and France - managed to squeeze into camera view for a congratulatory call from the leaders of their space agencies.

A recycled SpaceX capsule carrying four astronauts arrived at the space station a day after launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

On Saturday the International Space Station's population swelled to 11 with the jubilant arrival of SpaceX's third crew capsule in less than a year. It's the biggest crowd up there in more than a decade. All of the astronauts - representing the U.S., Russia, Japan and France - managed to squeeze into camera view for a congratulatory call from the leaders of their space agencies

Although this was SpaceXs third crew flight for NASA, it was the first to use a vehicle thats flown before, an essential part of a plan by SpaceX founder and chief executive Elon Musk to push to the moon and Mars.

The Dragon capsule was used for SpaceXs first crew launch last May, while the Falcon rocket soaring Friday hoisted crew two in November.

It was the first time two SpaceX crew Dragons were parked there at the same time - practically side by side.

And earlier this month NASA picked Musk's SpaceX to build the spacecraft that take the first woman and next man to the moon. The Musk-owned firm beat out Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Dynetics.

The officials statement from NASA confirms SpaceX will be the only one to take humans back to the moon for the first time since the Apollo mission 48 years ago.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler on Friday asked residents to help "unmask" the people behind violence at protests in recent weeks, which grew in fervor after police fatally shot a white man at Lents Park.

What he's saying: They want to burn, they want to bash, they want to intimidate, they want to assault, Wheeler said in a Friday video statement, referring to violent protestors. "Our community needs to resume their lives. People need to go back to work. Employers need to be able to reopen."

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"I support our police using all legal strategies, including kettling, when the appropriate circumstances and resources are available to do so without putting officers at risk of physical harm."

"Our job is to unmask them, arrest them, and prosecute them," he said. "I want to personally thank neighbors, family, friends, and others who have come forward with vital evidence. People know who these criminals are. They know what they're up to."

Wheeler faced backlash for urging residents to call the police if they see people who are "all dressed in all black" arriving at protests in cars. His office in a follow-up statement said he was referring to "those who engage in criminal actions."

Flashback: "Understand that doing damage to us, our communities, and our resources undoes the work we do," a group of Portland-based Black organizers and protesters wrote in an open letter last week, prior to Wheeler's statement.

The mayor appeared to reference the letter, saying: "If BLM leaders can show the courage to stand up to this mob, then we all should."

The other side: "They tried to make us look like we are against each other. We might not all agree on the ways that we protest or we fight, but we know that we must fight," said protester Kevin Wright at a demonstration Saturday with other Black community members in response to Wheeler's remarks.

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Three-year-old shot and killed at a birthday party in Florida (Getty/iStock)

A three-year-old boy was shot and killed at a childrens birthday party in Florida.

Police say a violent altercation broke out in front of a home in Golden Glades, near Miami, on Saturday night, according to officials.

One person involved in the incident took out a gun and fired dozens of shots before fleeing, witnesses say.

Police who arrived on the scene rushed the child, later identified the youngster as Elijah LaFrance, to hospital were he was pronounced dead.

A 21-year-old woman, who has not been identified, was also shot at the party but is expected to survive her injuries.

Police say that the host of the birthday party rented the property through Airbnb for the event.

I would say anywhere from 30 to 50 shots, neighbor Marc Anderson told WPLG Local 10.

People were running, so we ducked behind his truck and some people ran and hid behind these two trucks.

Authorities say that officers responded to the scene after an alert from ShotSpotter, an automated gunshot detection system, and an investigation into the killing remains ongoing.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were attending a childs birthday party at the residence, which is a short-term rental. The subject fled in an unknown direction and remains at large, police said.

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Dublin, April 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "UK Home Insurance Market 2021: Consumer Research Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report examines the motivations, experiences and opinions of the UK home insurance customer.

It will identify and analyse consumer attitudes towards motor insurance, look at the claims experience of drivers, and investigate why they choose one route to purchase over another. In addition, it will explore how price sensitivity is impacting the market and how COVID-19 has affected behaviours and experiences. Similar research was run in 2019 and comparisons between results in 2019 and 2021 are also made.

In 2021, 73% of consumers said they owned any type of home insurance, which is marginally up on the percentage in 2019. When taking out home insurance consumers show a preference for combined contents and buildings insurance and they prefer to buy standalone policies: relatively few own home insurance policies as part of a multicover insurance or which came with a packaged bank account.

A new customer journey begins each year. Each year, over 90% of combined buildings and contents home insurance policyholders are existing policyholders and their choice comes down to either renewing with an existing provider (around half renew each year) or switching from one provider to another (around four-in-ten switch each year).

For contents only and building only insurance a greater proportion of policyholders embarking on a new customer journey each year are new market entrants - i.e., buying home insurance for the first time. Even if renewing, policyholders generally still embark on a new customer journey: over eight-in-ten of policyholders owning combined cover who renew still search for alternatives policies and/or negotiate for a revised deal from their provider before they agree to renew.

Between 2019 and 2021, across all three home insurance policy types, the incidence of claiming in the past five years has declined. Across all three policy types in 2021, less than 10% of policyholders had claimed within the past year. The claims process seems to run smoothly for most claimants.

One-third of home insurance policyholders have been impacted by COVID-19 when it comes to their motor insurance. The most common actions/experiences centre on premiums - either switching provider/policy to save money or being offered a rebate by their provider. The policyholders most impacted by COVID-19 tend to be younger professional policyholders, aged under the age of 45, from the AB social grades, who have made a recent claim.

Other findings from the report, include:

Most insurance policyholders are price focused. A majority put price first when evaluating a policy and cover second. However, the final price paid, and the level of cover achieved by policyholders is often the outcome of policyholder/insurance provider negotiation: almost seven in ten policyholders negotiate with their provider before buying a policy.

When looking for insurance deals at the start of a customer journey, price comparison websites (PCWs) are by far the most popular resource. When it comes to purchasing, policyholders tend to buy their policies either directly from the provider or via PCWs, with PCWs the main channels for purchasing.

Just over one-in-ten policyholders have Smart Home telematics installed in their homes and penetration has declined over 2019 and 2021, but there has been a slight increase in a willingness to get Smart Home technology installed.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

Over seven-in-ten consumers own home insurance

There is potential for home telematics insurance, but current uptake is low

The customer journey merry-go-round

Policyholders like to discover deals online, mainly via PCWs

Policies are purchased primarily via PCWs

Home insurance purchasers are price focused

Brands are important but are not everything

Most policyholders have a good experience

Less than one-in-ten have claimed in the past year

The claims process seems to run smoothly for most

Almost one-third have been impacted by COVID-19

2. Introduction

3. Profile of the Insured



Over seven-in-ten adults own any type of home insurance

Home insurance policyholders like to minimise their risks

4. The Type of Insurance Owned



Consumers prefer buying combined buildings and contents cover

Homeowners represent almost seven-in-ten insured adults

Most policyholders buy standalone policies

Most policyholders pay for their insurance annually

There is potential for home telematics insurance but current uptake is low

5. The Customer Journey Begins



Most policy buyers are repeating a purchase

Age, tenure and social grade prime influences on action

The importance of the renewal prompt

With over one-third switching provider, loyalty is in short supply

And the revolving door of switching continues to turn

Switching is strongly price led

Most of those renewing also start a new journey

Confident managerial policyholders the most likely to search before renewing

Almost half of those renewing without searching still try and get a better deal

6. Buying a Policy: Finding the Right Deal



Price comparison websites the prime research resource

Buildings only policyholders the most likely to seek professional advice

PCWs facilitate switching

Ease of use and information the key positives of PCWs

The PCW dominance is here to stay

Policies are purchased primarily from PCWs

7. Policy Acquisition: Price Negotiation



By their nature, policyholders are price sensitive

Affluence and willingness to switch key determinants of price focus

Brands are important but they are not everything

The final price/cover offer is the result of a negotiated settlement

But can consumers negotiate from a position of strength?

It's the volume of paperwork that limits knowledge

8. Being a Policyholder



For most policyholders, owning a policy is a problem-free experience

Online policy management now becoming the norm

Major decline in claiming

Those employed in managerial occupations the most likely to claim

The claims process goes smoothly for most claimants, resulting in high levels of satisfaction

9. Impact of COVID-19

One-third of policyholders have been impacted by COVID-19

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/cvbodu
The intention of the Economy minister to modify the export promotion program, so that the companies no longer receive money directly for participation in fairs, is a death sentence for the Romanian export, reads a press release of the National Association of Romanian Exporters and Importers (ANEIR).

The Minister (with zero experience in economics and zero experience in public management) invoked some figures from a so-called Control Report of his minions, without listening to the accused party. In the view of the accuser, the Export Promotion Program (which has been operating in different forms since Romania became modern) was allegedly created for the benefit of employers who make tourism on state money and for the enrichment of companies that organize national pavilions at international fairs," maintains the president of ANEIR, Mihai Ionescu.

ANEIR claims that no employer is so wicked as to carry with him at fairs automation panels of hundreds of kilograms or furniture sets of tens of cubic meters, spending tens of thousands of euros for the preparation of one-off-samples, in order to promote tourism for three days at a fair in Africa or Asia.

The current "NGO minister" (who imagines that the country's economy can be run like an NGO) has announced an imminent Funeral Ordinance for the Export Promotion Program. We rely on the reason of his administrative heads [Deputy Prime Minister Dan Barna and Prime Minister Florin Citu], whom I asked - in writing - to consult with the business environment in order not to follow the aberration planned by their subordinate," the ANEIR press release further mentions.

In a press conference held on Thursday, the Minister of Economy, Claudiu Nasui, appreciated that the solution to encourage exports is not to grant subsidies to some companies, according to each minister. In Claudiu Nasui's opinion, the solution is a system of extended deductions. Another solution is for 50% of the expenses to become a tax credit. Asked when this system could come into force, Nasui said that he wants this to happen as soon as possible, right this summer.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 20:18:06|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday exchanged congratulatory messages with Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Lao president, over the 60th anniversary of the founding of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In his message, Xi said China and Laos are friendly socialist neighbors and an unbreakable community with a shared future.

Since the two sides established diplomatic relationship 60 years ago, China and Laos have maintained mutual understanding and enjoyed sincere exchanges, with both sides sticking to the practice and promotion of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, said Xi.

That has brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries, set up a model for inter-state relations, and made positive contributions to pushing ahead the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said.

After the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, China and Laos have stood together and worked hand in hand fighting the pandemic, vividly illustrating the spirit of a community with a shared future which features supporting each other through thick and thin.

Stressing that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Laos bilateral relations, Xi said that he stands ready to work with Thongloun to implement the action plan on the China-Laos community with a shared future as the main line, promote high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation, and consistently promote the building of such a community in the next 60 years, so that people of the two countries can forever be good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners.

In his message, Thongloun warmly congratulated the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi as the core on its great achievements in promoting the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and sincerely thanked China for its valuable assistance and vigorous support in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the social and economic development.

Noting that the Laos-China relations are at their best in history, Thongloun said that Laos is ready to deepen its comprehensive strategic cooperation with China, expand friendly exchanges in various fields and promote constant development in building the Laos-China community with a shared future.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also exchanged congratulations with his Lao counterpart, Phankham Viphavanh.

In his message, Li said that standing at a new historical starting point, the Chinese side is willing to consolidate political mutual trust with the Lao side, enhance win-win cooperation of mutual benefits, successfully conduct celebratory events for the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties and the Year of China-Laos Friendship, constantly enrich the China-Laos community with a shared future, and inject strong momentum into the comprehensive strategic cooperation with Laos.

For his part, Phankham said that Laos has always cherished the Laos-China friendly relations, and is willing to carry forward the fine traditions with China, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and make concrete progress in building the Laos-China community with a shared future. Enditem
Agri biz wants scientific approach to proposed chemical fertiliser ban By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):

Sri Lankas agriculture sector wants a phased out, targeted and scientific approach in the breakthrough into organic farming practices without causing losses to a number of industries that could be impacted by an overnight ban on chemical fertiliser widely used in the country.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksas assertion that in the future there will be a ban on chemical fertiliser has caused a number of industries in the agriculture sector to seek a discussion with their relevant line ministers to forewarn of the consequences of such an action overnight.

Sri Lanka Agripreneurs Forum Chairman Rizvi Zaheed, representing the agriculture sector in the country, stated that the overall general direction is a good one to ensure that the agriculture sector reduces its reliance on chemical fertiliser.

However, he pointed out that it is necessary to adopt scientific research and analyse how a targeted measure could be worked out to ensure a phased out method of reducing the dependency on chemical fertiliser by farmers.

Any sudden decision to ban chemical fertilisers can result in a reduction in the yields obtained from paddy and other plants.

He explained that there is a view by some that already the soil does contain a certain amount of residual fertiliser in the soil for nutrition but this is not sufficient to retain the adequate yields and the absence of fertiliser can result in a shortfall of yields.

Mr. Zaheed explained that the yield of 4 million MT of rice for the Maha season was achieved due to the use of right plant material, seed and fertiliser but the non-application of it could reduce this yield as it obtains nutrition from the residual fertiliser in the soil. In this respect, the agriculture sector should be given targets to work on by establishing internal benchmarks to achieve that could eventually result in a phased out removal of the use of chemical fertiliser.

Planters Association Chairman Bhathiya Bulumulla said that if this chemical fertiliser ban goes ahead it could impact the tea industry as it did in 2017/2018 when glyphosate was completely banned causing huge losses to the industry.

I presume the government will not take any hasty decision, he said stating that the need is to ensure that scientists will be able to introduce an alternative product for their use in a bid to obtain the same nutrients into the plant.

Mr. Bulumulla explained that organic fertiliser could be introduced but pointed out that compared to chemical fertilisers the former should be available in large quantities in order to obtain the same nutrients.

He too pointed out that they hope to discuss with their line minister in this respect to ascertain where they stand.

If they can introduce another chemical which kills weeds it would be good, he said pointing out that using manual labour to physically weed a plantation was not possible when carrying out commercial production.

Currently, he noted the Tea Research Institute is working on the use of a substitute for glyphosate but asserted these cannot be rushed.

At present glyphosate is imported by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation in quantities required for the tea plantations alone and cannot be purchased by others.

Mr. Bulumulla called on the government to seek the scientists opinion and ascertain the economic impact of such a ban and thereafter take a correct decision.
GREENWICH  The Junior League of Greenwich announced that the River House Adult Day Center is the recipient of its annual Community Grant Award.

This $5,000 reward provides financial support for a community need not currently met by Junior League projects or programs.

River Houses mission is to provide adult day care for adults who wish to stay in the comfort of their homes but require daytime assistance. They come to River House to participate in activities, socialize with their peers, and receive health and nursing care.

To respond to shutdowns and social-distancing requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, River House quickly pivoted and created new distance care and respite care programming that enabled it to continue to serve its clients.

The grant will help fund an expansion of the duties of the River House health team who oversee these new programs.

The Junior League of Greenwich is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community with volunteers. For more information, send an email to jlg@jlgreenwich.org or visit www.jlgreenwich.org.

Music eduation in Greenwich schools earns honor

The Greenwich Public Schools was recently named a 2021 Best Communities for Music Education District by the NAMM Foundation.

The award program recognizes efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Now in its 22nd year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement to provide music access and education to all students.

Im very proud of our district and its music community for being recognized for this prestigious distinction, said Laura Newell, GPS coordinator for music and arts. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our educators to bring music instruction and experiences to our students during an exceptionally challenging year.

Our teachers used their creativity to bring both safe and fun musical lessons to students across all of our schools. In addition, I would like to thank the Board of Education and the Greenwich community for their support of the Arts programming in light of the pandemic, she said. They continue to preserve the belief of supporting the advancement of the whole child and reinforce the special qualities that music and art bring to our children.

GPS was one of 636 schools across the United States honored. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, GPS answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants. It advances participation in music-making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information, visit www.nammfoundation.org.

GSO greenwich symphony orchestra

The Greenwich Symphony Orchestra has not been able to offer its three Young Peoples Concerts this year due to the pandemic, but that has not stopped it from fulfilling its mission of providing live performances for the school children of Greenwich.

It transformed another educational program, GSO in Greenwich Schools, into a virtual one. This was made possible with the leadership of Sandra Heikel, education coordinator of the GSO Young Peoples Concerts.

This March and April, musicians from the GSO performed and spoke about their instruments via Google Meets to students in grades 2 through 5 in all 11 of the public elementary schools. The program was live-streamed during regular music class time.

Instruments were presented by grade level, with second-graders learning about the violin, viola, cello and bass; third-graders learning about flute, clarinet and saxophone; fourth-graders studying the trumpet and trombone; and fifth-graders introduced to percussion.

Greenwich High School Band students also had the opportunity to work with GSO musicians, who created 10 individual instrument videos highlighting warm-up techniques, practice for best sound production, and potential etudes.

The curriculum for GSO in Greenwich Schools included these facts:

*The GSO is made up of the four families of the symphony orchestra: strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion.

*It was started in the 1940s.

*Musicians from the GSO come from the U.S. and other countries around the world. Some even went to Grenwich High School.

*The GSO performs in the Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art concert hall at Greenwich High.

*For the past 40 years, the GSO has collaborated with the Greenwich Schools to introduce school children to the world of classical music, the great composers and the instruments of the symphony orchestra.

To learn more about the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra and its Youth Programs, visit www.greenwichsymphony.org.
O God,

whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people:

Grant that when we hear his voice

we may know him who calls us each by name,

and follow where he leads;

who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns,

one God,

For ever and ever.

Amen.
Duck Dynasty alum Sadie Robertson and her husband Christian Huff are expecting their first child together.

And this weekend the power duo shared the name they have chosen for their child who is due this spring.

'Going ahead and telling the world our sweet babies name because i would rather y'all hear it from me and christian then things going around,' the beauty began her post.

A great name: Duck Dynasty alum Sadie Robertson and her husband Christian Huff are expecting their first child together. And this weekend the power duo shared the name they have chosen for their child who is due this spring

'This little girl and her name already mean the world to us,' Sadie wrote. And then came the big reveal: the child will be named Honey James Huff.

Then the duo shared what the meaning is behind the name.

'Gracious words are like HONEY, sweetness to the soul and health to the body,' she wrote. 'Proverbs 16:24.'

She added: 'I've always loved this verse. Its made me have a love for the idea of all that honey is.

'It's a sweet delicacy with a strong healing component.

Honey is coming! 'This little girl and her name already mean the world to us,' Sadie wrote. And then came the big reveal: the child will be named Honey James Huff. Then the duo shared what the meaning is behind the name. 'Gracious words are like HONEY, sweetness to the soul and health to the body,' she wrote. 'Proverbs 16:24.' She added: 'I've always loved this verse. Its made me have a love for the idea of all that honey is. 'It's a sweet delicacy with a strong healing component'

Ready for baby Honey: There was also an image shared of the baby's bassinet with a bear that had HONEY on its sweater

'When Christian and I started dating we went through the book of Proverbs together and I remember getting to chapter 16 and as I read verse 24 i said to him, 'you have words like honey. they are so sweet and are healing places in my heart I didn't even know needed to be healed.'

In October 2020 they shared the news they were expecting.

In February the expectant mother got showered with gifts at her baby shower.

Both the pending mom and dad each shared a series of photos taken during the intimate gathering on their respective Instagram pages over the weekend.

Baby showered: In February they shared a series of photos on Instagram taken during her intimate baby shower

'Baby's 1st shower was the SWEETEST,' Robertson began in the caption.

'Thankful for our sweet sweet friends who threw us the shower and just continue to shower us and now her with so much love and kindness. Thankful our daughter will grow up with people like all of you! so happy rn.'

Robertson kept it stylishly simple in the fashion department for the festive event in a beige sweater dress that came down to her knees and hugged her figure.

With an electrifying glow only a pregnant woman can exude, the Louisiana native flashed a big beaming smile as she cradled her growing baby bump, a baby girl, in nearly all of the photos.

Form fitting: Robertson kept it stylishly simple in a beige sweater dress and ankle boots

Family affair: The couple posed alongside their respective mothers -- Cheri Huff (left) and Korie Robertson (right)

Memorable: The mother-to-be also snuggled up with some of her close friends

In one solo snap, Robertson almost looked to be laughing as she cradles her burgeoning belly with both arms.

There's also an image the couple posed alongside her mother, Korie Robertson, and her husband's mom, Cheri Huff.

Huff, 22, shared his own Instagram post featuring photos of the parents-to-be posing together at the shower.

'I love my wifey and love celebrating our lil girl :-) thanks so much to our friends for hosting the best shower for us!' he gushed in the caption.

Small but sweet: The former reality star sunk her fingers into her husband as they got playful during the intimate baby shower that included a choice few friends and family

The father-to-be did in fact attend the baby shower with a choice few friends and family dressed casually in grey pants with a brown sweater and white sneakers.

Robertson, who also appeared on season 19 of Dancing With The Stars in 2014, and her husband started dating in September 2018.

They went on to announce their engagement in June 2019, and eventually got married on her family's farm in West Monroe, Louisiana, on November 25, 2019 in front of more than 600 guests.

Robertson starred on the A&E show Duck Dynasty during its 11 season run from 2012 to 2017.
Withdrawal of U.S. troops to follow timetable decided by U.S.-Iraqi dialogue: military spokesman

Xinhua) 11:20, April 25, 2021

BAGHDAD, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The full withdrawal of the U.S.-led coalition forces from Iraq will follow a timetable that will be decided by the ongoing U.S.-Iraqi dialogue, the state-sun Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported Saturday, citing a spokesman of the Iraqi military.

Yahia Rasoul, spokesman of the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi forces, told INA that a committee formed by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, also commander-in-chief of the Iraqi forces, is "managing this issue within the strategic dialogue rounds."

Iraq does not need (foreign) combat forces to fight with Iraqi forces, except for training and equipment, the Iraqi spokesman noted.

Rasoul's comment comes a few days after Commander of U.S. Central Command Kenneth McKenzie told U.S. lawmakers that he does not foresee a full U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.

"That move is not contemplated ... I don't see us withdrawing completely from Iraq in the future," said Mckenzie, top commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East.

On April 7, a joint statement released by the United States and Iraq after a strategic dialogue round via video teleconference said the two sides agreed to redeploy the remaining U.S.-led coalition combat troops outside Iraq in the light of the increasing capacity of the Iraqi security forces for fighting against the extremist Islamic State militants.

"The mission of U.S. and coalition forces has now transitioned to one focused on training and advisory tasks, thereby allowing for the redeployment of any remaining combat forces from Iraq, with the timing to be established in upcoming technical talks," the joint statement said.

The relations between Iraq and the United States were strained after Jan. 3, 2020, when a U.S. drone struck a convoy at Baghdad airport, which killed Qassem Soleimani, former commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces.

The Iraqi parliament passed a resolution on Jan. 5, 2020, requiring the government to end the presence of foreign forces in Iraq.

The U.S. airstrike also pushed unidentified militias to launch a series of rocket and mortar attacks on Iraqi military bases housing U.S. troops across the country, as well as the U.S. embassy in the Green Zone in central Baghdad.

The two sides have launched rounds of strategic dialogue since June 12, 2020, during which the United States pledged to cut its troops in Iraq.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
Paul Rusesabagina thought he was heading to Burundi when he boarded an airplane in the United Arab Emirates on the night of Aug. 27, 2020. But the 66-year-old former hotelier, who inspired the acclaimed 2004 film "Hotel Rwanda," landed behind bars in Rwanda's capital.

Rusesabagina's whereabouts were unknown for several days until Rwandan authorities paraded him in handcuffs during a press conference in Kigali on Aug. 31. Rusesabagina's adopted daughters, Anaise and Carine Kanimba, were together in Washington, D.C., when they got a telephone call from their brother, telling them about their father's arrest.

"It was 6 a.m. in the morning and he said, 'Dad is in Kigali,'" Anaise Kanimba, 29, recalled during an interview with ABC News in Washington. "We didn't believe what he said at first, but then we know he would never joke on something like that. And it was this nightmare that we never thought would ever be true."

PHOTO: Paul Rusesabagina attends a court hearing in Kigali, Rwanda, Feb. 26, 2021. (Muhizi Olivier/AP, FILE)

Rusesabagina, who is originally from Rwanda but is a Belgian citizen and permanent U.S. resident, has been detained in his home country ever since and is facing a slew of terrorism-related charges that include murder and financing terrorism. If convicted, he could face 25 years to life in prison. He has maintained his innocence.

The case has drawn worldwide attention and alarm, including from Rusesabaginas family who fear that he is facing a show trial and will die in jail.

"The understanding has always been that these allegations against Paul are linked to his criticism of the regime that's in power in Rwanda," Rusesabagina's lead counsel, Kate Gibson, told ABC News during a remote interview from Geneva.

The 'Hotel Rwanda' story

Rusesabagina was the manager of the Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali during the Rwandan genocide of 1994, when divisions between the country's two main ethnic groups came to a head. The Rwandan government, controlled by extremist members of the Hutu ethnic majority, launched a systemic campaign with its allied Hutu militias to wipe out the Tutsi ethnic minority, slaughtering more than 800,000 people over the course of 100 days, mostly Tutsis and the moderate Hutus who tried to protect them, according to the United Nations.

Story continues

PHOTO: The Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, Nov. 21, 2006. (Jody Kurash/AP, FILE)

Anaise and Carine Kanimba were toddlers when their biological Tutsi parents were among those killed in the bloodshed.

"They were telling people to like come out of their houses, come out to the streets and that they were going to take everyone to a safe place, and my parents believed it," Carine Kanimba, 27, recalled during a telephone interview with ABC News from Brussels. "As soon as they got everyone kind of lined up in the streets, they started shooting."

PHOTO: French soldiers on patrol pass ethnic Hutu troops from the Rwandan government forces near Gisenyie, southern Rwanda, on June 27, 1994. (Pascal Guyot/AFP via Getty Images)

More than 1,200 people took shelter in the Hotel des Mille Collines during what is often described as the darkest chapter of Rwanda's history. Rusesabagina, who is of both Hutu and Tutsi descent, said he used his job and his connections with the Hutu elite to protect the hotel's guests from massacre. The events were later immortalized in "Hotel Rwanda," with American actor Don Cheadle's portrayal of Rusesabagina garnering an Academy Award nomination for best actor in 2005.

PHOTO: A woman takes a moment to rest alongside a road where hundred of thousands of Rwandan refugees coming from camps in Zaire walk toward the Rwandan border to return to their homeland on Nov. 15, 1996. (Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images)

The genocide ended in July 1994 when a rebel group led by a Tutsi major-general named Paul Kagame defeated Rwandan government forces. Kagame, now 63, became Rwanda's de facto leader before officially assuming the role of president in 2000.

PHOTO: Paul Rusesabagina and his wife, Taciana Rusesabagina, are pictured in Uganda in 1994 (Courtesy Anaise Kanimba)

Rusesabagina and his wife adopted their newly orphaned nieces, Anaise and Carine Kanimba, before fleeing Rwanda with the girls and their four other children in 1996 to live in exile in Belgium.

From real-life hero to hunted dissident

After the movie's release, Rusesabagina rose to fame and was lauded as a hero. He published an autobiography, "An Ordinary Man," and began giving paid speeches at schools, universities, churches and businesses. He started the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation "to help provide voice to victims of genocide and support peace efforts in Rwanda and throughout the world," according to the nonprofit's website. And he picked up numerous awards along the way, including the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, the highest civilian honor given by the American president.

Since fleeing his homeland, Rusesabagina also became an outspoken critic of the Rwandan government. In his book, Rusesabagina condemned Kagame's Rwanda as "a nation governed by and for the benefit of a small group of elite Tutsis." He also publicly denounced Kagame as a dictator in various interviews, statements and speeches.

PHOTO: In this Nov. 9, 2005 file photo President Bush awards, Paul Rusesabagina the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award in the East Room of the White House. (Lawrence Jackson/AP, FILE)

The Rwandan government hit back. Just months after the film's debut, Kagame called Rusesabagina a "manufactured hero."

In 2007, Rwandas ambassador to the United Nations accused Rusesabagina of financing armed rebel groups along the countrys border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A Rwandan prosecutor repeated the claim in 2010, saying he had evidence that Rusesabagina wired large sums of money to rebel commanders.

PHOTO: The U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom that was awarded to Paul Rusesabagina in 2005 is displayed in his home in San Antonio, Texas. (Courtesy Anaise Kanimba)

Rusesabagina relocated his family to San Antonio, Texas, in 2009, after assassination attempts and several break-ins at their home in Brussels.

"Kagame has been after my father since the movie 'Hotel Rwanda' came out. When my father received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Kagame also increased his attacks on him," Anaise Kanimba told ABC News. "My father had to wear a bulletproof jacket every time he had to give a speech."

PHOTO: Rwandan President Paul Kagame waves to the crowd before speaking at a baby gorilla naming ceremony in Kinigi, northern Rwanda, on Sept. 5, 2015. (Ben Curtis/AP, File)

In May 2020, Rwanda's National Commission for the Fight against Genocide, an ostensibly independent body, published a report about Rusesabagina and "what really took place at the Hotel des Mille Collines," featuring dozens of testimonies from genocide survivors who accused him of exaggerating his role in saving the refugees or even profiting from it.

ABC News spoke with some of the survivors who have come out against Rusesabagina. One of them, Wellars "Zozo" Bizumuremyi, said he worked with Rusesabagina as the hotel's concierge.

"Paul says he protected people -- it's a lie," Bizumuremyi told ABC News during an interview in Kigali. "If you didn't have money, he wouldn't let you stay at the hotel."

PHOTO: Family photographs of some of those who died in the Rwandan genocide of 1994 are displayed in an exhibition at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 5, 2019. (Ben Curtis/AP, FILE)

But American screenwriter Keir Pearson, who co-wrote Hotel Rwanda and garnered an Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay, said the dispute over Rusesabaginas claim to fame is "just a smoke screen."

"Kagame praised the film when it screened in Rwanda in 2005," Pearson told ABC News in an email. "It was only after Paul became critical of Kagame for not implementing long promised democratic reforms that the smear campaign against Paul and the veracity of the film began."

PHOTO: Hotel Des Mille Collines on Feb. 2, 2014 in Kigali, Rwanda. (Thomas Imo/Photothek via Getty Images, FILE)

Pearson said he spent about four years researching the Rwandan genocide and what took place at the Hotel des Mille Collines prior to making the movie, interviewing survivors for "countless hours."

"We got Paul's story right," he said.

A 'flawless' trap

Rusesabagina didn't tell his family that he was planning to fly to Burundi from Dubai last August. But one of his daughters, who helped book his flights to and from Dubai, said that wasn't unusual.

"I didn't know much about his plans in Dubai and generally, given how much he travels, we usually don't even get into those details," Carine Kanimba told ABC News. "We're also very careful over what we say over the phone because we know that the [Rwandan] government has been chasing him for so many years. There had been assassination attempts, they had broken into our home, we knew that they had bugged his phone and were tracking him."

When Rusesabagina arrived in the emirate on the evening of Aug. 27, 2020, he contacted his family to let them know that he had landed safely. He then met up with Constantin Niyomwungere, a Burundi-born pastor who Rusesabagina alleged had invited him to speak at churches in Burundi about his experience during the Rwandan genocide. Later that night, the pair hopped on a private jet that Rusesabagina believed would take them to Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, according to Rusesabagina's international legal team.

PHOTO: Skulls of some victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide are displayed at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 7, 2021. (Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP via Getty Images)

Rusesabagina didn't know that the pastor was working as an informant for the Rwanda Investigation Bureau and had tricked him into boarding a chartered flight to Kigali.

"Myself, the pilot and cabin crew knew we were coming to Kigali," Niyomwungere told Rwanda's high court in Kigali on March 5. "The only person who didnt know where we were headed was Paul."

Rwandan prosecutors alleged that Rusesabagina wanted to go to Burundi to coordinate with rebel groups based there and in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Rusesabagina told the court that after arriving in Kigali early on Aug. 28, 2020, he was brought to an unknown location where he remained blindfolded and bound at the hands and feet for three days and was unable to communicate with his family or lawyers. Rusesabagina's attorneys have accused Rwandan authorities of kidnapping him and bringing him to the country illegally.

"Instead of being able to go through these legal routes that the Rwandan government has taken in the past when they wanted to bring someone back into their jurisdiction for a criminal trial, they went out of their way to avoid and circumvent that procedure by kidnaping him," Gibson told ABC News. "To me, that speaks volumes about the credibility and reliability of the evidence that they have against Paul. If they had a real case against him, they would have had him extradited."

PHOTO: Rwandan President Paul Kagame speaks during the state funeral of former Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya, on Feb. 11, 2020. (John Muchucha/AP)

The Rwandan government has admitted to paying for the plane that took Rusesabagina to Kigali, but Kagame said there was no wrongdoing because he was "brought here on the basis of what he believed and wanted to do."

"So there was no kidnap. It was actually flawless," Kagame told Rwandas public broadcaster during an interview on Sept. 6, 2020.

The United Arab Emirates has denied having any involvement in Rusesabaginas arrest and said he left Dubai legally.

PHOTO: Rwandan President Paul Kagame and first lady Jeannette Nyiramongi Kagame light the remembrance torch, which will last 100 days, during the 27th commemoration of the 1994 genocide in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 7, 2021. (Stringer/AP)

On March 10, a Rwandan judge determined that Rusesabagina was deceived into coming back to Rwanda but was not kidnapped and thus the charges against him can't be dropped.

Human Rights Watch, a New York-based international human rights watchdog, said Rusesabagina's arrest "amounted to an enforced disappearance, a serious violation of international law" and that "Rwanda has an established track record of using unlawful, cloak-and-dagger methods to target those it perceives to be a threat to the ruling party."

Kagame is credited by some with turning Rwanda into an economic powerhouse for the East Africa region in the years after the devastating genocide. But others allege that the reconstruction came at a price, as Rwandas strongman leader has been consolidating power for decades and is known for sniffing out his opponents. Some of Kagames critics have even died under mysterious circumstances, both in Rwanda and abroad.

'A sham trial'

The charges that Rusesabagina faces stem from his leadership of an exiled opposition coalition called the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change, known by its French acronym MRCD. In 2018, there were a series of deadly attacks on villages in southern Rwanda, near the country's border with Burundi, and Rwandan authorities inculpated the National Liberation Front, or FLN, which is the armed wing of the MRCD. In a video statement released later that year, Rusesabagina pledged his "unreserved support" for the FLN, declared Kagame's government to be "the enemy of the Rwandan people" and called for "any means possible to bring about change."

In a pretrial hearing on Sept. 25, 2020, Rusesabagina acknowledged that the MRCD had an armed wing but denied his involvement.

"We formed the FLN as an armed wing, not as a terrorist group as the prosecution keeps saying. I do not deny that the FLN committed crimes but my role was diplomacy," he told the court. "The agreement we signed to form MRCD as a political platform included the formation of an armed wing called FLN. But my work was under the political platform and I was in charge of diplomacy."

PHOTO: Tens of thousands of Rwandan refugees, who have been forced by Tanzanian authorities to go back to their country despite fears they will be killed upon their return, head back toward the Rwandan border on a road in Tanzania on Dec. 19, 1996. (Jean-Marc Bouju/AP)

Belgian investigators, at the request of Rwanda, have previously questioned Rusesabagina about his alleged involvement in rebel groups. In October 2019, Belgian authorities searched Rusesabagina's residence in Brussels after declining to extradite him to Rwanda, according to Eric Van Duyse, spokesperson for the Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office.

"Rwanda asked for extradition and we refused, as he is a Belgian citizen, and we opened an investigation," Van Duyse told ABC News over the phone. "We cannot share any details on the investigation because it is still ongoing."

Although the file remains open, the investigation is effectively on hold due to Rusesabagina's current status. The Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office has had no contact with Rwandan authorities since Rusesabagina appeared in Kigali, according to Van Duyse.

"This is something quite new for us in such a case," he said, "because he was not supposed to be in Rwanda."

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation declined to comment on whether its agents had ever summoned Rusesabagina for questioning as well.

PHOTO: Paul Rusesabagina attends a court hearing in Kigali, Rwanda, Feb. 26, 2021. (Muhizi Olivier/AP, FILE)

Rusesabagina is being tried alongside 20 other defendants who are accused of being FLN organizers and fighters. The proceedings are expected to last several months. Rwandan officials refused to grant ABC News an interview with him from prison.

"Rusesabagina very early on was collaborating with groups that committed genocide here in '94 and that escaped to Congo," Jean-Paul Kimonyo, a former presidential adviser to Kagame, told ABC News during an interview in Kigali. "The evidence against him is overwhelming."

PHOTO: Paul Rusesabagina (bottom right) and his wife, Taciana Rusesabagina (bottom left), are pictured with their children, Carine Kanimba (top left), Anaise Kanimba (top center) and Tresor Rusesabagina (top right), in Budapest, Hungary, in August 2014. (Courtesy Anaise Kanimba)

Rusesabagina's family has denounced the proceedings as "a sham trail" in a "kangaroo court."

"If you're a dissident in Rwanda, you can go to jail, you can get imprisoned, you know, you can get killed," Anaise Kanimba told ABC News. "On top of that, my father has a platform that President Kagame doesn't like. You know, my father has been able to tell the world about what happens in Rwanda."

Rusesabagina's legal team and family members have also expressed grave concern over the conditions in which he is being held. Rusesabagina, who is a cancer survivor, has been in solitary confinement in a Kigali prison for nearly seven months and has been denied his prescribed medication for a heart disorder, according to Gibson. The United Nation's Nelson Mandela Rules state that keeping someone in solitary confinement for more than 15 consecutive days is torture.

PHOTO: Paul Rusesabagina (right) is pictured with his wife, Taciana Rusesabagina (left), and their daughter, Lys Rusesabagina (center), at his 60th birthday party in Belgium in June 2014. (Courtesy Anaise Kanimba)

Rusesabagina was initially denied access to any of his chosen counsel and still does not have access to his international lawyers, including Gibson, who has represented clients in Rwanda before. He is not given adequate time and resources to prepare for trial, and the privileged documents provided to him by his Rwandan attorneys are routinely confiscated in prison, according to Gibson.

"In any other jurisdiction, any one of those violations would lead to the trial being permanently staid and the accused being released," Gibson told ABC News. "And here in Paul's case, we just have a litany of violations that are open that we can see that no one is trying to hide. And the culmination of all those violations together should make it clear to the international community that a fair trial in Paul's case in Rwanda is no longer possible."

Both Rusesabagina's family and lawyers have said they fear his fate is already sealed and that his only hope is for the international community to intervene.

In an open letter to Kagame in February, 37 members of the U.S. Congress called for Rusesabagina's release and return to the United States "on humanitarian grounds." Meanwhile, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for an international investigation into Rusesabagina's case and for Rwandan authorities to allow him a fair trial. But so far, the statements have not appeared to persuade Rwanda.

"I can already tell you he will be convicted. We've known that he will be convicted since the first day he arrived there," Anaise Kanimba told ABC News. "Are you going to allow my father to die in jail? Because I think that's really the fear."

ABC News' Malka Abramoff, Aicha El Hammar Castano, Bruno Roeber and Maggie Rulli contributed to this report.

Paul Rusesabagina was called a hero after 'Hotel Rwanda,' now he's accused of terrorism originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Britain's coronavirus cases have continued to fall two weeks after lockdown was eased on April 12 but deaths have risen by one, new figures showed today.

The Government said there had been a further 1,712 lab-confirmed cases in the UK - a drop of 9 per cent compared to last week's figure of 1,882. It is the lowest number since the 1,508 recorded on September 2.

Today 11 new deaths from the disease were recorded - a ten per cent increase on last Sunday's figure of 10.

Data released today shows the number of Covid cases total 4,404,882 whilst the total number of Covid deaths within 28 days of a positive test has reached the tragic total of 127,428.

As of Friday April 23 the latest NHS data recorded 243 Covid patients who are currently on ventilation in hospital. As of Thursday April 22 there were 1,781 Covid patients being treated in hospital.

A total of 38,792,402 Covid-19 vaccinations took place in England between December 8 and April 24, according to NHS England data, including first and second doses, which is a rise of 602,866 on the previous day.

NHS England said 28,227,710 were the first dose of a vaccine, a rise of 124,858 on the previous day, while 10,564,692 were a second dose, an increase of 478,008.

In other coronavirus news:

The government announced Britain is to send more than 600 pieces of medical equipment to India following a huge surge in coronavirus cases in the country;

A total of 38,792,402 Covid-19 vaccinations took place in England between December 8 and April 24, according to NHS England data, including first and second doses, which is a rise of 602,866 on the previous day;

Britons in their 30s are set to be invited for Covid vaccines within days with officials close to securing tens of millions of Pfizer jabs;

Microsoft founder Bill Gates expressed confidence that the world will be 'completely back to normal' by the end of 2022;

Home Secretary Priti Patel has blasted the 'senseless thugs' who pelted police with missiles and bottles leaving eight officers injured during an anti-Covid passport march in London;

Travel experts have warned summer holidays could be under threat if the Foreign Office advises against travel to green list countries.

The latest figures come as the government announced Britain is to send more than 600 pieces of medical equipment to India following a huge surge in coronavirus cases in the country.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the assistance package would include ventilators and oxygen concentrators from surplus stocks.

It said the first of nine planeloads of kit would arrive in New Delhi early on Tuesday.

In a statement, Boris Johnson said: 'We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19.

'Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus.

Crowds of Londoners relax in the sunshine at Tower Bridge as temperatures reach 57F in parts of England and Wales today

MANCHESTER: Following a day of sunshine, crowds of people fill Cutting Room Square on Friday night in Ancoats, in the north of Manchester City Centre

'We will continue to work closely with the Indian government during this difficult time and I'm determined to make sure that the UK does everything it can to support the international community in the global fight against (this) pandemic.'

Earlier today shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy and shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth called on Boris Johnson's Government to 'step forward and show real leadership', as they said the 'rapid spread of infections has placed India's health system under unprecedented strain'.

In a letter to their counterparts, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Health Secretary Matt Hancock, the two Labour frontbenchers said the images coming from India were 'truly haunting'.

They said the 'tragedy of this situation will be felt particularly acutely here in the UK among the Indian diaspora, who will understandably be deeply concerned about family and friends'.

They said: 'Given our deep links with India, the UK cannot remain on the sidelines.

More than half of the UK's total population has received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, figures show. NHS England data up to April 23 shows that of the 38,189,536 total doses given in England so far, 28,102,852 were first doses - a rise of 107,656 on the previous day

'This pandemic has been a stark reminder of the interconnected nature of our world and the impact events on the other side of the globe can have here in the UK.

'Nowhere is safe until everywhere safe. The virus and its variants cannot be defeated by the individual efforts of nations alone.'

They called on the UK to show 'leadership and forge agreements to remove barriers to vaccine distribution and supply' and 'extend the offer of British assistance to the Indian government'.

Ms Nandy and Mr Ashworth set out the critical areas in which British expertise, capacity and support could help, including:

Supplies of liquid oxygen and canisters for people in hospital.

Expertise in genome sequencing and epidemiology.

Surplus therapeutic drugs and equipment.

A commitment to share surplus doses of Covid-19 vaccine and support the Indian government in ramping up vaccine production and distribution to reach all parts of the country.

Brits in their 30s 'will be invited for Covid vaccinations within days' with officials close to agreeing deal for 40million Pfizer jabs' Britons in their 30s are set to be invited for Covid vaccines within days with officials close to securing tens of millions of Pfizer jabs. The new order of 40million roughly doubles the UK's original order and will arrive in time for a third booster dose to be given to elderly people in the autumn. If the negotiations are finalised, the extra stock could also be used for people in their twenties who will be offered an alternative to the AstraZeneca vaccine. By the end of this week, people in their thirties will start to be invited for their vaccine appointments, according to The Sunday Times. It had previously been projected that the age group would have to wait until the second half of May but the rollout is running ahead of schedule. More than half of the population in the UK have now received their first dose, of which 12million people have received their second. Nearly half of people in their forties have also been inoculated with their first dose. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Imminsation (JCVI) is still discussing whether people in their thirties will receive the AstraZeneca vaccine or an alternative. The jab has been linked to rare cases of blood clots in young people and those under 30 will receive a different jab. Officials believe the AstraZeneca vaccine will still be used for people in their thirties to keep up the pace of the rollout but members are divided over the announcement which will come this week. A source said: 'It's important to realise the JCVI is a very big group and there are lots of different voices.' The UK was the first country to place Pfizer orders last summer and was later the first to grant approval and start the rollout. Half of the original 40million order has been delivered so far but officials are looking to boost stocks due to blood clot fears over the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson jabs. Last month, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said a booster programme would likely start in September. It will be administered to 10.3million over-70s and care home residents as well as the clinically extremely vulnerable. Care and health workers may also be included in the programme aimed to give long-lasting immunity. Advertisement

They said: 'This virus does not respect national borders, and defeating it anywhere means defeating it everywhere.

'We have already seen how quickly variants identified thousands of miles away have made it to British shores and limiting the spread of Covid-19 internationally is vital in safeguarding our own domestic security.

'It is almost a year ago to the day that the Indian government, in response to the UK's request for assistance, approved the export of almost three million packets of paracetamol to support our own fight against this virus.

'Now is not the moment for the UK to shy away from our international obligations, but to step forward and show real leadership by assisting others in their time of need.'

The aid comes as India's second coronavirus wave overwhelmed the country, forcing grieving families to burn their loved ones in their own gardens.

The country announced a record 349,661 infections and 2,767 deaths in the past 24 hours and bodies are continuing to pile up, with experts predicting the surge to continue for weeks.

In Delhi, 348 deaths were recorded on Friday, one every four minutes, and in the southern state of Karnataka, the government has been forced to allow families to cremate or bury victims in their own farms, land or gardens.

The home ceremonies have to comply with health guidelines but it is hoped the move will ease the pressure on crematoriums and grave diggers.

Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa said the situation was 'out of control', adding: 'It is prudent to swiftly and respectfully dispose the body in a decentralised manner keeping in view the grieving circumstance and to avoid crowding in crematoriums and burial grounds.'

A construction entrepreneur from Bangalore told The Straits Times his family had to dig up their lawn to bury his father this week.

Bangalore's seven crematoriums have been working 24 hours a day as they try to manage four times their normal workload.

Bookings for wooden pyres in Ghaziabad have run out and bodies are having to be burnt in the spaces between the platforms.

One electric furnace even broke down and had to be repaired due to its excessive use, while a chimney in another furnace cracked from the constant heat.

There are fears the situation could become even worse in the coming days, with senior virologists warning the second wave still has two weeks to run before it reaches the peak of 500,000 infections a day.

Shahid Jameel, director of biosciences at Ashoka University, said virus models suggest case numbers will continue to rise despite vaccination efforts.

It comes as Microsoft founder Bill Gates expressed confidence that the world will be 'completely back to normal' by the end of 2022.

The Microsoft founder said he expected Covid infection levels to be reduced to 'very small numbers' by the end of next year as vaccines became increasingly available around the world.

He said within 'the next three or four months' the US and other developed countries will start to have excess vaccines they can share with the developing world.

'Over the balance of the year, the US, the UK and others will be able to make sure that the vaccines are now going to the developing countries,' he told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme.

'Because many of the vaccines worked, although we are looking at some of the side effects now and making sure we can treat those and that they are very rare, that good news means we will be able to supply others.

He also urged the UK to restore its overseas aid budget as soon as possible, saying it is of 'critical importance' in getting vaccines to the developing world.

Gates added that British voters should be 'very proud' of the role their country had played in supporting Gavi - the international vaccine alliance.

India's surging Covid second wave has so overwhelmed crematoriums that grieving families are being forced to burn victims in their own gardens. Pictured: a crematorium in Delhi

In Delhi, 348 deaths were recorded on Friday, one every four minutes, and in the southern state of Karnataka, the government has been forced to allow families to cremate or bury victims in their own farms, land or gardens

The home ceremonies have to comply with health guidelines but it is hoped the move will ease the pressure on crematoriums and grave diggers

However he said its impact would be diminished unless the commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on aid - which has been cut temporarily due to economic effects of the pandemic - was restored.

'The quicker the UK can get its aid level back up to the 0.7 per cent the better,' he said.

'It's been the strongest proponent of getting behind vaccines and making sure we eradicate polio and with the cutbacks we won't be able to do as much so I hope that gets restored because it is of critical importance.'

Gates added: 'The other good news is that the actual death rate from this epidemic in the poorest countries has actually been quite low.

'So the places where you want to get everyone over-60 vaccinated, like South Africa, Brazil, that will become a priority just in the next three or four months ... when the US will move into that excess position.'

Gates said it was a 'good thing' that rich countries had been able to vaccinate their elderly populations as they had generally been harder hit than developing countries.

Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has expressed confidence that the world will be 'completely back to normal' by the end of 2022

Mr Gates said it was a 'good thing' that rich countries had been able to vaccinate their elderly populations (Stock image)

'The fact that now we're vaccinating 30-year-olds in the UK and the US and we don't have all the 60-year-olds in Brazil and South Africa (vaccinated), that's not fair, but within three or four months the vaccine allocation will be getting to all the countries that have the very severe epidemic.'

The news follows a message from Home Secretary Priti Patel who blasted the 'senseless thugs' who pelted police with missiles and bottles leaving eight officers injured during an anti-Covid passport march in London.

She has said she plans to double the sentence for assaulting emergency workers after pictures showed bloodied police officers confront protestors in Hyde Park yesterday afternoon.

Expressing her frustration on Twitter, Priti Patel wrote: 'Our brave police are the best of us and should not be the target of senseless violence by a criminal minority for just doing their job.

'I am getting tough on these thugs and will be doubling the sentence for assault of an emergency worker. I wish the officers a speedy recovery.'

Eight officers were injured as protesters bombarded police with missiles and bottles while thousands of anti-vaccine passport activists marched through London.

Priti Patel (pictured) announced plans to double the sentence for those convicted of assaulting an emergency worker

TV presenter Beverly Turner and London Mayor candidates Piers Corbyn and Laurence Fox joined thousands of activists in a 'Unite for Freedom' protest to demand a ban on vaccine passports.

Demonstrators hurled bottles as officers attempted to disperse the crowds in Hyde Park on Saturday evening, the Metropolitan Police said.

A Met Police spokesman said two officers were taken to hospital after protesters turned violent last night. They added: 'Eight officers were injured as they worked to disperse crowds in Hyde Park this evening.

'Missiles including bottles were thrown in small pockets of disorder. Two officers were taken to hospital. Thankfully, they are not believed to be seriously injured.'

Five people were arrested for offences including assault on police and remain in custody.

Demonstrators made their way through the capital earlier yesterday as they waved banners and placards daubed with a range of slogans including 'no new normal' and 'no health passport'.

Sharing pictures of bloodied police officers, Home Secretary Priti Patel condemned 'senseless violence' directed at officers

Thousands of activists marched through central London yesterday in a protest to demand a ban on vaccine passports

The crowds did not appear to be adhering to social distancing guidelines and were not wearing face masks.

Two other arrests were made earlier in the day as a 38-year-old was taken into custody at 3.20pm near Embankment on suspicion of a public order offence.

At 4.40pm a 37-year-old man was arrested near Trafalgar Square on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and a public order offence.

The protest comes amid discussions over 'Covid-status certificates' being considered by ministers to help open up society, get people back into work or away on holiday despite concerns from Boris Johnson's own MPs that they will be 'intrusive, costly and unnecessary'.

Demonstrators held banners with messages such as: 'Covid-19 Vaccine Holocaust', and: 'No To Vaccine Passports.'

Another banner read: 'You don't need proof to know truth.'

Holidaymakers face fresh confusion as travel experts have warned the Foreign Office could publish separate guidance from the traffic light system due to be finalised next month

Earlier this month, Britain's equalities watchdog warned the Government that vaccine passports could be unlawful, create a 'two-tier society' and discriminate against migrants, ethnic minorities and the poor.

With restrictions set to be further relaxed next month, travel experts have warned summer holidays could be under threat if the Foreign Office advises against travel to green list countries.

The Government is preparing to lift the ban on international travel on May 17 and is finalising plans for a 'traffic light' system to determine which countries will be authorised destinations.

However, experts have warned of confusion because the Foreign Office is expected to publish its own advice which could differ from the traffic light system.

This means if the Foreign Office advises against travel to a certain country, even if it is permitted by the traffic light system, holidaymakers could see their plans disrupted.

Most holiday companies will not operate services in countries the Foreign Office has advised against visiting and going to a country against government guidelines will also invalidate travel insurance.

According to the Times, even destinations on the green or amber list - where travel is permitted - could be off-limits if the Foreign Office advises against travelling to them.

Their advice is based on factors such as the risk of individuals getting stuck by Covid restrictions or the capacity and quality of the country's health services.

Airlines UK boss Tim Alderslade told The Times: 'Green and amber countries should not be caught up in additional travel advisories.

'We need to see alignment between the Foreign Office advice and traffic light system to provide clarity and transparency to consumers and operators.'

A Foreign Office source said: 'Travel advice is an independent assessment of the risk [to] Brits travelling aboard. It's independent, trusted advice and will remain so.'

The Government is expected to finalise its traffic light system in the coming weeks with green countries set for restriction-free travel while amber countries will mean people must self-isolate at home for ten days on their return.

Travellers from red list countries will be required to quarantine at a hotel. Most European countries are expected to be on the amber list.

Travel consultancy The PC Agency told MailOnline it had seen a spike in bookings for luxury villas in Greece, Portugal (pictured) and Mallorca in recent days

Countries expected to be on the green list include Portugal, Dubai and Malta.

It comes after Turkey announced it has lifted all restrictions for Britons travelling to the country.

Visitors from the UK will not need to produce a Covid vaccine passport, but will need to show proof of a negative PCR test.

The country also promises to provide testing for tourists before they return to the UK, with tests at hotels or airports costing around 25. Until now PCR tests for a family of four can cost as much as 500.

Tui, the world's largest tour operator, said it had seen a surge in bookings to popular Turkish coastal resorts even before the announcement on Friday.

Travel consultancy The PC Agency told MailOnline it had seen a spike in bookings for luxury villas in Greece, Portugal and Mallorca after the Greek Tourism Minister announced the plan to welcome British tourists from mid-May.

The agency revealed people are booking up for month-long trips and asking for WiFi and a desk and are taking the whole family so that they can get paid to work from home while on holiday.

The PC Agency also said it had seen double the amount of requests for Greek villas compared to previous years, with demand for fully serviced villas with a chef, butler and housekeeper so tourists can stay away from busy restaurants.

Popular islands Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu and Crete are already getting booked up, with most bookings from 2020 rolled over into this year.

Brits are also looking for properties on smaller islands including Hydra, Paxos and Syros, which are off the beaten track and away from the crowds, according to The PC Agency.

Popular islands Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu and Crete are already booking up fast, with most bookings from 2020 rolled over into this year.
A mum has wowed hundreds of parents after sharing her hack for getting her kids out of the door in time for school every day, with many saying it's the perfect solution for busy mornings.

The Australian woman, called Jacki, revealed how she prepares 'snack-size cereal bags' every Sunday, which she accompanies with mini cartons of milk each morning.

Her children can then enjoy their breakfast in the car without Jacki having to worry about the time.

A mum has wowed hundreds of other parents after sharing her hack for getting her kids out of the door in time for school every day (her cereal snack packs pictured)

Jacki wrote on Facebook: 'Here's a little hack I use when we're running behind in the mornings, trying to feed the kids and get out the door for school and work.

'I prepare these snack-size cereal bags on a Sunday, and keep tetra packs of full cream mini milks in the fridge.

'My kids happily munch and sip on these in the car. They are great for mornings when they're finding it hard to get motivated.'

She added: 'It saves the "Drill Sargeant" coming out.'

'I prepare these snack-size cereal bags on a Sunday, and keep tetra packs of full cream mini milks in the fridge,' the Australian woman called Jacki posted (her packs pictured)

Hundreds of other mums and dads who saw her post were impressed, and wondered why they had never thought of the trick before.

'This is great, one mum posted.

'I'm a single mum and work full time with a 50 minute commute each way in the mix. The days are long for my little person, and sometimes that extra 20 minutes of sleep is more important than a meal at a table.'

Another added: 'I'm a teacher and I have so many kids coming in hungry as they've had no breakfast.

'They're cranky and can't concentrate. I buy fruit for those kids who don't have brekkie. Well done mum for providing brain food for your babies before school.'

Others suggested the woman try porridge oats in a thermos flask, or whisking together a few fruits each morning to make a smoothie.

Many said the best re-usable container to use if you don't want to use zip-lock bags is the $4 Breakfast To Go container from Kmart.

'We do this too,' another woman wrote.

'Kmart have some handy containers that I prep a few days in advance, the cereal stays crispy in the fridge too.'

The Breakfast To Go container has an impressive five-star rating online, where shoppers have described it as 'convenient', 'awesome' and 'very handy for work or school'.
Five groups of female scientists and eleven individual women have been honored as national-level role models by the All-China Women's Federation for their contributions to a series of China's scientific breakthroughs.

The federation issued an announcement that Yang Hui and nine other female scientists from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation had been honored for their contributions to the deployment of China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS-3).

Recognizing that scientist He Lisheng's work had filled a gap in China's research into the molecular mechanisms of deep-sea creatures, the announcement noted that He was the first female Chinese scientist to descend 10,000 meters below sea level.

The federation encourages women in science to learn from these role models and offer valuable contributions to the complete construction of a modern socialist China.
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Concluding its roadshows in Spain and Latin America, Netflix has confirmed its biggest original production slate ever in Argentina.

Made late last week, the update was unveiled just days after the U.S. streaming giant reconfirmed a $300 million investment in 50 productions shot in Mexico and announced mid-April that it was opening offices in Bogota Colombia and would unveil 30 new projects in Colombia through 2022.

It also comes after Netflix confirmed in a letter to investors last week that Mexican mystery thriller Who Killed Sara? had become the U.S. streaming giants most popular non-English title ever in the U.S. in its first 28 days  racking up an estimated 55 million household account views.

Netflixs confirmation of its Argentine originals 2021 releases is led by El Marginal 4 and a first season of El Reino. Adding current Argentine projects, the studio streamers production portfolio is a further indication that Netflix is still in a phase of robust expansion in the production of originals across Latin America, where it has more than 37 million household accounts.

Highlights of its Argentine roadshow took in first images of banner 2021 release El Reino, a political thriller that underscores how Netflix is now producing with much of the countrys top talent.

Directed by Marcelo Pineyro (Kamchatka) from scripts co-written with novelist Claudia Pineiro (Las grietas de Jara), the eight-hour series is produced by Matias Mosteirin for K&S, whose movie credits include Cannes and Venice competition players Wild Tales and The Clan.

Featuring a top-notch Argentine cast  Mercedes Moran, Diego Peretti, Chino Darin, Nancy Duplaa, Joaquin Furiel and Peter Lanzani  El Reino turns on a man running for vice-president of Argentina, when the presidential candidate is assassinated at campaign close. Sensing the opportunity to become the next president of Argentina, he also seeks to discover whos behind the assassination and its reasons. El Reino will bow on Netflix this Argentine winter.

Netflix also released a promo for the fourth season of El Marginal, the most celebrated of recent Argentina series, which went into production in March as Argentina reinitiated film and TV shoots. Star of season one, Juan Minujin returns to the gritty prison thriller which has a new penitentiary, Puente Viejo, but retains key cast in Nicolas Furtado, Martina Gusman and Gerardo Romano. The series is showrun for Netflix by Underground and Telemundo Global Studios Sebastian Ortega.

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Pittsfield firefighters responded to a fire early Saturday on Barker Road. PreviousNext

Pittsfield Fire Causes $200K in Damages

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  A fire at a Barker Road home early Saturday morning caused an estimated $200,000 in damage to single-family home.

According to Deputy Chief Neil Myers, the blaze 1100 Barker Road was called in at about 4:10 a.m. by the alarm company and a passerby.

Engine 1, under the direction of Lt. Jacob Brown, found heavy fire in the rear of the building and the occupants outside and unhurt. He requested a second alarm and aid from the newly developed "Tanker Taskforce" of Richmond, Lee and Sheffield, said Myers, "as we were on the far end of the hydrant system, ultimately they were not utilized."

Five engines and a ladder truck responded along with Pittsfield Police and County Ambulance; Lenox provided an engine to cover the station.

There were no injuries other than a firefighter who suffered a minor shoulder injury that did not require treatment. Red Cross offered assistance to the family at the scene.

"The fire was brought under control within an hour and crews remained on the scene for several hours overhauling and assisting with fire invstigation," Myers said in his report.

There was major fire, heat and smoke damage throughout first and second floor. The cause had not been determined and is under investigation.
Lifting the maximum childcare subsidy to 95 per cent and scrapping an annual cap on support are being examined by the federal government to get more women into the workforce and boost GDP by up to $11 billion a year.

The change is widely advocated by big business, economists and early childhood education campaigners as a way to strengthen womens economic security.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg discusses the imminent federal budget with predecessor Peter Costello. Credit:Tash Sorensen

A separate proposal from government backbenchers for a Liberal values policy to extend tax deductions to families who cant access childcare subsidies is on ice for now.

At least 15 organisations, including the Business Council of Australia and Chief Executive Women, have asked the government to lift the childcare subsidy from 85 per cent to 95 per cent for families earning less than $80,000 and scrap an annual cap that effectively acts as a barrier for women in higher-income families from taking on more work.
New Delhi:

Several high-level promotions and postings of senior officers within the Central Reserve Police Force, the Intelligence Bureau and the Central Bureau of Investigation made by the Cabinet Committee on Appointments on Sunday have raised quite a few eyebrows.

A total of eight officers were promoted or assigned new ranks (see below), but the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as a special director in the CBI has sparked a controversy among the high ranks in the buruecracy. He was serving as an additional director at the premier investigative agency, which he once headed in an interim capacity.

Top sources had earlier said that the Central Vigilance Commission's (CVC) Selection Committee had rejected the proposal to promote Asthana by invoking the "integrity clause".

The Selection Committee is chaired by Central Vigilance Commissioner KV Chowdary and plays a role in clearing or not clearing appointing to the rank of joint director and above in the CBI.

Government sources, however, denied the CVC's Selection Comittee had rejected the proposal to promote Asthana to special director. A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "The announcement by the Cabinet Committee on Appointments settled the issue as due procedure is followed in such cases."

Among the other officers promoted or assigned new ranks include Gurbachan Singh, who was elevated to the rank of special director in the IB, Sudeep Lakhtakia, now a special DG (Director Genral) in CRPF, IPS officer Javeed Ahmed, who has been given the rank of special DG, Arvind Kumar, who has been promoted to the rank of special director in the IB, Dr AP Maheshwari, appointed as a special DG in the BSF, and Deepak Kumar Mishra, who is now a special DG in the CRPF.

SELECTION COMMITTEE MEETING

Sources had earlier said that the CVC Selection Committee met on Saturday and put on record "issues regarding integrity clause" while rejecting Asthana's promotion.

Apart from the central vigilance commissioner, the committee also includes two other vigilance commissioners, the home secretary, the secretary of the Department of Personal and Training, and the CBI director.

Unanimously rejecting the proposal to promote Asthana, the committee stated that his name was found in "Diary 2011", a piece of evidence mentioned in a recent FIR registered by his the CBI itself in a corruption case.

The FIR was filed by the CBI's Delhi unit on August 30 against three senior Income Tax Commissioners for accepting bribes from the Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech and Sandesara Group of Companies.

The FIR says there exists a "Diary 2011" which was found during raids against a company. The diary, sources say, contains details of monthly payouts made to the accused Income Tax commissioners as well as several other police officials and politicians in Gujarat and Delhi.

Sources suggested that the diary noting also had Asthana's name too. This too was denied by sources within the government. Notably, in 2014, the CVC Selection Committee in a similar manner had rejected the appointment of Archana Ramasundaram as an additional director in the CBI.

But then CBI Director Ranjit Sinha appointed Archana anyway, an appointment that was later struck down by the Supreme Court.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Toto Wolff has warned that teams like Mercedes will pull away from the rest of the grid in Formula 1 once new rules are introduced for the 2022 season.

These new regulations, which were delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, could make the sport less competitive again.

"If you keep the rules, the field converges," Mercedes team principal Wolff told Autosport.

"For those in front, the gains get smaller and smaller, even with more effort. And at some point, the teams that are behind will also continue this steep form curve and then there's the convergence.

"If you look at qualifying today, it's tip-top.

"I promise you that, next year, we'll have another situation where we'll have a totally disjointed field. Maybe not with Mercedes in front, but certainly back to square one."

Wolff, Hamilton y Bottas.

The Red Bull threat

Max Verstappen made a statement of intent on Red Bull's part by winning the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.

"We are behind Red Bull at the moment, in all areas of the car," Wolff admitted.

"We have to catch up first. I think the racing gods were kind to us in Bahrain, that we got the most out of the car [to win the race]. That was good in the race.

"If everything runs cleanly and everyone stays faultless [in qualifying], we are two-tenths behind Max [Verstappen] on the grid, and not in front.

"But in sport, everything always turns out differently, and Lewis really conjured up a super lap. That's why he was in front.

"We're stretching with everything we've got against what we think is a better Red Bull package."
GOVERNMENT has defended the disputed Chinese coal mining project in Dinde, Hwange district, Matabeleland North province, and threatened to arrest villagers blocking the project.

Zanu PF Dinde area chairperson Never Chuma is set to appear in court on May 16 for trial on charges of inciting public violence after leading villagers in a protest against the coal mining venture by Beifa Investments (Pvt) Ltd last week.

Chuma, who is also the Dinde Residents Association (DRA) deputy chairperson, was released on $10 000 bail on Saturday.

The Beifa Investment (Pvt) Ltd coal mining project has caused uproar in the Dinde community with villagers fearing eviction from their ancestral lands.

The project has been failing to take off since 2019 owing to resistance from villagers with support from human rights groups and Zanu PF members in the district.

The Chinese company started setting base in Dinde last Wednesday, pitching tents and offloading machinery. The company intends to construct a 270 megawatt coal-fired power plant.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs minister Richard Moyo told Southern Eye that government would not tolerate attempts to disrupt the coal mining project, adding that armed police had been deployed to the area to protect the investor.

We promised people jobs and we will not tolerate any behaviour from individuals even from our party, and others who want to play politics with this investment, Moyo said.

On April 15, Beifa Investment lodged a complaint against Zanu PF members such as Chuma and the shadow Hwange Central constituency legislator Reeds Dube for allegedly inciting community members to beat up company officials.

That Chinese company has its papers in order; they have shown that they have the capacity and also want to build a coal-fired plant to feed into the national grid to ease electricity challenges. As such, I have instructed police to protect the investor and arrest those ones who want to cause chaos with intent to sabotage the project, Moyo added.

However, the Centre for Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) described Moyos threats to villagers as unfortunate.

The utterances (by Moyo)  unfortunate and distressing as they reflect government thinking regarding mining since the turn of the millennium. Mining has become the single largest contributor to our economic ruin, CNRG director Farai Maguwu said.

Not a single community affected by mining is smiling in Zimbabwe, but the rich and powerful are ready even to spill blood to impose organised criminal gangs on communities. Any project or investor that is imposed on a community will not benefit that community. It is organised crime and will benefit criminal networks. Dinde is a replay of Marange (diamond fields). Newsday
is gearing up to ramp up its liquid medical (LMO) supply to over 900 tonnes a day by month-end and also working towards increasing it further.

The company said that it had targeted to supply around 20,000 tonnes of liquid in April from its three plants in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

JSW group chairman and managing director, Sajjan Jindal, was present during the high-level meeting with Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on Friday. Jindal told Business Standard after the meeting that JSW would supply to its maximum capacity.

Heads of most of the major steel companies were present during the meeting as they were supplying LMO to meet the high demand.

JSW said on Sunday that between April 21 to April 23, had supplied 898 tonnes average daily from its plant premises, which is the highest supply by any steel players in India.

It had been supplying 600 tonnes daily LMO from JSW's plants complex in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Kerala, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Marathwada region.

Another 250 tonnes of oxygen daily was being supplied from its Dolvi Raigad Maharashtra plant to Mumbai Metropolitan Region, North Maharashtra, Nagpur, Pune, Kolhapur, Nanded, Sangli, Thane, Vasai Virar, and Panvel Raigad.

The company said that it was supplying oxygen for medical purposes as priority in response to the current crises and added that it would not impact production.
Billionaire property tycoon Nick Candy and his former soap actress wife have appeared to back Shaun Baileys campaign to become Londons new mayor.

With less than two weeks to go until the London mayoral election on May 6, the candidates have been hitting the streets to make their case to the electorate.

The Conservative candidate Shaun Bailey, who launched his manifesto last Monday, appeared to have secured some wealthy backing to accompany him as he met voters in Chelsea in the sunshine on Saturday.

Pictured: Nick and Holly Candy were seen with Shaun Bailey amid his campaign to be London Mayor, in Chelsea on April 24. With less than two weeks to go until the London mayoral election on May 6, the candidates have been hitting the streets to make their cases

The Conservative candidate Shaun Bailey, who launched his manifesto last Monday, appeared to have secured some wealthy backing to accompany him as he met voters in Chelsea in the sunshine on Saturday

Mr Bailey was pictured along-side billionaire property developer Nick Candy and his Australian wife and former actress Holly Candy, known professionally as Holly Valance, along with their children.

Nick Candy, who with his brother Christian is estimated to share a joint net worth of 1.5 billion, cut a casual figure in a blue zip-up cardigan, scarf and sunglasses, next to Baileys typical white-shirt look.

The group rolled up outside Cinquecento Pizzeria London in Chelsea Green - an independent business which donated 3,000 pizzas to the NHS during lockdown - in Mr Bailey's campaign bus.

The bus appeared to be an old London double-decker spray-painted black, with the candidates campaign logo and slogans displayed on the side.

On Thursday, Bailey launched a scathing attack incumbent London Mayor Sadiq Khan accusing him of mounting a '4.68 billion tax grab' by introducing a raft of controversial measures.

Mr Bailey claimed that his Labour opponent - who is currently ahead in the polls - will generate the huge figure over the next three years if he wins the May election.

The 4.68 billion is mainly made up of plans to extend the Ultra Low Emission Zone to the North and South Circular roads with motorists charged 12.50 to enter it, plans to charge motorists 5.50 for going into Greater London and a proposed Council Tax hike.

The group rolled up outside a cafe in Chelsea in Mr Bailey's campaign bus, which appeared to be an old London double-decker spray-painted black, with the candidates campaign logo and slogans displayed on the side

Nick (right) and Holly Candy (left), formerly Holly Vallance, accompanied Shaun Bailey on the campaign trail on Saturday in Chelsea

Speaking at the launch of his campaign bus, which will tour the capital as the election hots up, Mr Bailey said: 'If we continue on the current trend that Sadiq Khan is going, we are set to pay an extra 4.68 billion in tax in the next three years, and that's just as London is trying to recover from the effects of Covid.

'The next year or two will determine the next 10 to 15 years of economic development in London, and by extension, the whole country.'

But the numbers were disputed by the Labour mayor's campaign, with a London Labour spokesperson saying: 'These ridiculous claims are so completely ludicrous and lacking in any basis in the real world that we are beginning to feel sorry for the Tory candidate.

'His campaign has started to look more like a comedy sketch than a real campaign for London Mayor. For the avoidance of all doubt - these are invented numbers, with no foundation in the real world and Londoners should just completely ignore them.'

Mr Bailey is going head to head with Mr Khan for the keys to Town Hall at the election on May 6

On April 19, Mr Bailey insisted he could increase the strength of the Metropolitan Police by 25 per cent as he vowed to cut crime in London within 100 days of taking office if elected.

At a virtual manifesto launch in Edgware, the Tory mayoral candidate promised to hire 8,000 new police officers, redeploy 1,000 officers to focus on violence against women and girls and reopen 38 police stations. The latest official figures show there are nearly 33,000 Met officers.

But he was forced to deny that his recruitment drive amounted to 'fantasy politics' as he was questioned about the cost of the pledge. The small print of the 56-page document published today reveals he would be asking the Home Office to cover the bulk of the 521million annual cost.

Labour's Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, unveils a new campaign advert in Westminster, London, urging Londoners to register for a postal vote ahead of the deadline

Mr Bailey said 'rising crime' was the 'number one challenge for London' as he warned that the capital risked replacing a 'health pandemic with a crime epidemic' as it emerges from Covid-induced shutdowns.

In response to Mr Bailey's announcement, a Labour spokesman told MailOnline: 'These are complete fantasy figures and yet more lies from the Tory candidate that prove once again that he is not a serious candidate for Mayor of London.

'Londoners haven't forgotten that he was the youth and crime adviser in Downing Street who personally oversaw huge cuts to London's police and youth services.

'Don't give the keys of the car to the person who crashed it in the first place.'
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has written a letter to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, requesting to determine the minimum price of COVID-19 vaccine so that the entire country can avail it at the same rates.

In the letter, the Chief Minister has welcomed the Centre's decision to vaccinate citizens of age above 18 years against coronavirus, said an official statement on Saturday.

He said: "Serum Institute has informed that they will supply vaccines at the rate of Rs 400 per vaccine to the state governments and at Rs 600 per vaccine to private hospitals. The states are expected to take action for procurement of the vaccine through tender or negotiation. It is noteworthy that so far the vaccine is being supplied by Serum Institute at the rate of Rs 150."

Furthermore, he said that as per the information state received so far, Covishield is being supplied in India at the highest rates in the world.

"In view of the increasing outbreak of COVID-19 infection in the country, the vaccine rates have been increased by Serum Institute with the aim of earning extra profits," the letter stated.

The Union government is expected to fix minimum possible rate of the vaccine, under the provision "Price Control of Drugs", to protect people of the country from any form of exploitation. Since there are only two companies manufacturing vaccines in the country, there is no possibility of healthy competition or getting minimum possible rate in procurement of the vaccine through tender.

It is also certain that the procurement of vaccine following the tender rules would be a time-taking procedure.

Chief Minister has stated that the minimum rate of the vaccines should be decided by the Centre's undertaking -- Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) and all the states should be able to procure vaccine as per the requirement after making payment to BPPI. In this way, the entire country would get the vaccine at the same rates.

The Chief Minister has also requested the government to fix the minimum vaccine rates at the earliest so that the work of vaccination can be started on a large scale from May 1 onwards.

(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.)
ALMATY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th April, 2021) A gunman who barricaded himself inside an apartment complex in the Kazakh city of Almaty and then committed suicide was a Russian citizen, the city police told Sputnik on Sunday.

"The citizen of the Russian Federation," the police said when asked about the gunman's citizenship.

The police also launched an investigation to establish the ownership of weapons with ammunition seized from a suspected Russian citizen.

No residents of the apartment complex were injured in the incident, the police added.

On Saturday, witnesses told Sputnik that shots were heard in an apartment complex in Almaty after police were called to respond to a barricaded gunman situation. Police stormed the apartment after negotiations failed, with an hours-long standoff ending in the apparent suicide of the gunman. No police officers were injured during the operation.
Thinkstock Images/Getty Images

SCHENECTADY  A Schenectady man has been hospitalized after being stabbed in the torso during an argument on Saturday evening.

Police responded to Summit Towers in the citys Hamilton Hill neighborhood for a call at 7:16 p.m. where they found a 70-year-old man who was stabbed in the torso.
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ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Apr, 2021 ) :Prime Minister Imran Khan Sunday said that they were fighting for the rule of law which would soon meet with success as it was 'a battle for the soul of Pakistan'.

In a video message on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf 25th Youm-e-Tasees, the prime minister highlighted the priorities of his government and said that all those corrupt elements, cartels, and coteries who had benefited from the corrupt system were rallied against him.

"It's the fight we are fighting and Insha'Allah we will win," he declared in a solemn manner.

The prime minister said the country was gifted with vast potentials and resources but it would rise when there was rule of law and justice for which they had been constantly waging a war.
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The South-East Governors Forum on Sunday reiterated its support for the establishment of state police in view of the current security challenges in parts of the country.

The chairperson of the forum, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, disclosed this in a communique issued at the end of their security meeting with opinion leaders in the zone in Enugu.

The governor said the forum had set up a committee to work out acceptable modalities for the workability of state policing and would submit the same to the National Economic Council (NEC).

The meeting is in support of restructuring, the setting up of state police and other national issues as discussed at the last NEC meeting.

A committee has been set up to work out acceptable modalities and submit the same to NEC in its next meeting, he said.

He said the meeting reiterated its support for the adoption of a common joint security outfit code-named Ebube Agu with its regional headquarters in Enugu.

According to him, the regional outfit will work with police and other security agencies in its operations to protect lives and property in the South-east.

We agreed on the structure and operational modalities of Ebube Agu and also set up an advisory board for the security outfit, he said.

Mr Umahi said the Attorney Generals and Commissioners for Justice of the states in the zone had been directed to amend existing state laws to give legal backing to the joint security outfit.

He said the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, George Obiozor, had been directed to form two committees that would ensure peaceful coexistence in the South-east

The governor named the two committees to include Peace and Reconciliation Committee and Strategy and Welfare Committee.

We condemn the recent attack on the home country of Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo and other state infrastructure.

The governors and leaders sympathised with the governor and called on the Federal Government to fish out the perpetrators and ensure their prosecution, he said.

Mr Umahi restated the ban of open grazing in the region and urged the security agencies and vigilance groups to enforce the ban in all the states.

He said the meeting resolved to implement the various youth empowerment programmes occasioned by the #ENDSARS protest in the region.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by leadership of traditional rulers, Ohaneze Ndigbo, South-East Joint Security Committee and members of the clergy in the zone. (NAN)
A digital sign with the message "Do Not Travel" sits on the median as motorists travel on the Sea-to-Sky highway between Horseshoe Bay and Lions Bay, B.C., on Friday, April 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
EAST HARTFORD  A man is dead after an early morning shooting Saturday, according to police.

Lt. Joshua Litwin said officers responded to a report of shots fired around 7:20 a.m. near a parking lot in the area of Elm and Olmstead streets.

First responders found a man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. CPR was performed and the man was rushed to a local hospital. Litwin said the man succumbed to his injuries.

Investigators have determined so far that a male suspect, about 6-feet, fled the area in a dark blue or black vehicle, Litwin said. Detectives remained at the scene investigation as of 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

The victims name is not being released, pending notification of next of kin, Litwin said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
State Tourism Chief proposes major restructuring but big hotels oppose plans By Tharushi Weerasinghe SLTDA Chairperson says small and medium scale hotels underrepresented on the Board View(s): View(s):

A new tourism bill has proposed the setting up of an industry consultative committee that will provide guidance to the Sri Lanka tourism authorities, but major hotels are opposing it on the basis of lack of transparency.

The intention is to gain more inclusive input from the private sector, said Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairperson Kimarli Fernando.

The private sector raised objections recently over Cabinet approval given to the move to amalgamate the four local tourism institutions into a single institutionthe Sri Lanka Tourism Authority.

At present, the only private organisations with seats on the Board are the Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) and the Hotels Association of Sri Lanka.

The tourisms markets small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) segment was underrepresented.

Only about 2500 hotels have been registered in Sri Lanka over the past 20-30 years, while there are about 20,000-30,000 unregistered tourist service providers who are not catered to, the chairperson said.

This meant the SMEs had no safety net.

Ms Fernando said the tourism industry did not consist of one or two associations with 200-300 members each, but accounted for the lives of about three million people who have not been represented.

While acknowledging the critical role played by the associations that were now on the SLTDAs Board , she claimed that the industrys vocal players had failed to develop sustainable tourism.

Some handed over their hotels to hospitals, demanded aid from the Government for restructuring and others regularly complained about health guidelines, she said.

The SLTDA Chairperson said Sri Lanka was doing well in managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many tourism countries, like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia, have not even opened up for tourists yet. The Maldives was the only other significant tourist destination that had opened up.

The new bill would be in line with global best practices including Singapore which has one organization with 19.1 million tourist arrivals in 2019 and Malaysia which had 26.1 million tourist arrivals in 2019.

An independent source of funding would be maintained, with the industry consultative committee that would be the voice of the industry.

For the tourism institutions the main income was the embarkation tax and the Tourism Development Levy. The embarkation tax was paid by all arriving tourists including those who came with bookings through Online Travel Agencies (OTAs).

The Chairperson said she believed the present tourism structure was counter-productive with a wastage of resources, whether financial or human capital.

Having chaired all four institutions in the past 14 months, I have seen the wastage, lack of coordination amongst the tourism institutions and how inefficient this structure is, she said.

The Chairperson said the SLTDA intended to support everyone in the industry to meet travelers expectations post-COVID. Ms. Fernando said the lack of sustainability within the industry right now impacted its ability to face challenges. The industry had to face terrorism for 30 years, the tsunami, the Easter Sunday attacks and now COVID-19, so we need to be able to face unprecedented challenges as an industry,she said.

According to the Chairperson, there are 36 board members with four institutions, that at its height had 2.3 million tourist arrivals. Many of these bookings had come via OTAs such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia and Agoda which were part of the unregistered and unrepresented SME segment. She said the private sector with a majority of Board seats to date had failed to have an integrated global promotion since 2007. She noted the only time a global promotion was successfully executed was when the board seats were reduced.

The current board is not representative of the industry nor what is needed for the future, she insisted.

Despite spending about one billion rupees in 2019which was not shared with all industry stakeholders nor an acceptable return seenthe development of domestic tourism, the use of digital promotion and consumer reach had been pitifully slow since the industry only focused on ongoing travel, the Chairperson said.

The new bill would therefore also focus on including the younger generation of digital-savvy players, building brands and positioning Sri Lanka away from the 1980s experience. It would include those who were creating unique products and experiences to embrace the new reality.

Stakeholders like the Central Cultural Fund, the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) and the wildlife department might also be included in terms of the new bill.

The Chairperson said the SLTDA had a working document for the new bill. It would be studied internally first and then shared with the industry for their feedback to ensure that whatever was enacted would be what was best for Sri Lankas tourism.

The consolidation of the institutions was part of the 2020 budget proposal and the Cabinet paper was thereafter approved.

In 2006, soon after the 2005 Tourism Act, a detailed report had been created to merge the institutions. Thereafter consecutive governments had attempted to merge the institutions, but failed to do so due to constant changes in the leadership of the authoritiesfive chairpersons in five years.

The current tourism boards set up under the Act of 2005 were the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management and the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau.

The Hotels Association and SLAITO at an illuminating joint briefing opposed the move as unnecessary, especially during a time of uncertainty for the industry. Nevertheless, the Chairperson insists that the merger would be vital to the creation of a people-centric economy that was in line with the global best practices like Tourism Singapore and Tourism Australia.

A board that has stakeholders from the private sector lends more transparency to the processes of the tourism authority, countered Hotels Association President Sanath Ukwatte.

He claimed the Act of 2005 was formulated with close discussions between the private and public sectors.

During the war, the Treasury did not have enough funds to promote the country so the private sector proposed a tourism development levy which we have been paying ever since for the promotion of Sri Lanka, he said.

All hotels registered under the Tourism Authority paid a levy of one percent of their turnover. About 80 percent of this fund was allocated to tourism promotion while the rest was divided between the other three institutions. Mr. Ukwatte said it was unfair that the decision-making was shrouded in so much secrecy under the circumstances as the only document in the private sectors hand was a leaked copy of the proposed bill.

The tourism industry is 95 percent dependent on the private sector so a public-private partnership is the only acceptable method of decision making, he said, adding that the private sector has been open to changes provided these changes were made in collaboration with the private sector.

He also warned that no bill would be successful in its implementation if transparency was not maintained.

Responding to the claim of an under-represented industry, Mr. Ukwatte said the process of registering with the tourism authority involved submitting proof of ownership of lands, environmental assessments, and the obtaining of liquor licences. He said some hotels did not even have a deed to function on the land they were on. This obviously deterred these hotels from becoming official.

We are the regulated hotels in an industry with a lot of unregulated activity, he said. He pointed out that the regulation of the industry was the responsibility of the tourism development board.

The associations were open to the introduction of a more inclusive Board of Directors, but refuted claims they were monopolising the Board authority.

Mr. Ukwatte said the private sector was more than open to the amalgamation of the tourism institutions back offices in the name of efficiency and cost-cutting. But the amalgamation of the institutions as a whole was strongly opposed due to transparency concerns and the fact that each institution served a vastly different purpose.
 Flash

The United Nations Security Council on Saturday condemned in the strongest terms Wednesday's attack in Quetta, Pakistan that resulted in at least five deaths and many injured.



In a press statement, the members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government of Pakistan, and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.

The Council members reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

They underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice, and urged all states, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the government of Pakistan and all other relevant authorities in this regard.

The Council members reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all states to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

Five people were killed and over a dozen others injured when an explosive-laden vehicle exploded inside the parking of Serena hotel in Quetta, capital city of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province Wednesday night. Proscribed militant group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan reportedly claimed the attack.
Advertisers have been pulling out of Carlsons show over the last year, and its ad revenues slid accordingly, despite boffo ratings. Carlson has no blue-chip advertisers on his show, and one of his biggest sponsors is My Pillow Inc., the company founded by a Donald Trump loyalist, Mike Lindell. But Foxs overall ad revenues were up about 14% in its most recent quarter, in part because of a handsome  and one-time  boost from political advertising tied to the 2020 presidential election.

As my colleague Tara Lachapelle has also pointed out, Fox generates only about 30% of its earnings from advertising. Its bottom line is insulated from vagaries in the ad market and among viewers by multiyear affiliate deals locked in with pay-TV providers.

Still, Foxs shares are trading at $37.80, down about 6% from their closing price of $40.34 on March 19, 2019  the day the company began life as a stand-alone after being spun off from 21st Century Fox in a transaction with Walt Disney Co. There are lots of factors causing the stock to lag, but incendiary programming a la Carlson clearly hasnt given the shares a major boost. Foxs audience is also significantly older than those of competitors, and its not clear younger viewers will have the same appetite for the dumpster fires the network features each evening.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger is a cultural icon who is known to many as the star of action films like The Terminator and Total Recall. Schwarzenegger evidenced a passion for politics after he became a global superstar, and went on to serve as the 38th governor of California from 2003 until 2011.

While his political career and his personal life have been affected by some serious scandals, Schwarzenegger has always owned his faults to his fans. These days, Schwarzenegger has mostly retired from acting as well as politics, but he still devotes his time to charitable pursuits  using several of his expensive vehicles to bring aid to others.

Arnold Schwarzenegger grew up in Austria

Arnold Schwarzenegger | The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images

RELATED: Are Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver Still Married?

Schwarzenegger was born in Austria in 1947. Schwarzenegger grew up in difficult circumstances, with a father who was reportedly violent on occasion and even identified as a former member of the Nazi Party. The actor later admitted that he suffered what would now be considered child abuse at the hands of his father, and was never fully able to reconcile what he found out about his fathers dark past.

When he was 18 years old, Schwarzenegger served in the Austrian Army in order to complete the mandatory one year of service that was required of all young Austrian men at that time. It was during his time in the service that he really developed his devotion to physical fitness, and he started actively participating in bodybuilding competitions.

Arnold Schwarzenegger owns his own tank

I want to thank the people for putting their faith in me. I am ready to serve. https://t.co/RiBtNmWtVi  Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) March 18, 2021

RELATED: Did Arnold Schwarzenegger Use Steroids to Become a Bodybuilding Icon?

At the age of 20, Schwarzenegger won the Mr. Universe title. After having reached the pinnacle of fame in the sport of bodybuilding, Schwarzenegger decided to pursue a career as an actor, enjoying his big breakthrough in the sword and sandal epic Conan the Barbarian.

By the early 90s, Schwarzenegger was one of the biggest stars in the world, well known for his imposing physical stature as well as his unique accent.

As one of the wealthiest Hollywood stars of that time, Schwarzenegger definitely had the ability to finance some of his wilder passions  and in 1992, he indulged his love for tanks and military vehicles by purchasing an M47 Patton tank. Schwarzenegger had the 50-ton Austrian war vehicle flown to the United States for a fee of $20,000, and still owns it to this day, although he has had several renovations done to the tank to give it a facelift.

What does Arnold Schwarzenegger do with his tank these days?

America will survive this, Arnold Schwarzenegger said. America has survived dark times like this in the past. https://t.co/FYhvrcM423  WRBL News 3 (@wrblnews3) January 6, 2021

RELATED: How Did Chris Pratt Win Over Arnold Schwarzenegger?

In addition to Schwarzeneggers fascination with tanks, he is admittedly a huge fan of all large vehicles. Not only was the high-profile actor the first United States civilian to purchase a Humvee, but he was able to leverage his unique relationship with AM General to redesign the vehicle for the civilian market, according to the Washington Post. Eventually, AM General was able to produce a street-legal version of the Humvee, and Schwarzenegger bought several of the massive vehicles.

These days, Schwarzenegger still displays his love for tanks and Humvees, although he tends to use them for more charitable purposes. In fact, he uses it in order to incentivize young students to stay in school by promising the kids a ride in his tank after their school day is over. As Schwarzenegger told Jay Leno: I bring kids out here from the after-school programs. When they stay in school their reward is to come out here and drive tanks with me.

Clearly, Schwarzenegger is not only willing to indulge his wilder hobbies, but loves giving back and sharing his love of tanks and war vehicles with others.
David Horowitz brings his take-no-prisoners style to the jury verdict in the Derek Chauvin case.



No one in his right mind could have been surprised by the verdict in the Minneapolis trial of Officer Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd. For 11 straight months cities have been burned, people have been murdered and billions of dollars of property damage have been caused by a national lynch mob determined to be its own judge, jury and executioner.

Headed by Antifa and Black Lives Matter and supported by every so-called Civil Rights organization, the Democrat Party and its malignant leadership  Biden, Harris, Pelosi and Schumer, this lynch mob has been on the attack against law enforcement a decade and more. Their threat, No Justice No Peace, is a threat that more cities will be attacked, more people will die  perhaps even Chauvin case jurors  if the verdicts they want arent delivered. This is a criminal movement with a criminal mission: to substitute its own vigilante justice for Americas justice.

On the eve of the Chauvin trial the City of Minneapolis gave a $27 million settlement to the family of George Floyd  a career criminal and dangerous drug addict. The alleged crime was the wrongful death of Floyd. The settlement was made in advance of the evidence and of the trial. It was a blatant effort to put the authorities and taxpayers of Minneapolis in the camp of the lynch mob  telling the jury that the only justice lay in absolving Floyd of any complicity in his own death and the mayhem that followed.

Nonetheless, anxious that anything might be left to chance, Democrat congressional leader, Maxine Waters, demanded a first degree murder conviction, days before the verdict. The Farrakhanite Attorney General of Minnesota, Keith Ellison, hadnt even charged Chauvin with First Degree murder, because it was preposterous. But Maxine was not content with letting justice take its course. The Alzheimer President couldnt contain himself either. According to his opinion  as though he had watched and weighed the hundreds of hours of testimony, the evidence of Chauvins guilt was overwhelming. Really.

As soon as the formality of the trial was concluded the verdict demanded by the lynch mob was delivered with lightning speed: Guilty on all charges  murder and manslaughter, even though the murder charge didnt make any legal sense, unless you think arresting a drug addled forged check passer and illegal substance ingester is a felony in itself. Second degree murder involves a killing in the course of committing a felony, and nothing else.

The speed of the decision was itself evidence that the jury hadnt deliberated or even considered any of the evidence presented in the trial, as to what actually caused Floyds death, whether Chauvin acted in accordance with the standard procedures of the Minneapolis Police Department, and therefore whether there was any malice or inhumane disregard for Floyds life involved in Chauvins actions.

Derek Chauvin is not a nice man. He is callous, egocentric, and has a record of excessive use of force complaints. In my view the Democrats in charge of the Minneapolis police force should have fired him long ago. But that doesnt mean he murdered George Floyd. Our system of justice depends on judging each case on its merits.

Anyone watching the actual testimony of witnesses and experts would know that the the issues in the case were complex, technical and contested. It would have taken days if not weeks for an open-minded jury to determine whether Chauvin was guilty or not. No one respectful of all the attention put on this case by experts and witnesses on both sides, would consider that the three contradictory charges could be lumped together. Only people frightened of disappointing the lynch mob could make that mistake. But the jury was uninterested in the evidence.

Did Chauvin murder Floyd? Murder requires intention. If you believe he murdered Floyd, then you have to believe that an officer of the law, in possession of his faculties, would choose to murder an individual while dozens of cameras  many of them hostile  filmed the event. No one in his or her right mind actually believes this, but virtually everybody and every commentator immediately went on record saying they had no problem with the verdict. Dissenters seemed only to have problems the lynch mob behavior, as though that didnt corrupt the whole process, verdict included.

The hope they all expressed was that this corrupt verdict would bring social peace. Justice be damned.

It wont. For the Black Lives Matter and Antifa fascists the issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution. The lynch mob doesnt give a damn about George Floyd or black lives. They havent got the slightest interest in the justice or injustice of any case, this one included. Their attitude is: How can we use this case to advance our real agenda which is overthrowing the American political and economic system and instituting a totalitarian state?

They already have another Minneapolis pretext and will burn cities on the backs of those involved. Daunte Wright is a violent criminal who got himself killed while resisting arrest. Why did he resist arrest? Because he had jumped a $100,000 bail for a vicious armed robbery. His victim was a woman friend whom he had grabbed by the throat, put a gun to her head and stuck his hand down her bra to snatch her cash.*

Antifa gangsters are already on the march chanting You cant stop the revolution.

In fact, we wont be able to stop these destroyers until we recognize that they regard us  America  as the criminals. They have no respect for us and our laws and institutions. They hate us. They are busy spreading the hate America lies of our enemies Communist China, Islamo-fascist Iran and Putin. And they mean business. Their goal is the destruction of America. They will succeed unless we start taking them seriously and work to expose and crush them.

Two observations: first, a small correction. Daunte Wrights friend managed to hang on to her rent moneyanother friend persuaded Wright to leave before he succeeded in extracting it from her braso the charge against Wright was attempted armed robbery rather than armed robbery.

Second, a broader observation: David is correct that Antifa and Black Lives Matter are spreading the hate America lies of our enemies Communist China, Islamo-fascist Iran and Putin. I would add that they are aided in this betrayal by the Biden administration, which has fully bought into the myth of systemic racism and is busily indoctrinating our children with that poisonous doctrine.
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I am not a party in the PNM-Avangrid merger case before the Public Regulation Commission. I have read, however, the testimony submitted by the joint applicants. Based on my past experience working for state utility commissions around the country with the National Regulatory Research Institute for almost 30 years, I offer a few observations.

In ruling on the proposed merger, by law the PRC should consider whether it advances the public interest. While there are different interpretations of the public interest, the one most prominent in utility regulation is balancing of shareholder and customer interests.

Regulations central purpose is to induce high-quality performance from utilities that recognizes the importance of having a financially solvent utility and reliable utility service at affordable rates. Higher performance can lead to lower rates, higher quality of service and avoidance of excessive utility costs. 

The most fundamental question before the PRC is: Will the merger be good for New Mexico? Although the merger will undoubtedly benefit PNM shareholders and top management, it is unclear whether it will benefit PNM customers. The benefits identified by the joint applicants are more like safeguards against risks the merger would inflict on customers. Except for the crumbs thrown out  $24.6 million to customers in the form of a rate credit, which is less than 4% of the gains to shareholders. Later, the joint applicants tentatively settled with some stakeholders for an increase in the rate credit to $50 million, which is still pittance  there are no demonstrated benefits to customers. In legal terms, these benefits are speculative; they are not supported by any evidence. I suspect the joint applicants realize this distorted balance will not fly with the commission and only represents a starting point for negotiations. 

The PRC should give primary consideration to the effect of the merger on PNM customers. Whether the merger would create new jobs, contribute to economic development, fund charities and other social activities should not be deal breakers. They should be secondary considerations compared with the direct impacts of the merger on PNM customers. Yet, based on their testimony, the joint applicants appear to have given little or no consideration to the interests of customers. 

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



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The PRC should also question whether PNM on its own or through outsourcing achieves more cheaply benefits ascribed to the merger. 

New Mexicos Public Utility Act gives the PRC the authority to reject a proposed merger when inconsistent with the public interest. When PNMs shareholders and top management stand to benefit substantially, while customers receive speculative and likely, if at all, minimal benefits, it seems clear the merger proposal fails to pass the statutory requirement. If the joint applicants want the PRC to accept their proposal, they need to show much larger benefits to PNM customers.
Seguin, Texas (78155)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High around 90F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 76F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.
FLINT, MI -- Seven years after the citys water source was switched, triggering the Flint water crisis, the fallout continues to cast its pall.

While the city expects to close out three major water infrastructure projects related to the water crisis, including the final phase of a pipe replacement program, this year, other reminders of the man-made emergency linger with no clear end in sight.

Although a partial settlement of civil lawsuits filed on behalf of Flint residents could be approved later this year, the cases are continuing against defendants that have so far refused to settle their cases, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Criminal cases against nine current and former city and state employees are just getting started, slowed by a review of grand jury testimony and evidence that led to the indictments in January.

There is still more work to be done, but we are moving our community forward in a positive direction, Mayor Sheldon Neeley said in a statement issued days before the water crisis anniversary. The first step to re-earning trust in this community is repairing our infrastructure. After seven long years, I am proud to say we are making significant progress.

The service line replacement program that started five years ago could be finished by early this summer following the city councils approval this month of a contract extension for Rowe Professional Services, the project manager.

Nearly 27,000 water service lines have been dug up by contractors and nearly 10,000 lead and galvanized steel pipes, damaged by corrosive Flint River water, have been replaced so far through the $97-million project. An estimated 500 more homes still require excavation before the program can be closed out.

In addition to that program, a new $6-million chemical feed building at the Flint water treatment plant on Dort Highway is scheduled for completion during the next eight months as well as a secondary water source connection, a $17-million project.

Although Flint buys pre-treated water from the Great Lakes Water Authority, the new connection to the Genesee County public water system will provide an emergency backup supply in case service from GLWA is ever disrupted.

The city said in a news release Friday, April 23, that work completed on water infrastructure projects so far amounts to $104 million of the $167 million in state and federal funds allocated for water system upgrades.

In the most recent lead and copper testing of city water, completed in December, the 90th percentile lead levels in Flint were 6 parts per billion, far below federal action levels. That means 90 percent of water samples at taps considered at higher risk of lead contamination were below 6 parts per billion of lead. The federal threshold is 15 ppb.

The effect of Flints water on those who drank it is at the center of the proposed partial settlement of civil lawsuits in state and federal courts.

U.S. District Court Judge Judith E. Levy has given the $641-million settlement preliminary approval, but as of Friday, more than 100 objections had been logged in federal court for a variety of reasons, including objections to the formula being used to divide the money and the amount of the settlement attorneys have requested.

Levy has scheduled a July 12 fairness hearing to hear those objections.

As of March 30, the claims administrator for the settlement had received approximately 45,422 registrations that had been screened and initially reviewed, the first step in making a claim for part of the settlement.

Among the potential snags ahead for the settlement is the potential for one of the settling defendants -- McLaren Regional Medical Center -- to pull out of the agreement and fight the cases in which it has been named in court.

Attorney Geoffrey Fieger said this week that 25 clients with pending water crisis lawsuits dont want to settle their cases against McLaren, which has the ability to walk away from the deal if any of the individual lawsuits against it continue.

In addition to McLaren, which contributed $20 million to the settlement, the state of Michigan ($600 million), the city of Flint ($20 million) and Rowe ($1.25 million) have agreed to settle, contributing to the settlement fund in exchange for being excused from the pending cases in state and federal courts.

Whatever happens to the settlement, those cases are continuing against other parties that have so far refused to settle, including EPA, Flint water consultants, and bond underwriters involved in the financing of the Karegnondi Water Authority.

The initial civil trials tied to the water crisis are currently scheduled to begin in October in federal court.

Nine criminal cases tied to the water crisis, including one charging former Gov. Rick Snyder with two counts of willful neglect of duty, have started in Genesee County District and circuit courts, but have been slow to take shape, partly because of a review of grand jury documents by Chief Circuit Judge Duncan Beagle.

In February, Beagle ordered grand jury records and transcripts from 45 witnesses in the cases to be delivered to him for in-chamber review and set a June 14 review date to give him time to inspect and decide what records should be turned over for discovery in the cases, seven of which are pending before Circuit Judge Elizabeth Kelly.

Snyder and former Flint Department of Public Works Director Howard Croft had their cases assigned to Genesee District Court because they do not face felony charges.

In addition to Snyder and Croft, those charged with criminal wrongdoing related to the water crisis include his former senior advisor Richard Baird, former Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon, former Chief Medical Officer Dr. Eden Wells, two former Flint emergency financial managers, Darnell Earley and Gerald Ambrose, former Snyder Chief of Staff and Communications Director Jarrod Agen and Nancy Peeler, Director of the MDHHS Program for Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting.

Attorneys representing those defendants have already filed motions to dismiss charges in some cases, questioning the authority of a one-man grand jury and the scope of his authority. Others, including attorneys for Snyder, have said they were arraigned in the wrong county.

Related:

Flint finishes water testing early, results far below federal lead threshold

Attorney Geoffrey Fieger says 25 clients wont be strong-armed into joining Flint water settlement

Federal court still counting how many registered for piece of Flint water settlement

Former Flint mayors object to water crisis settlement, ask to speak at fairness hearing

Former Gov. Snyder, 8 others criminally charged, accused of trampling trust of Flint people
"What on earth is the Jinggangshan spirit? Why is the Zunyi Conference so important as a turning point in the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC)? Why is the CPC still so attractive to many young people today?" Eager to know the answers to these questions, reporters from home and overseas media outlets embarked on a five-day journey to China's old revolutionary base areas in Jiangxi and Guizhou provinces to learn more about the Party's history.



To mark the centenary of the founding of the CPC this year, the State Council Information Office organized the trip for 39 reporters from 25 overseas media outlets and reporters from five Chinese news organizations. They set out on April 8 from Jinggangshan city in southeast China's Jiangxi province to explore the glorious 100-year journey of the Party.

The cradle of the Chinese revolution

As the cradle of the Chinese revolution and the place where the inaugural rural revolutionary base, the Jinggangshan Revolutionary Base Area, was established, Jinggangshan city made for the perfect starting point to trace back the Party's struggle through history.



In the Jinggangshan Revolutionary Museum, the reporters got a clearer picture of the CPC's struggle history in the area through cultural relics, historical replicas, pictures, and audio-video exhibits. The museum tracks the exploration of China's revolutionary path, the guerrilla strategies used at the time, and captures how locals supported the Red Army.

Besides browsing the museum displays, the reporters were also keen to obtain the perspectives of other visitors on site. After discovering that two female visitors in their sixties had driven all the way from Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to Jinggangshan just to appreciate the area's significance to the Party's history, Matthias Muller from the Neue Zurcher Zeitung and Fabian from Die Press seemed to have found their points of interest.

Having retired, the two friends said that they decided to retrace the Party's struggle through history and to better understand how the CPC had made its great achievements in improving the lives of the Chinese people.

"From the founding of the People's Republic of China to reform and opening-up; living hand-to-mouth through to poverty alleviation and the creation of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, we have truly led a better life thanks to the leadership of the CPC. Therefore, visiting these revolutionary sites has long been an aspiration of ours," said the two ladies, adding that they had also stopped at other revolutionary CPC sites along their journey such as Huining county in Gansu province, where the three major forces of the Red Army joined after the Long March.

"To speak with the two ladies was a great opportunity for me to understand the incentives of ordinary Chinese to visit Jinggangshan," said Muller, adding that it allowed him to learn more about the relationship between the Chinese people and the Party.

A countryside with a higher income and a greener environment

While old revolutionary sites provide a means to look back to the past, rural areas offer a glimpse into the new life and fresh outlook of residents who have benefitted from the ongoing poverty elimination and rural vitalization campaigns.



In Mayuan village, outside of Jinggangshan city's Maoping town, the reporters rambled along the clean and smooth tarmac footpaths, enjoying the bright-yellow rape flowers blooming at the roadside as well as a crystal-clear and gurgling stream meandering down from the hills.

Thanks to targeted poverty alleviation policies, Mayuan village's infrastructure has improved, and its red tourism  visiting historical sites related to the revolutionary legacy of the CPC  rural tourism, homestay businesses, and fruit planting industries have flourished, striking a balance between economic growth and the preservation of local cultural and natural resources. E-commerce has also helped facilitate the spread of local specialties across the country.

Arriving at the strawberry planting base in Nashan town, the reporters learned how strawberry growing has allowed locals to increase their incomes.

At the base, which covers an area of more than 23 hectares, residents buy shares in strawberry cooperatives, which gives them access to dividends or an employment contract to earn a salary. Once they've signed up, residents can plant strawberries and use the provided greenhouses and planting technology. In total, the planting base has provided jobs for nearly 20,000 villagers and increased the average income of registered poor households by over 10,000 yuan ($1,540).

He Baixiang, a 66-year-old villager from Nashan town, told Jonathan Cheng from The Wall Street Journal that he was once a migrant worker in Guangdong province but returned to his hometown in 2017 because he was able to find a local job easily thanks to the poverty elimination-oriented industries. "Packaging strawberries at the base is easy and not tiring, and I can earn about 3,000 yuan a month," said He.

"I don't want to stay idle at home and rely solely on the financial support of my two sons," He explained when asked why he is still working after retirement age. "Why not make some extra money since I have the energy and the plant is not that far away?"

Utilizing big data technology for better services

At the second stop, in Guizhou province, the reporters not only visited the memorial hall of the Zunyi Conference  a crucial meeting that saved the Party, the Red Army, and China's revolution during the Long March  but also experienced Guizhou's digital and smart development at the Guizhou Big Data Exhibition Center.



The cool climate, lower electricity prices, and stable geological features make Guizhou a natural destination for building data centers. At present, Guizhou is home to 23 key data centers either in operation and under construction. The Ministry of Public Security, the People's Bank of China, and other national ministries and institutions such as China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom, and enterprises including Tencent, Huawei, and Apple have all established data centers in Guizhou.

At the exhibition center, the reporters watched a presentation about Guizhou's telemedicine big data monitoring platform, which connects more than 1,800 medical institutions. Amid the COVID-19 epidemic, over 2,400 remote consultations were carried out over this platform, greatly contributing to Guizhou's fight against the novel coronavirus.

The center also outlines how Guizhou integrates data from different government departments to help facilitate poverty eradication as well as how the province utilizes an e-commerce supply chain and data connectivity to boost the sales of local farm products. Gao Sheng, deputy director of Guiyang National High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, gave an interview at the center, explaining how the center was built, how the data is protected, and which foreign enterprises have set up data centers in Guizhou.

From exploring the cradle of the Chinese revolution, closely observing the new look of China's rural areas, and experiencing how new technologies are thriving, the trip served as a window for the reporters to comprehend how the CPC has remained committed to its original aspirations and founding mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people. It also demonstrated how the Party has rejuvenated the Chinese nation over the past 100 years.
The Indian Space Research Organisation will launch a data relay satellite that will help maintain contact with the throughout after the launch, sources said.

The satellite will be launched before the final leg of the Gaganyaan mission, which will send astronauts to the Lower Earth Orbit (LEO). The first leg -- the unmanned mission -- is to be launched in December.

"We're planning to launch our own satellite, which will act as a data relay satellite before going for the first human space flight," the sources said.

The Rs 800-crore project has been approved and work has been going on, they added.

Satellites in orbit cannot pass along their information to the ground stations on Earth if the satellite does not have a clear view of the ground station. A data relay satellite serves as a way to pass along the satellite's information.

The NASA, with a robust human space mission programme, also has its own data relay satellite.

Its Tracking and Data Relay Satellite allows it to have global coverage of all the satellites round the clock without having to build extra ground stations on Earth.

The ISRO uses several ground stations spread across the globe -- Mauritius, Brunei and Biak, Indonesia.

Last month, ISRO Chairperson K Sivan had said the space agency was also in talks with the Australian counterpart to have a ground station at the Coco islands for the

However, there are blind spots, due to which there is a possibility of not receiving signals, sources added. The data relay satellite will help address the issues.

Earlier this month, the ISRO signed an agreement with French space agency CNES for cooperation for the Gaganyaan, a move that will enable training of Indian flight physicians in French space agency's facilities.

Under this agreement, CNES-developed French equipment, tested and still operating aboard the International Space Station, will be made available to Indian crews.

The CNES will also be supplying fireproof carry bags made in France to shield equipment from shocks and radiation, it said.

Last month, four prospective astronauts also returned to India after spending nearly a year in Russia.
Two weeks on from the latest step taken in lockdown easing and it seems the country has acquired an insatiable appetite for consuming pints of beer outside and queuing patiently to get into Primark.

While our enthusiasm for alfresco drinking may be dependent upon the weather, investment analysts are busy assessing whether people's adoration of Primark will continue once a trip to non-essential shops becomes less of a novelty.

Primark's fortunes matter because the clothing store is a bellwether for the health of the nation's high street. With so much shopping done online during the pandemic, as bricks-and-mortar stores have been inaccessible, its success or otherwise in the months ahead will show whether shopping habits have changed forever or not.

Demand: Queues outside High Street favourite Primark in hunt for store's fashions

'Lockdown made us a hostage to our computers and mobile phones  and we might now seek our revenge in the high street,' says Danni Hewson, financial analyst at investment platform AJ Bell.

'But the fact remains that most of us have become even more enamoured with our online captors than before the pandemic struck.'

Alasdair McKinnon, manager of Scottish Investment Trust, believes lockdown 'has accelerated change that was already happening in retail'. He adds: 'This is not necessarily bad, but it has hastened the restructuring of the sector which has meant that some weaker players have closed, never to reopen.'

While Miss Selfridge, Debenhams, Cath Kidston, Topshop and others have disappeared from our high street, McKinnon believes there are opportunities for those stores that remain. As a result, he has been increasing his trust's holdings in retailers that he believes will benefit.

'When restrictions are fully eased, a huge release of pent-up demand is anticipated,' he says. 'It will be spread around fewer competitors.'

Stockbrokers are also positive on retail stocks, with Liberum issuing a note in recent days suggesting that the sector is 'now in an upgrade cycle' on a one to two-year view.

In other words, there are share returns to be made.

How retail has been performing

Buying retail shares, even before lockdown eased, was not a bad investment call. The FTSE 350 General Retailers Index gives a good representation of the equity fortunes of UK retailers. It includes Dunelm, Halfords, Next and M&S among its constituents.

Since the start of last year, this index has risen 19 per cent compared with a loss of 2.7 per cent for the FTSE 350 Index as a whole.

Sam Dickens, portfolio manager at financial spread-betting firm IG Index, says: 'There has been mixed performance across these retail companies where those with a solid online offering have clearly reaped the rewards.' But now the tables may turn.

Rory Bateman, manager of Schroder British Opportunities Trust, calls this a 'moment of clarity'. He says: 'This is when we find out the extent of pandemic fatigue and the degree to which consumers are willing to get out and spend. The pandemic has created severe short-term challenges for the economy but in doing so it has tested business models and allowed those with the strongest long-term potential to shine through. Investors can take advantage.'

Jason Baggaley, manager of investment fund Standard Life Investments Property Income, says, as ever, savvy shoppers will pick and choose the best-placed companies rather than looking at retail as a whole. 'We have returned to a time of stock selection in retail,' he adds.

Picking winners in the sector

Investment expert Danni Hewson says those retailers that are ready for a hybrid world where we mix online shopping with high street browsing will do best.

Callum Abbot, co-manager of investment trust JPMorgan Claverhouse, rates Next because of its fusion of online and high street shopping, which he says will continue to be successful as retail develops post-pandemic. He says: 'To survive and thrive as a retailer it is essential to have good logistics, good customer data and embrace technology. In this regard, Next is an example of a company which, in our opinion, continues to stand apart from its competitors.'

He adds: 'Through the pandemic, Next has consistently outperformed expectations. It has continued to generate cash and has been one of the few high street retailers to fulfil its rent obligations. This should put them in good stead when selecting the best sites for any new stores and give it increased leverage when negotiating rent renewals.'

Next shares have had a stunning year, rising from just over 45 to 78 in 12 months.

Scottish Investment Trust's McKinnon has just bought into Swedish-listed high street retailer H&M, believing that the demise of other high street stores will be to the fashion store's advantage.

He explains: 'With many big UK brands such as Debenhams, Topshop, Miss Selfridge, Burton and Dorothy Perkins all moving to online-only operations, H&M will have far less competition when shoppers return to the high street.

'With better cost control and online presence, we anticipate H&M will be a better business emerging from the pandemic.' The managers of investment trust Temple Bar have bought into Marks & Spencer on the back of its strong food retail business and its tie-up with Ocado which means it now benefits from growth in food deliveries. M&S shares have risen from 91p to 155p in the past year.

Primark is owned by FTSE 100 company Associated British Foods. Analysts at Liberum have upgraded their view on the firm to a 'buy', with a share price target of 27  the shares are currently priced at just over 23. Liberum's Adam Tomlinson describes Primark's online competition as a 'manageable threat'.

Investment funds for the shopping basket

Plenty of investment funds have exposure to retail stocks. Jason Hollands, a director of wealth manager Tilney, likes AXA Framlington UK Mid Cap. Its top ten holdings include stakes in Dunelm and Pets at Home.

Hollands also rates Jupiter Income, a fund focused on identifying cheap shares with recovery potential. Among its key holdings is retailer Kingfisher, owner of brands such as Screwfix and B&Q. Investment fund Fidelity Special Situations has stakes in Inchcape, Halfords and Kingfisher  all bought last year  and also has a holding in Dixons Carphone.

For those who prefer online retail, Hollands suggests Jupiter UK Mid Cap, which has big stakes in Boohoo and Asos.
A beautiful weekend in Northern Ireland would typically bring people out to the Mourne Mountains, home to the country's oldest national park. Instead, residents have been warned to stay away as dozens of firefighters have been battling a raging fire.

The blaze started on Friday on Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland's highest mountain. By Saturday, the situation escalated, forcing the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIRFS) to declare the fire a "major incident."

As of Sunday, local time, the fire had burned thousands of acres in Killarney National Park before being declared under control late in the day.

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Over the weekend, temperatures across Northern Ireland climbed to about 5-10 degrees Fahrenheit (3-6 degrees Celsius) above normal with periods of gusty winds -- conditions that allowed the fire to spread. Dry vegetation is abundant across the region with precipitation falling below normal so far this month.

The normal high temperature in Belfast during the end of April is around 54 F (12 C).

"[This] is a time of the year when there is a lot of dry grass about," said Environment minister Edwin Poots, "and people need to be ultra cautious that they don't accidentally start a fire like this."

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According to the BBC, more than 100 firefighters from stations across the country were battling the blaze. A coastguard helicopter was also deployed to transport firefighters to remote areas on the mountain.

It was reported that conventional firefighting equipment was unable to reach parts of the fire due to the challenging terrain, the BBC stated.

Aidan Jennings, the assistant chief fire and rescue officer, said that the view from the helicopter also allowed them to plan which resources to deploy on Sunday, the Guardian reported.

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"We are working closely with many partner agencies at the scene and this support has been invaluable. This is truly a multi-agency effort to bring this fire under control," Jennings added.

Story continues

In addition to the slopes of Slieve Donard, the fire also affected the Glen River Valley and Thomas Mountain, popular destinations for visitors.

AccuWeather meteorologists expect isolated showers across the area through the end of the week, along with cooler temperatures.

While this will help to reduce the threat for wildfires, a gusty wind can aid in spreading any fires to do get out of control.

Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier, Spectrum, FuboTV, Philo, and Verizon Fios.
Police Kill Man in Body Armor Who Hit Officers Vehicle With Car in Hollywood

Police in Los Angeles shot and killed a man on Saturday wearing body armor after he refused commands and hit a police vehicle with his car, said authorities.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) wrote on Twitter officers were responding to a call at around 2:30 p.m. on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood when a vehicle suddenly pulled in front of them and hit the brakes. The vehicle then reversed, hitting the police patrol car.

The driver then exited the car and was spotted wearing a bulletproof vest while one arm was behind his back, said the LAPD.

He moved toward the [officers] who had exited their patrol car. He counted 3, 2, 1 & began to move his arm to the front of his body, at which time there was an OIS [officer-involved shooting], the LAPD wrote.

The man was struck by gunfire & pronounced deceased at scene. Force Investigation Div detectives are on scene conducting interviews & gathering evidence.  LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) April 25, 2021

Thats when officers opened fire, said Los Angeles Police Department Detective Meghan Aguilar to The Associated Press. Neither Aguilar nor the LAPD disclosed the identity of the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Aguilar said the department will review body camera footage of the incident. A gun was not found at the scene.

According to local media, the mans car had several bumper stickers making reference to the Illuminati and government cover-ups.

Following the shooting, Sunset Boulevard was temporarily shut down on Saturday, local media reported.

An investigation into the matter is ongoing, wrote the LAPD. Officials said it is the LAPDs second shooting in two days.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, a Democrat, proposed a slight increase in the LAPDs budgetas the city is dealing with a sharp uptick in murders and shootings.

Garcetti proposed a 3 percent increase in the departments budget, which would provide for a police force of about 9,750 sworn officers, according to the Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles-area activists including a Black Lives Matter co-founder decried the move last week, while LA police unions said it is a step in the right direction.

If you want to abolish the police, youre talking to the wrong mayor, Garcetti said on April 19. If you want to move backwards towards a failed us-and-them strategy that made police an occupying force in communities they were meant to serve, youve come to the wrong place.
As Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and trustee of two debt advice charities, Chris Leslie spent years trying to protect vulnerable borrowers from the tactics that lenders use to claw back loans.

How the tables have turned.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the former Labour MP has been advising bankers on how to recoup emergency Covid loans in his new role  as boss of the trade body for Britain's army of debt collectors.

Swapping sides: Former Labour MP Chris Leslie with Gordon Brown and Tony Blair in 2005

Speaking at a round table event led by the Chartered Banker Institute, Leslie said 'bounce back' loans of up to 50,000 should be repaid and not written-off at the expense of taxpayers.

The round table event was called 'How can banks recover bounce back loans?.' These were launched last year with 100 per cent taxpayer-backing to give small businesses a crucial lifeline through the pandemic. About 46.5billion has been handed out and there are fears that vast sums may never be repaid.

Leslie, who was briefly Labour's Shadow Chancellor in 2015 and was also a trustee of two debt charities (now called StepChange and Money Charity) in the financial crisis, said: 'We're talking 1.5 million businesses here. If they get that sense there's a write-off in prospect, then payments will simply cease.

'The scheme in the UK has already baked in a certain approach to forbearance. It started with the option of a six-year repayment period that has been extended to a potential ten-year period.

'There are already options within there about interest and payment holidays for six months and so forth if repayments can't be made in a particular way. To what extent can the banking community have that hard incentive or moral imperative to collect on behalf of the taxpayer?'

He added: 'It is a really hot potato. It's going to take a lot of sensitive moving around.

'The public sector, to be frank, doesn't always have the best reputation when dealing with debt management on a sensitive basis.'

His comments have emerged as the first wave of interest payments on emergency Covid loans kick in this week.

The Mail on Sunday revealed a fortnight ago that the biggest high street lenders had started sending letters to thousands of customers warning that interest charges would be due imminently.

Banks are spending millions on debt recovery amid fears that they will be forced to use heavy-handed tactics to avoid turning to the taxpayer to recoup losses.

Leslie, who became chief executive of the Credit Services Association in August last year, is defending the debt collection industry nearly a decade after he criticised lenders for ripping off customers.

In 2012 Leslie said that the Financial Conduct Authority needed to 'tackle high-charging payday lenders who are exploiting some of the poorest'.

As MP for Nottingham East, he also said, referring to another MP: 'Certainly, the number of people in my honourable friend's constituency who are suffering from indebtedness is exceptionally high. In my constituency, over 40 per cent of people are struggling to make ends meet when faced with these crippling burdens and debts.'

Consumer experts last night called on Leslie to use his experience in charity and Westminster to help ensure that Covid debts are collected in a fair way.

James Daley, founder of the campaign group Fairer Finance, said: 'Leslie has always been respected as a hard-working politician who championed a good consumer outcome. Although it looks odd that he's moved from sitting on debt charity boards to running a trade body for debt collectors, I'd like to think he'll ensure members are professional and treat customers with the right level of sensitivity.'

But the memory of aggressive post-financial crash collection tactics still haunts many small businesses as Britain's debt pile mounts.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics released on Friday showed that the Government borrowed 303billion in the year to the end of March, up from 57.1billion the previous year  a record amount and, as a proportion of gross domestic product, more than at any time since the Second World War.

Earlier this month, Leslie and other City leaders attended a virtual summit to discuss 'unwinding' the Government's emergency schemes and how it would 'inevitably have very significant implications for UK lenders'.

Leslie said at the presentation that taxpayers would be concerned about recouping the money because the alternative could be a hike in taxes to foot the bill. He said that he hoped the Treasury did not imply these loans can be 'written off' and recommended that banks 'engage' with customers.

'It will take a particular set of skills to do that and a lot of the core banks don't necessarily have that in-house, a lot of that is outsourced to collections,' he said.

'The capacity in the banking sector and the wider non-banking financial services sector is really going to get put to the test here.'

Leslie did not comment on his job change. On Bounce Back loans, he said: 'When such vast sums of taxpayer money have been lent to business in the expectation it will eventually be repaid, Ministers have a responsibility to pursue an effective  as well as a sensitive  approach to recovering that debt.'
More than five million Americans who received their first dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna Covid-19 vaccines have skipped their second doses.

The nearly eight per cent who didnt return for their booster shot is more than double the rate of those who skipped their second shot in the first few weeks of the vaccination effort, according to figures from the CDC.

Some of those who didnt return for their second shots said they were wary of the possible side effects, which sometimes causes people to experience symptoms similar to the flu. Others claimed they felt they had enough protection with just one shot, The New York Times reported.

Another issue that has cropped up is the cancellation of second dose appointments because of a lack of supply or because vaccine providers didnt have the right brand in stock.

One of the biggest providers of vaccinations, Walgreens, sent some people to pharmacy locations that only had the other vaccine to give out than the one the individuals had received.

The figures from the CDC goes through 9 April and covers those who got a first shot of the Moderna vaccine by 7 March and those who got their first those of the Pfizer vaccine by 14 March.

It was expected that as the number of vaccinated people rose, the number of people skipping their second dose would also climb, but the ballooning figures are still deeply troubling to some officials.

Health officials in Illinois and Arkansas have told workers to call, text or send letters to people to remind them to come back for a second shot. Around 11 per cent of those who qualify for a second dose in Arkansas have neglected to get it.

Pennsylvania is working to make sure college students can get their second shot after leaving campus for the summer, instructing providers to give second doses to students who received their first dose at a different location. South Carolina earmarked thousands of shot for those whose second doses have been delayed or are overdue.

But 92 per cent of people returning for their second doses is strong compared to other vaccination efforts in history. Around three quarters come back for their second dose of the vaccine protecting against shingles.

Those who skip out on their second jab risk having a weaker immune response and the possibility of being more vulnerable to variants of the coronavirus.

While one shot provides some protection, its unknown how long that immunity will last.

Some who skipped their initial appointment for their second dose go looking for another jab sometime later. According to the CDC, the data on the efficiency of shots dispersed more than six weeks is limited, but countries such as Canada and the UK are administering shots with as much as three or four months in between.
Cape Canaveral, Florida: The International Space Stations population swelled to 11 on Saturday with the jubilant arrival of SpaceXs third crew capsule in less than a year.

Its the biggest crowd up there in more than a decade.

All of the astronauts  representing the US, Russia, Japan and France  managed to squeeze into camera view for a congratulatory call from the leaders of their space agencies.

This image provided by NASA, astronauts from SpaceX are greeted by the astronauts from the International Space Station. Credit:AP

In this tough situation around the world, I believe you have brought courage and hope for all of us, Japanese Space Agency president Hiroshi Yamakawa said from his countrys flight control centre, referring to the global pandemic.


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What could cause Christian Helser to pivot from his life as an artist to complete his student teaching at Dundee Community Schools in the middle of a global pandemic?

A real desire to help kids learn.

In just a couple years, Helser has transitioned from artist in residence at the Shangyuan Museum of Fine Art in Beijing, China, to teaching students at Henry Ford College while also completing his student teaching through Eastern Michigan University.

Basically, I fell in love with kids, Helser said.

While in China, his future fiance suggested he try substitute teaching. That quickly provided the career epiphany Helser didnt know he was seeking.

Hes now entering a profession many Michigan teachers have chosen to leave during the COVID-19 pandemic. And he hopes to land a full-time teaching gig in southeast Michigan at a time many school districts are planning on how to fill pending teacher departures.

Data provided to MLive by the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System shows teacher retirements increased by 41.5% this school year, with 797 retirements coming from August 2020 through March 2021. At the same time, school staff, administrator, paraprofessional and food service worker retirements increased by 30%.

It isnt particularly surprising to see some teachers who were considering retirement further down the line moving their timelines up, given some of the adverse circumstances theyve had to adapt to during the pandemic, Jackson County Intermediate School District Superintendent Kevin Oxley said.

I do think there are some people retiring that maybe in different circumstances would have stayed around a year or two more, Oxley said.

With even more retirements expected, Oxley said Jackson County schools are trying to get a jump on attracting prospective teachers by hosting job fairs. Some districts, like Jackson Public Schools and East Jackson Community Schools, also have offered incentives, including bonuses to attract top incoming talent and maintain the teaching staff they have.

Weve never done this before, so obviously theyre sensing that theyre going to need to be hiring teachers, Oxley said of the countywide job fair. In the past, if you had a job opening you put a posting out there and you had applicants. You have to dig deeper to make sure you have those for openings now.

The burnout is real

Michigans teacher shortage preceded the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan Education Association Spokesman Doug Pratt said. The pandemic just made it worse.

Frustrations, ranging from teaching multiple learning formats to adhering to various classroom safety mandates, have put additional stress on all teachers, Pratt said, which prompted some to retire earlier than they anticipated.

The frustration, the workload and the burnout in this pandemic is real, Pratt said. Weve heard from a lot of veteran educators who are saying, I feel like a first-year teacher again, because everythings different, everythings changing and (theyre) trying to keep up.

So how can school districts needing to fill more vacancies than usual attract top candidates?

A report prepared for the MEA and AFT Michigan in February 2020 that sought input from Michigan teachers recommended recruiting bonuses for new teachers, improving mentoring programs for early-career educators, paid internships and reducing reliance on standardized testing as solutions to the states teacher shortage.

More attention is being paid to how districts can help new teachers with student loan forgiveness and potentially offer paid student-teaching assignments so that they are entering the profession on a more solid footing, Pratt said.

Not only are our student teachers spending a half a year to a full year as a student teacher in a classroom, honing their skills, theyre not being paid for that and theyre paying college tuition, Pratt said. Thats a double whammy that is driving already high student loan rates. Training those folks like paid apprenticeships - like what is done in a lot of other professions - is something to look at.

Compounding the teacher shortage issue is the fact that there are fewer people coming into the profession.

Eastern Michigan University will graduate approximately 400 student teachers this year, compared to around 1,000 to 1,100 10 years ago, said Teacher Education Department Head Wendy Burke.

EMU is routinely in communication with graduates, both through email and Handshake, an online job portal for schools, about openings throughout the state, Burke said.

Where I once would be asked to share about one or two positions, Im now being asked by districts to share seven or eight open positions, Burke said. This past year, openings were occurring throughout the year needing immediate filling. There are definitely more openings right now in every area and in many districts.

Growing their own

Grand Rapids Public Schools is being intentional in its efforts to work with local colleges and universities to grow its own next generation of teachers that are reflective of the population theyll be serving, District Spokesman John Helmholdt said.

With a teaching staff that is 88% white serving a student body that is 39% Latino, 32% Black and 22% white, Helmholdt said the district sees opportunities to diversify its talent pool by looking within.

GRPS is building an Academy of Teaching in Learning, a college preparatory academy within the districts Innovation Central High School that steers students into the education profession. The inaugural class is still a year from graduation, Helmholdt said, but students who successfully complete the program are being offered admittance into Ferris State Universitys School of Education to complete their bachelors degree and teaching certificate.

Students who graduate from Ferris State will later be first in line for hiring into GRPS, with tuition reimbursement available. Despite the opportunity it offers, Helmholdt said just 18 students are enrolled in the academy through three grades thus far.

Obviously we have a lot of work to do to further diversify our teaching talent pool, Helmholdt said. We have to be very thoughtful and intentional in how we go about diversifying that. One of the best ways we can do that is by growing our own.

The Michigan Department of Education has created the Welcome Back Proud Michigan Educators campaign, a program to help reduce barriers for recertifying formerly certified educators so they can re-enter the profession.

MDE plans to communicate with approximately 36,500 formerly certified educators and work with school districts and education labor organizations to welcome back these former teachers, who must perform 150 hours of additional professional development.

The Saginaw Public School District was looking to be ultra-competitive in attracting top teaching talent when it raised the starting salary of teachers by 15% in 2018, while it was struggling to fill around 30 teaching positions, Superintendent Ramont Roberts said.

While the district had success in filling those vacancies by upping starting salaries to $40,000, in addition to a $2,500 signing bonus, Roberts said the persisting teacher shortage, combined with the pandemic, has created the same challenges the district was seeing a few years ago.

I think COVID is just going to compound what all the research is saying about a teacher shortage, and were seeing some of the impacts of that, Roberts said.

Saginaw schools has increased its focus on support for new teachers through its new teacher academy, while offering a large number of professional development opportunities, Roberts said. The district also pairs new teacher hires with veteran teachers to provide support during the onboarding process.

In Jackson Countys East Jackson Community Schools, Superintendent Steve Doerr said the district has emphasized retaining the staff it has by recognizing its efforts during the pandemic.

The district awarded 128 school employees up to $375 in a hero stipend to recognize their work to make in-person learning the safest environment possible during the pandemic.

The school board also approved $500 retention bonuses for eligible teachers and $250 for support staff, with the district matching payments for first-year teachers and signing bonuses for new teachers in the 2021-22 school year.

Our challenge is to recruit the best employees, but at the same time, we want to retain the employees we have, Doerr said. Thats what this package of stipends does in helping maintain the continuity of operations.

While job openings in core subjects might be plentiful throughout the state, Helser said jobs for elective subjects like art are harder to come by. Hes interviewed for a few positions so far, but is still waiting on a full-time job offer.

Regardless of the unpredictable market, Helser said he feels like hes found his calling.

I feel optimistic  maybe, possibly foolish, he said. But if no one else is going to step up, then who? I really go by the mindset that youve got to be the change you want to see.

To help you navigate this complicated school year, were pleased to offer you a simpler way to get all of your education news: Our new Michigan Schools: Education in the COVID Era newsletter delivered right to your inbox. To receive this newsletter, simply click here to sign up.

READ MORE:

Enough is enough: Michigan parents pushing to drop mask mandates in some school districts

Jackson Public Schools offering up to $10K bonus to attract new teachers

Multiple Michigan school superintendents retire as pandemic lingers
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Controversial Nigerian rapper, Eedris Abdulkareem, has responded to allegations made against him by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo.

Mr Keyamo, on Sunday, accused the rapper of resorting to blackmail after failing to extort money to support President Muhammadu Buharis administration.

The minister backed his claims with screenshots of text message exchanges between himself and the rapper which he shared in a series of posts on his verified social media handles.

But calling Mr Keyamos bluff in a lengthy post on his Instagram handle, Eedris tagged him a cabal member and added that Keyamo is in pains because his next ambition is to be governor of Delta State.

He further added that when Keyamo was jailed he stood by him and fought the then President Olusegun Obasanjo on behalf of all the comrades in prison by releasing his 2004 hit,  Jaga Jaga.

Reacting to the ministers earlier claims that Eedris was desperate for money and had lied about his mum being ill, the rapper said he was being wrongly accused.

When my mother was dying, I reached out to a brother, or one I thought was a brother and a comrade. Could he have helped, yes, did he help, NOsuch was the wickedness of his heart that he munched and kept personal details for three yearsreal Hallmark of a Blackmailer!

In 2018, I still thought the man was a comrade. Thought he could effect change in the government he served. Then he joined the cabal, he became inner caucus and held the steering wheel spiralling Nigeria into doom.

He joined to crush the revolution of the youth, he joined the cabal. The cabal which mowed down our youth at LEKKI TOLL GATE.

Jagajaga Reloaded

Explaining why he dropped a remix of his classic, Jaga Jaga, he said, With a vexed spirit, I went again to the studio for Jagajaga Reloaded and the Blackmailer went to town. The cabal is awoken. The cabal is hit. The cabal is in pain. The cabal is failing. The cabal will FALL.

He continued,  The Blackmailer said I recorded a song for Buhari. The said song is titled : Obasanjo Write Buhari Letter. Here is the link to that song, listen and you will fathom the deviousness and dubiousness of the evil SAN (Senior Advocate Blackmailer of Nigeria) called Festus Keyamo.

Issues raised on Jagajaga Reloaded are facts. Nigeria never had it so bad. The Jagajaga has taken a gargantuan dimension. We must keep asking questions. We must ask the cabal questions.

Festus Keyamo don join the cabal. He is in pains because his next ambition is to be governor of Delta State. Perhaps to localise grand looting, terrorism, murdering and raping of our citizens, kidnapping, which his cabal has romanticised and packaged as banditry, and sundry other mis-governance. This is why Jagajaga ti get e!

The rapper ended his post by announcing that JAGA JAGA TI GET E, another track which appears to be targeted at Keyamo, would be released soon.
Palmdale, CA (93550)

Today

Windy with sunshine. High 87F. Winds SW at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Windy and partly cloudy this evening. Mostly cloudy with diminishing winds after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has informed the Security Council that he couldnt provide options to reduce and terminate the nearly 3,700-strong peacekeeping force in the disputed Abyei region on the Sudan-South Sudan border because of differences between the two countries.

The U.N. chief said in a letter obtained Thursday by The Associated Press that because of the different positions on the future of the force in Abyei, known as UNISFA, no options that would be minimally acceptable to the parties could be formulated.

Both Sudan and South Sudan claim ownership of the oil-rich Abyei area. The 2005 peace deal that led to South Sudans independence from its northern neighbor in 2011 required both sides to work out the final status of region, but it is still unresolved.

UNISFA has been in Abyei since 2011, and when the Security Council extended its mandate last November it asked the secretary-general to hold joint consultations with Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and other key parties to discuss an exit strategy and develop options for its reduction.

Guterres said joint consultations could not be held because of the COVID-19 pandemic so he held separate meeting with senior officials in the three countries.

He said Sudans government expressed the view that despite the security situation remaining volatile in the Abyei area, UNISFA had played an important stabilizing role.

Sudan indicated that a reduction in UNISFA's strength could be considered immediately, but should proceed gradually over a one-year period to allow time for both countries to comply with a 2011 agreement on temporary administrative and security arrangements, he said. It would also enable both sides to consult with the African Union and the regional group IGAD on successor arrangements.

More than 62,000 refugees from Ethiopias embattled Tigray region are now in Sudan, and Guterres said the Khartoum government indicated that should tensions remain high with Ethiopia, it would ask that Ethiopian troops be withdrawn from UNISFA and be replaced with a multinational African force.

Guterres said South Sudan insisted that security concerns in Abyei and in neighboring Western Kordofan warranted UNISFAs continued presence.

South Sudanese officials cited as examples the assassination of the Ngok Dinka tribes paramount chief in 2013, and the killing of civilians in January and April 2020, by Sudan-allied Misseriya nomads who go to Abyei to find pasture for their cattle, he said.

South Sudan rejected the establishment of joint institutions with the Sudan, arguing that previous attempts had resulted in two wars in 20078 and 2011 due to a lack of trust between the parties, Guterres said.

He said Ethiopia believes the premature withdrawal of UNISFA would likely lead the security situation in the Abyei area to deteriorate -- a view echoed by the African Union.

Guterres expressed hope that Ethiopia and Sudan resolve their tensions, which would enable UNISFA to maintain its current strength and continued to focus on Abyeis security and stability as well as monitoring on the border.

If not, he said, UNISFAs ability to implement its mandate would be negatively affected with significant consequences on the stability in Abyei, as well as serious implications for the relations between Sudan and South Sudan.

The secretary-general said a safe and complete end to UNISFAs mission would require good neighborly relations between the Sudan and South Sudan and the parties reaching an agreement on the final status of the Abyei area with the support of the region, the African Union and the United Nations.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
(CNN) -- Former President Donald Trump's continued promotion of the "big lie" about the 2020 election could still incite his followers to violence, the Justice Department and judges noted repeatedly this week, as courts weigh the future dangerousness of US Capitol riot defendants.

Two federal judges this week brought up the disinformation about 2020 from right-wing figures, and even Trump himself, as they considered keeping alleged Capitol rioters in jail before trial.

And prosecutors from the Justice Department are arguing more explicitly that violent threats stemming from Trump-backed conspiracy theories are still alive, and that Trump supporters could be called to act again.

"It's never too late" for pro-Trump extremist groups like the Proud Boys to mobilize, because the right-wing political climate hasn't shifted much since Trump left office, federal prosecutor Jason McCullough argued at a hearing for one of the accused Proud Boys leaders earlier this week.

The comments from prosecutors and judges demonstrate how Trump's post-presidency lying about 2020 is complicating matters for some of his most ardent supporters -- including people who heeded his call to come to Washington on January 6 and are now in jail cells awaiting trial.

Trump still 'constantly' lying about 2020

Most Trump supporters still believe his lies about 2020, according to recent polling, including a Quinnipiac University survey from February that found 76% of Republicans think there was "widespread fraud" in the election. There is no proof of massive vote-rigging, audits in key states confirmed the accuracy of the results, and election officials from both parties said the vote was free and fair.

Nonetheless, Republican lawmakers in swing states have used their concerns about fraud to propose and enact restrictive voting laws that many experts say make it harder to cast a ballot.

Trump has embraced many of these proposals and has continued peddling conspiracies about the election in recent interviews and statements. He said Friday that "large scale Voter Fraud" occurred and praised Arizona Republicans who ordered a new audit of ballots in the Democratic stronghold of Maricopa County, despite previous audits finding no widespread irregularities.

Federal Judge Emmet Sullivan raised some of Trump's other recent comments in a written opinion Tuesday that kept in jail one of the men accused of dragging and beating police on the Capitol's terrace.

"The Court is not convinced that dissatisfaction and concern about the legitimacy of the election results has dissipated for all Americans. Former President Donald J. Trump continues to make forceful public comments about the 'stolen election,' chastising individuals who did not reject the supposedly illegitimate results that put the current administration in place," Sullivan wrote.

The issue came up Thursday at a hearing for another defendant in the same case.

"The unfounded allegations are out there, and they're being made constantly by the former President," Sullivan said, prompting a defense attorney to condemn Trump's comments as "absolutely reprehensible" and express hope that "somebody" will "try to stop" the lying.

The defendants that Sullivan was worried could commit future violence -- Jack Whitton of Georgia and Michael Lopatic of Pennsylvania -- have remained in jail since their arrests.

Right-wing media still 'stoke' anger

The "big lie" lives on not just in Trump's press releases but also in many of the media outlets that cheered him on during his presidency, which are deeply influential among his followers.

Many of these right-wing outlets have given airtime to false claims about the 2020 election.

"It's not as if the effort by some political leaders and media figures to stoke this sort of anger has abated in any way," Judge Amy Berman Jackson said at a court hearing on Thursday, where she weighed releasing from jail an alleged Capitol rioter who claimed he was called upon by God to enter the Senate chamber and said he would take up arms in a revolution if needed.

She added, "Isn't it fair to say that the same political issues and the same political concerns are being pumped out into the airways on a daily basis?"

But because of strict legal standards, Jackson chose to release the man, Joshua Black of Alabama, on home detention. He has pleaded not guilty to an eight-count indictment.

"Do you understand that if you're opposed to the current leadership of this country and you choose unlawful means to bring about change, you're going to be in violation of your conditions of release?" Jackson asked Black in court.

"Yes, your Honor, I understand," he said, then took an oath, with his eyes closed and one handcuffed hand up, to abide by her ruling.

Future dangerousness

The question of future dangerousness by Capitol rioters keeps coming up in part because of an appellate ruling that prompted judges to ask whether a pro-Trump mob could attack again.

That federal appeals court, whose decisions govern the trial courts handling the Capitol riot defendants, noted that January 6 was a unique event -- with the threat of the crowd not likely to be repeated. The court said "specific circumstances" made January 6 possible, because the Electoral College vote was happening while Trump supporters rallied against the perceived of fraud.

That has opened the door for prosecutors to argue more about the current political environment. In court filings about detaining Capitol rioters, the Justice Department now addresses head-on the possibility of persistent danger inspired by Trump.

Prosecutors explained to a judge in a court filing Thursday that its Capitol riot cases pursue right-wing militia members and people who have said they want to "continue in similar violent endeavors until the current administration is overthrown."

The prosecutors also noted in a separate criminal case on Friday that defendant Nathaniel DeGrave had posted online in late January a picture of Trump, calling him his "idol." DeGrave is accused of driving cross-country to the Capitol with two others who had assembled a weapons cache and a walkie-talkie communications plan, then tussling with a Capitol Police officer. He has pleaded not guilty.

"The defendant is of course entitled to his political preferences. But given his prior acts of traveling across the country with weapons to 'stop the steal' and interfering with the peaceful transition of power on behalf of his idol," prosecutors wrote, "and his idol's continued inflammatory rhetoric about a stolen election, the defendant continues to pose a concrete and articulable threat to the community."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Trump supporters could be incited to future violence by his continued promotion of 2020 election lies, US DOJ and judges say"
Cooling towers and high-tension electrical power lines are seen near the Golfech nuclear plant on the border of the Garonne River between Agen and Toulouse, France, August 29, 2019. Photo by Reuters/Regis Duvignau.

Clean and reliable nuclear energy could help Vietnam meet its growing power demand over the long term and ensure its development is not derailed, experts say.

Prof Sheldon Landsberger of the University of Texas at Austin, the U.S., an expert in nuclear and radiation engineering, said: "With a population of nearly 100 million people, Vietnam will need a lot of energy. The country has to figure out what is the best way of getting electricity."

It is crucial for Vietnam to sustain the growing standard of living of its people and have competitive industries, he said.

Vietnam generated and imported 247.08 billion kWh of electricity last year, up 2.9 percent from 2019, according to national utility Electricity of Vietnam (EVN).

EVN in January signed five deals with two Laotian companies to purchase 1.5 billion kilowatt-hour of power each year in 2021 and 2022, as the Ministry of Industry and Trade had earlier warned of power shortages of 3.7 billion kWh in 2021 and nearly 10 billion kWh the following year, as construction of new thermal and gas-fired plants fall behind schedule.

Solar and wind power generation in the first quarter rose 181 percent year-on-year to 7.79 billion kWh, accounting for 13 percent of total power generation. But EVN said the transmission capacity was unable to handle the supply, making it difficult for the company to ensure stable power distribution nationwide.

Landsberger said that while renewable energy sources such as solar and wind could be unreliable depending on the climate, nuclear plants could work 24 hours on all 365 days a year, and could enable electricity storage as well.

Unlike coal, nuclear energy is free from carbon emissions and does not pollute, he said.

Talking about the status of nuclear energy around the world, he said it is "very mixed" with parts of Western Europe planning to continue with it but others phasing it out.

The world could run out of coal and gas, maybe later this century or the next, Landsberger said.

"For that reason, Vietnam, like other countries, has to look not five or 10 years down the road but 30 or 40 years."

Dr Steven Biegalski, nuclear and radiological engineering and medical physics program chair, Georgia Institute of Technology, the U.S., said in his country nuclear power is still coming out on top today. Americans are seeing a significant reduction in using coal and natural gas, two main competitors of nuclear energy.

The U.S. has set a goal to decarbonize the nation's electricity sector by 2035, and the whole economy by 2050, it was announced as President Joe Biden hosted the Leaders Summit on Climate on April 22.

Nuclear energy and carbon capture and storage technologies will be part of the policy.

Dr Sama Bilbao y Leon, director general, World Nuclear Association, said nuclear energy could help ensure not only the grid stability of a country but also produce heat used in industrial processes and transportation. With this, countries could decarbonize various sectors, she said.

Vietnam could also use nuclear energy to produce freshwater, something that Middle Eastern countries are looking into, she said.

Prof Ken-ichi Fukumoto of the Research Institute of Nuclear Engineering, University of Fukui, Japan, said nuclear power is a realistic solution for Vietnam to ensure power supply.

In fact, despite the Fukushima accident in 2001, Japan still uses nuclear energy because it is reliable and reduces carbon dioxide emissions, he said. However, new plant development is now restricted as the public are concerned about their safety.

Germany, despite abandoning nuclear power at home, buys nuclear power from neighbor France, he pointed out.

Author of "A Question of Power: Electricity and the Wealth of Nations," Robert Bryce, said Vietnam, like other developing countries in Asia, is seeing rapid growth in electricity demand, and should include advanced nuclear reactors in plans to expand its electric grid.

There are several challenges to building new nuclear reactors, including cost, time required and fuel production and disposal, but if Vietnam is to help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, it should include nuclear in its electricity portfolio, he said.

Jennifer Gordon, a senior fellow at the Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council, the U.S., said it is now an important time for Vietnam to start discussions about investment in nuclear energy.

In 2009 Vietnam had planned to build two nuclear power plants in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan at a cost of several billion dollars, but the National Assembly shot down the proposal in 2016 on cost grounds.

Vietnam would not build old types of reactors if it is starting a nuclear program now, Gordon pointed out. To ensure safety, the newer types of reactors shut down automatically without human management, she said, citing the example of the sodium-cooled fast reactor.

"Advanced reactors are in development that should be taken into account by Vietnam."

Landsberger said in Vietnam, nuclear energy could be a combination with wind, solar and tide.

Vietnam should keep in mind that the climate is changing and so being dependent on renewable energies, including hydropower, would be shortsighted, he said, suggesting that Vietnam should consider a base load, or the minimum amount of electric power delivered, of 30-40 percent from nuclear plants.

South Korea and Japan are good examples of successful economies partly thanks to nuclear energy development, he said. They have steady electricity prices over long periods of time and do not have to rely on other countries, he pointed out. Vietnam should look at all areas of energy and choose the best path forward based on economics, he said.

Speaking about costs, he said nuclear power would be expensive, but Vietnam should weigh all factors. For instance, people would have health expenses if the country has pollution (caused by fossil fuels), and Vietnam could get a lot of support as a developing country from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"Nuclear power is a very long-term plan."

Biegalski said there is a significant and earnest desire in the U.S. to look at the next generation of nuclear power technologies.

He said he understood there is a fear in various countries after the accident in Fukushima, but when people look at the data they would see no one died as a result of the reactors, whereas the tsunami claimed 15,000 lives.

Leon said small modular reactors offer an advantage since they are scalable.

Fukumoto said it is desirable to examine the latest technologies if Vietnam is considering nuclear energy. Small modular reactors, which are being opted in the U.S, Canada and Japan, offer greater economic benefits and have higher safety standards including in the disposal of nuclear wastes and while decommissioning, he said.

Bryce said nuclear energy is the safest form of electricity generation, adding that Vietnam, like other countries, would need to adhere to safety protocols around the handling of nuclear materials and operation of nuclear plants.

Setting foundation

Biegalski said Vietnam needs to build regulatory frameworks and develop a workforce before producing nuclear power. So it should start investing in training programs in universities, he said.

"It is a long process; it is not like you can turn a switch and it happens today."

Landsberger said Vietnam needs to invest in nuclear engineering programs to train technicians, reactor operators, regulators, and environmental scientists. It should have an open discussion about the public health benefits of nuclear power compared to burning fossil fuels, he said.

Fukumoto expressed optimism that Vietnam and Japan could begin cooperation in training that had been discussed before when the projects in Ninh Thuan Province were under consideration.

It is necessary for the Vietnamese government and other related stakeholders to have a deep understanding of nuclear power generation and Japan's experience, he said.

Masaki Saito, Professor Emeritus from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, said the most important factor in preparing for nuclear energy development is human resource development, in the fields of safety review, regulatory standards, operation, maintenance, management of nuclear materials and radioactive wastes, safeguards, etc.

Saito helped establish the "Vietnam-Japan nuclear research and human resource development forum" in 2013 to exchange information on nuclear power-related research and human resource development. Ten forums have been held and the next is scheduled to be held on-line in June, 2021.

"It is important to understand that the human resource development takes long time, probably more than 10 years," he said.

Leon said when a country wishes to develop nuclear energy, there is a lot of international support and co-operation, and newcomers could learn best practices from other countries that have effective nuclear power programs.

Leon said if people in Vietnam and other countries feel uncomfortable about using nuclear energy after the Fukushima accident, it is completely reasonable.

So, if the Vietnamese government is looking at nuclear energy, the first thing that needs to be done is talking to the public, making sure people understand the facts about nuclear energy, she said.

"There should be a consensus on how Vietnam wants to move forward with different energy choices."
Instead of just asking for development, people must be willing and ready to help the government with land for development to occur on, says Minister Koanapo. Photo: Kizzy Kalsakau
About eight years after a PREMIUM TIMES investigation uncovered how public officials collude with traders to sell free donor-funded mosquito nets to Nigerians, the practice is still rampant as Nigeria continues its battle against malaria.

With about 81,640 deaths annually from malaria, Nigeria accounts for over 20 per cent of the 400,000 annual deaths, globally, from the disease.

While there is now huge potential for a malaria vaccine, Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN) have long been identified as one of the best ways to prevent the disease.

For years, the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) in Nigeria has been coordinating the distribution of free LLIN across several states. The initiative is funded through donors such as the Global Fund.

But while these nets are meant to be free, boldly written not to be sold, they are still being sold by vendors who procure them from corrupt programme managers, an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES has found.

The Sale

Mohammed Isah is one of many vendors selling nets marked not to be sold in Ebonyi, Southeast Nigeria.

Mr Isah and his colleagues hawk the bed nets along Udensi Roundabout in front of old government house and around the police headquarters in Abakiliki, the state capital.

Approached by our reporter who disguised as a potential buyer on a recent Tuesday afternoon, Mr Isah said he sells each net for N2,500. The reporter bought the net for the price after the trader refused to bring down the price.

The net, which had the Nigerian coat of arm on its label, also has a lit number  4956230886.

Conspicuously written in capital letters, DISTRIBUTED BY NMEP, NIGERIA NOT TO BE SOLD.

The trader gladly accepted to reduce his price to N2,000 when the reporter made an offer to buy the nets in large quantity in a bid to engage him further.

Any quantity you want, I can supply it to you at any time and anywhere, Mr Isah boasted in pidgin English.

The trader who resides in Ogbe Hausa in Abakiliki revealed that he gets his supplies from Kaduna State. He however refused to mention his supplier when pressed further.

Like in Abakaliki, such sale of mosquito nets that should be free are common in many Nigerian cities.

However, Emmanuel Shekerau, a senior official of the NMEP said the agency is not aware of any sale of free nets being distributed through the programme.

However, what I can say is for any individuals or organisations or cartel that is involved in such to desist from such acts as it will just set us back in the fight against malaria, he said.

We continue to call on people that when these nets are provided they should sleep under them to prevent malaria.

Netting schemes

Without adequate control and monitoring by the authorities, vendors like Mr Isah have joined the trade in LLIN, buying the free products from government officials and their agents and selling them to millions of unsuspecting Nigerians.

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When the government occasionally clamps down on the network, like the jailing of two health workers in 2013, some sellers resorted to importation and purchase of fake mosquito nets which they pass off as treated and approved.

The fake nets are easily accessed by Nigerians through the sellers, who pass them off as the real ones.

The difference between the genuine and the fake nets can hardly be detected on the package as the counterfeiters produce nets with NAFDAC registration numbers obtained from the original mosquito nets, the PREMIUM TIMES investigation revealed.

There are two types in this category of counterfeited products: those bearing the FGs imprimatur with the embargo not to be sold and those without it, but having original NAFDAC registration numbers.

Sometimes people confuse nets from commercial as if they are from the free component and therefore being illegally sold. It may not be so. However, the reports of free nets being sold made the implementers to introduce certain interventions, Omokhudu Idogho, the managing director of the Society for Family Health (SFH) said.

It is being checked and addressed effectively. Whenever it is discovered, the implementers work with police to drill down and name and shame those involved.

He, however, admitted that the protracted pilfering of bed-nets is adversely derailing the progress of malaria grant implementation.

Global Fund Indictments

Mosquito nets prevent mosquito, the vector that carries the malaria parasite, from reaching or biting humans who use the nets. It is, thus, a major way of preventing the disease.

Decades of investment in solutions to prevent and treat malaria yielded innovations such as the LLIN that have become one of the most powerful tool deployed in the fight against malaria.

More than 500 million nets have been delivered to sub-Saharan Africa in the past decade and as nets have been more widely used, incidences of malaria have fallen. Between 2000 and 2012, global malaria mortality dropped by 42 per cent and a conservative estimate is that mosquito nets have helped to save at least 3 million childrens lives.

But despite hundreds of millions of such nets deployed in Nigeria which carries a disproportionate amount of the global burden of malaria, progress has remained slow.

Malaria remains endemic in Nigeria with about 53 million cases annually and nine deaths per hour.

Apart from the pilfering of free nets, investments by donors such as the Global Fund are not translating to equivalent and much-expected results due to sharp practices in the management of funds.

That was why the Global Fund set up the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to safeguard the funds assets, investments, reputation and sustainability through its audits, investigations and advisory work.

The latest OIG report attributed the new challenge of mosquitoes becoming resistant to the insecticides used in making bed nets partly to manufacturers reducing the quality of chemicals used in making them.

The report published in March indicted TANA Netting FZ-LLC (TANA), a firm that supplied LLIN to Nigeria and many other developing countries between 2017 and 2018, of using an invalidated chemical formula to produce the mosquito bed nets.

The nets had reduced life spans and were outside of the required product specification due to being underdosed with insecticide.

More indictments

Earlier in 2014, the Global Fund OIG audit report had accused the NMEP of fraudulent practices and other procurement irregularities between 2008 and 2010.

NMEP is the Nigerian agency responsible for formulating and facilitating policies and guidelines, as well as coordinating the activities of partners and stakeholders on malaria control. It is one of the principal recipients of grants for malaria intervention in Nigeria.

Some of the accusations against the programme include fictitious airline ticket reimbursements; irregularities in the procurement of six motor vehicles and; irregularities in the procurement of IT equipment.

Mr Shekarau, the programmes spokesperson, said the issues have been rectified and the national programme has really put in the very good risk management and mitigating measures in order not to have such issues going forward and you will realize that since that time there hasnt been any such report implicating the national programme as it pertains to this.

Another Indictment

The OIG also, in 2014, indicted SFH, another principal recipient. SFH is an NGO championing malaria intervention and other health-related programmes in the country.

The OIG accused SFH of fraudulent practices and other procurement irregularities in the management and procurement of bed nets (LLIN) between 2008 and 2010.

The OIG accused SFH of not complying with the terms and conditions of the grant agreement by not accounting for and using the profits earned from the mark-up of bed nets, solely for the purpose of the grant programme.

The OIG determined that the total profit earned by SFH from the bed nets mark-up was US$ 300,982, or an average of US$ 0.71 per unit, for the 426,000 bed nets which had been self-procured by SFH, the report said.

SFH fully cooperated with the investigation and in November 2013, SFH repaid US$ 300,982 to the Global Fund relating to the bed nets mark-up.

Responding to the OIG indictment, Omokhudu Idogho, the managing director of SFH, said there was no illegality in the organisations handling of the grant.

Lets clear this up. SFH was to implement free net distribution but at the same time through the commercial sector was also distributing cost-recovery nets. The planned arrival of the nets was delayed and SFH obtained permission and procured the free nets from the commercial end through a very transparent process.

There was no illegality in it. Global Fund eventually insisted that the usual mark-up on the cost-recovery nets (which SFH uses to maintain its logistics and distribution mechanisms) be removed.

This was refunded, again through a transparent process. SFH accountability of donor funds have never been in doubt and through all transparent and accountable process SFH runs its donor sponsored projects. SFH remains the sub-recipient for the Global Fund project and is doing extremely well in maintaining accountability, the official explained in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES Saturday afternoon.

Malaria endgame threatened

The failure of the Millennium Development Goal 6 for 2015  to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases  brought about the latest 2030 target.

The target is to reduce malaria cases and deaths by 90 per cent and to end it in countries such as Nigeria where malaria has remained endemic.

Apart from the sharp practices in the use of donor aids for several interventions, there are several other factors pushing Nigeria further off-track from reaching the target.

Mr Idogho of the SGF listed other factors derailing the target to include: reduced domestic funding, competing disease emergence which takes up scarce funds and attention, global economic downturn which reduces donor funding. human resistance to adherence to interventions, vector resistance to insecticides, COVID-19 disruptions, and climate change.

As Nigeria joins the rest of the global community to mark the World Malaria Day celebrated every April 25, health experts urge countries with high burden of malaria to make more domestic funding available.

The theme for this years celebration is Zero Malaria  Draw the Line Against Malaria because every malaria case is preventable, and every malaria death is unacceptable, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

Nigerias domestic funding for malaria has been poor leading to donor funding dependency.

Many of Nigerias key health interventions  including vaccination programmes, malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and maternal and child health  remain largely dependent on foreign donors.

As donor money starts to shift away, and the clock runs out to establish a locally backed replacement, health advocates say the government should source for more local funding for malaria.

Nigerian health minister, Osagie Ehanire, said about N1.89 trillion will be needed if Nigeria is to achieve malaria prevalence rate of less than 10 per cent and reduce mortality rate to less than 50 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2025.

Mr Ehanire in a statement ahead of the World Malaria Day said the country has developed a five-year malaria strategic plan to sustain gains already made and chart a pathway toward achieving a malaria-free Nigeria.

However, considering the prevailing economic circumstance, the government may not have the required amount, Mr Ehanire said.

If funding stops from the donor agencies, it will affect our reaching any malaria target, the NMEP focal person, Mr Shekarau, said.

However, the sale of mosquito nets meant to be free for Nigerians, as well as various indictments by the Global Fund OIG, shows that beyond funding, Nigeria must strengthen its monitoring and accountability process if the country is to eradicate malaria.
Zhou Wenzhong, former Chinese Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the US, is now the secretary-general of Boao Forum for Asia and vice president of China-US Peoples Friendship Association.(Photo by CRNTT)

By Zhou Wenzhong

On the evening of April 19, Zhou Wenzhong , former Chinese ambassador to the US, suggested in an interview at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021 on the China-US relations that it would be better if the US could pay attention to three things in its China policy. First, try to act as a responsible stakeholder ; second, truly return to multilateralism; third, respect Chinas core interest s with the Taiwan question being one of them.

I would like to take this opportunity to advise my American friends not to tie the China-US relations with a shift of dominance, said Zhou Wenzhong, who solemnly stated that China does not and will never mean to dominate the world. Its misleading to regard the bilateral relations as a transfer of dominance. Whats worse, it is easy to lead to conflict if misleading recurs.

Zhou pointed out that there is a good opportunity for promoting vaccine cooperation between China and the US. Chinese State Councilor Wang Yi once said that in the first half of fight against COVID-19, various countries worldwide had been engaged with pandemic prevention and control, while vaccine cooperation could be the focus in the second half. Could China and the US carry out vaccine cooperation instead of engaging in vaccine nationalism ? I sincerely hope the US could think about it, he expressed.

Regarding the US policy toward China, Zhou believed that the US needs to weigh three things right now. First, the former US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick once urged China to become a responsible global stakeholder , but now the US might be expected to be a responsible stakeholder by China; second, the Biden administration is deeply expected to truly return to multilateralism; and third, in China-US relations, Chinas core interests, including those concerning the Taiwan question, should be respected, as it is Chinas red line that cannot be crossed. I sincerely hope that the Biden administration could take a cautious look at the problems faced by the previous administrations of the US, added Mr. Zhou.

Zhou reminded that China and the US should try to avoid some explosive issues, as those concerning the Taiwan question.

The normalization of relations between China and the US was achieved under the premise that the US agrees to cut all diplomatic relations with Taiwan and withdraw its troops from Taiwan. Since then, China has always expected that the US will seriously handle the Taiwan question in accordance with the principles of the three US-China joint communiques .

Regrettably, the US later passed a so-called Taiwan Relations Act following the three communiques, and a considerable number of other bills related to Taiwan in recent years, according to which the US arms sales to Taiwan probably exceeded nearly 20 billion dollars in the Trump era , and may reach up to more than 5 billion dollars as scheduled this year. In addition, the reported transits of US warships through the Taiwan Strait are on the rise.

Whether the US could properly handle issues relating to the Taiwan region is concerned with the future of the China-US relationship, which deserves a second thought of the US side.

Editors note: This article is originally published on crntt.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.
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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The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Mpraeso constituency in the Eastern Region, Mr. Davis Opoku Ansah, has urged the government to fix the deplorable Adawso-Amanfrom road.



Mr. Opoku Ansah argued that given the output of the onion farmers in the surrounding communities, repairing the road, which links their farms to major markets, will help to significantly reduce the need to import onions from other countries.



He also believes it will boost employment within the Mpraeso constituency.



I want to plead with the father of the nation, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to help us with the construction of the Adawso-Amanfrom road to help our farmers and also aid in curbing the importation of onion into our country.



Our farmers here produce the best and highest-quality onions but due to the nature of the road, their activities and farm produce do not get to the markets on time for sale. I know the President is a listening president and I plead with him and our honourable Roads Minister to construct this road for my people and Ghanaians at large.



The Mpraeso lawmaker made the plea as part of his community engagements today, Friday, April 23, 2021.



The community engagement is to afford him the opportunity to account for his stewardship as the MP in his first 100 days in office and also to receive feedback from his constituents.



He also used the opportunity to inspect some projects he has initiated in the constituency and explain government policies to his constituents.





Source: Citinewsroom









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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Police in Los Angeles shot and killed a man on Sunset Boulevard on Saturday, after the body armor-wearing driver deliberately reversed his car into them, got out and confronted them, beginning a countdown with his hands behind his back.

The unnamed man stopped his car suddenly, when officers were driving along on patrol around 2:30pm in Hollywood.

The black car, covered in writing mentioning the Illuminati, God, Satan, and government control, then reversed into the police vehicle.

The driver got out, and confronted the officers.

The man reversed his car, covered in white writing, into the police patrol car

Police are seen on Saturday afternoon along Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood

The shooting shut down streets in Hollywood for several hours

When they yelled instructions at him, he ignored him, said Meghan Aguilar, a LAPD detective.

'The officers gave him commands which he did not follow, and he started counting down, saying 3 2 1 as he started to pull his hand from his back to the front,' she said.

Video courtesy of KTLA

The man was then shot dead by police.

KCAL reported that he was unarmed.

'They said put the gun down and that's it,' said Carlos Sanchez, who was on his way to the movies when the scene unfolded.

He told ABC: 'The next you know, bam, bam, bam - four times.'

The car, seen as night fell on Saturday, was covered in white writing

The car bore slogans such as 'You are all in my matrix', 'Jesus is my son' and 'free my son Satan'

The shooting shut down several streets in Hollywood for hours.

Aguilar said the shooting was being investigated.

'They're looking at the body-worn video,' said Aguilar.

'It sounds like he did say something. It was not intelligible to the detectives at this point.'

It was the second police shooting in two days.

In the early hours of Friday, officers shot and wounded a man armed with a knife during a confrontation in the Valley Village neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley.
As India battles the devastating second wave of COVID-19 pandemic with the nation clocking more than 3 lakh cases every day and making a new high in single-day spike of COVID-19 infections, Afghanistan has expressed solidarity with India as it grapples with the pandemic. Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani offered condolences to Indian families who lost their loved ones and wished a speedy recovery to those suffering from COVID-19 in India.

Our hearts go out to the Indian people & government as they fight the horrendous outbreak of COVID. On behalf of the Afghan people & government, we send our condolences to the families who lost their loved ones & wish a quick recovery to those who are suffering from the virus.  Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) April 25, 2021

Even Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammed Haneef Atmar took to Twitter to express solidarity while noting that all the countries to whom India supplied COVID-19 vaccines would be praying for India to recover and come out stronger from this crisis.

Our hearts & prayers go to all the great people of India at this time of national struggle against Covid-19. India has the prayers and support of all those nations that it has assisted generously with COVID vaccines. India will come out of it even stronger. @DrSJaishankar  Mohammed Haneef Atmar    (@MHaneefAtmar) April 25, 2021

UK to send help to India

Even the United Kingdom has expressed its commitment to assist India in its fight against the COVID-19 crisis. The UK government will send vital medical equipment including ventilators and oxygen concentrators. The first batch of life-saving equipment is due to arrive in New Delhi in the early hours of Tuesday, followed by further shipments through the week.

This comes after the Indian High Commission in London issued an open appeal through social media for help to meet the rising demand for oxygen and medical supplies due to the deadly second wave of the pandemic. It listed the required items as refillable oxygen cylinders, concentrators, and the drug Remdesivir, used to treat severe COVID-19 cases. On Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK is looking at ways to help and support India through the crisis.

We are supporting our Indian friends with vital medical equipment at a difficult time for them in this pandemic, said UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.

The European Union on Sunday said it is pooling in resources to respond rapidly to help India's fight against the fast-spreading coronavirus pandemic

We have all got to work together to tackle Covid-19. India is a very important partner to us, so were providing oxygen concentrators and ventilators to help save the lives of the most vulnerable. We will be following up on this first delivery with further support, based on our ongoing discussions with the Indian government, he said.

The heart-breaking scenes in India show once again how awful this terrible disease is. We are determined to support the people of India through this very difficult time, and I am hugely grateful to those who have worked hard to make this initial delivery happen, said UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

India has recorded over a million infections in four days, with 349,961 new cases on Sunday. The Sunday's record spike has become the highest single-day spike across the globe. According to the Union Health Ministry, the country has recorded 2,767 new deaths due to COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

(with inputs from ANI)
(Newser)  Protesters in Paris and other French cities on Sunday denounced a ruling by France's highest court that the killer of a Jewish woman was not criminally responsible and therefore could not go on trial. Thousands of people filled Trocadero Plaza in Paris, in front of the Eiffel Tower, answering a call by Jewish associations and groups fighting antisemitism that say justice has not been done in the slaying of Sarah Halimi. Other protests took place in Marseille, Lyon, Strasbourg, and Bordeaux. The announcement that the killer would not be sent to trial sparked outrage among the French and international Jewish community, the AP reports. Halimi, 65, died in 2017 after being pushed out of the window of her Paris apartment by her neighbor, Kobili Traore, who allegedly shouted "Allahu Akbar""God is great" in Arabic. Traore admitted pushing her.

story continues below

The ruling said there was enough evidence to show antisemitic motives. But the court said a person who committed a crime while in a "delirious state" cannot be triedeven if that state was caused by the habitual use of illegal drugs. Traore used to smoke heavy quantities of cannabis. Under French law, people cannot be held criminally responsible for actions committed while fully losing their judgment or self-control due to a psychiatric disorder. Traore has been in a psychiatric hospital since Halimi's death. The head of CRIF, a French Jewish umbrella group, said he came to the plaza to support Halimi's relatives. "Here are people who trust Frances government, France's justice system, and who are confronted with this totally unfair decision," he said, adding that "it's very hard for these people to even grieve." Ilai Laymond, a 19-year-old Jewish law student protesting in Paris, said, "We feel abandoned." President Emmanuel Macron called for a change in French law.

(Read more anti-Semitism stories.)
More than half of the UKs total population has received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, figures show.

Government data up to April 23 shows that of the 45,580,400 jabs given in the UK so far, 33,508,590 were first doses  a rise of 119,953 on the previous day.

The UK population is estimated to be 66,796,807, so the latest figures show that more than half the population have now had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.

NHS England data up to April 23 shows that of the 38,189,536 total doses given in England so far, 28,102,852 were first doses  a rise of 107,656 on the previous day.

Anyone aged 45 and over can still arrange their jab in England, as well as people who are clinically vulnerable or health and care workers.

Caroline Nicolls receive an injection of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine administered by nurse Amy Nash, at the Madejski Stadium in Reading, Berkshire (Steve Parsons/PA)

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he is absolutely delighted about reaching the brilliant milestone, adding: This vaccination programme is our way out of this pandemic. Its clearly saving lives.

Mr Hancock said he is thrilled that the uptake amongst everyone aged 50 and above is over 95%.

Deputy chief executive of NHS Providers Saffron Cordery said: It is an astonishing achievement that half of the UK population has now had at least one Covid-19 jab.

In under five months, frontline NHS staff in trusts and primary care and volunteers have done an incredible job giving out over 33 million first jabs and more than 11 million second doses.

We owe each and every one of them our thanks. Weve made truly significant progress, but weve still got a long way to go until we reach our next major milestone of offering all adults their first jab by the end of July.

In the meantime, wed encourage everyone to have their Covid-19 vaccines when they are offered it and to continue following the rules on social contact.

These measures are key to keeping Covid-19 infection rates under control and helping ensure this current lockdown is our last.

The milestone was announced as anti-lockdown protesters gathered in central London almost two weeks after the easing of coronavirus restrictions.

Story continues

Demonstrators took to Oxford Street, Park Lane and Hyde Park where they held banners with messages such as: You dont need proof to know truth.

Others said Covid-19 Vaccine Holocaust and No To Vaccine Passports.

Meanwhile, the Government said a further 32 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Saturday, bringing the UK total to 127,417.

Separate figures published by the UKs statistics agencies show there have been 151,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

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The Government also said that, as of 9am on Saturday, there had been a further 2,061 lab-confirmed cases in the UK.

Experts have said vaccines should be able to control the Covid-19 pandemic as they published new real-world UK data showing that jabs slash infection and are likely to cut transmission.

Just one dose of either the Pfizer/BioNTech or Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine leads to a two-thirds drop in coronavirus cases and is 74% effective against symptomatic infection.

After two doses of Pfizer, there was a 70% reduction in all cases and a 90% drop in symptomatic cases  these are the people who are most likely to transmit coronavirus to others.

Experts are still collecting data on two doses of AstraZeneca but say their findings show that both vaccines work and are effective in the real world.

One of the new studies, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, is based on data from the national Covid-19 Infection Survey run by the University of Oxford and the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

It included a random sample of more than 373,000 adults from across the UK, who produced more than 1.6 million swab test results between December and April.

Professor Sarah Walker, from the University of Oxford and chief investigator for the survey, said the study suggested vaccines could reduce transmission and were also effective against the Kent variant of coronavirus.
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The Journal North has long been a supporter of measures to promote dark skies by muting and shielding lights to help provide better views of northern New Mexicos spectacular night skies.

As soon as plans to switch out all of the citys existing street lights with new, much more energy-efficient LED lights appeared on a City Council committee agenda, we called on city leaders to follow the lead of other cities and make sure that the LEDs installed here are the right kind that dont spread glaring blue light and instead focus the light downward with warmer tones that reduce light pollution.

While LEDs are expected to save 60% on energy costs, making them a necessary change, they can actually increase glare if not carefully planned for.

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After local dark skies advocates raised concerns, the City Council and mayor commendably set up a committee to review the street light plans, including the color temperatures of the LEDs, measured in kelvins (K). The city has proposed 3000K on residential streets and 4000K on thoroughfares. Dark skies critics argue that even 3000K may be too much, anywhere.

But these arguments reportedly may be getting a bit out of hand.

What with the country facing difficult debates over racial justice, policing, immigration policy and gun violence, one might expect a debate over street lights to be relatively tame. But city leaders last week said that activists have been pushing their cause on a pretty large scale and aggressive tone.

City Councilor Chris Rivera told the New Mexican councilors have been inundated with emails about the lighting project, and some of them can be really nasty.

It will be interesting to see just how nasty emails on this issue can be, should they emerge into the public sphere. Are there trolls threatening to storm City Hall carrying pepper spray and flags that say Dark skies or death if streetlights on their block have more than 2000K?

Concerns over this kind of thing were one reason City Hall made the bad and undemocratic decision to try to keep the names of the 12 people on the streetlight review committee confidential. That veil of secrecy was being lifted last week after the powers that be were persuaded that keeping the lighting committee in the dark, so to speak, was not the way to go, nastiness or not.

With that issue out of the way, serious discussion can continue. A good start has been the installation by contractor Dalkia of sample LED street lights around town. They went up late last week and will remain up through May 10. The test lights are easy to distinguish. The LEDs fit flat or flush into a shallow light fixture.

You can see them:

 At Frenchys Field Park, with test lights along Agua Fria east and west of Osage.

 On Jaguar Drive between Paseo del Sol and Avenida Contenta.

 On St. Michaels Drive west of Fifth Street, with three test lights on both sides of St. Mikes.

 On Governor Miles Road, west of Camino Carlos Rey, with six lights on the south side of the road.

It would be nice if there also were a few test lights installed on residential streets in different neighborhoods to provide an indication of which kelvin rating or light design provides the sweet spot between dark-sky friendly and providing enough light for security purposes.

The promotional materials for the project also mention shields that can be used to direct light away from unwanted areas and back toward the road. We hope that, in the end, Santa Fe, like other cities around the country, has a process that allows residents to request shielding on lights that, for instance, shine into home windows or deteriorate backyard night views.

Santa Fe already has some LED lights that also may be worth checking out.

Existing 4000K LED streetlights can be seen on Herrera and Paseo del Sol Drive near Nina Otero Community School, in the new subdivisions on Beckner Road and Rail Runner Road, Plaza Central off Jaguar in the SWAN Park area and the decorative green light poles on Guadalupe Street downtown.

So, with nightlife still restricted due to the pandemic, a few short drives after dark to check out what LED streetlights might do to our sky views could be a worthy pastime.

And let City Hall know what you think, without the nastiness. Dalkia is taking comments at santafe.dalkiasolutions.com/.

This is a once-in-a-generation project for Santa Fe  the city will spend $2.75 million to change out 5,500 city-owned streetlights. Another $421,185 city contract will convert 2,060 streetlights owned by PNM.

We need to get this light right.
We may never know if a Manchester police officers act of kindness to a teen would-be shoplifter will make a difference in the teens life. But it certainly brightened the day of a lot of Manchester residents and others who read our story or saw the TV newscast about Officer George Morales.
Click here to read the full article.

Californian Uber driver Annette breaks down in tears at the wheel of the car she can scarcely afford to fill with gas. In Lagos, Mitchell rarely sleeps through the night for fear of missing out on one of the more lucrative online tasks listed on Mechanical Turk. In Paris, Leila tries to wrangle backpay for a fellow Deliveroo rider who was grievously injured on the job. These and dozens of other stories are the bite-sized examples of the everyday cruelty and dehumanization of the gig economy, the ever-expanding system of global capitalist exploitation that Shannon Walshs almost paradoxically fresh-faced and accessible documentary The Gig Is Up aims to highlight.

The gig economy itself is bigger even than Walshs globetrotting film suggests, also involving offline seasonal jobs, on-call work and all manner of temporary contracts (a freelance film critic clears her throat nervously). But here the focus is on the kind of casual employment that is mediated through online platforms, from the more visible services like Uber, Deliveroo, Lyft and TaskRabbit (as well as Chinese iterations fielded by corporations like Tencent and Alibaba) to the ghost work performed through businesses such as Mechanical Turk (MTurk), Amazons massive, crowdsourced labor offering.

To demystify a landscape that hides behind anodyne-sounding jargon in much the same way that rival food delivery services brand their riders in cheerfully color-coded rainjackets, Walsh has a panel of authors, entrepreneurs and journalists to hand. These experts provide valuable pattern-identification and big-picture context for a dauntingly labyrinthine system in which it can be hard for us laypeople  the end users of many of these services  to understand the ethical impact of the choices we make.

But Walshs real agenda lies in the individual stories she uncovers from the workers on the frontlines, the unter class created by the Uber economy. In DP Etienne Roussys appealing, easy-on-the-eye portraiture, we move from a Nigerian MTurker doing transcription work in a cab snarled up in traffic, to the TaskRabbiter son of a carpenter assembling a familys Ikea wardrobe, to a Shenzhen landfill in which hundreds of thousands of branded bicycles  casualties of the food-delivery-service wars  are piled up like skeletons in a mass grave. These snapshots are variously chilling, galvanizing and moving, especially when it becomes clear how much the full-time Uber driver or year-round MTurker is made to feel personally responsible for their dwindling incomes. There is a kind of Machievellian genius in a company outsourcing everything to its workers  even their own exploitation.

At times, however, you can almost feel Walshs instincts pulling away from the main thrust of her argument as she happens on a personality whose point of view is less representative of the wider issues than intricately interesting in its own right. Jason, an online worker living on the poverty line in Mims, Florida, with his scratchcard-addict mother, is a case in point. His cheerful grifting of the MTurk system (for the purposes of some survey work, the gold-toothed, white ex-con presents himself as a Black republican) could serve as the subject of an entire film, one in which the sheer pointlessness of so much of this work is also examined.

As insightful as it often is, The Gig Is Up sets itself a remit that is just too broad to fully explore in its brisk 89 minutes. Its not just that individual stories are necessarily curtailed, a lot of the films most provocative strands remain underdeveloped. The conundrum by which these companies can establish such influential monopolies, acquire expensive premises, and have a huge share value while also declaring a deficit. The irony of quitting a job because you want to be your own boss but discovering youre now the underling of an algorithm. The Black Mirror-esque dystopia that is one poor rating, from an unthinking customer, cratering your reputation and killing your earnings potential. And the absolutely chilling omnipresence of some of these corporations: If there is a polite word to describe the practice of Amazon paying overseas casual workers in Amazon gift cards, I dont know what it is. I dont think of it as real money. Its  Amazon money, says MTurker Tomisin, his face changing as he realizes hes coined a phrase that essentially acknowledges the tech giants imperviousness to traditional economic principles: It is an economy.

Walshs film, which certainly rates a 4.7 or higher for timeliness, does include some hopeful green shoots in the form of emerging activism movements aimed at extending basic worker protections to parts of this newly emerged workforce. But the overall effect of this fast-paced, broad-based but scattered primer is to show how difficult solidarity is to achieve when so many buy into the gig economys promise of freedom and egalitarianism, and only find out its a lie when theyre too far in to get out.

Reviewed in CPH:DOX Festival (online), Berlin, April 23, 2021. Running time: 89 MIN.

Running Time: Running time: 89 MIN.

Production

(Documentary  Canada-France) An Initiative Pictures and Point du Jour production, with the support of Arte France, Archer Gray, CBC Docs, The Rogers Group of Funds, Telefilm Canada. (World sales: Dogwoof, London.) Producers: Ina Fichman, Luc Martin-Gousset. Executive producers: Vinay Singh, Sabrina Merage Naim.

Crew

Director: Shannon Walsh. Screenplay: Walsh, Harold Crooks, Julien Goetz. Camera: Etienne Roussy. Editor: Sophie Farkas-Bolla. Music: David Chalmin.

With

Al Aloudi, Nick Srnicek, Derek Thompson, Leila Ouadad, Jason Edwards, Mary L Gray, Mitchell Amewieye, Emeka Okoye, Tomisin Adeshiyan, Prayag Narula, Annette Rivero. (English, French, Chinese dialogue)

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-26 00:06:25|Editor: huaxia

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Aerial photo taken on Aug. 28, 2019 shows the Qiankun Bay of the Yellow River in Gedi Town of Yonghe County, north China's Shanxi Province. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)



Endeavor to pursue cleaner water and a more beautiful environment in China has been a major concern of President Xi Jinping, who has championed the country's river conservation efforts to advance ecological progress.



BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Mitigating water pollution and protecting the water environment has a bearing on the well-being of the people, the future of the country and the sustainable development of the Chinese nation.

Endeavor to pursue cleaner water and a more beautiful environment in China has been a major concern of President Xi Jinping, who has championed the country's river conservation efforts to advance ecological progress.

Over the years, Xi has inspected many rivers across the country. He has on many occasions stressed the importance of ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Yellow River basin.

In 2019, China unveiled an action plan to protect and restore the Yangtze River as the country pushed forward environmental protection. In the same year, China set the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin as a major national strategy. The Yellow River is China's second-longest waterway.

BETTER PROTECTION

Xi said restoring the ecological environment of the Yangtze River should be an overwhelming task, and no large-scale development will be allowed along the river at present and for a rather long period to come.

Provinces and municipalities along the Yangtze have stepped up conservation efforts to restore the health of rivers and pursue green, high-quality growth.

Over the past five years, a large number of highly polluting and energy-intensive enterprises have been shut down, and more than 8,000 chemical enterprises along the Yangtze have been closed, transformed, or relocated, official statistics showed.

"The protection of the Yellow River is critical to the great rejuvenation and sustainable development of the Chinese nation," said Xi during an inspection tour in Henan Province in 2019. He called for concerted efforts to promote ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River.

In August last year, a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, presided over by Xi, reviewed a guideline on the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin. In April this year, a symposium was held regarding the legislation on Yellow River protection.

RESTORING BIODIVERSITY

Xi has stressed the integrated protection and restoration of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes and grasslands. The idea that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," conceptualized by Xi, has taken roots in the country.

Having spent 40 years fishing in the Yangtze River, ex-fisherman Hu Xingchun now works to protect fishery resources, patrolling the river regularly to see if there are any illegal fishing activities.

After the fishermen moved ashore and stopped fishing, fish stocks are recovering, said Hu from Susong County, east China's Anhui Province, adding that the rare finless porpoises could now be spotted on fine days.

Hu felt the urgent need for restoring river ecosystems after witnessing the dwindling fish stocks in the river. In the 1980s, he could catch up to 100 kg of fish a day, but the fish stocks began decreasing from around 1995 and later his daily catch slumped to less than 10 kg.

On Jan. 1 this year, a 10-year fishing ban took effect in pivotal waters of the Yangtze to help it recover from dwindling aquatic resources and degrading biodiversity. On March 1, the Yangtze River conservation law -- the country's first legislation on a specific river basin -- came into force, strengthening oversight as well as the prevention and control of water pollution in the river basin.

Thanks to the protection efforts, the biodiversity in the Yangtze River has been recovering.

Jiangsu Province saw a rise last year in fish varieties in the local section of the Yangtze, according to the latest survey and monitoring data jointly released by the Jiangsu provincial environmental monitoring center and Nanjing University.

Compared with the total 70 varieties of fish recorded in 2018, Jiangsu registered 81 fish varieties in 2020 along the waterway, an increase of about 15.7 percent, showing an improving ecological environment in the waters, according to the data. 
If certain legal entities in the US successfully register the ST25 rice brand, Ho Quang Cua, the real owner of the brand, will lose ownership and it will be very difficult to claim it back.

Ho Quang Cua (middle), the real owner of ST25 brand

According to Vietrade, in 2020, some businesses based in California registered the ST25 rice brand for protection in the US and they are awaiting results.

There are a total of five applications for ST25 rice brand registration and protection, which are under verification.

Vu Ba Phu, director of Vietrade, told reporters on the sidelines of a workshop on branding, that to date, Vietnams ST24 and ST25 rice brands have not been lost yet, but they are in danger of being lost.

Ho Quang Cua, who with his co-workers created ST25, recognized as the worlds best rice variety, said he has also filed for rice brand registration and protection.

If Cuas dossier is one of the five applications, this means that four other legal entities have also submitted applications.

If Cua is slow-paced in taking action, or he cannot take proper action, one of the US companies could successfully register the brand. If so, Vietnams rice would face big difficulties, Phu warned.

If this happens, Vietnams rice wont be able to bear ST25 brand when it enters the US market, he said. If Vietnamese exporters still want to export products with the ST25 brand, they will have to pay fees to the US company or to those who registered ST25 brand for protection.

Speaking about the protection of Vietnamese brands in general as the country now has many free trade agreements, Phu recommended that businesses hire lawyers to keep track of the intellectual property and trademark infringement in export markets. This will help them take action in a timely way to protect their brands.

A costly process

Lawyer Tran Duc Son, director of Sipco Law Firm, said this had happened to many Vietnamese farm produce brands.

Vietnam is famous for farm produce. The loss of brands and geographical indications is commonly seen. Therefore, businesses should apply for brand protection as soon as possible, he said.

In the case of ST25, according to Son, in Vietnam, the principle first come first served is applied but it is a bit different in the US.

In the US, those who use brands first will be given priority. This means that those registered need to prove that they are the people who used the brands, created the brands, or even made products bearing the brand name.

Son said the mechanism to recognize this is very complex if someone has applied for registration before.

Luong Bang

Firms to get help to expand rice export markets The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported the volume of rice exported reached 450,000 tonnes with a value of US$246 million last month.
Sen. Paul: White House Mask Theater Is Discouraging People From Getting Vaccine

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said federal government officials insistence on wearing masks in public appearances has discouraged people from getting the COVID-19 vaccine, suggesting that its not necessary for fully vaccinated individuals to keep wearing masks around in public.

Describing the move as theater, Paul said it would harm efforts to get people vaccinated if the public doesnt believe the shot has an impact in curbing the spread of the virus. He was referring to an online meeting of world leaders in which President Joe Biden was the only official wearing a mask.

Biden forgot that this theater was so ridiculous that people would call him out on it, he said. Last week, others questioned why the president would wear a mask in such a setting. All the other world leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau werent wearing masks.

If I want to go visit the White House, Republicans, and Democrats who go visit, even though theyve all been vaccinated or had the disease, theyre being tested with a deep sinus test, Paul told Fox News over the weekend.

And theyre being told to wear the N95 masks to go in the White House, even though theyve all been vaccinated, he said. So there is no science behind any of this. Its fear-mongering. But it also has a deleterious effect, in that its discouraging people from getting the vaccine because theyre saying, well, if the vaccine doesnt mean anything, it doesnt seem to have any protective benefit, you get no benefit.

If people cant quit wearing the mask, some have asked why they should get vaccinated at all, Paul said.

I think thats the wrong attitude. But this is whats coming from Biden and the so-called scientists that hes putting forward.

It comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)s director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said the agency is looking into revising its mask provision for people who are outside.

Well be looking at the outdoor masking question, but also in the context of the fact that we still have people who are dying of COVID-19, she told NBCs Today show last week.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, otherwise known as the novel coronavirus.

The current CDC guidelines say that masks may not be necessary when you are outside by yourself away from others, or with people who live in your household.

White House officials didnt respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
3

Karnataka:

In an attempt to curb the rapidly spreading contamination of Covid-19 virus in the state, the Karnataka government has issued a set of guidelines and imposed a night curfew in the state from April 21. Besides the night curfew effective between 9 pm-6 am, the Karnataka government has also added a weekend curfew to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.

There is no restriction on inter-state or intra-state movement of people and goods. Also, no separate permission or passes are required for that. However, the number of people travelling in buses, maxi-cabs, tempo travellers, and metro has been capped at 50% of the seating capacity. Other vehicles too have to follow the same as stipulated by the RTO.

Movement of people through the public transport system including metro, KSRTC, BMTC, NEKSRTC, NWSRTC, private buses, trains, taxis, app cabs, auto-rickshaw, etc, is permitted adhering to the Covid-19 protocols set by the state government.

State and central government employees, essential services' employees can move and avail transportation upon providing valid IDs. People eligible for vaccination can move and avail transport system upon showing minimal proof. People travelling from and to Karnataka can avail themselves of public transport or private vehicles to move, subject to providing relevant proofs like tickets.

Patients and their helpers and close relatives requiring essential travel are allowed to move. People who need medical assistance can move. In case of emergencies, people required to visit doctors or hospitals are free to move.
Multiple funeral pyres of victims of COVID-19 burn at a ground that has been converted into a crematorium for mass cremation in New Delhi, India, Saturday, April 24, 2021. AP-Yonhap



A daily record of more than 893,000 Covid-19 cases has been recorded worldwide, mainly due to a surge of the virus in India, according to an AFP count on Saturday.



The total for cases recorded throughout Friday is based on official figures at 1000 GMT on Saturday. The previous daily high was some 819,000 cases on January 8.



More than a third of the infections occurred in India, which announced 332,730 new cases on Friday and another 346,786 on Saturday, also a record for a single country since the start of the pandemic.



Over the course of a week, more than 5.5 million cases were recorded worldwide, including almost two million in India.






If not for a QUT photographer, 300 images and books from photographer Robert Augustus Henry LEstrange could have wound up in the rubble of a demolished block at Queensland University of Technology.

QUT digital collections librarian Jill Rogers has now curated the images by LEstrange, who captured events such as Queen Victorias last visit to Dublin in 1900, steam engines in the United States, and Brisbanes Customs House when the use of horses and carriages was common.

Brisbanes Customs House circa 1906. Credit:Robert LEstrange

The photographs  as well as LEstranges lantern slides, books and glass plates, donated by his relatives  will be displayed at QUTs Kelvin Grove campus and online from May 10 to 15.

Ms Rogers said LEstranges granddaughter, Patricia Hemsley, donated the 300 items in 2014 hoping photography students would find them useful.
The renewable energy certificates market shrank to 9.2 lakh RECs in 2020-21 while 60.58 lakh RECs piled up till March-end due to a halt in trading, which also impacted the ability of distribution companies to meet their renewable purchase obligation (RPO).

According to industry data, an inventory of 60.58 lakh RECs piled up till March 31, 2021, which includes 7.71 lakh solar and 52.88 lakh non-solar

The data also showed that trading of just 9.2 lakh RECs was done in 2020-21 as the trading was suspended since July last year. REC trading was recorded at 89.27 lakh in 2019-20 and 126.08 lakh in 2018-19.

The REC or green certificate trades were suspended in July 2020 after the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) decided to postpone the trading by four weeks while hearing three separate petitions related to an issue of fixing floor and forbearance prices of RECs by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

The trading did not resume as a result of an interim order by APTEL in July. The matter is still before the APTEL.

The suspension of REC trade has significantly affected the discoms' ability to meet their RPO.

Under RPO, bulk purchasers like discoms, open access consumers and capacitive users are required to buy a certain proportion of renewable energy of RECs in lieu of that.

They can buy RECs from renewable energy producers to meet RPO norms. One REC is created when 1 megawatt hour of electricity is generated from an eligible renewable energy source.

REC trading is conducted on the last Wednesday of every month on the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) and the Power Exchange India (PXIL).

Talking to PTI on the issue, Prabhajit Kumar Sarkar, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PXIL, said, "The suspension of REC trading has adversely affected compliance of RPO targets for obligated entities. We do feel that putting a suspension on marketplaces ought to be an action of last resort, since they affect not just a few contending parties but the entire sector adversely."



"The REC market has been playing a key role in facilitating the achievement of renewable energy targets and serving as a key segment for obligated as well as eligible entities to meet the committed RPO targets. Considering the state of the REC market and impact on participating entities, we feel that the early reopening of the REC market would be beneficial for the participants and the sector," he added.

Earlier in July, APTEL had postponed the REC trading scheduled on July 29 by four weeks till August 26, after hearing three separate appeals filed by the Green Energy Association, the Indian Wind Power Association and Techno Electric and Engineering Company Ltd against the CERC order issued on fixing REC floor and forbearance prices.

In the order issued on August 26 after hearing the three appeals again, APTEL had said, "Interim order, if any, shall continue till the next date of hearing... List the matter for hearing on September 4 and 5."



Later the REC trading was not done from August 2020 onwards consequently because the interim order was for suspension of trade.

The PXIL and the IEX had filed impleadment applications on July 27, 2020 requesting early resolution of the matter.

Thereafter multiple hearings in the matter were held till September 25, 2020, when judgement was reserved by the APTEL on the issue with a condition that interim order would remain enforced. That means the REC trading would not be conducted till the final judgement is pronounced.

Later in November 2020, the APTEL Member S D Dubey retired on completion of his tenure. The new APTEL Member R K Verma took charge as Member (Technical) in December 2020 and hearings in the matter were taken up again.

In the recent hearing on April 19, 2021, the APTEL in its daily order has fixed the next date of hearing as on April 28, 2021.

According to a CERC order in June 2020, the floor price of solar and non-solar RECs had been reduced to zero from Rs 1,000 earlier.

Similarly, the forbearance (ceiling) price of solar and non-solar was reduced to Rs 1,000 for both from Rs 2,400 and Rs 3,000, respectively.

The forbearance price and floor price fixed by the CERC were effective from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 or until further orders of the commission.

In June 2020, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain Green Energy Association's (GEA) appeal on stopping REC price revision by the CERC.

Thereafter, three separate appeals were filed by the Green Energy Association, the Indian Wind Power Association and Techno Electric and Engineering Company Ltd against the CERC order issued on fixing REC floor and forbearance prices in APTEL last year.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Seven has released a trailer for its second season of Farmer Wants A Wife, teasing five new farmers.

They are Farmer Matt (26, Orbost, Victoria), Farmer Andrew (30, Delegate, NSW), Farmer Sam (24, Canowindra, NSW), Farmer Will (39, Longwood, Victoria) and Farmer Rob (40, Snowy Mountains, NSW) who will choose eight ladies each, five of whom will head back to their farm.

This season features dream overnight dates, luxury country getaways and spectacular group get-togethers, setting the stage for life-changing love stories to blossom

Hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski the series is a Fremantle and Eureka co-production.

A date is yet to be announced.

Related
Easter Sunday massacres: Rishad and his brother arrested for alleged links with bombers View(s):

Former minister and All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Leader Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) early yesterday on charges of aiding and abetting the Easter Sunday attackers.

They were taken into custody under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The ACMC leader was arrested at his home in Bauddhaloka Mawatha while his brother was taken into custody in Wellawatta.

They were arrested based on statements given by witnesses, circumstantial evidence and scientific evidence collected by investigators, Police Spokesman Ajith Rohana stated.

Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said yesterday that the former minister and his brother were arrested following a long-running joint investigation by the CID and the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID). He claimed that there was evidence that the suspects had maintained links with the Easter Sunday suicide bombers and aided and abetted them to amass funds to carry out their activities.

While police have already forwarded eight files on the eight suicide bombings carried out on that day to the Attorney General, he said suspects were still being taken into custody from time to time as more evidence emerged.

The CID was allowed yesterday to detain the two suspects for 72 hours for questioning.

Issuing a statement via his personal Facebook page before he was taken into custody, former minister Bathiudeen called his arrest unjust.

His family lawyers issued a statement saying the family conveys their shock and surprise on the sudden and unannounced arrests.

Claiming that the arrests were politically motivated, the statement called on ACMC members to stay calm and continue the fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.

In his social media statement, Mr Bathiudeen also said the CID had not informed the Speaker of Parliament of him being arrested prior to coming to his home to take him into custody. Im a Member of Parliament and a leader of a political party. If Im to be arrested, they must first inform the Speaker, he insisted.

When contacted, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena confirmed that police had only informed him of Mr Bathiudeens arrest after he was taken into custody. He, however, noted there was no law specifying that the Speaker should be informed prior to an MP being arrested and that it was merely a convention. Police, however, will have to guarantee his safety to us, he added.
They say the past always catches up with you, sooner or later. I prefer sooner, because by the time later rolls around, the past has picked up a lot of speed, says writer Dan Thompson. For Nigerias Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Sheik Isa Ali Pantami, the speed with which his past has caught up with him is quite remarkable.



Now, he must be wishing he had caught up with his past before it caught up with him.

I have nothing personal against Pantami. I have no reason to hate him. I have Muslim clerics as friends and family. But this is the first time that a man with verifiable evidence of religious extremism is occupying a ministerial seat. That is what the debate has been about. Not the spin accusing political enemies, or enemies of Islam, or anything connected with the ongoing National Identity Number registration.

Anyone who has a problem with logic should not insult long-suffering Nigerians with accusations that anyone who speaks against Pantamis fundamentalist bent is an enemy of the government or a beneficiary of an imaginary war between the minister and some ICT companies. Did his enemies or opponents induce him to make the fundamentalist statements he made many years ago?

By all means, if he has enemies in other directions, let him fight them, but the current question in the public space is whether Pantami is appointable as a minister from the word go, in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation.



When public officers run into trouble, they roll out contracts to rent crowds disguised as public-spirited NGOs, op-ed writers and analysts. The same childish tricks. The same unthinking, knee-jerk resort to the swamp to fling mud. The same unimaginative innuendoes and insults. In this digital age  and considering that Pantami is a digital minister, you would have thought they would show more class!



Pantami has a history of violent Islamic rhetoric, intolerance, name-calling and instigation of worshippers. When his past started peeping out of its digital grave, the minister first denied and followed up with threats of litigation against some electronic media outlets. What started as a trickle soon became a deluge. There wasnt just one allegation but several video and audio tapes of Pantami tacitly endorsing Al Qaeda and the Taliban, and celebrating the death of non-muslims who he called infidels.



What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant, said Robert F Kennedy.; The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents.



In one of his preachments, Pantami said: We are all happy whenever unbelievers are being killed. But the Sharia does not allow us to kill them without a reason. Our zeal (hamasa) should not take precedence over our obedience to the sacred law, he added.



His incendiary comments were contained in three audio recordings of his teachings in the 2000s, when he took extreme positions in support of the brutal exploits of Al Qaeda and Taliban elements. Pantami spoke adoringly of Osama Bin Laden, the late Al Qaeda leader: I still consider him as a better Muslim than myself.

Right from his days as imam of the mosque in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, (when a Part 4 student was reportedly kidnapped from his room and, according to his father, taken to the mosque where he was strangled for distributing Christian literature considered offensive to Islam), controversy has always dogged the steps of Pantami. He routinely called adherents of other faiths, infidels or kafirs. He even once spoke against the killing of Boko Haram fighters, saying military action against terrorists was a ploy to reduce the population of Muslims.



The best piece of advice ever given to the minister since the revelations broke, was the one by his friend, columnist Farooq Kperogi, who counselled him to come clean instead of playing the ostrich. Kperogi advised him to apologise and plead that he is now a changed man. And that was exactly what Pantami did when confronted with irrefutable revelations via several online platforms.

Some of the comments I made some years ago that are generating controversies now were based on my understanding of religious issues at the time, and I have changed several positions taken in the past based on new evidence and maturity, he explained. I was young when I made some of the comments; I was in university, some of the comments were made when I was a teenager.



I started preaching when I was 13, many scholars and individuals did not understand some of the international events and therefore took some positions based on their understanding, some have come to change their positions later.



David Hundeyin, in a widely circulated opinion piece tore Pantamis defence to shreds:



Pantami relies on the credulity and lack of research of his audience to get away with his everlasting chameleon act of constant reinvention without accountability. Pantami is clearly expecting his audience to take to heart the emotionally believable tale of a teenager or 13 year-old being immature and misled. In fact, Suwaye Yan Taliban was delivered in 2006 when Pantami was 33  14 years older than the oldest possible teenager. Understanding this type of dishonesty is central to unraveling the Isa Pantami myth and lifting the layers of carefully constructed falsehoods and misdirection that one of Nigerias most dangerous individuals uses to conceal himself.

One commentator weighed in: Once a warrior always a warrior.Pantami sits in Cabinet meetings where the next line of actions against Boko Haram are taken.No wonder Boko Haram are always ahead of our gallant service men and women.Enemies within are more dangerous than enemies without . Pantami is a terrorist sympathiser!



I belong to the school of thought that accords every mortal a second chance. I also firmly believe that there is a difference between ones private space and public office. Whereas a man may be a bigot, rabble rouser, hate vendor or religious fundamentalist in his private space, such characteristics are not acceptable in public office. That is why, in a civilised democracy, when the private misdemeanours of a public official become public knowledge, the said official quickly apologises and resigns so as not to taint the high office he occupies.

Decency demands that, for the image of the country and that of the government, he should hand in his resignation without any fuss.



The clamour for the removal of Pantami from office has nothing to do with his scorecard as a minister. It is therefore sterile to flaunt whatever achievements have been recorded under his stewardship. Also, it is not about his religion, his political party or his ethnicity. There are excellent muslims and Christians from the North and South serving in various capacities without any controversies hanging over their necks. If Pantami had been a Christian from the southern states with fundamentalist baggage, the same rule will apply.



The point being made by Nigerians is that, given his ideological position and fundamentalist bent, the man is unfit for public office. How was he cleared during screening in the first place? Which of the security agencies cleared him?



Now, the national ID card scheme is tainted. Many people are openly questioning the propriety of entrusting the national database to a man carrying such baggage in this age of terrorism. Conspiracy theorists, too, have gone overboard with incredible scenarios. One would have thought that there are enough challenges facing the federal administration without this additional blight on its credibility.

The Pantami saga reminds me of the lengthy poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. It tells the story of a mariner who killed an albatross following his ship on the high seas, thereby bringing down a curse that activates death and grief. His punishment? The crew hang the dead bird on his neck.

The expose about Isa Alli Pantamis fundamentalist posture is his own albatross which will hang around his neck (and the necks of all his sympathisers) for as long as he remains in public office.

Wole Olaoye can be reached through wole.olaoye@gmail.com.
Washington: Shutting down all the rumours coming from fans about their possible contribution in Caitlyn Jenner's run for Governor; sources confirm that Kardashians have neither supported for the same, nor they will drive a campaign for her.

TMZ broke the news that the Kardashians would not be hitting the campaign trail on behalf of Caitlyn Jenner for her run for governor of California because their views do not match with the views of Caitlyn, and the "fallout from her divorce from Kris makes it all just too tricky".

Sources close to Caitlyn told TMZ that she spoke to her family before announcing her campaign on Friday, giving them a heads up. Caitlyns politics have been an issue with the family for years.

Reportedly, she has taken positions on issues like gay marriage which she initially opposed but now supports. Sources informed TMZ that as for Kim, in particular, she genuinely likes Caitlyn and the two have a good relationship.

"Kim has been active in politics, working with Trump on prison reform, but has never personally aligned herself with conservative views. She never publicly endorsed even Kanye during his Presidential bid."

Another issue that reportedly prevents the Kardashians from getting involved in Caitlyn's campaign is that there are still hard feelings over her divorce from Kris, and the kids do not want to get in the middle.

"Kardashians are not going to publicly endorse anyone else, and that includes the current Governor, Gavin Newsom, who could be on the chopping block if the recall organisers get enough signatures," sources close to the family told TMZ.
(Newser)  "What a gift shes given them," professor Marti DeLiema tells the New York Times of MacKenzie Scott and the almost $6 billion she gave away last year. But the "them" DeLiema is referring to isn't the hundreds of nonprofits who were surprised to get an email letting them know Scott was giving them significant sums of moneyhe's talking about scammers. The Times reports the unusual approach Jeff Bezos' ex-wife has taken to givingshe has "no large, established foundation, headquarters, public website or indeed any way to reach her or her representatives," it writeshas been a boon for scammers. The Times illustrates the point using the case of an Australian woman who fell victim to one such scam.

story continues below

After the GoFundMe campaign Danielle Churchill started to raise money for her autistic son's therapy turned out to be a flop, the 34-year-old got an email in late 2020 that said she was eligible for a $250,000 grant from Scott. Churchill tried to vet the offer, even searching Google for Scott's name and the word "scam." The results were news articles that described how groups had been surprised by gifts from Scott in a similar manner. She thought it was above-board, so she went through the steps she was told by the MacKenzie Scott Foundation that she needed to take to access the online account with Investors Bank and Trust Company. Except, of course, it was all fakethe foundation, the associated Facebook pages, and even the idea that Scott has given directly to individuals (she hasn't). Churchill ended up transferring about $7,900 she borrowed from relatives to the scammers. (Read the full story for more on Churchill's experience.)
Sydney, April 25 : Australian federal government's decision of tearing up Victoria State's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) agreements with China will bring negative impacts on the relations and cooperation between the two countries, according to influential social and official opinions in Australia.

"It's very hard to see any positive outlook for Australia-China relations, you know, given these latest developments," Professor James Laurenceson from the Australia-China Relations Institute of the University of Technology Sydney, told Xinhua.

The cooperation between the two countries in other fields may also be affected, which is unfavourable to both sides, the professor added.

According to Australian media, a Victorian government spokeswoman said "the Foreign Relations Act is entirely a matter for the Commonwealth government," adding that "Victoria will continue to work hard to deliver jobs, trade and economic opportunities for our state." Canberra "should remain wary of locking itself into an adversarial relationship with its largest trading partner while its alliance partner's ultimate strategy toward China remains a work in progress," Michael Clarke, associate professor of Crawford School of Public Policy in the Australian National University, wrote in an article published on the website of Conversation.

"I feel this is a stupid action as it is detrimental both to self and others," Australia-China Friendship Society Victorian Vice-President Rendi Liu was quoted as saying by the ABC news.

He added that the government was putting its own domestic political interests before those of the nation.
New Delhi, April 25 : The wailing chaos over shortage of oxygen, primarily in the national capital, would have been contained to some extent if seven oxygen generation plants would have been installed in time, a senior official in the Union government said.

"Despite weekly reviews for the past five months, the site readiness for these plants was delayed by the Delhi government," the official told IANS.

Sources informed that eight Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Generation plants have to be installed in Delhi by the support of PM CARES Funds.

These plants, if ready by now, would have enhanced the capacity of oxygen by 14.4 metric tonnes in the capital. However, of the 8 PSA plants, only one plant in Burari Hospital, Kaushik Enclave has been installed by March 17, 2021.

Officials of the Union government said that four plants are now expected to be completed by the end of this month as work is being expedited.

These plants include one each at Deen Dayal Upadhya Hospital, Lok Nayak Hospital, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital Rohini & Deepa Chand Bandhu Hospital Ashok Vihar.

"We hope by April 30, plants would be ready," sources added.

Though the Delhi government's version is awaited on the issue, the Centre reportedly said that delay was at the end of the state government.

"Site readiness of these hospitals was delayed by the state government despite weekly reviews with them since November 2020," sources said.

Meanwhile for Ambedkar Nagar Hospital, Dakshinpuri, the site has been readied as late as only April 19, 2021 by the state government.

As per an official, the site readiness certificate of Satyawadi Raja Harishchandra Hospital, Narela has not yet been submitted by the state government.

Delhi and NCR cities have been battling against the worst wave of the Covid-19 pandemic for over a past fortnight.

The positivity rate which remains over 32 per cent in Delhi has resulted in a sudden surge in covid positive patients making all hospitals overcrowded. Moreover, the crisis of oxygen shortage is making the situation vulnerable in the capital. Several leading hospitals are making SOS calls for an oxygen crisis.

On Saturday, Delhi's Jaipur Golden hospital had reported over 20 deaths of patients due to lack of oxygen. Subsequently the Delhi High Court had to intervene in the matter.

Since the last few days, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been requesting other chief ministers to send extra oxygen to the capital to restore supply of oxygen to hospitals.
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The seeds of a contemporary passion germinated when Louis Grachos worked as an intern at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

As he helped research and prepare for an Ellsworth Kelly exhibition, he watched, fascinated, as the curator worked directly with the Color Field artist on the installation.

It was so inspiring that I wanted to work with living artists, the new SITE Santa Fe Phillips executive director said in a telephone interview from the Palm Springs Art Museum, an institution he has headed since 2019. Ive always focused on that. I still get very thrilled about going to a curated show.

His new job amounts to a return. Grachos headed SITE Santa Fes noncollecting art space, from 1996 to 2003. He rejoins it after the resignation of former Phillips Director Irene Hofmann, who helmed SITE for 10 years.

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When Grachos first came to SITE, it boasted a staff of three or four, he said. He helped secure its present, former warehouse space when the Santa Fe Railyard was still undeveloped.

The immediate challenge was finding a philosophy and moving forward, he said.

He led SITEs 1997 biennial and as well as an exhibition by Cuban artist Jose Bedin.

We didnt know if SITE would be a biennial exhibition or a year-round project, he said. Grachos embraced a multi-disciplinary approach by including the Lannan Foundations literary series and concerts through the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival.

As SITE moves forward from its 25th anniversary, Grachos wants to meet with its staff to find out what has worked and what hasnt in these pandemic times. SITEs noncollecting format provides a venue for reflecting topical issues, he added.

This gives you the flexibility to move in different directions, he said.

Everything around the pandemic has put us in a position to rethink whats going on, Grachos continued. Will people still want to come to Santa Fe for an experience in art and culture?

Hes considering moving the biennial to an international format similar to that of Pittsburghs Carnegie Museum, which takes place every five years. Reconstructed as SITElines in 2014, the biennials last iteration focused on Latin America.

Grachos and his family have visited Santa Fe annually since he left.

We told ourselves Wouldnt it be great to find our last home in New Mexico?  he said. Im really looking forward to reconnecting with everyone.

Grachos headed Buffalo, New Yorks Albright-Knox Art Gallery for 10 years after leaving SITE. From 2013-2019 he served as CEO of The Contemporary Austin in Texas.
Photo: The Canadian Press British Columbia Attorney General David Eby listens during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, May 24, 2019. Eby has appointed a lawyer to look into the possibility of an appeal in the case of Samandeep Gill. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A British Columbia Supreme Court judge says the province's homicide investigation team's "systemic, flagrant disregard" for the charter rights of accused may impact hundreds of murder cases.

The police failure was uncovered in the case against Samandeep Singh Gill, who was accused of second-degree murder and attempted murder in a 2011 road rage incident in Surrey, B.C., that left one man dead.

In a decision released online Friday, Justice David Masuhara excluded cellphone evidence gathered against Gill that the Crown said was necessary to its case, prompting Gill's acquittal.

Masuhara says the cellphones were held by police investigators for almost seven years without a judge's approval, and the failure to apply for an extension was part of a broader policy in place for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

The court heard homicide investigators were given legal advice in 2007 saying they needed to follow search and seizure rules in order to protect their investigations, yet the rules weren't followed for another seven years.

The judge says testimony at the trial "indicates that there were likely hundreds of files impacted by the blanket non-compliance policy while it was in effect from 2007-2014."

Attorney General David Eby issued a statement this week saying the province had hired lawyer Craig Jones to review the ruling and provide an opinion on the possibility of a Crown appeal.

"This is a very important case for a number of reasons, both for the families of the victim in the allegations that are at play, as well as potentially for other cases," Eby said when asked about the case on Friday.

"If there is a possible avenue for appeal, then I would like to know about it and that's what I've asked Mr. Jones to look at."

Gill was charged in May 2018 in the death of Manbir Kajla, who was shot and killed in 2011 when he left his vehicle to speak to another driver after a collision. The shooter then fired at Kajla's wife, but missed.

The Crown said it had an audio recording on an iPhone that allegedly captured the shooting. Its theory was that the recording was a "pocket dial" from one of two BlackBerry phones that was inadvertently captured on the iPhone.

The case went cold, but the RCMP's Unsolved Homicide Unit picked up the investigation in 2016 and went to court to request continued detention of the cellphones police had seized years before.

Court heard the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, or IHIT, had a long-standing policy not to apply to a judge for evidence extension orders under Section 490 of the Criminal Code.

It began when police learned in 2007 they were contravening the charter by not asking for the continued detention of the evidence.

A memo went out to officers telling them to avoid seeking detention on evidence orders in cases where doing so would draw the judge's attention to their non-compliance, the decision reads.

"The IHIT policy of non-compliance amounts to systemic, flagrant disregard for charter-protected rights. While I cannot with certainty attribute to the police a deliberate decision not to comply with the charter, I find that the RCMP was at best willfully blind towards the charter implications of the policy and of the over-holding generally," Masuhara said in his ruling.

"There is something particularly concerning about a police policy of deliberate non-compliance with mandated requirements due to the unilateral prioritization of their preferred investigative methods over following the law."

Gill's lawyer, Matthew Nathanson, said in a statement Saturday police are sworn to uphold the law, not break it.

"The fact that they chose to ignore the rules for years even after multiple senior members of the crown told them this wasnt an option, shows a disregard not only for the requirements of S. 490 of the Criminal Code, but for the rule of law generally," he said.

Nathanson said the court's ruling emphasized the need for a remedy to maintain the integrity of the justice system.
"We knew he would be a nice colt, but as it turned out, he's got so much heart and so much desire. It's unreal."

For a Maritime-bred horse to make national headlines is a rare occurrence, never mind to do so routinely. But, then again, Woodmere Stealdeal was anything but ordinary in his rookie campaign, winning all 13 of his races, setting track records all throughout Atlantic Canada, and earning $68,646 for Nova Scotians Kevin Dorey and Bob Sumarah. Now, just under a month away from the targeted start of his three-year-old season, the gelded son of Prince Edward Island stallion Steelhead Hanover and Very Ideal Hanover is poised to write another round of headlines after a well-deserved winter off.

"He's had a great winter," Dorey told Trot Insider. "We sent him away to a farm  it's something you'd see in Lexington, Kentucky. It was just a great farm. It was owned by the Sobey family. I called him and asked if they'd take 'Steal,' and they treated him like royalty for three months."

Since returning to the care of trainer Danny Romo in mid-January, Woodmere Stealdeal has trained back down to 2:07, and is gradually working toward his planned seasonal debut in the Dawn Bremner Memorial at Exhibition Park Raceway.

"We're going to qualify him in a couple weeks, and we're going to go from there. His first stakes race isn't until May 22, and we're not going to race him in overnight events," Dorey continued, citing the comparative lack of earning potential for Woodmere Stealdeal outside his stakes campaign. "There's not much sense getting him ready long before May 22. We want him tight for his first start."

However, the ever-changing public health climate may yet again foil Dorey, Sumarah and Romo's plans, as the reopening of the "Atlantic provinces bubble" has been shelved  at least temporarily.

"His first stakes race is in Saint John, but I'm not sure that's going to happen  because of the COVID situation, it's kind of touch and go. Even though in Nova Scotia and PEI we've been doing great with COVID, New Brunswick hasn't been so much. It's up in the air right now. Hopefully by May 22, New Brunswick will get things under control. Hopefully things will turn around."

From there, Woodmere Stealdeal is likely to compete  and thrive  on the Atlantic Sires Stakes circuit again at three, while also competing in other stakes races throughout the Maritime provinces  much like he did in his rookie season, which he capped with back-to-back 1:54.1 miles at Charlottetown and Truro.

And although the star performer's lucrative racing opportunities "down east" will have largely run out by October, Dorey is confident that 'Steal' can take on the world.

"You see a lot of Grand Circuit horses come out of Ohio and Indiana  they're not the big Pennsylvania- or New York-breds, but you do see a lot of horses come out of these smaller markets and make big-time Grand Circuit horses. Why not Nova Scotia? It can happen. If you've got the right type of horse  I've been around horses since I was four years old and I'm just turning 60  but I've never seen a Maritime-bred horse like him in my life."

If all goes to plan, Dorey hopes to campaign Woodmere Stealdeal on the Grand Circuit after his sophomore campaign concludes, citing his ability to handle the turns on half-mile tracks and the abundance of high-dollar races availed four-year-olds in the States on the smaller ovals. But one thing is certain: Dorey has no plans to divest his stake in the best horse he's had in over a half century in the Standardbred game.

"I'd sell a percentage of him and send him away and let him see what he can do, but I don't think we're ever going to sell him completely because he's too good a horse," Dorey said. "Once the stakes races are done, he's too good for the Maritimes, and there's no money to be made when the stakes races are over. He's got to go on to bigger and better places, and I think he can compete with the best of them."

But for now, there are still plenty of memories to be made  and to be enjoyed.

"We don't race for much money like they do in Ontario, but we've got some pretty good stakes races in the Maritimes. We just want to watch him race. The fans love watching him race; my family loves watching him race."
Russia has launched an effort on creating the list of unfriendly states, which are banned from hiring Russian citizens for work in the diplomatic missions, and the United States is among them, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on the Rossiya-1 TV channel, TASS reports.

"As you know, yesterday the decree of President [Vladimir Putin] was published, which contains a whole number of measures on fulfilling the already existing federal laws, under which those states, which are declared unfriendly, cannot hire Russian citizens as staff for their diplomatic and consular missions. <...> What are these unfriendly states? The list is being drawn up now. <...> As we understand, the whole story began with another wave of unfriendly US steps. <...> As you understand and I can confirm this, naturally, the US is on this list," the diplomat said.
China's first Mars rover has been named "Zhurong."

The name "Zhurong," which means the god of fire in Chinese mythology, was revealed on Saturday at the opening ceremony of the Space Day of China held in Nanjing, the capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province.

The name indicates Chinese people's blessing for the rover to ignite the flame of China's planetary exploration.

The rover is 1.85 meters high and weighs about 240 kilograms, with a designed life span of three Martian months  equivalent to about 92 Earth days.

It will probe the composition of the Martian surface, the distribution of materials, the geological structure and the meteorological environment.

Click here to enjoy a visual journey of China's first Mars mission.

China launched Tianwen-1 probe on July 23, 2020. The spacecraft, consisting of an orbiter, a lander and a rover, entered the parking orbit of Mars after performing an orbital maneuver on February 24.

The probe has acquired high-definition image data of the pre-selected landing area through multiple imaging. It will carry out follow-up work as scheduled, which includes the analysis of the topography and meteorological environment of the landing area, as part of the preparations for its landing on the Mars surface in mid-to-late May.

The Tianwen-1 mission is China's first step in independent planetary exploration of the solar system. It aims to complete orbiting, landing and roving in one mission.

The space administration launched a global naming campaign for the Mars rover last July, inviting netizens at home and abroad to vote for their favorite.
If youre an avid tennis fan like me, then you would not have missed one of the biggest stories to rock the sport.

If youre not a tennis fan and could not care less whether Rafael Nadal breaks the record for most Grand Slam titles, you should still be aware of what Im about to discuss because it concerns your life.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-26 03:44:44|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry stressed on Sunday Egypt's support for a political solution to the Yemeni crisis, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

During a meeting in Cairo with the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen Martin Griffiths, Shoukry affirmed Egypt's firm position in supporting all the efforts aiming at reaching a comprehensive political solution that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people and ends the country's protracted humanitarian crisis.

Shoukry stressed that the security and stability of Yemen are of utmost importance to the Egyptian national security and the security of the Arab region in general.

The Egyptian top diplomat clarified Egypt's categorical rejection and condemnation of the ongoing Houthi attacks on the Saudi territory, as well as Egypt's support for Riyadh in all the measures it takes to defend its national security.

He also noted Cairo's support for the Saudi initiative to resolve the Yemeni crisis, and for the UN envoy to push for a political solution.

For his part, Griffiths briefed Shoukry on the latest developments in Yemen and his vision for the future of the country, as well as his current efforts to achieve a cease-fire and resume the political process with the aim of reaching a comprehensive and sustainable settlement to the Yemeni crisis, according to the statement.

He appreciated Egypt for providing continuous support to the Yemeni people, as well as the care to the Yemeni community residing on its land.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized control of several northern provinces and forced the Saudi-backed government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa.

A Saudi-led coalition intervened in the Yemeni military conflict in March 2015 to support Hadi's government. Enditem
LAFAYETTE, Louisiana  Troy Carter, who polished his political pedigree on the New Orleans City Council and in both chambers of the Legislature, won a bruising battle Saturday to become the states only Democrat in Congress.

Carter, a New Orleanian who is serving in the Louisiana Senate, earned a promotion to Congress by beating fellow New Orleans Democratic state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson in a special election 55% to 45%.

He struck a conciliatory tone after the victory following the fractious campaign.

"This was a hard fought race, and now it is time to come together," Carter said. "I want to be clear. I welcome everyone to our tent because the election is over, and I represent everyone."

He replaces former Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, who gave up his seat to become a senior adviser for President Joe Biden and backed his close friend Carter during the campaign.

With his election, Democrats pad their advantage in the House, with 219 to 212 Republicans. Four seats remain vacant.

State Sen. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans, speaks on January 20, 2021 after qualifying to run for Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District seat.

Carter and Peterson reached Saturdays runoff by finishing first and second, respectively, in last months primary election.

"Im wishing Sen. Carter well as he represents Louisiana in Washington, and I will keep fighting every day for our communities, our people, and the change we need," Peterson said afterward in a statement.

Carter, 57, a management consultant, said he redefined the role of a legislator "with humanistic" priorities like advocating for equal pay for women and a higher minimum wage while in the Louisiana House and Senate.

He touted Richmond's endorsement as "having the ear of the guy who will have the ear of the president. It's a tremendous benefit," Carter said, and thanked Richmond again for his support Saturday night.

Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards congratulated Carter.

"Louisiana now, more than ever, needs bold advocates to fight for the many needs of our great state in Washington, D.C.," Edwards said in a statement. "I am confident that Troy will dutifully fill this role along with the rest of our current delegation, and I look forward to continuing to work with him.

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Related: Biden holding out for bipartisan support for immigration measures, White House says

Peterson, who also has served in the state House and Senate and is the former chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party, defined her record during the campaign as "20 years of bold and progressive leadership fighting for working class families."

Since Carter and Peterson shared many positions in the state's only blue speck on the Louisiana congressional map, the once cordial colleagues offered voters contrasting personalities, often through personal attacks in a bare-knuckle campaign brawl.

Carter portrayed himself as a congenial bridge-builder who can be more effective for his constituents through consensus, while Peterson described herself to USA Today Network as an unapologetic fighter who would rather be respected than loved.

New Orleans is the population hub for the 2nd Congressional District, but its boundaries travel up the Mississippi River parishes into a portion of northern Baton Rouge.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Troy Carter wins Louisiana's only Democratic seat in Congress
The Italian coast guard Sunday released aerial footage showing the rescue of an overcrowded motorized fishing boat struggling in towering waves and stiff winds.

The vessel, which had at least 100 passengers aboard, including children, had people crowded on the bridge and below deck when it was spotted on Saturday, the coast guard statement said.

After the fishing boat's motor stopped working, with the stricken vessel, "at the mercy of waves which risked overturning it", it was towed to a port in Calabria, Southern Italy, on Sunday.

The exact number and nationalities of the rescued passengers, who are presumably migrants, were not immediately available.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Global leaders must act now and put the planet on a green path because "we are at the verge of the abyss", UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday (April 22) in his address to the virtual climate summit convened by US President Joseph Biden.

"Mother Nature is not waiting," the UN chief warned, as the past decade was the hottest on record, and the world continues to see rising sea-levels, scorching temperatures, devastating tropical cyclones and epic wildfires," he noted.

"We need a green planet but the world is on red alert," he said. "We are at the verge of the abyss. We must make sure the next step is in the right direction. Leaders everywhere must take action," he added.

The Secretary-General thanked Biden for hosting the two-day Leaders Summit on Climate, and applauded US commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

In his introductory remarks, the US President announced the country would slash emissions in half, by 2030.

He spoke of the "extraordinary job creation and economic opportunity" that climate response provides, proposing investments in sectors such as energy, transportation, construction and farming.

Biden also acknowledged that no nation can solve the climate emergency alone, and he called for leaders of the worlds largest economies to "step up" in the race to a sustainable future.

"Scientists tell us that this is the decisive decade. This is the decade we must make decisions that will avoid the worst consequences of the climate crisis," he added.

Guterres used the summit to amplify his call for a global coalition to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and for countries to ramp up their commitments under the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change.

The 2015 treaty aims to limit global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and requires governments to commit to increasingly ambitious climate action through plans known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

"All countries  starting with major emitters  should submit new and more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions for mitigation, adaptation and finance, laying out actions and policies for the next 10 years aligned with a 2050 net-zero pathway," he added.

These commitments also must be translated into "concrete, immediate action," he added, as it is estimated that less than a quarter of pandemic recovery spending will go towards mitigating emissions, reducing air pollution or strengthening natural capital.

"The trillions of dollars needed for Covid-19 recovery is money we are borrowing from future generations. We cannot use these resources to lock in policies that burden them with a mountain of debt on a broken planet."

The UN chief appealed for leaders to "put a price on carbon" through taxation. He called for ending subsidies for fossil fuels and instead, ramping up investment in renewable energy and green infrastructure.

Building the global net zero coalition will require a breakthrough in both finance and adaption, the Secretary-General said. He urged donors, as well as banks, to move from 20 to 50 per cent in all climate finance flows to resilience and adaptation.

"Before the United Nations climate conference in November in Glasgow, we need concrete proposals that ease access to greater finance and technological support for the most vulnerable countries," he stated.

"Developed states must deliver on public climate finance, including the long-promised $100 billion for climate action in developing countries, at the G7 Summit in June," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Members of the Armenian diaspora rally in front of the Turkish Embassy after U.S. President Joe Biden recognized that the 1915 massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire constituted genocide in Washington, U.S., April 24, 2021. REUTERS-Yonhap



Armenian Americans celebrated the news Saturday that President Joe Biden formally declared the systematic killing and deportation of hundreds of thousands of their ancestors by Ottoman Empire forces in the early 1900s to be ''genocide,'' saying the recognition was long overdue.



His action came after decades of activism, most of which was centered in California, home of the largest Armenian community in the nation.



''He's the first American president to have the guts to talk about it. I never understood why the U.S. waited this long when they knew the truth about what happened. It's amazing and I'm very happy he did what he did,'' said Varoujan Kioudjian, 74.



He was among hundreds of people who streamed to a hilltop monument in Montebello, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles, to mark Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.



Dressed in black for the solemn ceremony, they laid flowers around a tomb and said prayers for the estimated 1.5 million Armenians who were killed in the events beginning in 1915 known as Metz Yeghern.



Kioudjian said for as long as he can remember his late father, whose parents were killed in the genocide and grew up in an orphanage, took him to memorials and demonstrations every April 24. That was the day in 1915 when Ottoman authorities began arresting Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Constantinople, now known as Istanbul.



''The day April 24 comes around, tears flowed from his eyes, from his heart. It was that sad,'' he said.





Armenians, Armenian descendants and supporters gather during a rally in Hollywood commemorating the 106th anniversary of the Armenian genocide on April 24, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. AFP-Yonhap



Outside the Turkish consulate in Beverly Hills, several thousand people blocked off Wilshire Boulevard, the main artery through the city, to demand that Turkey recognize as genocide the events that began 106 years ago. The demonstrators waved the national flag of Armenia and called for reparations.



Taleen Nazarian, 22, said at the rally that activists like herself have built their identities around fighting for recognition.



''We feel this passion to continue the fight for justice ... and do everything we can to pass it down to the next generation,'' she said.



She said she was gratified by Biden's proclamation.



''It's still surreal that the day we've been fighting for finally came,'' she said.



Can Oguz, consul general of Turkey in Los Angeles, said his country vehemently rejects Biden's statement.



''None of the conditions defined by the international law have been met that would warrant the use of 'genocide' concerning the events of 1915,'' Oguz said in a email. ''Today's statement will hurt our bilateral relations and undermine dialogue efforts for peace and stability in the region.''





A torchlight procession to mark the 106th anniversary of the massacre and to honour the victims of Armenian Genocide, in Yerevan, Armenia, Saturday, April 24, 2021. AP
Surprising agreement. Thats how a University of Massachusetts-Amherst pollster describes results of a national survey that asked Americans about the outcome of the Derek Chauvin trial last week.

In a nation rife with divisions over race, class, generation and gender, there is a surprising agreement on the issue of whether Chauvins verdict was justified, said Tatishe Nteta, who directed last weeks poll.

The survey, conducted with WCVB, found that out of 1,000 people asked, nearly 70 percent believe that Chavins two guilty verdicts in the murder of George Floyd last May in Minneapolis, as well as a third count of manslaughter, were justified.

'A defining moment.' Berkshire County reacts to guilty verdicts in Floyd murder When the Minnesota jury came back Tuesday in the George Floyd case, Raymond Moore was in a packed room in North Adams, surrounded by his wife,

The poll found that 55 percent of respondents view the verdicts as definitely justified. When asked whether Chauvin had received a fair trial, 60 percent said he had. But, 22 percent said that he had not.

Nearly half of people who identified themselves as Donald Trump voters believed that Chauvin should receive little or no sentence.

On sentencing, 30 percent said Chauvin should be given the maximum length he faces  40 years in prison. The poll broke down reactions to other possible sentencing outcomes.

Eleven percent said he should be imprisoned for 31 to 39 years. Twenty percent of the polls participants said Chauvin should serve one to 10 years in prison, while 4 percent said he should not receive any prison time.

In the middle, two groups of respondents  each representing 17 percent of the whole  said Chauvin should be imprisoned for 11 to 20 years and 21 to 23 years.

Jesse Rhodes, professor of political science at UMass, said the race of the respondent profoundly influenced how people saw the trial outcome. African Americans, Latinx and Asian Americans were far more likely to see the verdicts as fair, compared with whites, Rhodes said in a statement released by the university.

At the same time, it is notable that a solid majority of whites (56%) supported the verdict. In a nation with such a troubled racial history and present, it is extremely rare  and perhaps unprecedented  that a majority of whites support the conviction of a white police officer for the murder of a Black man.

The poll was conducted April 21-23. It has a margin of error of 3.4 percent.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to countrymen to seek all Covid related information only through correct sources and not to fall prey to misinformation.

Addressing the nation in the 76th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi said, "If you need any information, if you have any apprehension, get the information only from the correct source."



He said that for right information one can consult one's family doctor or doctors in the neighbourhood on the phone. "I am noticing that many of our doctors are taking upon themselves this responsibility, on their own to educate people. Many doctors are providing information to people through social media. They are counseling on phone and WhatsApp. Many hospitals have websites where information is available. You can seek advice of doctors too," he said.





The Prime Minister informed the countrymen that in the days gone by, to tide over this crisis, he had long deliberations with experts from various sectors.



"People from our Pharma industry, vaccine manufacturers, those connected with oxygen production, experts from the medical field have put forth their valuable suggestions to the government. This time, to emerge victorious in this battle, we have to accord priority to experts and scientific advice," he said.



Modi explained that the Government of India is using its entire might to give a fillip to the endeavours of State Governments and the State Governments too are trying their best to fulfill their responsibilities.



"Presently, the country's doctors and health workers are waging a colossal battle against Corona," the Prime Minister said.



He also appealed to people not to fall prey to any rumour about vaccine. "All are getting aware of the importance of vaccine, so it is my appeal, don't get swayed by any rumour about the vaccine," he said.



He further stated: "You all must be knowing that people above 45 years of age can benefit from the free vaccine that has been sent to all state governments by the government of India."



He highlighted that now from May 1 onwards, the vaccine is going to be made available for every person above 18 years in the country. Now the Corporate Sector, companies too will be able to participate in the programme of administering vaccine to their employees.



"I also want to say that the programme of free vaccine by the government of India, that is going on now, will continue further too. I appeal also to the states to extend the benefit of this free vaccine campaign of government of India to maximum number of people of their state," the Prime Minister said.



He mentioned that after successfully confronting the first wave of Corona, the country was full of enthusiasm, full of self-confidence, but this storm (second wave) has shaken the country.



During his monthly radio programme, Modi interacted with doctors, nurses and other health care workers.
Members of California's Armenian community gathered on Saturday to commemorate the anniversary of the massacre of their ancestors by Ottoman Empire forces in the early 1900s.

Hundreds of people streamed to a hilltop monument in Montebello, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of downtown Los Angeles, to mark Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.

Dressed in black, many laid flowers around a tomb while priest led prayers for the estimated 1.5 million Armenians who were killed in the events beginning in 1915 known Metz Yeghern.

Also Saturday, President Joe Biden formally declared the systematic killing and deportation of hundreds of thousands of Armenians as a genocide, saying the recognition by a sitting US president was long overdue.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
3 1 of 3 Justin Sullivan / Getty Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Joe Amon/Denver Post via Getty Images Show More Show Less 3 of 3





The Supertanker, which has left an indelible impression on Californians looking to the skies during wildfires, is shutting down.

The investor group which owns the 747 Supertanker is shutting the plane down. The decision to cease the Supertankers operations was first reported by Fire Aviation, an industry website that reported an email was sent this week to officials in Colorado, Oregon, Washington and the U.S. government saying that the investor group that owns the plane was shutting it down.
The verdict declaring former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of George Floyds murder wont singlehandedly restore many Americans faith in the criminal justice system, nor does it disentangle our policing practices from the discriminatory beliefs often embedded in them.

But it is affirmation that our institutions, as flawed as they may be, can evolve and that those who betray our faith can be held accountable. Its evidence that progress can come from challenging our institutions to be better, not by abolishing or breaking them. And at this critical moment in which Portlanders are struggling to climb out of a year of pandemic and unrest, it offers a message of hope and encouragement that we can build on this moment.

Thats what our elected officials, community leaders and residents need to rally around, even as turmoil and tragedy continue to unfold. Real progress is happening, from legislative initiatives to strengthen police accountability to innovative ideas for broadening Portland Police training to include community participation. Along with investments focused on communities of color, support for businesses to get back on their feet and programs aimed at bolstering downtown, Portland is putting together the elements of a community comeback anchored in equity and responsive policing.

What we cannot build on, however, is the havoc wrought by anarchists regularly rampaging through downtown and other neighborhoods while claiming to protest for racial equity. In the past two weeks, their calls for direct action have resulted in multiple fires, damage to community organizations and a church, and smashed windows of businesses already hard hit by the pandemic. As Mayor Ted Wheeler, City Commissioner Mingus Mapps and other leaders noted in a press conference last Tuesday, these actions arent aimed at racial justice, but rather community breakdown.

Its hard to conclude otherwise. What other message is there from rioters who smashed the windows and doors of the Blazers Boys and Girls Club that serves low-income children of color? What purpose is promoted by setting fire to portable toilets used by people who are homeless? How does damaging a church that offers meals to those in need reflect anything but deep cynicism and disdain for our city, our values and our future?

The obvious answer is that it doesnt. And we need those who love our city, share our communitys sense of compassion and believe in creating a more equitable future to draw the line.

Wheeler appears to be doing so. On Friday, he made an unusual direct appeal to community members to recognize that those engaged in these bouts of destruction arent racial-justice protesters but self-described anarchists. He and Acting Chief Chris Davis also laid out a number of actions that the city and police are doing to try to counter such crimes. Among them: detainment tactics or kettling of protesters to filter out those hiding among them who are engaged in crimes; urging businesses to lock up dumpsters and materials as precautionary measures to limit the potential for destruction; urging the public to call in tips on offenders; and working with Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt to look at potentially reviving dismissed charges for those who are rearrested on new, more serious offenses. Theres more that prosecutors and the courts can do, Wheeler noted, such as imposing pre-trial conditions on defendants that bar them from attending another direct action. Schmidts willingness to consider refiling charges reflects that the progressive prosecutor recognizes his role in helping deter the destructive behavior harming Portlands fledging recovery. Thats a start, but Portland needs more from all its leaders.

As former state Sen. Avel Gordly said in last Tuesdays press conference, the choice before us is between chaos and community. Those of us who love this city will choose community every single time.

- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

Sign up for our free weekly Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email:


Sejal Desai has been named as the new executive director of the Akanksha Education Fund. The Indian American said she will work together with individuals, corporates and foundations across the U.S. to advance educational outcomes for underserved children in India. (akankshafund.org photo)




A unit of Samsung C&T is considering developing solar power plants worth $673 million in the U.S. state of Texas, aiming to sell the electricity generated starting December 2023, documents reviewed by Reuters showed.







The plants will be located in Milam County, the documents showed, less than two hours' drive from Austin where affiliate Samsung Electronics has a chip factory and is considering building another at a cost of $17 billion.







Construction of the solar plants will begin in June 2022 and will result in a combined capacity of about 700 megawatts, the documents showed.







A Samsung CT official told Reuters that Samsung Renewable Energy is "proceeding with approval procedures with the state".







There are no current discussions with Samsung Electronics about the project, for which Samsung CT aims to attract investment, said the official.







The appeal of solar and wind power is growing quickly as countries worldwide transition from fossil fuels to cleaner renewable sources of power to help slow global warming.







U.S. President Joe Biden's administration wants all of the country's power to come from non-carbon-emitting sources such as nuclear and renewable energy by 2035.







South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Thursday pledged to end new financing for overseas coal projects and said he would soon set an ambitious schedule for slashing carbon emissions.







Samsung CT in October said it would halt new coal-related investments and projects.







Chipmakers such as Samsung Electronics, Intel Corp and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd have pledged to boost the use of renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprints.







Chip manufacturing, which requires large amounts of energy as well as gases and chemicals, accounts for most of the carbon output attributable to data centers and mobile phones, showed research by Harvard University, Arizona State University and Facebook.







Samsung Electronics and other chipmakers earlier this year suffered production suspensions due to a power crisis in Texas brought about by a winter storm. (Reuters)


Aligarh : , April 25 (IANS) In the past seven days, the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has lost three faculty members and five retired professors to Covid.

Thirty faculty and staff members have tested positive and have been admitted to AMU's Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, as have 12 consultants, 20 resident doctors and some paramedical staff members of the medical college.

AMU officials said noted critic and senior faculty member at the department of Urdu, Prof Maula Bakhsh Ansari, 58, faculty member of the Sunni theology section, Prof Ehsanullah Fahad, 50, and in-charge of leather and footwear technology section at University Polytechnic AMU and Saeed Uzzaman, 51, were serving faculty members who have passed away in the past two days.

"Prof Ansari had been admitted to a private hospital and died within a few days on Wednesday. He had not been tested for Covid-19, but he had symptoms of the disease," said former director of the Urdu Academy AMU, Rahat Abrar.

Ansari had been working on six projects of books on stylistics, critical studies and cultural studies. They are yet to be published.

Fahad, meanwhile, had been admitted to AMU's medical college for Covid-19 treatment. "After his report came negative, he was moved to the non-Covid ward. But he died two days later of post-Covid complications," medical college principal Prof Shahid Ali Siddiqui said.

A day later, Uzzaman passed away. "His Covid-19 test report was negative but he had symptoms like fever and cough. He died in Meerut, where he had gone to attend his mother's cremation," principal of University Polytechnic Prof Arshad Umar said.

Five retired faculty members have also died with Covid-19-related complications in the past one week.

They are Prof Rizwan Husain, 84 (English), Prof Vakeel Jafari, 90 (physics), Prof Humayun Murad, 80 (zoology), Prof Saeeduz Zafar, 75 (former chairperson of the department of psychology), and Prof Iqbal Ali, 70 (former principal, University Polytechnic AMU).

"Rizwan died of a cardiac arrest but had been in isolation at home after his daughter-in-law tested positive. His wife and son, too, have been infected," Husain's brother-in-law Prof Syed Ali Nadeem Rezavi, also a faculty member at AMU, said.

On Monday, Jafari passed away. "My father was in Delhi at the time. He had fever and congestion," his son Rehan Jafari said.

Two days later, on Wednesday, Murad died with similar complications. "He had been admitted to a private hospital with fever and weakness. When his condition started deteriorating, he was referred to the (AMU) medical college, where he tested positive for Covid-19. He died within two days of admission," former media adviser of AMU Jaseem Mohammad said.

Iqbal, on the other hand, died a day later in Kanpur. "He had been admitted to the hospital with a complaint of fever and throat ulcer. He passed away within a day," a senior faculty member at the University Polytechnic said.

With a spate of such cases, those associated with university faculty bodies have sought an upgrade in Covid-19 support facilities.

"We urgently need to increase the number of oxygen beds and ventilators and (step up) deployment of medical staff," Aftab Alam, former secretary of the AMU Teachers' Association and former member of the AMU Executive Council wrote in an open letter to the university and medical college administrations.

"We also need to create dedicated facilities for teachers and university staff," he stated.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
A federal grand jury has indicted two Bay Area men with the August 2018 murder of one person and attempted murder of five others in San Francisco in a gang-related crime, authorities said this week.

The indictment, which was filed on April 15 and unsealed on Wednesday, alleges that Jonathan Escobar, 24, of Richmond, and Jose Aguilar, 32, of San Francisco, were members of a gang called the 19th Street/16th Street Surenos in the Mission District of San Francisco.

Prosecutors said the Surenos were involved in drug trafficking and other crimes including murder and robbery. Their principal rivals were the Nortenos, and violence between the two gangs was common, prosecutors said.

In an attempt to increase their position in the gang, prosecutors said, the men  together with others known and unknown  used a gun to kill a person identified in the indictment only as Victim-1 on Aug. 11, 2018, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Northern District of California, in San Francisco. The indictment did not name any other suspects.

Prosecutors also allege that on the same day, the two men, with others, used a gun to try to kill five other people, who were identified in the indictment as victims 2 through 6, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing position in the 19th Street/16th Street Surenos.

The men were arrested on Tuesday and had their first appearance in federal court on Wednesday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Corley ordered the men to remain in custody pending a trial, authorities said.

Street gangs resort to violence to assert control over peaceful neighborhoods, expecting to create safe havens for drug trafficking, robberies, and other violent crimes, said Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Hinds. In this case, the indictment describes how firearms are deliberately used to achieve these goals through murder and attempted murder.

The indictment comes after an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from San Francisco Police Departments Gang Task Force and Homicide Unit, authorities said.

If convicted on the murder charge, the men are eligible for the death penalty, authorities said. They could face a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum term of life in prison if convicted on the attempted murder count, authorities said.

Their next court appearance is scheduled for May 12.

This case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime Strike Force of the United States Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California.

Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez
Lucknow, April 25 : The Yogi Adityanath government on Sunday announced that it will now bear the cost of treatment of Covid patients even in private hospitals.

Additional Chief Secretary, Information, Navneet Sehgal said that hospitals have been asked not to turn away patients.

"In case there are no beds available in government hospitals, the patients will be sent to a private hospital and the state government will bear the entire cost of treatment," he said.

According to a government release, the last rites of every Covid casualty will be done as per the religion of the patient and the state government will bear the cost.

Directives in this regard have been sent to officials in rural and urban areas in the state.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Nalbari (Assam), Apr 25 (PTI) Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that the state government has made arrangements to import oxygen from neighbouring Bhutan.

Speaking to reporters here, Sarma said there will be no shortage of Remdesivir as he requested drug manufacturer Sun Pharma to expedite the production at its Palasbari plant to 80,000 vials per week week.

"Regarding oxygen, we have moved ahead. There is a new oxygen plant being set up in Bhutan. Today, we have made arrangements to procure oxygen from there," he said.

Sarma further said that the Assam government was not aware of an oxygen plant in Dimapur in Nagaland, and now it will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the neighbouring state for procurement.

"The oxygen level that we are able to manage, I think there will not be any problem until several thousand patients arrive at the hospitals," he added.

The health minister visited Sun Pharma's Palasbari plant near Guwahati during the day.

"We have good news. We were searching for Remdesivir across the world. I did not know that Remdesivir was being manufactured in Assam. When I visited the Sun Pharma plant at Palasbari this morning, I came to know that 80,000 Remdesivirs can be produced every week in Assam," he added.

He requested the company to scale up the production to ensure that there is no shortage in the state.

"ICU beds have also been ramped up. I believe we will be able to manage the COVID-19 crisis very fast like last year," Sarma said.

When asked about the possibility of lockdown in Assam, he said there is no necessity for any such drastic step at this moment.

"When do we announce a lockdown? It is done when there is no oxygen, injection, medicine, kit in hospitals, then we get temporary relief by implementing lockdown. There is a lockdown in Delhi because the Delhi CM himself said there is no oxygen.

"But, everything is there in Assam as of now. So, there is no need for thinking about a lockdown. The way we are managing the things, I think the chance of lockdown in Assam is extremely rare," the minister said.

The total closure of educational institutions in the state will be decided after May 2, he said. PTI CORR TR SOM SOM

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
A doctor who was placed in a medically-induced coma for two months after contracting Covid-19 has opened up about her recovery, as medics said it was 'nothing short of a miracle' she lived.

Dr Anushua Gupta spent 150 days in hospital last year, and had to learn to sit upright, stand and walk again.

After she was weaned off sedation, the GP initially couldn't speak due to 'prolonged' intubation while on a ventilator to breathe.

Dr Anushua Gupta, pictured with her husband Ankur, contracted Covid-19 and was placed into a medically-induced coma for two months before beginning a long process of recovery

Dr Gupta, who is now raising funds for two pieces of vital equipment for the acute intensive care unit at Wythenshawe Hospital, in South Manchester, as way of thanking medics for saving her life, detailed her struggle in a recent social media post.

She contracted coronavirus last March, two weeks after her 40th birthday.

Her daughter, Ariana, was just 18-months-old at the time.

The toddler remained at the family home in Cheadle Hulme with her husband Ankur, during her long stay in hospital.

'I remember the night I deteriorated clearly like it was yesterday,' said Dr Gupta.

'I became severely breathless. I started seeing a black winged figure everywhere I looked.

'Immediately I thought it was the angel of death. I was petrified.'

Admitted to hospital at Wythenshawe, she went on: 'An intensive care unit consultant came to see me soon after and explained that I would have to go onto a ventilator. My worst fears were coming true.

The Manchester-based GP is now raising funds for the intensive care team who saved her life

'I called Ankur and asked to see Ariana on Whatsapp video at the thought that I would never get to see our beloved daughter ever again. I would never get to fulfil the dream my husband and I had of living into our 80/90s together.

'I had to keep it together for the sake of Ankur.

'He had to be strong for Ariana as I believed at that time that I was never going to make a comeback.'

That night she was intubated and put on a ventilator to breathe. Dr Gupta remained in a medically-induced coma for two months.

Ten days later, her condition deteriorated.

On April 13, 2020, she was put on an ECMO machine.

'Simply put, it is a machine which does the job of the lungs whilst the lungs rest and repair - in my case, repair from the huge insult caused by severe Covid pneumonia infection,' Dr Gupta said.

'Of course, in reality, how ECMO works is a lot more complex than that. Not everyone is a candidate for ECMO.

'[It] is the most superior form of life support when a ventilator fails. It was one of the most important keys to my survival.

'I was one of the very few in the UK to go on ECMO for Covid-19 at the time. Doctors had very little hope if any that I would survive.'

In spite of the odds, by the middle of May there were signs of recovery.

Anushua pictured with her husband Ankur and their daughter, Ariana, as she recovered

Dr Gupta was slowly weaned off the machine after 34 days, but spent a further eight weeks on a ventilator.

'I have been told by many doctors and nurses that it was nothing short of a miracle that I survived,' she added.

Dr Gupta was transferred onto the acute intensive care unit (ACIU) where she remained for a month before beginning intense rehabilitation.

'To say that the AICU nurses were simply amazing at their job is an understatement. They are like super-humans. They are friends, companions and highly experienced nurses all in one person.

'I felt so lucky to have received the care I did from every department I was in during my admission.'

The GP had to learn to sit upright, stand and walk again and was unable to speak initially

Dr Gupta told of muscle atrophy and having to learn to walk just a few steps.

'I had to be hoisted around for two months,' she said.

'When I was weaned off sedation, I was alarmed to find out that I had no voice. It was so distressing that I could not communicate.'

Dr Gupta said her voice still hasn't returned to normal.

'I was very worried about my voice normalising especially as I am a GP and my job revolves around talking and also that I wouldn't be able to sing rhymes with my toddler,' she said.

She was discharged home on September 1, and says her daughter has been her 'driving force'.

'The recovery from Covid-19 is by no means complete for me,' Dr Gupta, 41, added.

'I have significant changes to my lungs. It is unknown at this stage whether those changes are reversible.

'I still do get breathless, but this is improving and my exercise tolerance is getting better.

'I was suffering significantly with pains in all of my joints for many months. I feel this may well be part and parcel of Long Covid Syndrome. However, this is improving as I am getting fitter and more active.

'My mental health is so much better. I try to keep a very positive outlook on life.

'I feel like I've been given a second chance in life. The power of having supportive family and friends close by is phenomenal for one's mental and physical well being. I must say I have been truly blessed.

'Thank you so much Wythenshawe Hospital.

'I am here because of you all. I am able to write my story because you saved my life.'

She added: 'The fight is not over yet. We are still in a pandemic. My main message is that this is an example of how severe Covid can be for even the younger generation.'
NATO kicks off BALTOPS exercise in Baltic Sea

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Twitter launches paid subscription Twitter Blue

Robert Kocharyan: We are able to find solutions

Tennessee boat merchant willing to pay $ 100,000 to anyone who catches specially marked fish

Armenia ex-Ambassador to Vatican on Armenians' emigration and reasons

Catholicos of All Armenians takes remains of St. Gregory the Illuminator to Artsakh

Armenian ballet master Vilen Galstyan dies at 80

Putin shares expectations from upcoming meeting with Biden

Armenia 2nd President: Number of people who emigrated without returning has grown, only solution is shift of power

EU bans flights of Belarusian airline companies in its airspace

US deals blow to major Chinese companies

Armenia acting PM: 62% of weapons obtained were obtained between 2018 and 2020

Armenia acting PM: Meghri corridor issue and transfer of villages of Kazakh region were a topic in November 2020

Armenia ruling party MP drops mandate

Citizens of Armenia's Artashat greet acting PM by chanting 'Turk' and 'traitor'

Armenia Ombudsman reminds PM's ex-chief of staff about shortcomings in activities during war

Armenia 3rd President: We must start bringing back people who know everything about troops

Armenia MOD hosts consultation with deputy commanders and battalions' commanders

Armenia Ombudsman says acting PM's plan won't ensure restoration of Armenian citizens' rights

Armenia Ombudsman: Azerbaijan's failure to return POWs is equivalent to war crime

Armenia 3rd President receives Netherlands Ambassador

Armenia Prosecutor General speaks at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

"Armenia" bloc: We plan to meet with residents of Shirak Province

Armenian water resources come under Azerbaijani control, more on COVID-19 in Armenia, Jun. 4 digest

Armenia acting PM: Health insurance is inevitable

Armenia Investigative Committee launches criminal case regarding keeping of bodies and remains of deceased servicemen

Opposition "Armenia" bloc representative: Authorities are actually busy bribing voters

Armenia legislature passes law to help ease requirements for future teachers

Russia ambassador visits Meghri, Armenia border checkpoint (PHOTOS)

Armenia ruling party's candidate for anti-corruption commission member not elected

Armenia acting premier: There will be statement in coming days about exposure of high treason

Dollar loses value in Armenia

Armenia acting PM: Our task is to support our farmers so that engaging in agriculture is planned activity

China Daily: Water tribe prospers ashore in Fujian

China calls for closer security, economic cooperation with Afghanistan

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: There was proposal from Azerbaijans Aliyev on Meghri issue

CIS Observation Mission continues to monitor snap parliamentary elections in Armenia

Nepal reports first death from 'black fungus'

Armenian analyst: High-ranking US delegation's visit to Armenia can't be viewed as support to incumbent authorities

"Armenia" bloc: Things can't get any worse in the country from the perspective of censure

Edmon Marukyan calls on people to vote for Bright Armenia Party to establish unity in the country

Armenia Ararat Province deputy governor sacked

Russian Ambassador says Russia makes significant contributions to ensuring of Armenia's security

Azerbaijan reports 3 deaths from mine explosion in Karvachar

Sarkissian to Nigmatulin: Armenia, Kazakhstan have lot in common

ECHR fails to accept Azerbaijan's application against Armenia Government as new and separate case

Head of Armenia's Verin Shorzha: Azerbaijanis operating equipment to move from one military post to the other

Iran produces trial batches of Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine

President welcomes Catholicos of All Armenians who has arrived in Artsakh
Thirty-nine feet, nine inches, called out Mullet Toss Master of Ceremonies Doc Wallach on Saturday morning. Im impressed.

Wallach has been calling the shots at the Flora-Bamas Interstate Mullet Toss for 12 years or so, and it takes a lot to impress him. Hes seen a few things, to put it mildly. In this case, it certainly wasnt the sheer distance of Kerry Havraneks toss that struck him: It was the fact that shed done it with her daughter Charlotte strapped into the infant carrier she wore.

And yet, in a way, the toss by Havranek, a visitor from Baltimore, signified that things were back to normal at one of the Flora-Bamas signature annual events: The Mullet Toss was back on its regular spring dates after being postponed until fall (and nearly canceled) by COVID-19 in 2020, and back on despite the threat of rain.

Energetic thunderstorms had strafed the coast just a few miles north of the beach on Saturday morning, hammering Mobile and the Penscacola area. The lightning and rains stayed clear of the beach, though winds whipped sand and dust into a persistent haze and red flags warned it was unwise to go out in the heavy surf.

Nonetheless Wallach was able to conduct his usual pre-Toss briefing for his volunteer corps, reminding them that they had a specific job to do and it needed to be done in a specific way. I dont want half-inches, I dont want three-quarter inches, I dont want centimeters, he said of the measuring protocol.

The day before, Wallach had seen a throw of 192 feet, 11 inches, which he reckoned was the farthest hed seen a competitor throw a dead fish in at least five years. In his guidance to volunteers and onlookers, he acknowledged a chance of storms on Saturday but said the show would go on while it could.

People are here to have a good time, he said. Theyve been cooped up for a year. Were going to have fun.

And have fun they did. Mullet Toss etiquette is simple, though the results vary wildly. Each competitor selects a fish from the supply on hand in coolers. If they drop it in the sand theyre required to wash it and their hands, so that sand cant give anyone a better grip and a competitive advantage. Theyre advised to try folding the fish in half for the best results, though many find this impractical or distasteful. A team of volunteers handles the measuring, tossers are required to pick up their fish and return them to the cooler.

Somewhere on the course, theoretically, a fish flung far enough crosses from Florida into Alabama, hence the Interstate part of the events name.

The best result in the early hours on Saturday: A toss of 111 feet, eight inches. But there was a considerable headwind.

Flora-Bama co-owner Cameron Price surveyed the scene with satisfaction. Its awesome. Its such a relief, he said. Ive seen it all through year this year. People are glad to get out and enjoy the freedoms theyve been deprived of.

The 2021 Interstate Mullet Toss continues on Sunday. For more information, visit www.florabama.com.
Experts said the best Lane, Kueng and Thao can hope for is a jury of 12 people who think Chauvin was guilty but arent so sure about what roles the other three played. And they said the evidence against the three is weaker than the evidence against Chauvin, which provides opportunities for their attorneys.
[April 25, 2021] Xinhua Silk Road: Shanghai sub-contest of China (Nanxun) 4th Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship Contest of Elite Talents held on Thursday

BEIJING, April 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Shanghai sub-contest of the 4th Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship Contest of Elite Talents hosted by Nanxun District of Huzhou, a prefecture-level city in east China's Zhejiang Province, is held on Thursday. The 4th Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship Contest of Elite Talents was commenced on April 16, aiming at attracting elite talents from home and abroad to join the development of Nanxun. The Shanghai event will include a roadshow and selection of ten projects which will be comprehensively evaluated from team capacity, technological innovation, project feasibility, industrialization prospect and landing feasibility. Currently, Nanxun is striving to build three high-end industrial platforms involving the Nanxun Economic Development Zone, connecteddevelopment of green and intelligent manufacturing in the Yangtze River Delta and integrated innovation cooperation, as well as "sci-tech innovation enclaves" in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shenzhen and other cities, said Wen Jianfei, deputy Party chief and head of Nanxun district, at the kick-off ceremony of the contest.



The district has rolled out policies covering housing, education, etc. to provide guarantee for innovators and entrepreneurs, he noted. Innovation and entrepreneurship contest is an important channel for talents to implement innovation achievements, and also a key means for a region to attract excellent innovation projects, he pointed out, adding that Nanxun will continue to create a better environment and provide greater support and better services to share development opportunities and achieve a better future with talents in Nanxun.

It's learned that the 4th contest is divided into two categories of entrepreneurship competition and innovation competition, and three stages of "kick-off ceremony, city sub-contests and final", targeting to introduce elite entrepreneurship projects in optoelectronic information, intelligent manufacturing, digital economy and other high-tech fields. There will be two first-prize winners, four second-prize winners and six third-prize winners, who will be respectively awarded 300,000 yuan, 200,000 yuan and 100,000 yuan. Outstanding projects will represent Nanxun to participate in the Huzhou innovation and entrepreneurship semi-final and final. The winning projects in the municipal entrepreneurship competition can be selected into the "Southern Taihu Lake Elite Plan", a talent-introduction project of Huzhou, and receive up to six rewards of 10 million yuan. A signing ceremony of elite talent projects was also held on the commencement day of the contest. See the original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/321084.html View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xinhua-silk-road-shanghai-sub-contest-of-china-nanxun-4th-global-innovation--entrepreneurship-contest-of-elite-talents-held-on-thursday-301276364.html SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road

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Saudi Arabias stc, a leading telecom provider, said that its net Income for the first quarter (Q1) of the year reached to SR2,952 million ($786 million) with an increase of 1.34% compared to the corresponding quarter last year.





Key financial highlights:



 Revenues for the 1st quarter reached SR15,695 million with an increase of 12.63% compared to the corresponding quarter last year.

 Gross Profit for the 1st quarter reached to SR8,557 million with an increase of 4.40% compared to the corresponding quarter last year.

 Operating Profit for the 1st quarter reached to SR3,482 million with an increase of 15.91% compared to the corresponding quarter last year

 Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Zakat, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) for the 1st quarter reached to SR5,841 million with an increase of 9.59% compared to the corresponding quarter last year.



stc will distribute a total of SR2,000 million in cash dividend for Q1 2021, representing SR1 per share, an stc statement said.



Olayan Mohammed Alwetaid, stc Group CEO, stated that the companys results for this quarter as compared to the comparable quarter last year was distinct. The company was able to grow its top line by 12.6%, supported by the increase witnessed in Consumer Business Unite revenues due to the growth in the Broadband & Fixed Wireless Access subscriber base by 10.1%, FTTH by 26%, working lines by 3.1% and data revenue by 4.5%.



Further, Enterprise Business Unite revenues also grew by 33.4%, as a result of the increased demand for the company's services & products along with its ability to swiftly respond to customers request and demand in a competitive manner. As for Wholesale Sector, it managed to increase its revenues by 5.1%. Moreover, the revenues generated by stcs subsidiaries grew by 23.2%, which contributed positively to the group's overall results.

Alwetaid also pointed out that stc surpassed its counterparts in the region to become the most valuable brand in the telecommunications sector, and the third most valuable brand in all sectors, according to Brand Finance. The company also celebrated being the regions fastest-growing brand, up an impressive 14% to $9.2 billion and simultaneously jumping 51 positions to 189th, making stc the 2nd fastest-growing brand of the largest 20 global telecommunications companies.



In addition and as part of our journey for digital transformation, stc has launched the digital operations control center, which is considered the largest integrated operating center in the region with an area of more than 42,000 sq m, Alwetaid said.



 The digital operations control center includes a system made out of advanced digital processes in several areas, such as simulation, digital infrastructure management, digital crises management and reinvention within a range of other digital solutions while abiding by high security standards.- TradeArabia News Service
On Sunday, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd said that the company has started supplying oxygen to several hospitals, aiming to save the life of patients battling against the coronavirus.

The state-run company is using its manufacturing plans in Bhopal and Haridwar to supply oxygen to hospitals in nearby areas. Currently, India is gasping for medical grade oxygen, as over 300,000 Covid-19 cases are getting reported on a daily basis.

The step from BHEL will fuel Indias fight against the second wave of Covid-19 that is appearing to be way more drastic than the first one. The supply of medical grade oxygen to hospitals may help in saving the lives of hundreds of patients.

In an official statement, BHEL said that its plant in Bhopal is supplying over 6,000 cubic meters of oxygen gas daily to hospitals in the city. On Friday, the Bhopal plant supplied 975 cylinders.

Meanwhile, BHEL is upgrading its facility in Haridwar so that the company can supply 16,000 Cubic Meters of oxygen per day for medical use. It is aiming to supply 2200 cylinders a day, far more than its current capacity of 700 cylinders per day.

BHEL is supplying oxygen from captive oxygen plants installed in these two sites to meet the demand. The company is now working on creating oxygen production capacity at its other units.

Besides BHEL, companies such as ITC, Reliance and Tata Motors are also ramping up their oxygen producing capabilities to help India fight the battle against Covid-19.

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Albanians suspected of crimes including murder, drug-trafficking and armed robbery are using the UK as a safe haven to evade justice, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

There has been a flood of recent cases in which EU states are trying to extradite Albanian men accused, and in some cases convicted, of serious crimes overseas who have fled to the UK and gone into hiding, according to court records.

Experts say the fugitives use people-smuggling routes to cross the Channel and are then protected by Albanian criminal syndicates.

Tory MPs say the growing problem demonstrates why sweeping reforms proposed by Home Secretary Priti Patel, including tougher sentences for smugglers and those caught entering the UK illegally

Experts say the fugitives use people-smuggling routes to cross the Channel and are then protected by Albanian criminal syndicates

Tory MPs say the growing problem demonstrates why sweeping reforms proposed by Home Secretary Priti Patel, including tougher sentences for smugglers and those caught entering the UK illegally, are 'important' and 'necessary'  yet the plans have been condemned by charities and Labour.

At least 30 wanted Albanian men discovered living in the UK have faced extradition hearings since January last year, according to records at Westminster Magistrates' Court, which handles all such proceedings in England and Wales.

Half of the extradition requests were made by the Italian government, including that of Ergys Gerbeti, 38, who was convicted of possessing and supplying cocaine but fled house arrest last year and slipped into the UK.

He was arrested last September and agreed to be extradited at a court hearing in February.

Italy is also trying to extradite Mentor Shehu, 47, who is suspected of being part of the notorious Shijak cartel that shipped cocaine to Italy on ferries from the Albanian port of Durres.

He was jailed for eight years for drug offences in 2010 but fled to Britain in 2014 after completing his parole. He is in prison awaiting a court's decision on the extradition bid.

Meanwhile, police swooped on armed robber Faiken Dokaj at Luton Airport last month. He had been hiding in the UK since 2018 after being sentenced in Italy for six robberies. Despite being a fugitive, he had married and acquired the right to reside in the UK.

An Italian judicial source said Britain was an attractive place to hide because of existing Albanian criminal networks, adding: 'London is a big international city and it is easy to be anonymous there.'

Tony Saggers, a former drug threat official at the National Crime Agency, said some Albanian crime bosses may be moving to the UK to exert 'command and control' over the lucrative cocaine trade.

Under Ms Patel's reforms, people-smugglers will face new maximum life sentences, while anyone who pays gangs to bring them here will only ever receive temporary permission to remain and be regularly assessed for removal from the UK.
MERIDEN  A human trafficking operation conducted by the Meriden Police Department led to five adult females and two adult males being contacted on April 23.

All five females were offered sexual assault crisis services, victim services, counseling/therapy and drug rehabilitation. The information gathered during the operation continues to be under investigation, officials said.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 25, 2021 - 12:15 | Arts, Feature, All, Japan

A series of famous paintings by a couple who witnessed the aftermath of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima is set to be restored for the first time, 71 years after the first work in the series was released.

The set of 15 works titled "The Hiroshima Panels" by the late Iri and Toshi Maruki, who were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995, have severely deteriorated and become moth-eaten over the years.

"We want to pass on (the works) from generation to generation so that the tragedy of the atomic bombing will never happen again," said Yukinori Okamura, the curator of the Maruki Gallery for the Hiroshima Panels in Higashimatsuyama, Saitama Prefecture, where the collection is preserved.

Each work, presented on 1.8-meter tall panels that together are 7.2 meters wide, is based on the Marukis' experience of going to Hiroshima just days after the Aug. 6, 1945, bombing and the scenes they reconstituted by gathering stories from survivors.

The couple released a total of 15 pieces between 1950 and 1982 based on their experience of walking through the burnt wasteland while exposed to residual radiation. Fourteen are exhibited at the gallery.

"Ghosts," the first panel of the series made public five years after the end of the war, is set to be restored at a cost of several million yen using funds from the gallery's savings.

The piece, which shows people walking with their arms extended in front of them after their clothes were incinerated and skin badly burned, will be folded and sent for restoration at an Aichi University of the Arts institution, with a duplicate to be exhibited in the interim.

As news coverage of the atomic bombing was censored during the occupation of Japan by the General Headquarters of the Allied Powers, the husband-and-wife artists chose to focus on the cities' inhabitants in their works.

The piece was completed after ink painter Iri inked clear-cut figures drawn by oil painter Toshi.

They spent more than 30 years creating the set depicting the horrors of the U.S. atomic bombings of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II.

"This is the first time that A-bomb survivors have been visually depicted to this extent, so it has great historical significance," said Okamura, adding that the gallery hopes to restore other panels in turn if funds allow.

The Marukis released the second panel of the series "Fire," and its third panel "Water" in 1950, and actively held touring exhibitions, attracting nearly 650,000 people at 51 locations by November 1951.

In 1953, exhibitions were also held in Europe and Asia, and the couple was awarded the Gold Medal by the World Peace Council the same year.

The couples' artwork did not only focus on the Japanese as victims -- it also depicts the sufferings inflicted by the Japanese. "The Death of American Prisoners of War" shows American POWs who were assaulted by the Japanese after the bombing in Hiroshima, and "Crows" illustrates the discriminatory treatment of Korean victims.

The Marukis also dealt with other war-related subjects, such as the Nanjing Massacre, the Auschwitz concentration camp, and the Battle of Okinawa, before Iri died in 1995 at the age of 94 and Toshi passed away in 2000 at 87.

Related coverage:

Hiroshima A-Bomb Dome unveiled after 6-month preservation work

Life of bomb-hit Hiroshima girl and family being made into film
CFSB Spreads Financial Knowledge to Students

By West Kentucky Star Staff

WESTERN KENTUCKY - Pinnacle, Inc. has joined forces with Community Financial Services Bank to provide financial literacy curricula to local middle and high school students.CFSB started the initiative in 2018 to provide students at 13 schools with the Foundations in Personal Finance program.Current local schools participating include Calloway County High School, Christian Fellowship School, Mayfield Middle School, North Marshall Middle School, Paducah Middle School, and South Marshall Middle School."Providing financial literacy for our youth goes beyond the classroom. It empowers our students to impact their future and the generations after them," said CFSB President Jason Jones. "An education about financial health will start a cycle of overall wellness as these youth become leaders in our communities."Dennis Smith, President of Pinnacle, Inc., added, "Pinnacle is proud to be a part of this endeavor as we love serving the community in ways that provide tangible benefits to our youth and overall to families."
A column complaining that Disney Worlds wokeness is ruining the fun because Disney cares more about politics than happy guests drew a sharp backlash online this week.

The guest column, I love Disney World, but wokeness is ruining the experience, was written by Jonathan VanBoskerck and appeared online Friday in The Orlando Sentinel.

In the column, VanBoskerck, of North Las Vegas, Nevada, wrote that he was strongly rethinking his commitment to the amusement park and the city of Orlando, Florida, home of Disney World.

The more Disney moves away from the values and vision of Walt Disney, the less Disney World means to me, VanBoskerck wrote. Disney is forgetting that guest immersion is at the core of its business model.

Disney has made changes to its parks in recent years to make them more inclusive and provide an experience that all of our guests can connect with and be inspired by, it wrote in a blog post.

Among the changes, Disney announced last year a retheming of Splash Mountain, which was previously based on the 1946 Disney film Song of the South, in which a former slave recounts African folk tales.

John Raoux/Associated Press

Changes have extended beyond Disneys parks, such as with the decision not to stream Song of the South on Disney+.

Disney World reopened its Pirates of the Caribbean ride in 2018, replacing a scene that showed pirates selling off women in an auction. The scene now depicts the sale of townspeoples most prized possessions and goods, according to a blog post on the Disney Parks site.

Among other changes, the company announced that it was building on the story of the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland and Disney World to include new adventures that stay true to the experience we know and love  more humor, wildlife and skipper heart  and also reflect and value the diversity of the world around us.

The Jungle Cruise ride includes an Indigenous character named Trader Sam, who sells shrunken heads. The character was recently removed from the ride.

We are addressing negative depictions of natives in the attraction, Disney told Attractions Magazine.

In his column, VanBoskerck said Disney was taking a woke scalpel to the Jungle Cruise.

Every grown-up in the room realizes that Trader Sam is not a representation of reality and is meant as a funny and silly caricature, VanBoskerck wrote. It is no more based in racism than every Disney caricature of an out-of-touch white American dad.

VanBoskerck, who described himself as a Christian and a conservative Republican, said that he and his family have been Disney customers for decades and that in addition to annual visits to Disney World, the family also takes a Disney cruise every year or two.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal and court documents identified VanBoskerck as Clark Countys chief deputy district attorney. The district attorneys office and VanBoskerck did not respond to requests for comment Saturday.

The parks are less fun because immersion and thus the joy is taking a back seat to politics, VanBoskerck wrote. Immersion should not be sacrificed on the altar of political correctness and appeasing the Twitter mob.

Then a Twitter mob came for VanBoskerck, whose comments drew a strong reaction online, including from some politicians.

Rep. Val Demings, a Democrat who represents Floridas 10th Congressional District, where Disney World is, said on Twitter that she supported Disneys work to be more inclusive.

I am proud to represent a community that is welcoming, tolerant, and always evolving to offer the best possible experience, Demings said.

Florida state lawmaker Anna V. Eskamani took a different approach on Twitter.

So this adult man from Las Vegas is mad about Disney removing racist characters and animatronic rapists from their rides? Eskamani said. Did I get that right?

VanBoskerck criticized other changes Disney has made, such as one announced this month to allow greater flexibility for Disney employees regarding forms of personal expression, such as nail and hair styles and visible tattoos.

The problem is, Im not traveling across the country and paying thousands of dollars to watch someone I do not know express themselves, he wrote. I am there for the immersion and the fantasy, not the reality of a strangers self-expression. I do not begrudge these people their individuality and I wish them well in their personal lives, but I do not get to express my individuality at my place of business.

Disney announced in a blog post written by Josh DAmaro, chairman of Disney Parks experiences and products, that the change would allow its cast members to express their cultures and individuality at work, and for the company to remain relevant in todays workplace.

Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday.

The decision is among many the park is making to bring a greater focus to inclusivity and belonging for our cast after listening to cast members about their ideas for change, DAmaro wrote.

VanBoskerck wrote that the next time he rides the Jungle Cruise or looks at Splash Mountain, he will think about Disneys political agenda.

Thats a mood killer, he wrote.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Being an in-demand actress means busy work days and glitzy film premieres.

But according to Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan, nothing takes priority over bathtime with her children, Evelyn, five, and Wilfred, three, whom she shares with Mumford & Sons frontman Marcus Mumford, 34.

The star, 35, is pegged to win the Best Actress award at The Oscars on Sunday for her portrayal of vengeful medical student, Cassie, in Promising Young Woman.

Family: Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan says nothing takes priority over bath time with her children, Evelyn, 5, and Wilfred, 3, whom she shares with husband Marcus (pictured in 2015)

But the actress said she always leaves her character at the door when she returns home as nothing gets in the way of time spent with her children.

She said to The Mirror on Saturday: 'I feel very strongly about my job and I love my job and its the best job in the world, but also, it is a job.

'It cant be more important than when I have to get home and have to do bathtime. Someone said the other day, "Did you bring Cassie home with you?"

'And I was like, "The nails I brought home, the hair extensions I brought home, but everything else, you cant bring that into a house with two kids. Youve got to leave all of that stuff at work. So I think its a system that works for me for now."'

Role: The star, 35, is pegged to win the Best Actress award at The Oscars on Sunday for her portrayal of vengeful medical student, Cassie, in Promising Young Woman

The star also revealed that acclaimed actress Nicole Kidman inspired her recent work as she called the Oscar winner, 53, 'extraordinary, charming, enticing, and terrifying'.

Carey received her first nomination from the prestigious awards ceremony in 2009 for her performance in An Education.

As is traditional, last years winners will be returning to present the prizes this year  meaning Brad Pitt, Laura Dern, Renee Zellweger, Joaquin Phoenix and Parasite director Bong Joon Ho will be at the LA ceremony.

Candid: She spoke to The Mirror about her family on Saturday and said: ''It cant be more important than when I have to get home and have to do bathtime'

What is planned for this year's Oscars is a pared-back, part-virtual version of the ceremony in three different countries, with partying banned and a distinctly dour selection of nominated films to boot.

The ceremony starts at 5pm on Sunday U.S. time so it will be after 1am on Monday in the UK before a single envelope is opened.

MailOnline's Alison Boshoff explained that the producers are urging nominees to show up at the LA ceremony which they are calling an intimate, in-person event  nothing like the famously effervescent atmosphere which usually results from 3,700 of Hollywoods finest rubbing shoulders.

This year, it is just the presenters plus nominees and a single guest each.

Impressive: Carey received her first nomination at The Oscars in 2009 for her performance in An Education

The audience capacity will be capped to 170, with those in the crowd suffering the indignity of being rotated in and out of the ceremony at Union Station to maintain social distancing.

Because the awards are being treated as a TV or film production, actors do not have to wear masks when on camera, but must take at least three Covid tests in the days leading up to the ceremony.

As for guests at the two satellite locations, in London and Paris, they will endure the night without as much as a glass of champagne to sustain them.

At the London hub, the British Film Institute on South Bank, only a handful of stars such as Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman director), Vanessa Kirby and Olivia Colman  are expected to attend.

Gong: What is planned for this year's Oscars is a pared-back, part-virtual version of the ceremony in three different countries, with partying banned and a distinctly dour selection of nominated films to boot
A new version of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's biography Finding Freedom is set to be released this summer, once more raking over royal rifts and addressing the couple's explosive Oprah Winfrey interview.

The first edition, by authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, was published on August 11 last year and painted a flattering picture of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from when they met in 2016 to their departure from the Firm in early 2020.

It is now being updated with new chapters, covering their tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey last month, the allegations that Meghan, 39, bullied royal staff - which she denies - and the death of Prince Philip, reports The Sunday Times.

The new version, which is also expected to discuss their multi-million pound deals with Netflix and Spotify, their new life in California and the Queen's decision to strip them of their royal patronages including Harry's military roles, will go on sale on August 5.

A new version of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's biography Finding Freedom is set to be released this summer, once more raking over royal rifts and addressing the couple's explosive Oprah Winfrey interview

It was hoped that Harry and his brother William would start to build bridges following the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, but the reissue of Finding Freedom is only likely to aggravate tension between the Sussexes and the Firm, it has been claimed.

'The Oprah interview detonated a bomb under the Royal Family and most of them are still reeling in shock. The book will not help,' a senior courtier told the publication.

Another senior royal source added: 'After Oprah, what else is there to say?'

Harry, 36, returned to the US on Tuesday, having flown in for Prince Philip's funeral - his first trip back to Britain in a year and the first time he saw his family since making explosive allegations about royal racism during the interview with Oprah, in which he also claimed his father and brother are 'trapped in the system'.

Harry, 36, returned to the US on Tuesday, having flown in for Prince Philip's funeral - his first trip back to Britain in a year and the first time he saw his family since making explosive allegations about royal racism during the interview with Oprah (pictured)

The Duke missed the Queen's 95th birthday on Wednesday and is believed to have met only once with Charles and William, with the rift caused by his decision to emigrate and pour his heart out to the chat show host still seemingly unresolved.

After the emotional funeral William and Harry took 'baby steps' towards healing their relationship when they walked back to Windsor Castle from St George's Chapel together after being pushed together by peacemaker Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.

Later there was a face-to-face meeting within the grounds of the castle between the brothers and their father Prince Charles. Harry had been widely reported to have been planning to stay for the Queen's birthday, although sources said he was 'conflicted' about the decision and wanted to get home to Meghan, who is pregnant with their second child, a girl.

Finding Freedom, which was spotted on sale for 99p in January just five months after its release at 20, raised eyebrows for its gushing praise and intimate knowledge of Harry and Meghan, but the couple claimed they were not interviewed and did not contribute to the book.

Finding Freedom, by journalists Omid Scobie (left) and Carolyn Durand (right), raised eyebrows for its gushing praise and intimate knowledge of Harry and Meghan

It was declared a bestseller, with 31,000 copies sold in the UK in the first five days of its release, according to figures from data provider Nielsen Book.

The book offers a window into Meghan and Harry's lives during their time as senior royals, and is full of details on their shock exit from the royal family.

It addresses the alleged rift between brothers Harry and William - with the former being 'p****d off' by his 'snobbish' sibling's suggestion he take 'as much time' as he needed to get to know Meghan before proposing, as well as the relationship between their wives.

The book alleged that Meghan was 'disappointed' that Kate, 39, wasn't 'welcoming enough'.

Scobie said that while they did not interview the couple, 'many' friends gave them insights - providing 'a lens to the couple through their friends and their circle of aides'.

After the emotional funeral William and Harry took 'baby steps' towards healing their relationship when they walked back to Windsor Castle from St George's Chapel together

Royal expert Katie Nicholl said the authors may be the 'only winners' from the publication of Finding Freedom.

Writing in Vanity Fair, she asked if the book was 'worth it for Harry and Meghan' before adding: 'The irony of Finding Freedom is that, locked down in their rented mansion in LA, the Sussexes have less freedom than they did when they lived in Windsor.'

Meanwhile she added that the book's authors write that the monarchy had lost two of its greatest assets.

She concluded: 'They, perhaps, might be the only winners in this rather sad story.'
New Delhi, April 25 : Attacking the Central overnment over its vaccine pricing policy, the Congress on Sunday said "One Nation, Five Vaccine Prices" is unacceptable and demanded "vaccine profiteering" end.

Addressing a press conference, Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala asked if the Modi government is complicit in vaccine profiteering of Rs 1,11,100 crore.

"Vaccine development and mass immunisation were neither 'events' nor 'PR exercises', but are important milestones in the service of the people. Corona vaccination is an important public service and can never be a business opportunity for profiteering at the cost of our people in the middle of the pandemic," he said.

Alleging that the Modi government has introduced the "most discriminatory and insensitive vaccination policy in the entire world", he said it is guilty of permitting "brazen profiteering" from vaccination.

"The Modi government is also guilty of abdicating its responsibility and abandoning the young of India between the ages of 18-45 years," Surjewala claimed, contending that the Modi government's vaccination policy has abandoned this segment by clearly stating that the Centre takes no responsibility for their vaccination.

"They have to get themselves vaccinated or the onus lies upon the state governments to do so from their own resources," he said, noting India's population below 45 years is 74.35 per cent of total population, or at least 101 crore.

"Modi government's vaccination policy has, therefore deregulated 50 per cent production of the two vaccine manufacturers i.e. Serum Institute of India (Covishield) and Bharat Biotech (Covaxin) as free from price regulation all together.

"The vaccine policy has permitted the two vaccine manufacturers to fix the prices for supply to state governments and to private institutions by their own volition. The two vaccine manufacturers have now released an absolutely discriminatory pricing policy," he said.

"Serum Institute of India, producer of Covishield, has fixed the price per dose for supply to Central government at Rs 150, to state governments at Rs 400 and to private hospitals at Rs 600.

"Bharat Biotech, the producer of Covaxin, has fixed an entirely different range of prices i.e. price per dose to Central government Rs 150, to state governments at Rs 600 and to private hospitals Rs 1,200.

"Needless to add that the cost will be doubled as two doses of vaccines are required for every person. The population below 45 years of age is 101 crores. To vaccinate them, we need 202 crore doses. Cost of these will have to be borne by the states or the individuals themselves," Surjewala said "Based on this and assuming that states will provide 50 per cent of the vaccination and individuals will bear 50 per cent of the vaccination cost, the profit of the two vaccine manufacturers -- the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech will be Rs 1,11,100 crore," he said, sharing the calculations.

The Congress leader called on the Centre to realise that 81.35 crore people are eligible for subsidised ration under Food Security Act, as per a government press release of July 2019, as he asked if the SC/STs, OBCs, BPL, poor and underprivileged sections get the vaccine free or not.
The national parent-child reading event is held in Beijing on April 18. [China Women's News/Yang Rui]

A national parent-child reading event, themed with "reviewing the century-old glorious history and passing down the revolutionary legacy," was held by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) on April 18 in Beijing's Fengtai District in the run-up to the 26th World Book Day which will fall on April 23.

Shen Yueyue, President of the ACWF, and Huang Xiaowei, Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group and Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, presented books on the theme of revolutionary history to family representatives and conferred flags on representatives of women volunteers' teams of parent-child reading.

Shen Yueyue (C), President of the All-China Women's Federation, communicates with children at the event. [China Women's News/Yang Rui]

Flags are conferred on representatives of women volunteers' teams of parent-child reading at the event. [China Women's News/Yang Rui]

During the event, over 100 kinds of books on the theme of revolutionary history were recommended to the participating families. Some classic poems and excerpts from books on the theme of revolutionary history were recited at the event.

The event was held in tandem with others occurring in cities and places renowned for rich revolutionary heritage, including Shanghai where the first CPC National Congress was held in 1921, and the Jinggang Mountains, known as the "cradle of the Chinese revolution," in East China's Jiangxi Province.

The ACWF called on women's federations at all levels around the country to closely integrate the parent-child reading activity with their services to the people, give play to the role of parent-child reading bases and women volunteers, and provide parent-child reading guidance for families in urban and rural communities.

Over 100 kinds of books on CPC revolutionary history are recommended to the participating families at the event. [China Women's News/Yang Rui]

After the event, Shen visited the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression with the children and their parents.

Shen stressed promoting the great spirit of resisting aggression bred during the war, reflecting on the past, recalling the revolutionary martyrs, cherishing peace and creating the future, as well as working tirelessly to build China into a great modern socialist country and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

This year's national parent-child reading event, which focuses on study and education related to the history of the CPC, is a good opportunity for celebrating the Party's centenary. The event will recommend 100 books suitable for parent-child reading, publicize the stories of 100 people's heroes, release 100 short videos and promote 100 activity cases to guide families to study and carry forward traditions from revolutionary times.

The national parent-child reading activity, initiated by the ACWF in 2016, has been recognized by all walks of life and families, and plays an active role in spreading the concept of scientific family education, cultivating children's good reading habits, establishing a new style of family civilization, and developing and applying core socialist values.

Cai Shumin, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF also attended the event.

(Source: China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China)
JAKARTA (Reuters) - A senior Indonesian intelligence official was killed by a shot to the head on Sunday during an operation in the country's easternmost province of Papua, according to a statement by the army.

Brigadier General Putu Dani, who headed operations in the restive region for the country's intelligence agency (Badan Intelijen Negara), was shot while he was heading to the site of a shoutout with separatists, the military said.

West Papua has been riven by separatist conflict since the former Dutch colony was incorporated into Indonesia, following a controversial United Nations referendum in 1969.

Local media CNN Indonesia reported on Sunday that the area of Papua where the officer was killed, Beoga, has seen increasing levels of violence, including the deaths of a student and a teacher earlier in April.

(Reporting by Fanny Potkin and Agustinus Beo Da Costa; editing by David Evans)
Q: After my offer on a Westchester house was accepted, my broker told me that the sellers wanted to keep the dining room chandelier and the bathroom sconces, and replace them with building-grade fixtures. This seems so strange. I thought fixtures were part of the house. I dont want to lose this house over a couple of sconces and a chandelier, but packing them up and taking them away seems petty. What if the sellers decide they want to take more items out of the house before the closing?

A: The sellers are not obligated to include chandeliers or sconces with the sale, but they should have made their intentions clear before they listed the property.

The sale of a house is an emotional process  sellers may feel attached to fixtures they carefully selected and want to hold onto them. But a buyer is also making an emotional decision, based in part on the decor in the rooms. Find out later that these things were not really part of the house, and you may feel hoodwinked.

Ive lost a deal over chandeliers, said Marcene Hedayati, the principal broker at Corcoran Legends Realty in Tarrytown, N.Y., adding that the listing agent should discuss these kinds of details with the seller before the house hits the market. Half the time these issues arise because of a lack of communication.
GET THE niggers, was their slogan, / Kill them, burn, them, set the pace. / Let them know that we are white men. /Teach them how to keep their place. AJ Smitherman, The Tulsa Race Riot and Massacre (1922).

I had just left Harvard University as an assistant professor and was doing Time to Talk, a series of interviews for T&T Television.
Kolkata, April 25 : A detailed analysis of assets declared by candidates in the West Bengal Assembly polls show that nine of the 10 MLAs who had the highest increase in the last five years are from the ruling Trinamool Congress. Though party MLAs amassed huge property, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, interestingly, had a negative growth in the last five years.

In a detailed study made by Association for Democratic Reforms on the acquisition of wealth by MLAs, West Bengal Minister of State for Labour Jakir Hossain, who was recently injured in a bomb attack at Nimtita station in Murshidabad, tops the list with 184 per cent rise in assets in respect to his assets declared in 2016.

In 2016, Hossain declared in his affidavit that he had net assets worth Rs 28.04 crore and in 2021, these amounted to a whopping Rs 67.22 crore, registering a net increase of Rs 39.18 crore. The Trinamool MLA from Jangipur in Murshidabad declared that he makes his earnings from business.

State Disaster Management Minister Jawed Ahmed Khan had a net increase of property worth Rs 15.03 crore in the last five years. The declaration made by Khan shows that in 2016, he had assets worth Rs 17.29 crore but these rose to Rs 32.33 crore within a span of five years, registering an increase of 87 per cent.

Similarly Urban Development Minister and former Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Firhad Hakim had an increase of 123 per per cent in his assets in the last five years. Hakim, who makes his earning as a businessman, declared assets worth Rs 5.97 crore in 2016 but they now amount to Rs 13.34 crore, registering an increase of Rs 7.36 crore in the last five years.

Subrata Saha, an MLA from Jangipur and a minister without portfolio, has reported an increase of Rs 6.37 crore in the last five years. In 2016, his assets amounted to Rs 1.64 crore and these rose to Rs 8.02 crore, registering an upward swing of 38 per cent in the last five years.

Similarly, state Correctional Administration Minister Ujjwal Biswas and state Food Minister Jyotipriaya Mullick had an increase of 234 per cent and 316 per cent, respectively, in their assets in the last five years.

Biswas' assets touched Rs 7.30 crore from Rs 2.18 crore showing an increase of Rs 5.11 crore since 2016. Similarly, Mullick's assets show a whopping increase of Rs 4.77 crore from Rs 1.51 crore in 2016 to Rs 6.28 crore in 2021.

Interestingly enough despite the growth of property of her ministers and MLAs, the asset declaration of Chief Minister Banerjee shows that in the last five years, her asset had grown negatively. Though in 2016, she had assets worth Rs 30.45 lakh, in 2021, these has come down to Rs 16.72 lakh, showing a net decrease of Rs 13.72 lakh. In these five years, her assets have shown a negative growth of 45 per cent.

The only BJP candidate who figures in this first ten is party candidate from Bidhannagar Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas, Sabyasachi Dutta.

A former Mayor of Bidhananagar Municipal Corporation, Dutta, who joined BJP from Trinamool Congress in October 2019, has seen his wealth increase by 229 per cent in the last five years. According to Dutta's affidavit in 2016 when he contested the seat on a Trinamool ticket, he declared assets worth 2.35 crore and in 2021, according to his declaration, he owns assets worth Rs 7.75 crore, exhibiting a net increase of Rs 5.39 crore in the last five years.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-26 02:15:05|Editor: huaxia

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AMMAN, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki on Sunday warned against the repercussions of the serious developments in Jerusalem.

During a phone call, the two ministers urged Israel to halt all provocative measures and extremist groups' attacks that have triggered a new wave of tension and violence, said a statement by the foreign ministry.

They also called on Israel to respect the holiness of Ramadan, and lift all restrictions that infringe upon Palestinians' rights to hold religious ceremonies at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The two sides demanded "serious and effective" negotiations to resolve the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution that supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital. Enditem
By James Davey

LONDON, April 26 (Reuters) - British lawmakers on Monday called on the government to publish all communications with pharmaceutical companies to understand if private lobbying influenced its opposition to a waiver of intellectual property rules for COVID-19 vaccines.

The United States and a handful of other big countries, including the United Kingdom, have blocked negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) involving a proposal spearheaded by India and South Africa that now has the support of 100 WTO members.

The proposal would temporarily waive the intellectual property (IP) rights of pharmaceutical companies to allow developing countries to produce vaccines.

The waiver is opposed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and big pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer PFE.N, BioNTech 22UAy.DE, Moderna MRNA.O, and Johnson & Johnson JNJ.N.

A cross-party group of UK lawmakers has signed a statement calling for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, ministers, and senior civil servants to publish all email, text, and WhatsApp messages exchanged with pharmaceutical companies and their lobbyists.

Patient advocacy and vaccine equity organisations have also signed the statement, including Global Justice Now, Just Treatment, StopAIDS, Frontline AIDS, Universities Allied for Essential Medicines UK, Students for Global Health, and Nurses United UK.

"The UK's opposition to an intellectual property waiver on COVID-19 vaccines is utterly indefensible," said Heidi Chow, senior policy and campaigns manager at Global Justice Now, which organised the joint statement.

A spokesperson for the UK government said it prioritised transparency but stakeholders had a right to expect a reasonable degree of confidentiality in their communications.

The UK was one of the biggest donors to Covax to ensure global access to vaccines and continued to encourage manufacturers to provide their vaccines on a not-for-profit, transparent basis.

"We are committed to exploring ways in which we can improve equitable access further and believe this should be done through the existing Intellectual Property framework," added the spokesperson.

Last week U.S. lawmakers and nonprofit groups heaped pressure on the Biden administration to back the patent waiver ahead of the next formal WTO meeting on the issue on May 5.

((Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Alexandra Hudson))
Overseas investors withdrew a net Rs 7,622 crore from Indian in April so far as a surge in COVID-19 cases and the consequent restrictions imposed by various states dent investors' sentiment.

According to the depositories data, overseas investors pulled out Rs 8,674 crore from equities, but invested Rs 1,052 crore in the debt segment.

The total net withdrawal between April 1-23 stood at Rs 7,622 crore.

Previously, invested Rs 17,304 crore in March, Rs 23,663 crore in February and Rs 14,649 crore in January.

have been "net sellers in the equity for five weeks in a row now", noted Himanshu Srivastava, associate director - manager research, Morningstar India.

Srivastava said the recent spate of net outflows could be largely attributed to the enormous surge in the COVID-19 pandemic in India, which has led several states to impose restrictions to bring the situation under control.

While the impact of a more severe second wave of the pandemic on the economy is yet to be ascertained, it has definitely dashed hopes of an early economic recovery, he further added.

For investment in the debt segment, he said, "The uncertainty in the equity has made the Indian debt markets relatively attractive from the short-term perspective".

VK Vijayakumar, chief investment strategist at Geojit Financial Services noted that as per the general trend in the market, there is selling in stocks like the banking sector, and buying shares with global linkages like IT, metals and pharma.

" also are more or less following this trend," he said.

Investments might turn positive again once the COVID-19 cases start declining and as the effects of the vaccination catch on, said Harsh Jain, co-founder and COO at Groww.
Kathmandu, April 25

When Nepal faced the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, there was not a single company in the country that would produce hand sanitiser. One year down the line, the country now has 26 registered companies involved in the production.

The Department of Drug Administration, the countrys drug regulator, says no company had sought permission for the production of sanitiser until last year. But, in the past months, 26 including the government-run Nepal Aushadhi Limited have got the permits, informs its information officer Santosh KC.

There are many other companies interested, informs KC.

The market for sanitiser was not developed before Covid-19 because I dont know any instance of regulating this product, Narayan Prasad Dhakal, the chief of the department during the first wave of the pandemic says, Last year, we specified standards for this and opened the way for its manufacturing in Nepal.

Meanwhile, five companies have received permits to import and distribute sanitiser produced abroad, according to KC.
Two men arrested in connection with an attempted bomb attack outside a police officer's home in County Derry have been released.

An explosive device was found close to the officer's car outside her home at Ballyquin Road near Dungiven on Monday.

The device was attached to a container of flammable liquid and police described it as an attempt to kill the officer and her young daughter.

The men, aged 26 and 36, were arrested under the Terrorism Act on Friday.

The 26-year-old was arrested in the Creggan area of Derry while the 36-year-old man was detained in Lettershandoney, outside the city.

Both men were taken to Musgrave Police Station in Belfast for questioned on Friday and were released on Saturday.

"The investigation into the incident is ongoing," a police statement said.

The New IRA have admitted responsibility for leaving the device at the PSNI officer's home.

The police have launched a Major Incident Public Portal as part of their investigation into the Dungiven attack.

Detective Superintendent Richard Campbell said: While the investigation is at an early stage and detectives are keeping an open mind, we are aware that a claim has been made on behalf of the new IRA and this is a strong line of enquiry for us.

I appeal to anyone who has any knowledge of this attack, or indeed of anyone involved in dissident republican, or other violent or terrorist, activity to come forward and provide any information they have to the police.

"We particularly want to hear from anyone who was in the area of Ballyquin Road, Dungiven between Monday 12th and Monday 19th April 2021.

We have launched the Major Incident Public Portal at: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI21Q07-PO1 so that people can tell us what they know, send photographs or upload video or dash-cam footage.

I am appealing to anyone who has any information to talk to us.

"Please pick up the phone and tell us what you know on 101 or alternatively on the anonymous Crimestoppers charity number on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.

We all need to work together to bring those responsible for attempting to kill a three year old child and her mother to justice," he said.
President Joe Biden has hit some big targets in 100 days, starting with an epic effort to pull the United States from its Covid-19 nightmare, but headaches lie ahead.

Here are three big achievements and three areas where much remains to be done.

- DONE OR GETTING DONE -

1. Covid vaccinations: the raging pandemic was the gravest single threat facing Biden's administration when he took over on January 20. The solution was mass vaccinations.

On this, Biden is delivering. Last week he celebrated the 200th million vaccine shot administered and Covid deaths have fallen dramatically.

2. Economic stimulus: Biden pushed through a nearly $2 trillion rescue plan for an economy that has been hobbled and hollowed by the more than year-long coronavirus shutdown.

Although Democrats control Congress, their margin is razor thin and he had to work hard to get the American Rescue Plan passed. Polls show it is popular both among Democratic and Republican voters.

3. Foreign policy rethink: Biden's priority was to undo what he saw as the reckless damage caused by Donald Trump to traditional US alliances.

Inviting Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga as the first foreign leader to the White House showed that Washington is serious about its ties to Asia.

The White House says Biden's own first foreign trip will be to Europe, where he will attend G7, NATO and EU summits in June. The transatlantic alliance, which Trump questioned, is back.

As well as returning the United States to the Paris climate accord and seeking to revive the Iranian nuclear negotiations, Biden has also set a clear date for pulling the final US soldier out of Afghanistan: September 11.

- STILL TO DO -

1. Working with Congress: Biden promised bipartisanship but so far he has worked on the back of a razor thin Democratic majority.

That raises growing doubts over his upcoming big projects -- an infrastructure bill, greening of the economy, police brutality reforms and immigration.

Story continues

Midterm congressional elections next year could erase the Democrats' advantage in Congress.

2. Immigration: nowhere has the smooth running Biden administration stumbled more than on handling illegal immigration at the southern border.

Biden promised a more humane approach after Trump's hardline crackdown, which relied largely on physical barriers.

But the new administration was unprepared for a surge in people, many from Central America. Facilities overwhelmed with unaccompanied migrant children provided Republican critics with political ammunition while angering Biden's own supporters.

The administration's confusing back-and-forth on promises to greatly increase the cap on refugees allowed into the United States has fueled the sense of disarray.

3. Foreign policy trouble: Although Biden moved quickly to repair ties with allies, his plans for dealing with adversaries remain very much a work in progress.

He has also yet to be tested by a genuine crisis. China, Iran, North Korea and Russia could provide one at any time.

sms/jm
 Rounding up some early (mostly critical) commentary on Jones | Main | "A Primer on Risk Assessment for Legal Decisionmakers" 

April 24, 2021

Third Circuit panel explores curious loss calculations in federal fraud guidelines

A helpful reader made sure I did not miss the interesting Third Circuit panel ruling this past week in US v. Kirschner, No. 20-1304 (3d Cir. April 22, 2021) (available here), discussing loss calculations under the fraud guidelines. There are lots of element to the Kirschner opinion, but the introduction provides an effective overview:

In 2018, Jonathan Kirschner pleaded guilty to one count of impersonating an officer acting under the authority of the United States and one count of importing counterfeit coins and bars with intent to defraud. At sentencing, the District Court applied to Kirschners sentence three enhancements pursuant to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines  a 2-level enhancement because Kirschners fraud used sophisticated means; another 2-level enhancement because Kirschner abused a position of public trust to facilitate his crimes; and a 22-level enhancement because the loss attributable to his scheme was greater than $25 million but less than $65 million, even though it grossed only about one one-thousandth of that. Kirschner appeals the District Courts judgment of sentence and challenges the three enhancements it applied. For the reasons that follow, we will vacate Kirschners sentence and remand for resentencing. While the District Court was well within its discretion to apply the abuse-of-trust and use-of-sophisticated-means enhancements, we conclude it clearly erred in applying the 22-level enhancement for loss, and we cannot say that the error was harmless.

I have always thought the federal fraud guideline deeply misguided due to commentary basing offense severity calculations on the greater of intended or actual loss (and the guideline is also deeply problematic for placing extreme emphasis on "loss" and by only requiring proof by a preponderance). In this case, a focus on intended loss meant a guy who netted only about $30,000 selling fake goods when caught was sentenced as if he had netted $36 million!

Ultimately, the panel here concluded intended loss was not subject to the "deeper analysis" needed to justify the district court's calculation. But, for those following broader debates over the basic validity of guideline commentary, the panel had this interesting aside:

Under a Guidelines comment, a court must ... identify the greater figure, the actual or intended loss, and enhance the defendants offense level accordingly. Only this comment, not the Guidelines text, says that defendants can be sentenced based on the losses they intended. By interpreting loss to mean intended loss, it is possible that the commentary sweeps more broadly than the plain text of the Guideline. United States v. Nasir, 982 F.3d 144, 177 (3d Cir. 2020) (en banc) (Bibas, J., concurring). But Kirschner assumes the comment is correct, and so we will too.

This kind of aside reinforces my sense  or perhaps I should just say my hope  that it is only a matter of time before the US Supreme Court will consider, in some context, the validity of guideline commentary that arguably sweeps more broadly than the plain text" of the guideline.

April 24, 2021 at 07:19 PM | Permalink

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Financial Services Commission Chairman Eun Sung-soo speaks during a National Assembly meeting in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap



By Lee Min-hyung



The price of major cryptocurrencies in Korea are plunging amid a series of heightened warnings from regulators here. The Bitcoin price here stood at 50.06 million won ($50,000) as of 11 a.m. at Upbit, a Seoul-based cryptocurrency exchange, down 6.61 percent from a day earlier.



The price of the world's largest cryptocurrency soared to a record high of 80 million won in mid-April, but has since displayed a downward spiral.



An unprecedented cryptocurrency craze here has been a major factor in driving up the values of major digital assets. But warnings have surfaced again that retail investors should think twice before jumping on the bandwagon, as the high volatility of cryptocurrency prices poses huge uncertainties.



The price of Dogecoin, a meme-based cryptocurrency, also plunged 17 percent Friday morning from a day earlier. Dogecoin's market capitalization recently topped $50 billion, but has now fallen below the $40 billion mark.






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A group, the Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta, said Governor Nyesom Wike would have nothing to worry about if he is upright, transparent and unbiased in the way he was running the affairs of Rivers State.

Mr Wike said a few days ago in Abuja he knew he would face political persecution after leaving office in 2023, and that he was ready for it.

But Amain Winston-Cottrell, the National Secretary of the Ijaw group, while speaking to reporters in Port Harcourt on Friday, said Mr Wike did not need to worry about his post-2023 life if he is clean, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He advised the Rivers governor not to entertain fear of imaginary political forces victimising him after leaving office.

The Rivers Governor has nothing to worry about so long as he remains upright, prudent, transparent and unbiased in his stewardship of the oil rich state.

Wikes courage and boldness in speaking the truth to power on crucial national developments should not be a reason for his critics and detractors to hatch an evil plot against him when he eventually leaves office.

We encourage the governor to remain resolute and firm in the laudable political ideologies he subscribes to because no ill-intention against him shall prevail, Mr Winston-Cottrell said.

According to Mr Winston-Cottrell, it is not possible for anyone to occupy the exalted office of a governor for eight years without having a score or two to settle with one person or a group of persons.

These things are normal in leadership, particularly in our peculiar political environment.

Its even more prevalent in heterogeneous states such as Rivers, with diverse ethno-political and economic interest, he added.

He advised the governor, who has two more years left in office, to do what is right, by giving attention to other areas of the states developmental needs, aside road constructions.

Road construction, which is the major selling point of his administration, is commendable but other areas have suffered a huge setback and needs his prompt and timely intervention.

For instance, the governor needs to also give priority attention to critical areas of development such as empowerment, unemployment, insecurity, healthcare delivery and social security.

The subtle strangulation of hitherto functional agencies and programmes in Rivers such as RSSDA, TIMARIV, Land and waterway security surveillance and Amnesty Programme for repentant cultists is regrettable, he said.

Mr Wike should run an inclusive government in the state and also resist the temptation of imposing a successor on Rivers people in 2023, he said.

(NAN)
For generations, the mayor of New Orleans was supposed to be a native, a smooth political operator and, it almost goes without saying, a man.

In her history-making 2017 campaign, Mayor LaToya Cantrell bet that New Orleans was ready to buck all those old outdated rules, she told a cheering crowd celebrating her inauguration at the Mahalia Jackson Theater one year ago.

A year into her first term, the citys first female chief executive is still taking risks and breaking old rules. And so far, many of her gambles are getting results.

The biggest one: After spending months pressuring the tourism industry to turn out its pockets to help the Sewerage & Water Board, she has wrung tens of millions of dollars a year from its grasp in a triumph that many observers considered impossible.

At the end of her first year, the question is whether she can keep winning such policy battles, or whether her governing style  which critics say has been marked by secrecy and stubbornness and lacked a broad, clearly stated vision  will trip her up.

And big issues remain.

For all her advocacy for more money for infrastructure and especially the S&WB, the utility has not come close to regaining the public trust. It continues to be plagued by boil-water advisories, sleeping workers, billing issues and other embarrassing problems.

Despite her pledge to quit "nickel-and-diming" residents with the city's traffic cameras, Cantrell's secret and unapologetic move to lower the thresholds at which speeding tickets are issued struck many motorists as taking nickel-and-diming to new heights.

And while she has focused on the sorts of unglamorous issues that won her fans as a councilwoman  clearing litter from city streets, looking for solutions to the citys affordable housing shortage, and prioritizing New Orleans' children, among others  her long-range vision for the city's future is fuzzy.

Also in need of mending: Cantrells relationship with a City Council that seems eager to buck her authority.

Her boosters say she is less worried about small losses and more about meaningful, game-changing victories that will outlast her tenure  such as the infrastructure deal.

Honeymoon period

She is "consummately committed to getting the job done," said Bob Tucker, a Cantrell adviser who has worked in or around seven mayoral administrations. "Shes not caught up in trying to make herself more politically desirable, or politically liked."

But critics say her errors, some of them unforced, highlight the inexperience of a mayor with a shorter political resume than many of her predecessors.

Cantrell declined a recent opportunity to speak with The New Orleans Advocate about her first year. The newspaper would not agree to her request to bar a specific reporter from conducting the interview.

But she told WBOK Radio last week that she has produced results for the city, even if her delivery has been misunderstood. Its almost as if you are underestimated in terms of your approach and strategy, she said. But you really have to stay focused.

Cantrell took a big political risk when she jumped into the mayors race in 2017, even as several more experienced hopefuls sat on the sidelines.

She hailed from Los Angeles, having moved to New Orleans almost three decades ago to attend Xavier University. But it had been a half-century since the last non-Louisiana native, Victor Schiro, was elected the citys mayor. And Cantrell had spent just six years in elective city politics after experience as a neighborhood leader following Hurricane Katrina.

However, her campaign style and persona tapped into a public mood eager for change. She won big, with 60 percent of the vote, and maintained roughly that level of support through December, according to a University of New Orleans survey.

"Elected officials get that honeymoon period, where voters and other political actors give the mayor the benefit of the doubt and wait and let her pursue her agenda, said Ed Chervenak, director of the UNO Survey Research Center.

Winning 'a lost cause'

Cantrell inherited a city government with stable finances, generally transparent contracting practices and major quantities of new public and private investment. But New Orleans could not boast of a competent utility.

That became apparent a few months before Cantrells victory, when a pair of summer storms in 2017 caused widespread flooding and exposed deep problems with the S&WBs staffing and ancient equipment.

An $80 million spending spree to try to fix those issues hurt the utility's bottom line. The agency had no permanent leader for most of a year after Mayor Mitch Landrieu fired the old leaders, and problems with its billing system led to massive overcharges for many customers. Meanwhile, boil-water advisories and routine street flooding also kept faith in the utility at a low ebb.

Still, Cantrell went right to work, appointing former Milwaukee Public Works Commissioner Ghassan Korban, widely praised as one of her best hires, to run the beleaguered agency. She also reinstated a controversial policy of shutting off water to delinquent customers, a step condemned by the City Council as insensitive.

But her most audacious plan was revealed in the fall, when she began calling for the city to get its fair share of hotel taxes that have long gone to tourism marketing groups, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. She said the money was needed to fix the city's infrastructure, led by its ailing water system.

Past mayors have tried and failed to wrest any money from those groups' grasp, and some lawmakers, including Gov. John Bel Edwards, panned the effort when it was first announced.

Folks said ... that this will never happen: 'A lost cause  its been tried before, forget about it,'  Cantrell told WBOK.

But "we were able to turn that no into a yes," she added, thanks to the work of a political action committee, the public's frustration with the S&WB's failings, and the support of business groups and the Bureau of Governmental Research. Edwards, too, eventually aided the effort, perhaps with an eye on New Orleans' importance in this fall's gubernatorial election.

The landmark deal that resulted will see the S&WB get $50 million  just a bit less than the drainage systems annual budget  this year from the state and the Convention Center, plus up to $26 million a year in the future from new taxes targeting tourists in the city.

Infrastructure is the greatest existential threat facing our city right now, said Coleman Ridley, managing director of the Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region. This (agreement) is the foundational element in turning the corner on this issue.

Successes and failures

Cantrells focus on the S&WB has not pushed all her other priorities to the wayside. For instance, she spent $1 million last year targeting city litter, one of her chief peeves. A clean city is a proud city ... a safe city ... a healthy city, she said.

She has sought to focus on children, making weekly visits to school classrooms, prioritizing investment in early childhood education and creating a new city office that aims to combine various youth initiatives under one umbrella.

Amid a housing crisis, she has continued Landrieus late-tenure embrace of strategies to increase the citys supply of affordable homes and improve public transit. Advocates involved in those issues say she has listened to their advice, in line with her promise to be a bottom-up mayor.

On one of the citys most intractable problems  violent crime  Cantrell has continued work started under Landrieu by deploying conflict-resolution teams in neighborhoods. Analysts are cautious about pinpointing the reasons for it  or whether it will continue  but the city over the last year enjoyed the lowest level of gun violence seen in decades.

Cantrell has also sought to open up seats on city boards and commissions to average people rather than connected insiders.

To me that shows a level of collaboration that we havent seen in the past and a willingness to allow people to be their own leaders, Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer said. Thats a harder thing to do than to try to control the narrative.

But Cantrells successes have at times been overshadowed by missteps that undercut the public image she cultivated during a campaign built on listening sessions and pledges to bring more residents into the citys decision-making processes.

Take the earliest days of her transition, when she assembled panels to advise her on the citys needs. Those selected were muzzled by non-disclosure agreements and met behind closed doors, however, and promised sessions to gather public input never happened.

Or take when she offered a contract welcoming former Police Superintendent Warren Riley to her City Hall team and called him a great choice. Her review of his experience apparently didn't include Rileys seeming indifference to the Danziger Bridge police shootings after Hurricane Katrina.

Cantrell later withdrew the appointment  prompting Riley to sue the city  but only after pointed protests from the families of the Danziger victims.

A question of trust

She also removed a large number of the citys unpopular traffic cameras, fulfilling a campaign promise, though keeping those in school zones. But she undid much of the good will that move might have created by lowering the speeds that trigger camera tickets  and even more by keeping the change quiet, letting tens of thousands of people learn about it by receiving expensive tickets.

When angry motorists called her money-hungry, she insisted she was just trying to protect schoolchildren, and said shed lower the speeds further if she could.

While the traffic-camera debacle may not have been hugely consequential, it could erode public trust in Cantrell, Chervenak said.

Can you believe what they say? Do you trust what they say? he said. Thats why I think this goes way beyond just a traffic ticket. Its about whether you trust the administration to be forthright, to be transparent.

Cantrell also avoided a public process when it came time to pick a new police chief after well-respected Superintendent Michael Harrison, who had been appointed by Landrieu, resigned to take over the troubled Baltimore Police Department. The mayor quickly tapped the head of the New Orleans Police Departments training division, Shaun Ferguson, as her pick, with little or no consideration of other possible candidates.

Harrisons appointment had been similarly opaque, but he served a lengthy term as interim chief that allowed him to build public trust before he was given the job permanently.

Cantrell has also struggled at times to convey a broader vision for the city. The tweets she blasts only occasionally seem to convey a cohesive message.

Critics say that style has kept her from defining the broad themes of her administration on her own terms.

I couldnt tell you what I think her vision is for the city of New Orleans when she runs for re-election, said Cheron Brylski, a political strategist who once worked in Mayor Ernest Dutch Morials administration. I knew when Mitch ascended (after Mayor Ray Nagin's troubled tenure) that he was immediately going to get rid of corruption and had a plan to keep us stable. I assume LaToyas focus is about making neighborhoods stronger, but I dont hear that from her.

But on specific points, Cantrell is crystal-clear in letting people know how she feels. When lawmakers and other officials have refused to agree with her approach, she has accused them of seeking to deliberately hurt New Orleans.

In another instance, she lambasted an Advocate reporter who wrote a story about a contentious public meeting on S&WB bills during a delicate stage of the infrastructure negotiations. The mayor demanded: What do you want to do, screw the city?

In an interview with WWL-TV, Cantrell said her blunt style is a feature of her transparency, describing herself as a truth-teller who, unlike other politicians, doesnt mince words.

I think I've been the most transparent of telling it like it is, how I found it, being very upfront and honest about the existing conditions in our city, she said.

'We all will win'

Cantrells sometimes imperious manner may help explain what has been a strained relationship with the City Council, which took on a more activist bent when five fresh members took office last year. The council has held probing hearings into some city departments, passed resolutions opposing administration actions and argued with Cantrell over the budget and other issues.

Perhaps most notably, council members took the unprecedented step of pushing for a new tax for senior services that the mayor opposed, choosing to put the question to voters. The mayor won that round; the tax was defeated in a landslide.

Just last week, over the administrations objections, the council unanimously passed an ordinance laying out new rules for clearing homeless encampments.

Palmer, though, cast the skirmishes as disputes over the best approach to a problem, rather than disagreements over the desired outcomes. The reality is we have two different branches of government and periodically were going to hip-check each other," she said. "Thats what were here to do.

Cantrell has said she plans to work to improve her relationship with the council.

Asked to rate her own first year, Cantrell demurred, telling WWL-TV that it's hard to grade yourself. But she said she's proud of her achievements thus far, even if the jury is still out on her success long-term.

"Sometimes you do have to prove yourself," she said. "It's challenging, but if I stay focused and continue to deliver to the people ... we all will win."
A DOUBLE murderer locked up in a Texas super-maximum prison would love to move to Limerick with his wife upon release.

In an exclusive interview with the Leader from behind bars, William Schiffert describes how he fell for Heike Phelan, who resides in the Kilmallock area; his regret over his role in the deaths of two men and his desire to visit Limerick.

The Leader submitted questions to Heike who sent them to William. He then replied from his prison cell. This was how the couple met - through pen and paper. They exchanged letters, three or four times a week, which turned into three or four visits a year until Covid. They wed back in 2012.

Heike, aged 52, grew up in England but returned to her dads native Limerick in 2005. Heike, the name coming from her German mum, has recently released her third book called Convict Code about her husbands life in a US prison.

William, also 52, said Heike has told him so much about Limerick and its history.

I would love to visit when I am out of prison. It sounds amazing, and if it is Heikes choice then to live there with her. As long as I can work to support us both then I will be happy. What Ive learned from Heike is that Limerick has everything - mountains, rivers and beautiful villages. The photos I have seen show it as so green and colourful. Its the complete opposite to Texas, which most of the time is dry, brown and dusty, although from what Ive heard of the weather, maybe the Texas heat is a bonus.

William is a convicted murderer for his role in a fatal knife attack in 2001. He received a 75-year sentence. However, due to prison reforms Heike says he could potentially be out in the next 18 months.

If you were released tomorrow would anybody have anything to fear from you?

I dont believe anyone has anything to fear from me when Im released. I have no intention or desire of returning to my old way of life. Heike has shown me that I dont need to do that and has shown me the benefits of not being part of the wrong side of the law. The only thing I care about is being with my wife and being able to support her.

Does the convicted double murder think about the men he killed?

I regret the fact that either event happened. The first one, when I killed the guy, he turned up at my house and pulled a gun on me. If I hadnt been faster, it would likely be me dead. Im sorry hes dead, it never needed to happen.

The second one, I often think about that guy. It wasnt me who killed him, but he should never have lost his life over a stupid argument. I get mad at the one who killed him, the reason I am sitting in prison for his crime.

Because of some of the bad things Ive done, I have tried to give something back by helping out others. I will help guys adapt and learn how to do their time when they first come to prison. I have participated in Scared Straight programmes with kids to encourage them to stay out of prison and make something of their life. I look out for guys who are more vulnerable and targets of more predatory inmates. I have helped several guys get clean from drugs.

There are many single men in the world who would love to meet the woman they want to spend the rest of their life with. How did William do it while being in a maximum security prison?

I put our meeting down to karma or destiny. I think the chances of our meeting under any other circumstances to be zero. I hear guys on the phone to their families every day screaming and shouting at them, demanding more money, abusing them for not doing what they demand. I dont understand how these idiots still have support in the free-world when they use and abuse them in such a way. Respect and integrity are what I consider important. I know if I ever spoke to Heike the way some of these idiots in prison speak to their families, she wouldnt answer the phone again.

What was it about Heike that William fell for?

It was immediately obvious how intelligent and educated Heike was. I liked that. I needed someone who could stand up to me and challenge me. Heike has always done that. She has always held to her word and her principles. She has held me to account when Ive been an idiot or done something stupid. She has educated me and spent time helping me to understand things from the perspective of the normal world rather than the one Ive always been in.

She is the kindest and most generous person, but is nobody's fool. She didnt make it easy for me to get to know her. I had to work hard to earn her trust and by doing that I learned to appreciate what an amazing woman she is. She has supported and advocated for me, something no-one has ever done before. I admire and respect her and always will. She makes me want to be a better person and I try to live up to her expectations. Shes the strongest person Ive ever met.

William said some other inmates are jealous of prisoners who have free-world support.

Many of them will go to great lengths to ruin someone else's relationship, including writing to them, or getting free-world people to contact them. The only reason my wife hasnt received more letters of this type is because the haters dont want to spend the amount it costs for postage overseas. Ive had haters pretend to call my wife. They say theyve had letters and photos from her. They talk within earshot about my wife trying to rile me up. Many of them tell me I shouldnt be telling my wife everything that happens in prison. It takes a lot of effort not to pound the crap out of them, and if I was less secure in my relationship with my wife, I would.

What has it been like not being able to see Heike in person due to Covid?

When the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) shut down all visitation because of coronavirus, it felt like the end of the world. The administration had already limited what kind of mail families could send which had a massive negative impact on inmates. With the Covid lockdown we couldnt use the phones to call either, so we were completely cut off with no way of doing anything about it. The mail room all but stopped functioning. Staff were off sick with Covid, there was an even bigger shortage of staff than there normally is. We were kept locked in our cells for weeks at a time.

Eventually we were allowed to make five minute calls because the pressure from families and prisoner support groups was mounting. In September 2020, TDCJ finally implemented a video visit system. The video visits have been a Godsend for Heike and myself. For now its only once a month, for one hour and costs ten dollars, but it means weve been able to see each other. We are also lucky enough to have phone calls if we arent on lockdown for days or weeks on end. As long as I can see for myself my wife is OK, then Im good.

Weve all seen movies and documentaries on prison life in the US and the racial tension - is this the case?

There is constant racial tension. Whites and blacks fight each other. Blacks and Mexicans hate each other. The whites and Mexicans are mostly OK with each other. In a riot, the whites will fight with the Hispanics against the blacks. There are also tensions between different gangs within each race who will also fight each other. When I first went to prison back in the eighties, it wasnt like that.

William says the three books Heike has written reveal the ins and outs and intricacies of prison life.

Heikes books are about me and my life and experiences in prison. She was initially shocked at many of the things that went on behind the walls, but over time she realised it was the norm. She wrote the books as a way of informing people what really goes on in prison.

She always mentions about movies and documentaries that are presented from the administration's perspective with just enough sanitised shock value to make it palatable to the free-world. She wanted to write the books from the opposite perspective, from the inmates and family perspective. How and why things happen the way they do. I was surprised when I read the books and she had captured the situations exactly as they happened.

Heikes books  Child Convict, Career Convict and Convict Code  can be ordered in local bookstores or online.
The New Zealand Labour government has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta gave an important speech last week, only her second in the role, that was meant to lay out her governments position on matters of concern with China, without causing diplomatic offence.

Yet the outcome was that her words ended up offending New Zealands closest partners, while the Chinese state media launched a disinformation campaign against the speech that damaged New Zealands international reputation.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne with her New Zealand counterpart Nanaia Mahuta, whose remarks triggered the diplomatic tension. Credit:Getty Images

A Chinese fable from the Warring States period sums up this diplomatic fiasco well: hua she tian zu, drawing a snake and adding feet to it. In other words, to ruin an effect by adding something superfluous.

According to the fable, a family in the state of Qi offered wine to honour their ancestors, but there wasnt enough wine to share with everyone after the ceremony. So they held a competition to draw a snake; the person who finished drawing first would get the wine. One young man finished first, then to show how clever he was, added feet to his drawing. The fable describes the foolishness of a person who does something that is not only useless, it actually causes harm.
Chennai, April 25 : Migrant workers employed at the industrial units in Coimbatore and Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu are splitted on returning to their hometowns, as some still prefer to stay back at their workplaces amid the raging second wave of the Covid pandemic.

Tiruppur has around 2.5 lakh migrant workers from West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. However, a large section of them them had returned to their hometowns after the Covid outbreak last year in March, but came back to their workplaces after the situation slightly improved.

Aslam Mohammed, a tailor at a garments unit in Tiruppur, who hails from Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh, told IANS: " Me and my family, including my wife and two small kids, will be staying back here at Tiruppur. Last time, we were in distress as I had lost all my savings while returning to my hometown, but this year the company has organised health screening and diagnosis for the workforce and also provided us free ration. So, I prefer to stay here and continue with my job." Rajendra Mahapatra, 34, another worker at a packaging unit in Tiruppur, said: "Last year during the pandemic, we had suffered a lot as there were no trains or private vehicles to take me and my friends back to our hometowns.

We were stranded for many days and finally reached our native place after much difficulties. But this time, I am prepared and will be travelling back to my hometown in Odisha next week and so I have already booked my tickets." In Coimbatore also, migrant workers are in a fix on whether to return to their hometowns or stay back at the workplaces. While, some with their families prefer to stay back, others are in a rush to return to their homes.

Selvaraj Manikantan, 26, a worker with a leading pump making unit in Coimbatore, told IANS: "I am here with my wife and a young child. If we travel now, we might get stranded and hence, I am staying back here along with my family members." Many of the migrant workers have booked tickets by air from Coimbatore and Chennai. While some migrant workers prefer to leave by air, as the travel time will be reduced, but some have pulled themselves back from flying because of the high prices of the air tickets.

Sudendra Singh, a worker at a garment unit in Tiruppur, is flying to his hometown in Bhopal.

"The flight charges are quite expensive but I do want to be with my parents and my family. Hence I have booked an air ticket to Bhopal," the 34-year-old said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The pandemic hasnt been kind to any business, but one of the hardest-hit segments has been the restaurant industry. Add to that the different regulations in cities and states across the country, owners have been struggling to keep their business running. By establishing a $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), the American Rescue Plan looks to help the industry as the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel keeps looking brighter.

In this weeks roundup, the SBA Announces Official Restaurant Revitalization Fund Application and Guidelines article shows how restaurateurs can apply for the funds in the rescue plan. This time around the SBA says the application process for the RFF is intentionally streamlined and free of burdensome and bureaucratic hurdles.

On the brighter side, SBA crafted the guidelines for the program after collaborating with independent restaurant and bar operators in the US. The funding will provide up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location.

This is one of the stories you will find in this weeks roundup that affect small businesses directly. Another article directly related to the pandemic is 57% of US Small Businesses Now Fully Reopened After COVID Restrictions Eased. You can find these many other articles on the roundup and SBT.

Small Business News Roundup  April 23, 2021

This weeks roundup has more articles on how to keep your small business running.

The Biden administration is offering tax credits to businesses that offer paid time off to employees so they can get their COVID vaccine when its available to them. Find out more on the deduction.

Employees who are poised to quit their job demonstrate, on average, greater volatility to the start and end of their working days compared to employees who are staying in a job. Reduced working hours typically rear their head during the three weeks prior to a member of staff leaving an organization.

Loan approval rates for small businesses are increasing slightly. The uptick in lending of non-PPP loans to small businesses was unveiled in the latest Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index based on March 2021 figures. Since mid-January, Biz2Credit has been a leading processor of PPP applications in the US. The amount of lending by big banks increased to 13.5% in March 2021.

Following the easing of COVID restrictions, more than half (57%) of small businesses are now fully reopened. This welcoming news was uncovered by Kabbage, an American Express Company, in its Small Business Recovery report. The report tracks the recovery of small businesses in the US throughout 2021, as they rebound from the crisis.

Are workday hours changing? How does that affect productivity? According to a survey by Prodoscore Research Council, they are. Prodoscores data found that the average workday went from 8:24 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. in 2020 to 7:46 a.m. until 6:12 p.m. in 2021.

There have been long-standing taboos in a traditional office environment; for example, dont talk about religion or politics and dont have a romantic relationship with someone you work with at your company.

Now bars and restaurant owners can use their smartphones to customize and control the messages patrons see on in-house TV screens. UpShow is the newest innovation in interactive marketing. Small Business Trends contacted John Kirk, COO, Joe Hand Promotions, to learn more. UpShow transforms TV screens into an engaging digital experience, he writes.

See Also: Bing Announces News PubHub to Get News Sites Listed
Mumbai, April 25 : Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan on Sunday sent virtual hugs for netizens. Abhishek said we need to spread love in times like these. The actor also suggested everyone to keep their masks on.

"Here's sending out a huge virtual hug to you all. RT and spread the love. In times like these, we need it. #MaskOn," Abhishek Bachchan tweeted on Sunday.

Abhishek's tweet comes at a time when India has reported more than 3 lakh Covid cases for the fourth consecutive day. The country logged a total of 3,49,691 Covid cases and 2,767 deaths in the last 24 hours, a new single-day high since the pandemic began last year, according to the health ministry's data released on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Abhishek and wife Aishwarya celebrated their 14th marriage anniversary on April 20. Thanking fans for their wishes, Abhishek recently tweeted: "Thank you very much for all your wishes for Aishwarya and my wedding anniversary, yesterday. Please continue to stay safe, wear your mask and if possible, try not to go out. Thank you again."
A teenage girl was left in a serious condition when her off-roading adventures took a horror turn and her quad bike flipped and pinned her to the ground.

The 15-year-old was riding her 4WD buggy on the Upper Colo Reserve campsite in north west Sydney on Sunday at around 12.30pm when the vehicle crashed and rolled the teenager off the road.

Two ambulance teams and CareFlight personnel treated her at the scene for pelvic and arm injuries.

A 15-year-old girl was trapped by a 4WD buggy on a private property in Upper Colo when the vehicle upturned and she was pinned underneath it (pictured)

The teenager was left in a serious but stable condition after sustaining pelvic and arm injuries from the crash (pictured)

Once she was freed from the upturned vehicle, CareFlight's specialist doctor and NSW Ambulance paramedics administered pain relief and conducted an ultrasound for her injuries.

She was rushed to The Children's Hospital at Westmead by helicopter in a serious but stable condition.

Inspector Joe Ibrahm from NSW Ambulance said it's 'always confronting when treating a young patient' and praised paramedics for their 'excellent' work.

'This is a timely reminder that circumstances can change quickly and we encourage those enjoying off-road activities to take all necessary safety precautions,' Mr Ibraham told the Daily Telegraph.
When Perth lawyer Ben Bullock shook hands with shoe salesman Ben Ungermann on the set of MasterChef, he had little idea that just a few years later he would be fighting for his freedom.

Bullock - an associate at Perth legal firm Lynn & Brown Lawyers - had only received the call from his old mate late last week.

Ungermann was in trouble - big trouble.

Laywer Ben Bullock (right) and former shoe salesman Ben Ungermann (left) in Indonesia in 2017. The pair met on MasterChef that season have remained mates

Ben Bullock (far right) and Ben Ungermann (third from left) during season nine of MasterChef Australia

Ben Bullock (pictured) appeared in a Melbourne court on Wednesday to defend mate and former MasterChef contestant Ben Ungermann

On Wednesday, Bullock appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on behalf of Ungermann, who faces three counts of sexual assault against a child.

The pair had quickly become good mates upon meeting on season nine of the popular cooking show, which aired in Australia in 2017.

The show, which in the following years would suffer a dramatic fall from grace, was still at the top of its game.

Ungermann would go onto play-off in the grand finale that year only to be pipped at the post by Diana Chan.

Bullock had been bundled out from the program months earlier after he failed to adequately champion a bunch of bananas.

Both had been popular contestants and the pair had hit it off like a house on fire despite being rivals on the cooking contest.

When Bullock was eliminated from the show, he made no secret of his bromance with Ungermann.

'I made a couple of really good mates. I shared a room with Trent, Ray, Lee and Ben (Ungermann) and we'll remain mates for life,' Bullock said at the time.

Ben Ungermann and Ben Bullock in Indonesia in 2017. It was the same year Bullock said he would remain life-long friends with Ungermann

Ben Ungermann and Ben Bullock during a cooking expedition abroad. Bullock appeared in court on behalf of Ungermann, asking for the school records of his alleged child victim

The 2017 cast of MasterChef Australia, which featured Ben Ungermann and Ben Bullock

Unlike Ungermann, Bullock already had a successful career as a lawyer in Western Australia.

By the age of 26, he had been admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia, worked for a number of legal firms and was acting director of Philipoff Legal.

Together with his younger sister Eliza, Bullock had been raised in the Perth Hills of Glen Forrest and developed an early love and appreciation for sustainable food production from his father, who worked as a farmer.

After graduating from Perths Guildford Grammar in 2006, he started degrees in law and commerce at Murdoch University.

In his final year, he was selected as one of six students nationally to compete for the Law Student of the Year Award - the greatest achievement of his education.

After university, the young graduate took a year off to travel, driving across the United States in a van for three months with another mate.

Ben Ungermann (right) and Ben Bullock. Bullock had taken his motorbike across the globe when he joined up with Ungermann in Indonesia for some celebrity chef dinners

Ben Ungermann (right) and Ben Bullock arm in arm in happier times. The pair have now joined forces in a courtroom battle

Ben Ungermann (right) and lawyer Ben Bullock. Bullock was thrown in the deepend last week when Ungermann's Melbourne barrister abandoned him just weeks before his contested hearing

The Case Against Ben Ungermann MasterChef star Ben Ungermann was charged by Victorian sexual crime squad detectives after a report was made alleging he had sexually assaulted a teenage old girl on February 23 in Melbourne. He had been in Victoria filming in Melbourne for the MasterChef: Back to Win program, which he was quickly dumped from. Court documents state police allege Ungermann intentionally touched his alleged child victim without her consent - and he knew it - at least three times. Police allege the teenage girl states that Ungermann 'sexually touched her right breast skin-to-skin' against her wishes. Ungermann denies the allegations. Advertisement

The trip cemented his love of big, bold flavours, as he learnt to cook southern style BBQ.

Bullock trekked through Canada where he worked under a fleischmeister - a German 'meat master' - before travelling across Europe, exploring the food scenes of France, Italy, Greece and Germany.

With plans to open his own small restaurant, focusing on fresh, locally-grown seasonal, sustainable and organic produce, Bullock applied for a spot on Masterchef and got the call.

Riding the wave of celebrity, Bullock co-founded a charity which aimed to raise funds and awareness for depression and suicide prevention.

In September 2017, he embarked on a trip across 30 countries, riding a motorcycle 30,000km from Perth, Western Australia to Perth in Scotland.

Again, he teamed up again with Ungermann while in Indonesia, joining him for some fundraisers and celebrity dinners.

The trip saw the two mates cook everywhere from rubbish dumps to five-star restaurants.

They hung out with elephants and posed for photos on the back of motorcycles together.

The pair would be lauded for their charitable work while in Bali, where they helped raise money for the local community.

Ben Ungermann is defending allegations he sexually assaulted a teenage girl last year, He has employed the services of fellow MasterChef contestant Ben Bullock

Ben Bullock had to video into a Melbourne court on behalf of mate Ben Ungermann after his barrister dropped out at the last minute

MasterChef Indonesia contestant Chef Juna joined them at a curated dining event at the five-star Westin Resort in Nusa Dua - a gated community of luxury resorts in countrys south.

The pair would eventually settle back into regular life - Ungermann in Queensland and Bullock back in Perth.

Bullock did not respond to requests to speak to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.

A day earlier he had been dumped in the deep end by Ungermann, who had only days earlier lost the Melbourne barrister he had expected to defend him in court.

Bullock must have known he was in for a hard time when he tuned into the Melbourne Magistrates' Court for what was expected to be a two-day hearing to discuss ground rules for Ungermann's upcoming trial.

Ungermann's barrister had been expected to have been in attendance to discuss the sensitive matters of dealing with child witnesses.

Ben Ungermann enjoys almost 100,000 followers on Instagram who swoon over buffed-up images of the former MasterChef contestant

Ben Ungermann came second in MasterChef in 2017 and went onto forge a career in the food industry

Ben Ungermann will contest allegations he is a child sex offender

As Ungermann's instructing solicitor, Bullock could only hope that he could have the matter delayed so he could brief and commission a new Melbourne barrister.

Bullock was read the riot act by Melbourne Magistrate Mia Stylianou, who demanded to know what had gone wrong.

Things went from bad to worse as police claimed they intended to use a previous complaint by Ungermann's alleged child victim to use against him now.

Bullock, who showed sparks of his MasterChef charms throughout the hearing, was forced to request the school disciplinary records of his mate's alleged victim in the hope of using them to attack her credibility.

It's a request defence lawyers suck-up and submit on behalf of their clients often through gritted teeth.

Bullock was granted the materials, which he will handover to Ungermann's new barrister Abbie Roodenburg.

It is Ms Roodenburg who will now go to bat for Ungermann in the hope of clearing his name.

But not before she is fully briefed by Ungermann's 'life-long mate' Bullock.
An elderly Australian war veteran held a Covid-safe Anzac Day dawn service on his Perth driveway after residents were plunged into lockdown amid an outbreak.

All official ceremonies in the Perth and Peel regions of WA were cancelled due to a worrying cluster at the Mercure Hotel, prompting residents to instead hold makeshift services on their driveways and front lawns to honour Australia's diggers.

World War II veteran Jack Mackrau hosted a small service outside his home in Kingsley, in Perth's north, on Sunday at dawn.

Eight of his neighbours, all wearing masks, attended the socially-distanced ceremony, where Mr Mackrau recited the For The Fallen poem.

World War II veteran Jack Mackrau hosted a small service outside his home in Kingsley, in Perth's north, on Sunday at dawn

His neighbours, all wearing masks, attended the socially-distanced ceremony, where Mr Mackrau recited the For The Fallen poem

The veteran, proudly donning his service medals, then turned on a small radio that played The Last Post before holding a minute's silence.

Meanwhile in Sydney, the traditional march was limited to 10,000 attendees. A Maori choir sang at the city's dawn service in a mark of the intrinsic link that Anzac Day brings to the two nations.

A soldier played a didgeridoo for the first time at the dawn service the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, in recognition of the sacrifices of indigenous Australians in war.

That service has attracted up to 40,000 people in past years. This year, it was a ticketed event with a limit of 4,200 people.

Melbourne recently lifted its Anzac Day march limit from 5,500 to 8,000 after veterans complained that more than 75,000 spectators would be allowed to attend an AFL match in the city on the same day.

As Perth and Peel residents mark Anzac Day within the confines of lockdown, Western Australia's health authorities are on high alert for further local cases of COVID-19.

A second locally-acquired case linked to the Perth Mercure Hotel outbreak was announced on Saturday afternoon - a man in his 40s who dined at the same restaurant as two confirmed cases.

The two cases were a 54-year-old Victorian man who appears to have contracted the virus from a fellow returned traveller while in hotel quarantine at the Mercure, and his female friend from Kardinya, whom he was visiting.

The Kitchen Inn, in Kardinya, as well as five other eateries in East Victoria Park, Morley and Northbridge, are deemed high-risk sites and anyone who dined there during exposure times must quarantine for two weeks.

Australian military personnel, past and present, commemorate ANZAC Day during a march through the city centre in Sydney

Soldiers parade in the Anzac Day march to the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne

Wreath layers during the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Coogee Beach in Sydney

In Sydney, the traditional march was limited to 10,000 attendees. Pictured: Participants of the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Coogee Beach

Veterans parade in the Anzac Day march to the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne

Another 20 exposure sites are not considered as risky but those who attended them must self-isolate until they receive a negative test result.

The Victorian man's infection was not identified until about a week after he left hotel quarantine and travelled to Melbourne.

Upon landing in Melbourne on April 21 he was told by WA authorities to get tested and isolate because of a pregnant woman and her child at the hotel who had tested positive.

Genomic testing has confirmed the virus initially spread in the corridors of the Mercure Hotel from a couple who had returned from India.

The Victorian man had been staying in a room adjacent to the couple from India.
Among those seeking help is Saundra Broughton, 48, a logistics worker outside Charleston, S.C., who considered herself safely middle class in the fall, when she rented an apartment with a fitness center and saltwater pool. To her shock, she was soon laid off; after her jobless benefits were delayed, she received an eviction notice.

Ive always worked and taken care of myself, she said. Ive never been on public assistance.

A judge gave Ms. Broughton 10 days to leave her apartment. Only a last-minute call to legal aid brought word of the federal moratorium, which requires tenants to apply. She rushed to the library to print the form with 24 hours to spare. But I still owe the money, she said, about $4,600 and counting.

If Ms. Broughton lived in nearby Berkeley County, she could have sought help as early as March 29. In Charleston County, a few miles away, she could have applied on April 12. But as a resident of Dorchester County, she must apply through the state, which has $272 million in federal money but is not yet taking applications.

Why are they holding the money? she said. I have thousands of dollars of debt and could be kicked out at any moment. Its a very frightening feeling.

The huge aid measures passed during the early stages of the pandemic did not include specific provisions to help renters, though they did give most households cash. But hundreds of state and local governments started programs with discretionary money from the CARES Act, passed in March 2020. These efforts disbursed $4.5 billion in what amounted to a practice run for the effort now underway with 10 times the money.

Lessons cited include the need to reach out to the poorest tenants to let them know aid is available. Technology often posed barriers: Renters had to apply online, and many lacked computers or internet access.
Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez were spotted having dinner over the weekend at the same restaurant where they enjoyed their first date in 2017 a week after officially confirming their split.

The former couple met up for a meal at the five-star Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles on Friday night, Page Six reported.

The hotel's ritzy Wolfgang Puck restaurant - where entrees range from a $36 stuffed acorn squash to a $155 Wagyu steak - holds special significance from the pair as the site of their first date four years ago.

Lopez, 51, and Rodriguez, 45, confirmed they had called off their engagement on April 15 after weeks of denying the news.

'We have realized we are better as friends  We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects,' they said in a joint statement.

Eight days later they followed through with that promise to keep things friendly with their dinner on Friday.

Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez were spotted having dinner on Friday at the same restaurant where they enjoyed their first date in 2017 a week after officially confirming their split. The couple are pictured together on the red carpet in January 2020

The former couple met up for a meal at the five-star Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles (pictured)

'There still seemed to be love and respect there,' a source who witnessed the dinner told Page Six.

The newspaper said Lopez, who just finished filming her latest movie Shotgun Wedding in the Dominican Republic, owns a $28million mansion near the Hotel Bel-Air.

The starlet gushed about the first time she met Rodriguez at the Hollywood hot-spot in a 2017 cover story for Vanity Fair.

'I don't know if he thought it was a date. I thought it was a date,' she said.

'Then I knew he was nervous because he asked me if I wanted a drink. I said: "No, I don't drink," and he asked if I minded if he had one. He was nervous, and it was really cute.'

Rodriguez chimed in: 'I didn't know if it was a date  Maybe we were seeing each other at night because of her work schedule.'

At one point in the evening Rodriguez stepped away from the table and texted Lopez: 'You look sexy AF,' the couple told Vanity Fair.

The night took an unexpected turn when 'the fire alarm went off, and we had to evacuate,' Lopez recounted.

Lopez and Rodriguez are pictured together in New York City early in their relationship in 2017

The interior of the Wolfgang Puck restaurant at Hotel Bel-Air is pictured above

After their less eventful dinner on Friday, Rodriguez flew back to Miami to celebrate his daughter Ella's 13th birthday, according to his Instagram account.

The former MLB star posted several photos of himself with Ella, writing in the caption: 'My little baby girl is 13 Where does the time go?'

He also shared a photo of a mirror with the words: 'Today I'm choosing to accept the things I cannot change.'

Rodriguez is said to be in the middle of a deal to become co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

He's reportedly continuing to work on undisclosed projects with Lopez despite their split.

Lopez and Rodriguez's split has also been difficult for their children, who had been living together at various points with the couple

Last week sources close to Lopez said she is 'leaning' on her ex-husband Marc Anthony - with whom she co-parents 13-year-old twins Max and Emme - in the wake of the break-up with Rodriguez.

'Jennifer and Marc have a great relationship,' a source told People of her close bond with her husband from 2004 to 2014. 'Having him around while she has had to work abroad has been very comforting.'

Lopez took to Instagram on Saturday to share a throwback video of herself on the red carpet at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, where she took home the Video Vanguard Award.

'Energy for the weekend,' she wrote in the caption in an apparent nod to the Oscars on Sunday.

Last week sources close to Lopez said she is 'leaning' on her ex-husband Marc Anthony (pictured together in 2005) in the wake of the break-up with Rodriguez

Lopez recently finished filming her latest movie Shotgun Wedding in the Dominican Republic with Josh Duhamel and Lenny Kravitz (pictured)

Lopez was reportedly wracked by trust issues with Rodriguez before she decided to end their relationship for good.

The 51-year-old actress was 'miserable' in the final days of their relationship and 'didn't think it was in her best interests to stay with Alex,' People quoted a friend of hers on Wednesday.

Now the star wants to find a man she can trust, according to a Thursday report from UsWeekly.

'J.Lo was always aware of the rumors of him cheating or him messaging other girls. You can say that for sure [that] played a part in why the engagement ended,' the source said, referring to his alleged exchange with Southern Charm star Madison LeCroy, 30.

'She wants someone who's fully invested in her and someone she can trust when her partner is not around.'
Its been a turbulent few weeks for Larry Chen, a former school teacher from a poor Chinese village whos now one of the worlds richest people.



His online tutoring firm, GSX Techedu Inc., has been battered in the stock market, tumbling more than 80% since late January. Last month, the investor with the largest exposure to the shares -- Bill Hwangs Archegos Capital Management -- imploded when it was unable to answer margin calls.

Short sellers including Carson Blocks Muddy Waters and others have been circling since last year, and GSXs latest financial results showed wider-than-expected losses. It faced a new barrage this month, with Grizzly Research issuing a report questioning the number and qualifications of teachers working for the company, and arguing that auditor Deloitte shouldnt give an opinion on the firms annual report.

Listening to Chen, who founded GSX in 2014, youd never guess his company is one of this years worst performers, or that his net worth on Bloombergs ranking of the worlds richest people has tumbled almost $13 billion to $3 billion since its January peak.

Cherish Trust



Life is like a game, Chen said Thursday during a virtual event held in Beijing, where the company is headquartered. It has to be fun and we have to win.

Dressed in a white shirt and black suit, the 49-year-old chief executive officer didnt discuss the recent stock plunge. Instead, he said his company has to put all its efforts to continuously grow and cherish trust from students and their parents.

The company paraded some of its teachers who proclaimed that the bar was very high to become an instructor, but Chen didnt directly take on the short sellers.

Should we focus on self-criticism or rumors flying around? he asked. Undoubtedly, we should focus on self-criticism.

The event didnt stanch the slide in GSX shares. Its American depositary receipts fell 9.3% in New York on Thursday, snapping four days of gains.

More Confident



Still, some analysts are growing more confident the stock will recover. Even as it faces increased regulatory risks, companies such as GSX have developed a significant market in as the Covid-19 crisis accelerated demand for online education, according to Tommy Wong, an analyst with Merchants Securities Co. in Hong Kong.

GSX has a strong balance sheet to weather potential challenges, said Wong, who raised his recommendation on the stock Thursday to a buy.

JPMorgan Chase & Co.s DS Kim also lifted the stocks rating earlier this month, saying technical selling pressure should subside despite myriads of uncertainty.

Short interest, meanwhile, has sunk to 26% of shares outstanding from almost 75% in March, according to IHS Markit Ltd.

Fluctuating Shares



The companys stock has been on a wild ride since its ADRs began trading in June 2019, soaring even as short sellers called GSX a fraud. In September, the tutoring firm disclosed the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission was investigating its second-quarter earnings report. The following month, Credit Suisse Group AG -- which helped lead the initial public offering -- downgraded the shares, citing increased competition and mistakes made during the companys summer promotion. And in November, GSX announced a disappointing sales forecast.

In each instance, the initial plunge was temporary and the stock kept recovering, hitting a peak in January amid a retail trading frenzy that targeted highly shorted names.

It later turned out that Hwangs Archegos had built a highly leveraged position in GSX and a handful of other companies using swaps provided by banks such as Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, Nomura Holdings Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

When some of those stocks, including ViacomCBS Inc. and e-cigarette company RLX Technology Inc., started dropping last month, the banks demanded collateral that Hwang couldnt provide, so they sold giant blocks containing GSX and his other positions. Archegos lost $20 billion in capital in just days and GSXs ADRs posted a record 52% two-day drop. The slump paused after Chen said hed spend as much as $50 million of his personal fortune in the coming year to buy shares of his company, but that didnt last.

Sad Story



Its a truly sad story, Junheng Li, founder and CEO of JL Warren Capital, an equity-research firm focused on Chinese companies, said this month in a Bloomberg Television interview. So many independent researchers have looked at GSX and everyone reached the same conclusion, she said: The company is mostly fraud.

In an April 8 report, Grizzly Research concluded that the mountain of evidence that point to GSX being a fraud is simply overwhelming and Deloitte would be making a grave mistake if it signed off on the companys 2020 financial results. GSX has been dismissive, saying in a statement the report contains numerous errors, unsubstantiated statements, and misinterpretation of information.

A GSX representative didnt respond to requests for further comment for this story.

For his part, Chen said Thursday that he kept telling himself hes part of a beautiful life and things are so good.
Former Big Brother star Skye Wheatley has asked fans to help her decide on a middle name for her newborn son.

The 27-year-old created an Instagram poll on Sunday, asking fans to vote on whether they like 'West or Wild'.

'The name of [the newborn] will be announced in the labour vlog, but we have to decide on a middle name so that's why it's taking so long,' she explained.

Scroll down for video

What will she choose? Skye Wheatley (pictured) created an Instagram poll for fans to help her decide on a name for her newborn son - two days after welcoming him into the world

'Maybe you guys can help me decide on a middle name,' she added.

Skye also shared a post to Instagram and asked: 'Okay what middle name do we love most: WEST OR WILD? Comment your fav.'

It comes two days after Skye welcomed her second child, a son, with her boyfriend Lachlan Waugh.

The 27-year-old announced the happy news on Instagram on Friday, sharing a sweet video of their older son Forest, two, meeting the newborn in hospital.

In the clip, which was posted on her stories, their family can be seen gazing affectionately at the newborn who is sleeping in his crib.

Difficult decision: The 27-year-old created an Instagram poll on Sunday, asking fans to vote on whether they like 'West or Wild'

Skye hasn't yet revealed a close up picture of the tiny tot or shared his name.

In the early hours of Friday morning, the former reality star turned influencer revealed that she had officially gone into labour and was having painful contractions.

Skye shared a video from her home, informing her fans she was about to head to hospital after doing a live stream from her bedroom.

Too cute!It comes two days after Skye welcomed her second child. She announced the happy news on Instagram on Friday, sharing a sweet video of their older son Forest, two, meeting the newborn in hospital

Apple of their eye: In the clip, which was posted on her stories, their family can be seen gazing affectionately at the newborn who is sleeping in his crib

Labour pains: In the early hours of Friday morning, the former Big Brother star turned influencer revealed that she had officially gone into labour and was having painful contractions

'Hey guys, so to anyone who missed the live, just letting you know I'm in labour and my contractions are hurting really badly,' Skye said.

'I wish I went to the hospital way earlier because oh my God, I cannot with the pain.'

Skye said Lachlan 's mother was on her way to their Gold Coast home to look after the couple's son Forest.

The waiting game: She then shared a picture of Lachlan relaxing in their birthing suite, with a waterbirth set up in the background and said she was '9cm dilated'

She then shared a picture of Lachlan relaxing in their birthing suite, with a waterbirth set up in the background and said she was '9cm dilated.'

Earlier, Skye asked her followers to put on their notifications for her live stream.

'Guys put your notifications on for me, I'm going to do a live when I leave to go [to the] hospital for regular updates hahahaha,' she wrote on her Instagram stories.

Skye rose to fame on Big Brother Australia back in 2014. She debuted her relationship with tradesman Lachlan in November 2017.
Czech President Milos Zeman has said there are two theories about what caused the 2014 arms depot blast that has sparked a severe diplomatic rift with Russia, and that both must be investigated.

Speaking for the first time about the incident during a televised address to the nation on April 25, Zeman said that one version of events is that Russian intelligence was involved in the deadly explosion.

The other version, he said, was that the blast was caused by inexpert handling of ammunition.

"I take both lines [of investigation] seriously and I wish that they are thoroughly investigated," Zeman said.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis on April 17 announced that investigators from the Czech intelligence and security services had provided "unequivocal evidence" that there was "reasonable suspicion regarding a role of members of Russian military intelligence GRU's unit 29155 in the explosion of the munition depot in Vrbetice in 2014."

Citing the report by the Czech Security Information Service, Zeman said that there was "neither proof nor evidence" that the two Russian GRU agents being sought regarding possible involvement in the explosion were at the arms depot.

"I hope that we will determine the truth and find out whether this suspicion [of Russian intelligence involvement] is justified," Zeman said. "If that is the case -- although I support fair relations with all important countries -- the Russian Federation would have to pay the price of this presumed terrorist act."

Zeman suggested that eliminating the Russian company Rosatom from consideration in a bid to construct a new nuclear plant would be one possible punishment. However, he also said that if Russia were cleared of responsibility it "could bear serious consequences for our internal politics."

Zeman, whose powers as president are largely ceremonial, has often expressed pro-Russian views and is seen as being friendly toward Moscow.

The blast in Vrbetice on October 16, 2014, set off 50 metric tons of stored ammunition. Two months later, another blast of 13 tons of ammunition occurred at the same site.

In response, the Czech government announced the expulsion of 18 Russian diplomats it considered to be spies, setting off a string of tit-for-tat moves between Prague and Moscow.

In what is considered to be the worst spat between the former Cold War allies since communist rule ended in Czechoslovakia in 1989, the two sides exchanged ultimatums and hiked the number of diplomatic expulsions.

On April 19, Russia announced that 20 employees at the Czech Embassy in Moscow would be expelled.

On April 23, Czech Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhanek said that the number of people allowed by the Czech Republic and Russia at their respective embassies would be limited to 32, including seven diplomats.

The Czech Foreign Ministry has given Russia until the end of May to cut the number of its personnel at its embassy in Prague by 63 people.

Russia, which has denied any involvement in the arms depot blast, has pledged to respond.

Czech media has reported that the ammunition and weaponry destroyed in the first Vrbetice blast, which killed two people, was intended for Ukrainian forces fighting against Russia-backed separatist troops in eastern Ukraine.

The two Russian intelligence officers sought in relation to the explosion are the same GRU officers accused of a nerve-agent poisoning in England in 2018 that targeted former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal.

Skripal and his daughter survived the attack carried out with what British investigators determined was the Soviet-engineered nerve agent Novichok.

A British woman who accidentally came into contact with the substance died.

With reporting by Reuters and TASS
Apple has been targeted in a $50 million ransomware attack following the theft of a sizeable amount of schematics related to manufacturing and engineering of current and future products from Quanta, a Taiwan-based company that serves as one of Apples suppliers for MacBooks and other products.

The leak, first reported by The Record, was carried out by REvil, a Russian hacking group also known as Sodinokibi, which runs the infamous dark web data marketplace called Happy Blog.

The ransomware gang posted a message on the dark web portal claiming to have stolen the blueprints of various Apple gadgets. However, Quanta refused to pay the $50 million ransom for the stolen data.

As a result, the group posted stolen images including Apples newly revealed iMac redesign on April 20th to coincide with Apples latest Spring Loaded event for maximum visibility.

Almost every page of the schematics included the phrase, This is the property of Apple and it must be returned confirming the documents were legitimate. The leak also included manufacturing diagrams for Apples 2021 M1 MacBook Air as well as of an unreleased laptop.

REvil is now trying to get Apple (Quantas primary customer) itself to pay up by May 1st. The group plans to leak more schematics and images of Apples future potential products every day on the dark web until the ransom is paid by Apple or Quanta.

Further, the ransomware gang also hinted that the data of other companies might be leaked online. Besides Apple, Quanta also manufactures products for Microsoft, HP, Toshiba, Google, Facebook, Dells Alienware, Lenovo, LG, Blackberry, Fujitsu, Cisco, and Vizio.

Our team is negotiating the sale of large quantities of confidential drawings and gigabytes of personal data with several major brands, the REvil operators wrote. We recommend that Apple buy back the available data by May 1.

Meanwhile, Quanta has confirmed that one of its servers was breached but didnt provide information on how much data was stolen.

Quanta Computers information security team has worked with external IT experts in response to cyber-attacks on a small number of Quanta servers, the company said in a statement reported by Bloomberg. Weve reported to and kept seamless communications with the relevant law enforcement and data protection authorities concerning recent abnormal activities observed. Theres no material impact on the companys business operation.

Quanta added that the small range of internal services affected by the incident has resumed and it is upgrading its cybersecurity level to protect its data as well as improving its existing infrastructure. However, Apple declined to comment on questions about the compromise.
We will remember them.

This morning before dawn, thousands of people gathered quietly throughout the Bay of Plenty to mark Anzac Day commemorations.

As the sun came up, The Last Post rang out, a poignant and solemn reminder of those who served and were lost.

Today people all across the country gathered in the dawn to honour, remember and reflect upon the sacrifices of the Kiwi soldiers who fought at Gallipoli and other conflicts in which New Zealand has been involved in since.

As members of the Returned Services Association remembered their fallen comrades, younger generations adorned with the medals of their ancestors, and people of all ages came together to honour the ultimate sacrifice made by New Zealand servicemen and women.

Standing guard at the Mount Maunganui Dawn Service. Photo: Harris Williams/SunLive.

Last years lack of Anzac Day services seems like a distant memory as veterans and RSA members from across Tauranga city and the Western Bay resume a century long tradition. It is 105 years since the first Anzac Day commemoration was held in 1916 and numbers attending the services continue to grow.

Anzac services were cancelled in 2020 because of the Level 4 lockdown that occurred from Covid-19 reaching our shores. Instead of meeting en masse people were encouraged to Stand At Dawn at their letterboxes or in their home to observe the day.

This year, it is very different. The grassed seating at Hopukiore - Mount Drury Reserve - was packed as people of all ages assembled to participate in and observe the dawn ceremony.

A bagpipe player led marchers to the Mount Maunganui cenotaph before dawn. Photo: Harris Williams/SunLive.

The quiet march, led to the Mount cenotaph by the haunting sounds of bagpipe, was also a show of resilience and determination to rise above what globally has seemed for many to be nearly unsurmountable odds.

The Mount Maunganui dawn service began with a parade at 5.55am, with the service itself beginning around the cenotaph at 6am. Speakers included chaplain Marie Gilpin, and the service was attended by the Australian squadron leader Jennifer Arnold, who is the assistant defence advisor based at the Australian High Commission in Wellington, and Tauranga city head commissioner Anne Tolley.

A poignant moment at the Mount Maunganui cenotaph. Photo: Harris Williams/SunLive.

In Tauranga, the dawn service was held at the Tauranga RSA Cenotaph in Cameron Rd, with the march assembling at Hayes Ave. A large crowd was present for the Anzac service which included the ode, The Last Post and minutes silence.

At Tutereinga Marae in Te Puna, the parade assembled outside the Marae entrance at 5.30am, before marching into the Marae for Anzac commemorations.

At the Papamoa cenotaph, flags were quietly raised at dawn, ready for the Papamoa Civic Memorial Service at noon.

Waihi, Omokoroa, Katikati and Maketu also held dawn services.

Speakers at the Anzac Dawn Service at the Mount Maunganui cenotaph. Photo: Harris Williams/SunLive.

Today Civic services will also be held:

Te Puke Civic Service  Te Puke War Memorial Hall, 130 Jellicoe Street, Te Puke

 March to War Memorial Hall at 9.50am

 10am start

Waihi Beach Civic Service

 Waihi Beach RSA, 99 Beach Road

 9:30am start

Papamoa Civic Memorial Service

11.45am to 1pm, Papamoa Memorial, Stella Place beach car park, Papamoa Beach Road

Papamoa Civic Memorial Parade timetable:

 11.45am: Assemble on the grass down from Papamoa cenotaph  near Papamoa Pony Club

 11.55am: March off

 12pm: Service begins

Pyes Pa Remembrance Service

11am at Pyes Pa Cemetery, 403 Pyes Pa Road

The Lion and Tusk Museum Service

Museum open from 10am, 14 Portside Drive, Mount Maunganui

 12:45pm: March to the museum

 Service begins once marchers arrive

Mount Maunganui Civic Memorial Service

9.15am  10.30am at Mount Maunganui Cenotaph, Marine Parade (opposite Mount Drury)

Mount Maunganui Civic Memorial Parade timetable:

 9.15am  assemble at Mt Drury

 9.25am  march off

 9.30am  service begins

Tauranga Civic Memorial Service

8.45am to 10.30am, Tauranga Memorial Park, Eleventh Avenue

Tauranga Civic Memorial Service parade timetable:

 8.45am  assemble on the grass beside Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre

 8.55am  march off

 9.am  service begins

Bugle player playing 'The Last Post' at the Mount Maunganui Dawn Service. Photo: Harris Williams/SunLive.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning - we will remember them

Send in your Anzac Day photos: wed love our readers to send in their own photos of Anzac Day commemorations around the region. Send all Anzac Day photos to: newsroom@thesun.co.nz
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to address the nation on Sunday morning for the 76th episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'. The Prime MInister's address to the nation will begin at 11:00 am.

This month's 'Mann Ki Baat' address comes amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as daily fresh COVID-19 cases have been on an increase every day for the past few weeks. On Saturday, India recorded 3,46,786 fresh COVID-19 cases. This was the highest single-day spike of the pandemic yet. India's total COVID-19 tally has crossed 1.66 crores on Saturday. India's death toll from COVID-19 rose by a record 2,624 to over 1.89 lakh on April 24. The country conducted 17,53,596 COVID-19 tests in the last 24 hours.

During the last 'Mann ki Baat' Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged all citizens of India to take COVID-19 vaccine shots. He urged everyone to commit to the aim of "dawaai bhi, kadaai bhi".

PM Modi had also reiterated his government's call for the modernisation of the agricultural sector of the country. The Prime Minister had explained that farmers need to "adopt new alternatives along with traditional farming" in order to boost their income.

"Novelty, modernisation is essential in all fields of life, otherwise it becomes a burden at times... It is already late. We have already lost a lot of time. Adopting new alternatives, new innovations, along with traditional farming, are equally important to create new opportunities for employment in the agriculture sector; to increase the income of farmers," PM Modi had said.

The Prime Minister's address will be broadcast on All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan. The 'Mann Ki Baat' address will also be available on the AIR news website and the newsonair mobile app.(Edited by Mohammad Haaris Beg)

Also read: Support pours in from countries amid India's devastating second COVID-19 wave

Also read: COVID-19 second wave: Ladakh makes RT-PCR test mandatory for passengers at Leh airport
April 25, 2021

Last week's posts at Moon of Alabama:

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Other issues:

Afghanistan:

Earlier this year, in Afghanistan's eastern Khost province, one of the teams was accused of gunning down civilians in a counterterrorism operation. The United Nations has also criticized the tactics of these units, previously blaming them for a rise in civilian casualties along with insurgent groups. <
Video: We Are China

China prosecutes over 12,000 for IPR infringement in 2020

Xinhua) 15:53, April 25, 2021

BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese prosecutors charged 12,163 individuals involved in 5,847 cases of intellectual property rights (IPR) infringement in 2020, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said Sunday.

Among the 5,847 cases, 94.2 percent were trademark infringements, the SPP noted.

Last year, procuratorial organs nationwide approved the arrest of 7,155 suspects for IPR infringement, the SPP added.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
Mumbai, April 25 : Indian companies raised funds worth Rs 14,517 crore through equity issue in February, according to SEBI data.

In January, they had raised Rs 11,517 crore through equity issue in the previous month.

Companies raised Rs 3,658 crore through initial public offerings (IPOs) in February, lower than Rs 4,933 crore raised through IPOs in January, as per the SEBI bulletin for March 2021.

A total of Rs 2,999 crore were raised through equity rights issue during the month under review, up from Rs 81 crore in January.

"During February 2021, there was one rights issue mobilising Rs 2,999 crore compared to one rights issue mobilising Rs 81 crore in January 2021," it said.

An amount of Rs 7,861 crore was raised through private placement of equity (preferential allotment and QIP) during January 2021, against Rs 6,503 crore during January 2021.

During February 2021, there was one public issue of corporate bonds, amounting to Rs 216 crore compared to five public issues of corporate bond, amounting Rs 5,600 crore during January 2021.
Local law enforcement and a TAMIU professor were among the countless people reacting around the world to the decision to convict former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd. Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Today, the Laredo Police Department has issued an order prohibiting the use of choke holds and carotid holds by Laredo Police officers, Laredo Police Department Information Public Officer Jose E. Baeza Jr. said. The Laredo Police Department has undertaken progressive steps and measures by adopting best practices and standards set by leading industry organizations like the Texas Chiefs of Police Association and reviewing modern policing policies which bring new strategies and ideas to ensure the safety of the officer and the citizen alike.

Baeza said the policy was revamped a few years ago prior to these issues being seen as a national concern.

The Laredo Police Department has always maintained good updated training requirements, policies and standards, he said.

A local professor alleges more needs to be done to improve race relations in the United States.

To improve race relations in the United States, there needs to be more work done at the local, state and national level, TAMIU criminal justice regents professor Dr. Frances Bernat said. Having a conviction of a police officer on all three criminal counts in the death, indeed the murder, of Mr. George Floyd is a start, but it is not the end. Many African Americans and people of color have experienced, or had family members who experienced, indifference and hostility when they challenged unlawful use of force by the police in their communities.

Bernat said the decision was a good start but that it alone will not create the cultural change needed to stop racial profiling and other conflicts between law enforcement and minority communities.

The problem of police racial profiling, excessive stops of persons of color or excessive force is not solved by one verdict, Bernat said. It is a start to the realization that the police are not above the law. Every police officer must respond to situations in a reasonable manner and must be held accountable when and if he or she violates the law.

Bernat said most police officers agree with the decision which she believes shows they understand how these issues can be problematic for their overall efforts to protect and serve.

I can say that there are many police officers who also agree with the verdict in Minneapolis, Bernat said. Tensions between the public and the police exist because the people may distrust the police. Over the last half century, police departments around the nation have attempted to change the perception of the public and to gain their trust. Some departments have done a better job than others. However, when a police-citizen encounter turns deadly, then the department must undertake steps to ensure that the investigation is transparent and that the public is kept informed.

Bernat said laws need to be enacted to remove the ability of officers to use various dangerous and deadly types of force restraints if someone is non-compliant.

Some departments, for example, have updated their use of force policies to be very detailed on when and if tasers should be deployed and how and when deadly force is to be used by eliminating the use of the choke hold, she said. De-escalation policies are also being implemented.

Baeza said LPD is always looking at the feedback of people. He believes this has helped make local relationships between the police and the community one of the strongest in the country.

The Laredo Police always welcomes input and meaningful feedback from the citizens in order to bridge any gaps of constructive communication, Baeza said. The Laredo Police Department will continue to review, adopt and amend our current policies and procedures in order to best serve the safety and security of our citizens and continue to train our officers in the most effective, efficient and modern policing techniques available.

Bernat said she is not in favor of choke holds or knee restraints that cut off the breathing capacity of citizens. However, she cautions there are times when deadly force is appropriate.

Everyone in each of our communities across the United States, whether we are African American, Latinx, Asian, Native American, White, should care about police procedures, practices and behavior, Bernat said. The decision by the jury to convict former officer Chauvin is one that shows that the police have a duty to protect and serve. The police have a duty of care when and if people are in their custody.

The police power of the state is not absolute. We are a people of laws, and we empower our police officers to help us when we need help. We want our officers to respond to our calls when we are threatened, but we should not be afraid of the police in our communities.

Baeza agrees that even though Laredo is predominantly Hispanic that the community should care about the Chauvin decision.

The local demographic certainly does care and should about this and other nationally important cases, Baeza said. Despite our predominant Hispanic community here at home, our city is growing and is attracting new ethnic cultures to our region. It is important that as a society we learn to accept and respect one another regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation.

Local law enforcement and a TAMIU professor were among the countless people reacting around the world to the decision to convict former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd. Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Today, the Laredo Police Department has issued an order prohibiting the use of choke holds and carotid holds by Laredo Police officers, Laredo Police Department Information Public Officer Jose E. Baeza Jr. said. The Laredo Police Department has undertaken progressive steps and measures by adopting best practices and standards set by leading industry organizations like the Texas Chiefs of Police Association and reviewing modern policing policies which bring new strategies and ideas to ensure the safety of the officer and the citizen alike.

Baeza said the policy was revamped a few years ago prior to these issues being seen as a national concern.

The Laredo Police Department has always maintained good updated training requirements, policies and standards, he said.

A local professor alleges more needs to be done to improve race relations in the United States.

To improve race relations in the United States, there needs to be more work done at the local, state and national level, TAMIU criminal justice regents professor Dr. Frances Bernat said. Having a conviction of a police officer on all three criminal counts in the death, indeed the murder, of Mr. George Floyd is a start, but it is not the end. Many African Americans and people of color have experienced, or had family members who experienced, indifference and hostility when they challenged unlawful use of force by the police in their communities.

Bernat said the decision was a good start but that it alone will not create the cultural change needed to stop racial profiling and other conflicts between law enforcement and minority communities.

The problem of police racial profiling, excessive stops of persons of color or excessive force is not solved by one verdict, Bernat said. It is a start to the realization that the police are not above the law. Every police officer must respond to situations in a reasonable manner and must be held accountable when and if he or she violates the law.

Bernat said most police officers agree with the decision which she believes shows they understand how these issues can be problematic for their overall efforts to protect and serve.

I can say that there are many police officers who also agree with the verdict in Minneapolis, Bernat said. Tensions between the public and the police exist because the people may distrust the police. Over the last half century, police departments around the nation have attempted to change the perception of the public and to gain their trust. Some departments have done a better job than others. However, when a police-citizen encounter turns deadly, then the department must undertake steps to ensure that the investigation is transparent and that the public is kept informed.

Bernat said laws need to be enacted to remove the ability of officers to use various dangerous and deadly types of force restraints if someone is non-compliant.

Some departments, for example, have updated their use of force policies to be very detailed on when and if tasers should be deployed and how and when deadly force is to be used by eliminating the use of the choke hold, she said. De-escalation policies are also being implemented.

Baeza said LPD is always looking at the feedback of people. He believes this has helped make local relationships between the police and the community one of the strongest in the country.

The Laredo Police always welcomes input and meaningful feedback from the citizens in order to bridge any gaps of constructive communication, Baeza said. The Laredo Police Department will continue to review, adopt and amend our current policies and procedures in order to best serve the safety and security of our citizens and continue to train our officers in the most effective, efficient and modern policing techniques available.

Bernat said she is not in favor of choke holds or knee restraints that cut off the breathing capacity of citizens. However, she cautions there are times when deadly force is appropriate.

Everyone in each of our communities across the United States, whether we are African American, Latinx, Asian, Native American, White, should care about police procedures, practices and behavior, Bernat said. The decision by the jury to convict former officer Chauvin is one that shows that the police have a duty to protect and serve. The police have a duty of care when and if people are in their custody.

The police power of the state is not absolute. We are a people of laws, and we empower our police officers to help us when we need help. We want our officers to respond to our calls when we are threatened, but we should not be afraid of the police in our communities.

Baeza agrees that even though Laredo is predominantly Hispanic that the community should care about the Chauvin decision.

The local demographic certainly does care and should about this and other nationally important cases, Baeza said. Despite our predominant Hispanic community here at home, our city is growing and is attracting new ethnic cultures to our region. It is important that as a society we learn to accept and respect one another regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation."

jorge.vela@lmtonline.com
Mumbai, April 25 : Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli said that they were beaten by Ravindra Jadeja's individual performance in Sunday's match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"One guy completely beat us. Today, his skill was there for everyone to see," said Kohli in the post-match presentation ceremony.

"His ability has been there for everyone to see. I am very happy to see him perform with the bat, ball and on the field. After two months, he will be back playing for India, and it is always a pleasure to see your premier all-rounder do well with the bat. When he plays well and is confident, it lets out many opportunities," he further said.

Jadeja smashed 37 runs off the final over of the CSK innings off fast bowler Harshal Patel, who had conceded just 14 runs and taken three wickets prior to the over.

Kohli said that the team will continue to back Patel and this defeat has come at the right time for RCB, who had won all four matches they had played before Sunday.

"You have to look at it the right way. I feel this is a positive feedback for our side. A performance like this, it is good to get this out early on in the tournament. Our start was decent enough," said Kohli.

"He (Patel) bowled well and we will continue to back him. His two wickets, of the set batters, took momentum away from CSK before Jaddu took it away in the final over," he said.

Latest updates on IPL 2021
Sonora, CA  A simple traffic stop was all it took for a Tuolumne County Sheriffs Deputy to cuff a Sonora man for an illegal weapon, and later drugs.

The deputy patrolling the area of Fortuna Mine Road in Sonora recently spotted a car with expired registration and pulled the vehicle over. Behind the wheel was 43-year-old Stephen Belt. He did not have a license and a record check showed he was on searchable probation. Inside the car, the deputy turned up drug paraphernalia and metal knuckles.

While en route to the jail, Belt admitted to the deputy that he had hidden methamphetamine in his underwear. It weighed just over five grams and was confiscated.

Belt faces several possible felony drug-related charges, possessing metal knuckles, and driving without a license. His bail was set at $20,000.
Adam Parker has covered many beats and topics for The Post and Courier, including race and history, religion, and the arts. He is the author of "Outside Agitator: The Civil Rights Struggle of Cleveland Sellers Jr.," published by Hub City Press.
U.S. scholars applaud Xi's appeal for fostering community of life for man, nature

Xinhua) 08:16, April 25, 2021

At the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the Leaders Summit on Climate via video link and delivers an important speech titled "For Man and Nature: Building a Community of Life Together" in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Xi Jinping's remarks outlined "far-reaching values for global cooperation among all peoples," says Kevin Clark.

LOS ANGELES, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's appeal for fostering a community of life for man and nature boasted far-reaching wisdom and values, scholars at U.S.-based think tanks have said.

"It is important that we have shared values for the globe to embrace nature and develop an ecological civilization," said Dr. Bruce Hanson, a researcher at the California-based Institute for Postmodern Development of China (IPDC) while recalling Xi's speech at the virtual Leaders Summit on Climate made via video link on Thursday.

To build a community of life for man and nature, Xi made a six-pronged proposal as to what the international community must be committed to -- from harmony between man and nature, green development, systemic governance, a people-centered approach, to multilateralism and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

Discussing what we mean by harmony, productivity, systemic governance, well-being and other core values is a key to common understanding of climate change, Hanson told Xinhua in an interview on Friday, noting that he appreciates the values and initiatives presented in the speech.

"The Chinese civilization has always valued harmony between man and Nature as well as observance of the laws of Nature. It has been our constant pursuit that man and Nature could live in harmony with each other," he quoted Xi as saying.

It is "very encouraging" to hear what the leader of the most dynamic economy of the world has to say, said Hanson, noting that Xi's appeal also embodies the nation's ancient wisdom.

The IPDC advocates global pathways to ecological civilization through new modes of development, according to its website.

At the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the Leaders Summit on Climate via video link and delivers an important speech titled "For Man and Nature: Building a Community of Life Together" in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Echoing Hanson, Kevin Clark, Director of Center for Organic Philosophy, a Washington State-based non-profit organization, said on Friday that Xi's remarks outlined "far-reaching values for global cooperation among all peoples."

In an interview with Xinhua, Clark said he was impressed by the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities the president conveyed at the summit, stressing that developed countries, who bear more responsibility, should feel the call of their duty and contribute to the systemic governance of our ecosystem.

Just like no country or place on Earth is the same, developing countries can make diversified contributions to climate actions, and the others must accommodate their particular difficulties and concerns, said Clark.

Such values, illustrated in Xi's remarks, come from a compassionate heart and guide countries to their immanent own responsibilities, according to Clark.

The president "reminds us (that) we need to work on the basis of international law, follow the principle of equity and justice, and focus on effective actions," he added.

At the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the Leaders Summit on Climate via video link and delivers an important speech titled "For Man and Nature: Building a Community of Life Together" in Beijing, capital of China, April 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Hanson emphasized that, to balance human welfare with the welfare of nature, the world need actions other than words, especially a massive and immediate reform of industrial systems.

"This does indeed require multilateralism, encouraging each of our efforts and sharing the rewards of those efforts," he added.

Hanson said he agreed with what the president has said about China's goal of moving from carbon peak to carbon neutrality in a much shorter time span than what might take many developed countries requires extraordinarily hard efforts.

Meanwhile, he expressed concerns that it may be hard for the global community to achieve an "ecological civilization," unless it enables a faster and more dramatic change in greening.

"Innovation and willpower needs to come from everyone on the planet. How might we encourage such a 'grassroots' effort?" asked Hanson, noting that China has made ecological cooperation a key part of Belt and Road cooperation, endeavoring to improve the life of people while preserving nature.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Bianji)
Milan: Italy has joined other countries by imposing restrictions on travel from India to avert the spread of a COVID-19 variant as the Asian nation struggles with a surge in infections.

Italy`s Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Twitter he had signed an order barring foreign travellers who have been in India in the past 14 days from entering the country.

India, which is facing a health crisis, is battling a "double mutant" strain of COVID-19. On Sunday, the country posted the world`s highest single-day increase in cases for a fourth day.

Italian residents will be allowed to return from India with a negative test result at their departure and one at their arrival and then have to go into quarantine, the minister said.

Those already in Italy and who travelled from India in the past 14 days were requested to undergo a swab.

"Our scientists are at work to study the new Indian variant," Speranza said.
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Dr. Fauci navigated the delicate balance between his obligation to the American people as one of our most respected physician-scientists and holding on to his job in a federal government whose leader doesnt take kindly to independent thought that potentially upstages his own. Dr. Fauci not only survived multiple appearances on the national stage with Trump, as the task force morphed into charade, but he even emerged as a popular folk hero, all the while maintaining his status as a respected medical authority.

Despite having ample opportunity to confront the president on his misinformation, Dr. Fauci focused his unwavering attention on mitigation of the virus, refuting Trumps often puzzling and sometimes harmful pronouncements, without even having to directly acknowledge them.

Michael Miyamoto is a cardiologist.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, Dealing with a bad boss: lessons from Dr. Fauci.

Did you enjoy todays episode?

Please click here to leave a review for The Podcast by KevinMD. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app to get notified when a new episode comes out!

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Hosted by Kevin Pho, MD, The Podcast by KevinMD shares the stories of the many who intersect with our health care system but are rarely heard from.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama cast his ballot in the nation's parliamentary elections on Sunday, amid the virus pandemic and a bitter rivalry between the two largest political parties.

Rama of the governing Socialists, who are seeking their third consecutive mandate, wants to turn Albania into a champion in tourism, energy, agriculture and digital projects.

Pre-election survey polls showed Ramas left-wing Socialist Party likely to place first.

After casting his ballot, Rama declined to comment on tensions, emphasizing the nation belongs to "the same family, living in the same country."

Lulzim Basha of the Democratic Party accuses the government of corruption and links to organized crime, and pledges lower taxes, higher salaries and more social financial support.

He urged Albanians on Sunday to turn out to vote in large numbers.

Preliminary turnout at 0800 GMT was 16%.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
It was restored in 1964 after lobbying by Peter Hancock  his son, and a local resident  which saw the name of the only Australian ever executed for war crimes, affixed below the names of the good and decent Bathurst men who served with honour. I hold  believe me  no brief for Lord Kitchener. But on this occasion the British warlord was right, and Handcocks name should not be there. The Bathurst War Memorial with the name Peter Handcock on the plaque. Handcock committed many atrocities while serving with the infamous British unit, the Bushveldt Carbineers, most of them under the direct command of Breaker Morant. In early July 1901, Handcock shot and killed a fellow soldier, Trooper Barend J. Van Buuren, who was thought to be a risk of whistleblowing about the Carbineers atrocities: including the shooting of six unarmed Boers, among whom was a 12-year-old boy.

In early August 1901, Handcock personally put a revolver to the head of an unarmed, wounded Boer prisoner, Floris Visser, and fired, killing him. Peter Handcock was executed along with Breaker Morant. Credit: Supplied A fortnight later he shot and killed the Reverend Daniel Heese, a passing pastor  because Morant felt Heese could possibly tell the authorities about the Carbineers shooting unarmed prisoners. Though acquitted of that particular murder despite the overwhelming evidence, in 1929, another accused Carbineer, George Witton wrote to Major J. F. Thomas  Handcock and Morants defence counsel  admitting it was all true, and that Heeses murder was a most cold-blooded affair. Handcock described it all to me. Handcock also helped organise and participated in the cold-blooded execution of the same eight surrendering Boers that Heese was concerned about. We are justified in shooting everything in sight, Handcock said to a fellow trooper by way of explanation for such outrages. On September 7, 1901, he committed the most shocking of all murders. When Morant hears of three Boers approaching their camp, he goes out to meet them, with Handcock and two other troopers. It proves to be a Boer farmer Roelf van Staden and his two sons, 16-year-old Roelf jnr and the 12-year-old Chris who is very sick with the fever.

Morant quietly gives the orders, telling his men that when they get to yonder clearing, wait until he says lay down your arms, and when they relax, shoot them. Arriving at the clearing, Morant barks dismount. The two troopers and Handcock then, following another pre-arranged signal, ready their rifles to fire. The Boers look at them, confused, and with growing horror, the sick young boy looks to his father for solace, for comfort, for assurance that they are not actually going to ... ? Lay down your arms! Morant commands, for all the world as if he wishes his troopers to genuinely put their rifles on the ground. The father relaxes just a little only for the troopers and Handcock to suddenly swing their rifles up, take aim through the cold iron sights and  three shots are fired. Three Boers fall dead. They are left where they lie. In the end, Morant and Handcock were brought undone by 14 Australian whistleblowers within the Carbineers together with one New Zealander, who  despite the fact that two men had already been murdered by Handcock when it was thought they were a danger of reporting to authorities  wrote and signed a letter, listing their atrocities, which was sent to the colonel in charge.

The Bathurst War Memorial. This led to the court-martial and their execution. The defenders of the likes of Breaker Morant and Peter Handcock through the ages invariably come up with the same lines: Things happen in war-time on the front-lines that it is like the damn hides for the rest of us to criticise. As one who has written 10 books on Australias military actions, I acknowledge that, yes, there are things done in the heat of battle that look appalling from afar  but are part of midnight madness in the midst of life and death. But Handcocks atrocities were not of those kind. They were a series of calculated, cold-blooded murders, not committed in the heat of battle, more often than not on the orders of Morant, but that is no excuse. Specifically on Handcock and Morant, defenders say they shot Boer prisoners on the direct orders of Kitchener himself. This is nonsense, and a transparent one. No evidence has ever emerged of such orders, and in the month that the worst atrocities occurred, the Bushveldt Carbineers took in 100 prisoners that survived.

The defenders also point to problems with the legal process of the court-martial. Yes, there were several  starting with the fact that their defence counsel didnt get to them until the morning before the court-martial began. But those problems alter not a jot that it is beyond all doubt that both Morant and Handcock did exactly the atrocities they were accused of. Do we dishonour Handcock by insisting his name be removed from the Bathurst Boer War Memorial? We do not. We honour the law, by acknowledging that Handcock was found guilty by the accepted legal process of the time. We honour those other brave soldiers on that monument, by not having their names on the same memorial as a war criminal. We honour those that Handcock killed  the fellow soldier, the pastor, the unarmed prisoners, the children _ by accepting that one who committed such atrocities has no place on a roll of honour.
Hensoldt, a global sensor solution provider is now a member of the United Nations Global Compact, committing to the ten universal sustainability principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.



By signing the Global Compact, Hensoldt is making visible how important sustainable business practices are for the company. It is the world's largest initiative for sustainable and responsible corporate governance.



As part of a group-wide sustainability initiative, the company has set itself numerous goals. Among other things, emissions are to be further reduced and the proportion of women within the workforce increased.



"By joining, we want to show social and ecological responsibility," said Thomas Muller, CEO of Hensoldt AG. "For many customers and business partners, membership in the Global Compact has now become a kind of seal of quality.



The Global Compact was launched in 2000 on the initiative of the then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Currently, around 15,000 companies and organisations from civil society, politics and science in more than 160 countries are part of it. Hensoldt is proud to be a member of this high-level initiative of the United Nations, a company statement said.



Hensoldt takes its responsibility as a global citizen and local company very seriously and has committed itself to performing sustainable pioneering work in the area of technology and human potential that supports the conservation of all species worldwide, the statement added.  TradeArabia News Service
Women United, an affinity group of Capital Area United Way, has presented Girl Scout Service Unit 120 with 82 STEM kits. The kits will be dist
It is horrifying that many towns in India are running short of space for cremating and burying Covid-19 victims. Last year I saw pictures of mass cremations and burials in countries around the world, with bodies being left on the streets. Little did I realise that India too would be gripped by similar scenes a year later.

Indian Covid-19 cases have soared to about 350,000 daily. The Indian health structure is nearing a collapse. What will happen if the number of daily cases spiral to 500,000 or to a million cases per day? We have to plan for the worst-case scenarios in terms of equipment and resources, even as we hope for the best. India should not be caught napping again. India must also research the new variant aggressively, to understand and neutralise it.

With good management, any problem can be solved, but clearly there is poor management of the crisis in India.

Rajendra Aneja

Mumbai, India

UK must help India now

The world is watching a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in India due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK needs to help India right now and the British PM must ensure that help is on the way. All the orders of ventilators that luckily did not need to be used in the UK may be better flown to those needing them the most.

Bambos Charalambous

Manchester

Nowhere to hide

Pandemic and pollution  the worlds deadly enemies right now. Although every little step that anybody takes to reduce pollution does help, it is an international problem no country can hide from.

Some people refuse vaccinations, saying it is their body and their freedom and right to decide what goes into their body. However, any body left unvaccinated is a potential source to be infected and hence add to transmission and mutation of the virus. The world is that little bit more vulnerable with each person refusing vaccination. Again, there is no place to hide.

Robert Murray

Nottingham

A handy distraction

The SNPs crass desire to leave the security of the UK is synonymous with little children wanting to leave home but still desiring mummy and daddy to look after them.

Independence could lead to economic bankruptcy and wide open, unprotected borders. Perhaps the reason for the SNPs focus on independence and reneging on the promise of a once-in-a-lifetime vote is to draw the nationalists attention away from the disastrous failures of the SNP in education, economics, healthcare, policing and more.

Glen Harding

Leeds

Why now, Cummings?

As we track the stale breadcrumbs of Dominic Cummingss belated and faux sense of public duty  and he points out what we all knew about Boris Johnson well before he was elected PM (hes a dishonest low-life)  has no one wondered, why now?

Yes  Johnson was dim enough to point a pudgy finger at his ex-handler over leaks, but that is not all.

Cummings is due to give evidence about the governments catastrophic bungling of the pandemic, which involved Cummings in so many ways, not least in personally undermining the belated lockdown with the Durham dash, but that is not all either.

This is Cummingss distraction from his main gangrenous gift to the nation  the economic catastrophe of Brexit.

Brexit is hammering the UK economy and will do for years, if not decades, to come. Yes, Johnson has kicked the can even further down the road with many of the trade rules put off again until the winter  but as this semi-lockdown eases, many areas open to decimated high streets, depression, debt and deep unemployment. So Dom requires some thick smoke and large mirrors to deflect attention from the colossal cost of our ridiculous act of self-harm with our nearest and most populous trading partner.

Cummings delivered Brexit for Johnson. Now he doesnt want us looking in the pram.

Amanda Baker

Edinburgh

Grievous comment

I do hope Dominic Grieve has attained copyright on his vacuum of integrity description of Boris Johnson before James Dyson decides it would be a good slogan for his latest product.

Geoff Forward

Stirling
Since 1871 the Civil Rights Act has held state and local officials  including police officers  legally liable for damages if their actions violate a citizens constitutional rights.

That was until the Supreme Court punched a huge hole in the law, making it nearly impossible to hold police accountable, even when they clearly violate the rights of citizens. Such actions multiplied massively during the war on drugs era. State and local police departments in the 1970s ramped up acquisition of military equipment and adopted military-style tactics, including the use of special weapons and tactics teams and no-knock drug raids.

The timing is curious. Just as police departments geared up their war-like tactics, the Supreme Court created a legal defense  known as qualified immunity  to protect officers engaging in such tactics. By the mid-1990s, according to criminologist Peter Kraska, Ph.D., nearly 90% of U.S. cities with a population exceeding 50,000 had SWAT teams, almost double what existed in the mid-1980s.

These SWAT teams were not idle. Kraska counted about 3,000 SWAT deployments in the United States in the early 1980s. By the mid-1990s that number skyrocketed to 30,000, most of them engaged in the drug war. But the Supreme Court covered the legal backsides of SWAT officers accused of civil rights abuses  the inevitable collateral damage of surprise, nighttime raids into occupied homes.

Here is how the qualified immunity loophole works:

In 1967 and 1974 the Supreme Court expanded law enforcements use of the good-faith defense. Police officers accused of civil rights abuses can avoid liability if they believe they acted sincerely and correctly, even if their actions violated a persons civil rights. Then, in 1982, the court added the clearly established law defense. Police officers are liable only if their actions are nearly identical to facts in previous settled cases in which courts found that civil rights violations occurred.

Since facts surrounding rights violations cases are for practical purposes unique  each case involves factual differences  it is practically impossible for plaintiffs to convince courts that violations of their rights were clearly established in prior cases. The more outlandish a rights violation, the less likely a prior case will have dealt with similar facts and thereby satisfy the clearly established law standard.

For example, in 2019, in Corbitt v. Vickers, a Georgia deputy sheriff was accused of using excessive force. After taking a suspect into custody at a residence, a nonthreatening family dog appeared. The deputy intentionally fired at the dog and missed, instead unintentionally wounding a 10-year-old child in the leg. The 11th U.S. Court of Appeals held that the sheriff had qualified immunity and could not be sued, because no prior case law involved the unique facts of this case.

A recent report issued by the CATO Institute, a libertarian think tank, and titled, Qualified immunity: A legal, practical and moral failure, author Jay R. Schweikert concludes that qualified immunity is one of the most obviously unjustified legal doctrines in our nations history.

He counts a large number of lower-court judges critical of immunity, including some calling for it to end. In addition, Schweikert reports that in 2018 Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor called it an absolute shield for law enforcement that has gutted the deterrent effect of the Fourth Amendment.

The Supreme Court has responsibility for undermining the accountability burden placed on police officers in the 1871 law. But, since it is unlikely a Supreme Court majority will back down soon, Congress must reestablish the original intent of the 1871 statute.

That is what legislators are trying to do. On March 3 the House passed, and sent to the Senate, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 that would amend the 1871 law to explicitly prohibit police officers accused of civil rights violations from using either the good faith defense or the not-clearly-established-law defense.

This nation was founded on the idea that governments should secure the civil rights of citizens, not to threaten and abuse them. Rejection of the qualified immunity doctrine and again holding police officers accountable for their actions would be a fine way to reaffirm that basic principle of American government.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 19:58:27|Editor: huaxia

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PRAGUE, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Amid diplomatic tensions between the Czech Republic and Russia over a 2014 ammunition depot explosion, Czech President Milos Zeman said Sunday it's necessary to wait for the investigation results.

"We are working with two investigation versions. The first, the original one, says the explosion occurred due to unprofessional treatment of the explosive material. The second, this was an action of a foreign intelligence service," said Zeman in a speech broadcasted on TV Prima and CNN Prima News. "I take both versions seriously and wish them to be thoroughly investigated."

The president also cited a report drafted by the Czech counter-intelligence BIS, which said there was no evidence that Russian agents were on the site of the Vrbetice warehouse. But that doesn't mean the "suspicion of their implication is not serious," Zeman said.

According to Zeman, if it turns out that Russian agents are behind the explosion, Russia must pay for it -- for example, with Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom excluded in the expansion of the Dukovany nuclear power plant. Otherwise, it is an intelligence game that can have serious consequences for inner political life in the Czech Republic.

"Let us wait without hysteria and speculations for the results of the investigation and only then let us make the decision," he added.

It's the first time Zeman publicly spoke about the case after a week of diplomatic spat with Russia.

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday demanded the Czech embassy in Moscow reduce the number of employees shortly after Prague made a mirror-like decision.

Earlier in the day, the Czech Foreign Ministry announced that it would reduce and put a cap on the number of employees in the Russian embassy in Prague to the same number at the Czech embassy in Moscow, and the Russian side has to withdraw its staff by the end of May.

On April 17, the Czech Republic expelled 18 staffers of the Russian embassy on suspicion of the alleged involvement of Russian secret services in the 2014 Vervetice explosion. Russia has dismissed the allegations and responded by expelling 20 employees of the Czech embassy in Moscow. Enditem
Spectators werent thin on the ground either. In some places they stood three deep, applauding, clapping along to familiar military tunes and waving small messages of support.

COVID-19 restrictions had allowed 10,000 but marchers werent thin on the ground. They came from all contingents including some you might not of heard of such as the Catalina Squadron First and Foremost and the Royal Navy Clearance Divers Association (thats explosive ordnance disposal) United and Undaunted.

They have had their inoculations. Crocheted or knitted blankets are positioned and wheelchair escorts in place. This is the spirit of the 4002 marchers who filled Elizabeth Street on a rather chilly morning on Sunday.

Defiant, determined and, as ever, in the thick of it. Four war veterans on the front line of Sydneys Anzac Day march.

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Dorothy Curtis, 96, served at La Perouse and North Head in the army as a gunner with coast artillery. Her memories? They were serious but you could still have a laugh, she said. We lived in long huts, and we did a good job. I havent done the march for a long time and thought Id love to do that before I pass on. Ive had one (COVID-19) injection. I havent had the second one - I was at a wedding when that was handed out.

Mavis Wheeler, WAAAFS (Womens Auxilliary Australian Air Force), is 100 and two months. They chose six of us to see if women could correspond by Morse Code with the pilots coming in to give them directions. We showed them that we could. I am 100 and 100 per cent but the worst thing is my hearing.

Barbara Coward, 98, was a driver in the air force at Wagga. Then I was posted to the city which was very nice. What did she drive? Anything. Anything they had, we drove. I thought I would come today because my granddaughter offered to be with me. Ill walk - I didnt know the RSL offered to provide us with wheelchairs.

Margaret Ferrier, 94, was a flight mechanic in the air force all over the place on Tiger Moths. Loved them. I had some thoughts about coming but went into my room this morning and said For goodness sake, go. So I did. We had fun in Temora, thats where they taught all the pilots. We all had to do something. They put me in a factory out at Marrickville but we didnt like that so we went to Martin Place and joined the air force.
At the Regina Caeli, Pope Francis recalls the 130 migrants who drowned in the Mediterranean in a shipwreck and the inertia of those who did not help. 10 martyrs killed in Guatemala during the military dictatorship of Rios Montt Beatified. The Church "is called to carry out this universal mission of Christ" even among those who "are not part of our community".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "Jesus wants everyone to be able to receive the love of the Father and have life": Pope Francis stressed this today in his commentary on today's Gospel (4th Sunday of Easter, B, John 10, 11-18), which presents the figure of the Good Shepherd.

The Pope spoke of Jesus' "universal anxiety", and of the Church which "is called to carry out this universal mission of Christ" even among those who "are not part of our community".

Earlier in the morning, Francis celebrated a Mass in St. Peter's for the ordination of 9 priests. Then speaking to the faithful in the square, before the Regina Caeli, he defined Jesus "as the true shepherd, who defends, knows and loves his sheep".

Jesus, he explained, "defends us and saves us in many difficult, dangerous situations, through the light of his word and the strength of his presence, which we experience especially in the sacraments."

He "knows his sheep and the sheep know him (v. 14) ... We are not a mass, a multitude for Him, no. We are unique individuals, each one with his or her own story, each one with his or her own value, both because they have been created and have been redeemed by Christ. Each of us can say: Jesus, you know me! It is true, it is like this: He knows us as no other. Only He knows what is in our hearts, our intentions, our most hidden feelings. ".

Finally, Jesus "loves his sheep ... Love for his sheep, that is, for each of us, leads him to die on the cross, because this is the will of the Father, that no one be lost ... Jesus wants everyone to be able to receive the love of the Father and to have life.

The Church is called to carry on this universal mission of Christ. Beyond those who participate in our communities there are many people who do so only at particular moments or never. But this does not mean they are not Gods children, whom the Father entrusts to Christ the Good Shepherd. Jesus gave his life for each and every person. And each and every one of us Christians must bear witness to his love through humble and fraternal behaviour.

After the Marian prayer of Easter, Francis recalled the beatification of 10 martyrs (three Missionary priests of the Sacred Heart and 7 lay people) which took place in Guatemala two days ago. The sacrifice of the so-called "quiche martyrs" took place in the 1980s, during the military dictatorship of Rios Montt. Then he prayed for the victims of a volcano eruption in St Vincent and Grenadines and those of a Covid hospital in Baghdad.

After a short pause, he recalled the sinking of a dingy in the Mediterranean, which caused the death of 130 migrants. The UN, the European countries, Libya are in turn justifying their inaction and blaming each other each other for not having brought any relief.

They are human beings - said the pontiff - they are people; for days they have been calling for help; help that didnt arrived. Let us all ask ourselves about this umpteenth tragedy. It is the time of shame. Let us pray for these brothers and for the many who continue to die in these dramatic journeys. We also pray for those who can help but prefer to look the other way. Let us pray in silence for them.

Finally, recalling the ordination of the new priests a few hours earlier, he asked the faithful to pray "the Lord to multiply the new workers who can work in the Lord's vineyard".
RIDGEFIELD  Ridgefield High School graduate Mark Galione said hes always wanted to explore how fragrances were made.

Fast forward about five years and Galione has a cologne line, which he founded and launched while wrapping up his business studies at Bentley University in Waltham, Mass., last spring.

The fragrance, Gali, is sold at several Connecticut shops, including Hutton's Fine Menswear and Adam Broderick Salon & Spa in Ridgefield, and in perfume stores at the Danbury Fair and Westfarms malls.

Galione felt inspired to delve into the fragrance world while learning about marketing and advertising in college. He was intrigued by the growing market within the mens beauty industry and decided to dive in.

I kind of wanted to break some of the barriers in terms of men being open about beauty and talking about products they use, he said.

Initially, Galione wasnt interested in developing fragrances, but rather producing an automatic spraying device for one  similar to those used by air freshener companies. But the concept was short-lived when Galione realized the market was saturated with plenty of patents.

When his brother bought him a fragrance-making kit, Galione shifted to the creative side of the business during his junior year at Bentley. If I (wasnt) able to make the ... sprayer, I kind of wanted to make my own cologne, he said, (so) I just started messing around, making my own fragrance.

Galione learned how to layer different fragrant notes and researched the scents he liked. While interning with LOreal he honed in on smaller mens beauty products and natural ingredients. By the end of his senior year at Bentley, he had perfected the Gali scent  a blend of sandalwood, bergamot, sage, coconut and freshwater essential oils.

Its not something when you walk into the room (youre) like, Oh, I can smell that person right away. It lasts a very long time, he said. Its almost an everyday fragrance, a clean and strong scent you can wear at home or to the office.

The lines launch was momentarily interrupted when Galione was sent home from school last spring, but he treated the pandemic as a blessing in disguise. The time at home allowed him to focus on the launch, and after seeing how hard small businesses were being hit, he chose to leverage local suppliers, he said.

Its not only ... handmade by myself, but also were really unique to utilize local suppliers ... and really benefit them while we look to grow, he added.

Galis materials are sourced from small businesses in Danbury, New York, New Jersey, Indiana and California, and Galione doesnt have plans to change that. A lot of these small businesses give back to the community, he said. Supporting local people is always a great thing to do to uplift the local economy.

Salon owner Adam Broderick said the line would be an excellent new addition to his store. He described Gali as a light scent that resembles an afterthought rather than being overpowering.

Fragrance is like art, Broderick said, its something you feel and gravitate toward.

Broderick has known Galiones family as clients for years, and described him as a young, passionate entrepreneur that hes rooting for.

His story is as compelling as the fragrance, he said.

Adam Broderick Salon & Spa is located at 89 Danbury Road in Ridgefield.
Travel experts have warned summer holidays could be under threat if the Foreign Office advises against travel to green list countries.

The Government is preparing to lift the ban on international travel on May 17 and is finalising plans for a 'traffic light' system to determine which countries will be authorised destinations.

However, experts have warned of confusion because the Foreign Office is expected to publish its own advice which could differ from the traffic light system.

This means if the Foreign Office advises against travel to a certain country, even if it is permitted by the traffic light system, holidaymakers could see their plans disrupted.

Most holiday companies will not operate services in countries the Foreign Office has advised against visiting and going to a country against government guidelines will also invalidate travel insurance.

Holidaymakers face fresh confusion as travel experts have warned the Foreign Office could publish separate guidance from the traffic light system due to be finalised next month

According to the Times, even destinations on the green or amber list - where travel is permitted - could be off-limits if the Foreign Office advises against travelling to them.

Their advice is based on factors such as the risk of individuals getting stuck by Covid restrictions or the capacity and quality of the country's health services.

Airlines UK boss Tim Alderslade told The Times: 'Green and amber countries should not be caught up in additional travel advisories.

'We need to see alignment between the Foreign Office advice and traffic light system to provide clarity and transparency to consumers and operators.'

A Foreign Office source said: 'Travel advice is an independent assessment of the risk [to] Brits travelling aboard. It's independent, trusted advice and will remain so.'

The Government is expected to finalise its traffic light system in the coming weeks with green countries set for restriction-free travel while amber countries will mean people must self-isolate at home for ten days on their return.

Travellers from red list countries will be required to quarantine at a hotel. Most European countries are expected to be on the amber list.

Countries expected to be on the green list include Portugal, Dubai and Malta.

It comes after Turkey announced it has lifted all restrictions for Britons travelling to the country.

Visitors from the UK will not need to produce a Covid vaccine passport, but will need to show proof of a negative PCR test.

The country also promises to provide testing for tourists before they return to the UK, with tests at hotels or airports costing around 25. Until now PCR tests for a family of four can cost as much as 500.

Tui, the world's largest tour operator, said it had seen a surge in bookings to popular Turkish coastal resorts even before the announcement on Friday.

Travel consultancy The PC Agency told MailOnline it had seen a spike in bookings for luxury villas in Greece, Portugal and Mallorca after the Greek Tourism Minister announced the plan to welcome British tourists from mid-May.

Travel consultancy The PC Agency told MailOnline it had seen a spike in bookings for luxury villas in Greece, Portugal (pictured) and Mallorca in recent days

The agency revealed people are booking up for month-long trips and asking for WiFi and a desk and are taking the whole family so that they can get paid to work from home while on holiday.

The PC Agency also said it had seen double the amount of requests for Greek villas compared to previous years, with demand for fully serviced villas with a chef, butler and housekeeper so tourists can stay away from busy restaurants.

Popular islands Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu and Crete are already getting booked up, with most bookings from 2020 rolled over into this year.

Brits are also looking for properties on smaller islands including Hydra, Paxos and Syros, which are off the beaten track and away from the crowds, according to The PC Agency.

Popular islands Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu and Crete are already booking up fast, with most bookings from 2020 rolled over into this year.

Turkey's tourism minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said the 'successful vaccination programmes in the UK and Turkey will ensure this season is even safer than last year'.

Turkey has announced that British tourists will be welcome in the country this summer without having to show a vaccination certificate (pictured, Antalya)

Which countries are currently accepting international tourists or will do soon? Croatia: Open to international tourists, anyone arriving there will need to show proof of either a vaccination, negative PCR or antigen test result, or confirmation of recovery from Covid within the last 180 days. Iceland: Open to anyone who has been vaccinated against Covid. Those who can provide proof of prior infection will also be exempt from quarantine rules. Cyprus: Open from May 1 to UK travellers who have received both doses of their Covid vaccine. France: UK visitors can enter if they have a negative PCR test carried out 72 hours before departure, but they must self-isolate for seven days before taking a second test. Greece: Reopening to foreign tourists from May 14, with arrivals either having to have been vaccinated or have a negative Covid test within 72 hours before travel. Malta: Fully vaccinated UK travellers will be welcomed from June 1, with tourists receiving 87 if they book a hotel for at least three nights as part of a bonus scheme. Portugal: Plans to reopen to Britons from May 17, provided arrivals can show evidence they have been vaccinated, have a recent negative test, or have antibodies. Spain: It wants to open 'as soon as possible' but is currently in a tight lockdown. Turkey: The country has said it plans to welcome Britons in the summer even if they don't have proof of a vaccination or negative test. Maldives: Open to tourists provided they can show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours of travel. Seychelles: Open to travellers under the same terms as the Maldives. Mexico: The country is welcoming international tourists with no need for proof of a vaccine or testing. Dubai: Tourists must have a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before leaving. However, direct flights between Britain and Dubai are currently banned. Anguilla: Welcoming back holidaymakers from July 1 provided they have been vaccinated and can show proof of a negative test. Barbados: The island will require international tourists who have been vaccinated and can show proof of a negative test to quarantine for two days from May 8, or five for non-vaccinated people, who will also have to take a second test to be released. Thailand: Arrivals currently have to quarantine for 14 days, but these rules will be waived from July 1 for vaccinated tourists in Phuket. Advertisement

Mr Ersoy added: 'We are looking forward to welcoming British tourists with open arms, as we did safely last summer.

'We have world-class border processes in place for ensuring travel will be low-risk throughout Turkey.

'We are working with the British authorities to ensure these necessary processes are world-class and as up-to-date as possible.

'We will not require vaccination passports from international travellers when entering the country.'

A priority vaccination program is already underway for employees at hotels and other tourist facilities to receive a jab before the start of the summer season.

Some 20,775,790 million vaccination doses have been administered in Turkey as of 22 April.

Tourists visiting Turkey are also being offered a special insurance package, from 12, which covers Covid related expenses such as treatment, medication and emergency care costs that may be incurred if visitors are taken to a state-owned or private hospital during their stay in the country.

A TUI spokesman said: 'This is great news because our bookings to Turkey have been incredibly strong, second only to Greece.

'We're committed to working closely with the Government so our customers can look forward to a much-needed holiday abroad this summer.

And Bulgaria, eager to encourage holiday-makers to its Black Sea resorts, has also announced it will ease rules for entry to the Balkan country from May 1.

The country's outgoing health minister Kostadin Angelov said entry will be allowed for tourists who show a vaccination certificate, with a negative test result from a PCR or an antigen test.

Tourists can alternatively show proof that they have recovered from the coronavirus infection in the past six months.

Last week, Greece lifted quarantine restrictions for British travellers, raising the prospect of holidays to the Mediterranean country in less than a month if ministers lift the ban on foreign travel on May 17 - although tourists could face quarantine after flying home.

It is extremely unlikely Greece would qualify as a green list destination not requiring quarantine, because its current Covid prevalence of 271 cases per million is far higher than the level considered acceptable, which is around 50.

Covid laws mean anyone caught taking a foreign holiday before the end of June currently faces a 5,000 fine.

But No10 said ministers were now confident the ban will be lifted on May 17  the most optimistic date set out in Boris Johnson's roadmap for easing the lockdown.

There has so far been no sign of the feared spike in Covid cases since the reopening of shops, gyms, hairdressers and outdoor hospitality last week  which could have derailed the roadmap.

Asked about the May 17 target, the PM's official spokesman said: 'There is nothing in the data that suggests we need to change the dates.'

A final decision will be made early next month.
The National Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Lawyer Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), has commended the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, MP, for what he describes as a swift, bold and decisive move to fight the galamsey menace that has caused serious pollution to the lands and river bodies in the country.



Right after he was sworn into office, Hon. Abu Jinapor put his boots on the grounds with his sleeves rolled up purposely to solve the most life-threatening problem facing the country currently. The young Minister appears to have a lions heart as he has backed his thought talks with bold actions, including the suspension of all prospecting and reconnaissance currently ongoing.



Nana B has thus pledged to rally the youth of the NPP to support him to deliver tangible results that will have a far-reaching impact on lives and livelihoods.



My confidence in the competence of Hon. Abu Jinapor has surged up significantly. At the outset, he has demonstrated that he has what it takes to function well in his new role. The youth of the NPP are very proud of his exploits and we will offer him our support, through and through Nana B has said.



The NPP Youth Leader has called upon political actors from both sides of the political divide, Traditional Leaders and Ghanaians to support the young and energetic Minister to perform, adding that the fight against galamsey is a shared responsibility and all hands must be on deck.

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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As No10 officials and senior ministers joined Boris Johnson in the Cabinet Room the mood was bleak. For weeks the Prime Minister had been rejecting calls to impose a second lockdown, not just from Cabinet colleagues but also from the scientists.

But, with the number of Covid infections and deaths on an obstinately upward curve, the pressure to take decisive action was becoming irresistible.

Gathered in the room alongside Boris on Friday, October 30, last year were Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, and Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor: the so-called Quad directing the fight against Covid. Dominic Cummings, then Johnsons chief adviser, was also present.

Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific officer, and Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, were given the floor and they proceeded to rehearse their well-worn arguments for total lockdown in England.

With the number of Covid infections and deaths on an obstinately upward curve, the pressure to take decisive action was becoming irresistible on Boris Johnson

But the Prime Minister was still in no mood to acquiesce. I will never be able to sell it to the Tory Party, he said.

It was at this point that Gove jumped in to make a short but passionate speech. If we dont do this now we will have to go into a much harder lockdown in three or four weeks, he argued. He then conjured up a dystopian image of what the streets would look like if immediate action wasnt taken.

We will be forced to put the Army on the doors of hospitals to turn the sick away as the NHS will be overwhelmed. We will not be forgiven and the Tories will be driven from power.

You could have heard a pin drop in the Cabinet Room. Sunak, who had traditionally been very hawkish about lockdowns because of their devastating impact on the economy, sided with Gove. Hancock, who had always been in favour of more draconian restrictions, made it three to one against the PM.

Tired and irritable, his hair even more dishevelled than usual, Boris looked utterly deflated.

Only ten days earlier he had told the Commons that the idea of another lockdown was the height of absurdity. It would turn the lights out.

If he ordered a U-turn, he knew his political opponents  especially on the Tory benches  would have a field day.

Cummings, who has always held Tory MPs in total contempt, urged him to ignore the carping and do the right thing. After five weeks of trench warfare in Downing Street, Boris reluctantly agreed.

It was shortly after this meeting that he allegedly uttered the phrases that have turned out to be such hostages to fortune: no more ****ing lockdowns regardless of the bodies.

Michael Gove described a dystopian image of what the streets would look like if they did not take immediate action

Boris  who once said the real hero of the film Jaws was the mayor of Amity who kept the beaches open despite the presence of a killer shark  was devastated that he had lost the battle.

He said he hadnt gone into Downing Street to shut down the economy, said the source, but he was in a minority of one.

The harsh reality is that  despite his rhetoric  Boris had been fighting a lonely losing battle for some time.

Only six weeks earlier, in an attempt to placate his Tory critics, he had told the Commons that a second national lockdown would have disastrous financial consequences for the country and that the Government would do everything in our power to prevent it.

Yet just three days after that speech the lockdown moved closer when the Government announced that people who did not live in the same household, or who were not in a support bubble, could not gather in groups of more than six.

Boris agreed the rule of six as a compromise. His scientists had put him under pressure to go even further. And that pressure did not let up. Within 48 hours, the Quad was urged by Sage  the committee of scientists that advised the Government  to urgently introduce a two-week circuit-breaker lockdown to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

It warned the UK faced a very large epidemic with catastrophic consequences on its current course. The seven-day average of daily cases stood at 4,964; there were 1,502 Covid patients in hospital; and daily deaths stood at 28.

Matt Hancock, who had always been in favour of more draconian restrictions, made it three to one against the PM

The Sage group proposed the circuit-breaker  a short period of lockdown to drive new infections down  to head off a second wave of the virus that would fall disproportionately on the frailest in our society, [people on] lower incomes and BAME communities.

In the Quad meeting the scientists had Cummings safely onside but even Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor who had been an implacable opponent of inflicting any more harm on the economy, was coming round to the idea of more restrictions.

Ever the pragmatist, he didnt want to be lumbered with any political damage if Covid soared and he was seen to have argued for putting jobs before lives, said one insider.

But Boris, true to his libertarian instincts, was opposed to once more shutting shopping malls, pubs and restaurants.

Dominic Cummings, who has always held Tory MPs in total contempt, urged him to ignore the carping and do the right thing

The source added: He warned of the huge impact it would have on the economy, on the mental health of people, and reminded everyone enforcing lockdowns comes with huge costs.

He also knew politically there would be trouble among restive Tory MPs who were increasingly opposed to talk of more restrictions. It is a tribute to Boriss force of personality and  it has to be said  the power of his office that his view prevailed.

Three days later, in another compromise with the scientists, the tier system was brought in. This divided England into medium, high and very high zones.

Even as he announced the new rules Boris was clear they would go no further.

The social and economic trauma of a full lockdown, shuttering our lives and our society would do such damage to our economy as to erode our long-term ability to fund the NHS and other crucial public services, he said.

The very next day the news that Boris had overruled the scientists the previous month on the circuit-breaker was leaked to the media. The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who had ordered his MPs to abstain in a Commons vote on the rule of six, saw his opportunity to score political points. He urged the Government to impose a circuit-breaker of between two and three weeks to prevent a sleepwalk into a bleak winter.

Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, and Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific officer, gave their well-worn arguments for total lockdown in England

While the Tories attacked Starmers opportunism, the public backed him, with 54 per cent surveyed by YouGov saying they felt the Government should have introduced a national lockdown in September, while just 28 per cent of the 4,222 adults polled disagreed.

Despite the growing pressure, Boris was sticking to his guns and at a press conference two days later said the Government cannot rule anything out, but expressed his desire to avoid a national lockdown because of the damaging health, economic and social effects it would have.

His stance won the backing of senior Tory MPs, including Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs.

A few days later in the Commons, he uttered the phrase that would return to haunt him, when he condemned the idea of a second national lockdown as the height of absurdity that would turn the lights out.

So the scene was set for the PM to announce the biggest U-turn of his premiership. He knew he now faced a greater political challenge than the first lockdown in March when much of the country was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

He had been told months earlier by the scientists that a second wave in the winter would be more deadly and that he should manage the publics expectations. But he had ignored that advice.

Typical Boris, he wanted to be bullish and optimistic, which is his nature. He couldnt face dishing out a negative message all year round, says the source.

He wanted to be positive. He thought people were already fed-up without him adding to it, so decided to try to be upbeat.

An admirable sentiment, and just like the mayor in Jaws. But things didnt end well for the citizens of Amity.
Investment trust Middlefield Canadian Income represents an unusual but attractive proposition for investors looking for a mix of income and capital return.

Although the 108million stock market-listed fund invests ten per cent of its assets in US equities, it is unique among North American funds in having a majority of its stakes in Canadian businesses.

It's an investment strategy that means the trust has missed out on the big gains to be made from holding some of the US's big technology shares. But it's kept many shareholders sweet by continuing to pay a robust dividend throughout the pandemic, equivalent to just below five per cent a year.

These dividend payments, made quarterly, look set to continue this year with the trust's board determined to hold the overall annual dividend at 5.1 pence per share  the same level as for the past three years.

Increases could then follow in 2022, especially if the Canadian economy makes a strong recovery from the pandemic on the back of increased consumer spending and greater capital investment by businesses.

The trust's manager is Dean Orrico, based in Toronto and chief investment officer for Middlefield Group  an asset manager running funds in excess of 2billion, most with an income bent.

'What we're offering is a Canadian-centric trust, providing investors with a stable income,' says Orrico. 'Last year, less than a fifth of listed Canadian companies cut or eliminated their dividends  a figure lower than in the UK but in line with what happened in the United States.

'The result is a market offering a dividend yield of between 2.5 and 3 per cent a year, higher than in the US where the average yield is between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent.'

Orrico side-stepped most of the cuts by concentrating the portfolio around the country's leading banks and selected property companies. 'The country's biggest banks are among the strongest in the world,' he says. 'None of the top six cut their dividends in 2020 and they are well placed to increase them this year.'

The trust holds five of the top six banks with four  Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of Montreal, CIBC and TD  in its top ten holdings.

Bank of Novia Scotia is the top holding

Property companies, adds Orrico, should do well as the economy reopens, especially those focused on retail and e-commerce. It also has holdings in companies with a renewable energy focus  such as Brookfield Renewables and Northland Power.

The trust typically holds no more than 50 stocks with positions ranging in size from one to five per cent.

Holdings above five per cent are usually trimmed to ensure the portfolio remains diversified. Over the past three years, the trust has under-performed the average North American fund, generating a return of 28 per cent compared to a sector average of 68 per cent.

But in the past six months, its relative performance has improved and Orrico believes this could continue as valuations for many Canadian firms remain more attractive (less expensive) than their US counterparts.

Although the trust is allowed to invest up to 40 per cent of its assets in US equities, its US exposure is currently limited to sectors poorly represented by the Canadian market  for example, technology and healthcare.

The trust's annual charges total 1.3 per cent and the stock market identification code is B15PV03.

In a recent research note by Investec, analysts said the trust has potential for 'strong capital growth and attractive income streams' if the global economy continues to recover strongly.
Design Shines in Miami

Miami has become one of the countrys best destinations for design.

To be clear, the correct geographic nomenclature for what everyone, including this columnist, calls Miami is actually Greater Miami as Miami Beach and Miami, linked by causeways across Biscayne Bay, are actually separate cities.

Lining the streets of Miami Beachabout a century ago, this was a mangrove swampare hundreds of listed buildings from the second quarter of the 20th century.

Early morning in Miami Beach. (Dennis Lennox)

The most well-known are the pastel-colored art deco landmarks of the aptly named Miami Beach Architectural District. Found along the main streets of Collins Avenue, Ocean Drive, and Washington Avenue, they were remarkably saved from demolition by preservation-minded residents who challenged powerful interests at a time when few people in the halls of government thought half-century-old architecture was worth saving from the forces of progress and development. After all, todays retro was once considered modern.

Beyond art deco, there are notable examples of Mediterranean revival and later styles, including midcentury modern. Similar midcentury buildings can be seen in Honolulu, where this style of postwar design was in vogue at the time of Hawaii statehood in 1959.

The late 1930s facade of the Marriott Stanton South Beach Hotel. (Dennis Lennox)

One of the most overlooked landmarks is the post office on Washington Avenue at 13th Street. Built during the Depression by the federal Works Progress Administration, its interior features three murals by Charles Russell Hardman that are worth traveling to see.

What stood out most was the way the art deco buildings seamlessly blended with newer designs in a way that didnt make Miami Beach feel buried in a time capsule.

Detail on a building in Miami Beach. (Matt Ragen/Shutterstock)

Accompanying the streetscape is a rather significant collection of curated and commissioned public art that dates to the creation of a city-run arts program in 1984.

The best way to discover all of Miami Beachs architecture is through a walking tour. The two-hour tours depart from the Art Deco Welcome Center at the heart of Ocean Drive, an embassy for preservationists, and can be booked through the Miami Design Preservation League.

Across Biscayne Bay on the waterfront in Miami stands the Perez Art Museum. Other museums contributing to the vibrant design scene are HistoryMiami, which also offers tours, and The Bass, located back in Miami Beach at Collins Park.

If You Go

Stay at the Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club. Reopened a couple of years ago and flagged under Marriotts Autograph Collection brand, the design incorporates original architect Ray Frances prewar art deco with a sleek modern decor from New York City-based Bill Rooney Studio that feels distinctively European.

The Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, part of Marriotts Autograph Collection. (Dennis Lennox)

Eat at A Fish Called Avalon, which is housed within the Albert Anis-designed circa 1941 Avalon Hotel and located in the heart of the Art Deco Historic District. Alternatively, try Joes Stone Crab restaurant, a staple of Miami Beach dining for as long as anyone can remember, or Trulucks across the causeway in Miami proper.

Most visitors to Greater Miami arrive by plane at Miami International Airport. However, it can be worth checking airfares for Fort Lauderdale, as sometimes its significantly cheaper to fly in and out of this airport.

Dennis Lennox writes a monthly travel column for The Epoch Times. Follow @dennislennox on Instagram and Twitter.
New York: He is the worlds doctor, and for months he has tirelessly led the global response to the coronavirus pandemic while privately nursing a piercing anguish.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organisation, has largely kept his pain secret, maintaining a stoic public front. But when I probed, he wept.

There is indiscriminate killing: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation. Credit:AP

Tedros is from Tigray, a part of Ethiopia that since November has endured crimes against humanity by Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has properly described atrocities in western Tigray as ethnic cleansing, but the world has largely been indifferent.

Tigrayan children are starving to death, men have been clubbed to death, and women and girls have been subjected to mass rape. Ethiopian opposition parties claim that more than 50,000 people have been killed  that is not verifiable, and the toll is unknown  and the scale of torture, starvation, murder and destruction in the past few months may have been the worst in the world.
YoYo Yang became the second contestant to be booted out of MasterChef Australia on Sunday night.

The 19-year-old, from South Australia, failed to wow the judges after British chef Nigella Lawson tasked her with recreating her iconic toasted marshmallow and rhubarb cake from description alone.

Medical student YoYo looked visibly upset as judge Melissa Leong delivered the news, saying: 'I'm so sorry, but you are leaving us today. It's such a shame, but the food world is at your doorstep.'

Another one bites the dust: YoYo Yang became the second contestant to be eliminated from MasterChef Australia on Sunday night, after being in the bottom two with Conor Curran (both pictured)

Yoyo replied: 'It's been a short but very sweet time. I'm not sad about leaving the kitchen, I'm sad about leaving you guys.'

As her fellow contestants wiped tears from their eyes, she added: 'I hope I get to see every one of your smiling faces in the future.'

The judges - Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo - then enthusiastically cheered on YoYo as she left the building.

Speaking to the camera after her departure, YoYo added: 'I'm very disappointed that it's ended, but my overall MasterChef experience was short, sharp and shiny.

'I'm very proud that I put something up today and I was able to persevere.

Farewell: The judges - Andy Allen, Melissa Leong and Jock Zonfrillo - enthusiastically cheered on YoYo as she left the building

Farewell: Speaking to the camera after her departure, YoYo added: 'I'm very disappointed that it's ended, but my overall MasterChef experience was short, sharp and shiny'

'It just really emphasises the point that even though some things might go wrong along the way, you've just got to keep pushing through until the very end and just don't give up.'

After a cutthroat cooking task earlier in the episode, the bottom five were given one last chance to determine who would be going home.

They faced the incredibly difficult challenge of attempting to cook a cake from Nigella's description alone - but YoYo failed to find the right balance with her finished product.

'There's not much positive to say about it. It's not holding it's shape. The rhubarb is very... under,' judge Andy Allen said upon tasting the dish.

Final words: 'It just really emphasises the point that even though some things might go wrong along the way, you've just got to keep pushing through until the very end and just don't give up,' she added

Nigella - who video-called in live from London for the show's Superstars Week - first introduced a task in which the contestants were asked to identify the ingredients to 18 types of biscuit in 15 minutes.

The five who identified the least - YoYo, Conor Curran, Brent Draper, Maja Veit, and Tom Levick - then had to bake Nigella's beloved cake from scratch.

Prior to YoYo's departure, Trent Vu was the first contestant to be eliminated on Thursday night.

Gone: Trent Vu (pictured) was the first contestant to be eliminated on Thursday

This year's Superstars Week will also welcome a host of other internationally renown chefs, including Yotam Ottolenghi, Massimo Bottura and Clare Smyth.

Last year Nigella and Heston Blumenthal were forced to miss out on their scheduled appearances due to coronavirus travel restrictions and border closures.

Gordon Ramsay, Curtis Stone and pregnant popstar Katy Perry were able to film separate segments before Australia shut its borders in early 2020.

MasterChef continues Monday at 7.30pm on Channel 10
Beijing 2022 points the way to prosperity for villagers in Yanqing

People's Daily Online) 11:23, April 25, 2021

Villagers in Houheilongmiao village, once haunted by poverty, have embarked on a path toward prosperity by engaging in a high-end homestay business, an industry that has been thriving in localities situated geographically adjacent to one of the competition venues for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijings Yanqing district.

(Photo/BTV News)

The village, with its sound ecological environment, started to develop a boutique homestay tourism business in 2015 after Beijing won the bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, said Du Zaoyin, Party secretary of the village.

Some villagers transferred their unused houses to a villagers cooperative, which then entrusted a company to rebuild the houses and run them as inns, while others chose to renovate houses by making their own investments, and then similarly entrusted the business to a third-party, Du introduced, explaining how villagers have tapped into the new source of income.

Zhang Haichao had been running a business in downtown Beijing. After learning about the launch of the winter leisure tourism project in Yanqing, however, the man immediately returned to his hometown in Zhangshanying township, Yanqing to establish his own homestay business.

He renovated the houses transferred from his fellow villagers and built 19 modern homestay hotels that could upon completion accommodate a maximum occupancy of 300 tourists a day. All of the rooms were booked up for the upcoming May Day holiday, said a manager of the company running the hotels on behalf of Zhang.

The homestay industry has provided jobs for over 40 villagers, permitting those gainfully employed to work near their homes. I earn a monthly salary of 2,500 yuan and I can look after my family after work, said Zhao Jinhua, a cleaner from a local hotel.

In 2019, all the 58 low-income households in the village were lifted out of poverty. In 2020, the per capita net income of villagers in Houheilongmiao village reached 21,000 yuan (approximately $3,236).

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Hina Khan Releases Statement Post Her Father's Demise, Actress To Go Off Social Media As The Family Mourns The Loss

Hina Khan lost her father last week and the actress and her family are in mourning. Posting on social media for the first time since the tragic demise of her father due to a cardiac arrest, Hina shared a statement on social media sharing he grief with her followers and thanking them for the support she received during these past few days.

The Bigg Boss star informed fans through her note that she will be taking a break from posting on social media for some time and in her absence her team will take care of posting work-related things.

She wrote, My beloved father Aslam Khan left for heavenly abode on the 20th of April, 2021. I am grateful to each one of you for checking in on me and my family during these tough times. While me & my family are mourning the loss, my social media accounts will be handled by my team for upcoming work commitments. Thank you for your support & love.

Hina was in Kashmir shooting for an upcoming project when her father suffered a cardiac arrest at home in Mumbai on Monday. The actress rushed to be at her family's side as soon as the news of her fathers demise reached her.

She was spotted at the Mumbai airport on Monday night returning from Kashmir and several celebrities called out the paparazzi who clicked her at such a vulnerable time without caring for her privacy.
As President Joe Biden gets close to his 100th day in office, his approval rating is better than that of his predecessor, Donald Trump, according to the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll. But that isnt saying much. With 52 percent of Americans approving of Bidens job performance, and 42 percent disapproving, it marks the third-lowest approval rating for any president in the first 100 days since Harry Truman. The two people who had worse ratings were Gerald Ford in 1974, when he had a 48 percent approval rating after his pardon of Richard Nixon, and Donald Trump, who was at 42 percent at this point in his presidency four years ago. From Truman to Biden, the average approval rating at the 100-day mark is 66 percent.

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Biden gets his highest ratings for how he has been handling the coronavirus pandemic, with 64 percent rating him positively, including 33 percent of Republicans. His approval rating on the economy is significantly lower at 52 percent. And his worst showing is in immigration, with only 37 percent approving, and 53 percent disapproving, of how hes handling immigration issues at the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the ABC/Washington Post poll.

The numbers are largely in line with an NBC News poll that found 53 percent of Americans approve of the job Biden is doing as president, including 90 percent of Democrats, 61 percent of independents, and 9 percent of Republicans. A Fox News poll also gets similar numbers, reporting a 54 percent approval rating while a CBS News poll gives Biden a slightly higher approval rating of 58 percent.

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In an illustration of how strong the divisions are between Democrats and Republicans, the ABC/Post poll shows Biden has hardly any support from Republicans. Almost eight in 10 Republicans strongly disapprove of the way Biden has done his job, far more than the 43 percent who felt the same way at this point in Barack Obamas presidency. Its even higher than the 72 percent of Democrats who strongly disapproved of Trump at this point in 2017. While 90 percent of Democrats approve of Bidens job performance, only 13 percent of Republicans feel the same way.

Americans as a whole are generally feeling pretty optimistic about the COVID-19 situation in the country. Some six in 10, or 61 percent, say the United States has passed the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, compared to only 19 percent who say the situation is going to get worse. When looking at Bidens plans for the country, 56 percent of Americans say they feel hopeful, according to the NBC poll. But the same percentage of people believe the nation is on the wrong track and 82 percent say the country is divided.
Hi Neighbor,

It was pretty obvious where the president stood on the George Floyd case long before the jury reached a verdict.

If you know Democrat Joe Bidens politics, you know he thought the Minneapolis cop who kneeled on the neck of a Black man for nine minutes and 29 seconds was guilty. Just as every thinking American did, too. Defense arguments like exhaust fumes from the cops car played a role be damned.

Biden was patient enough to not weigh in before the jury was sequestered  something Barack Obama tripped over when he commented on the Travon Martin/George Zimmerman case almost 10 years earlier. But the minute jurors were locked away to decide the cops fate, Biden said he was praying the verdict is the right verdict.

Theres no doubt what President Biden thought was the right verdict.

There was a time in our country when pronouncements from the president were sacred. Just about every word on sensitive issues were vetted Six ways from Sunday.

Obama straddled the line. Donald Trump obliterated it.

Now some of the more conservative among us are suggesting Bidens comments, along with incendiary comments from Rep. Maxine Waters urging protesters to stay on the street and get more confrontational if the verdict was not acceptable to them, might be grounds for an appeal to overturn.

They think the president needs to keep his mouth shut.

He shouldnt.

Forgive me for turning to Hollywood to make a point, but a line from a movie called The American President has stayed with me since I heard it in 1995.

People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, theyll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone, Michael J. Fox told President Michael Douglas. They want leadership. Theyre so thirsty for it theyll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover theres no water, theyll drink the sand.

Anyone who will not admit that there is deep racial divide in America today, even after so many decades of protest and promises, isnt watching -- or is part of the problem.

Face it . . . racism and hatred arent going away, despite all that Lyndon Johnson did to advance racial equality. Despite the protest movements of the 60s. Despite the fact we elected a Black man president. twice.

Despite all that, we are we are and it took a nine-minute-and-29-second video of a human being pinned to the ground by his neck to finally wake up America, to admit its time for our nation to live up to its own hype and send its 245-year-old message to every United States citizen and every nation on the planet:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal . . "

Anyone who thinks the leader of the free world  and I emphasize the word free  should remain silent when a situation that has rocked America unfolds, is wrong.

Leadership on every level  from politicians of every party in Washington to politicians of every party on Staten Island  must step up to do whats right. Not the Maxine Waters kind of leadership, who stepped up to do whats wrong.

Leadership is being unafraid to confront a large segment of America that will not agree and still do the right thing.

Im not a social media pro by any stretch. I barely engage with Facebook, dont Instagram or tweet. I rely on my (younger) staff for that. After the George Floyd verdict, our Digital Operations lead told me that not one of our Republican elected officials had anything to say on any of their social media platforms, the things they use nowadays to get their messages out to their followers.

Yet our Democratic elected leaders did.

The George Floyd verdict is a beginning but by no means the end of working towards true justice, said Democratic Assemblyman Charles Fall in a release to the Advance/SILive.com. I will continue to work with community advocates, faith leaders and law enforcement to bring about effective and necessary change towards racial equity. Policing should make all communities safer. As a country and people who believe in the fundamental principles of liberty and justice for all, we must accept nothing less.

This verdict by a jury that took its civic responsibility seriously, and which we thank, will not bring George Floyd back, and it will not undo the pain his loved ones and neighbors will always feel from his absence, District Attorney Michael McMahon, a Democrat, said. But it is my hope, and that of all my colleagues in law enforcement here on Staten Island, that todays verdict is a sign for all Americans that nobody is above the law, and that justice is attainable no matter who you are, what you look like, or from which neighborhood you come.

Democratic Councilwoman Debi Rose said simply, Justice has been served.

Democratic State Sen. Diane Savino said: The pain inflicted by Chauvin is deep and will not heal easily. Justice will be delivered when we no longer have the cases.

Critics might accuse the Dems of grandstanding. After all, what impact do their comments have on a case over a thousand miles away?

The impact has nothing to do with Minneapolis. The impact is letting Staten Island know what kind of community they want . . . the community they campaigned to lead, the community they were elected to lead.

Its not a Democratic thing. Or a Republican thing. Its the right thing. If our leaders do not step up, we should fear Staten Islanders will listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone.

Brian

Oh by the way: I was listening to a weather prognosticator the other morning while driving the always-clogged Staten Island Expressway. Its going to be chilly tomorrow with a high in the mid-50s, he said. Why is it that the mid-50s is chilly in April but wed call it balmy in January?
The incubator seeks to launch and grow new startups and to connect quantum businesses with mentors, existing companies, funding and infrastructure--all to create or advance quantum-based technologies

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland has launched a new business development arm to nurture quantum-focused startups. The Quantum Startup Foundry--created through an initial $25 million investment from the university's newly established Discovery Fund, and with key funding from the state of Maryland--will support new businesses in the quantum technology field.

The Quantum Startup Foundry also draws from the Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance (MQA)--comprised of universities, major corporations, startups, and government labs. The 24-member MQA is a rapidly growing hub of quantum technology research, development, innovation and education organized and facilitated by UMD.

University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines announced the Quantum Startup Foundry at an event honoring UMD's inventions, startups, mentors and student entrepreneurs. Pines said the quantum technology field stands "poised to disrupt everything from cybersecurity and energy, to medical discoveries and the financial field."

The new Quantum Startup Foundry is also backed by a $10 million capital investment for quantum facilities and supported by UMD's status as one of the world's leading centers for quantum science research. The Quantum Startup Foundry will help cement UMD's and the region's position as "the Capital of Quantum," said President Pines.

The Quantum Startup Foundry also draws from the Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance (MQA)--comprised of universities, major corporations, startups, and government labs. The 24-member MQA is a rapidly growing hub of quantum technology research, development, innovation and education organized and facilitated by UMD. For more than a year, Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance workgroups have been creating ways for MQA members to easily collaborate, team-up to pursue opportunities, educate the public about the promise of the second quantum revolution, and share resources, facilities, equipment, expertise and data.

The idea for the Quantum Startup Foundry grew from UMD-led work of the Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance, according to UMD Chief Innovation Officer Julie Lenzer, who leads the new Quantum Startup Foundry (QSF). The advisory board members of the new QSF are all part of the alliance, said Lenzer.

Lenzer said that the QSF will work to enable quantum technology breakthroughs. The foundry will seek to launch and grow new startups and connect quantum businesses with mentors, existing companies, and infrastructure--all to create or advance technologies that use principles of quantum physics.

Lenzer said that through UMD's international incubator, the QSF also will be able to provide a landing spot for international quantum startups.

"While the promise of quantum may seem far off, it's not," Lenzer said. "The future is quantum, and it starts now."

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An Australian woman who quit her full-time job in early childhood education to start a business selling bath bombs and luxurious bath accessories turned over a massive $2.1 million in sales last year.

Hannah Pereira, 27, from Victoria, launched Bath Box in 2017 after she gained an online following in natural skincare products she made for herself.

Hannah told FEMAIL she originally produced face masks, soaps and body scrubs as a hobby after having difficulty finding natural products in the market.

But she transitioned to bath bombs and bubble bath items after recommendations from others.

A few months after launching the brand, her husband Ashton Pereira, 28, and sister-in-law Kimberly Pereira, 26, joined the business full-time.

The Bath Box team say they offer customers a 'luxury spa experience' at home and this year the brand has made an average of $120,000 per month - with a projected turnover of $5 million in 2021.

Hannah Pereira, 27, (left) from Victoria, launched Bath Box in 2017. Her sister-in-law Kimberly Pereira, 26, joined the business full-time a few months later

The Bath Box team pride themselves in offering customers a 'luxury spa experience' at home and this year the brand has made an average of $120,000 per month

Hannah said the business designs and creates the majority of their products in Melbourne - such as bath bombs, bath 'dust' and nourishing bath salts

Hannah said the business designs and creates the majority of the products including the bath bombs, bath 'dust' and nourishing bath salts in Melbourne .

'By keeping this process in-house, Bath Box is not only able to handcraft the most luxurious designs, but also maintain high standards of product quality and value,' she said.

In addition to the bath bombs, the brand also sells bath pillows for $64.95 and a lush bathroom caddy for $79.95.

The pillow is designed with powerful suction cups at the back to stick to the bath and prevent the pillow from sliding or moving.

All products are cruelty-free, environmentally-free and packaged using minimal materials.

The business has extended to offer 24/7 customer service, a money-back guarantee to any customer who doesn't love their purchase and a rewards program called 'Bath Babes' for loyal customers.

From humble beginnings: Hannah said she didn't mind making mistakes when establishing her business because it helped her move forward

Today the business offers 24/7 customer service, a money-back guarantee to any customer who doesn't love their purchase and a rewards program to loyal customers who become 'Bath Babes

In addition to the bath bombs, the brand also sells bath pillows for $64.95 and a lush bathroom caddy for $79.95

Hannah said at the start there was a lot of 'trial and error' involved in getting the business up and running - but she didn't mind making mistakes.

'As you do in business, if you fall down, get up as quick as you can and try your hardest to learn how to avoid falling again,' she said.

While Hannah has limited business experience, she said she grew up with entrepreneurial parents who helped her understand the swift changes in the marketplace.

The bath pillow is designed with powerful suction cups at the back to stick to the bath and prevent the pillow from sliding or moving

Although 2020 was tough for many industries, Bath Box experienced a surge in customer traffic as Australians turned to online shopping and spent more hours at home.

POPULAR BATH BOX PRODUCTS: BATH BOMBS Shut Eye Herbal Lavender - $8.95 Restore Soothe Muscles - $6.95 Jam Donut - $7.95 BATH ACCESSORIES Bath Pillow - $64.95 XL Bath Pillow - $114.95 Bath Caddy - $79.95 BATH BUBBLES Recovery Epsom Salt - $8.95 Flopsy Bubble Bunny - $8.95 Advertisement

'We noticed this change in customer behaviour, and combined with targeted online advertising and marketing, made sure it was easy for customers to find us,' Hannah said.

'And as more customers came, the sales increased and we finished the year with a new all-time high of $2.1million in sales.'

The brand did experience some challenges at the start of last year when Hannah had to work remotely for half of 2020 and was stuck in the US.

'What began as a short trip turned into something much longer due to travel restrictions, which had a somewhat negative impact on operations,' she said.

Thankfully Kimberly, Hannah's business partner and sister-in-law, managed factory staff during that time.

Hannah said she hopes Bath Box becomes a household name in Australia.
They became firm friends when they starred together on I'm A Celebrity in December 2019.

And Jacqueline Jossa has praised her 'inspiring' pal Kate Garraway for her strength during her husband Derek Draper's coronavirus battle.

In a new interview with The Mirror, the former EastEnders star, 28, said she 'didn't know how' the GMB host, 53, 'held it together' as Derek spent several months in intensive care and remained in hospital for over a year.

Inspiration: Jacqueline Jossa has praised her 'inspiring' pal Kate Garraway for her strength during her husband Derek Draper's coronavirus battle (pictured together on I'm A Celebrity in 2019)

The two ladies spent weeks bonding in the Australian jungle, with Jacqueline remarking on how agonising it is seeing her friend trying to cope with Derek's illness and the struggles that came with it.

The former lobbyist, 53, was diagnosed with Covid-19 in March 2020, just three months after the trio met in Australia in December.

She said: 'Its kind of surreal because I felt like we had just left them. It was a weird thing but she was incredible and I find her really inspiring because she just really kept on going. I truly believe her positive vibes and positive thinking really really helped their situation. I dont know how she held it together. Shes amazing.'

Praise: In a new interview with The Mirror, the former EastEnders star, 28, said she 'didn't know how' the GMB host, 53, 'held it together' as Derek spent several months in intensive care and remained in hospital for over a year (Derek pictured in hospital)

She added of the situation: 'Its just so horrible. Kate is the most loveliest human being you will ever meet in your life. No-one deserves that and obviously Derek is super lovely as well.'

The actress added that though lockdown restrictions have stopped her showing her support to Kate in person, she notes that she 'sent my love' and the pair have said they 'miss each other', with Jacqueline hoping they can 'catch up' soon.

Meanwhile, Jacqueline commented on the love that Kate has for her husband, recalling how the presenter would often tear up when talking about him during their three-week stint in the jungle.

Bond: The two ladies spent weeks bonding in the Australian jungle, with Jacqueline remarking on how agonising it is seeing her friend trying to cope with Derek's illness and the struggles that came with it

Kind words: 'I find her really inspiring because she just really kept on going. I truly believe her positive vibes and positive thinking really really helped their situation. I dont know how she held it together'

She explained: 'I did meet Derek and their kids and they are an absolutely lovely family. Its weird because all Kate did was talk about Derek, so I had a vision of what he was like. She literally would cry every time that she spoke about him, she just loved him so much. It was so nice.'

The In The Style ambassador added that her friend is 'so strong' and has continued to be so for her kids Darcey, 15 and Billy, 11, adding that she's dealt with things how she feels 'appropriate'.

It has been confirmed that Derek is Britain's longest surviving Covid hospital patient after he was first admitted with breathing difficulties on March 30 last year.

The father of two's body has been 'universally affected' by the condition, which means that it has targeted his lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and pancreas.

Sympathy: 'Its just so horrible. Kate is the most loveliest human being you will ever meet in your life. No-one deserves that and obviously Derek is super lovely as well'

Lovely: Its weird because all Kate did was talk about Derek, so I had a vision of what he was like. She literally would cry every time that she spoke about him, she just loved him so much. It was so nice'

Meanwhile, Derek returned to their adapted family home earlier this month after spending a year in hospital battling Covid and the after-effects.

And Kate has revealed there have been 'lots of little positives' since her husband returned home.

She told how Derek 'remembered she needed flattery' and recently commented on a new dress she was wearing.

Kate and her children Darcey and Billy were 'over the moon' earlier this month when Derek was able to return home after he spent more than a year in intensive care dealing with the after-effects of coronavirus.

Support: The In The Style ambassador added that her friend is 'so strong' and has continued to be so for her kids Darcey, 15 and Billy, 11, adding that she's dealt with things how she feels 'appropriate'

During Thursday's episode of GMB, Kate said she was delighted 'on so many levels' just days ago when he spotted she was wearing a new outfit.

When asked how everything is, she said: 'It's a whirligig. It's been wonderful having Derek at home.

'There are lots of little positives. Whether they are positives because it is genuinely helping his cognition being at home, or whether it's just because I'm there to see the little things. Whereas I couldn't go in before. I don't know.

'But it feels positive, little moments of reaction.

'He said something the other day. I walked in just before I left to go to Smooth [Radio] and he said, 'New dress,' which was just amazing.

Home: Meanwhile, Derek returned to their adapted family home earlier this month after spending a year in hospital battling Covid and the after-effects

Sweet: Kate says there have been 'lots of little positives' since her husband Derek Draper returned home - and he recently recognised she was wearing a 'new dress'

'And it was [a new dress]. I thought that was amazing on so many levels because he recognised it, he realised and remembered that I need a lot of flattery, so there was some emotional collection there.

'And it was just a little moment. And we're back to the bits in between.'

Kate admitted it has been 'quite an eye-opener' looking after Derek, who is receiving 24-hour care since he returned home from hospital, alongside the experts.

And it has made her realise what an 'extraordinary, overwhelming responsibility' being a carer is. She added: 'It is a relief [to have Derek home].

'They [the experts] are an extraordinary bunch of people. We all know carers are incredible, we've said it so much this year. But for them it's learning about him, learning about me.

'It's been quite an eye-opener. We always talk about that role of caring and support in the home, how big it is, but until you're actually at the coalface of it it's an extraordinary, overwhelming responsibility.

'So far so good, but I don't want to tempt fate.'
A Sydney Trains driver stopped his morning service to rescue a kookaburra after the injured bird became stuck on the tracks.

The driver spotted the kookaburra lying on the railway while driving towards Sydney on Sunday as the native bird refused to fly off after beeping his horn.

A passenger on the train said the kookaburra was looking 'a bit worse for wear' as it laid casually between the tracks.

Sydney Trains driver has rescued a kookaburra and wrapped the bird in a high-vis vest after it became stuck on the tracks on Sunday (pictured)

'He (the driver) stopped the train just in time, jumped out and picked up the kookaburra in a spare vest,' the passenger wrote online.

The train driver flagged down some workmates who later drove up to help their co-worker with his rescue.

The commuter posted an image on Facebook of the driver and his colleagues standing outside the train with the kookaburra inside a cardboard box.

The native bird was later brought to a wildlife centre for observation.

'Here's hoping the kookaburra has a speedy recovery,' he said.

Daily Mail has contacted NSW Transport for comment.

The driver spotted the injured bird after it refused to fly off despite beeping his horn (pictured: stock image of kookaburra)
Clara Ferreira Marques is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering commodities and environmental, social and governance issues. Previously, she was an associate editor for Reuters Breakingviews, and editor and correspondent for Reuters in Singapore, India, the U.K., Italy and Russia.
HAMDEN  Hamden Hall Country Day School second-graders recently decorated bags to mark Earth Day, which then were given to the Whitneyville Food Center grocery store on Whitney Avenue to distribute to customers.

The effort aimed to enhance students environmental knowledge while employing their artistry skills for a community service project, according to a release.
After last Saturday's deeply personal funeral for the Prince Philip, attended by only 30 family members and closest friends, Prince William and Prince Harry were seen talking as they walked back to Windsor Castle from St. George's Chapel. Duchess Kate had been walking with her husband when Harry caught up with them and she stepped back, giving the estranged brothers time to talk privately, which made international news. But according to those close to the situation, the brothers still have a long way to go. "That is all well and good," a royal insider told Best Life of the post-funeral walk-and-talk. "But a few words after a funeral do not indicate one way or the other that any real progress has been made in healing the hurt and mistrust that exists between Harry and William."

That lack of trust is why William is hesitant to move forward in resolving his rift with Harry. "[William] is really struggling with it," a source said. "There has been a complete breakdown of trust since that interview with Oprah Winfrey. The prince has been both angered and shocked by the things his brother chose to discuss on American television."

The source continued, "William and [Prince] Charles were very hurt by Harry's claims that they were both 'trapped' inside the institution. Harry's become a loose cannon who, along with [Duchess] Meghan, has the potential to do irreparable damage to the monarchy. [The royals] don't know what they might say next. Nothing has changed since Harry came back to the U.K. to reunite with the Royal Family."

Read on to find out how the brothers' broken bond has grown more fragile and why it will be a long timeif everbefore it will be repaired. And for more on who's giving Harry the cold shoulder, find out why These 3 Royals Aren't Willing to Forgive Prince Harry, Says Source.

Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey was just the beginning.

Story continues

In March, the Royal Family was thrown into chaos after the Winfrey interview in which Harry and Meghan alleged they had been subjected to institutional racism and that an unnamed family member had a conversation about the color of yet-to-be-born Baby Sussex's skin. The Duke of Sussex later told Winfrey off-camera that neither Queen Elizabeth nor Prince Philip had made the racist statements. Winfrey shared that information (with Harry's approval) the day after the broadcast during an interview with her close friend Gayle King on CBS This Morning.

A few days after the interview, while on a visit to a London school, William was asked by a Sky News reporter if he had been in touch with his brother after the broadcast. "No, I haven't spoken to him yet, but I will do," he responded.

Soon thereafter, King revealed how that conversation went, announcing on CBS This Morning one week later that she'd called the Sussexes to see how they were holding up. The news anchor said she had spoken to Harry, who told her his conversations with his brother and father were "not productive." King went on to say Meghan was "upset" that no one from the Royal Family had reached out to her after the interview.

"William felt utterly betrayed by that," said a royal source. "Everything went from bad to worse." And for more on how Philip's death has changed the situation, check out The One Thing Harry&Meghan Must Do Now That Philip Has Died, Sources Say.

Gayle King sharing details of private family conversations was the "final straw" for William.

"William was infuriated after learning Harry had made Gayle King an unofficial mouthpiece for him and for Meghan," said a royal source. "It wasn't enough to make these very serious claims against the family themselves, now it seemed Harry was going to allow someone with a large media platform to share private conversations between him and his father and brother. How could William ever trust Harry with anything that was said from that moment on?"

The continued coverage of the interview also led to further tensions between the Sussexes and the royals. An insider told Vanity Fair: "Harry was out in the cold after Oprah and then when details of private family conversations were leaked to Gayle King, it was the final straw."

Now, insiders say, William wants some ground rules in place to ensure there will be no more leaks of private conversations between the brothers or with Prince Charles about the future of the monarchy. And for more on that, check out The One Thing William Must Do to Save the Monarchy, Say Insiders.

William and Charles' talk with Harry after the funeral did little to ease tensions.

There was no wake for Prince Philip, but after the funeral, there was a face-to-face meeting on the grounds of Windsor Castle between William, Harry, and Charles. Royals reporter Dan Wootton revealed in the Daily Mail that the Duke of Cambridge and the Prince of Wales took an unprecedented step that indicated just how deep their mistrust of the Duke of Sussex is at the moment. Charles and William made it clear they would only meet with Harry together so as to prevent any words from being misconstrued should they be leaked to the media. Kate, who had played peacemaker earlier in the day, also sat in for some of the talks, but no staffers were included.

"William needs to know he can trust Harry and that private conversations will stay private," an insider told the Vanity Fair. "Things need to be talked through, but this was not the occasion and everyone respected that. It's going to take more than speaking after a funeral to sort things out, but this is hopefully a start."

A source told Best Life that Harry and William's "issues run very deep and are going to take timeand a lot of itto rebuild the close relationship they once had." And for more royals news sent right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

The Queen is reportedly aligned with Charles and William.

Despite his two-hour meeting with his father and brother, a source told Best Life, "Harry still harbors a great deal of resentments towards the Royal Family, and many members of the family are clearly not comfortable around him." Another source told The Mirror: "Harry didn't expect everything to be completely back to normal, but his feeling after seeing his family was there is a lot of ground to make up."

The Duke of Sussex returned from the U.K. to his home in California on Wednesday to reunite with his son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, and wife, who is pregnant with the couple's second child and did not travel to the funeral on the advice of her doctors. The prince left one day before the Queen's 95th birthday, the first she will spend without her husband of 73 years, but is reported to have spoken with Her Majesty privately during his visit.

Russell Myers, royals editor of The Mirror, said on the popular ITV talk show Lorraine that Charles wanted to see his son again before he left, but was told Harry was on a "tight schedule" and had get back home to be with Meghan, who's likely now in her third trimester. Myers also said William and Charles are "still very hurt."

The Express has reported that while Her Majesty still has great affection for her grandson and his family, she is very much on the side of William and Charles. MailOnline columnist Wootton reported a source told him: "The Queen has made it clear to senior advisers that she is united with Charles and William, and was disappointed with aspects of Harry and Meghan's interview." And for more on how Her Majesty is making moves since Philip's death, read up on The One "Drastic Change" the Queen Is About to Make Now, Insiders Say.

Diane Clehane is a New York-based journalist and author of Imagining Diana and Diana: The Secrets of Her Style.
The United States will undergo a period of immense social upheaval in the 2020s as millennials take over from boomers, and will be guided by a 'Gray Champion' who combines aspects of 'the leader and the saint', according to a book written almost 25 years ago that's getting a fresh look.

Neil Howe, a historian, economist, and demographer, and William Strauss, an author and theatre producer who died in 2007, published their book in 1997.

Entitled The Fourth Turning: What the Cycles of History Tell Us About America's Next Rendezvous with Destiny, fans of the book say it has proved remarkably prescient, and believe it shows what is to come.

Critics say it is unscientific and vague.

The authors argue that America sees a 'turning' every 20 years, when one generation displaces another.

Fans of the 1997 book say it predicted unrest, such as that of the past two years. Pictured are police firing tear gas at protesters in Minneapolis on April 11, after Daunte Wright's shooting

The Capitol riot of January 6 can also been seen as part of the 'climax' phase of unrest

A person is arrested while smoke rises as police clash with protesters in Seattle in July

Every 80 years comes the 'fourth turning' - a dramatic shakeup of society.

They point to World War II, the Civil War, and the American Revolution all coming at the point of a 'fourth turning'.

The Fourth Turning was published in 1997

Howe and Strauss argued that a fourth turning has four specific phases.

First, they wrote, comes a catalyst event that sets the wheels in motion.

Second is what they saw as a period of renewal or rebirth, when people stop tolerating weakening institutions and splintering culture.

There would then be a climax that 'shakes society to its roots,' transforms institutions, and redirects purpose.

Finally comes a resolution, that sees the economy entirely restructured.

Supporters of the book see evidence of the fourth tuning at the moment.

They argue that the catalyst event could have been the 2008 financial crash.

The second phase was the reckoning after.

The climax begun last year, and is continuing now, with the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread Black Lives Matter protests.

The resolution, they believe - according to Insider - will come around 2026.

Insurrectionists are seen storming the U.S. Capitol on January 6

The COVID-19 pandemic could also be seen as part of the 'climax' of the new 'turning'

The book foresees a 'Gray Champion', who will return eight decades after he emerged

The authors predicted that the resolution will feature a 'Next New Deal', which will center around young adults. Boomers will impose a 'new duty of compulsory service', and millennials will see this as a way to work for the common good.

The government's economic role, per the theory, will shift away from providing amenities such as elder care and debt service.

Instead it will move towards spending on survival and future promises, such as defense and public works.

Howe and Strauss predicted that infrastructure investment would be key - something borne out by President Joe Biden's recently-unveiled plan.

'Fourth Turning America will begin to lay out the next saeculum's infrastructure grid  some higher-tech facsimile of turnpikes, railroads, or highways,' they write.

'Through the Fourth Turning, the old order will die, but only after having produced the seed containing the new civic order within it.'

They even appear to predict the Biden presidency, describing a 'Gray Champion' who will unite the nation.

Eight or nine decades after his last appearance in 'a similar gate of history', the coauthors predicted, America will be visited by 'the figure of an ancient man.'

The person will combines aspects of 'the leader and the saint' to lead the way toward resolution.

They called that character the Gray Champion, and said he would be the one to usher in a new economic era.
As India set a world record for new coronavirus infections for the fourth day in a row, the United States joined several other countries pledging to provide medical aid to try to help mitigate the growing crisis. Amid pressure to do more, the White House partially lifted a ban against exporting raw materials needed to make vaccines. The United States has identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of the Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India, Emily Horne, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council, said in a statement on Sunday. Covishield is the version of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine that is manufactured in India. The United States will also be providing drugs, test kids, ventilators, and personal protective equipment.

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The United States joined several European countries, including France and Germany, that have pledged to increase aid to India as COVID-19 cases keep increasing. The 349,691 cases confirmed on Sunday brought Indias total to 16.9 million, second only to the United States, which has reported more than 32 million cases. Indias fatalities increased by 2,767 taking the total death toll to 192,311. Experts say thats most likely an undercount and the real numbers are almost certainly much higher.

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Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need. https://t.co/SzWRj0eP3y  President Biden (@POTUS) April 25, 2021

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Indias hospitals are struggling to deal with the surge in patients and are turning people away as they run out of space and oxygen. Family members are left to desperately go from hospital to hospital pleading for assistance and often end up having to see their loved ones die without any treatment. Cemeteries are running out of space and crematoriums cant keep up with demand. The virus is swallowing our citys people like a monster, said Mamtesh Sharma, an official at a crematorium tells the Associated Press.

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Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, had earlier said that United States would consider sending stockpiled doses of AstraZenecas vaccine to India. There are more than 20 million doses of the vaccine stockpiled in the United States that wont be used because the vaccine has not been approved. I think thats going to be something that is up for active consideration, Fauci said. Rep. Ro Khanna, Democratic vice-chair of the Congressional India Caucus, called for the vaccines to be sent to India as soon as possible. Lets use the U.S. military and get as much oxygen and AstraZeneca doses to India as fast as we can, he said.
Its possible youve heard of Delfast Bike by now. In case you havent, know that this is one of the e-bike manufacturers you should be keeping an eye on. Between 2014 and 2017, this company was hard at work delivering a different sort of product, parcels or packages, but behind closed curtains, Delfast was hard at work developing their own machine able to withstand the treacherous roads of Kyiv, Ukraine.In 2016, this company began selling its first e-bike, and just a year later, in 2017, set a Guiness World Record for the longest e-bike ride on a single battery charge, 367 km (228 mi). How? Well, I mentioned the team had been working on something behind closed curtains, mainly, it was a battery management system.Lets face it, the e-bikes this team creates have way more to do than just simple battery management. Another aspect of design that Delfast seems to be partaking in, is that of creating an overall rugged and capable bike. How rugged? If youve been following along with autoevolution, youd know that even the Mexicali Police are now using products from Delfast to monitor crime. Imagine seeing police officers silently chasing down fugitives. The days of horseback riding are over.Recently, this EV company ran a $3,000,000 crowdfunding campaign to help expand and ease company operations. Now, anytime a company asks investors to throw in some cash, youd better be sure they deliver. Such a doubt has no place if were to be talking about Delfast. By the end of the campaign, this team had raised $400,000 more than they initial sum aimed for.We are delighted to raise such a record amount in three months. This funding will take us one step closer to our goal to build an industry-leading e-bike manufacture and support a climate-safe transportation community around the globe, said Daniel Tonkopiy, co-Founder and CEO.But why was this campaign needed in the first place? I thought youd never ask. Think if it this way. Before this crew launched the campaign, they already had $100 million in pre-orders. $100 million! Give the people $3,000,000! I wonder what the investor portfolios are looking like.With the newfound cash, Delfast has invested in a production center in their own backyard and not in the current PRC. It looks like, slowly but surely, this team wants to transfer their e-bike production out of China, something a lot of e-bike companies see as out of the question.A few days ago, the e-bike manufacturer released an announcement stating theyve signed an agreement with Kyiv-based tech company ELMIZ. If youve never heard of ELMIZ, not to worry, your future Delfast e-bike will be assembled with the help of a company that has been specializing in the production of space docking systems, laser navigation and radio communication systems, and even automated devices for space vehicles. And thats just a part of the story, ELMIZ also produces charging stations for electric cars, mining equipment, and porous cast aluminum for mechanical engineering , not to mention lighting systems.The factory has a wide experience in producing complex electronics, space systems and charging stations for electric vehicles. Considering its resources, expertise and qualified engineers, we can be sure that our e-bikes will be produced in a high quality and in accordance with our requirements, says Tonkopiy about the agreement.Currently, the new facility will be able to manufacture five e-bikes per month, while the goal is to increase production to 50 units per month by the end of 2021. One major benefit that Delfast customers can now look forward to is an increased production capacity, meaning youll get your bike sooner than anticipated; shorter delivery times for U.S. and E.U. clients by up to three weeks.In my opinion, keep your eyes peeled as this company is setting a new standard for how an e-bike should perform. If you feel youve missed out on the investment opportunities this company has offered in the past, dont. They are on a clear growing curve and even now is a good time to hop on the fastest e-bike for 2021 according to Forbes.Right now, an Earth Day campaign is running on the manufacturers website that drops $1,556 off the 3.0s starting price of $6649. So, you can get the freshest menace form this team for $5,256. Honestly, for that price, youre buying an electric motorcycle that just happens to include a pedal-assist function.
They recently shared some private details regarding gender identity.

And on Saturday, model Courtney Stodden turned up the heat on Instagram, in a bodacious and colorful lace and string bikini that showcased their buxom breasts.

Courtney, 26, stood in front of an unmade bed, handling the strings of their thong riding high on their hips.

On Saturday: Model Courtney Stodden turned up the heat on Instagram, in a bodacious and colorful lace and string bikini that showcased their buxom breasts

Stoddens swimsuit was black with bright pastel floral patterns.

The triangular paneled top was lined with frilly black lace, and barely contained their ample bosom.

The model and media personality's platinum blonde hair hung long over their shoulders.

Courtney also wore a bejeweled bellybutton ring.

Stoddens swimsuit was black with bright pastel floral patterns: The triangular paneled top was lined with frilly black lace, and barely contained their ample bosom

The Tacoma, Washington-born beautys makeup look included heavy mascara and a peachy pink lip.

'Femme fatale AND non binary WHAT!' Stodden captioned the snap, including the hashtag #bikini.

The note was a reference to Courtney's recent admission of preferring the They/Them pronouns, in a previous Instagram post last week.

In the April 13th missive, the public figure revealed they 'don't identify as she or her,' saying their 'spirit is fluid'.

Coming out: The caption was a reference to Courtney's recent admission of preferring the They/Them pronouns, in a previous Instagram post last week

'They/them/theirs. I don't Identify as she or her,' Courtney wrote, explaining: 'I've never felt like I ever fit in anywhere.'

Stodden shared a glam selfie as they admitted they knew they were 'different' from a young age, writing: 'I was bullied horribly in school because I was different.'

'The other girls never understood me. It got so bad that my mom pulled me out of school. And still, I don't fit in. I never really connected with anyone my age. My spirit is fluid with a kaleidoscope of color. #bekind #beopen #loveyourself (sic)'

In a statement to Variety, Stodden said: 'I'm excited to begin to truly start expressing myself without worry of others' judgments or opinions.

In a statement, Stodden said: 'I'm excited to begin to truly start expressing myself without worry of others' judgments or opinions'

'I've lived too long hiding from who I really am. I'm so excited for everyone to see my true self creatively and spiritually.'

Courtney was already a proud part of the LGBTQ community. They previously came out as bisexual, telling Fox News they were interested in dating women after splitting from character actor Doug Hutchison.

Stodden's coming out comes just over a year after their divorce from Lost actor Doug Hutchison was made official.
One of Britain's oldest tea makers could be about to change hands amid a period of difficult trading.

City sources said advisers from FTI Consulting were working on a sale of Typhoo Tea, which was founded by John Sumner in the early 1900s in Birmingham. Typhoo Tea is now owned by the Indian conglomerate Apeejay Surrendra Group.

Hard times: City sources said advisers from FTI Consulting were working on a sale of Typhoo Tea

Accounts filed at Companies House show that Typhoo Tea has had a tough time recently. In 2019, the company generated a pre-tax loss of 29.9million from 60.8 million of sales. The latest set of accounts are overdue.

The 2019 accounts show that Typhoo Tea's bankers are Axis Bank, Barclays and ICICI. In the accounts, the company admits that 'there was a breach of covenants' on its loans.

City sources said FTI Consulting was acting on behalf of Typhoo Tea's lenders amid a possible restructuring or sale.

A spokesman for FTI Consulting declined to comment. A spokesman for Apeejay Surrendra Group did not return calls.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

In February, Los Alamos National Laboratory proudly announced its return to Santa Fe, the town that once served as the gateway to the Secret City on the hill.

A 10-year lease at what was once known as the Firestone building and, most recently, headquarters of Descartes Lab in downtown Santa Fe will house 75 lab employees and marks LANLs return to Santa Fe after a 58-year absence. The first floor of the 34,073-square-foot two-story building on the corner of West Alameda and Guadalupe Street would be christened the Dorothy McKibbin Conference Center, named for the woman who served as the gatekeeper for a 1940s clandestine mission known then only as Project Y. It would come to be known as the Manhattan Project, a successful endeavor to develop the worlds first atomic weapon.

This building will act as an additional entrance point for the Laboratory, just as Dorothy McKibbins office at 109 East Palace in Santa Fe did decades ago, LANL Director Thom Mason said in a news release.

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Earlier this month, Mason spoke more about LANLs plans for Santa Fe, while providing a lab update during a webinar put on by the labs public affairs office.

The lab actually, in some sense, began in Santa Fe, he said. At 109 East Palace, you can see a plaque on the building that served as the front door to the lab. People from around the country and, indeed, the world were told to take the train to Lamy and they would be met there. They didnt know what they were going to, where they were going. Many didnt even know what they were going to be doing. They would make their way to 109 East Palace and then be told their journey is not done. You need to go up the hill to Los Alamos.

The labs entryway office was open from 1943 to 1963, when McKibbin retired.

And we havent had a Santa Fe presence since then, but thats now changing, Mason said.

A few weeks after declaring its return to Santa Fe, the lab announced it was signing leases at two other Santa Fe properties, totaling more than 79,000 square feet. Conveniently standing side-by-side on Pacheco Street near the intersection with St. Michaels Drive, Ark Plaza and Pollon Plaza formerly housed state government offices. Leasing those two buildings will make room for another 500 lab employees in Santa Fe before the end of the year, according to the lab.

Mason said LANL is simply running out of room in Los Alamos and needs space to expand as its mission does the same. He said that federal officials had a strong interest in magnifying the regional impact of New Mexicos national laboratories.

I think our Santa Fe footprint will give us a great platform for doing that, he said, adding that the lab plans to dig in its heels in the states capital city. Were viewing this as a permanent presence.

Santa Fe values

City government officials have rolled out the welcome mat for LANL, noting the well-paying jobs it will bring, its potential economic impact and the scientific work performed at the lab that doesnt have anything to do with nuclear weapons.

Weve seen how LANL is using the labs super-computer capabilities to provide important health policy support during COVID, business-minded Mayor Alan Webber, who founded and got rich off the business trade magazine Fast Company, said in a statement to the Journal. As we move out of COVID, having 500 new jobs in Santa Fe will add to our recovery. Importantly, well also see more long-term entrepreneurial connections between LANL and the Santa Fe startup community.

The citys economic development director, Rich Brown, told the Santa Fe New Mexican that LANL will be a job creator, provide a boost to the entrepreneurial community and spur economic development in town. This is a great benefit to our economic resiliency efforts, he said.

Local chambers of commerce chimed in with support, their comments included in a LANL news release announcing the two leases on Pacheco Street.

Having two major office buildings fully occupied promises to strengthen the Santa Fe economy and anchor the St. Michaels commercial corridor, Bridget Dixson, president and CEO of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, said. The Chamber is pleased to welcome the Laboratory to the business community.

Two new offices in two different Santa Fe neighborhoods will diversify our citys economy and is a natural fit, added David Fresquez, president of the Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

But not everyone thinks LANL is a good fit for Santa Fe.

The full name of the city is the (Royal) City of Holy Faith of St. Francis Assisi, noted Ken Mayers, co-founder of the Santa Fe chapter of Veterans for Peace. The Pope himself has said that the building of nuclear weapons is immoral, so we dont want to associate that with the City of Holy Faith.

Indeed, in 2019, while visiting Nagasaki, Japan  where the second of the bombs developed during the Manhattan Project was dropped in 1945, killing tens of thousands of people  Pope Francis called for global disarmament.

Convinced as I am that a world without nuclear weapons is possible and necessary, I ask political leaders not to forget that these weapons cannot protect us from current threats to national and international security, Pope Francis said.

In a world where millions of children and families live in inhumane conditions, the money that is squandered and the fortunes made through the manufacture, upgrading, maintenance and sale of ever-more-destructive weapons, are an affront crying out to heaven.

Mayers, who retired from the Marine Corps Reserves at the rank of major, helped establish the Veterans for Peace chapter in 2002. Since then, the group and its allies have demonstrated for peace at the busy intersection of St. Francis Drive and Cerrillos Road from noon to 1 p.m. each Friday. Now, theyve moved their weekly protest to the labs new downtown offices, across Alameda from the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and get about a dozen or more people to show up each week.

It is absolutely insane that we are building more nuclear weapons, more dangerous nuclear weapons that are subject to accident, Mayers said, adding that billions of dollars are spent on devices that potentially could lead to catastrophic consequences from which the world could not recover. Superpowers are acting like 5-year-old kids playing with matches in a pool of gasoline.

The lab has assured no weapons production will take place in Santa Fe.

It is, however, expanding its mission to ramp up production of nuclear bomb cores in Los Alamos. LANL and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina have been tasked by Congress to produce 80 plutonium pits  the triggering devices for nuclear warheads  per year by 2030.

Concerned citizens

Joni Arends heads Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety and is a regular at the Friday demonstrations. She founded the organization in 1988 in opposition to a proposed route that would have sent shipments of radioactive waste from LANL to the newly built Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad through the heart of Santa Fe, down St. Francis Drive. The group has also been critical of LANLs safety record and the damage to the environment it has already caused.

Now, Arends group is concerned about LANL coming back to Santa Fe, apparently to stay, and what that footprint will look like.

In 2019, the National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the nations national labs, was one of seven respondents to the citys solicitation for master developers for the Midtown campus, 64 acres of city-owned property that became open to development when the Santa Fe University of Art and Design shut down. Anti-LANL activists staged a protest at City Hall in January 2020, urging city leaders to discard the NNSAs proposal.

The task to oversee development of the property was awarded to another group that has since backed out, leaving the fate of the campus once again in limbo. The city could pick another master developer, try to develop the property itself, or sell it.

Thats enough to again raise concerns about just what LANL has in mind for Santa Fe, says Arends, who noted the two buildings on Pacheco are not far from Midtown. In fact, the buildings are also within the boundaries of the citys Midtown LINC (Local Innovation Corridor) district, intended to encourage redevelopment on St. Michaels Drive.

There are rumors flying around that LANL wants all that space at Midtown, and that conflicts with the community, Arends said, adding the property would be better utilized to address the citys critical need for housing or as a mixed-use development, as planned.

Having observed the laboratory and how they operate over three decades, its not a far stretch to understand the proximity to Midtown.

Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety is part of a coalition of groups that last week threatened a lawsuit against the NNSA and the Department of Energy. The coalition is calling for federal agencies to conduct a comprehensive environmental review before ramping up the production of plutonium pits at LANL and the Savannah River Site.

The South Carolina Environmental Law Project, which represents the groups, sent a letter to officials at each agency saying that pit production at LANL waves aside environmental justice concerns and that going ahead with pit production flies in the face of an executive order signed by President Joe Biden that states federal agencies shall make achieving environmental justice part of their missions.

Nuclear Watch New Mexico and the Indigenous groups Tewa Women United and Honor Our Pueblo Existence are also represented by the law project, according to the letter.

Critics acknowledge LANL does some great work in the scientific field. Arends cited the COVID-19 modeling it has done during the pandemic, helping government and health care officials to better understand how the virus spreads, and where it is spreading, so they can make good decisions. She also mentioned LANLs work with NASA, which has been in the news lately with the rover Perseverance sending back pictures from Mars using a camera developed at the lab.

It would be wise for them to transition away from nuclear weapons to these others types of science, she said.

Mayers of Veterans for Peace thinks so, too. And, while LANL asserts that no weapons work will take place in Santa Fe, thats not good enough for him.

They (LANL) like to point out the good things they are doing, like with COVID, but thats a tiny bit of whitewashing, he said, adding that 70% of LANLs budget goes to nuclear weapons research and development.

Im sure people working in those buildings are very nice people, but the fact remains they are engaged in an evil enterprise.

Editors Note: This story is the first in a two-part series on Los Alamos National Laboratorys expansion into Santa Fe.
Sydney motorists have been slugged more than $5.27million in fines from unmarked speed cameras last month alone.

Fines handed out to NSW drivers have soared by 900 per cent since the removal of the 'Speed Camera Ahead' signs that were previously required to be placed 250m before the camera.

Despite the controversial removal of warning signs, and 23,149 drivers being hit with fines in March alone, it has made virtually no impact of road fatalities.

Ninety-three people died on NSW roads so far this year, compared to 94 for the same period in 2020.

Sydney motorists have been slugged more than $5.27million in fines from unmarked speed cameras last month alone

Fines handed out to NSW drivers have soared by 900 per cent since the removal of the 'Speed Camera Ahead' signs that were previously required to be placed 250m before the camera

Despite the controversial removal of warning signs, and 23,149 drivers being hit with fines in March alone, just one extra life has been saved this year

Nationals MP Wes Fang, who has been vocal about his disapproval of Transport Minister Andrew Constance's move, said drivers in regional areas of the state are most impacted.

'I fear that we are having a detrimental effect on rural and regional families because people are losing their licences and then their livelihoods all to raise more money to prop up the state's balance sheet,' Mr Fang told The Daily Telegraph.

'Every time we see a speeding fine its potentially one more worker whose lost his or her licence, one more family that will be without an income.'

According to Revenue NSW data, 33,634 mobile speed camera fines were dished out in February.

From January to the end of Match this year, $14.88million in fines were issued to NSW drivers, compared to just $1.25m in the same period in 2020.

Labor's Roads spokesman John Graham slammed the removal of warning signs as revenue raising by the Liberal Government.

According to Revenue NSW data, 33,634 mobile speed camera fines were dished out in February

From January to the end of Match this year, $14.88million in fines were issued to NSW drivers, compared to just $1.25m in the same period in 2020

'They will be popping champagne corks down at the Treasury when they see these record figures,' he said.

Mr Constance said in November when the changes were announced that it wasn't about revenue raising but about saving lives, with the signs removed over a 12-month period to change motoring behaviour.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said it was not good policy as cameras were put at crash-prone locations with signs which educated drivers.

'We've lost all of that education, we still have the enforcement but all too often people don't find they've done the wrong thing till two or three weeks later,' he told 9News Sydney.

'It will catch people, it just won't change their behaviour.'
A U.S. firm's application for the "ST25" trademark has passed its examining attorney's review and will be published on May 4, which marks an initial approval.

Out of the five applications for "ST25" submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) so far, the one made by I&T Enterprise Inc. has crossed the first stage.

The U.S firms had begun registering the trademarks "ST25" and "Worlds Best Rice" since last June, seeking to profit from the brands prestige.

ST25 rice is the result of 25 years of work by farmer-scientist Ho Quang Cua and his colleagues who cross-bred the premium fragrant rice of the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang, described as having a sweet taste and a hint of pineapple flavor.

In 2019, ST25 rice was named the winner of the World's Best Rice Contest in the Philippines, marking the first time a Vietnamese rice variety had won the title in the contests 11-year history.

The latest development means that only one of the applications met the USPTO's minimum filing requirements and was accepted. The other applications have been asked to provide additional information or been rejected.

Nguyen Van Bay, Deputy Director General of the Intellectual Property Office under the Ministry of Science and Technology, told VnExpress Saturday that the USPTO's publication of I&T Enterprise's trademark on May 4 was in accordance with procedures for trademark registration.

"This activity is to help related parties have a chance to file complaints or opposition to the trademark being registered. That is the purpose of the publication," Bay said, adding that complaints could be filed within 30 days from the date of the publication.

However, Le Quang Vinh, a lawyer with BROSS & Partners, said this issue was more serious and urged Vietnamese firms to file complaints early. Otherwise, "there will be no next step" and I&T Enterprise would officially own the trademark ST25 in the U.S., he warned.

According to experts, Vietnamese firms must first file a complaint with the USPTO, asking it to reject I&T Enterprise's application. The basis for this complaint, Vinh said, would be that under the U.S. Trademark Law, in order to be registered, a trademark must have the function of distinguishing one's goods or services from the goods or services of others, and must not be confusingly similar to other trademarks registered earlier. He did not elaborate on how these conditions specifically apply to this case.

Another possible argument suggested by Nguyen Tien Lap, a senior lawyer with NHQuang & Associates, is that the laws of all member nations of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), including the U.S., have regulations regarding "bad faith" in filing trademark applications. This includes the acts of registering a trademark to profit from well-known brands, registering early to profit from reselling the trademark, registering for inappropriate purposes or registering without any intention to use the trademark.



While noting that anyone has the right to file a request to nullify a registered trademark with agencies like the USPTO or a court, Vinh cautioned that procedures to oppose or nullify a trademark registration in the U.S. were different from the rest of the world and very complicated.

Given that it will be civil lawsuit, it has to be borne in mind that litigation costs in the U.S. are so high that even large, financially well off companies rarely pursue the cases to the final proceedings reached through resolutions by the USPTO's Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).

According to Vinh, the TTAB's statistics show that 95 percent of trademark opposition cases end in the early or middle stages of legal proceedings to significantly reduce the actual litigation costs.



"The parties often find solutions to end the cases early through trademark transfer agreements, coexistence agreements, the withdrawal or cancellation of trademark applications," he said.



Another option for the Vietnamese ST25 rice is to export the product under a different brand, or change the trademark to avoid violating U.S. Trademark Law, but these are both undesirable, Vinh said.



Vietnamese firms can consider using a different trademark that still includes the term "ST25" since it is a generic variety of rice and not a brand, Bay proposed.

"Obviously, the U.S. system does not completely correspond with Vietnam's," he said, adding that phrases desired by the Vietnamese side, like "world's best rice," are unlikely to be accepted by the U.S. side.



Currently no U.S. firm has successfully registered a trademark for ST25, so Vietnam's export of that rice variety is yet to be affected, according to a senior official with the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Agency of Foreign Trade who did not want to be named.

Furthermore, the U.S. is not a major rice export market for Vietnam like China or Indonesia, with low export value and proportion at present, he added.



However, if the "ST25" brand is lost, the export of this brand to the U.S. will be suspended. Therefore, the official recommended that companies should proactively register domestically well-known brands in foreign markets to avoid "closing the stable door after the horse has bolted."
Consumer Advisory: Do Not Eat Raw Milk Butter Products Produced by Shetler Family Farm/John Shetler

Any food retailers with product should remove products from sale

For immediate release: April 22, 2021

Media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724

LANSING, MI - The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today is advising consumers not to eat any raw milk products produced at a dairy farm owned by John Shetler, in Morley, Michigan. The production and sale of raw milk and raw milk products is a violation of the Manufacturing Milk Law, MCL 288.696(1), Grade A Dairy Law, MCL 288.538(1), and Food Law, MCL 289.6140(1). Additionally, the products were produced in a facility not licensed or inspected by the department.

During a routine inspection of a convenience store in Clare, Michigan, an MDARD food inspector discovered approximately 75 pounds of raw milk butter being offered for retail sale, in violation of state law.

The butter was packaged in one-pound clear plastic containers and labeled as "NON-GMO SWEET CREAM BUTTER w/Himalayan salt." The butter was placed under seizure and subsequently voluntarily disposed of by the retailer.

It is not known if the farm has sold products to other retail locations or if products other than raw milk butter have been produced for sale. Retail stores selling products from John Shetler's farm, which is an unlicensed, unapproved source, are subject to regulatory action under the Food Law. Retail Stores should immediately remove those products from sale, hold the products in a safe place away from any sales areas, and contact their MDARD food inspector.

"Our food and dairy inspectors are committed to making sure the food we feed our families is made in a safe way and is free of foodborne pathogens, but it requires a partnership with those we regulate to make that happen," said MDARD Director Gary McDowell. "Under the Michigan Food Law, MDARD is charged with licensing and inspecting food manufacturing facilities and retail food establishments to protect public health and assure a safe and wholesome food supply. Foods offered for sale must be made in licensed and inspected facilities, which this farm was not."

The Manufacturing Milk Law requires dairy processing facilities to be licensed, make products from pasteurized milk and dairy products, and properly label products. MDARD will work with the dairy farm if the farm determines it wants to become licensed to produce dairy products in the future.

Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. Raw milk can carry dangerous pathogens, such as Brucella, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, which can pose serious health risks to you and your family, and can cause diarrhea, stomach cramping, and vomiting. Raw milk consumption has been linked to the development of severe or even life-threatening diseases, including Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause paralysis; and hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can result in kidney failure, stroke, and even death. The risk of getting sick from drinking contaminated raw milk is greater for infants and young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as people with cancer, an organ transplant, or HIV. However, healthy people of any age can get very sick or even die if they drink raw milk contaminated with harmful germs.

If you have purchased any products produced by this farm, do not eat them. Dispose of the products or return them to the place of purchase. If you have consumed any of these products and feel ill, seek medical attention immediately.

Questions may be directed to the MDARD Customer Service Center at 800-292-3939, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

Photo: Shetler Farms Butter Containers

###

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For months, the Allentown Health Bureaus call list for leftover COVID-19 vaccines was filled with people praying theyd get a call about a last-minute extra dose.

These folks were so desperate to get a scarce, life-saving vaccine, nearly a year into the pandemic, theyd drop everything and book it to the Allentown Fairgrounds with zero notice.

Theres no one left on the call list almost two weeks after Pennsylvania opened up vaccine appointments to anyone 16 or older. So, with two precious doses about to go to waste Thursday night, health bureau staff rushed to the adjacent Allentown Farmers Market.

We yelled, We have two doses left, health bureau director Vicky Kistler said. There were two people shopping who wanted it. It was great. We got lucky.

Americas finally reached a tipping point politicians and health experts promised for months was coming: we have enough COVID vaccine shots to meet demand and, in some places, supply is starting to outpace demand. Its a strange twist in the nations largest mass vaccination campaign.

A segment of the population spent months desperate for an appointment, agonizingly waiting for it to finally be their turn. People woke up at all hours of the night to check for empty slots, a process likened to trying to score the hottest concert ticket in town. Facebook groups sprung up dedicated to guide Americans through the fragmented booking system. Some drove hours to get a vaccine or stood in line for hours at mass clinics.

Suddenly, Americans have their choice of appointments and some states are turning down doses after spending months clamoring for larger allotments.

Pennsylvania is still seeing steady demand from vaccine providers, allotting 304,120 first doses and 268,010 second doses last week. The week before, it was 296,620 first doses and 303,110 booster shots.

While we are hearing anecdotally that there may be some slowdown in vaccination rates around the country ... Pennsylvania vaccine providers are administering an average of 100,000 doses per day, said Maggi Barton, Pennsylvania Department of Health spokeswoman.

The Lehigh Valleys four largest vaccine providers report they are entering a new phase of the vaccination campaign. One where they need to make it more convenient for people to get a shot and better respond to personal concerns or hurdles. The demand is still there, but the people who wanted appointments the most largely have them, Kistler said.

I would say we are reaching a new stage of demand and there are more vaccination appointments available, said Brian Downs, spokesman for Lehigh Valley Health Network. But at the same time we are still filling all appointments at some of our locations, so demand in general for vaccine is still high.

The Bethlehem Health Bureaus vaccine clinics at Wind Creek Event Center were booking up in minutes earlier this year. Now, it has appointments available for all of its upcoming clinics, said Kristen Wenrich, bureau director.

We are going to continue to operate our mass clinics for the next few weeks and then plan on moving to a more targeted approach in communities with low vaccination numbers, she said.

St. Lukes University Health Network also reports an easing demand. Open appointments are slower to be claimed, but the majority are still booked by the time they are scheduled to happen, spokesman Sam Kennedy said.

(Cant see this map? Click here.)

More than half of American adults and nearly half of Pennsylvanians have received at least one vaccine dose, and President Joe Biden this week celebrated eclipsing 200 million doses administered in his first 100 days in office. He also acknowledged entering a new phase to bolster outreach and overcome hesitancy.

Pennsylvania and Philadelphia are approaching 6 million people with at least one shot, according to data from the two health departments. Philly receives its own vaccine allotment.

(We) continue our mission of getting vaccine into arms of those who want it, Barton of the state health department said. At the same time we are working on efforts to educate individuals to help address vaccine hesitancy. We believe that good information will help people make good decisions.

Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, said now that everyone qualifies to get vaccinated, public health officials are encountering three groups: not able, not now and not ever.

The first group, he said, isnt able to get their shots because theres some kind of barrier. The not nows have earnest questions about vaccine safety, efficacy and whether they need the shot.

A new poll out last week from Muhlenberg College in Allentown suggests 64% of Pennsylvanians who have not yet gotten the COVID-19 vaccine plan to do so.

About three in 10 Pennsylvanians who are not vaccinated said they do not plan to be, according to the e poll. Thats a higher rate than a recent national poll, from Monmouth University, showing 21% of Americans had no plans to get vaccinated against the coronavirus illness.

Shah said theyre not prepared to write off not evers, but instead are working to find trusted messengers like doctors, family members, community members to give them good information.

About 14% of Northampton and 16% of Lehigh county residents are thought to be vaccine hesitant, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

The state health department echoed Shah on the importance of meeting people where they are and relying on trusted messengers to help shift attitudes.

We are working with local county leaders, influencers, medical professionals, and trusted messengers to ensure that our efforts represent the diversity of our communities as well as provide the hyper local approach to addressing anyones concerns about the vaccine, Barton said. The message we want all residents to know is there are safe and effective vaccines available. The vaccines are the best way forward to protect you, your loved ones and neighbors from the virus and get back to their life and the things they may have missed over this past year.

Overall, the Lehigh Valleys two counties are nearing the point where 50% of the population has at least one dose. Thats a testament to the regions two excellent health networks and health bureaus, Kistler said.

There are many (communities) that have neither, she said. We are just so fortunate. Its because of that cooperation and strong presence that 50% of the Lehigh Valley is vaccinated. I just really hope that we still have enough demand to keep going. We are still vulnerable.

The Lehigh Valley still has one of the worst infection rates in the state  and nearly 4,000 new cases over the past two weeks  despite its strong vaccine rollout.

Its critical that we continue to vaccinate as many people as possible. This includes those who might still be hesitant, Downs said. Its really the only way we are going to reach a level of herd immunity that will allow us to get back to what we would consider our normal way of life. And the recent data shows the vaccine is both effective and safe, so thats encouraging as we urge more and more people to get the vaccine to protect themselves and others.

St. Lukes is using its shot-line to proactively reach out to people who have not used MyChart to schedule an appointment and its been hosting specialized clinics, like at Lafayette College.

We will implement new strategies in coming weeks, Kennedy said.

Lehigh Valley providers are now adopting varied strategies to try to better reach the community. But they dont believe theyre hitting a solid wall of vaccine refusal, like in some areas of the country where doses are going to waste or shipments are being turned down.

We are seeing the demand softening, but we are still not relaxing the push because were not convinced that everyone who wants vaccine has had access to it, Kistler said. We are trying to best serve the folks that want it.

The Allentown Health Bureaus clinics Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday next week will be walk-in events in hopes of removing vaccination obstacles. Recognizing that its day-time clinics may be tough for some workers to attend, the bureau is contacting employers and encouraging them to offer employees time off to get vaccinated. The bureau is weighing evening or weekend hours, but both health networks report having appointments available at those times, Kistler said.

The bureaus also sent letters to all licensed daycare providers and all restaurants in the city promoting vaccination and is widening its net to more Lehigh Valley employers.

I dont know whether it is a transportation issue, a convenience issue, a fear issue, Kistler said of the lessening demand. I think vaccine hesitancy incorporates a lot of that. Its not just a refusal to get the vaccine. We are doing our best to assure people that we are willing to answer any questions that they may have.

(Cant see this map? Click here.)

Allentown paramedics are also bringing the vaccine straight to homebound seniors and residents. Theyve exhausted a 70-person list of Meals on Wheels recipients and continue to make appointments through the homebound hotline, Kistler said.

The health bureau is targeting college students and older high schoolers as well, an effort thats slightly hamstrung by the fact it only receives the Moderna vaccine, which is only approved for people 18 and up.

The Pfizer-BioNTech shot can be given to anyone 16 and up, which the Bethlehem Health Bureau does receive. The Bethlehem Area School District is working to organize a clinic for its eligible students, Superintendent Joseph Roy said this week.

The pause of the usage of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose shot amid concerns about a rare potential side-effect is another complication. The easy-to-store shot was seen as a powerful tool in the nations vaccine arsenal because it is just one dose and it comes in single-use vials. This makes it perfect for use in transient populations, like college students or truckers, or to take into hard-to-reach communities where other vaccine doses might go to waste if there arent enough takers.

As the health bureau of the largest city in a warehousing and logistics hub, its common for Allentown to get calls from truckers who want an appointment in a five-hour evening window, Kistler said. But with multiple doses in a Moderna vial, the bureau risks wasting nine shots in that scenario if theres no one else available, she said.

There arent people sitting praying and waiting for you to call them anymore, Kistler said. That is the beauty of J&J.

Some folks like that Johnson & Johnson is one-and-done immunity and they were waiting for it to become available to a wider population before the federal pause. (Pennsylvania was using its allocation for educators and other essential workers before the stoppage.) It will be interesting to see what kind of demand there is for the shot once it lifts, Kistler said.

An advisory panel for the CDC on Friday recommended ending the Johnson & Johnson pause and resuming its use with a warning about the potential for rare blood clots. There have been a total of 15 cases in women 18 to 49, with three women dying from the very rare blood clots, according to Fridays hearing. Nearly 8 million Johnson & Johnson doses have been administered to date.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 21:05:32|Editor: huaxia

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DHAKA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Amid uncertainty over timely arrival of the next COVID-19 vaccine shipment from India, the Bangladeshi government has decided to halt administering first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine across the country from Monday.

Directorate General of Health Service under the Ministry of Health issued a circular on the decision on Sunday.

Md Shamsul Haque, secretary general of COVID-19 Vaccine Management Taskforce Committee, told reporters that the decision was made due to the a stock shortage of the vaccine.

He said that the administration of the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will continue as planned.

Nearly 6 million people have so far received the first dose of the vaccine in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh on Jan. 21 received received 2 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India from India as gift. It bought another 5 million doses of the vaccine from the Indian institute which arrived in Bangladesh on Jan. 25. Enditem


Swara Bhasker is one of the finest actresses we have in Bollywood today. She is bold, beautiful and talented all at the same time and therefore it is easy to be impressed by her in a jiffy. The actress is also extremely politically aware and often raises the right questions through her social media when she thinks it is necessary to raise a voice.





Early this morning, the actress took to Twitter to applaud Pakistans move of coming out in support of India while we are fighting COVID-19. Pakistans top leader recently came out and said that Pakistan is ready to give any kind of support needed in Indias battle against COVID-19. Swara was ecstatic on hearing the same and wrote, Heartening to see Pakistani civil society & social media reach out in solidarity & kindness to India, during this devastating time.. this despite the fact that our media & mainstream public discourse have consistently mocked & vilified Pakistanis.. Thank u 4 ur bada dil Padosi (followed by a heart emoji).
NAIROBI, Kenya  Gunfire erupted across the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Sunday as security forces loyal to the president clashed with units that appeared to have sided with his rivals, stoking fears that Somalias simmering political crisis is spilling over into violence.

The fighting, some of the worst in the Somali capital for years, followed months of tense talks between President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and opponents who accuse him of making an unconstitutional power grab.

The talks collapsed after Mr. Mohamed failed to hold presidential and parliamentary elections by February, as scheduled, and then two months later signed a law extending his term in office by two years. His actions have drawn criticism from the United States and other Western allies.

The moves effectively ended United Nations-mediated negotiations backed by the United States and added fuel to an already combustible political situation.
New Delhi, April 25 : The Jammu and Kashmir administration has approved implementation of "New Industrial Policy 2021-30" and its procedural guidelines with effect from April 1.

The experts stated that the new policy is different from the policies that were announced earlier as it has opened up J&K to the world.

According to the policy, all industrial units coming into commercial production from April 1 as well as the existing units undertaking substantial expansion, shall be entitled for incentives under this policy while the existing units eligible for incentives under the erstwhile Industrial Policy 2016 shall be allowed to avail the same under the old policy till March 31, 2026.

The policy is the largest incentive to date, intending to spend an outlay of Rs 28,400 crore on the industrial development of Jammu and Kashmir for the next 15 years.

The policy is expected to generate an investment of Rs 20,000 crore and employment of 4.5 lakh over the plan period, the experts said.

This is the first block-level development project that intends to undertake the process of industrialization at the very grassroots level using the local resources, skill, and talent available domestically.

There is no bar for the outsiders to come and invest in the Union Territory.

Since the day J&K's special status has been abrogated,Amore than 40 companies have come forward with the investment proposals and the government has accepted more than 30 proposals upto the tune of Rs 1,500 crore.

The companies that have come forward Aare from various fields like renewal energy, hospitality, defence, tourism, skill, education, IT & technology and infrastructure.

Baseer Ahmad Khan, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, exhorts to prioritise the aspirations of the entrepreneurs while putting in concerted efforts for making J&K the most investor friendly Union Territory.

He emphasised on the need to encourage and facilitate people who want to join the wagon of the industrial sector in J&K.

"The land development and allotment policy has given a shot in arm of the industries department and will pave way for a lot of activities in the industrial sector in the UT," Khan said.

The administration is pushing for to make single window clearance facility apriority as it would promote Ease of Doing Business by streamlining different processes and approvals required to establish and operate a business.

No role of separatists to the policies Earlier, the separatists used to call shots in Kashmir. Their writ used to prevail. Whenever, any plan for the development used to be put forward they used to threaten agitation and the rulers used to follow their diktats at the pretext of maintaining normalcy.

In March 2016, the dispensation led by then J&K Governor N.N. Vohra had approved the industrial policy for J&K and had added a specific clause that stated: "In case of private promoters from outside (non-state subjects), JK SIDCO, SICOP may with the prior approval of the State Government acquire land through district collector on behalf of the private promoter with the cost of the land and the agency charges as may be determined provided in full by the promoter and lease it out on long term basis for 90 years on mutually agreed terms and conditions." But after the PDP-BJP coalition took over the reins of J&K,Ait withdrew the clause in the State Industrial Policy which allowed non-locals to acquire land on large scale in J&K for developing private industries.

The clause was withdrawn after the separatists groups had announced to launch a campaign against the policy while the opposition had termed it a "direct attack" on the special status of J&K.

The then government had succumbed under pressure and withdrawn the provison.

"In partial modification of government order para 2.11.2 of Industrial Policy-2016 shall be deemed to have been deleted ab-initio," the order had stated.

Kashmiri businessmen welcome new policy Jammu and Kashmir Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) - an amalgam of top notch industrialists in the Valley- welcomed the "New Industrial Policy 2021-30" and stated that it has infused hope among the entrepreneurs.

"The new industrial policy has included various new sectors in the positive list and focus sector. It has been expanded, including tourism, hospitality, health, education, renewable energy etc. in addition to subsidy on genset to tune of 45 lakhs and 60A percent on pollution devices. The 30 per cent subsidy on quality certificates & automation also 50 per cent subsidy on green environment protection initiative has been provided," said, FCIK president Shahid Kamili.

The FCIK president appreciated the government for fixing a timeline of approval of cases at different levels.

"This reflects the seriousness of the government in reviving the industry in J&K. The turnover based incentives and SGST reimbursement will ensure accountability and to promote genuine entrepreneurs," he added.
Chennai, April 25 : With sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in Tamil Nadu and to prevent further spread, bank branches in Tamil Nadu will function between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. from April 26 to April 30.

The timing will be reviewed after April 30, based on the Covid-19 situation in the state.

The State Level Bankers' Committee-Tamil Nadu (SLBC-TN) on Saturday issued a series of guidelines to its member banks in the state.

In addition, the SLBC-TN has said wherever possible cluster based functioning of branches in consultation with the local administration shall be adopted.

Branches that are routinely facing huge crowds, shall seek the help of police for crowd management, by taking up through the Lead District Manager.

There will be no change in the working hours of administrative/zonal/regional/back offices of the banks where the staff do not have direct contact with the public.

The other decisions are: -Staff with co-morbidities conditions, pregnant women, visually challenged may be given the option of work from home by the relevant authorities of the concerned banks;

-Aadhar Enrolment Centre functions shall be suspended;

-Branches functioning in the areas declared as Containment Zones, if any, shall continue to be guided by the directions given by the appropriate authorities;

-Banks to ensure that all alternate delivery channels such as bank ATMs/cash deposit machines/Cash recyclers shall be functional;

-Business Correspondents services should be fully functional at all times;

-Bank shall encourage all their eligible staff members to avail of the vaccination facility for themselves as well as for their family members;

-All other procedures to contain the spread of Covid-19 like use of face mask, washing of hands at regular intervals, maintaining social distancing etc shall be strictly adhered to; and

-Member banks are requested to educate and encourage their customers to make use of alternate delivery channels/opt for digital transactions instead of visiting branches physically.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, April 25 : The Sardar Patel Covid Care Centre in south Delhi will be operational from 10 a.m. on Monday, an official statement said.

The Union Home Ministry has asked the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) as the nodal force to manage the centre at Radha Soami Beas, Chhatarpur. The ITBP said that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for admission of patients will be strictly followed and all laid-down protocols will be adhered to.

Patients will be referred by the District Surveillance Officer of districts and no walk-in admission will be made.

The ITBP further stated that patients will be first reporting at the reception, after initial documentation, physical examination will be done and patients will then be admitted to the hospital at their allotted bed.

"A kit will be provided to them after their admission. All medical treatment, medicines, food and other facilities will be provided free of cost. Services of stress counsellors will also be provided," the ITBP said.

Earlier in the day, ITBP Director General, S.S. Deswal reviewed the final preparations at the Covid Care Centre, which will initially have 500 beds, with the number to be increased further.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan visited the site on Saturday.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Approval of a six-story building boasting 209 rental units along with retail and restaurant space in downtown Port Chester, N.Y., is bolstering fears of increased traffic and overdevelopment in the nearby Greenwich neighborhood of Byram.

Known as Tarry Lighthouse, the large residential building will be built at the site of the former Tarry Lodge restaurant and a row of older commercial buildings at 163-175 N. Main St., just a couple of blocks from the bridge connecting the two towns.

The proposal was first put forward in February 2019 with a nine-story building, and it was adjusted numerous times as the developer sought approvals.

Even though they scaled it down, our concerns are still there, Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo said of Tarry Lighthouse.

An earlier proposal by developer David Mann called for a seven-story structure with 242 apartment units. The villages Zoning Board of Appeals denied approval in September 2020 for the special permissions it needed for height and facade and design features that did not meet the village zoning code. The application was also the subject of extensive criticism from the public.

A revised plan for Tarry Lighthouse, 82 feet tall with 28,000 square feet of retail space, was put forward earlier this year. The latest version did not require any special approvals from the villages ZBA, and it was approved by the villages Planning Commission March 29. One member of the commission, Peter Coperine, voted no on the project, but the rest of the seven-member commission voted in favor.

I know theyre trying to enhance their downtown, and present a new Port Chester, and I give them a lot of credit for that, Camillo said of the developers. Theres a lot of proposals on the table, some of them, I think are pretty good. This one, because of the location, that area and that intersection is a parking lot right now. Putting 209 units there  we know theres going to be more traffic there.

Many residents of Port Chester, as well as critics from Byram, have also cited fears over traffic and safety in the heavily traveled Mill Street corridor that runs from Port Chester into Byram.

But transportation officials on both sides of the border will work to synchronize the traffic lights on the corridor, to make it a little bit better, Camillo said.

The first selectman said the town administration would monitor the project and the traffic associated with it, and he would make public safety and access for emergency vehicles on Mill Street a priority.

If thats a problem, well have to revisit it, Camillo said. Well take appropriate steps if it becomes a public safety issue, which it could. And well consider everything.

Camillo said he had received updates on the project by the former Port Chester mayor, Fritz Falanka, and the recent Planning Commission approval was not a surprise.

All five structures on the block in downtown Port Chester, most of which are over 100 years old and house small businesses and professional offices, will be torn down to make way for the Tarry Lighthouse.

The project will also include 271 parking spaces. The residences will feature 74 studio apartments, 85 one-bedroom apartments and 50 two-bedroom apartments.

Al Shehadi, a representative from the Byram Neighborhood Association who was monitoring the project, said of the approval, Were extremely disappointed.

The unwillingness by the Planning Commission, and the Board of Trustees, to listen to a variety of concerns  size, scale, traffic and community character  theres a host of reasons they could have said, Lets scale this back. And they didnt, said Shehadi, who oversees land-use issues for the Byram Neighborhood Association.

It is troubling that a number of small businesses  viable, constructive businesses  in downtown Port Chester will be evicted for the demolition and construction project, Shehadi said.

The village administration changed the village code in 2020 to allow for larger structures in certain sections of the community, which paved the way for the development.

The attorney representing the Tarry Lighthouse project, Tony Gioffre, said it will provide significant benefit to the community and enhance the character of the surrounding area.

Mann, the developer who has built other residential buildings in Westchester County, N.Y., said he was eager to move quickly on the project.

As soon as I get approval, Im out there with a shovel the next day, Mann told the Port Chester Planning Commission.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.com
Recap: Russia has started to develop its own essential electronics to bolster security and reduce its dependency on international trade. In addition to their existing custom processors, theyve now begun producing B450 motherboards to take advantage of AMDs stellar Ryzen CPUs.

Last week, Russias GS Group and Philax announced their partnership to produce "at least" 40,000 motherboards and 50,000 monitors. While the latter are still under development, the motherboards are almost ready to go; theyve passed all the tests, even gotten certified for government use, and are now available to pre-order for select customers in Russia.

The motherboard is based on the AMD B450 chipset and appears to use the same design as the Micro-ATX Asrock B450M Pro4 (as spotted by Toms Hardware). It is distinct though; because its target demographic is government offices and businesses, it doesnt have the same flashy looks or quite the same feature set. Despite appearing to have the same m.2 slots as the Pro4, the miniature drives arent listed as supported hardware, for example.

However, the board "fully meets the basic needs of an ordinary user," according to the press release. Like most AMD B450 boards, it supports Ryzen 2000, 3000, and 5000 series processors, up to four 3200 MHz memory sticks, it has two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, and so on. Possibly as a requirement of government certification, it has support for a TPM (trusted platform module) for additional security.

In the next 18 months, GS Group will produce a wider variety of desktop motherboards and monitors in partnership with Philax, while exploring potential partnerships with other companies to expand their electronics portfolio. Motherboards for the Russian Elbrus and Baikal processors are next on the horizon, alongside touchscreen monitors for schools and universities.
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Mayor Tim Keller, in his infinite wisdom, has decided that District 6 doesnt need another police substation, contradictory to his pre-election pledge to put 1,200 officers and more resources toward reducing crime in Albuquerque. At the insistence of Pat Davis, we voted for the bonds to fund it. In a half decade, we got nothing but a runaround as to the start. The site plans now listed online include a possible fire station, a park, more housing and community outreach. Essentially, not what we voted for.

Keller also decided not to invest a single penny of his Vision Zero pedestrian safety program into District 6, home to the highest pedestrian fatalities in the city; safer areas got that money. Now hes chosen to ignore that of the surveys regarding shelter locations, one-third of respondents came from 87108 alone, opposing (the) Lovelace (site for his Gateway homeless Center). Never mind that Lovelace came in low in the feasibility study  the location least matching the citys own criteria for operating a successful shelter.

District 6 holds the largest concentration of transitional/halfway houses, federal halfway houses, shelters and related services than any other district except District 2. Thats but one reason why some people oppose Gateway.

Depending on the latest PR release or who Keller is talking to at the time, this shelter could be anything from an all-inclusive, self-sustaining, one-stop-shop busing people in from across the city, to a shelter that has to be located exactly where its going because of walkability between the shelter and the many services existing nearby. It could be city-run with a Good Neighbor agreement; it could be private vendors without an accountability clause. To my knowledge theres no plan as to whether folks opting or failing out will be returned to areas they consider home. Im not sure that was even a blip on the city radar.

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We struggle with Gateway because the narrative keeps shifting; Keller deceived us with a promise of 30 beds  down from the original 300  rocketing up to 225 once Lovelace was bought. He expects that we trust that issues plaguing Wells Park and Downtown wont materialize at Gateway though there are no concrete plans in place to protect surrounding neighborhoods and businesses; the city and shelter systems already existing have failed to address those unwilling to accept services offered daily. Some of those same problematic systems are expected to operate at Gateway, and our area safety resources are already understaffed and overburdened. The crux of our concern with the city is that, by its own admission, no one knows if or how Gateway will work. At the protest April 9, members of the mayors Homeless Coordinating Council told protesters what were arguing against was not in the plans. However, the information we have is listed directly on the mayors website; his own advocates were uninformed. No matter which side youre on, that should be alarming in itself.

We all know we need to end homelessness and that Gateway is here, but we cannot afford blind trust. The legacy of failed promises to our area by both Keller and the city, coupled with his desperate election-year bullet to the skull of D6, may not just doom a fragile, marginalized community, but the Gateway system itself.
More than 300 companies from home and abroad have confirmed they will participate in the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China) later this year, the organizer said.

Airshow China is scheduled to be held from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3 in the city of Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, said Zhou Zuode, deputy secretary-general of Airshow China's Zhuhai executive committee.

The confirmed participants include well-known international aircraft and aerospace companies such as Boeing, Embraer, GE Aviation, Honeywell and Parker Aerospace, Zhou, also deputy secretary-general of the Zhuhai municipal government, told a press briefing.

This year's Airshow China has an indoor exhibition area of 100,000 square meters, with 80 percent already booked, and also an outdoor exhibition area of 360,000 square meters.

The airshow will offer an online version to allow audiences to watch aerobatic flights, dynamic presentations of ground equipment and online forums, Zhou said.

The event will also invite professional visitors and trade delegations from home and abroad to conduct tours and exchanges and ink deals both online and offline.
On April 25, Kathmandu, Nepal, issued a record 394 permits so far this year for expeditions to Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, despite the surging COVID-19 pandemic. The first case of COVID-19 was identified at Everest base camp earlier this week. Meera Acharya, director at the Department of Tourism said,

"We have issued permission to those expedition teams, which applied for the same with due procedures. The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation issued a record 394 permits for the expeditions to Everest till Friday, breaking the earlier record of 381 permits issued in 2019."

Nepal Governments move has come amid intense scrutiny over a reported traffic jam on Mt. Everest, whose revised height is 8848.86 meters. However, Acharya said that she had no information about the traffic jam on the Everest.

It is to be noted that Nepal relies heavily on income generated from Everest expeditions. A foreign climber is expected to pay USD 11,000 per person for getting permission to climb Mount Everest. Nepal insists that visiting climbers must quarantine before proceeding to Everest base camp.

Mingma Sherpa, chairman of Seven Summit Treks of Kathmandu said,

"The enthusiasm shown by the international climbers to Mt. Everest shows, their growing passion and love for Everest. This will certainly help in boosting Nepal''s tourism despite the pandemic," he added.

COVID-19 cases in Nepal

As of Saturday, the Himalayan nation has reported a total of 297,087 coronavirus cases and 3,136 deaths. Of the total infections, 16,828 cases are currently active, the health ministry said.

Nepals former King Gyanendra Shah and Queen Komal Shah on Saturday have been admitted to a hospital here for treatment of coronavirus, days after they were tested positive for the viral infection on their return from India after participating in the Maha Kumbh at Haridwar, India.

Shah was crowned as the king of Nepal in 2001 after his elder brother Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and his family were killed in a massacre at the Royal Palace. An investigation blamed Birendras son Dipendra, who was among the dead, for the massacre. Shah stepped down in 2008, after a popular revolt forced him to abdicate, and the centuries-old monarchy was abolished, turning the country into a republic by the Constituent Assembly.
Srinagar, April 25 : Jammu and Kashmir's top pulmonologist, Dr. Naveed Nazir Shah told Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday in 'Mann Ki Baat' programme that self-protection is the only way out for the nation to survive the second phase of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Interacting with Modi during 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, Dr. Naveed said: "If we adhere to protective measures such as wearing masks, using hand sanitizers and also maintain physical distancing by avoiding social gatherings, we can overcome the pandemic and carry on our daily work".

He also dispelled the rumour that the vaccine has any adverse side effect.

Dr. Naveed is the head of department at Srinagar's chest diseases hospital which is the only major healthcare facility for people with lung ailments.

He has not only been in the frontline of fighting the pandemic by attending to scores of Covid patients on a daily basis, but he is also a Covid-19 infection survivor.

He caught the infection last year while treating Covid patients at the hospital.

He has the unique experience of having been a Covid patient and a top ranking pulmonologist.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Delhi government on Sunday announced that the lockdown that is currently in place will be extended by another week till May 3. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the lockdown will be extended till 5 am on May 3. "We had imposed a 6-day lockdown in Delhi. The lockdown is being extended to next Monday till 5 am," said CM Kejriwal at a press conference.

"We have started a portal that will be updated every two hours by oxygen manufacturers, suppliers and hospitals for better management of oxygen supply. The Central and State teams are working together," said CM Kejriwal.

This announcement comes as the healthcare system of the national crumbles under the sheer pressure of the high number of coronavirus cases. Multiple hospitals in Delhi had urged the AAP government to ensure that their oxygen supply is replenished. In two separate instances -- at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and the Jaipur Golden Hospital -- 25 patients died at each of these hospitals due to shortage of oxygen. Admissions to the emergency department of the AIIMS were restricted for around an hour while leading hospitals such as Moolchand Hospital and Max Hospital took to social media to appeal to the government for oxygen supply.

CM Kejriwal had appealed to other state leaders to help the national capital with oxygen. "I am writing to all CMs requesting them to provide oxygen to Delhi, if they have spare. Though the Central government. is also helping us, the severity of corona is such that all available resources are proving inadequate," he said.

Meanwhile, Delhi reported 22,695 cases and 357 deaths on Sunday. Delhi now has a cumulative 8,97,804 cases of coronavirus and the death toll has reached 13,898.

Also read: Lockdown in Delhi: Guidelines, rules, timings, dates; what's allowed, what's not allowed
TORONTO - BCE Inc. made a bid to buy Shaw Communications Inc. earlier this year, but lost to Rogers Communications Inc. when it was unwilling to amend its proposal to address regulatory issues.

The Shaw Communications headquarters is seen in Calgary, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

TORONTO - BCE Inc. made a bid to buy Shaw Communications Inc. earlier this year, but lost to Rogers Communications Inc. when it was unwilling to amend its proposal to address regulatory issues.

The revelation was buried in a management information circular published Friday, which described a series of offers made to Shaw from "Party A."

BCE spokesman Nathan Gibson confirmed to The Canadian Press that his company was Party A and says it ultimately determined the opportunity to buy Shaw wasn't in the best interests of its stakeholders.

The circular says BCE, which owns Bell Canada, initially offered Shaw $37 per share, exceeding Rogers's first bid of $35 per share.

Rogers then raised its offer by $5.50 a share, prompting BCE to amend its own bid to 39.25 per share before ultimately matching Rogers's.

The circular says Shaw approached BCE about amending its proposal to address unspecified regulatory issues, but BCE refused and eventually withdrew from the process.

When asked what regulatory issues needed to be addressed, Shaw vice-president of external affairs Chethan Lakshman said in an email to The Canadian Press that the company had no comment.

In March, Rogers and Shaw announced that they reached a deal valued at $26 billion including debt and involving a $2.5 billion, five-year investment from Rogers in 5G networks across Western Canada.

If the deal secures regulatory approval, the merged companies will become the second-biggest telecom in the country.

BCE is Canada's largest telecommunications company, with its main phone networks in central Canada and a national wireless service that competes across the country.

Shaw and BCE's offerings overlap in Manitoba, where Shaw has internet and cable services and Bell acquired Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.

There's little overlap between the Shaw and Rogers cable and internet businesses, which are in Western and Eastern Canada respectively.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2021.

Companies in this story: (TSX:BCE, TSX:RCI, TSX:SJR)
Louisiana State Troopers rescued an elderly woman from a flooded car during severe weather on Friday evening.

Alexandria State Troopers, Troop E, received a report that there was a submerged vehicle with a woman trapped inside. They found the vehicle in a flooded ditch.

There was a strong current present, and civilian bystanders and troopers on the bank responded to save the woman. Two troopers were able to safely rescue the woman from her vehicle through rising water.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP)  Tommy Schuster threw two first-quarter touchdown passes and North Dakota never trailed in its 44-10 win over Missouri State in the opening round of the FCS playoffs on Saturday.

The Fighting Hawks won their first playoff game since moving to the FCS in 2008. North Dakota (5-1) will play at third-seeded and No. 1 James Madison in the quarterfinals.

Missouri State (5-5) went three-and-out on its first two possessions and Schuster hit Garrett Maag for a 50-yard touchdown before connecting with Bo Belquist for a 38-yard score on a flea flicker to make it 14-0 with 8 minutes left in the first quarter and the Fighting Hawks led the rest of the way.

Hayden Reynolds returned a blocked punt 15 yards for a touchdown and fewer than 3 minutes later Hayden Galvin picked off a pass at the UND 10, linebacker Devon Krzanowski threw a block  the first of a few by the Hawks  and Galvin weaved and winded his way 90 yards for a score to make it 38-3 with 6:31 left in the third quarter.

Missouri State, under first-year coach Bobby Petrino, went 5-1 in conference play to earn a share of the Missouri Valley Conference title after the Bears won just one game in 2019.

UND had eight sacks, a D-I program record, and forced Missouri State into eight three-and-outs. The Bears had minus-21 yards rushing and just 50 total yards in the first half.

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/tag/Collegefootball
The U.S. will send desperately needed vaccine supplies and experts to India, overwhelmed by one of the worst coronavirus surges the world has seen, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told his counterpart in India on Sunday.

The U.S. will also consider sending millions of surplus AstraZeneca vaccines to India, Dr. Anthony Fauci told ABC's "This Week." AstraZeneca's vaccine has not yet won emergency use authorization in the U.S.

The offers come as the U.S. and other developed nations draw complaints for stockpiling vaccine doses while poorer nations struggle to obtain them. Britain has agreed to ship ventilators to India; the European Union is offering oxygen and other supplies.

Sullivan told Ajit Doval the U.S will make available raw materials to help India manufacture Covishield, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine made in India, along with therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and personal protective equipment.

"Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need," a statement from National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said.

"The United States also is pursuing options to provide oxygen generation and related supplies on an urgent basis," the statement added. To help speed India's vaccine manufacturing, Sullivan said the U.S. Development Finance Corp. will back a "substantial expansion" for BioE, which makes the vaccine, to allow it to reach 1 billion doses by the end of 2022.

And a team of experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and USAID is being deployed to India to assist.

Also in the news:

Alaska Airlines said it has banned Alaska state Sen. Lora Reinbold from its flights for refusing to follow mask requirements. Reinbold told the Anchorage Daily News that she had not been notified of a ban and that she hoped to be on an Alaska Airlines flight in the near future.

Story continues

More than half of Kansas 105 counties have turned down their weekly allotment of coronavirus vaccine doses because demand for the shots has declined.

A Spanish man with COVID-19 symptoms who coughed on work colleagues and told them, Im going to give you all the coronavirus has been charged with intentionally causing injury after allegedly infecting 22 people in Mallorca.

Japans department stores, bars and theaters shuttered Sunday as part of emergency measures to slow a surge in infections. The 17-day restrictions are declared for Tokyo, Kyoto, Hyogo and Osaka, ahead of the Golden Week holidays.

"Mobile Vax" buses set to administer 500 COVID-19 immunizations per day have begun rolling in Boston. The buses, a joint effort of Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, focus vaccination efforts on Black, Latino and non-English speaking communities in Massachusetts.

 Today's numbers: The U.S. has more than 32 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 572,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: More than 146.7 million cases and 3.1 million deaths. More than 290 million vaccine doses have been distributed in the U.S. and 228 million have been administered, according to the CDC.

 What we're reading: As COVID-19 vaccines roll out across the state, many in California's Slab City  fondly called "the last free place" by residents  either dont want to be vaccinated or remain hesitant to get their shot.

Keep refreshing this page for the latest updates. Want more? Sign up for our Coronavirus Watch newsletter for updates to your inbox and join our Facebook group.

Europe may welcome fully vaccinated Americans in the summer

Europe is getting ready to reopen its doors to Americans this summer  provided they're fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

After restricting non-essential travel from outside the European Union for more than a year because of the pandemic, the bloc plans to welcome back vaccinated visitors from the U.S., the New York Times reported Sunday.

All three vaccines authorized for use in the U.S. -- those made by Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson -- have been approved by the European Medicines Agency, a key component of the decision to allow visitors in.

One thing is clear: All 27 member states will accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved by E.M.A., Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, told the newspaper.

She did not provide a timeline for allowing Americans to travel again to the Old Continent, but pointed out the U.S. has made huge progress toward the goal of vaccinating most of its adults by mid-June.

More than 5 million have skipped second dose

The latest data from the CDC highlights the importance of getting the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine back in circulation despite the tiny chance it could lead to blood clots in some women.

More than 5 million Americans who were inoculated with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, both of which require two shots weeks apart, have failed to get the second one within the recommended interval. That's almost 8% of the first-dose recipients, and the numbers are growing.

The New York Times reports that the reasons for skipping the second shot include fear of side effects, lack of supply and feeling that one dose provides enough protection.

Although the U.S. ranks among the leading countries in the world with 42% of the population receiving at least one dose, only 28.5% of the country's 330 million people are fully vaccinated.

NIH chief pitches J&J vaccine for all; not all agree

Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, is all-in on the J&J vaccine for everyone, even though it has been linked to rare but dangerous blood clots in 15 women, mostly under 50. Collins, speaking on NBC's Meet the Press, said that regardless of age or gender, "when you consider the nature of this risk, this is truly a rare event." The benefits "greatly outweigh the risks, even for younger women," he said.

Dr. Leana Wen, an author and professor at George Washington University, doesn't concur, saying the default position for women under 50 should be to find another vaccine.

"I respect @NIHDirector very much. However, I disagree with him strongly," tweeted Wen, who said she chose to receive the J&J vaccine. As woman under 50, Wen says she wouldn't make the same decision now. She said that while the risk is low, the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines don't carry the risk.

"If I knew then what I know now about the risk of a rare but serious blood clotting disorder, I would have chosen another vaccine," she said.

MIT professors challenge safety of 6-foot rule

Six feet of distance or 60 feet of distance  it makes little difference indoors for avoiding exposure to COVID because tiny droplets tend to distribute throughout closed spaces, an MIT study says. Authors Martin Bazant, a professor of chemical engineering at the school, and John Bush, director of MIT's Applied Math Laboratory, factor in the extent to which transmission risk is reduced in large rooms with high air exchange rates, increased for more vigorous respiratory activities and dramatically reduced by the use of face masks.

"The current revival of the American economy is being predicated on social distancing, specifically the six-foot rule, a guideline that offers little protection," the study says.

States begin administering J&J vaccine

California and New York were among states administering the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine Sunday after their governors signed off on resuming use of the one-dose shot. The J&J product could expedite mass vaccinations as Americans grow weary of wearing masks and a new study indicates social distancing indoors may not be helping much.

"After additional review of the J&J #COVID19 vaccine, CA will resume administering it immediately," California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted late Saturday. "Grateful to count myself one of the 1 million Californians to receive this safe, effective vaccine."

Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia also have given the green light to the J&J vaccine. Federal health officials recommended pausing use of the vaccine almost two weeks ago after a rare blood clotting disorder was associated with the shot. The government has uncovered 15 vaccine recipients who developed a highly unusual kind of blood clot out of nearly 8 million people given the J&J shot. Three died, and seven remain hospitalized.

Federal health officials dropped the recommendation Friday, saying the vaccine is critical to fight the pandemic and that the small clot risk could be handled with warnings.

82 die in blast at Baghdad hospital COVID ward

The death toll rose to 82 Sunday after an explosion and fire in the intensive care unit of a Baghdad hospital tending to severely ill Iraqi coronavirus patients.

Iraqs Interior Ministry said 110 others were injured. Negligence on the part of hospital authorities has been blamed for the Saturday night blaze that initial reports suggest was caused when an oxygen cylinder exploded in the ward of Ibn al-Khatib hospital. Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi fired key hospital officials hours after the catastrophic incident and demanded that the Interior Ministry complete an investigation within 24 hours.

Relatives were still searching anxiously on Sunday for missing loved ones.

Please, two of my relatives are missing.  I am going to die (without news about them), posted a young woman on social media. I hope someone can help us find Sadi Abdul Kareem and Samir Abdul Kareem, they were in the ICU.

Contributing: Katie Wadington, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: COVID: India coronavirus surge; Europe could open travel to Americans
Candace Avalos

Avalos is the incoming executive director of Verde, co-founder of the Black Millennial Movement and chair of Portlands Citizen Review Committee. A resident of Portland, she also serves on the citys Charter Review Commission. Her column appears on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.

Guilty.

As we have collectively held our breath throughout the trial of Derek Chauvin, the answer weve been waiting for finally arrived. The jury confirmed what we already knewwhat the whole world saw with their own eyesthat Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer, murdered George Floyd in broad daylight.

In the hour leading up to the verdict, I turned to social media to connect with other members of the Black Millennial Movement for some solace and solidarity. We started this organization last summer at the height of the racial justice uprising so that we could unite our small community and elevate younger Black voices in the national discourse around issues that uniquely affect us. The notifications started popping up on all of our phones: Derek Chauvin guilty on all charges. A sigh of relief followed. The system that most of the country relies on for justice, we normally rely on to be the bearer of bad news. Taking a pause to celebrate this victory as a step forward is important to sustain us through the immense obstacles that still lay in front of us. This is why groups like ours have formed to continue working towards overcoming those obstacles and its why many of us have taken to the streets night after night.

Reactions started rolling in across the country, and a familiar theme emerged where people proclaimed justice was achieved in the outcome of the trial. This prompted a reply from many Americans, myself included, that accountability was achievednot justice. So it begs the question, what is the difference between accountability and justice?

Lets start with the simple definition of accountability: taking responsibility for ones actions, which typically involves consequences for those actions. Justice, on the other hand, is defined as just behavior or treatment. Accountability is retroactive but justice is proactive. For George Floyd, justice would mean that he is alive today. Justice is a system that doesnt target Black and brown community members with state violence. This distinction is important because falsely claiming that Floyd and his family received justice only allows these systems to perpetuate without meaningful solutions to stop the cyclea cycle that we have seen repeated over and over. A cycle that shows no tangible signs of slowing. How many other officers didnt get charged? How many police killings of Black Americans werent recorded and therefore didnt rise to national consciousness? Where is the accountability for the murder of Breonna Taylor? Of Quanice Hayes? Of Alton Sterling? Of Patrick Kimmons? The list is too long.

We need transformative changes to the systems that consistently show us that there are two drastically different standards of justice for those who are Black and those who are not. The irony in the subjectivity of justice is not lost on me. If justice is what we seek, then accountability must be the first step towards it. This landmark trial has set a new tone and expectation for our country, and now is not the time to let our guard down. Instead, lets leverage this moment for change. Here in Portland we have an opportunity to truly transform our systems of police accountability by implementing a voter-approved measure that will create a new standard for civilian oversight of the police. We cannot ease up our pressure. We must continue to demand that our leaders who can make a direct impact on these systems do exactly that.

Accountability was the bare minimum George Floyd deserved. But what he and countless others like him deserved more was justice.
In six months, Mayor LaToya Cantrell will be on the ballot once again, asking voters for a second term in office.

But when you ask most people in New Orleans about the fall election, theres a good chance their response will be, What mayors race?

New Orleans voters are famously loyal to their mayors, returning each of the last seven to office for a second term or beyond. Even so, most of those reelection contests drew at least one serious challenger.

This time appears to be shaping up differently.

With less than three months left until qualifying begins July 14, no one with significant political standing, name recognition or fundraising prowess has laid the groundwork needed to mount a campaign. The only organized opposition to Cantrell's reelection bid is a group of businesspeople who have been unhappy with her coronavirus restrictions, and even they have yet to find a potential candidate. That's meant little campaigning  or even public posturing  among the city's political class.

Meanwhile, there has been intense jockeying for seats on the New Orleans City Council. An at-large seat, vacated by Jason Williams after he was elected District Attorney, offers a potentially easier path to citywide office, and has drawn interest from political veterans, including former State Sen. JP Morrell and City Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer.

The city's first female mayor, Cantrell heads into the final stretch before qualifying with several major advantages to stave off competition, observers say.

Beyond the difficulty of unseating an incumbent, the various crises her administration has faced  including the Hard Rock hotel collapse, a cyberattack on city government and the difficulties of navigating the coronavirus pandemic  were driven largely by forces beyond her control. Her job was to react and muster the force of the city's government for its residents.

Her outspoken, and at times obstinate, leadership style has worked to her benefit, especially during the pandemic, which required public officials to set restrictions to control the spread of the disease.

Her setbacks, including a scandal in the city's permitting department, the revelation that she hadn't paid some federal taxes and some losses on ballot measures, were all overshadowed by the pandemic and the city's response to it. That makes it difficult for challengers to build a narrative against her, observers said.

And despite the challenges, the mayor has maintained a high approval rating among the city's residents.

I think the mayor is in an incredible position of strength post-COVID, and only a political novice would attempt a run against her at this point, said Tyronne Walker, a political consultant and the DA's chief administrative officer. Walker was also a senior advisor and communications director for former Mayor Mitch Landrieu.

+5 LaToya Cantrell's first year as New Orleans mayor: See breakdown of her wins and losses For generations, the mayor of New Orleans was supposed to be a native, a smooth political operator and, it almost goes without saying, a man.

Cantrell campaign manager Maggie Carroll described the mayor as "the leader for our times" and said New Orleanians consider her "the right person to guide New Orleans for the next four years."

"Still, we are gearing up for an innovative campaign whether the mayor has an opponent or not, because Mayor Cantrell looks forward to being accessible to residents in new ways that campaigns provide," Carroll said.

A group of businesspeople who opposed Cantrells restrictions since early in the pandemic  initially voicing their frustrations in a full-page newspaper ad last April  are searching for potential candidates to carry their banner and have narrowed the options down to three people, said former City Councilman Jay Batt.

Batt owns Jos. A Banks clothing stores in the area and said COVID-19 restrictions led to the shuttering of his downtown location.

Its not safe and you cant do business. What are the two primary things that government is supposed to take care of? he said.

Still, even Batt acknowledged it would be a difficult campaign to win.

It's going to be tough, you've got to raise money and knock on the doors," he said. "She has the bully pulpit and she uses it pretty well."

Greg Rigamer, a well-known pollster, said hes conducted several surveys to measure residents' opinions of Cantrell and she has remained strong. His most recent polls, from the fall of 2020, put her favorability in the 70% range.

That matches results released by the Cantrell campaign on Friday: a 72% approval rating.

Rigamer said that position will likely improve as coronavirus rules are relaxed and the city begins to return to normal.

My perspective, reinforced by what I see in surveys, is people think she has a workmanlike attitude, shes working with the resources she has, Rigamer said. "People are sophisticated enough to see that there isnt a silver bullet to solve the problems that a place like New Orleans or Detroit or other places have.

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Cantrell, a Democrat, was elected mayor in 2018 with 60% of the vote, thanks to a broad coalition she built across neighborhoods, races and socioeconomic backgrounds.

The California native earned her local reputation as an advocate for the Broadmoor neighborhood. She first won the district City Council seat representing the area in 2012 against an opponent backed by then-Mayor Mitch Landrieu and other major city officials.

She made the rare leap from district councilmember to mayor five years later and began her time in office fighting for more funding for the Sewerage and Water Board. She also negotiated a pact with state and local officials to redirect $50 million in tourism tax revenues to the city for infrastructure needs. Tens of millions more will be redirected each year.

Cantrell has committed to expanding programs for children and families, and in the past year, has worked to provide resources for businesses and residents struggling with the economic devastation of COVID-19.

Shes taken heat for some parts of her agenda. Voters shot down her plan last year to shift property taxes from the New Orleans Public Library to economic development and early-childhood education. Shes also has a mixed track record when it comes to getting her political allies elected, including failed endorsements for Keva Landrum over Williams.

Cheron Brylski, a local political consultant, said many voters have found themselves opposing specific initiatives but supporting the mayor. Broadly speaking, policy skirmishes have taken a back seat to the confidence Cantrell gained because of her handling of the pandemic.

Mardi Gras accelerated the early spread of the coronavirus locally, sending New Orleans' cases, and deaths, to some of the highest per capita in the nation in early March. Cantrell closed businesses and put a stay-at-home mandate in place, telling residents "the more people who stay at home, the more lives we will save."

She also faced questions from the national media about whether New Orleans was to blame for holding Carnival at all. The criticism, broadly seen by New Orleans residents as unjustified, put Cantrell in the position of defending the city against outside attacks at a time when the virus was raging.

Throughout the pandemic, Cantrell kept stricter rules in place to curb the virus than were enforced elsewhere in the state, citing the citys status as an early hotspot and the toll the virus was taking on Black residents. Some business owners loudly criticized her decisions, but the Cantrell administration stood firm.

LaToya Cantrell's campaign war chest is growing; see how it compares to other incumbents New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell added $156,000 to her re-election war chest last year and ended 2020 with more than $360,000 in the bank, ca

Silas Lee, a strategist and Xavier University professor, and veteran pollster who conducted the poll for the Cantrell campaign, touted the citys low infection rate as proof Cantrell made the right calls. New Orleans is now averaging about 18 new cases per day, compared to 444 during a peak in April 2020. The city also ranks second in Louisiana when it comes to vaccinations, which suggests a citywide campaign to convince people to get inoculated has been working.

It was already challenging, and without someone making the tough decisions, it could have been much worse than people imagined, said Lee, who managed Cantrells polling in her first election.

LaToya Cantrell: Abide by coronavirus restrictions or New Orleans will be shut down New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell warned a rise in new coronavirus cases could lead the administration to reintroduce restrictions on gatherin

The blow to the city's economy also has deterred challengers who might have otherwise jumped in the race, said Karen Carvin Shachat, a veteran strategist who helped the mayor get elected in 2018. "People are just trying to come out from a year of isolation in the pandemic, and are focusing on getting their businesses running or keeping them afloat, getting their children back in school, and going back to normal."

Mayor Cantrell announces Saints game day restrictions New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announces city restrictions on tailgating and fan attendance at Saints home games. (Photo by David Grunfeld)

Even without COVID, it would be difficult for a challenger to beat Cantrell. The last incumbent mayor to lose re-election was Robert Maestri, in 1946, after a marked decline in city services and rising public dissatisfaction in his third term. Even Ray Nagin, unpopular with many residents after Hurricane Katrina, won a decisive re-election victory over Landrieu  then the lieutenant governor  in 2006, despite Landrieus popularity and his nearly $2 million in fundraising.

Historically in this city, disaster mayors fare very well, said Morrell, who has frequently been mentioned as an eventual candidate for the top spot in City Hall.

+2 'I will not be bullied': LaToya Cantrell firm in decisions about coronavirus stay-home orders Mayor LaToya Cantrell on Monday offered the strongest defense yet of her decisions last week to extend stay-home restrictions in New Orleans t

Cantrell is sitting on a war chest of more than $427,000. Thats far less than the $1.4 million Landrieu or Nagin had six months before their re-elections, but nearly twice what she had heading into her first run.

Carroll said much of Cantrell's fundraising over the past year had been dedicated to Forward Together New Orleans, a nonprofit foundation she set up for her transition after initially being elected mayor. It has be focused on philanthropy, particularly during the pandemic.

The mayor also has a political action committee, Action New Orleans, though it will be forbidden to spend more than $5,000 on her reelection effort.

Shachat said there is still time for challengers to emerge, but she doesn't expect any to be formidable.

For anyone to challenge the mayor at this late date, it would have to be someone who has their own money, or their own name recognition, Shachat said.

Editor's note: This story was updated on April 25, 2021, to clarify that the poll conducted by Silas Lee was on behalf of Mayor LaToya Cantrell's re-election campaign and not the Cantrell administration.
NEVIN TONWSHIP, Ind. (WTHI) - And a clean up day took place at the Fontanet department.

It was only for Nevins Township residents.

Vigo County Solid Waste Management District provided labor and dumpsters to their community.

This was a time where people could throw away items like furniture, mattresses, and large toys.

These type of events are paid for by waste management instead of tax payer dollars.

"A lot of times people can't take their stuff to the landfill and by having these cleanups being brought to them where we have the dumpsters here it does make it a lot easier. And it may encourage them to clean up some stuff in areas that do need cleaned up," says the County Commissioner Brendan Kearns.

They plan on having 10 more events like these this year to help out the community.
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By Sarah White and Gwenaelle Barzic

PARIS (Reuters) - Two of France's richest businessmen are close to a deal over media and publishing company Lagardere that would hit pause on their attempts to cherry-pick its assets for several years, three sources close to the discussions said on Sunday.

Vincent Bollore, the top shareholder in Lagardere via his Vivendi group, and luxury goods tycoon Bernard Arnault, also a Lagardere investor, have been at the centre of a tussle over the firm and its influential media outlets for months.

The saga has transfixed top political circles in France a year ahead of a presidential election, with some in President Emmanuel Macron's camp fearing that Bollore could seize assets like Lagardere's Europe 1 radio and build up a powerful ring-wing outlet that would go against his campaign.

The three sources familiar with the talks said that Bollore, LVMH boss Arnault and Lagardere's CEO Arnaud Lagardere are finalizing a deal that would include a five-year pact not to dismantle the company.

The details of the agreement and shareholder alliances as well as what would happen to some Lagardere assets, such as Europe 1 and the Journal du Dimanche (JDD) newspaper, have not yet been finalised, the people added.

They cautioned that the deal had not yet been signed and that the talks could come off the boil at the last minute.

Lagardere is due to hold a board meeting on Monday, the sources said.

Arnaud Lagardere, who runs the indebted company founded by his late father, would be ready to let go of an arcane "commandite" structure as part of the deal, the three sources added.

That set-up gave him the power of veto over many key decisions despite holding only 7% of the shares, and had been a major obstacle to any takeover attempts of the company.

ARNAUD AT THE HELM

The "commandite" has been the target of criticism from hedge fund Amber Capital, which has waged an activist campaign against Lagardere's management over its governance.

Story continues

Vivendi holds 27% of Lagardere, ahead of Amber with 20% and Qatar's sovereign wealth fund with 13%, while Bernard Arnault has just under 8% and has also invested in Arnaud Lagardere's personal holding company.

"This deal would help clarify the governance problem. There were two layers before, now there would only be one," one of the people close to the talks said.

It is not yet clear, however, how the pact can be cemented to avoid takeover bids on Lagardere, including by Vivendi, and whether there will be get-out clauses. Sources have previously said that Amber and the Qataris are keen to eventually sell out.

Under the deal being discussed, Bollore could be a big winner. Vivendi could get three Lagardere board seats, one of the sources said.

Arnaud Lagardere would get to run the company for five years, the three source said. Les Echos newspaper reported on Saturday that his stake could also be increased to 14%.

Bernard Arnault had been keen to snap up the JDD newspaper or Paris Match magazine, sources previously told Reuters.

The truce would at least meet one of the billionaire's goals, which had been to help Arnaud Lagardere keep his job at the top and avoid a full break-up of the group, another of the sources familiar with the talks said.

Arnault's investment has so far been profitable, this second source said.

Bernard Arnault had been a close friend of the company's founder, Jean-Luc Lagardere.

(Reporting by Sarah White and Gwenaelle Barzic; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Working from home View(s):

Somewhere around the early part of 2000, a Sri Lankan company set the tone for what is driving the corporate culture today in these pandemic times  working from home. Somewhere around the early part of 2000, a Sri Lankan company set the tone for what is driving the corporate culture today in these pandemic times  working from home.

The company into management consulting and undertaking other assignments operated an office in a Colombo hotel where its fully-hired staff met just once a week to discuss work and projects and thereafter worked from home. The Business Times ran a story at that time to highlight this ground-breaking initiative with a picture showing a female consultant with a towel on her shoulder working on her laptop at home  to illustrate the work from home ethos.

More than a decade later, working from home has become a reality and with another bout of COVID-19 infections triggered by the New Year holiday rush, more and more companies are instilling a working-from-home culture.

As I pondered over these issues, laughter from under the margosa tree drew my attention. The trio was back from their villages after the long Avurudu week, swapping tales and eating sweetmeats.

Api shok kalayak gatha kala gedara. COVID thibbata, api avurudu kreeda pavaththuwa (We had a wonderful time at home. Despite COVID-19 we organised a few games), said Kussi Amma Sera.

Gedara yana-kota bus tikak pirila thibba. Eth eka kamak ne, gedara ne giye (There was a bit of a crowd in the buses when I went back home. But it was worth it, as I was going home), noted Serapina.

Game nedeyo saha yaluwo hamu wunama santhosai. Goda kalekata passe-ne nivadu giye (It was good to see family and friends in the village. It was a holiday after a long time), said Mabel Rasthiyadu.

The kitchen was filled with sweetmeats brought home by the trio and as I walked into the kitchen to pick up a kokis, the phone rang. It was Karapincha Perera, the tea-kade gossip on the line.

Aiyo, though they say sugar prices have come down, it is the same price in the shops, he said, beginning a conversation on what turned out to be on the rising cost of living.

That is because the controlled price needs to be gazetted and that hasnt been done, I said, adding that the sugar tax (levy) was reduced to 25 cents but that change is not reflected in the cost of a cup of tea or food items using sugar. What do you mean? he asked. Well traders wont change the prices unless there is a gazette that gives legal effect to the controlled price, I said.

He also spoke about dhal prices which have also been reduced to a tax of 25 cents and other rising costs of consumer items before winding up the conversation.

Thereafter, I picked up the work-from-home culture and found that many companies  particularly in the IT sector  have virtually gone permanent with this system for their staff. This week, Calcey Technologies, described as a Sri Lankan boutique software engineering firm with roots in California, announced its decision to transform itself into what it called a remote-first company.

Calcey said it was able to lay the foundation for a successful remote work culture that came into its own from the second quarter of 2020 onward.

Though the entire country was locked down, we were able to support all our clients without any disruptions. Our performance in 2020 was outstanding on all fronts, with client satisfaction, employee satisfaction and our financial performance all reaching our best levels ever. That is why we sought to transform ourselves into a remote-first company, with the full support of our team members, who overwhelmingly voted in favour of the decision, said Mangala Karunaratne, Founder and CEO of Calcey Technologies.

Before the pandemic even started making headlines, we listened to suggestions by our employees and implemented a once-a-week work-from-home facility. It proved to be a great idea, he added.

While there are huge benefits of working from home like not wasting time in traffic, being more productive and able to juggle work and home duties, one of the challenges is that Sri Lankan labour laws are not designed to cater to this type of work environment.

At a recent forum organised by the Employers Federation of Ceylon (EFC) to discuss IT-integrated remote work culture: Pandemic and Beyond, Sewwandi Jayatunga Wijesekera, Head of Solutions (Legal and HR) and Assistant Director General of the EFC, said that none of the labour laws of

Sri Lanka has specific provisions pertaining to new ways of work such as remote work, compelling employers to manage within the existing legal framework.

She observed that moving forward, laws and regulations need to be changed to ensure work agreements incorporate provisions related to remote work in case of such a necessity. All remote work policies should be employee-friendly, feasible and practical without compromising on the safety of sensitive internal data and information, said Ms. Wijesekera, adding that in formulating such policies, work-life balance, occupational safety and health and communication related challenges should be taken into account.

Working from the comfort of your home has many advantages as you can multi-task your office work with homework. But there are other challenges.

At the same forum, Udeshika Ratnavira, Vice President, Human Resources and Administration at WSO2 alluded to some of these issues. Employees were missing out on the social experience, their mental health was affected, brainstorming sessions were difficult on the phone and there were domestic interventions impacting work which we had to take stock of, she said, which implies that some employee interaction may be deemed necessary.

Nevertheless, with COVID-19 infections on the rise now with clusters emerging in several towns largely because crowds gathered during shopping and at bus and railway stations ahead and during the Avurudu, working from home is a reality for many IT firms.

The pandemic is unlikely to abate in the next few months since COVID-19 cases are surging in neighbouring India and a large part of Europe is facing another wave of infections and enforcing lockdowns. This is at a time when Sri Lanka is trying to attract tourists from India under a new travel bubble (though it was unclear whether this has been suspended or not, due to the surge of infections in India) and Europe.

As I sipped the cinnamon-flavoured tea brought by Kussi Amma Sera, I thought about the enormous business opportunities this has created for companies in the services sector from those seeking to work from home, like purchasing or hiring computers, setting up workstations at home with new furniture and the need for speedy telecommunication connections and related paraphernalia.
An overview of Canadian immigration programs for nurses plus new temporary PR pathways available to healthcare workers in Canada.

How to immigrate to Canada as a nurse An overview of Canadian immigration programs for nurses plus new temporary PR pathways available to healthcare workers in Canada.

How to immigrate to Canada as a nurse An overview of Canadian immigration programs for nurses plus new temporary PR pathways available to healthcare workers in Canada.

How to immigrate to Canada as a nurse An overview of Canadian immigration programs for nurses plus new temporary PR pathways available to healthcare workers in Canada. Michael Schwartz Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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The pandemic has exacerbated the need for nurses and other health professionals in Canada. Even before coronavirus swept the globe, Canada had been experiencing a shortage of nurses, and as such there are a number of immigration pathways targeting these healthcare professionals.

Nurses fall into one of two categories in the Canadian governments National Occupation Classification (NOC). Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are NOC 3012, skill level A, while licensed practical nurses are NOC 3233, skill level B. These skill levels are important, because they help determine what kinds of immigration programs that nurses can be eligible for.

As a result of the pandemic, Canada received fewer immigrants in 2020 than it had anticipated. But Canada still wants immigrants. In fact, it recently increased its immigration targets to the highest ever over 1.2 million from now until the end of 2023. One way to help reach this total is by making it easier for individuals already in the country to make their temporary status permanent.

Find Out if Youre Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Limited-time pathways for healthcare workers and students in Canada

On April 14, Canada unveiled six new streams for people currently working in the country. Two of these streams are dedicated to healthcare professionals, such as nurses. One is specifically for French speakers. Nursing student graduates may be able to take advantage of the new pathways for international students.

Canada is accepting up to 20,000 new permanent residents working in healthcare positions in the country, through a temporary program starting May 6. The application window will close on November 5, or when the intake cap is full, whichever comes first. The stream for French speakers is open to accept an unlimited number of permanent residents. Eligible candidates need one year of Canadian work experience in one of 40 eligible healthcare professions, and they need to be working at the time of their application. For their language requirements, they need a CLB or NCLC of at least 4 in order to be eligible.

These pathways for foreign nurses join the several that already exist at both the federal and provincial levels.

Do you live in Canada? Apply for PR under these news pathways!

Express Entry for nurses

Two of Canadas leading existing federal economic immigration programs are the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). To be eligible for these programs, it is important to have skilled work experience.

The FSWP requires an applicant to have at least one year of continuous work experience in an occupation with an NOC skill level of 0, A, or B. This experience can be from anywhere, but must be within the last ten years. An FSWP applicant also must score a CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French on all four language competencies: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. They must additionally score at least 67/100 on the six-factor test that assesses candidates education level, language skills, and whether they have a job in Canada.

The CEC, meanwhile, requires one year of NOC 0, A, or B experience in Canada, within the last three years. Applicants must prove scores, across all four language competencies: CLB or NCLC 7 for people applying with NOC 0 or A occupations, or CLB/NCLC 5 for people with NOC B occupations. Neither program requires a person to have a job offer, but having one can significantly increase ones likelihood to receive an ITA.

IRCC operates the FSWP and CEC using a tool called Express Entry, which is designed to process 80 per cent of completed applications in six months or less. EE uses what it calls the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to score and rank different applications. The CRS assigns a score to candidates based on a variety of factors, similar to those used in the six-factor test for the FSWP. Periodically, IRCC conducts draws in the Express Entry pool, selecting the highest scoring EE profiles and sends them ITAs.

Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

PNPs for nurses

There are also several Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for which nurses may qualify. Sometimes, there is a stream dedicated specifically for nurses only. Other pathways target several health professions, or they are open to skilled workers in general. Nurses fall into two categories that makes them prime candidates for economic-class immigration. Firstly, they are in high demand, and secondly they are working in a skilled occupation. New Brunswick Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN), British Columbias Healthcare Professional (Skills Immigration and Express Entry pathways) as well as Quebecs Regular Skilled Worker Program and the Quebec Experience Program are all avenues which nurses can pursue.

Multiple provinces have more than one program that welcomes nurses. Sometimes the federal and provincial programs interact. For example, a province may align some of its own streams with Express Entry. Streams to which this linkage happens are known as enhanced. If a person receives a nomination from an enhanced program, that person gains 600 points on their CRS score, effectively ensuring they will receive an ITA.

Find Out if Youre Eligible for Canadian Immigration

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
Demi Lawrence reports on Georgetown County for The Post and Courier. She graduated from Ball State University in 2020, and previously was an intern at The Herald Bulletin in Anderson, Indiana and Indianapolis Monthly.
A quarter of a century ago this Wednesday, a man shot Zoe Hall in Port Arthur, Tasmania. Shed been assigned as my mentor at the law firm where we worked. Zoe was a talented lawyer and a generous soul. She would be 53 today, and I imagine her with a loving family and admiring colleagues.

The same man murdered six-year-old Alannah and three-year-old Madeline Mikac, along with their mother Nanette. Their father, Walter, established the Alannah and Madeleine Foundation, which works to keep children safe from violence.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the massacre at Port Arthur, Tasmania. Credit:David Whitley

Yet when Australia remembers the event, we are less likely to hear the names of Zoe, Alannah, Madeline and the other 32 victims than we are to hear about the murderer. Media outlets will be tempted to show his name, to tell his backstory, to print photographs of a man who has never shown remorse for his crimes.

It doesnt have to be this way. In ancient cultures, the greatest punishment was known as damnatio memoriae  condemnation of memory. Society deliberately blotted them out of the record. Their name was taboo. Their stories were erased.
'Coupon kid': Money blogger Jordon Cox

Millions of households now regularly use the internet to do their shopping  and although lockdown restrictions have eased, many are expected to continue to shop from their homes rather than venture on to their local high street.

Apart from convenience, one big advantage of buying goods online is that you can use cashback websites to cut your shopping costs.

These popular websites provide 'money back' offers on all types of products from big-brand retailers, including Marks & Spencer, Sky, Argos and Tesco.

In effect, a percentage of your spending is paid back into your online cashback account, which you can then either empty into your bank account or convert into shopping vouchers.

To get the cashback, shoppers need to remember to first click on the cashback website and then look for deals from the retailer they want to buy from.

Money blogger Jordon Cox, who is known as Britain's Coupon Kid, is a big fan of cashback. He says: 'One extra click through to the retailer of your choice can save you money. Using a cashback website each time you buy online could add up to savings equivalent to hundreds of pounds a year.'

Cashback websites TopCashback and Quidco say their customers save 300 and 325 on average a year, respectively.

TopCashback and Quidco are the two biggest providers, but others include My Money Pocket  a sister company of TopCashback  and Widilo.

TopCashback and Quidco offer deals from more than 5,000 retailers and have over 10 million subscribers each. They tend to offer the best deals, but not in all cases. For example, TopCashback pays 8 per cent cashback on Adidas items, rather than between 6 per cent and 6.6 per cent from other providers.

Quidco pays 210 when you take out a phone contract with Tesco Mobile, but other websites do not offer this deal.

Widilo and Quidco, meanwhile, offer 3 per cent on all Halfords transactions, whereas TopCashback does not offer cashback with the bike retailer.

And TopCashback and Quidco both offer 16 per cent cashback to new customers of online clothes retailer Asos, as well as 4 per cent to existing customers. Widilo pays new customers 3 per cent and existing customers 1 per cent.

There are three ways to shop via cashback websites.

Shoppers can sign up to several websites and then compare deals each time. Alternatively, they can pick one website and accept it will not always get them the best deal available. Or they can take advantage of the price guarantees offered by TopCashback and Quidco. These mean that if you spot a better deal on a different website, they'll make up the difference if you let them know.

Signing up to a cashback website is free, so it may feel like there is little downside to using one. After all, you are effectively receiving free money just for shopping.

But Sara Williams, of money blog Debt Camel, urges caution. She says: 'It's easy to think you are getting a bargain, but it can result in people spending more than they intended  simply to get the biggest cashback.'
After my February column about a new book on lesbian nuns appeared on NJ.com and in The Jersey Journal, I decided to batten down the hatches and prepare for incoming fire. But nary a nasty e-mail nor a terrible Tweet was lobbed. On a phone call, someone made an aside reference insinuating, Is nothing sacred?

Then an e-mail arrived from one of the nuns featured in Love Tenderly, the recent book published by New Ways Ministry, a Catholic LGBT advocacy group.

I wrote my story under a pseudonym and I appreciate your taking the time to write such a thoughtful, even tender, review, she said. It certainly is filled with sacred stories!

Then I received a letter from a nun -- correctly a woman religious or sister -- I have known for decades who was not happy that the column had appeared in a secular newspaper. She offered that other sisters and laypeople had contacted her. Coupled with the press exposing clerical sexual abuse, writing about lesbian nuns, she said, seems to worsen the situation in the eyes of many of the faithful.

I suspect she represents what many readers might have felt and did not want to express.

But other women religious have different takes on the topic.

I would say there is still a lot of silence around sexuality in religious life, said Blauvelt Dominican Sister Arlene Flaherty.

Through the years, though, she has noticed significant change.

Religious formation over the past 40 years has done fairly well in trying to integrate sexuality, spirituality, and the vows (so) attempts to avoid the process of identifying as a sexual being is a lot harder to do whatever is your sexual orientation, she said.

Sister Jeannine Gramick, a member of the Sisters of Loretto, wrote the forward to "Love Tenderly."

Loretto Sister Jeannine Gramick, the one U.S. sister who has done the most to promote LGBT acceptance in the church and co-founded New Ways Ministry, echoed Flaherty.

It (the column) explains well the difference in perceptions and acceptance of lesbian women in religious life now, as contrasted with 35 years ago when the first book about lesbian nuns appeared, she said. The times have changed and so has the knowledge about sexuality on the part of most segments of U.S. society.

Gramick has endured significant pushback from the Vatican and Catholic bishops but is unbowed. She wrote the forward to Love Tenderly.

Many in the Catholic community believe that an honest transparency on the topic is the best approach.

Wanting to keep such discussions out of the public forum is the same kind of thinking that causes lay people to be suspicious of the church, causing the public to believe or suspect untrue situations or situations being worse than they are, said Marlene Cunningham of Carlstadt, my cousin, who was educated in Catholic institutions through graduate school, where she earned a degree in rehabilitation counseling.

Arent we trying to be as church open and transparent? the Rev. Robert Bourcy, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Mendon, New York, and my seminary classmate, asked rhetorically. This is not a surprise topic or issue for folks. This is 2021 and we have to be upfront about who we are as Gospel-oriented disciples of the Lord.

This is the issue with the religious community. Sweep issues under the rug, said Nicholas St. George of Asbury Park, recently retired as a counselor at Mercy Center in the same town.

I was surprised that it was not the content of your article but that it appeared in the secular press that led to the criticism, a woman religious from Bergen County said.

She mentioned that publishing in the secular press can reach a wider audience.

And Cunningham added that religious publications are not necessarily as honest, straight-forward and unbiased as the secular press can be.

A number of religious congregations are now planning programs about sexuality, LGBTQ issues, diversity, and the intersectionality of oppressions, Gramick noted.

This book has ignited a spark that was ready to burst into flame, she said.

Flaherty got to the heart of the issue.

Sexuality, she said, no matter whose it is, will always get sensationalized. Put this reality together with peoples outdated image of nuns, the taboo that encircles this topic, and the dis-ease that many men and women religious continue to experience in congregational discussion about sexuality, and you can understand why this topic is easy to misrepresent and blow out of proportion.

She considers the creation of spaces for open and respectful discussion and reflection on human sexuality, especially within the church community, a way of living the gospel of justice.

The Rev. Alexander Santora is the pastor of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph, 400 Willow Ave., Hoboken, NJ 07030. Email: padrealex@yahoo.com; Twitter: @padrehoboken.
The Telegraph

The Duke of Sussexs HRH title is to be removed from a placard at a new exhibition displaying his mothers wedding gown after it was added in error. Prince Harry and Prince William lent two dresses that had belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales to the public display at Kensington Palace. Placards originally described them as "Lent by HRH the Duke of Cambridge and HRH the Duke of Sussex". But the Royal Collection Trust has now admitted that the younger brothers title should not have been used and
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 21:34:20|Editor: huaxia

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A tuk-tuk is seen in Beirut, Lebanon, on April 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

BEIRUT, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-year-old Jamal Abu Omar bought months ago a tuk-tuk for around 2,400 U.S. dollars, a huge investment for him but, in his opinion, a necessary one to secure a source of livelihood for his family amid the ongoing economic crisis in Lebanon.

Now Omar gets busy during wee hours of day by loading his three-wheel vehicle with breads and delivering them to dozens of shops in several towns in the Bekaa, eastern Lebanon.

"Despite the difficult situation we are facing, I think I can make good money out of my tuk-tuk," Omar told Xinhua, who had to buy the tuk-tuk in installments and believed it was one of the wisest decisions he ever made.

The low price and low fuel consumption are the main features that attract the buyers, said Wissam Araji, who runs a tuk-tuk store in central Bekaa, adding that his store sold more than 600 tuk-tuks since the beginning of the year.

People who want to go on a small trip in nature can also rent a tuk-tuk at Araji's store at the rate of 75,000 Lebanese pounds (around 6 dollars) for every seven hours.

The rise of tuk-tuk sale struck a notable contrast against the plummeting in the sale of cars, which decreased by 96.7 percent in 2020.

Adham Jaber, 33, who uses his tuk-tuk to transport students, said the vehicle is smooth, durable, comfortable and, most importantly, cheap.

"The tuk-tuk should be called 'the queen of savings' as its spare parts are low priced and it has a low gasoline consumption of 20 liters for a trip of 750 kilometers," he said.

Adel al-Abdullah, supervisor at a delivery service center in the town of Saadnayel, told Xinhua that he replaced his motorcycles with tuk-tuk vehicles, which have become the most effective means of transportation.

He added that this multi-tasking vehicle is used in the movement of passengers and transportation of various types of goods, while its spare parts are available when needed at reasonable prices.

Amjad Abu Huwaili, who lost his job two years ago at a tourist resort in Zahle, said he sold an ounce of gold which he had offered to his wife on their wedding day to pay for the down payment of a tuk-tuk, which gives him a daily income that exceeds 100,000 LBP.

"The tuk-tuk is a great idea to generate a daily income for my family. I can also turn it, with some adjustments, into a small kiosk to sell coffee and sandwiches," he said.

The dire economic conditions encouraged the Lebanese to look for creative ideas to generate a decent revenue with the least investment amid the current increase in unemployment and poverty rates. Enditem
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A top European Union official said Sunday that Americans who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 should be able to travel to Europe by summer, easing existing travel restrictions.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told The New York Times that the union's 27 members would accept, unconditionally, all those who are vaccinated with vaccines that are approved" by the European Medicines Agency. The agency has approved the three vaccines used in the United States.

"The Americans, as far as I can see, use European Medicines Agency-approved vaccines," von der Leyen said. "This will enable free movement and travel to the European Union."

She did not say when travel could resume. The EU largely shut down nonessential travel more than a year ago.

European Union countries agreed this month to launch COVID-19 travel passes that would permit people who have been vaccinated against the disease, recovered from an infection or have tested negative to travel more easily.

(Reporting by Brad Heath; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
A majority of Americans approve of U.S. President Joe Biden's overall performance as he nears the end of his first 100 days in office, two major national polls show, with positive marks for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and negative reviews for controlling the surge of migrants at the border with Mexico.

A Washington Post-ABC News survey shows 52 percent of adults give Biden a favorable review compared to 42 percent who disapprove. An NBC News poll gives Biden a 53-39 percent favorable rating. Both polls show the country's deep political divide has not changed from the contentious 2020 election in which Biden defeated then-President Donald Trump by narrowly winning several key political battleground states en route to a four-year term in the White House.

According to the polls, Biden wins some of his highest approval marks for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 226 million vaccinations having been administered and more than 93 million people fully vaccinated. The Post-ABC poll said 64 percent of adults -- including a third of Republicans -- approved of Biden's handling of the coronavirus crisis. NBC said 69-percent approved.

But Biden's performance standing on other issues is weaker, according to the surveys. The Post-ABC poll said the country's 46th president is winning a 52-percent approval rating for his handling of the economy, while 53 percent disapprove of the way he had dealt with the thousands of migrants from Central America and Mexico who have tried to cross into the United States. Biden, reversing a Trump policy, has allowed unaccompanied minors to stay in the U.S. rather than expelling them.

The NBC poll showed Biden with his highest marks, aside from the pandemic, at 52 percent on both the economy and uniting the country and 49 percent on improving race relations. His lowest scores came on dealing with China (35 percent), restricting guns (34 percent) and dealing with border security and immigration (33 percent).

The Post-ABC poll showed 90 percent of Democrats approved of Bidens performance compared with 13 percent of Republicans, while the NBC survey said 90 percent of Democrats, 61 percent of independents and only 9 percent of Republicans approve of his performance.


A great white shark could end up in Europe this summer after taking a wrong turn, scientists have said.

The 17ft female shark has become only the second in history to cross the Atlantic.

The 3,541lb (253 stone) female shark, named Nukumi, usually swims up and down the east coast of America and Canada.

But in an unusual move, the 50-year-old matriarch - the largest ever tagged in the region by scientists monitoring it - took a swerve east, across the Atlantic.

Migratory species like great white sharks rarely cross the Mid-Atlantic Ridge - a barrier in the middle of the ocean - but Nukumi did just that earlier this month.

And the shark has kept going, surfacing long enough for the tag in its dorsal fin to send a GPS location back to a team tracking its movement at science organisation OCEARCH.

The only other great white shark tracked making the crossing was Lydia, in April 2014, which surprised scientists with a journey to the coast of Portugal.

Nukumis two-month voyage has so far taken the shark to 1,700 nautical miles off British shores and experts said it could capable of reaching the UK coast.

They believe the great white may be on the move because it is pregnant and looking for a place to give birth away from its aggressive male counterparts.

Nukumi the shark is shown being tagged in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, by OCEARCH in October 2020 (Chris Ross /OCEARCH/SWNS)

OCEARCH's chief scientist Dr Bob Hueter said: At this point in her track, Nukumi has crossed from the western Atlantic to the eastern Atlantic over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the dividing feature between west and east.

She has been swimming eastward for about two months since she left the US coast off the state of North Carolina.

As of her last known location, Nukumi was still about 1,700 nautical miles from the UK.

Now, that is less than her distance from the US coast, so she is capable of reaching the UK coast.

But we would not predict that she will do that, as white sharks are rare off the UK.

If she does not turn back soon, she might go to offshore islands or seamounts in the eastern Atlantic, places like the Azores.

Or perhaps she will head towards the opening into the Mediterranean Sea, as there are white sharks in the Med.

But again, none of our other sharks have done that. All of this is speculation that awaits more tag locations.

If she behaves like other sharks that have shown a similar pattern, she will make a turn and loop back into the western Atlantic.

Nukumis live tracking page, showing her progress across the Atlantic (OCEARCH/SWNS)

But we have only watched a few sharks do this, so we can't say for sure that Nukumi will follow the same migratory pattern until she gives us more locations from her satellite tag.

Nukumi is the largest white shark tagged in the Northwest Atlantic by OCEARCH to date, and researchers believe it is over 50 years old judging by its large scars.

Tracking from non-profit OCEARCH, which attached a tag to the sharks dorsal fin in Nova Scotia in October 2020, shows it travels on average 44 miles each day.

The sharks are given a position and temperature tag which uses satellites to send their location each time they reach the surface.

Nukumi left the North Carolina coast on 22 February and since being tagged has travelled about 5,570 miles.

The shark crossed the ridge around 5 April, and has pinged a number of times since.

Dr Hueter said one concern experts had was the fishing activity out in the areas Nukumi is travelling in, where huge fleets of longliners fish for other species.

He said the great white could tear through fishing gear, but that any interaction with hooks and lines could also pose a severe risk to her survival.

Additional reporting by SWNS
No one greeted the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, a head of state, when he arrived at the White House last Friday for the first state visit President Bidens overseers allowed him to have since his installation. A door guard had to admit Mr. Suga and he stood around in the foyer surely wondering if he had the date wrong or was at the wrong address, while someone summoned the Vice President from somewhere.

Mr. Suga then stood before the press while a grim-faced Mrs. Heiress nattered on about the terribly gun-violent country he was visiting, that there was no question that this gun violence must end and how she, that she and Mr. Biden were thinking of the families of the gun-violence victims -- all as if she and her fellow leftists hadnt spent the last 12 years creating entirely new and inventive ways of failing to stem the violence that they birthed and nurtured to terrifying adulthood (Im looking at you, Barack-FBI-CIA-NSA-BLM-Antifa).

Then she smiled and tossed her Breck-girl hair and welcomed the Prime Minister of Japan and oh my gah, who are these people? Granny and Uncle Jed had better company manners. You cant see Mr. Sugas entire face, but his eyes look confused about the fresh hell hed been dropped into and he was probably counting the minutes until he could leave.

I was embarrassed for Mr. Suga and the Japanese who had to watch their leader be treated as if he didnt matter. Whos in charge of protocol in Mr. Bidens White House? Is it the same person who led the Dalai Lama through the kitchen and out the back door by the garbage bags after his state visit with Obama?

After luncheon, Mr. Biden and Mr. Suga gave a press conference timed to the movements of the Prague Astronomical Clock. There was no smiling or rapport of any kind, and it had the jerky quality of a middle school claymation project.

Mr. Biden called on a reporter who asked about his administrations inability to focus on more than one agenda item at a time. Did he want to say anything to the people about his lack of progress on gun control and police reform because they had to wait while he pursued infrastructure, while at the same time people are horrified by the mass shootings and police shootings like the one in Chicago recently, and does he feel any need to re-prioritize his agenda?

Mr. Bidens answer was all about guns. Im paraphrasing here, but he insisted he was the only one to ever do this and that on guns and bans on assault weapons and clips that hold more than 10 bullets. As he got going his voice got louder and he started repeating himself, and I quote: I strongly support, I strongly support, the universal background checks. [snip] Its a national embarrassment. It is a national embarrassment whats going on. [snip] Every single day (smacks the podium). Every single day (smacks the podium again) theres a mass shooting in the United States. [snip] Its a national embarrassment. [snip] Who in Gods name needs a weapon that can hold 100 rounds or 40 rounds or 20 rounds? Its just wrong and Im not going to give up til its done.

Until whats done, exactly? He doesnt say. And I personally suspect that the real reason the first row of the press corps sits 6 feet away is so they dont get spit on when he mangles all the sibilants in his speeches.

All the while Mr. Suga is just standing there looking at nothing, wearing the same half-smile I wear when Im standing in line at the DMV so I dont look like a furious biotch, which would mean that all the DMV ladies hate me before I even get up to the counter.

Mr. Biden turns to Mr. Suga and asks him if he has a question he wants to offer. Er, not a question. Uh, recognize someone. Mr. Suga called on a reporter who asked him what he and the president talked about during their meeting. Mr. Suga said he explained all his opinions and positions to Mr. Biden, who I think understood my points. Who I think understood my points? Thats what I say to my husband after Ive told my Dachshund that he must stop pooping in the house, I think he understood my points.

The Reuter reporter upon whom Mr. Biden called asked about Irans determination to start up the uranium enrichment festivities again. Mr. Biden looked down at his prepared statement and read the words in a halting voice. Then he looked at Mr. Suga. Then looked at the audience. Then he looked at Mr. Suga again. Then he looked around and raised his hand in a Whats supposed to happen now? motion but Mr. Suga was in a boredom coma and couldnt move or speak. His interpreter called on a reporter who asked a question about Covid and the Olympics. Mr. Suga looked down at his paper and read off the answer. Then it was over.

CNN posted a breathless, blow-by-blow account of this press conference on its website and, as I read it, I wondered, Did we watch the same thing? CNNs analysis was akin to the twisty-turvy plot of Interstellar while I was sure I had just watched Plan Nine From Outer Space. I think Ill trust my own lying eyes.

IMAGE: White House photo of Messrs. Biden and Suga, eight feet from each other, masked, with burgers and fries on their plates, while Harris the Heiress (aka the Grim Reaper) sits in a corner without food . [Update: No one will ever model a facial recognition program on my visual recognition skill sets. I've been informed that the woman is a translator. And no, I was not being racist. For a year, I used one of my sister's 4th-grade pictures as my Facebook photo. I thought it was me. -- Andrea]

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Warning: graphic imagery.

New York: A 61-year-old Chinese American man was attacked by a man who kicked him repeatedly in the head in East Harlem, police said.

The man was collecting cans when he was attacked from behind, knocked to the ground and kicked in the head shortly after 8pm Friday. He was taken to Harlem Hospital in critical but stable condition, police said, and remains in a medically induced coma.

Surveillance video released by the police appears to show the attacker stomping on the victims head. The police departments hate crimes task force is investigating the attack, the latest in a troubling rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in New York and around the country.
Devastating epidemic 'may drag Indian economy back to 20 years ago'; China stands ready to help

Global Times) 10:33, April 25, 2021

A health worker takes a swab sample from a vendor to test for COVID-19 at a vegetable market in Mumbai, India, March 18, 2021. (Photo by Fariha Farooqui/Xinhua)

As India suffers its worst humanitarian crisis amid the devastating second wave of COVID-19 with the fastest rise in new daily cases any country has experienced since the outbreak, the Chinese government and enterprises have made goodwill gestures by offering help or donating medical supplies despite sour bilateral ties.

Chinese analysts, who project India's daily new cases may surge to 500,000 in two weeks, called on India to put aside political biases to learn from China in improving testing ability and building makeshift hospitals.

India has been breaking the record of the world's highest daily surge in the past days with more than 346,000 new cases and 2,624 deaths reported in the past 24 hours.

A shortage of medical oxygen, hospital beds and other necessary drugs continued to plague more hospitals in India on Saturday. Several hospitals either stopped admitting new patients due to no oxygen or posting SOS messages for help.

Moolchand Hospital in New Delhi tweeted on Saturday, "Urgent SOS help. We have less than 2 hours of oxygen supply."

Chinese analysts predicted daily new cases in India may peak at 500,000 in the next two weeks, and it needs at least a month optimistically for India to control the second wave. The real numbers are much higher than recorded as many homeless people infected with the virus have not been included, analysts said.

The worsening coronavirus situation in India will also deal a heavy blow to its economy, as its economy may be back to the size it was 20 years ago, and is likely to affect the stability of South Asia, Hu Zhiyong, who has closely followed the coronavirus situation in India since a year ago, told the Global Times on Saturday.

While expressing sympathies to India, the Chinese Foreign Ministry for two consecutive days this week said China is ready to provide support and help according to India's needs, and China is in communication with India on this, a good gesture that Chinese analysts said was the "friendliest signal" China has sent to India recently.

Donations from Chinese companies are also on the way.

With demand for medical oxygen cylinders skyrocketing in India, Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi on Thursday announced it will donate INR 3 Crores to procure more than 1,000 oxygen concentrators for hospitals across India.

The Global Times learned from a source close to the matter on Saturday that a Chinese logistics company plans to donate 300,000 KN95 face masks to India, and the source is contacting recipients in India. A Chinese motorcycle company has donated more than 200,000 masks to a hospital in Delhi, and a Chinese company in the textile industry has purchased a ventilator in China and is sending it to a hospital in India.

Wang Guangfa, a respiratory expert at Peking University First Hospital who shared China's epidemic control and prevention experience with many countries including India last year, told the Global Times on Saturday that with a large population, India's priority is to learn from China on strict prevention and control measures, including improving its testing ability to find more patients, and building field hospitals to quarantine and treat patients.

Wang said that these measures could effectively control the source of infection and cut the virus transmission route as China's experience showed that many patients were detected from testing.

Aside from providing medical supplies, China could help India with testing equipment, testing reagents, construction materials for building makeshift hospitals as well as technical support, Wang said.

A Chinese merchant in India told the Global Times on condition of anonymity that he's concerned Indian government may be reluctant to receive Chinese donations and help, and even if accepted, Indian politicians would not stop fanning the flames of anti-China sentiment for their political gain.

He said that Indian residents did not show any hatred toward Chinese in India, but it's those Indian politicians and media who incite nationalism.

The Times of India reported on Thursday that India was looking to import oxygen from countries in the Gulf and Singapore, but not China even if China said it is ready to help, as China was "not among the countries India was looking to source oxygen from."

India was excluding China's help, Hu said, noting that India should drop its ideological biases and put lives first.

India wants to move closer with Western countries led by the US. But Western countries are busy canceling diplomatic exchanges and suspending flights from India, and the US did not lift its restrictions of exports of vaccine raw materials that India urgently needs, Hu said.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Bianji)
Washington  Corporate tax cuts have been kind to Minnesota's biggest companies. In fact, many of the state's multibillion-dollar, multinational corporations had lower effective tax rates in 2020 than an American making $40,126 in taxable income.

Because of tax-cutting incentives, Minnesota stalwarts Medtronic and Xcel Energy actually showed negative effective tax rates in 2020 corporate filings. Polaris showed an 11.6% rate, lower than the tax rate paid by individuals with taxable income of $9,876.

So pushback against President Joe Biden's plan to raise the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21% to pay for improvements to public roads, bridges, utilities and schools seems natural. It also marks an end to a honeymoon for Biden and business.

"On one hand, [executives] support the goal of improved infrastructure," said

"But using the corporate tax code as a vehicle to do it is shortsighted and would cost U.S. jobs at a moment when we need them."

All of Minnesota's top publicly traded companies enjoyed a lower tax rate on their income in 2020 than they did in 2017, when Congress and former President Donald Trump cut their tax rate from 35% to 21% on domestic revenue. But using additional tax breaks, most of the major businesses actually paid less than the 21% rate in 2020.

The dilemma for policymakers, politicians and private business people is finding viable options to fund the country's long-neglected transportation, education and utility systems, not to mention its woeful lack of technological updates, such as decent rural internet service.

Corporations suggest user taxes to pay for infrastructure improvements. Alternatives include a carbon tax; a tax on diesel fuel; taxing capital gains over $1 million as regular income; undoing cuts in estate tax rates; and reinstating the top tax bracket for individuals making $523,601 and up or joint filers making more than $628,301 and up.

These and other funding options cost someone besides the business community. But they also point to hard choices and a hard truth: Without a major revenue source, the country will have to borrow the money to fix things. This will add significantly to a worrisome, fast-growing national debt already swollen by Trump's 2017 corporate tax cuts.

Story continues

Medtronic, Xcel Energy and Polaris defended their low 2020 tax rates.

Medtronic, which reported a large negative tax rate of minus 18.5% in 2020, said corporate tax rates should be looked at "holistically."

"As a result of our growth, Medtronic's taxes in the United States over the past three years were more than $3.2 billion, which is 50% higher than in the prior three years," said spokesman Ben Petok.

Xcel spokesman Matt Lindstrom said the company's negative 0.41% 2020 tax rate came from "clean energy incentives set by Congress."

Polaris' lower income tax rate for 2020 was "primarily due to the lower pretax income  combined with the incremental benefit from the passing of the statute of limitations on certain tax positions," spokeswoman Jessica Rogers said.

Faced with losing some of their members' tax advantages, powerful national business groups, including the Business Roundtable, now lead a charge against Biden's corporate tax increase plan.

The prestigious Roundtable, which includes chief executives from six Minnesota companies, actively supported many of Biden's early initiatives.

The group committed $50 million to an advertising campaign to encourage COVID-19 vaccination. It supported immigration reform, police reform, gender equity and addressing climate change. The Roundtable endorsed the passed version of the American Rescue Plan even though the COVID-19 relief package was bigger than the group wanted. It also called for infrastructure improvements.

But a line got drawn with the proposed corporate tax hike.

On March 15, Roundtable CEO Joshua Bolten warned that the group "will be actively opposing efforts to raise corporate taxes."

Since then, the offensive has continued with all kinds of business groups, from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to statewide groups such as the Minnesota Business Partnership, saying that Biden's proposed plan will leave the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage with the highest corporate tax rate among the world's developed nations.

The 21% rate is slightly above average for developed countries. The 28% rate "puts us all at the top," the Minnesota Business Partnership's Weaver said. "The cost of doing this is really counterproductive."

Some Republicans in Congress, including Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, say the corporate tax hike is a "nonstarter."

Some Democrats say infrastructure repairs can't wait.

"Due to years of neglect and underinvestment, America's infrastructure has fallen behind  leading to crumbling roads and bridges, outdated water systems, a vulnerable electric grid and inconsistent access to affordable, high-speed broadband internet," said Democratic Rep. Angie Craig, a former Minnesota corporate executive. "I am supportive of efforts to make sure that corporations and the wealthiest among us are paying their fair share."

Economists and tax experts don't dispute that a 28% corporate rate would be the developed world's highest. What they disagree on is the degree to which this will impact the U.S. recovery from the COVID-19-driven economic downturn.

The pandemic distorted how much job growth the 2017 tax reform generated. The Tax Foundation, a conservative think tank, estimates that the new tax law will create more than 1.44 million full-time-equivalent jobs by 2025.

At the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management, tax specialist Murray Frank thinks the country can't afford to borrow to pay for Biden's infrastructure plan.

But he also believes raising corporate taxes will hurt U.S. companies' growth and force them to return to tax avoidance strategies that once had U.S. corporations, such as Medtronic, moving their headquarters out of the country to places with lower tax rates, a process known as inversion.

"I think they need to scale way, way, way back," Frank said of Biden's infrastructure plan.

Trump's corporate tax cut did not generate the expected business investment and, in fact, initially reduced it, according to research by Filippo Occhino, a research economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

"Competitiveness is a hollow term," said Thornton Matheson, a research fellow at the progressive Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center.

Biden's infrastructure plan has tax incentives for keeping corporations headquartered in the U.S., Matheson said. There also is talk of setting a voluntary minimum corporate tax rate among the world's developed countries through the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. However, it would require cooperation among many countries, making it more difficult to achieve.

Whatever happens to the U.S. corporate tax rate, building and repairing roads, bridges, airports and schools while expanding other forms of infrastructure means jobs. At the mammoth scale Biden envisions, it means a lot of jobs. This level of new economic activity could overcome any loss of corporate investment, said Jonathan Choi, a former corporate tax attorney now teaching at the University of Minnesota Law School.

"Because the Biden administration's plan is to use increased corporate taxes to fund infrastructure investments," Choi said, "the economy's overall level of investment might rise, even if corporate investment falls as a result of the tax rate."

Jim Spencer  202-662-7432

Patrick Kennedy  612-673-7926

Hunter Woodall  612-673-4559
Christian activists divided over USCIRF recommending India as 'country of particular concern'

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Christian activists are divided in their responses to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom again recommending the State Department place India on its list of countries of particular concern for the worst violations of religious freedoms in 2020.

In its latest report, the bipartisan commission mandated by Congress to advise lawmakers and the federal government recommended for the second year in a row that the administration impose targeted sanctions on Indian individuals and entities for severe violations of religious freedom.

In 2020, religious freedom conditions in India continued their negative trajectory. The government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, promoted Hindu nationalist policies resulting in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom, notes the report.

USCIRF warned that mobs attacked Christians, destroyed churches and disrupted worship services as they were "fueled by false accusations of forced conversions."

"In many cases, authorities did not prevent these abuses and ignored or chose not to investigate pleas to hold perpetrators accountable," the report states. "This contributed to increased mob attacks and a fear of reprisal against those coming forward. Religious minorities remain concerned about the potential for a national anti-conversion law and additional state-level statutes."

Before the reports release, there was concern from some activists that USCIRF was being pressured to drop Indias CPC recommendation.

In a statement, the Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations applauded the recommendation, noting that Hindu nationalists are afforded unofficial protection from the BJP for their vigilantism against the Christian population.

Meanwhile, India-based organizations have reported that the attacks on churches and prayer meetings have dramatically gone up from even last year, FIACONA said in a statement Wednesday.

The justice system has often failed to defend the rights of persecuted Christians and other minority religions. Police have joined in mob violence against Christians, filed reports against the victims, and courts have given favor to the attackers.

India ranks as the 10th-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution on Open Doors USAs 2021 World Watch List as there have been hundreds of incidents of Christians being harassed or persecuted for their faith in the country since the rise of the BJP party in 2014.

FIACONA points out that Indias anti-conversion laws, passed in several states, have been weaponized to stop conversions of any kind, while forceful conversion to Hinduism are applauded.

In total, Indias Christians suffered 225 incidents of religiously motivated violence in just the first 10 months of 2020, many at the hands of vigilante mobs, according to FIACONA.

An additional report from the legal organization ADF India found that from the time the Hindu nationalist BJP rose to power in 2014 through 2019, more than 1,400 incidents of religious persecution against Christians took place.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Christians in rural areas faced more opposition than ever due to their faith. Advocates warned that in some instances, Christians and other non-Hindus were denied COVID relief.

With all of these considerations in mind, FIACONA whole-heartedly agrees with USCIRF in their decision to continue the designation of India as a CPC for the year 2021, the group said in a statement emailed to The Christian Post.

The Trump administration had rejected the USCIRF recommendation to designate India a CPC last year when it released its determinations in December.

Additionally, the Indian government and its allies have reportedly pressured USCIRF to reverse its recommendation to label India as a CPC.

Currently, the State Department has designated 10 countries as CPCs: Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

In the 2021 report, USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore, an evangelical public relations executive and religious freedom advocate, expressed concern with USCIRFs recommendation on India.

Of all the countries in the world, India should not be a country of particular concern, Moore wrote. It is the worlds largest democracy and it is governed by a pristine constitution. It is diversity personified and its religious life has been its greatest historic blessing. Yet, India does seem to be at a crossroads.

Its democracy  still young and freewheeling  is creating through the ballot box difficult challenges for itself. The answer, of course, is for Indias institutions to draw upon their rich history to protect their values. India must always resist allowing political and intercommunal conflict to be exacerbated by religious tensions. Indias government and people have everything to gain and absolutely nothing to lose from preserving social harmony and protecting the rights of everyone. India can. India must.

Archbishop Joseph D'Souza of the Anglican Good Shepherd Church of India, who serves as the president of the All India Christian Council, voiced his opposition to the USCIRF recommendation.

Though admitting India is not perfect and has made mistakes along a complicated path, D'Souza said to put the country on the same plane as communist China or the Islamic Republics of Iran or Pakistan reaches a level of absurdity that is almost incomprehensible.

While it might have been well-intentioned, the decision of the US Commission for International Religious Freedom is misguided, he argued. The constituency I represent finds this determination by USCIRF unhelpful and inappropriate, particularly at this time when religious polarization and division are increasing around the world and in India. Major democracies need to engage each other with respect and understanding."

In a statement to CP, John Prabhudoss, the chairman of FIACONA, called Moores statement included in the report detrimental to the interest of the church in India.

Unfortunately, he erred in his judgment by ending up supporting a radical religious extremist agenda of the Hindu nationalists instead of standing by the victims of the religious extremism, he said.

Moore responded to the criticism, telling CP that his comment was not intended to contravene the work of the Commission but to add some additional, important perspective regarding the world's largest democracy and Asia's most important country.

"As for accusations that the Indians were pressuring USCIRF on the CPC designation," added Moore, "that's awfully hard for them to do when they won't let the Commission visit, won't meet us, and won't even communicate with us officially. The Indian government should instead engage with the Commission in good faith."
By Sanjeev Miglani and Sudarshan Varadhan

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all citizens to be vaccinated and exercise caution, saying the "storm" of infections had shaken India, as the country set a new global record of the most number of COVID-19 infections in a day.

The United States said it was deeply concerned by the massive surge in coronavirus cases in India and would rapidly send aid.

COVID-19 cases in major Indian cities https://graphics.reuters.com/HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/INDIA/azgpojwjxvd/chart.png

The number of cases surged by 349,691 in the past 24 hours, the fourth straight day of record peaks. Hospitals in Delhi and across the country are turning away patients after running out of medical oxygen and beds.

"We were confident, our spirits were up after successfully tackling the first wave, but this storm has shaken the nation," Modi said in a radio address.

His government has faced criticism that it let its guard down earlier this year, allowed big religious and political gatherings to take place when India's cases fell to below 10,000 a day and did not plan for boosted healthcare systems.

Hospitals and doctors have put out urgent notices saying they are unable to cope with the rush of patients.

Outside a Sikh temple in Ghaziabad city on the outskirts of Delhi, the street resembled an emergency ward of a hospital, but crammed with cars carrying COVID-19 patients gasping for breath as they were hooked up to hand held oxygen tanks.

Elsewhere, people were arranging stretchers and oxygen cylinders outside hospitals as they desperately pleaded for authorities to take patients in, Reuters photographers said.

"Every day, it the same situation, we are left with two hours of oxygen, we only get assurances from the authorities," one doctor said on television.

Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal extended a lockdown in the capital that had been due to end on Monday for a week. COVID-19 is killing one person every four minutes in the city.

Story continues

Epidemiologists and virologists say more infectious variants of the virus, including an Indian one known as B.1.6.1.7, have fuelled the ferocious surge.

Doctors at New Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences have found that one patient is now infecting up to nine in 10 contacts, compared with up to four last year.

DEATHS SOAR

India, a country of 1.3 billion people, has recorded a total of 16.96 million infections and 192,311 coronavirus deaths, after 2,767 more died overnight, health ministry data showed.

In the last month alone, daily cases have gone up eight times and deaths by 10 times. Health experts say the death count is probably far higher.

"Our hearts go out to the Indian people in the midst of the horrific COVID-19 outbreak," U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Twitter.

"We are working closely with our partners in the Indian government, and we will rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India and India's health care heroes."

Covid-19 hospital beds in New Delhi https://graphics.reuters.com/HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/INDIA/xegpbxewzpq/chart.png

CRITICISM OF UNITED STATES

The United States has faced criticism in India for its export controls on raw materials for vaccines put in place via the Defense Production Act and an associated export embargo in February.

The Serum Institute of India (SII), the worlds biggest vaccine maker, this month urged President Joe Biden to lift the block on exports of raw materials that is hurting its production of AstraZeneca shots.

Others such as U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi urged the Biden administration to release unused vaccines to India.

"When people in India and elsewhere desperately need help, we can't let vaccines sit in a warehouse, we need to get them where they'll save lives," he said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her "sympathy on the terrible suffering" that the pandemic had brought to India, her chief spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement.

"Germany stands in solidarity with India and is urgently preparing a mission of support."

The surge in India is expected to peak in mid-May with the daily count of infections reaching half a million, the Indian Express said, citing an internal government assessment.

The newspaper said V.K. Paul, a COVID-19 task force leader, made the presentation during a meeting with Modi and state chief ministers and said the health infrastructure in heavily populated states is not adequate to cope.

Paul did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

(Additional reporting by Euan Rocha, Aditi Shah, Aditya Kalra, Krishna N Das and Rupam Jain and Michael Nienaber; Editing by Edwina Gibbs, Michael Perry and Frances Kerry)
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A JUDGE told a female motorist caught driving without insurance twice in three months that she is facing a prison sentence.

Patricia Collins, aged 45, of Killuragh, Cappamore pleaded guilty to a number of motoring offences at Kilmallock Court.

Insp Pat Brennan said Ms Collins was stopped by Detective Garda David Gee at Dromsally, Cappamore on May 30, 2020.

Ms Collins, he said, told Det Garda Gee that she was disqualified at the time.

She did not have a driving licence or insurance. The car was seized, said Insp Brennan.

On February 28, 2020, Garda Pat Aherne said he observed Ms Collins driving.

I knew at the time she was a disqualified driver. There was no valid tax disc, NCT, insurance and no driving licence, said Garda Aherne, who added that Ms Collins had eight previous convictions including two for no insurance.

Con Barry, solicitor for Ms Collins, said he was very cognisant of the fact it was his clients third and fourth conviction for no insurance.

There is a probation and welfare report due in Limerick District Court, said Mr Barry, who applied for an adjournment so that these could be considered by the judge.

In putting the matter back until September, Judge Patricia Harney said: I want to be very clear. She is facing a prison sentence.
A proposal from the Scranton Federation of Teachers could cost the school district an additional $40 million through 2024, according to estimates from district leaders.

Those leaders want to come to an agreement with the districts 700-plus teachers but say there is little money to give. Meanwhile, settling the teachers contract grows more challenging by the day.

Teachers have left Scranton this year faster than the district can find replacements. Since June, the school board has approved the resignations of 41 teachers, many who took higher-paying jobs in other districts. Earlier this month, the district had 14 positions remain unfilled.

The employees say their morale is at an all-time low. Some teachers, completing their fourth year of work under an expired agreement, are owed back pay of more than $80,000.

Retroactivity would cost the district $8 million through the last school year, according to district estimates. Each day without a new contract increases the potential amount of retroactive pay. Union leaders say they will not agree to a new contract without full retroactivity.

The union has threatened to strike before the end of the school year, and last week, union President Rosemary Boland said teachers would start the school year on strike in September if an agreement cannot be reached by then.

Teachers are being treated miserably right now, she said. Why would people move to Scranton right now? We are raising taxes and taking away from the educational system. We had once been a grand school district. Now we cant get people to come to our district.

District leaders say they wish for a resolution.

We want this to be solved, Superintendent Melissa McTiernan said. We also are in a position where were in financial recovery right now. How do we work with union leadership to get through this period and get teachers what they deserve? Thats what were trying to solve right now.

Salary issues

The teachers contract expired in 2017, in the midst of several years of the district borrowing money just to pay the bills, including salaries. The financial mismanagement caused the state to put the district into financial recovery in 2019. The financial recovery plan, approved by the school board that year, includes no guaranteed raises for employees through the length of the five-year plan.

Any raises for teachers must come from savings within the contract, according to the plan. For example, if the union agreed to changes in health care, the savings could fund raises  an idea Boland compared to negotiating with yourself.

In Pennsylvania, teacher pay is typically determined by level of education and years in a district. The longer a teacher stays in the district and the more college credits or advanced degrees earned, the more that teacher makes until reaching the top level on the pay scale.

Scrantons starting annual salary of $38,377  the same since the 2016-17 school year, the last year of the now-expired contract  is the lowest in Lackawanna County. That salary makes it difficult to attract and retain teachers, employees have said.

When a contract expires, teachers are locked into the salary earned the last year of that contract. That means a teacher hired four years ago in Scranton would still be on the first step of the pay scale. A new teacher in Scranton would have to move 12 steps just to be at the level of a first-year teacher at Abington Heights School District, which offers the highest annual starting salary in the county: $53,326.

Scranton teachers receive gradual raises until the 16th step, when they receive a more than $20,000 raise. The large bump step  unique in Northeast Pennsylvania contracts  brings the teachers in line with other districts. A teacher with a bachelors degree sees pay increase from $58,452 to $79,312 in the 16th year.

The approximately 200 teachers who would have reached the bump step over the last four years has a large impact on backpay. Overall, 59.5% of the demanded retroactive pay would be paid to 18% of senior staff, according to a statement issued Friday by the school board.

This would do little to alleviate the SFTs concerns about the impact of low starting salaries on recruitment and retention of staff, the statement reads.

Finding funds

Scranton teachers say they should not have to pay the price for years of poor decisions made by prior administrations and boards. Union members point to the districts $8.1 million fund balance  the largest in 15 years  or the $57 million allocated to the district in federal COVID-19 relief funds as potential revenue sources for backpay and raises.

Business Manager Patrick Laffey says its not that easy.

Projections last month from state-appointed consultants PFM show that if the district does nothing to increase revenue and decrease expenses, the district would face a negative fund balance of $22.5 million in five years. Those projections include no raises for employees.

The district has balanced recent budgets without borrowing money, partially because of not providing salary increases to employees. Scrantons total salary costs have actually decreased 10% since 2017.

Savings associated with the pandemic, including not needing transportation until March this school year, helped grow the districts fund balance. The surplus funds are not yet at the level the state recommends  8% of the total budget, or around $13 million, Laffey said.

Using the fund balance to pay for the raises is unsustainable because its a one-time revenue source, Laffey explained.

Federal guidelines allow districts to use the COVID-19 relief funds for some operational expenses. The $57 million, some of which the district already spent on technology, will be used for summer school, building improvements and other areas expected to be announced by the district this week.

But even if paying teachers is permissible, the district could not maintain the raises once the money runs out in 2024, Laffey said.

The issues in Scranton also highlight the need for fair funding in districts across the state, advocates say. If all state basic education funding is put through the fair funding formula, which Gov. Tom Wolf proposed as part of his 2021-22 budget, Scranton would receive an additional 85.6% in basic education funding, or $39 million.

As the districts costs have increased, state money hasnt kept pace. The districts instructional costs grew by $25.3 million, or 25%, from 2011 to 2018, while state funding only grew by $2.2 million, or 5%, according to PA Schools Work, a statewide coalition working to increase funding equity.

We say it all too often, but we need to continue to advocate for fair funding, board President Katie Gilmartin said. We cant commit to a contract we wont be able to support.

Proposals given

District and union leaders have met 36 times since the contract expired in 2017. Three proposals by the district, the last in October, offered step movement and bonuses and the potential reopening for wage increases if the financial condition changes, according to the district.

Leaders have found a potential $4.2 million in annual savings through:

Making changes to health care, while maintaining the current level of benefits.

Eliminating extra duty compensation during the school day, given when teachers cover another class during a planning period.

Requiring secondary teachers to teach a sixth period, instead of five classes per day.

The savings would be given to the teachers in raises, according to the district. But the union has considerable concerns about the referenced-based pricing health care plan proposed by the district. Under the proposal, there would no longer be a network, and all bills would be submitted to the patient, who then must submit the bills to a company that negotiates costs. The union worries about outstanding bills being sent to collection agencies and has asked the district to provide references from other districts, Boland said.

The maintenance and clerical union has already agreed to the new benefits structure. Salary increases in a proposed Act 93 agreement, which covers administrators, includes salary increases funded through the benefits change, according to the board. Directors plan to vote on the agreement May 3.

The savings that could be realized are continually diminishing while agreement on a new contract is on hold, further limiting the boards ability to offer SFT members desired salary increases, according to the boards statement.

The unions proposal includes increasing the starting salaries for steps one through three by $3,000 and changing the current salary schedule to add a 17th step.

The additional step splits the impact of the bump step from an average one-year increase of $21,469 to an average increase of $10,469 for two years. The union proposed step movement for the 2017-18 to 2021-22 school years plus a step movement plus 1% on all steps for the 2022-23 school year. Teachers at the top step would receive a bonus of $500 for 2017-18 to 2020-21, according to details provided by the school district.

The district estimates the cumulative cost of the union proposal through December 2024, to be $39.8 million, including retroactivity. Yearly expenditures would increase from $46.8 million in the current base year to $55.2 million beginning in the 2022-23 school year, or an increase of $8.4 million.

An $8.4 million increase equates to a tax levy of 25 mills, or $250 for a property assessed at $10,000.

Boland said the union is willing to negotiate around the clock until an agreement is reached.

Whatever is negotiated, the district must be able to afford it, McTiernan said.

We really do care, but we are strapped, she said. We know the teachers deserve to be paid well, but how do we get there? Because we also have an obligation to our taxpayers. Its such a hard situation.
Help India!



The Indian American Muslim Councils tweet among many that the government of India ordered Twitter to block. IAMC said that censoring criticism of its pandemic response shows misplaced priorities.

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The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC  www.iamc.com), an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding Indias pluralist and tolerant ethos, Sunday expressed dismay over the government of Indias continued obsession with managing the news coverage of the pandemic instead of the pandemic itself.

As the pandemic rages across India accounting for almost half of all new cases globally, the government ordered Twitter to block over 50 tweets that criticized its complete mismanagement of the pandemic. Among them was a tweet by Indian American Muslim Council, comparing the rabid Islamophobia targeting the Tablighi Jamaat and all Indian Muslims in the early days of the pandemic with the near silence over government support for the massive Kumbh Mela, that has endangered the lives of millions of Hindu devotees and their fellow citizens.

Today hundreds of thousands of Indians belonging to all faiths are literally gasping for breath, afflicted by a virus that makes no distinction on the basis of religion or caste. In this horrifying scenario, the governments alacrity in pressuring Twitter to block tweets critical of its handling of the crisis shows the administrations moral compass continues to point in a shamelessly self-serving direction.

The catastrophic surge in Covid-19 cases across India and the collapse of the countrys healthcare system is a monumental albeit avoidable tragedy for which the responsibility lies squarely on the governments misplaced priorities, said Mr Khalid Ansari, Vice-President of IAMC. Many precious lives lost to the pandemic might have been saved had the government not been obsessed with advancing the Hindutva agenda of subjugating minorities, and focused instead on governing for all Indians, added Mr Ansari.

Far from leading by example to overcome the crisis, the Modi administration promoted the spread of the virus by organizing countless super spreader events in the form of election rallies where masking was not enforced and where Mr Modi, as well as Home Minister Amit Shah, addressed massive crowds.

IAMC has urged Indian Muslims, especially Muslim healthcare workers and relief organizations to rise to the occasion by serving their fellow citizens. Observance of civic duties, a commitment to defending the country and selfless service towards people of all faiths is the need of the hour.
In this photo released by Indonesian Presidential Palace, Myanmar's Senior General Min Aung Hlaing arrives at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday, April 24, 2021. AP



Southeast Asian leaders met Myanmar's top general and coup leader in an emergency summit in Indonesia Saturday, and are expected to press calls for an end to violence by security forces that has left hundreds of protesters dead as well as the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees.



There is little hope for an immediate breakthrough in the two-hour gathering in Jakarta between Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and the six heads of state and three foreign ministers representing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. But his decision to face them offers a rare chance for the 10-nation bloc to directly deal with the general who ousted one of its leaders in a Feb. 1 coup.



''The unfolding tragedy has serious consequences for Myanmar, ASEAN and the region,'' Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on the eve of the summit.



One proposal, which has been discussed in preliminary meetings, is for Brunei Prime Minister Hassanal Bolkiah, the current ASEAN chair, to travel to Myanmar to meet the military leadership and Suu Kyi's camp to encourage dialogue. He would be accompanied by ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi _ also from Brunei _ if the junta agreed, a Southeast Asian diplomat told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media.



Another diplomat said humanitarian aid could be offered to Myanmar if conditions improved. The diplomat also spoke to AP on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to discuss such plans publicly.



Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi of Indonesia expressed hopes that ''we can reach an agreement on the next steps that can help the people of Myanmar get out of this delicate situation.''









Following the coup, ASEAN, through Brunei, issued a statement that did not expectedly condemn the power grab but urged ''the pursuance of dialogue, reconciliation and the return to normalcy in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar.'' Amid Western pressure, however, the regional group has struggled to take a more forceful position on issues but has kept to its non-confrontational approach.





This handout photo taken on April 24, 2021 and released by the Indonesian Presidential Palace shows leaders attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit on the Myanmar crisis in Jakarta. AFP-Yonhap
DHAKA : Bangladesh on Sunday closed its border with India for two weeks in view of the sharp increase in the coronavirus cases in the neighbouring country.

"We are closing it (border) for the passengers for the time being," Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters.

"Bangladesh took the decision in view of rapid increase of coronavirus infection in India," he added.

He said that the land routes for people's movement to and from the neighbouring country would be closed for two weeks but the goods-laden vehicles would be allowed to operate.

"The higher authorities have decided to close the borders for two weeks...The land routes with India will be shut from April 26," Home Minister Asaduzzamman Khan Kamal told the Kalerkantha newspaper.

The border closure came as the COVID-19 situation kept suspended flight operations between the two countries since April 14.

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A woman died after plummeting 250 feet from an overlook at a Georgia state park.

Nancy Moore Smith, 58, of Blue Ridge, was visiting the Tullulah Gorge State Park on Thursday when she fell off Overlook 2, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GDNR).

Game wardens and paramedics from two counties responded to the scene and found Smith's body at the bottom of the gorge.

The incident is still under investigation and officials have not yet determined whether it was an accident or a potential suicide.

Unconfirmed reports claimed witnesses saw Smith climbing over the railing and talking to a park ranger moments before she fell.

Nancy Moore Smith, 58, was visiting the Tullulah Gorge State Park in Georgia on Thursday when she fell 250 feet from an overlook to her death

The overlook where Smith fell is shown above in a file photo

First responders from Habersham and Ruben counties rappelled into the gorge and used long lines to recover Smith's body.

Her death is being investigated by GDNR's Law Enforcement Critical Incident Reconstruction Team.

Investigators have been interviewing witnesses and Smith's relatives to determine what happened.

It wasn't immediately clear if Smith was with anyone else at the time. DailyMail.com has reached out to the GDNR for comment.

NowHabersham.com reported that Smith had climbed to the outside of the railing at the overlook and was talking to a ranger before she appeared to jump.

GDNR spokesman Mark McKinnon refused to confirm or deny that report.

'Witness statements are part of the ongoing investigation,' McKinnon told the New York Post. 'If that is true, the investigation will show it.'

A Facebook page believed to belong to Smith was flooded with tributes over the weekend

Tallulah Gorge (pictured) is nearly 1,000 feet deep and spans two miles inside the 2,739-acre state park by the same name

A Facebook page believed to belong to Smith was flooded with tributes over the weekend, with loved ones remembering her as a 'beautiful soul'.

The page featured numerous photos of Smith hiking around Georgia.

Tallulah Gorge is nearly 1,000 feet deep and spans two miles inside the 2,739-acre state park by the same name.

The park was made famous in 1970 when daredevil Karl Wallenda, founder of the Flying Wallendas, walked on a high-wire across the gorge.

The tower Wallenda used during the stunt - which included two headstands - are still in place at the park.
EDWARDSVILLE  Several appointments by Madison County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler were held up as board members demanded action on the appointment of a county administrator.

Three appointments: Cedric Irby to the Madison County Transit board to replace current MCT Chairman Ron Jedda; Donald Sawicki to the Madison County Flood Prevention District Council, replacing Jeremy Plank, who was recently elected to the Wood River City Council; and Nick Mason to the Wood River Drainage & Levee District, replacing Nathan Kincade, were all put on hold.

Sixteen other appointments, including new County Board Member Bill Stoutenboroug, were approved.

After asking that those three be considered separately, Eric Foster, R-Granite City, motioned to table the appointments until there is a full-time county administrator. The motion was seconded by Bobby Ross, R-St. Jacob, and approved unanimously with Michael Walters, R-Godfrey, abstaining because of a conflict of interest, at the advice of Assistant States Attorney Andrew Carruthers.

Madison County has not had a county administrator since the firing of Doug Hulme in April 2020 amid allegations he and then-IT Director Rob Dorman improperly accessed emails and other data for political purposes.

For some time HR generalist Bruce Cooper, who retired recently, served as deputy administrator. That role is currently held by Steve Adler.

There was some discussion.

Im considering Dave Tanzyus, but with a lot of things going forward I havent had a chance to move forward on this, Prenzler said.

Tanzyus, a former aid to retired U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, was recently appointed Madison County Community Development administrator.

Walters then asked Carruthers if he should abstain from any vote, and was advised not to vote.

We have two very good candidates you have been dangling in front of us, Mick Madison, R-Bethalto said.

Prenzler replied he was not ready to make any statements.

There was some additional discussion, and an argument between Prenzler and Madison before the question was called and the vote was unanimous, minus Walters, in favor of postponing the appointments.

Also postponed was a vote on an agreement with Teamsters local 525, which represents workers in the Animal Control Department, because of some mistakes in the language on the resolution. It was postponed until next month.

Wednesdays appointments included:

 Rebecca Dunn reappointed to the Madison County Health Advisory Board.

 Kem Conrad, Catherine Stewart and Neil Straube reappointed to the Marine Cemetery Association.

 Nancy Kruckeburg reappointed to the Cahokia Creek Drainage and Levee District.

 William Varble reappointed to the Fosterburg Fire District.

 Mark Heepke reappointed to the Fort Russel Fire District.

 Edwin Wilkens reappointed to the Holiday Shores Fire District.

 Don Haddix reappointed to the Long Lake Fire Protection District.

 Carl Dempsey and Mark Bohnenstiehl reappointed to the Marine Community Fire District.

 Curtis Troutman reappointed to the Meadowbrook Fire District.

 Nelson Nolte reappointed to the Moro Fire District.

 Tim Goebel appointed to the Prairie Fire District.

 John Mentz appointed to the Worden Fire District.

 Dan Rinehart appointed to the Pontoon Beach Public Water District.

 Phillis McQuay reappointed and Edward Lasich appointed to the Miracle Manor-Bellemore Light District.

 Bruce Mattea appointed to the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority.
Due to lack of surveillance and violation of other Covid19 guidelines by officials, Coronavirus patients are freely roaming around the city.  Representational image/AFP

HYDERABAD: Complaints are widespread that the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is not ensuring the safety of both the Covid19 patients and the residents living in their vicinity. After the high court pulled up the civic body, it created some namesake containment zones but stopped short of barricading such areas and spraying disinfectants as is required under Covid-regulations.

Despite a spike in the spread of Covid19, the number of micro-containment zones on the GHMC's official website remained the same since April 3. The corporation staff has not been updating the website on a daily basis in tandem with the state government's daily health bulletin.



Unlike last year, the civic body had not deployed its men to spray disinfectants. It is also not keeping a watch on people who have been home-quarantined and it has also not set up medical camps. No GHMC staff has been deployed to help the home- quarantined people get the daily groceries and other essentials.

Due to lack of surveillance and violation of other Covid19 guidelines by officials, Coronavirus patients are freely roaming around the city. Residents are complaining that the corporation authorities, including peoples representatives who run it from the front, are not even responding to the grievances they raised before them.

The civic body claims it has set up 63 micro containment zones in the LB Nagar, Charminar, Khairatabad and Serilingampally zones. Under LB Nagar zone, Kapra-1, Uppal-2, Hayathnagar-3, Saroornagar-4 and LB Nagar- areas have two containment areas each while Malakpet-6, Santoshnagar-7, Chandrayangutta-8, Charminar-9, Falaknuma-10 and Rajendranagar-11 also have two containment zones each under the Charminar zone.

Five areas in Khairatabad zone  Mehdipatnam-12, Karwan-13, Goshamahal-14, Khairatabad-17 and Jubilee Hills-18 -- have two zones each while Yousufguda-19 and Chandanagar-21 under Serilingampally zone have three each. Apart from these, two other areas -- Patancheruvu-22 and Serilingampally-20 under Serilingampally zone -- have two containment zones each.

The corporation, in coordination with the health department, was to have conducted the fever surveys but it did not. It has also not deployed its staff to take up the sanitization and spraying (sodium hypochlorite) activities. It has not been keeping track of residential addresses of Covid19 patients to curb their movement, a complainant said.

A senior official who kept track of the containment activities during last year said, "We were not asked to do it this time. The labeling of micro containment zones would simply remain on paper just to report this to the court. Residents and Covid19 patients take the risk of stepping out."

There is some action too, though. For instance, the EVDM wing has been spraying sodium hypochlorite over all public spaces, especially on the main roads and at commercial places.
Prayagraj : , April 25 (IANS) The Allahabad high court has directed that all interim orders passed by the High Court at Allahabad as well as at Lucknow and also subordinate courts, which were subsisting on March 15, 2021, shall stand extended till May 31, 2021, in view of the upsurge of Covid pandemic due to which courts at all levels are working with reduced capacity.

Besides, criminal courts which granted bail orders or anticipatory bail for a limited period, which are likely to expire on or before May 31, 2021, shall stand extended for a period till that date, which is the next date of hearing in the case.

In addition to it, the court has asked banks not to auction any property of non-profitable assets (NPA) accounts meanwhile.

While reviving a suo moto public interest litigation (PIL) registered last year, a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Sanjay Yadav and Justice Prakash Padia said, "All interim orders passed by the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad as well as at Lucknow, all the district courts, civil courts, family courts, labour courts, industrial tribunals and all other tribunals or quasi-judicial forums in the state of Uttar Pradesh over which this court has power of superintendence which were subsisting on March 15, 2021, shall stand extended till May 31, 2021." The order was passed on Saturday in the wake of the rise in Covid-19 cases in the state.

"Interim orders or directions of this court or any court subordinate to this court in the state of Uttar Pradesh, which are meant to operate till further orders shall continue to remain in force until modified by specific order of the court concerned," the court further clarified with regard to stay orders in which stay was granted till further order and not up to a certain date." "Any orders of eviction, dispossession or demolition, already passed by the high court, district court or civil court, if not executed till today shall remain in abeyance till the next date of hearing of the PIL," the court stated.

Any bank or financial institution shall not take any action for auction in respect of any property or an institute or person or party or anybody corporate till May 31, 2021, the court added.

However, the court made it clear that in case of extension of interim orders as per the present order, any undue hardship and prejudice of any extreme nature is caused to any of the party to such proceedings, the said party/parties would be at liberty to seek appropriate relief by moving appropriate application before the competent court, tribunal, etc.

"The general direction issued by this order shall not be an embargo in considering such application and deciding the same after affording an opportunity of hearing to all the parties to said list," the court clarified.

While fixing May 31, 2021, as the next date of hearing, the court said that the future situation would be reviewed on this day by the court.
As its COVID-19 vaccine supply begins to outpace demand, the United States is being urged to avoid "vaccine nationalism" and share its surplus of shots with struggling countries in Central America.

More than one-fourth of the population of the U.S.  nearly 90 million people  has been fully vaccinated and supplies are so robust that some states are turning down planned shipments from the federal government.

Meanwhile, Honduras has obtained a paltry 59,000 vaccine doses for its 10 million people.

After waiting for months, doctor Rosalio Zavala received the first dose of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine in Tegucigalpa on Friday.

Zavala believes Honduras' efforts to acquire jabs were focused more on expecting charity than investing in the wellbeing of its people.

J. Stephen Morrison, senior vice president and director of the Global Health Policy Center at the Center for Strategic & International Studies in Washington, pointed out that the United States is not alone in having chosen to be "inward, nationalistic" and "postponing opening up to the to the rest of the world" with its vaccine supply.

But the lack of U.S. vaccine assistance around the world created an opportunity for China and Russia, which have each promised millions of doses of domestically produced shots to other countries.

Biden, who took office in January as the virus was raging in the U.S., has responded cautiously to calls for help from abroad.

The U.S. has also used the Defense Production Act to secure vital supplies for the production of vaccine, a move that has blocked the export of some supplies outside the country.

There are also concerns that the U.S. might link vaccine sharing to other diplomatic efforts.

Washington's loan of 2.7 million doses of AstraZeneca's shots to Mexico last month came on the same day Mexico announced it was restricting crossings at its southern border, an effort that could help decrease the number of migrants seeking entry into the United States.

Those sort of parallel tracks of diplomacy will be closely watched as the Biden administration decides with whom to share its surplus vaccine, particularly in Central America, home to many countries where migrant families and unaccompanied children are trying to make their way to the U.S.

"There are people getting sick and dying every day throughout the world (and) in Latin America that need life saving vaccines. And if the U.S. has such an increased over abundance of supply, this is where we should be, for humanitarian reasons and for the world economic recovery," said Maureen Meyer, vice president for programs at the Washington Office on Latin America.

(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)
(Newser)  An explosion and fire in the intensive care unit at a hospital in Baghdad killed 82 people and injured 110, the Iraqi government said. The unit treats severe cases of COVID-19, and at least 28 of the patients killed were on ventilators, CBS reports. At least 200 people were rescued from the blaze. Firefighters and civil defense teams battled the fire on the second floor of Ibn al-Khatib hospital from Saturday night until early Sunday, when the fire was brought under control. Many patients being evacuated died when they were taken off oxygen machines, per the BBC. "Once the fire started, somebody needed to put the auto central pipes off, which means basically cutting the oxygen from those who need it most," an official of a health organization said. Others died of smoke inhalation. Family members were searching for patients Sunday. "Please, two of my relatives are missing," a woman posted on social media.

story continues below

The prime minister immediately fired several officials, including the director of the hospital. He also declared a period of national mourning, per CNN. "Negligence in such matters is not a mistake, but a crime for which all negligent parties must bear responsibility," Mustafa al-Kadhimi said. He ordered an investigation to be completed within 24 hours. The Iraqi government's human rights commission called the fire "a crime against patients exhausted by COVID-19." The nation hit 1 million cases last week and is battling a second wave of infections. The daily number of confirmed new cases now runs about 8,000, the most since health officials began tracking them early last year. Hospitals are stretched to their limits. Ibn al-Khatib, which is in southeastern Baghdad, takes referrals from all over the country. The UN's representative to Iraq urged stronger safeguards in hospitals. (Read more Iraq stories.)
The 39-year-old son of Turkmenistan's autocratic leader oversaw festivities surrounding a national holiday celebrating local horse and dog breeds, as speculation grows over potential hereditary succession in the secretive Central Asian state.

President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, 66, has appointed his son Serdar to a number of top positions this year, making him the second-most powerful figure in the country.

In a symbolic move earlier this month, Serdar replaced his father as head of the national horse association and was named "honored dog breeder of Turkmenistan."

The local Akhal-Teke horse and Alabai sheepdog play a prominent role in state propaganda, with monuments in the capital Ashgabat devoted to them and untold funds spent on promoting their breeding.

Earlier this year, Berdymukhammedov ordered a national holiday for the Alabai to be celebrated on the last Sunday in April when the country marks the day of the Akhal-Teke horse.

In the past, President Berdymukhammedov led events surrounding the holiday at an elaborate horse track in Ashgabat, in some years participating in races, showing off his horseback skills, and handing out awards to breeders.

For the first time on April 25, state television showed Serdar replace his fathers role in celebrating the Turkmen horse, which the media used in previous years to glorify the president.

It comes just days after Serdar topped the evening news for the first time as media showed him opening a state building housing associations that he heads promoting the Akhal-Teke horse and Alabai sheepdog.

Usually Turkmenistan's evening news is entirely devoted to the latest activities of the president.

Its unclear why the elder Berdymukhammedov has been taking a back seat in recent days, but it comes as he is mourning the death of his 89-year-old father, a former policeman and educator. That has added an additional layer of speculation that the autocratic leader may be thinking more about his legacy and succession.

In February, the younger Berdymukhammedov received three promotions, becoming deputy premier, a member of the powerful security council, and the auditor general.

Turkmenistan does not have a prime minister, with the elder Berdymukhammedov already president, speaker of the upper house of parliament, and head of government of a state built around his cult of personality.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Turkmen Service and AFP
Theyve been in a starry relationship since 2016.

And now eagle-eyed fans of Taylor Swift have noticed that her boyfriend Joe Alwyn is credited as being a Grammy winner, according to grammy.com.

The win was for Album of the Year, for Taylors 2020 hit album Folklore.

Actor and Grammy winner: Eagle-eyed fans of Taylor Swift have noticed that her boyfriend Joe Alwyn is credited as being a Grammy winner; seen here in 2020

It turns out that Joe, 30, cowrote two songs on the record under the pseudonym William Bowery.

Those two tracks are Exile and Betty, which he also coproduced alongside the songs My Tears Ricochet, August, This Is Me Trying and Illicit Affairs.

Swift would go on to release her ninth studio album Evermore in December, with Alwyn helping write the tracks Champagne Problems, Coney Island and Evermore.

Evermore, due to its release date, was not a contender for the 2021 ceremony.

Superstar: Taylor and Joe have been in a starry relationship since 2016; seen here in 2020

According to grammy.com: It turns out that Joe, 30, cowrote and co-produced songs on the record under the pseudonym William Bowery

The Grammy win for Folklore was Alwyn's first, as well as his very first nomination.

It was Taylors 11th trophy, however, after last having won the same award for 2016s album 1989.

The Cardigan songstress, 31, has a whopping 41 Grammy nominations to her name.

When she accepted the Grammy in March of this year, Swift was joined on stage by Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, Jonathan Low, and Laura Sisk.

Although he was not present, Taylor made sure to thank her beau during her emotional acceptance speech.

'Joe, who is the first person that I play every single song that I write. And I had the best time writing songs with you in quarantine,' gushed the pop songstress, placing her hand over her chest.

Hit record: The win was for Album of the Year, for Taylors 2020 hit album Folklore

Swift, who is notoriously tight-lipped about her relationship with Alwyn, gave some rare insight into their relationship during an interview on Apple Music last year

'Joe and I really love sad songs. We've always bonded over music. We write the saddest [songs]. We just really love sad songs. What can I say? It was a surprise that we started writing together,' she revealed to Zane Lowe.

'But in a way, it wasn't because we have always bonded over music and had the same musical tastes. He's always the person who's showing me songs by artists and then they become my favorite songs.'

In Taylor's alum Lover, which immediately preceded Folklore, she included a darling track called London Boy  which was directly inspired by her relationship with Joe.
Joe Thornton is now the oldest goal-scorer in Toronto Maple Leafs history. (Rich Lam/Getty Images)

In his first season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Joe Thornton found a way to etch himself into the team's record books.

Thornton put the Maple Leafs on the board against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday with a sleek wraparound and passed Allan Stanley to become the franchise's oldest goal scorer in the process. At 41 years and 296 days old, Thornton passed Stanley, who last scored when he was 41 years and 252 years old. during the 1967-68 season.

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The veteran forward is the NHL's active career points leader, sitting in 14th place all-time prior to Saturday's action. It's improbable that he'll catch Paul Coffey (1,531 career points) for 13th all-time this season, but with eight games remaining after Saturday's contest, we won't rule it out altogether. Thornton was acquired for his veteran leadership and for his ability to contribute on either a scoring line or checking line on a a cost-effective, one-year deal worth $700,000. Although he's well past his peak, he's produced strong underlying numbers and has been a near-perfect fit for the Maple Leafs, relative to expectations coming into the year.

The tally against the Jets snapped a 27-game goal drought for Thornton, and it couldn't have come a better time in a key matchup pitting the North Division's top two teams against each other. Records are made to be broken, and few know this better than Thornton.

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South Africans working from home should be wary of the increase in surveillance software being used by companies to keep tabs on their activity, a report from City Press has warned.

With many people working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have turned to remote monitoring software  also called tattleware  to get insights into worker productivity.

Typically, these programs allow companies to get an analysis of the time users spend on certain online tasks.

This is then compared with with other staff members who have the same work responsibilities.

In addition, certain programs can track inputs on the keyboard, movements of the mouse, take screenshots of a users computer, and even be used to read social media messages.

According to estimates from research firm Gartner, around 80% of companies worldwide have introduced a form of remote monitoring software on their employees computers.

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr director of employee practice Phetheni Nkuna told City Press that the influx of tattleware has been particularly noticeable in the US  but it will likely spill over to South Africa.

Nkuna warned businesses they would have to ensure they did not infringe on employee privacy when using this software.

In South Africa, no law is absolute  there are limits. It will be interesting to see how the courts handle such cases, Nkuna said.

Only 4% want to return to the office

The impact of the switch to remote working as a COVID-19 safety measure is likely to remain long after the pandemic has passed, particularly in South Africa.

According to a recent study from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), The Network, and CareerJunction, only 4% of South Africans want to work completely on-site at an office after the pandemic.

Over 53% of South African respondents said they would prefer a job which permitted them to work from home on occasion, while 44% said they wanted to work fully remotely.

Workers and managers alike have seen that flexible work models are possible, and in fact desirable, said BCG Johannesburg principal and recruiting director Rudi van Blerk

Remote working visa

The Western Cape provincial government has embraced this trend, and is seeking to introduce a remote working visa aimed at international digital nomads who want to work remotely from Cape Town.

Thanks to its solid Internet infrastructure, range of quality restaurants, and idyllic setting, the city is well positioned to support people who work remotely.

A remote working visa would give applicants access to all services in the city  including schooling and telecoms. A similar programme was launched in Dubai in 2020.

Western Cape tourism company Wesgro has also partnered with Airbnb to attract more international workers.

It is offering people up to 50% off stays longer than 28 days through Airbnb.

However, the city is struggling to get national government onboard with the idea.

Thus far, requests to President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi have been unsuccessful.

The citys council said it would continue to put pressure on government to make the visa a reality, and also called for an electronic visa system for visitors from abroad.

Now read: ANC wants to ban smartphones and gadgets from meetings
RABAT, Morocco (AP)  Moroccos Foreign Affairs Ministry summoned the Spanish ambassador Sunday to convey the governments regret over Spains decision to receive for medical treatment the leader of a regional group fighting Morocco for independence.

Spanish officials revealed last week that Brahim Ghali, 73, is hospitalized in Spain for treatment of COVID-19.

Ghali heads the Polisario Front, which has long fought for the independence from Morocco of Western Sahara, periodically engaging the Moroccan armed forces.

The Moroccan foreign ministry said Spains stance is inconsistent with the spirit of partnership and good neighborliness. Morocco is seeking an explanation of Spains position, the ministry said.

The diplomatic tension between Rabat and Madrid comes as Spain seeks Moroccos cooperation in stemming the flow of migrants across the sea to Spanish territory. The Spanish government is also seeking to deepen economic ties with Africa.

An official from Spains Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last week that Ghali had been taken in for strictly humanitarian reasons.

Western Sahara stretches along Africas Atlantic coast south of the Moroccan resort city of Agadir, and borders Algeria and Mauritania. It has a population of 600,000 people. It was colonized by Spain in the 19th century and annexed by Morocco in 1975.

The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, the self-declared government also led by Ghali, says he is recovering favorably in an unidentified Spanish hospital.
Journalism, its said, is the first draft of history. And as a journalist who sometimes works in the worlds trouble zones, camps are a good place to search for that draft  refugee camps, internally displaced peoples camps, detention camps.

Camps are where people lay down a first draft of their own: the first draft of their memories.

Ten-year-old Sabeen, from Mosul at Qayyarah camp in northern Iraq in 2017. She was on her way to school when a car bomb killed her brother and injured her leaving scars on her face. Credit:Kate Geraghty

They are where desperate, frightened people go because they have no choice. Once they have settled and arrayed their meagre belongings, they have time, for the first time, to think.

Front lines are dangerous and dynamic, and you find there human courage and terror, and too often what an editor of mine described as a Grand Old Duke of York style of reporting. But in the camps, you get a richer account.
LOUISVILLE, Ky.  During last summers reckoning over racial injustice, decades-long debates about whether to offer reparations to the descendants of slaves in the U.S. finally seemed to be gaining momentum.

State lawmakers in California, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Oregon  where Democrats control the legislatures  introduced or hoped to revive proposals to study the possibility. It turns out the wait for reparations will continue.

The state efforts have mostly stalled, raising questions about whether they can win enough support to succeed on a wide scale. California is the only state to approve a commission to study reparations statewide and how they might work.

We need a federal reparations bill, but I dont know when well get there, said Maryland state Del. Wanika Fisher, a Democrat who introduced legislation there to create a reparations task force. Hopefully we will ... but I think states should be accountable.

Her bill received a committee hearing but never made it any further during this years legislative session, which ended earlier this month. Its similar in the other states. Bills that would study the possibility of statewide reparations in New Jersey, New York and Oregon have been parked in legislative committees.

That mirrors the outlook in Congress. A committee in the U.S. House, which is controlled by Democrats, advanced a decades-old bill that would establish a reparations commission, but its prospects appear dim in the evenly divided Senate where its unlikely to generate enough support to overcome a filibuster.

A lot of our legislation and the things we work on are all Band-Aids on the issue of institutional racism, class inequality and the host of other issues that stem from that, said Fisher, who plans to reintroduce her bill next year. But weve never fully tackled whats at the heart, whats the cancer, whats the disease?

The lack of progress reflects the nations conflicting views on whether reparations to atone for slavery are necessary. A 2019 Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that the vast majority of Black Americans  74%  favored reparations, but less than a fifth of white Americans did.

Maryland resident Lynda Davis believes a lack of education on the subject keeps many white Americans from supporting the effort. Davis, who is white, belongs to Coming to the Table, a national organization made up of descendants of those who were enslaved and slaveholders.

I think getting people to make that leap is sometimes a challenge, said Davis, who submitted written testimony in support of the state reparations effort. Its trying to help people see the ongoing harms, like this summer. I think more white people are getting it now, which is hard because it seems like people should have gotten it before now.

Davis points to local efforts as an example of what grassroots activism around the issue can achieve.

In March, Evanston, Illinois, became one of the first U.S. cities to offer Black residents reparations. The city council in Asheville, North Carolina, voted unanimously last July in favor of reparations for Black residents that would take the form of helping businesses and providing housing and health care. Other local governments, including in Amherst, Massachusetts, Providence, Rhode Island, and Iowa City, Iowa, are considering whether or how to grant some form of reparations.

Oregon state Sen. Lew Frederick said local and state efforts, if they gain more traction, can help build support  eventually  for reparations on the federal level.

Frederick introduced a measure that would create a task force and issue cash payments to Black Oregonians who can document they are descendants of slaves. He plans on reintroducing it if it doesnt succeed this year.

Its going to take a lot of states saying that this is something we have to do before we actually get something done at the national level, he said.

Though Oregon wasnt a slave state, its constitution explicitly barred Black settlers, a provision that wasnt repealed until 1927. Many of the states Black residents had to contend with discriminatory housing and employment practices well into the 20th century.

The nations racial reckoning amid the COVID-19 pandemic and police killings of Black Americans have only intensified the need for reparations, Frederick said. Earlier this month, he sponsored a successful resolution urging Congress to create a reparations commission.

It was so obvious, he said of his legislation. The reparations bill is basically to say, OK, now weve talked about it, now we see it, now its no longer seen as something thats fantasy.

California state Sen. Steven Bradford, who will serve on the states reparations task force, said the effort succeeded because of the commitment from the bills author, now-Secretary of State Shirley Weber, support from the Legislative Black Caucus and the states governor, Democrat Gavin Newsom.

He said other states, whether led by Democrats or Republicans, have yet to come to terms with the extent of systemic racism in the country.

I think its a sad state of affairs, but its a reality of who we are as a nation, Bradford said.

While valuable, the ongoing debates at the state and local level should not take away from the need for a federal reparations program, said Duke University economist William Darity, who partnered with his wife, A. Kirsten Mullen, on a study that outlines how cash payments could fix the racial wealth gap.

They said the consequences of slavery are national in scope, not merely localized.

The federal government is the one that created these policies, and in some instances ignored its own policies, and that is who should pay this debt, Mullen said.

Black lawmakers and other supporters say federal action also is needed because so few of the state and local discussions about reparations are happening in the South, where the majority of descendants of slavery live.

Without a federal program, Black Americans such as Lisa Hicks-Gilbert, are unlikely to benefit.

Hicks-Gilbert, of Elaine, Arkansas, is a descendant of survivors of the 1919 Elaine massacre, one of many episodes of racial violence against African Americans in the early 20th century. When Black sharecroppers in the town joined together to negotiate for fairer terms and wages, they were attacked by white mobs. More than 200 Black men, women and children were killed.

She doesnt believe that federal reparations will happen in her lifetime. But through her work as an advocate for descendants of the massacre, Hicks-Gilbert is pushing for legislation that would have the state officially recognize the killings and set up educational opportunities.

While she acknowledges it will take time to get there, the promise is enough to keep her going, even in moments of doubt.

Thats whats in my heart to do  to continue and finish what they started, she said.

-- The Associated Press
Australians desperate to return to lives and loved ones overseas are using the New Zealand travel bubble to defy the outward travel ban, despite threats of hefty fines or even jail time.

Art teacher Tim Byrnes is one of the first Australians to make it out via this route, flying to Auckland last week and then to Istanbul on Friday night. He is travelling on to Russia, where he had been living since 2016 and is eligible for residency.

Ive escaped! he said. I get to go back to my life.

Australian Tim Byrnes at Auckland Airport before travelling on to Russia. Credit:Becki Moss

The travel bubble opened on Monday, allowing people to travel freely between Australia and New Zealand without quarantine. The deal does not involve New Zealand stopping Australians from onward travel and The Sun-Herald and The Age have spoken to many Australians keen to exploit this loophole.
Katie Thurston is ready for lover after starring in her first promo as the new star of The Bachelorette.

The 30-year-old reality star reintroduces herself to Bachelor Nation in the short clip, which was released on Instagram on Sunday and will air during the evening's Academy Awards broadcast.

Katie became a sensation on Matt James' season of The Bachelor, though he sent her home in week six.

Back in business: Katie Thurston, 30, stars in her first promo for season 17 of The Bachelorette, released Sunday and being broadcast during the Academy Awards

The preview opens with brief footage of Katie and Matt embracing before he sends her away in an SUV after she failed to win a rose halfway through the series.

'I don't regret being myself,' she says defiantly via narration. 'I know what I deserve.'

She's then shown in a lovely lavender dress with a voluminous skirt covered in sparkling flower-shaped spangles.

She also clutches a red rose to signal that all the power lies with her this time around.

Standing up for herself: 'I don't regret being myself,' she says defiantly via narration as she embraces Bachelor Matt James. 'I know what I deserve'

Rejected: Katie is shown being sent home in week six in a throwback clip

The boss: She's then shown in a lovely lavender dress with a voluminous skirt covered in sparkling flower-shaped spangles. She also clutches a red rose to signal that all the power lies with her this time around

A quick throwback clip from The Bachelor shows the bank marketing manager arguing with some of her former contestants.

'I'm not gonna sit here and let mean girls be mean girls!' she shouts.

But after that unvarnished moment she reappears on a pale pink set in a brilliant white sleeveless dress with a ribbed collar and midriff.

She wears her lustrous brunette tresses in elegant waves draped over her shoulders and playfully blows gold confetti at the camera.

Cat fight: A quick throwback clip from The Bachelor shows the bank marketing manager arguing with some of her former contestants. 'I'm not gonna sit here and let mean girls be mean girls!' she shouts

Stunner: But after that unvarnished moment she reappears on a pale pink set in a brilliant white sleeveless dress with a ribbed collar and midriff

Never giving up: In another Bachelor clip, she declares: 'I never want to stop pursuing love.' The promo is appropriately soundtracked with Selena Gomez's song Ring

In another Bachelor clip, she declares: 'I never want to stop pursuing love.'

The promo is appropriately soundtracked with Selena Gomez's song Ring.

'I am who I am and I want to meet someone who knows who they are,' she continues via voiceover.

Katie underscores her individuality when she reappears with a 'Be A Katie' T-shirt atop her lavender dress.

She ends the promo on a hopeful not by stating: 'My person is still out there.'

Not changing: Katie underscores her individuality when she reappears with a 'Be A Katie' T-shirt atop her lavender dress

Looking for love: She ends the promo on a hopeful not by stating: 'My person is still out there.'

Shocker: Katie was a sensation from day one on Season 25 of The Bachelor after she stepped out of her limo with a vibrator in her hand

Katie was a sensation from day one on Season 25 of The Bachelor after she stepped out of her limo with a vibrator in her hand.

She became a fan favorite thanks to her attempts to cut down on some of the infighting among the contestants, which her 'mean girls' comment in the promo illustrates.

Katie was announced as the next Bachelorette on the After The Final Rose special, which also revealed season 25's runner-up Michelle Young as the host of season 18, which will air in the fall.

'I'm ready to find love,' Thurston said on the special. 'And not just the temporary kind  I'm talking forever, my husband. And I'm in a place in my life where I feel like I'm the best version of me.'

Feminist: She became a fan favorite thanks to her attempts to cut down on some of the infighting among the contestants, which her 'mean girls' comment in the promo illustrates

New blood: She was announced as the next Bachelorette on the After The Final Rose special, which also revealed season 25's runner-up Michelle Young as the host of season 18, airing in the fall

Matt James eventually gave his final rose to Rachael Kirkconnell, but he and the graphic designer were beset by controversy in the months after filming as viewers discovered racist social media posts allegedly made by her.

Some featured approving portrayals of her friends, who were featured in Trump-friendly MAGA hats, while other posts featured herself and others in offensive costumes.

She was also pictured in photos apparently taken from a sorority event held at a plantation.

James later broke up with Kirkconnell over the posts, though he has been vague about why he did so years after they were made.

The winner: Matt James eventually gave his final rose to Rachael Kirkconnell, but he and the graphic designer were beset by controversy in the months after filming as viewers discovered racist social media posts allegedly made by her

Short-lived romance: James later broke up with Kirkconnell over the posts, though he has been vague about why he did so years after they were made

Katie is already hard at work on her season, which began filming at New Mexico's Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa.

The five-star resort was completely rented out by the production, which started in early March.

There will be more changes for the series, as longtime Bachelor and Bachelorette host Chris Harrison won't be featured for the first time.

He was forced to step down from the franchise in February following a testy interview with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay in which he seemed to defend Kirkconnell's racist behavior.

Replacing him will be the team of former Bachelorette's Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams.

He's out: Chris Harrison won't be there this time around after being forced to step down in February for seeming to defend Kirkconnell's actions in an interview with Rachel Lindsay; seen in January 2020
By Jun Ji-hye



JW Marriott Hotel Seoul welcomes soon-to-be mothers







The JW Marriott Hotel Seoul is presenting the "Nice to Meet You Baby" package, a promotion designed for soon-to-be mothers who are preparing to embrace one of the most precious moments of life.



Available throughout the year, the package features a choice of a Griffin Suite, or deluxe room accommodation, plus a variety of benefits aimed at offering soon-to-be mothers an unforgettable luxury hotel experience with their unborn child, at a time when they have been unable to travel abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic.



Crafted in collaboration with leading luxury baby brands, the promotion includes gifts of a premium cozy cotton baby top by Bluedog Baby, a bib, spoon and fork set, as well as a baby cup and canvas bag by Babybjorn, the premium Swedish baby brand boasting 59 years of tradition.



Gallery 7 at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul presents private dining promotion







The Fairmont Ambassador Seoul is offering a "Taste of Spring" seasonal promotion introducing private dining experiences in the elegant event spaces of Gallery 7.



Located on the seventh floor of the hotel, Gallery 7 is home to small- and medium-scale meeting spaces with interior designs that evoke the atmosphere and style of an art gallery.



The curated selection of venues offers customization for events ranging from business meetings and product launches to family celebrations, while the business dining menu presents breakfast, lunch and dinner options that change each month to embrace new seasonal ingredients.



The promotion, which is available until the end of May, is available in Gallery 7's five event spaces, which are each inspired by a different concept and offer menu choices suitable for all styles of upscale gatherings.



The promotion includes breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday, with advance reservation required. Saturday and Sunday reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance for groups of fewer than four guests, and 48 hours in advance for groups of four guests or more.



Breakfasts feature a choice of Western, Korean and Japanese menus, with each course crafted from seasonal ingredients. The lunch and dinner menus change weekly in accordance with the availability of seasonal ingredients.



6 Hyatt hotels in Korea present joint promotion




Burma Aseans Next Move in Myanmar

Myanmars coup leader Min Aung Hlaing (right at the front) at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Indonesia on April 24. / Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

The five-point consensus on the situation in Myanmar agreed by the Asean leaders in Jakarta on Saturday will provide a rough roadmap for a regional process to find a durable solution. In the coming weeks, Asean has to act prudently and take advantage of the momentum generated by the three-hour family-like gathering.

The Asean leaders and Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi exchanged views in a frank manner during the two sessions.

The first session lasted only 30 minutes with the report by the Asean chair, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, on the ongoing efforts to strengthen the Asean community, the response to COVID-19 and progress of the economic recovery plan. The chair also stressed the importance of Aseans external relations. As such, Asean must maintain balanced relations with the blocs two major dialogue partners, China and the US. The chair also tasked the foreign ministers with admitting the post-Brexit United Kingdom as an 11th dialogue partner this year.

The second session was devoted to Myanmar. After an introduction by the chair and a report by the Asean chief, Myanmars coup leader Min Aung Hlaing took the floor for the next 30 minutes, briefing the Asean leaders on the situation. He showed a series of digital slides and distributed a hefty handbook detailing what his State Administrative Council has done since it seized power on February 1.

Other leaders spoke candidly, especially on the need to end violence against protesters, free political prisoners, hold talks and look for reconciliation. At the meeting, Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai called for the discharge of all detainees in a four-point proposal, which also includes de-escalation of violence, delivery of humanitarian assistance and talks. Other leaders shared similar views. No Asean leaders lashed out at the senior general. During the informal ministerial meeting on March 2, foreign ministers from Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia strongly criticized the military regime represented by veteran diplomat, Wunna Muang Lwin, which has been used to point to Aseans lack of unity in the crisis.

The coming days will show if Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has kept his word in stopping the violence. He promised the Asean leaders that the situation is improving. Independent sources, including Myanmars Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, put the numbers of deaths above 750 while the junta insists only 247 have been killed. He alleged unknown forces were responsible for the other deaths.

Without monitoring officials and a mechanism to end the violence, Asean must rely on personal trust in the senior general. The meeting was a good opportunity to observe his manner and body language as a means to establish trust. One official described the meeting as a family gathering with lots of reflections of their faces and bodies.

One indicator will come along the Thai border. At the moment, the numbers fleeing are minimal. Earlier, the Thai authorities raised fears that there would be an influx of refugees. That has not happened. If the fighting intensifies, there will be waves of people crossing.

If there is convincing evidence that the Tatmadaw (military) is keeping its word, Asean can then expand its contacts and explore areas of quick returns for cooperation. Obviously, humanitarian assistance would be one area, as Myanmar is facing a COVID-19 crisis. Min Aung Hlaing boasted that 1.8 million people had been vaccinated. If everything goes as planned, with the appointment of a special Asean envoy then it is possible that Asean would be able to dispatch an assessment team to Myanmar to work out action plans for further humanitarian operations and other priorities in the near future.

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Regional Myanmar Protest Leader Appears in Court on Widely Derided Murder Charge

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East Chinas Anhui province will build 25,000 5G base stations this year, local authorities said at a recent press briefing.

The province overfulfilled its annual targets by building 29,415 5G base stations and 62 5G application scenarios in 2020, according to Zhao De, an official with the Department of Economy and Information Technology of Anhui Province.

The province introduced a number of policies to support the development of 5G last year. Government funds worth 74.1 million yuan ($11.4 million) were earmarked for the industry, Zhao said.

In 2020, Anhui achieved coverage of 5G networks in urban areas of prefecture-level cities and nine development zones such as Hefei Innovation Industry Park and Anhui Tuscity Sci-tech Park.

The province also bolstered the wide application of 5G technology. In September last year, a 4.4-km-long 5G-covered road, the first of its kind in Anhui, opened in Baohe district of Hefei, capital of the province.

The province plans to build 25,000 5G base stations and created 100 5G application scenarios in 2021, Zhao said.




Calvert City is encouraging kids and adults of all ages to participate in Kites Over Calvert on May 1. PHOTO:Photo by Charlotte Harrison on Unsplash

Calvert City 'Kites Over Calvert' Today

By West Kentucky Star Staff

CALVERT CITY - Calvert City encourages kids and adults of all ages to participate in Kites Over Calvert this afternoon.The event will take place from 1 pm through 3 pm in Doctors Park behind City Hall.The Calvert Area Development Association will be giving away free kites on a first-come, first-serve basis to children.The event will operate on 'kite-time,' and if the weather does not cooperate, the event will be rescheduled to May 8.
At least 1000 cartoons of the United Nations were found inside the Fadhel Abdula Aziz School in the Tayy Quarter that was made as a military headquarter in the combing operation carried out in the quarter.

The United Nations WFP sends humanitarian aids to the Syrian Government to be delivered to families in need.

At a time North Eastern Syria regions are under blockade, and all crossing points are closed to relieve aids such big amounts of humanitarian needs are found at the mercenaries bases that corroborates complicity by the Syrian Government in exploiting the aids to it's benefits.

In December last year, the Tel Kocher Crossing Point was closed by a Russian Chinese veto that along with Ramtha were closed, while the Bab al-Hawa under control of the Turkish Army and affiliated mercenaries remains open just for political purposes exerted against the AANES from one point and to make aids subject to the Syrian Government.

Relief aids that are found are sent by International Medical Corps, and the UNWFP the world's largest humanitarian organization provide relief aids to more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.

All materials are signaled by UNWFP, IMC and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent entailing that they not for sale.

According to ANHA's, all these cartoons would be sent to local societies to be delivered to people in need.

On April, 20th, National Defence Forces attacked a checkpoint held by the Internal Security Forces that led to martyrdom of Xaled Uthamn on which violent clashes erupted in southern Qamishlo lasted four days in which tribal dignitary Hayes Ceryan and a 10-year child were killed by the mercenaries in addition to a number of civilian injuries.

L.A.

ANHA
(CNN) -- President Joe Biden on Saturday became the first US president to officially recognize the massacre of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire as a genocide, risking a potential fracture with Turkey but signaling a commitment to global human rights.

In a statement marking the 106th anniversary of the massacre's start, Biden wrote, "Each year on this day, we remember the lives of all those who died in the Ottoman-era Armenian genocide and recommit ourselves to preventing such an atrocity from ever again occurring."

"Today, as we mourn what was lost, let us also turn our eyes to the future -- toward the world that we wish to build for our children. A world unstained by the daily evils of bigotry and intolerance, where human rights are respected, and where all people are able to pursue their lives in dignity and security," Biden said. "Let us renew our shared resolve to prevent future atrocities from occurring anywhere in the world. And let us pursue healing and reconciliation for all the people of the world."

The move fulfills Biden's campaign pledge to finally use the word genocide to describe the systematic killing and deportation of Armenians in what is now Turkey more than a century ago. Biden's predecessors in the White House had stopped short of using the word, wary of damaging ties with a key regional ally.

Earlier this week, US officials had been sending signals to allies outside the administration -- who have been pushing for an official declaration -- that the President would recognize the genocide. Addressing the potential move in an interview with a Turkish broadcaster this week, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, "If the United States wants to worsen ties, the decision is theirs."

Cavusoglu on Saturday said Ankara completely rejects Biden's use of the term. "We are not going to take lessons about our history from anyone. Political opportunism is the biggest betrayal of peace and justice. We completely reject this statement that is only based on populism," he said in a tweet.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday offered condolences to "Ottoman Armenians, who lost their lives under the difficult circumstances of World War I." That message to Patriarch of Turkish Armenians Sahak Mashalian echoed Erdogan's previous statements on April 24 and came before Biden's declaration.

Turkish Presidency communications director Fahrettin Altun later Saturday said that "the Biden administration's decision to misportray history out with an eye on domestic political calculations is a true misfortune for Turkey-U.S. relations."

The government of Turkey often registers complaints when foreign governments describe the event, which began in 1915, using the word "genocide." They maintain that it was wartime and there were losses on both sides, and they put the number of dead Armenians at 300,000.

Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump both avoided using the word genocide to avoid angering Ankara.

But Biden has determined that relations with Turkey and Erdogan -- which have deteriorated over the past several years anyway -- should not prevent the use of a term that would validate the plight of Armenians more than a century ago and signal a commitment to human rights today.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed Biden's statement as such, tweeting that "the US has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to protecting human rights and universal values."

The declaration will not bring with it any new legal consequences for Turkey, only diplomatic fallout.

As vice president, Biden dealt frequently with Erdogan and made four trips to Turkey, including in the aftermath of a failed coup attempt. But since then he's offered a less-than-rosy view of the Turkish leader.

"I've spent a lot of time with him. He is an autocrat," he told the New York Times editorial board in 2020. "He's the President of Turkey and a lot more. What I think we should be doing is taking a very different approach to him now, making it clear that we support opposition leadership."

Biden spoke by telephone with Erdogan on Friday, his first conversation with the Turkish leader since taking office. The long period without communication had been interpreted as a sign Biden is placing less importance on the US relationship with Turkey going forward.

The two men agreed to meet in person on the sidelines of a mid-June NATO summit in Brussels. The White House said Biden conveyed "his interest in a constructive bilateral relationship with expanded areas of cooperation and effective management of disagreements," but the readout did not mention the Armenian genocide issue.

The campaign of atrocities Biden is acknowledging began the nights of April 23 and 24, 1915, when authorities in Constantinople, the Ottoman capital, rounded up about 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders. Many of them ended up deported or assassinated. April 24, known as Red Sunday, is commemorated as Genocide Remembrance Day by Armenians around the world.

The number of Armenians killed has been a major point of contention. Estimates range from 300,000 to 2 million deaths between 1914 and 1923, with not all of the victims in the Ottoman Empire. But most estimates -- including one of 800,000 between 1915 and 1918, made by Ottoman authorities themselves -- fall between 600,000 and 1.5 million.

Whether due to killings or forced deportation, the number of Armenians living in Turkey fell from 2 million in 1914 to under 400,000 by 1922.

While the death toll is in dispute, photographs from the era document some mass killings. Some show Ottoman soldiers posing with severed heads, others with them standing amid skulls in the dirt. The victims are reported to have died in mass burnings and by drowning, torture, gas, poison, disease and starvation. Children were reported to have been loaded into boats, taken out to sea and thrown overboard. Rape, too, was frequently reported.

As a candidate, Biden said that if he were elected, "I pledge to support a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide and will make universal human rights a top priority for my administration."

Similar pledges have gone unfulfilled before. When Obama was running for president, he declared in a lengthy statement that he shared "with Armenian Americans -- so many of whom are descended from genocide survivor -- a principled commitment to commemorating and ending genocide."

But like presidents before him, the realities of diplomacy intervened once he took office. In all eight years of his presidency, Obama avoided using "genocide" when commemorating the April event. With Turkey then positioned as a key partner in the fight against ISIS terrorists, the issue appeared even less palatable.

Some officials who served in Obama's administration, including his deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes and then-US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, later voiced regret at not having taken the step. Power is Biden's nominee to lead the US Agency for International Development.

In 2019, the House and Senate passed a resolution recognizing the mass killings of Armenians from 1915 to 1923 as genocide. Prior to its passage, the Trump administration had asked Republican senators to block the unanimous consent request several times on the grounds that it could undercut negotiations with Turkey.

Trump attempted to cultivate a friendship with Erdogan, even as relations between Washington and Ankara soured over Turkey's purchase of a Russian-made air defense system and alleged human rights abuses by Turkish-backed forces in Syria.

A group of more than 100 Republican and Democratic lawmakers wrote a letter to Biden this month calling on him to formally recognize the Armenian genocide. The group was led by Rep. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat. A large Armenian American community resides in and around Schiff's district in Los Angeles.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement Saturday that "our hearts are full of joy that President Biden has taken the historic step of joining Congress with formal recognition on Armenian Genocide Day."

"To commemorate this solemn day of remembrance, let us pledge to always stand strong against hatred and violence wherever we see it and recommit to building a future of hope, peace and freedom for all the world's children."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Biden officially recognizes the massacre of Armenians in World War I as a genocide"
the hook.

He rushes to fight JOE.

LEWIS TAN

RIGHT! Time to show what this weird stringy armor thing can really DO!

He and JOE just sort of BEAT ON EACH OTHER for a while without the ARMOR seeming to do ANYTHING AT ALL.

LEWIS TAN

Ugh, piece of junk. Hey, where's that auto-plot-resolving MacGuffin

Tadanobu handed me earlier; maybe it can win the fight for me.

He pulls out HIROYUKI'S OLD DAGGER THING, and it summons HIROYUKI'S GHOST, which hurls a HARPOON into JOE!

HIROYUKI SANADA

GET OVER HERE!!

(pause)

And yes, I said that line despite my character not knowing how to

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speak English, who gives a crap.

He yanks JOE over to him.

JOE TASLIM

Ulp, this ain't good! Fortunately, it is now the climax. FULL SUITE OF

ICE POWERS, ACTIVATE!

He stabs HIROYUKI with an ICE KNIFE, then throws him through an ICE WALL, then dodges his blows while leaving behind an ICE CLONE, which, you know, coulda just dodged without bothering with the clone, but this way more IIICCCEEE.

HIROYUKI SANADA

(getting his ass kicked)

Damnit, this is kinda taking the wind out of my whole Unholy Revenge

from Beyond the Veil of Death thing. Lewis, little help?

LEWIS TAN

Sorry great-etcetera-grampa, I've decided to leave the fight

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altogether to try and punch my family out of their ice cocoons.

(punches and punches and punches ice)

Geez, wish those stupid arm-blade things would activate right about

now...

HIROYUKI SANADA

I hate to repeat myself, but will you please GET OVER HERE!!!

LEWIS TAN

FIIINE

LEWIS and HIROYUKI team up to give JOE a total BEATDOWN.

HIROYUKI SANADA

Okay then, we've got him on the ropes, time for a finishing move:

(breathes fire and turns Joe instantly into a charred corpse)

...Which, as it turns out, could have been the only move and saved us

a lot of time.

Suddenly TADANOBU, JESSICA, MEHCAD, and LUDI all burst in.

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JESSICA MCNAMEE

Oh, are we too late to help fight the final boss? Sorry, traffic was a

bitch.

Then CHIN HAN arrives, extremely ANGRY.

CHIN HAN

Oh, big whoop, you killed all my guys. Well, your ghost ringer has been

dead for centuries, so what does death matter anyway! In fact, I'm just

gonna evaporate away all my guy's corpses so we can reuse them in the

sequel, thus making everything completely unsatisfying, NYAH!

(leaves)

TADANOBU ASANO

I suppose that fits the source material: no matter how beaten,

stabbed, harpooned, frozen, or sprayed with flesh-melting acid you

get, you can always expect to get back to your feet for round two.

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(reaches into cloak)

So in that spirit, who wants to see the sequel hook we got!

LEWIS TAN

Sure, I could go for more of this! It was still goofy as all get out

with paper-thin characters and story, but now that we've actually got

good fight choreography and special effects, this has been a pretty

fun time! And best of all, we completely left out that annoying

Hollywood douchebag character Johnny Cage!

TADANOBU ASANO

(hastily shoves hand back into cloak)

Well, never mind then.

END

Top Image: Warner Bros.
SEATTLE, April 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Climate Commitment Act (CCA), SB 5126, was passed by the Washington State Legislature today, the first climate legislation in the country to pave the way to net zero carbon emissions by the year 2050. The historic and carefully crafted cap-and-invest legislation is now on its way to Governor Jay Inslee to be signed into law.

Bill Sponsor Senator Reuven Carlyle and House Environment Committee Chair Representative Joe Fitzgibbon worked closely with members of both houses to ensure the legislation would put both a decreasing cap on carbon and on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while making significant investments in new infrastructure, transit, agriculture, forestry and shipbuilding projects. The bill puts a hard cap on carbon emissions and lowers that cap year by year.

"This remarkable outcome could not have been achieved without the steadfast leadership of Senator Carlyle, Representative Fitzgibbon, and a host of elected officials and other climate champions," said David Giuliani, co-founder of Washington Business Alliance, Sonicare inventor, and entrepreneur. "Years of passionate advocacy and alliance building enabled this moment, which has eluded Olympia over the last decade."

Sally Jewell, Former US Secretary of the Interior joined the many voices supporting this legislation saying, "To protect our valuable natural resources, our mountain snowpack and our oceans, we need climate action now. The Climate Commitment Act puts Washington squarely in a leadership role in combating climate change and protecting the natural places we all love."

Importantly, the Climate Commitment Act includes several provisions to prioritize historically overburdened communities, including establishment of an Environmental Justice Council.

"The impacts of climate change will not be borne equally or fairly, between rich and poor, women and men, and older and younger generations," noted Paula Sardinas of the Washington Build Back Black Alliance. By passing SB 5126, she told legislators, "we are going to leave our children a far better planet than the one we all inherited."

In March, a diverse group of supporters, including business leaders, social justice and equity advocates, environmental groups, labor unions, local employers, energy companies and more joined together to call on the Washington State Legislature to pass the Climate Commitment Act, saying, "Despite some notable progress in addressing climate change and ushering in a clean energy economy, carbon emissions in the state are still growing. To meet the state's climate goals and those of the Paris Climate Accords, more needs to be done."

The Act is modeled after the only solution proven to ensure the state not only meets its carbon emissions goals, but also stimulates economic returns and generates substantial investments for overburdened communities. Integrated with a future transportation funding package, Senate Bill 5126 will also be the state's largest investment in mobility and climate protection, generating billions of dollars of investments into a transition to a low-carbon economy.

Work will continue on the Forward Washington Transportation infrastructure proposal by Senator Steve Hobbs and the Miles Ahead Washington proposal by Representative Jake Fey to complete what the Seattle Times has called the "Grand Bargain" of a climate and transportation package. "This cap program recognizes the important link between transportation and emissions, and passing it adds momentum to completing the full suite of bills, that work interactively for climate, communities, and our economy," said David Giuliani.

The diverse group of supporters include former US Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell, Earth Day Founder Denis Hayes, Vulcan Inc., Vigor, Puget Sound Solar, McKinstry, MacDonald Miller Facility Solutions, Microsoft, and bp America, along with business associations like Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC), Tabor 100, and American Institute of Architects (AIA) Washington Council. A list of supporters can be found here .

Additional information on the bill, supporters and other updates can be found at Clean & Prosperous Washington as well as this DropBox Link . Media, please contact Lee Keller for interviews at 206.799.3805 or [email protected].

More About Clean & Prosperous Washington, a project of the Washington Business Alliance

The Washington Business Alliance launched Clean & Prosperous Washington (CaPWA) in support of the Climate Commitment Act legislation. The bill was introduced by Governor Inslee and sponsored by Senator Reuven Carlyle (D-Seattle). The Business Alliance work now shifts to education and assistance to business and state government on implementation to make the best of this opportunity.

SOURCE Clean & Prosperous Washington

Related Links

https://www.cleanprosperouswa.com


By Donna Murch

Listening to the Derek Chauvin trial was excruciating. As I am still working from home, teaching history classes on Zoom and attending meetings, I checked into the trial at various points throughout the day. And more often than not, I had to turn down the sound or turn off the coverage entirely. It is just too painful to watch (or hear) and to still carry on with my daily routine.

On Tuesday, defense lawyer Eric Nelson repeatedly played audio of George Floyd screaming that he couldnt breathe, while he was still in the police cruiser, to instill doubt about his true cause of death. For me, it had just the opposite effect. It reminded me of the devastating torture this man suffered not only in the last minutes of his life but in a prolonged ordeal well before he left this world. The sound of his pain will not be forgotten anytime soon.

In such moments, I turn to historical reverie. As a scholar of the Black Panther Party (BPP), I have been thinking about how their ideas might speak to the present moment. They artfully combined the use of legal education with the embrace of armed self-defense in a way that is almost impossible to imagine today.

In the year after Congressional passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, two Merritt College students founded the Black Panther Party on the edge of a community college campus in Oakland California. Their Ten Point Program drew on the Declaration of Independence, the internationalism of Malcolm X, and socialist calls for full employment and housing as a human right.

What ultimately made the Panthers (in)famous was their police patrols, in which they directly intervened when they saw Black subjects being harassed or abused by the police. They looked to Vladimir Lenins idea of a vanguard party and lead by example. Most of their members were in their teens and early 20s and were childhood friends of the founder Huey Newton. Dressed in black berets and leather jackets, they drove around the city of Oakland, theatrically policing the police.

When they witnessed police stops of Black residents, they intervened. Carrying loaded unconcealed weapons with tomes of California state law, they educated police and the Black people who were being harassed about their rights under the Declaration of Independence and California statutes. They also explained to law enforcement why it was legal for them to carry loaded weapons. Rooted in Max Webers conception of state power, these young Black people (many of them migrants from the South) challenged the claim that only the state could possess the legitimate monopoly of force.

Initially, the police were dumbfounded and uncertain about how to respond because what these young activists were doing was in fact legal. This first phase of Panther activism was short-lived because in less than seven months, in May 1967, the California legislature overturned the law that made their patrols possible. Soon after, a wave of repression followed that left much of the male leadership incarcerated or in exile.

At this inflection point, the Panthers founded their famed breakfast programs and liberation schools and repudiated armed self-defense because Newton felt it alienated the community they were meant to serve. Police patrols represented a brief phase in an organization with a 16-year history; in fact, their longest-running institution was a primary school for children, which remained open until 1982.

So, what do the first seven months of the Black Panther Party mean for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Adam Toledo, Korryn Gaines, Daunte Wright, Jamar Clark, Philando Castile and the over 4,000 people who have been killed by law enforcement since a police officer fatally shot Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014?

First, that we must be vigilant and act collectively to protect one another. Without the video by a brave, 17-year-old Darnella Frazier, the recent victory of second-degree murder conviction would never have been possible.

Secondly, the Panthers exposed a deeper underlying logic about the onslaught of police killings of Black people. Many claim that police use of force stems from the fear involved in split-second decision-making; this may be true in some cases, but it is an unsatisfying explanation for what we witnessed in Minneapolis. Instead, the Panthers argued that law enforcement functions like an occupying army in Black communities. The wielding of life-threatening force is an expression of racial dominion and of the corresponding right to kill non-white people with impunity.

Seen through this lens, the video that went viral of Floyds suffocation that moved between 16 million and 25 million people to protest  creating one of the largest movements in American history  takes on another meaning. It is not just the suffering that so many of us identify with as we watch a man crying for his mother and trying to breathe. An even more troubling element is the expression of controlled violence as Chauvin places his hand casually in his hip with his knee on Floyds neck as the ultimate signifier of dominance  the right to decide who lives and who dies.

These are images and sounds not easily digested or forgotten.

Donna Murch is an associate professor of history at Rutgers University.

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Brenda Adelman, is the writer and performer of My Brooklyn Hamlet, a one-woman show about the power of forgiveness.

She found the courage to tell her story of redemption and forgiveness after her father shot and killed her mom and soon took a new bride, her aunt (her mothers sister). In sharing her story in person on stages in 4 countries and 10 states, for over 12,000 people, for audiences as diverse as women prisoners, youth-at-risk, for domestic violence trainings, at theatres and spiritual communities she now has the opportunity to reach people all over the world with this filmed version of her show.

Brendas found freedom by turning her life story into art using self-expression and storytelling and offers that same opportunity through her storytelling classes, and forgiveness workshops.

My Brooklyn Hamlet is a real life Shakespearean tragedy in a modern day Brooklyn setting. The show is part family comedy, part Greek tragedy about love, family, betrayal murder and the awesome power of forgiveness. In 1995, Brendas mother was shot and killed by her father. Within months he married her aunt. This story contains the height of love and hate along with passion, denial, a healthy dose of humor and finally acceptance of what is.

Scripps Ranch Theatre and Oceanside Theatre Company are co-producing and presenting her one-woman play, MY BROOKLYN HAMLET. The production will be streaming from April 23 - 25 and April 30 - May 2. The cost of tickets is $22.00 and can be purchased at http://scrippsranchtheatre.org/mybrooklynhamlet/.

On Sunday, April 25 at 6pm PST the theatre is hosting a LIVE & VIRTUAL Q&A with Brenda that is open to everyone, not just ticket holders.

Brenda Adelman received a best actor award from Zaki Gordan Institute for Daddys Girl, a short film based on My Brooklyn Hamlet. She received a best actress nomination at The Orlando International Fringe Festival and a Critics Pick at The Orlando and San Diego International Fringe Festivals. My Brooklyn Hamlet was chosen as part of Best of the Fest by The Los Angeles Womens Theatre Festival.

Shes performed My Brooklyn Hamlet at The New End Theatre in London, The Jewish Ensemble Theatre in Michigan, Celebration Theatre in Los Angeles, The Marsh, San Francisco, for Coalitions against Domestic Violence in NY, AZ and NM, for women prisoners in Los Angeles, spiritual communities (Church of Religious Science, Center for Spiritual Living, Unity Church and Jewish Communities) in HI, CA, AZ, and OK. She has also performed at theatres, womens groups, for college students and faculty in NY, AZ, MI and HI, for the US Air Force and at International Theatre Festivals in England and Austria.

She is the recipient of the Hero of Forgiveness award from The Hawaii International Forgiveness Project and has been interviewed on over 200 media outlets including Fox TV morning news, CBS8, NPR and ReInvention Radio.

You can learn more about Brenda at her website https://forgivenessandfreedom.com/ and you can purchase your tickets to MY BROOKLYN HAMLET here: http://scrippsranchtheatre.org/mybrooklynhamlet/

Robert Garcia, SHIFT Magazine

http://www.shiftlifedesign.com

Phone: 619-316-1856

Email: dragonsgold76@gmail.com
Much of the Macross catalogue is due to be legally released around the world, courtesy of Big West. The Japanese advertising agency, which was involved in the production of many Macross works, has been announced as the worldwide distributor of franchise titles made after 1987.

Two weeks ago, news came of a major breakthrough in the legal disputes that had long frustrated the overseas distribution of Macross works. Essentially, Big West reached an agreement with Harmony Gold USA, a company that had licensed early Macross series and reworked them into a show called Robotech. The agreement settled the terms of the licensing arrangements and paved the way for the new distribution set-up.

In addition to the library titles, Big West will distribute future Macross productions, including the forthcoming feature Gekijoban Macross Delta: Zettai Live!!!!!! (Macross Delta the Movie: Absolute Live!!!!!!). The company will also release games, toys, live concert performances, and other derivative products. It has set up a Youtube channel to host Macross content; the channel is currently streaming the original video anime The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Flash Back 2012 for a limited time.
Far from home and in unfamiliar settings, domestic workers in the Gulf, like Ms. Dama  the vast majority of them women  have long used social media to keep in touch with friends and family. As the popularity of TikTok exploded last year, they have increasingly turned to the platform to open up about their lives and working conditions  many of them saying they are overworked, sexually harassed and targets of discrimination.

Here, it is really tough, Ms. Dama said in a telephone interview from Saudi Arabia. You end up crying every day. But when you see the positive comments on your videos, youre like, oh, this person understands.

The oil-rich monarchies of the Persian Gulf depend on migrant laborers from Africa, Asia and poorer Arab countries to keep the machinery of daily life running  millions of housekeepers, construction workers, delivery workers, garbage collectors, guards, hairdressers and more. Those workers often outnumber the native population.

As of 2016, there were nearly four million foreign domestic workers in the Gulf, according to a study by Abu Dhabi Dialogue, a forum on migrant labor, and the number has most likely risen since. Before the pandemic, an estimated 36,000 new domestic workers headed to the region each year, according to the forum.

Most foreign domestic workers in the Gulf are employed through a sponsorship system that gives their employers almost total control over them. They are unable to change jobs or leave the country without permission from their employer, and their bosses often confiscate their mobile phones and passports.
Returning the airline industry to full strength should be a key priority to boost the global economic outlook as failure to do so will result in many airlines going under, warns Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker.

In an interview on CNNs Quest Means Business, Al Baker discussed the challenges facing the airline industry amid the coronavirus pandemic:

By the time this pandemic is over, there will only be few airlines that are strong and will continue operating. A lot of other airlines will go under. And this will continue to happen, because we have not seen the worst of it over yet.

If this pandemic prolongs for too long, this will completely destroy the world's economy which is so dependent on airlines for delivering business, carrying freight around, and most importantly creating jobs.

Al BAker showed CNNs Richard Quest the safety precautions that the airline is taking at Hamad International Airport in Doha and on board its planes. These include high-tech temperature sensors, ultraviolet disinfectant processes, and mask-wearing on flights.

I can assure you as the CEO of an airline, my biggest priority is to protect my passengers and my crew. All the precautions we have taken and the measurements we take, infections on airplanes is minimal, he said.

Al Baker spoke about the process of asking the companys shareholders  the Qatari government  for a cash injection during the pandemic, I couldn't just jump the queue and go and tell my boss, the ruler of my country, that our situation is so dire, and this is what we need. Because I am sure there were a lot of other people in the queue before me telling him the same thing.

The CEO also spoke about access to vaccinations and mitigating the risks amid slow vaccine rollouts in some countries. He told Quest: It will be a problem for the aviation industry. And we will have to work a way within these risks that we will have to take. But we will have to do things, we'll have to put processes, we'll have to put systems in place to mitigate that risk.
London, April 26 : The UK will be sending more than 600 pieces of vital medical equipment to India to support it in fight against Covid-19, the UK government announced.

The assistance package, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, includes ventilators and oxygen concentrators from surplus stocks. The Department of Health and Social Care have worked closely with the NHS, as well as suppliers and manufacturers in the UK to identify reserve life-saving equipment that can be sent to India.

Recently, India has been reporting high number of Covid-19 cases and deaths while several reports of shortage of oxygen are also coming.

The first shipment of equipment has already left the UK and it will be arriving to India in the early hours of Tuesday. Further shipments are due to follow later this week.

In total, nine airline container loads of supplies, including 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators, will be sent to the country this week. This equipment will be crucial in helping to save the lives of the most vulnerable in India. The oxygen concentrators, for example, can extract oxygen from the air in the atmosphere so that it can be provided to patients, taking the strain off hospital oxygen systems and allowing oxygen to be provided in situations where hospital oxygen supplies have run out.

The UK is working closely with the Government of India to identify further assistance it can provide in the coming days.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "We stand side by side with India as a friend and partner during what is a deeply concerning time in the fight against Covid-19. Vital medical equipment, including hundreds of oxygen concentrators and ventilators, is now on its way from the UK to India to support efforts to prevent the tragic loss of life from this terrible virus." "We will continue to work closely with the Indian government during this difficult time and I'm determined to make sure that the UK does everything it can to support the international community in the global fight against the pandemic," he added.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: "We are supporting our Indian friends with vital medical equipment at a difficult time for them in this pandemic. We have all got to work together to tackle Covid-19. India is a very important partner to us, so we're providing oxygen concentrators and ventilators to help save the lives of the most vulnerable. We will be following up on this first delivery with further support, based on our ongoing discussions with the Indian Government." Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock has said: "The heart-breaking scenes in India show once again how awful this terrible disease is. We are determined to support the people of India through this very difficult time, and I am hugely grateful to those who have worked hard to make this initial delivery happen." "This first delivery of life saving equipment will provide much needed assistance and we stand ready to do more. The global pandemic has challenged health systems all across the world and the best way to overcome adversity is to unite and defeat this dreadful disease together," he added.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced growing scrutiny Sunday following explosive accusations by his former chief aide Dominic Cummings earlier this week that he lacks competence and integrity.

Cummings, who stepped down as his top adviser in December, used a personal blog Friday to allege Johnson tried to solicit potentially illegal donations to renovate his publicly-funded Downing Street flat.

He also claimed the UK leader suggested blocking an internal inquiry into government leaks, because the culprit identified was a close friend of Johnson's fiancee Carrie Symonds.

Johnson's office has dismissed the damning accusations, insisting all "reportable donations" are transparently disclosed and that the prime minister "has never interfered in a government leak inquiry".

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said Sunday the claims were "a massive distraction" and that she had been assured all rules have been fully complied with.

"This is tittle tattle that's being promoted and I don't think it addresses the key issues the people of Britain care about," she told Sky News.

But the charges, which follow weeks of stories about allegedly inappropriate lobbying and sleaze involving Johnson, his ministers and officials, have dominated news headlines and front pages this weekend.

Some Conservatives have joined the condemnation of Johnson, with former attorney general Dominic Grieve, a long-time critic, branding him "a vacuum of integrity".

They have also prompted the main opposition Labour Party to call for a "root and branch" independent inquiry into the use of taxpayers' money by Johnson's government.

"Whether I back Dominic Cummings' view or Boris Johnson's view, what we need is a proper independent inquiry where it isn't about two boys fighting and is about taxpayers in our country," Labour lawmaker Jess Phillips told Sky News.

Story continues

She confirmed the party will pose an urgent question in parliament next week about the allegations surrounding Johnson's flat refurbishment.

- 'Foolish, possibly illegal' -

Cummings, the controversial brains behind the 2016 campaign for Britain to leave the European Union, was appointed chief adviser by Johnson when he took power in July 2019.

He helped to secure a thumping election victory that December, but his frequent clashes with colleagues are said to have led to persistent tensions and he left government a year later.

Cummings' reputation had been severely damaged after he went on a lengthy cross-country journey with his family, claiming he and his wife needed help from relatives after they both developed Covid-19 symptoms, despite stay-at-home rules in force.

In his most serious claim Friday, Cummings wrote he had warned Johnson against plans to use Conservative Party donations in an "unethical, foolish, possibly illegal" way to renovate his Downing Street apartment.

Following months of controversy about the issue, a government minister said in a written parliamentary answer Friday that Johnson had met the costs "out of his own pocket", but it is unclear if he repaid a donor.

The Electoral Commission, which regulates donations to political parties and their spending, has confirmed it is investigating the matter.

Cummings ended his 1,000-word blog post by adding: "It is sad to see the PM and his office fall so far below the standards of competence and integrity the country deserves."

Cummings was responding to newspaper headlines reporting Downing Street staff blamed the ex-aide for leaking embarrassing text messages, including some that have embroiled billionaire inventor James Dyson in the growing Westminster lobbying scandal.

The Sunday Times reported Johnson may have personally briefed the newspaper editors, after deciding "to finger Cummings for the leaks".

"It is understood that he overruled advisers who warned him that the move was 'suicidal', it said.

jj/tgb
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 20:54:36|Editor: huaxia

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JAKARTA -- "There, the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine was found in three big parts" at the depth of 838 meters under the sea, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Yudo Margono told a joint press conference on Sunday.

The wreckage of the missing Indonesian submarine was located on the sea floor off Bali Island on Sunday with all 53 crew members aboard dead, he said.

- - - -

YEREVAN -- "In order to implement the decision on holding snap parliamentary elections on June 20, today I resign from the position of the Prime Minister of Armenia," Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Sunday in a televised address to the nation.

Pashinyan announced his resignation to pave the way for snap parliamentary elections scheduled for June.

- - - -

KIEV -- "Dumping 1.2 million tons (of radioactive wastewater) into the ocean is barbaric ... I know firsthand how badly it affects people," Olga Kosharna, member of the Board of the State Inspectorate for Nuclear Regulation of Ukraine, has told Xinhua on Friday in an interview.

The Ukrainian nuclear expert has sounded alarms over the health risks posed to generations by the nuclear-contaminated water that Japan plans to dump into the ocean.

- - - -

SYDNEY -- "If you find a penguin on the beach, it needs help. Keep your dogs away from the penguins and call for help," said Tracey Wilson, owner of the non-profit organization in Victoria, Mosswood Wildlife.

Australian wildlife rescuers warn the public not to put vulnerable penguins back in water and call on people to realize the importance of protecting nature on World Penguin Day.

The largest colony of little penguins in the state of Victoria had experienced hazardous coastal conditions two weeks ago as well as gale-force winds, causing young penguins washed up and dead on the shores of Port Phillip Bay. Enditem
Iranian Administration, on April 24, said that it would bar travellers from India over a coronavirus mutant to avert its spread in the country. The COVID-19 caseload in the Islamic Republic has already surpassed two million and a stringent lockdown has been imposed to tackle the fourth wave of infection. Battered with poverty and crisis, the Hassan Rouhani administration announced the commencement of the country mass vaccination drive earlier in April using Russias Sputnik V shots.

The Indian coronavirus is a new threat we face, President Hassan Rouhani said in remarks broadcast on state TV. Without revealing if any cases from the Indian mutation were detected in Iran he said that it was more dangerous than the English and Brazilian variant. Additionally, he also instructed eastern provinces to ascertain that the virus does not cross the boundaries in the country.

Meanwhile, Iranian civil aviation has stated that the organisation announced on local media that all flights to and from India and Pakistan would be halted from April 25 Midnight. Amidst the threat of a SARS-CoV-2 variant discovered recently in India, a barrage of countries has imposed an immediate travel ban to and from India. The list of countries includes Hong Kong, Pakistan UK, US, New Zealand, UAE amongst others.

Kuwait suspends flights from India

On April 24, another Middle Eastern state Kuwait suspended all direct flights coming from India until further notice. The decision was announced by Kuwaits Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which reasoned that the step was taken to prevent further spread of COVID-19 into the country as India battles a second wave. Explaining further in a Twitter statement, it said that all passengers arriving from India either directly or via another country will be banned from entering unless they have spent at least 14 days out of India.

However, as an exception, all Kuwaiti citizens and their domestic workers arriving from India would be allowed to enter the country. Additionally, there will be no change in the operation of freight flights. According to the latest tally by John Hopkins University, Kuwait has registered over 264 thousand cases and more than 1500 related fatalities.

(Image Credits: Iran Air/Facebook)
Probe on uproar; bid to stop SM posts from Parliament View(s):

A parliamentary committee appointed by the Speaker will look into the requests made from ruling alliance MPs to prevent parliamentarians from broadcasting on social media platforms the happenings inside the chamber, a senior official said.

On Friday, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced that a committee chaired by Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya would also look into the uproar in Parliament on Wednesday.Ministers Chamal Rajapaksa, Keheliya Rambukwella, State Minister Susil Premajayantha, Parliamentarians Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, and M. A. Sumanthiran are members of the committee.

Regretting the incident, Speaker Abeywardena said that based on the committee report, action would be taken against those who were responsible for the uproar.

House leader and Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament that one of a Badulla District government MP was assaulted at the entrance to Parliament.

Minister Namal Rajapaksa urged the Speaker to ensure this kind of practices are not allowed inside the House while pointing out the House proceedings were telecast live on a speical channel and social media platforms of Parliament.
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Washington, April 25 : Four astronauts aboard the SpaceX's Crew Dragon-2 have arrived at the International Space Station for a six-month mission, NASA said in a statement.

The spacecraft, named Endeavour by the crew, docked to the space station about 5.10 a.m. on Saturday. It had lifted-off at 5.49.02 a.m. EDT from the Launch Complex 39A at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday.

The four astronauts on board are NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur -- who will serve as the mission's spacecraft commander and pilot, respectively, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihikoa-Hoshidea and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomasa-Pesquet, who will serve as mission specialists to the space station.

The crew members first opened the hatch between the space station and the pressurised mating adapter at 7:05 a.m. EDT then opened the hatch to Crew Dragon, NASA said.

"Endeavour arriving!" Welcome to the space station, Crew 2! Their arrival means there are now 11 humans aboard our orbiting laboratory, a number not seen since the space shuttle era. Hugs abound, NASA said in a tweet on Saturday.

The Crew-2 joined Expedition 65 crew of crew of Shannon Walker, Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Mark Vande Hei of NASA, as well as Soichi Noguchi of JAXA and Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy and Pyotr Dubrov.

Meanwhile, the Crew-2 had a brief moment of suspense as a piece of space debris passed unexpectedly close by their Endeavour capsule, Space.com reported. It occurred at 1:43 p.m. EDT (1743 GMT) as the four Crew-2 astronauts were preparing to sleep after a long day, the report said.

"For awareness, we have identified a late breaking possible conjunction with a fairly close miss distance to Dragon," the report cited, SpaceX's Sarah Gilles telling the astronauts about 20 minutes before the conjunction on Friday. "As such, we do need you to immediately proceed with suit donning and securing yourselves in seats." Gilles told the astronauts to get back into their spacesuits and seats as a safety precaution in case of an impact. However, it passed with no impact.

"Dragon, SpaceX, we have passed TCA with no impact," Gilles said of the debris. The distance and composition of the debris was not immediately clear, the report said.

The Crew-2 mission is the second of six crewed missions NASA and SpaceX will fly as part of the agency's Commercial Crew Program.

The Crew-2 members will conduct science and maintenance during a six-month stay aboard the orbiting laboratory and will return no earlier than October 31, according to NASA.
In July after George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis, Black and Latino members of the Connecticut General Assembly worked to enact sweeping changes to policing in the state, and since, have continue to flex their collective muscles.

Vowing that was just the beginning, the lawmakers have turned to other long-standing issues affecting communities of color, from insisting any new recreational marijuana program will benefit those most harmed by the war on drugs, to addressing the impact of racism on public health disparities that were underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We pretty much said that no bill will pass if its not equitable to the communities of color. We pretty much said, Thats our mantra, said Rep. Geraldo Reyes, a Democrat and chairman of the influential Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, which has a record-high 32 members this year in the 151-member Connecticut General Assembly.

They led passage of a bill in March making it illegal to discriminate against someone because of their hairstyle, with lawmakers recalling during emotional floor debates the indignity they and their relatives have experienced for wearing their natural hair in workplaces or at schools. Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont signed it into law.

In state legislatures across the country, minority legislators and their allies are seizing on the nations reckoning with racial injustice to insist equity be considered in a range of legislation. And many are urging their colleagues to be bold.

If we dont do it now, we will never get it done, said Connecticut state Sen. Doug McCrory of Hartford, a Black legislator who called for an end to Novocain legislation: numbing, incremental bills that dont make major improvements for people of color regarding housing, economic opportunity, education and more.

A similar sentiment was echoed in California, where the first Black lawmakers to lead that Legislatures two public safety committees promised to bring radical change to improve the treatment of Black and Latino people by law enforcement.

We can now focus like a laser to make sure that our communities are not continuing to be oppressed, said Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, a Democrat from Los Angeles.

The push comes as legislators of color are growing in numbers and political clout in some states, giving them a greater ability to advance such ambitious legislation thats being urged by their constituents.

In recent testimony, Vanessa Monique Liles of Bridgeport, Connecticuts largest city, pressed state lawmakers to pass legislation declaring racism a public health crisis and creating a new state commission on racial equity and public health.

As a Black woman, I personally experience the effect of systemic racism, daily, but for the low-income public housing community, it is greater because there are multiple systems that weigh-in on their lives, she said.

Liles is part of a grassroots group of public housing residents residents who she said lives in environmentally damaged areas with poor clinics and schools because of this cyclical oppression resulting from racism.

In Connecticut, there are more racial minorities in legislative leadership positions than anytime in recent memory, including House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, the first Hispanic person to hold one of the top jobs.

According to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials or NALEO, the number of Latino state legislators has grown nationally from 197 members in 2001 to 332 in 2021. NALEO also identified Latino lawmakers holding top legislative leadership positions in nine states. Meanwhile, there are currently 752 Black lawmakers in state and U.S. territory legislatures, according to the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

Legislators in other states including Minnesota, Ohio and Pennsylvania say they too are sensing an opportunity to advance equity-related proposals that have stalled in the past.

Minnesota State Rep. Fue Lee, a Hmong-American Democrat who represents part of Minneapolis, the city where Floyd was killed, said his legislature would not have been able to pass wide-ranging police reforms last year, including a ban on chokeholds in all but extreme circumstances, without the efforts of the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus.

We are looking at the public investment that were making and some of the policies through a racial equity lens to ensure that whatever money or whatever legislative policy thats coming through the legislature, it needs to consider the racial equity impact that its going to have on the rest of Minnesotans, said Lee, who chairs the State Capital Investment Committee that oversees a budget of about $1 billion.

Even as Black, Latino and Asian lawmakers move into leadership positions in Democratic leaning states, some politically red states are considering bills that may limit voting participation.

In Georgia, where Republicans control the legislature, Democratic lawmakers of color failed to stop the passage of a contentious election law that adds a photo ID requirement for voting absentee by mail and cuts the amount of time people have to request an absentee ballot, among other provisions. Its part of a tide of GOP-sponsored election bills introduced in legislatures across the country after Republican former President Donald Trump falsely claimed there was widespread election fraud.

While Republicans in Georgia have argued the law is needed to restore voters confidence, critics have said it will make it harder for people to vote, particularly Black and other minority voters.

Democratic state Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler said the new law overshadowed legislative accomplishments made in 2021, such as the repeal of the Georgias citizens arrest law. The bill passed a little more than a year after the fatal shooting of a Black man, Ahmaud Arbery, who was pursued and killed by white men who said they suspected him of a crime.

Its hard not to feel that with this excellent progress, that we are not taking one step forward and two steps back, Butler said on the closing day of the legislative session last month.

Arturo Vargas, CEO of the NALEO Education Fund, said he believes the voting legislation that passed in Georgia and similar proposals considered in other Republican-leaning states reflect an attempt to curb the growing influence of minority state lawmakers.

At some point, there will be more Latinos and Latinas and African Americans in leadership roles, and I think what the status quo wants to do is to delay it as much as possible, he said. And that is exactly, in my view, the point of some of these changes in voting practices that legislatures are doing around the country.

Not all state lawmakers of color support these efforts to promote racial equity through state laws. In Connecticut, Republican Rep. Kimberly Fiorello, who is of Asian descent, recently questioned language that referred to addressing racial and gender disparities in a bill legalizing the adult use of cannabis.

I understand the desire to legalize marijuana. But this kind of language, I dont know that this is the proper role of government. I dont know how. We will always have disparities in the world, she said during a virtual committee meeting.

But the renewed scrutiny of fatal police shootings, coupled with mass protests, have pushed more legislators to take on equity issues, former state senator in Nebraska and policy lead at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Tanya Cook said.

They can say theres no such thing as systemic racism, but they sound like an idiot, Cook said. I think people seeing George Floyd get killed and Breonna Taylor and all of the uprising that we saw over the last year, with people of all ages and colors participating, heightened the awareness that, Hey, I maybe thought things had changed with Barack Obama, but clearly they havent.

__

Susan Haigh of The Associated Press wrote this story. AP writers Don Thompson in Sacramento and Jeff Amy in Atlanta contributed to this report.
New Covid-19 outbreaks can be more devastating, minister warns

People wait in line before being vaccinated against coronavirus disease in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 22, 2021. Photo by Reuters/Cindy Liu.

Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long warned Sunday that Vietnam faces a great risk of imported Covid-19 infections with double mutant variants.

"In the last 24 hours, looking at the Covid-19 situation worldwide and in the region, we are anxious about possible Covid-19 infections from the outside," Long said.

With India recording more than 340,000 new Covid-19 cases, Cambodia confirming more than 600 in the last 24 hours and Laoss daily tally surpassing Vietnams highest of 82 cases on January 28, the health ministry is "very anxious," Long said.

The new "double mutant" variants in India and the U.K. variant in Cambodia that are more transmissible pose a greater risk of community transmissions.

On Sunday, the HCMC Pasteur Institute confirmed that 85.7 percent of infected samples taken from imported Covid-19 cases from Cambodia contain the U.K. variant, and 14.3 percent have the South African variant.

"The global pandemic situation shows that new outbreaks are often larger, stronger and more devastating than previous ones," Long said.

"The health sector has prepared for the scenario of widespread local outbreaks, especially in the Mekong Delta region," the minister said, adding that his ministry is preparing for worst case scenarios like undetected infections in the community.

Over the last few months, the National Steering Committee on Covid-19 Prevention and Control and the Health Ministry have been warning about a new outbreak in the country as many people have entered the country illegally and others have dropped their guard.

Vietnams first coronavirus wave struck between January and February last year, with the epicenter being the northern province of Vinh Phuc. The second wave, which struck between July and August, was centered in the central city Da Nang City, and the third one earlier this year in the northern provinces of Hai Duong and Quang Ninh as well as Ho Chi Minh City.

The Mekong Delta, where the four provinces of An Giang, Dong Thap, Kien Giang and Long An share borders with Cambodia, has been named a potential Covid-19 hotspot.

People arriving from Cambodia are held at a border station in Vietnam's An Giang Province, March 2021. Photo courtesy of An Giang border guards.

As Vietnam tightens border controls on land, controlling illegal entrance by sea remains a challenge, Long said.

He advised people to strictly adopt prevention measures and report any illegal entry to local authorities.

"We suggest that all localities ramp up surveillance to detect new infections early. They should prepare for scenarios of outbreaks spreading in the community, so they are ready to act without fumbling," Long said.

While Vietnam has sealed its borders, there are occasional illegal entrants who evade checkpoints to avoid mandatory quarantine. Several foreigners have also been caught entering the country illegally.

As per protocol, everyone entering the nation must be quarantined for 14 days, during which he/she will be tested at least twice.

Vietnam has gone over two months without Covid-19 community transmissions.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways have said that all charges levied by major port trusts, including vessel related charges and storage charges, will be waived off. This decision will impact all the major ports of India, including the Kamarajar Port in Chennai. The ministry has also asked the ports to accord highest priority in berthing sequence to consignments related to oxygen.

All major ports will waive off charges on ships carrying the following items:

Medical grade oxygen

Oxygen tanks

Oxygen bottles

Portable oxygen generators

Oxygen concentrators

Steel Pipes for manufacturing oxygen cylinders and associated equipment for the next three months, or until further orders

The Centre has asked port chairpersons to personally supervise logistic operations to ensure that such consignments move unhindered. Such vessels will be given top priority in the port and unloading of oxygen related cargo, coordination with customs and other authorities for speedy clearance/documentation and expeditious evacuation of oxygen related cargo from port will be ensured..

If the vessel is carrying cargo in addition to oxygen related items, then waiver of charges will be on a pro-rata basis. The ministry will monitor details of such vessels, cargo and time taken in the port from entry to exit from the port gate.

"Government of India is deeply engaged in handling the crisis related to the second wave of COVID-19 in the country and taking all steps to counter the situation through appropriate and innovative measures," stated the ministry.

This announcement comes a day after the government decided to waive off health cess and basic customs duty on oxygen and oxygen-related equipment.

Also read: COVID-19 vaccines, oxygen, oxygen-related equipment exempt from customs duty
Kim was 20 years old when she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary.

Now 34, she works the same job she had prior to the offense. She says she turned down a series of promotions because a quick background check would disqualify her because her the company has a rule against putting people with criminal pasts into management.

But Kim, whose name has been changed because her record was cleared, has a second chance. The state expunged her crime in November. That means her past criminal record is sealed from public view. Future landlords or employers wont be able to find it on a background check. Without expungements, people can struggle to secure good jobs, student loans or housing due to their tainted records.

I want to have a clean slate. I dont want to have problems, Kim said in February as she waited for the final clearance. I dont even have a parking ticket.

Kim finally put her name in for the promotion last fall and started thinking seriously about moving out of her mother-in-laws house and getting a real estate license. But one last step stood between her and that clean slate: clearance from State Police that would officially seal the record. It dragged out for four months after the court granted her expungement order. That final step takes even longer for others.

Its just one headache in New Jerseys expungement system  historically among the most burdensome in the nation. Those seeking expungements that remove past criminal records from public view have faced a barrage of complicated forms and fees that prove nearly insurmountable to the average person. Add to that delays and other constraints, and only a small portion of people with criminal records are getting their records cleared.

Gov. Phil Murphy vowed to change all that. He turned the system on its head in late 2019 by signing a sweeping law designed to forever alter how New Jersey handles criminal records  and create a massive shift in culture to remove the stigma of past convictions.

New Jersey now allows people to have multiple charges sealed and file their requests electronically without paying fees. And the law will eventually usher in a system that will automatically seal records for a wide range of minor crimes after 10 years, a step that will make it one of the most progressive in the nation.

But more than a year after Murphy signed the bill, the law is far from fulfilling the governors promises.

The rollout of an automatic expungement of crimes after 10 years is proving more complex and slower than officials anticipated.

As the state works to ease the filing process, the move to make more past crimes eligible for expungement could bring a deluge of new requests to an already backlogged system, attorneys familiar with the process worry. More than 1 million new expungement petitions could come from the new legal marijuana law alone.

And with a fully streamlined expungement system likely years away, people seeking cleared records are still stuck with the old, complicated process.

I just worry that we are over-promising something to millions of people  that theres going to be a magic wand  but its going to take time, said Sarah Lageson, a Rutgers University professor who has worked on program to help people secure expungements.

The problem is people need expungement immediately. I would love for that burden to be lifted for them, but if the states not doing it, we have to make sure they have their own way.

A stubborn backlog of applications

Just over 10,000 people applied for expungements in 2020, and many applications linger in a pileup for final orders at the State Police, attorneys familiar with the process say.

That number of applications stood at 3,000 as of late March, said Trooper Alejandro Goez, a spokesman for the State Police. He said the backlog varies. It takes about 20 weeks to process an order  and thats after people have waited months to get them granted in court. It was 28 weeks in 2020 during the pandemic, he said.

It really is unfair  youre tacking on another five, six months, said Geoff Rosamond, an attorney who has worked on expungement petitions for nearly two decades. Youre administratively adding these barriers that the Legislature has been working to remove.

The 2019 expungement law established an e-filing system, eliminated fees and allocated $15 million to expand the workforce needed to process petitions.

It also ushered in what experts see as the gold standard of expungement: clean slate, which allows people to get multiple charges cleared, as long as they are not among the most serious.

But its a complicated reform that will come in waves, and the coronavirus outbreak already halted parts of laws implementation, forcing Murphy to issue an executive order to extend some deadlines.

People must wait five years after completing their prison time, parole or paying fines before becoming eligible for expungement. They must then have a hearing before a Superior Court judge. If a judge grants the expungement, an order then moves to law enforcement holding the records.

Clearance from State Police is an important last step, because the state shares its information with the National Crime Information Center database maintained by the FBI. This clearance seals records from official background checks.

The crimes that cannot be expunged are murder, manslaughter, treason, anarchy, kidnapping, rape, forcible sodomy, arson, perjury, false swearing, robbery, embracery (corrupt attempt to influence a juror), or a conspiracy or any attempt to commit any of them.

There is some progress already. Filing fees were gone, and petitioners could use an electronic system to gather their records this year, according to the state judiciary. E-filing sends expungement petitions directly to the State Police, as well as prosecutors, chiefs of police and other record keepers.

But issues remain.

The expungement system requires people to seek out their criminal records and distribute forms to every law enforcement agency involved in their case. Its a messy process, and an expungement guide from the state court system suggests people hire attorneys as a first step.

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There are pieces of papers in drawers in desks, Murphy said March 3 during a segment of Ask the Governor on WNYC, referring to the scattered records. This is ongoing. It is not as automatic as we want it to be, or as it will be.

The issue isnt hesitancy or resistance from State Police, those familiar with the process say. Its staffing issues that keep the pile of expungement petitions so high.

Murphys budget proposal includes a $1 million increase for the State Police Expungement Unit, from $12 million annually to $13 million. It does not say what costs this would cover. A spokesperson for the Treasury Department deferred comment to Murphys office, which did not return a request for comment.

The expanded eligibility for expunging records excites many, said Karen Robinson, an attorney with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice. But that eagerness could fuel a wave of applications and overwhelm the system, which already moves at a snails pace.

My concern is that finances and resources were already so backlogged, said Robinson. And with the increase in eligibility, and given the ease of the procedure to file an expungement, were clearly going to see an increase in filers.

Automatic expungement wont come easily

The most far-reaching component of the new law will eventually create an automated process to wipe away 10-year-old records. Instead of having people sleuth out their records, the state will automatically seal them.

But thats far easier said than done. New Jersey must first build an algorithm that can take on such a behemoth task.

That assumes technology that would capture all of these prior convictions, Murphy said on WNYC. And thats just not the case.

The clean slate task force mandated by the expungement reform law met for the first time in January and is making slow, steady progress, said former Gov. Jim McGreevey, who runs the New Jersey Re-Entry Corporation and serves on the task force.

But hes concerned about people who qualify for and need expungements now.

I think the effective linkage and application of technology, within the judicial system as well as the State Police, is sometime away, he said. The short-term objective is to process these expungements using traditional, manual means.

For our clients, many of whom are grappling to put their lives back together, expungement is an instrument to improve their employability, their ability to secure housing, improve their credit worthiness, he said, referring to the re-entry group. It is up until recently been so difficult that its almost beyond reach.

One piece took effect last June: for arrests that do not lead to convictions, the judge also orders the matters to be expunged without the person having to apply for expungement upon the cases dismissal.

Its also not clear how the expungements fall along racial lines. But with Black people 3.5 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana offenses than white people in New Jersey, theres worry that Black and brown people may be disproportionately seeking expungements and hitting roadblocks.

There are big structural hurdles about information and knowledge that certainly have a disparate impact on the poor, which in New Jersey often translates to people of color, said Jessica Henry, a criminal justice professor at Montclair State University. Even with the best of intentions, this is not the most straight-forward process for many people who are not equipped.

The state judiciary does not track the number of expungements granted. That makes it difficult to figure out who gets expungements, and who fails to complete the process.

Thats why automation is vital, experts say. Until it happens, wealthy people with attorneys are likely to move through the system quicker than those without means filing for expungements on their own or seeking a volunteer attorney.

Many watch opportunities pass as they fight for expungements

Nikki Tierney, 48, pleaded guilty to endangering a child after she passed out on the beach while watching her youngest son. She struggled with drug- and alcohol-dependency and took a deal that put her on probation. She got clean and won back custody of her four children, she said.

But her charge for endangering a child falls under the umbrella of others for for sex-based offenses, even though she never abused a child. The nature of the charge disqualifies her from having her record expunged.

Tierney, who used to practice law but has since surrendered her license, wants to work as an addiction counselor. But she cant due to her record.

Theres a cruel irony in her story: Tierney was charged for failing to protect her own child, yet the state returned all four of them to her custody after she got clean.

A second chance would benefit everybody here, Tierney said. Most of all, my children, and being a counselor.

Tierney said she hopes the Legislature will pass another bill to include her offense. A4771 would carve out endangering the welfare of a child in certain circumstances, making it expunge-able following completion of drug court. It cleared an Assembly committee in January.

She has testified on the bill and asked Murphy for clemency, obtained support letters from community members who know her, and even a recommendation signed by eight lawmakers.

Tierneys is a feel-good story awaiting its happy ending. Those who hear her are moved by her progress and commitment to her children. She may win sympathies, she hasnt won her clean slate.

Kim knows that feeling. For more than a decade, her burglary charge hung over her head as bosses praised her work ethic. But with an expungement, she is training now for the management promotion and plans to start looking for a place to rent soon.

Fifteen years later, and Im finally done, she said. Im officially free.

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Amanda Hoover may be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj.
Singapore, Apr 25 (PTI) A 45-year-old Indian-origin man, who was his mother's caregiver at a COVID-19 quarantine facility, was among the five new community cases reported in Singapore on Saturday.

The Singapore permanent resident had completed his COVID-19 vaccination, having received his second dose more than a month ago on March 19. His parents arrived in Singapore from India on April 15.

As of 11.59 pm on Friday, all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to India within the last 14 days were not allowed entry into Singapore. This included visitors who transited in India and all who had obtained prior approval for entry into Singapore.

"The COVID-19 vaccine is effective in preventing symptomatic disease for the vast majority of those vaccinated, but it is possible for vaccinated individuals to get infected," said the Ministry of Health.

The man, identified as Case 62373, is a senior executive at Wirana Shipping Corporation. His father tested positive on his arrival and was taken to hospital.

His mother was identified as a close contact of two COVID-19 cases on the same flight and was placed on quarantine from April 16 to 30 at a government facility, reported the Channel News Asia on Sunday.

"While Case 62373 had not travelled to India with his parents, he had requested to take care of his mother at the quarantine facility, and moved into the same room as her on April 16, where he had remained," the Channel quoted the Ministry as saying.

The man developed a blocked nose on April 23 and reported it. He was taken to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) on April 24 and his infection was confirmed that day.

His serological test has come back negative, indicating that this is likely a current infection.

The two cases - 62029 and 62030 - are dependent's pass holders whose infections were confirmed on April 16. They are a 41-year-old British woman and a 36-year-old Indian national respectively.

In all, Singapore reported 23 COVID-19 cases on Saturday. All imported cases who arrived from India tested positive for COVID-19 on April 23, with the exception of the Singapore permanent resident whose infection was confirmed on April 24.

Eighteen of the 23 imported cases were placed on stay-home notice or isolated upon arrival in Singapore, said the Ministry.

They include a Singapore permanent resident who returned from India, three dependent's pass holders who arrived from India and the Maldives, as well as three student's pass holders who arrived from India.

One case is a work pass holder who also arrived from India.

Six are work permit holders who arrived from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and the Philippines. Two of them are foreign domestic workers.

The remaining four imported cases are short-term visit pass holders. Three arrived from Croatia, Germany, Indonesia and Romania for a work project, and one arrived from India to visit a family member who is a Singapore permanent resident.

The ministry said 16 more cases have been discharged from hospitals or community isolation facilities, taking the total recoveries to 60,629.

There are 88 cases still in hospital, most of whom are stable or improving, with one patient in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Another 219 cases are isolated and cared for at community facilities. They have mild symptoms, or are clinically well but still test positive for COVID-19.

Overall, the number of new cases in the community has increased from seven cases in the week before to 11 cases in the past week.

The number of unlinked cases in the community has also increased from three cases in the week before to four cases in the past week.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
The Kaduna State Government has said one person was killed and four others abducted in an attack on Haske Baptist Church at Manini village, in Chikun Local Government Area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the gunmen attacked the church at about 9.a.m on Sunday.

The government said one Zechariah Dogonyaro was shot dead while Shehu Haruna was injured.

A statement by Samuel Aruwan, commissioner for internal security and home affairs, said the government condemned the attack in strongest terms, but did not indicate measures being taken to secure the area.

On its part, the police command in the state said apart from those killed and injured, the gunmen abducted four worshippers.

The commands spokesperson , Mohammed Jalige, in a statement, described the attack as unfortunate.

Preliminary investigation conducted so far revealed that, four persons are missing which arouse a suspicion that they might have been kidnapped by the hoodlums.

Two others sustained gunshot wounds, namely; Dr. Zakariya Doga Yaro, a staff of Kaduna State Ministry of Health attached to the Primary Healthcare Center in Rimi village, Udawa, Chikun LGA and Shehu Haruna.

Unfortunately, Dr. Zakariya Yaro died on the spot while Shehu Haruna is currently receiving medical treatment.

Consequently, normalcy has since been restored; security has been beefed up in the area with a view to forestalling reoccurrence of the dastardly attack while concerted effort is ongoing to locate the missing persons.

The Command is deeply saddened by this unprovoked attack on innocent citizens carrying out their legitimate daily routine and commiserate with the affected families, Mr Jalige stated.

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State branch, has condemned the attack and called on government to act fast to prevent citizens from resorting to self help.

A statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna by its Secretary, Caleb Maaji, said government must live up to its responsibility of securing the lives and property of all citizens.

Our hearts are saddened over the sorry security situation in our dear state.

It has grown so unfortunate and on a daily basis, insecurity continues to grow worst with no appreciable resistance given the unholy terrorist who have continued to hold our dear state and nation to ransome.

It said the attacks were a challenge to government to find ways of guaranteeing the security of lives and property of all citizens.

Our hearts goes to the local church at Manini, the Nigeria Baptist Convention and family members of the deceased.

We are appealing to relevant agencies and praying for the safe release of the abducted members and indeed all others in captivity.

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We also enjoin all men and women of Goodwill to wake up and do the needful before we are all consumed by the ongoing evil of banditry and kidnapping that has hijacked our country especially Kaduna state, it added.

(NAN)
In order to implement the decision to hold pre-term parliamentary elections on June 20, today I am resigning as prime minister of the Republic of Armenia, he said in a televised address to the nation.

Under the Armenian constitution, fresh elections can be held only if the prime minister resigns and the parliament twice fails to elect another head of the government. The current National Assembly is controlled by Pashinians political allies.

The parliamentary majority will not elect a prime minister, the National Assembly will be deemed dissolved, and pre-term parliamentary elections will be called, said Pashinian. During this [pre-election] period, I will continue to perform the prime ministers duties on a full scale envisaged by Armenias constitution and laws.

The prime minister, who swept to power in a 2018 velvet revolution, reaffirmed that he and his political team will seek reelection in the upcoming polls.

If the people decide that I must quit the post of prime minister I will comply with that decision, he said. If the people decide that I must continue to serve as prime minister I will comply with that decision.

Pashinian first expressed readiness to hold early elections in December amid angry anti-government protests triggered by Armenias defeat in a six-week war with Azerbaijan stopped by a Russian-brokered ceasefire on November 10. A coalition of opposition forces blamed him for the defeat and demanded that he hand over power to an interim government.

Pashinian and his My Step bloc stated on February 7 that they see no need for fresh elections because of what they called a lack of public demand. The opposition alliance, called the Homeland Salvation Movement, resumed its street protests on February 20.

Five days later, the Armenian militarys top brass issued a statement accusing Pashinians government of misrule and incompetence and demanding its resignation. The prime minister rejected the demand as a coup attempt.

Pashinian went on to announce on March 18 that the snap polls will take place after all. The move followed his talks held with the leaders of the two opposition parties represented in the current parliament. They are understood to have assured him that their parties will not nominate prime-ministerial candidates in the event of his tactical resignation.

Several other major opposition groups and figures, including former President Robert Kocharian, have also expressed their intention to enter the parliamentary race.
State Sen. Troy Carter poses in his office in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 26, 2021. (Max Becherer/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)

Troy Carter Wins Special Runoff Election for Louisiana US House Seat

Democrat Troy Carter won the runoff round of the special election for the Louisiana U.S. House seat vacated by former Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), who stepped down to take a role as a White House senior adviser.

Carter won with 55 percent of the vote to fellow Democrat Karen Petersons 45 percent, according to the Louisiana Department of State; unofficial figures peg the turnout in the election at 16.6 percent.

A total of at least seven Democrats and several Republicans competed for the Bayou States 2nd Congressional District seat. Carter received the most votes (36 percent) during the first round of the special election on March 20. Peterson received 23 percent at the time. Neither reached the 50 percent threshold, triggering the runoff.

Peterson had appealed to the Democratic Partys progressive wing, winning endorsements of Democratic socialist Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), according to The Hill. Carter courted the establishment wing, securing endorsements from Reps. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.)

The 2nd Congressional District, which includes most of New Orleans, has been one of the safest Democratic districts for more than a century. From 1891 until the 1960s, Democrats kept a hold over the district through voter suppression and by disenfranchising black voters, including through poll taxes and subjective literacy tests. After regaining their franchise in the 1960s, black voters began to back Democrats.

The district has been majority-black since 1984.

The only Republican to hold the seat since 1891 was Rep. Joseph Cao from 2009 to 2011. Richmond defeated Cao and served in Congress since 2011.

Before joining the White House, Richmond endorsed Carter.

Richmond was named the co-chair of the Biden transition team in September 2020. Biden appointed Richmond to serve as the director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and a senior White House adviser.

During his tenure in Congress, Richmond served as the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus from 2017 to 2019.

The Louisiana special election on March 20 also included a contest for the 5th Congressional District seat left vacant by the death of Republican Rep.-elect Luke Letlow. Letlows widow, Julia Letlow, also a Republican, won the special election with 65 percent of the vote. Letlow was endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
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Across the Tasman Sea in both Australia and New Zealand wreaths were laid at a dawn service to commemorate ANZAC Day.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern thanked both men and women who had served the country:

"Across the generations war has taken a grievous toll for both what it is, and for what it leaves behind."

In Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison also marked the sacrifices of all troops in conflict.

Anzac Day commemorates the bloody battle on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey during World War One.

Thousands of troops from both countries were among a larger Allied force that landed on the narrow beaches of the Gallipoli peninsula in a campaign that claimed more than 130,000 lives.

This year's anniversary saw a return for some public festivities after the global health crisis cancelled many traditional events last year and kept people from gathering to commemorate.

Although ceremonies were canceled in some cities this year in Sydney thousands of people lined the streets and waved Australian flags, as veterans saluted and marched in the annual parade.
The Royal family has marked Anzac Day as Princess Anne laid wreaths at a war memorial while the Duke of Cambridge has paid tribute to the 'indomitable spirit and courage' of Australian and New Zealand forces.

On Sunday, Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence attended two commemorative services in London on behalf of the royal family.

They were among a reduced number attending the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Wellington Arch, where the princess laid a wreath at both the Australian and New Zealand War Memorials, and signed a book of remembrance.

The couple then visited Westminster Abbey for the Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, Prince William shared a commemorative message celebrating the 'endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour and mateship' of Australian and New Zealand soldiers.

He sent his messages to the High Commissions of New Zealand and Australia along with Anzak biscuits - a sweet biscuit made using rolled oats, flour, sugar, butter, golden syrup, baking soda, boiling water, and desiccated coconut.

Anzac biscuits have long been associated with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps established in World War I.

Since the death of the Prince Philip on April 9 the royal family has only carried out official duties where appropriate, and have dressed in black as a mark of respect when in public.

But they are now able to carry out their normal official roles in full after observing the two-week period of mourning.

The Princess Royal (second left) is joined by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence (left) as they arrive to attend the annual Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey

Pictured: the Princess Royal (left) is greeted by Australian High Commissioner George Brandis (second right) and New Zealand High Commissioner Bede Corry (right)

The Princess Royal (pictured centre), alongside Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence (left), attends the annual Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, London

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab places a tribute by the British grave of the Unknown Warrior after attending annual Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey

The Princess Royal (centre) and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence (right) pass the British grave of the Unknown Warrior after attending the annual service to commemorate Anzac Day

Pictured: Princess Anne has visited the war memorials at Wellington Arch during a dawn service to commemorate Anzac Day - a day of remembrance for Australia and New Zealand

The Princess Royal lays a wreath during a Dawn Service at the New Zealand war memorial

The Princess Royal (left) alongside Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence (right) attends a Dawn Service at the Australian war memorial at Wellington Arch in London earlier this morning

Anzac Day - April 25 - marks the anniversary of the start of the First World War Gallipoli landings, and is a national day of remembrance for Australia and New Zealand.

Thousands of Anzac troops - Australian and New Zealand Army Corps - died in the ill-fated 1915 campaign.

Waves of allied forces launched an amphibious attack on the strategically important Turkish peninsula, which was key to controlling the Dardanelles straits, the crucial route to the Black Sea and Russia.

But the plan backed by Winston Churchill, then first lord of the admiralty, was flawed and the campaign, which faced a heroic defence by the Turks, led to stalemate and withdrawal eight months later.

Pictured: Princess Anne lays a wreath during a Dawn Service at the Australian war memorial

The Princess Royal (centre), alongside the New Zealand High Commissioner Bede Corry (right)

The Princess Royal signs book of remembrance at Wellington Arch, London, to mark Anzac day

Its legacy is the celebration of the 'Anzac spirit' - courage, endurance, initiative, discipline and mateship - shown by the Antipodean troops.

William highlighted these qualities in a message to mark Anzac Day sent to the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions in London, along with some Anzac biscuits, on Friday morning.

The duke said in his message: 'This Anzac Day, Catherine and I join Australians and New Zealanders across the world to remember and honour the servicemen and women of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

'Today we stand together to reflect not only on their sacrifices, but also their courage, sense of duty, and their famously indomitable spirit.

'Though many will still be unable to come together in person this year, we are heartened in the knowledge that Australians and New Zealanders will continue to commemorate those who have given so much for our freedoms.

'The Anzac qualities of endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour and mateship are admired as fiercely as ever before.

'Lest we forget.'

Anne and her husband were among a reduced number attending the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Wellington Arch, where the princess laid a wreath at both the Australian and New Zealand War Memorials, and signed a book of remembrance.

The Duke of Cambridge has shared a commemorative video message to mark Anzac Day today and praised the 'indomitable spirit' and 'courage' of Australian and New Zealand forces

Later, the couple will attend the Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

Anzac Day has been commemorated in London since the first anniversary of the Anzac landings when King George V attended a service at Westminster Abbey.

Since then, the services have become an important moment for thousands of expatriates and visiting New Zealanders and Australians.

It comes as thousands of Australians took to pubs across the country to sink beers and play a traditional game of two-up as Anzac Day commemorations got underway.

Earlier in the day, Australians gathered in the chilly dawn at public ceremonies for the first time since 2019 after the Covid pandemic caused marches to be cancelled last year.

Hundreds were packed tightly into the Royal Hotel in Sydney on Sunday afternoon.

Thousands of rowdy Aussies have taken to pubs across the country to sink beers and play two-up as Anzac Day commemorations continue. Pictured: The Australian Heritage Hotel in The Rocks

A crowd of rowdy patrons celebrate their winnings during a game of two-up at the Royal Hotel in Paddington, Sydney

A large crowd participates in games of two-up in a laneway next to the Royal Hotel in Paddington

Patrons and servicemen and women in their military uniforms enjoyed two-up in the beer garden, while others who managed to find a spare table drank the afternoon away.

Elated patrons were seen cheering as they celebrated their two-up wins, while two sailors ran the game which has become synonymous with Anzac Day.

Australian soldiers played the coin toss betting game in trenches and on troopships during World War I. Two-up is illegal to play in NSW on any day other than April 25 due to it being an unregulated form of gambling.

Last year Anzac Day was marked by televised services only and no marches for the first time in more than a century as the pandemic kept people indoors.

Services and marches were back with limited crowds in most parts of the country.

Only services in Western Australia's Perth and Peel regions were cancelled after a hotel quarantine outbreak led to community virus transmission and the imposition of a three-day lockdown.

Patrons and servicemen and women in their military uniforms enjoyed two-up in the beer garden, while others who managed to find a spare table drank the afternoon away

The Australian Heritage Hotel in The Rocks was also a hotspot, where hordes of revellers filled the bar and outside area to soak up the sun

Sunday marks the 106th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli, a campaign which ultimately cost more than 8700 Australian lives.

Like last year, many Australians paid tribute at home by standing at the end of their driveways at dawn.

Outside of the Sydney CBD, a maximum of 5000 people - excluding spectators - can participate in an outdoor Anzac Day march or dawn service.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra that the nation faced a defining moment 12 months ago when the pandemic first reached Australian shores.

'A moment of uncertainty and danger, when the future seems so uncertain, masked by fog,' he said in front of about 3,000 people.

'We could not gather, but we held candles in driveways and on balconies and we played the Last Post on radios and iPhones as some, especially in our west, will do again today.

A veteran walks next to police officers as they attend the consular corps wreath-laying ceremony commemorating Anzac Day in Sydney

An Australian Army soldier stands as people attend the consular corps wreath-laying ceremony commemorating Anzac Day in Sydney

New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian attends the consular corps wreath-laying ceremony commemorating Anzac Day in Sydney

Crowds gather during the Sydney Dawn Service

Australians are seen paying their respects at the eternal flame at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne

'And together we called on our past to light up the dawn, and in doing so, we rediscovered a deep truth about who we are - our strength is found in each other.

'When we are threatened, when our peace and our safety and our security are imperilled, in these moments our differences fade away.'

Mr Morrison acknowledged the service came as Australia prepared to withdraw its last troops from Afghanistan.

'It has been our longest war. The world is safer from the threat of terrorism than when the Twin Towers were felled almost 20 years ago, but we remain vigilant. However, this has come at a great cost.'
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain yesterday backed Saudi Arabias decision to ban imports and transit of agricultural products from Lebanon. Saudi had said that the ban on Lebanese produce imports would stay until Beirut proved it was working towards curbing illegal drug smuggling.

The move came as Saudi customs foiled an attempt to smuggle over five million Captagon pills in pomegranate shipped from Lebanon. Starting today, Saudi will no allow any fruit or vegetable shipments to enter the Kingdom.

Bahrains Ministry of Foreign affairs said the move is for protecting Saudi society and combating transnational organised crime. Lebanese officials quickly pledged to do more to combat drug smuggling out of the country after Saudi Arabia ordered a ban on all produce imports from Beirut.
The Parish Priest of Christ the King Catholic Church, Rev Father Andrew Campbell, has described the benevolent support his Christ the King Soup Kitchen and Lepers Aid has been receiving from Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in aid of the poor as "an honour and a privilege," considering their different religions.



Father Campbell oversees a charitable programme by the Christ the King Parish which feeds lepers and street children, and he says Vice President Bawumia has been one of the biggest donors to the programme.



Speaking at the Jubilee House on Friday, where an Iftar (breaking of Ramadan fast) was held in honour of the National Chief Imam's 102nd birthday, Father Campbell commended Vice President Bawumia for his kindness towards the poor and appreciation of religious diversity.



"How beautiful it was in Christmas when the Vice President gave me a present of 2000 bags of rice to be distributed to the poor and needy," Father Campbell revealed.



"2000 bags of rice; I was able to distribute to all the lepers all over the country, street children in Accra and Kumasi and many other institutions. About 51 needy institutions in this country, I gave them their Christmas gift of rice from the Vice President."



Father Campbell was fascinated by what he described as a beautiful partnership between a priest and a Muslim Vice President to aid a Christian initiative for the poor.



"A Catholic Priest working hand in hand with a Muslim Vice-President was an honour, was a privilege.



"We are always working hand in hand and the Vice President's door is always open. I do go to him and I say 'I need help, please can you help me.' His door is always open and he always has a warm welcome for me when I come.



"And it is so beautiful; a Catholic Priest and a Muslim Vice President. What an honour! What a privilege!



"I thank His Excellency so much. He has taught me a lot and I am so grateful."



Kind Words For National Chief Imam



As he wished the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu a happy birthday, Father Campbell noted that the Chief Imam is another notable Muslim who has given him a deeper perspective of how Christians and Muslims could peacefully co-exist.



He recounted what he described as an unforgettable experience of the Chief Imam visiting the Christ the King Church in 2019 to mark his 100th birthday.



"I always remember two years ago when the Chief Imam came to Christ the King Catholic Church. We prayed together and thanked God for the gift of his life for a 100 years.



"A day that was a historic visit and I was very priviliged to be the priest overseeing the mass that particular day. That's one of the highlights of my stay here in Ghana when the Chief Imam came to visit me on his 100th birthday.



"It got me thinking about the similarities between the Catholic Church and Muslims."



Father Campbell maintained that Muslims and Christians have many things in common and urged followers of the two major religions in Ghana to unite and do more for humanity.



"We have many things in common so let us unite in our faith. Let us unite in sharing, caring, in protecting families, in taking care of the poor and the needy and in respecting one another."

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 Chinese mainland on Saturday reported 13 new COVID-19 cases, all of which were imported, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Sunday.

Of them, nine were reported in Shanghai, three in Fujian, and one in Tianjin.

Two new suspected cases arriving from outside the mainland were reported in Shanghai, the commission said.

No new deaths related to COVID-19 were reported Saturday, it added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At Currumbin beach on the Gold Coast, hordes of Queenslanders gathered at dawn to pay their respects

At Coogee beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs, hundreds took to the sand at dawn to watch the sun rise

Like last year, many Australians opted to pay tribute at home by standing at the end of their driveways

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Thousands of Australians all over the nation have come out in force to attend Covid-safe ceremonies and pay their respects to fallen Diggers on Anzac Day.

Sunday marks the 106th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli, a campaign which ultimately cost more than 8,700 Australian and New Zealanders' lives.

While some services went ahead with few Covid restrictions, many Australians opted to pay tribute at home by standing at the end of their driveways holding candles at dawn - particularly those in Perth's lockdown.

Last year Anzac Day was marked by televised services only and no marches for the first time in more than a century as the COVID-19 pandemic kept people indoors.

Montana Seaman and her partner and serviceman Luke Williams shared a passionate kiss after the dawn service at Coogee beach

In regional Victoria, locals paid tribute to the Diggers by decorating hay bales as soldiers in uniform. The ten painted hay bales were placed along the corner of a property just south of Pyramid Hill on Bendigo Road

Alastair Tomkins, joined by his wife Katie and their sons Hugo, 9, (left) and Lyndon, 6, stand in silence after playing The Last Post in their driveway in Brisbane

At Currumbin beach on the Gold Coast, hordes of Queenslanders gathered at dawn to pay their respects to the fallen Diggers

People gather on Currumbin beach to watch surf boats perform a burial at sea in Currumbin on the Gold Coast as the sun rose

Services and marches were back with limited crowds in most parts of the country.

Outside of the Sydney CBD, a maximum of 5,000 people - excluding spectators - can participate in an outdoor Anzac Day march or dawn service.

At Coogee Beach in Sydney's eastern suburbs, hundreds took to the sand at dawn to watch the sun rise.

Montana Seaman and her partner and serviceman Luke Williams were photographed sharing a passionate kiss after the dawn service.

Mourners braved the frigid temperatures to watch on as surf boats performed a burial at sea at Currumbin on the Gold Coast

An Australian soldier and guests observe a minute silence during the Anzac Day dawn service in Sydney

Outside of the Sydney CBD, a maximum of 5000 people - excluding spectators - can participate in an outdoor Anzac Day march or dawn service. Pictured: A young on-looker stands for the Australian national anthem during the Sydney Dawn Service

At Currumbin beach on the Gold Coast, hordes of Queenslanders gathered at dawn to pay their respects to the fallen Diggers.

Mourners braved the frigid temperatures to watch on as surf boats performed a traditional burial at sea.

Further north in Brisbane, families awoke early to stand at the end of their driveways holding candles.

Alastair Tomkins, joined by his wife Katie and their sons Hugo, 9, and Lyndon, 6, stood in silence after playing The Last Post in their driveway at dawn.

A veteran walks next to police officers as they attend the consular corps wreath-laying ceremony commemorating Anzac Day in Sydney

World War II veteran Jack Mackrau hosted a small service outside his home in Kingsley, in Perth's north, on Sunday at dawn.

Their neighbours also took to the porches of their homes to commemorate Anzac Day on Sunday morning.

In Sydney's CBD, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian recited a poem before the Anzac Day address by Air Vice-Marshal Joe Iervasi, Air Commander Australia.

The Last Post was then played in the Sydney dark.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra that the nation faced a defining moment 12 months ago.

'A moment of uncertainty and danger, when the future seems so uncertain, masked by fog,' he said in front of about 3,000 people.

'We could not gather, but we held candles in driveways and on balconies and we played the Last Post on radios and iPhones as some, especially in our west, will do again today.'

In regional Victoria, locals paid tribute to the Diggers by decorating hay bales as soldiers in uniform.

The ten painted hay bales were placed along the corner of a property just south of Pyramid Hill on Bendigo Road.

Sydney limited its march to 10,000 people. A Maori choir sang at a Sydney dawn service in a mark of the intrinsic link that Anzac Day brings to the two nations.

A soldier played a didgeridoo for the first time at the dawn service the Australian War Memorial in the national capital Canberra, in recognition of the sacrifices of indigenous Australians in war.

That service has attracted up to 40,000 people in past years. This year, it was a ticketed event with a limit of 4,200 people.

Melbourne recently lifted its Anzac Day march limit from 5,500 to 8,000 after veterans complained that more than 75,000 spectators would be allowed to attend an AFL match in the city on the same day.

Anzac Day services overseas were cancelled, including Australian and New Zealand-led services in Turkey and Australian services in France. Pictured: Crowds at the Coogee Dawn Service on April 25

William and his wife Kate (pictured on Wednesday) will be among a reduced number attending a dawn service at Wellington Arch on Sunday morning

Prince William sent a special pack of traditional Anzac biscuits (pictured, right) to the Australia and New Zealand High Commissions in London, along with a note (left)

The ribboned pack of traditional Anzac biscuits were delivered by a member of royal staff to the High Commissions in London

Prince William released a statement to the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions in London to pay his respects.

'This Anzac Day, Catherine and I join Australians and New Zealanders across the world to remember and honour the service men and women of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps,' the Duke of Cambridge said.

'Today we stand together to reflect not only on their sacrifices, but also their courage, sense of duty, and their famously indomitable spirit.

'Though many will still be unable to come together in person this year, we are heartened in the knowledge that Australians and New Zealanders will continue to commemorate those who have given so much for our freedoms.'

Meanwhile, Princess Anne will attend two ceremonies in London on Sunday in honor of Anzac Day.

The Princess Royal will participate in the Anzac Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

She will also attend the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Wellington Arch, where she will lay a wreath at the Australian and New Zealand War Memorials.

Anzac Day services overseas were cancelled, including Australian and New Zealand-led services in Turkey and Australian services in France.
Shaheed El-Hafed, 25 April 2021 (SPS) - The Permanent Office of the National Secretariat of the Polisario Front has reiterated that the appointment of a UN personal envoy for Western Sahara is not an end in itself and that what is required is a commitment to implementing international legitimacy and embodying it in concrete steps that put an end to the Moroccan Kingdom's occupation of parts of the territory of the Sahrawi Republic and obliges it to respect the inherited borders after independence.

The reaffirmation of this position comes in the light of a briefing presented to the meeting of the Permanent Office, held Saturday, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Mr. Bacharaya Hamoudi Beyoun, on the latest developments of the national cause at the external level, especially the deliberations of the UN Security Council.

The meeting was devoted to examining the latest developments of the national cause at various levels and the health condition of President of the Republic, Secretary General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali. (SPS)

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At least 82 people have been killed and 110 injured in a deadly blaze at a hospital treating Covid-19 patients in southeastern Baghdad, the interior ministry said.

The fire at the Ibn al-Khatib hospital in the Diyala Bridge area of the Iraqi capital started on Saturday night after a 'fault' caused oxygen tanks to explode, medical sources at three nearby hospitals said.

Video footage shows the fire raging across the hospital as the flames reach the top of the building. In the video, a loud bang can be heard as a huge flash of light fills the dark sky as an oxygen tank explodes.

An eyewitness who was visiting his brother when the fire broke out described people jumping out of windows as the fire quickly spread.

In harrowing scenes, medics and locals were seen racing inside the hospital trying to find and save those hurt in the blast.

They were then seen frantically running as they carried the injured on hospital beds towards the doors to reach waiting ambulances outside.

The fire caused many of the oxygen tanks designated to support the #COVID19 patients in the hospital to explode. #Baghdad so far dozens of victims have been reported. pic.twitter.com/OAC8Jt3jq3  Steven Nabil (@thestevennabil) April 24, 2021

Video footage shows the fire raging across the hospital as the flames reach the top of the building (left). In the video, a loud bang can be heard as a huge flash of light (right) fills the dark sky as an oxygen tank explodes.

The fire at the Ibn al-Khatib hospital in the Diyala Bridge area of the Iraqi capital started on Saturday night after a 'fault' caused oxygen tanks to explode, medical sources at three nearby hospitals said

The head of Iraqi civil defense unit Major General Kadhim Bohan confirmed that the fire broke out in the floor designated for the pulmonary intensive care unit

In harrowing scenes, medics and locals were seen racing inside the hospital trying to find and save those hurt in the blast

Scores of ambulances were rushing towards the hospital, ferrying those hurt by the fire, a Reuters photographer nearby said.

Patients not injured in the incident were also being transferred out of the hospital, the medical sources said.

In the middle of the night, as dozens of relatives were at the bedsides of the 30 patients in the intensive care unit at the hospital - reserved for the most severe Covid-19 cases in Baghdad - flames spread across multiple floors, another medical source said.

The head of Iraqi civil defense unit Major General Kadhim Bohan confirmed that the fire broke out in the floor designated for the pulmonary intensive care unit and that 90 people have been rescued from the hospital out of 120, state news agency INA quoted him as saying.

He added that the fire has been put out.

Scores of ambulances were rushing towards the hospital, ferrying those hurt by the fire, a Reuters photographer nearby said

Videos on social media showed firefighters trying to extinguish flames at the hospital on the southeastern outskirts of the Iraqi capital, as patients and their relatives tried to flee the building

Rescuers look at the carnage caused by the oxygen tank explosion at the hospital in Baghdad

The fire at the Ibn al-Khatib hospital in the Diyala Bridge area of the Iraqi capital started on Saturday night after a 'fault' caused oxygen tanks to explode

The fire started with an explosion caused by 'a fault in the storage of oxygen cylinders', medical sources said.

It spread quickly, according to the civil defence, as 'the hospital had no fire protection system and false ceilings allowed the flames to spread to highly flammable products'.

Videos on social media showed firefighters trying to extinguish flames at the hospital on the southeastern outskirts of the Iraqi capital, as patients and their relatives tried to flee the building.

'The majority of the victims died because they had to be moved and were taken off ventilators, while the others were suffocated by the smoke,' the civil defence said.

Video footage shows rescuers wearing masks as they search smoke-filled wards of the hospital.

Some of the rescuers - who appear to be locals - are only wearing scarves over their mouths and noses as they try to search for those missing. Their coughs can be heard throughout the wards.

Several victims' families were still at the hospital hours after the fire had been put out, having been unable to locate them elsewhere.

The fire started with an explosion caused by 'a fault in the storage of oxygen cylinders', medical sources said

The fire spread quickly, according to the civil defence, as 'the hospital had no fire protection system and false ceilings allowed the flames to spread to highly flammable products'

The aftermath of the fire shows burned corridors in the hospital where Covid-19 patients were being treated

An eyewitness who was visiting his brother when the fire broke out described people jumping out of windows as the fire, caused by the explosion of an oxygen bottle, spread quickly throughout the unit equipped to house COVID-19 patients.

Patients' relatives scrambled to save their loved ones.

'In the beginning, there was an explosion...The fire spread, like fuel,' said one relative of one of the patients who was there at the time of the explosion.

'The smoke reached my brother. My brother is sick, I took my brother out to the street. Then I came (back)...To the last floor, that did not burn. I found a girl suffocating, about 19 years old, she was suffocating, she was about to die.'

'I took her on my shoulders and I ran down. People were jumping...Doctors fell on the cars. Everyone was jumping. And I kept going up from there, got people and come down again.'

Video footage of the fire's aftermath shows rescuers surrounded by burned hospital beds and now hollow, black corridors.

The aftermath of the fire shows burned windows and wreckage strewn on the floor below

Relatives and rescuers walk inside the hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning after the explosion on Saturday night

A family member of a victim of the fire waits outside the hospital alongside other relatives on Sunday

The fire - which according to several sources was caused by negligence, often linked to endemic corruption in Iraq - immediately sparked anger on social media in the country, with a hashtag demanding the health minister be sacked trending on Twitter.

The health ministry, which did not put out a statement until several hours after the fire, said it had 'saved over 200 patients', and promised an official toll of the dead and wounded later.

Baghdad Governor Mohammed Jaber called on the health ministry 'to establish a commission of enquiry so that those who did not do their jobs may be brought to justice'.

In a statement, the government's human rights commission said the incident was 'a crime against patients exhausted by Covid-19 who put their lives in the hands of the health ministry and its institutions and instead of being treated, perished in flames'.

The commission called on Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi to fire Health Minister Hassan al-Tamimi and 'bring him to justice'.

Kadhemi responded by ordering an investigation into the incident in the early hours of Sunday.

'Such an incident is evidence of negligence and therefore I directed that an investigation be launched immediately and for the hospital's manager and the heads of security and maintenance to be detained along with all those concerned until we identify those negligent and hold them accountable.'

He also declared three days of national mourning.

Iraq's healthcare system, already ruined by decades of sanctions, war and neglect, has been stretched during the coronavirus crisis.

On Wednesday, the number of Covid-19 cases in Iraq surpassed one million, the highest of any Arab state.

The health ministry has recorded 15,217 deaths since the country's first infections were reported in February 2020.

It has said it carries out around 40,000 tests daily from a population of 40 million.

Those patients who can often prefer to source oxygen tanks for treatment at home, rather than go to overcrowded and run-down hospitals.

The country launched its vaccination campaign last month, and has received nearly 650,000 doses of different vaccines - the majority by donation or through the Covax programme, which is helping lower and middle income nations to procure vaccines.

As of Wednesday, 274,343 people had received at least one dose, the ministry said.

Health authorities have faced an uphill battle to convince Iraqis to get vaccinated, in the face of widespread scepticism over the jab and public reluctance to wear masks since the start of the pandemic.
Patrick Corbin was the subject of some trade discussions this winter, as ESPN.coms Buster Olney (subscription required) reports that the Nationals had talks with other teams about the veteran left-hander. It isnt clear whether the Nats initiated these talks or if other teams were exploring Corbins availability, or if any of these discussions were anything beyond standard offseason checking-in types of conversations. It could be that teams were trying to buy low on Corbin in the wake of a down year that saw him post a 4.66 ERA, 20.3% strikeout rate, and a career-low 90.2 mph average fastball velocity over 65 2/3 innings. Between 2020s shortened season and Corbins stint on the COVID-related injury list this April, it makes it hard to gauge whether or not Corbins struggles last year and in the early days of the 2021 season are truly due to a decline.

Trading Corbin would have been quite the pivot for a Washington team that planned on contending in 2021. Its possible the Nats could have looked to add Major League-ready pieces rather than prospects in any Corbin deal, or perhaps moved the southpaw for a comparably high-priced proven veteran. Corbin is owed $106MM from 2021-24 in the four remaining seasons of his original six-year, $140MM free agent deal from the 2018-19 offseason. The topic of a Corbin trade could be worth revisiting of the Nationals dont get into the playoff race and become sellers at the trade deadline, though Corbins contract would seemingly make him one of the less-likely Nats players to be dealt, considering how D.C. has so many rental players available.

More pitching-related items
Shots of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine can resume in California, officials said Saturday, allowing Bay Area counties to begin administering the shots for the first time in nearly two weeks.

The move came a day after federal health officials declared the vaccine safe. The federal government paused use of the vaccine over concerns about rare occurrences of blood clots.

The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup announced that it had completed a review and concluded that the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine should resume in the Western States. The group of scientists in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington reviews independently COVID-19 vaccines as they move through the federal approval process.

Two Bay Area counties, Alameda and Marin, said Friday they were ready to begin readministering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as soon as they got the green light from the state. San Francisco said it would begin administering the vaccine soon, but its allotment of Pfizer and Moderna shots for next week are already set.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Department of Public Health officials confirmed the coalitions decision Saturday evening.

After additional review, analysis and scrutiny, experts have concluded the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is safe, effective and will protect you against the COVID-19 virus, Newsom said in a statement. To date, about a million Californians have already received this vaccine  including myself and many of the states top doctors. I encourage all Californians to trust the science, getting vaccinated is the best way to protect ourselves and our loved ones and end the pandemic.

Dr. Erica Pan, state epidemiologist, said California vaccination clinics may resume using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine immediately as long as they provide materials informing patients of the vaccines rare risk of blood clots and other available vaccination options.

More than half of Californians 16 and older have received one of the three vaccines available, and the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine is also an important tool in our fight to stop the spread of COVID-19, especially as more aggressive variants of the virus spread throughout the country, she said. We hope we continue to make progress in getting more Californians vaccinated so we can move beyond this pandemic.

California and Bay Area counties halted use of the J&J vaccines on April 13 after six people, out of more than 7.5 million who had received the one-dose shots, developed life-threatening blood clots. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the Food and Drug Administration, reviewed the cases and decided the risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19 is much higher than the risk of developing rare blood clots from the vaccine.

In the end, this vaccine was shown to be safe and effective for the vast majority of people, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC director, said in a news briefing Friday evening. Were pleased to have resolution today.

Federal regulators said Friday that the vaccine could again be used immediately. Local health officials said they would wait for approval from the state and the Western States group, which began its review of the federal safety investigation Friday. California and the Western States group typically follow CDC decisions.

On Friday, the Alameda County and Berkeley health departments said they have a modest existing supply of the vaccine and that they plan to use it as soon as possible.

We will work with our community organizations and partners to disseminate information about Johnson & Johnson, as well as the other two available COVID-19 vaccines, the departments said in a statement. All currently approved vaccines are proven to be highly effective at preventing hospitalization or death from COVID-19. We remind residents that the best vaccine is the first one offered to them.

Marin County health officials echoed that message and urged residents not to shy away from the J&J vaccine.

The J&J vaccine is a valuable tool in our vaccination toolkit for reaching our highest risk populations where administering a two-shot regimen may be challenging, the county public health department said in a statement. In addition, many Marin residents have requested the J&J vaccine because of the one-and-done ease of the product.

San Francisco health officials said they agree with the workgroups recommendation and plan to use the 700 doses of J&J the city has on hand where it is appropriate and when it has literature explaining the risks and alternatives. Next week, however, the city plans only to use 9,360 doses of Pfizer and 5,000 doses of Moderna that are already lined up and ready .

All six of the cases that prompted federal regulators to pause use of the vaccine involved women ages 18 to 48, and one woman died. The panels review found some additional cases  in total, 15 cases, including three deaths, out of roughly 8 million doses given. The evidence suggests an increased risk of blood clots one to two weeks after vaccination, though it is extremely rare.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
SULLIVAN'S ISLAND  Elections for Town Council and Mayor have unearthed deep divisions in this small beach town, and it's unclear how, or if, the community will mend after the results are tallied in May.

Sullivan's is a roughly 3-mile-long barrier island just east of Charleston. It faces the challenges of many beach towns in South Carolina: how to deal with heavy summer traffic; how to pay for the public services beach visitors use; and how to handle flooding and rising tides. These issues are all hot topics in the campaign.

But in other ways, it stands apart. It's mostly residential, with strict limits on short-term rentals. Candidates and residents alike described a place where children ride to school unattended on bicycles and neighbors bump into each other at oyster roasts.

It's the island's unique maritime forest, however, that led to a particular tension in this election cycle. The town settled a decadelong lawsuit last year over how to manage the land, in a 4-3 vote that approved more cutting than had ever been on the table before.

The vote left some conservationists on the island incensed, others frustrated by how the vote happened and some ready to put the long legal tussle to bed and move on.

The decision hangs over the contest for three council seats and the mayor's post. How the candidates land on that choice is a proxy, for some, on what direction the community is headed. And whoever wins, the next leaders of the town will guide a community that's still sore, in many places, over the choice.

Resident Larry Kobrovsky, for example, said it's "an existential election for our island.  Future generations would never forgive us for destroying this gift weve been given from nature." Kobrovsky still hopes the cutting is minimized or stopped.

But resident Allison Bourland lives next to the forest and is in favor of thinning it to allow breezes through. She hopes the temperature lowers after people see the actual results of the cutting this fall. Anger may pass if the result is not as extensive as some fear.

The issue, she said, has made for some tense social situations.

"I don't like going into the grocery store and feeling like, oh, 'How do I speak to this person whos my neighbor?'" she said. "I don't like the enemy feeling."

Seeding a cycle

Candidates can put political signs in their neighbors' yards just two weeks before the May 4 vote. But the seeds of this race were sown as long ago as October, when the council voted narrowly to settle the 2010 lawsuit over the maritime forest.

The island has grown outward into the Atlantic for decades as sand collects on the beachfront side, a rarity in South Carolina. The sediment settles there because of jetties that keep the mouth of Charleston Harbor open to ship navigation.

The town put that land into a trust three decades ago. But as forest grew on it, some homeowners next to it complained of mosquitos, animal pests, a fire hazard and a thicket that blocked sea breezes. The lawsuit aimed for more cutting to eliminate these factors, rather than leaving the land it to its own devices.

At the same time, a vocal group of conservationists on the island argued nature should take its course. They say the forest provides a natural sanctuary for the whole island and a buffer against potential hurricane surge.

Attempts to come up with a management plan regularly spurred packed-house meetings, before the coronavirus pandemic.

The agreement to which the town is now bound came from a private legal mediation. A draft was published online on a Tuesday evening, and presented for an up-or-down vote by council the following Friday morning, via Zoom.

In the mayor's race, incumbent Pat O'Neil voted in the minority against the settlement; Councilman Chauncey Clark, who is challenging O'Neil, voted for it.

Clark did not agree to a phone interview, but said via email it "was my duty to the town to negotiate the best deal we could get and put this divisive issue to rest. It's time to stop single-issue politics and focus on managing and maintaining our town."

O'Neil said the agreement was a "terrible outcome," but admits there's little to do about it. The settlement bars town officials from hindering it as state and federal environmental regulators review the forest-thinning plan.

A line on O'Neil's campaign website even caught the eye of the plaintiff's attorney: "We must elect people who will fight to protect (this) gift of God and the (Army) Corps of Engineers."

The line was a reference to the fact that the Corps built the jetties that make the sand pile up. But O'Neil ended up complying with a demand to delete the line, which was emailed to the town's attorneys earlier this April.

O'Neil said that the way to move forward is to make the process for future big decisions more deliberative and transparent. "What you have to do as a leader is make sure nothing like that ever happens again, on whatever the next issue is," he said.

In the Town Council race, two candidates say the settlement was the right move  Tim Reese, an incumbent who voted for it, and Kevin Pennington, a retiree who has lived on the island since 2010.

Reese, who did not participate in a phone interview, said at an April 13 forum, "We settled it  it's time to move on, it is not as draconian as people think, study the issues, please."

Pennington also responded to an interview request via email and wrote that "the next council should fully support the outcome of this process and play their role in fulfilling the Towns obligations in a straightforward, timely manner."

The remaining three candidates oppose the settlement.

Justin Novak, an attorney running for council, said it's stoked distrust among residents and that the town needs to do a better job of soliciting residents' opinions.

Candidate Gary Visser, former chair of the town's Planning Commission, also said that "on the large, very very important issues, the residents should have been consulted more."

Scott Millimet, who also is running for a seat, said he's not categorically against forest management, but "the process was very flawed" as the town approved the agreement, and he didn't think it reflected the will of most voters.

Moving forward

The forest is not the only issue in the race. There's also a debate over whether to start charging for parking on the island; some say a fee would be unwelcoming to visitors and inconvenient to residents, and others argue the town needs more revenue to pay for the costs beachgoers bring.

But no other issue has proved as divisive as the forest settlement. As Clark said in a recent event, "It has torn the island in two."

Few had answers on how to improve the situation.

Islander Pat Votava, who is supporting O'Neil, Novak, Visser and Millimet, said she felt that the people who approved the settlement, or who supported it, had forced the decision through without regard to those who staunchly opposed it, like her.

"They're saying, 'Now that weve gotten what we want, we should move on,'" Votava said. "If the vote had been different, they would not be moving on."

Votava worried that the handling of the settlement was one sign that the sense of community she had enjoyed for years on the island was starting to fall apart. She cited one example from the April 13 candidates' forum. Reese and Pennington called Millimet hypocritical for opposing the settlement because he'd previously gotten a permit to cut down a tree in his own yard. (Millimet countered that he'd actually cut two trees, saying one was diseased and the other could have fallen on his home, and that he later planted more.)

Things felt different now, Votava said, than days when the town would come together for events like a potluck on the beach that heralded the opening of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

"Maybe those kinds of things again  maybe that's how we come back together," she said. "But everybodys got to want it, and I don't know who it matters to anymore, that sense of community."

Bourland is voting for an opposite slate: Clark, Reese and Pennington. She said all the men cared deeply about a diverse array of issues on the island, not just the forest, and were well-versed on the workings of the town. She had not decided yet on a third candidate for Town Council.

She argued that there may be more benefits to the thinning than just for people who live next to the thicket  it could make the land easier to traverse for visitors, for example, and more pleasant with more breezes coming through.

But Bourland also worried that the tone of conversation on the island was becoming too divisive. When she moved there two decades ago, she made friends with fellow islanders faster than in any place she'd lived before, Bourland said. The social connections are not as easy these days.

"Whenever you say that you live on Atlantic Avenue, (next to the forest), it's like a lightning rod," Bourland said. "A lot of assumptions can be made that I just want a view, and I don't care about the environment. And that's not the case."

The two women agreed on one point, however: It was unlikely that the atmosphere on Sullivan's would calm down until after the May 4 vote.
M-53/M-90 intersection to operate as four-way stop during work starting April 26

M-53/M-90 intersection to operate as four-way stop during work starting April 26

Jocelyn Hall, MDOT Office of Communications, 989-245-7117 Transportation

COUNTY:

Lapeer

HIGHWAYS:

M-53

M-90

CLOSEST CITIES:

North Branch

Brown City

ESTIMATED DATE:

Monday, April 26, 2021

ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE:

May 2021

PROJECT:

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will adjust the M-53/M-90 intersection to operate as a temporary four-way stop for at least two weeks to accommodate widening and new curb and gutter. This work is part of a $6.4 million investment to resurface nearly 9.2 miles of M-53 from Deanville Road to the south city limit of Marlette.

Project map

TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS:

For approximately two weeks, M-53/M-90 intersection will operate as a four-way stop. One through-lane in each direction will be maintained during work. The signal should return to its standard operation by May 10. All work on the M-53 corridor is expected to finish in September.

SAFETY BENEFITS:

This work will improve the drainage and operations of the intersection.
BAGHDAD - The death toll from a massive fire at a Baghdad hospital for coronavirus patients rose to at least 82 Sunday as anxious families searched for missing relatives and the government suspended key health officials for alleged negligence.

Security forces stand guard while family members of the victims of a fire wait outside Ibn al-Khatib Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, April 25, 2021. A fire broke out in a Baghdad hospital dedicated to caring for coronavirus patients after oxygen cylinders reportedly exploded late Saturday, according to officials. (AP/Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

BAGHDAD - The death toll from a massive fire at a Baghdad hospital for coronavirus patients rose to at least 82 Sunday as anxious families searched for missing relatives and the government suspended key health officials for alleged negligence.

The flames, described by one witness as volcanoes of fire, swept through the intensive care unit of the Ibn al-Khatib Hospital, which tends exclusively to COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms. Officials said the blaze, which also injured 110 people, was set off by an exploding oxygen cylinder.

Nurse Maher Ahmed was called to the scene late Saturday to help evacuate patients.

I could not have imagined it would be a massive blaze like that, he said. The flames overwhelmed the hospital's second floor isolation hall within three to four minutes of the oxygen cylinder exploding, he said. Volcanoes of fire.

A damaged hospital bed is placed outside Ibn al-Khatib Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, April 25, 2021 following a fire. A fire broke out in a Baghdad hospital dedicated to caring for coronavirus patients after oxygen cylinders reportedly exploded late Saturday, according to officials. (AP/Photo/Khalid Mohammed)

Most of those killed suffered severe burns, he said. Others were overcome by smoke, unwilling to leave behind relatives hooked up to ventilators. Ahmed said the patients could not be moved. They would have minutes to live without oxygen.

He said he and others watched helplessly as one patient struggled to breathe amid the smoke.

Widespread negligence on the part of health officials is to blame for the fire, Iraqs prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, said Sunday. Following a special cabinet meeting to discuss the blaze, the government suspended key officials, including the health minister and the governor of Baghdad province. Other officials, including the hospital director, were dismissed from their posts.

It took firefighters and civil defence teams until early Sunday to put out the flames.

Among the dead were at least 28 patients on ventilators, tweeted Ali al-Bayati, a spokesman of the country's independent Human Rights Commission, a semi-official body.

Mourners pray near the coffins of coronavirus patients that were killed in a hospital fire, during their funeral at the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, Iraq, Sunday, April 25, 2021. Iraqs Interior Ministry said Sunday that over 80 people died and over 100 were injured in a catastrophic fire that broke out in the intensive care unit of a Baghdad hospital tending to severe coronavirus patients in the early morning Sunday. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)

Paramedics carried the bodies, many burned beyond recognition, to al-Zafaraniya Hospital, where Ahmed said forensics teams will attempt to identify them by matching DNA samples to relatives.

By midday Sunday, relatives were still searching anxiously for loved ones.

Please, two of my relatives are missing. ... I am going to die (without news about them), posted a young woman on social media after a fruitless search for her family members. I hope someone can help us find Sadi Abdul Kareem and Samir Abdul Kareem, they were in the ICU.

Rokya Kareem, 30, was looking frantically for her friend Riyam Rahman, a pharmacist, who was visiting her mother at the hospital. Rahman's mother, Basima, was admitted to the hospital 45 days ago with complications from COVID-19.

All we know is they were in the room next to where the fire started, she said. Her phone is switched off, and her family has gone to every hospital trying to find them.

Mourners pray near a coffin of a coronavirus patient that was killed in a hospital fire, during his funeral at the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, Iraq, Sunday, April 25, 2021. Iraqis Interior Ministry said Sunday that over 80 people died and over 100 were injured in a catastrophic fire that broke out in the intensive care unit of a Baghdad hospital tending to severe coronavirus patients. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil)

The fire happened as Iraq grapples with a severe second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Daily virus cases now average around 8,000, the highest level since Iraq began recording infection rates early last year. At least 15,200 people have died of coronavirus in Iraq among at least 100,000 confirmed cases.

Years of sanctions and war have crippled the countrys health sector, and the latest infection wave has tested the limits of health facilities. Security concerns also plague the country as frequent rocket attacks continue to target army bases hosting foreign troops and the seat of Iraqs government.

The deadly fire was only the latest chapter in Iraqs poor record for public safety.

In March 2019, over 100 people died when a ferry capsized on the Tigris River near the northern city of Mosul. The boat overturned due to overcrowding and high water. A few months later, in September 2019, a fire ripped through Baghdads Shorja market, a major commercial area in the city, burning many shops to the ground.

Part of the problem is that laws and regulations governing public safety and health are old, said Yesar al-Maliki, an adviser to the Iraq Energy Institute.

It has to do with the overall system. There are no detailed regulations and (standard operating procedures) on how to do basic things step by step, especially when handling risky equipment, said Al-Maliki, who also worked in Iraqs oil and gas industry.

There needs to be specialists handling policy, regulation and implementation, he said. If there was a standard operating procedure on how to handle oxygen bottles, especially noticing wear and tear ... This wouldnt have happened.

The prime minster convened the special cabinet session hours after the flames broke out. In addition to suspending the health minister, Hasan al-Tamimi, and Baghdads governor, the cabinet ordered an investigation of the health minister and key hospital officials responsible for overseeing safety measures.

The cabinet also fired the director-general of the Baghdad health department in the al-Rusafa area, where the hospital is located, and the hospital's director of engineering and maintenance, according to a statement from the Health Ministry and the prime minister's office.

Negligence in such matters is not a mistake, but a crime for which all negligent parties must bear responsibility, al-Kadhimi said Sunday after a meeting.

The United Nations envoy to Iraq, Jeannine Hennis-Plasschaert, expressed shock and pain over the fire in a statement and called for stronger protection measures in hospitals.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis, who concluded a historic trip to Iraq last month, remembered those who perished in the blaze. Addressing people gathered in St. Peters Square for his customary Sunday appearance, Francis mentioned the news of the dead. Lets pray for them, he said.

Associated Press Writer Abdulrahman Zeyad contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 06:11:33|Editor: huaxia

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HOUSTON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- A hospital system in the U.S. city of Houston has mandated all of its workers to have COVID-19 vaccine, media reported Saturday.

Houston Methodist, a medical center and six community hospitals, is requiring its staff to get the vaccine by June 7 in order to keep their jobs, reports said.

In an email to its employees on Friday, Marc Boom, Houston Methodist's president and CEO, said the health system needs to do all it can to keep patients safe during the pandemic, including having all staff vaccinated.

"Mandating the vaccine was not a decision we made lightly, but science has proven that the COVID-19 vaccines are very safe and very effective," the email read.

"By choosing to be vaccinated, you are leaders - showing our colleagues in health care what must be done to protect our patients, ourselves, our families and our communities," it continued.

As of Friday, Houston Methodist said 89 percent of employees had been vaccinated, but some employees were upset about the requirement.

According to CBS report, this decision made Houston Methodist the first hospital system in the United States to issue a vaccination mandate. Other Texas hospitals will soon follow suit, said the report. Enditem
NEWARK, Del. (AP)  Nolan Henderson passed for a touchdown, Anthony Paoletti ran for a score and Delaware beat Sacred Heart 19-10 on Saturday night in the first round of the FCS playoffs.

No. 5 Delaware will play fourth-seeded and No. 8 Jacksonville State in the quarterfinals.

On the opening drive, Delaware's Kedrick Whitehead intercepted a pass and returned it 22 yards to the Pioneers 14 before a personal foul gave the Blue Hens possession at the 7. Three plays later Henderson hit Braden Brose for a 5-yard touchdown.

Julius Chestnut scored on a 7-yard run to make it 7-7 late in the first quarter but Sacred Heart (3-2) was forced to punt from deep in its own territory and the muffed snap rolled out the back of the end zone to give the Blue Hens a 9-7 lead with 32 seconds left in the first half.

Noah Gettman made a 35-yard field goal to trim Sacred Heart's deficit to 12-10 early in the fourth quarter but Delaware answered with an 11-play, 65-yard drive that chewed up more than 6 minutes and culminated with Anthony Paoletti scoring on a 3-yard run with 6:13 to play.

Chestnut, who led the FCS in rushing yards per game (179.2) finished with 138 yards rushing on 31 carries.

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
Dubai CommerCity (DCC), the first dedicated e-commerce free zone in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (Menasa) regions, has launched 470,000 sq ft of new facilities as part of its first stage in line with its planned schedule.



Dubai CommerCity is situated in the Umm Ramool area in Dubai, and is an AED3.2-billion ($871 million), 2.1 million-sq-ft project. The launch of the new phase includes a built-up area of over 320,000-sq ft of offices spaces in the Business Cluster. It also includes 145,000 sq ft of e-commerce logistics units and multi-client warehouses in the Logistics Cluster, which will be manaof ged and operated by Hellmann Worldwide Logistics and DHL.



Given its strategic location and the increased demand for its facilities and services, the new free zone managed to lease more than 51% of the logistics warehouses to companies launching their operations in different sectors, ranging from e-commerce, logistics and information technology to fashion, jewellery and electronics.



The launch of Dubai CommerCity aims to lead the future of e-commerce business in the region. The project has been thoroughly studied not only to provide foundational solutions, but also to stimulate and support business and prosperity at a time when the sector is going through peak growth. The e-commerce sector is key as its value is expected to reach $148.5 billion by 2022 in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia regions, said Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (Dafza).



The GCC region is the fastest growing in the e-commerce sector, and the UAE comes in second place as it is expected to grow 38.3% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). The UAE is also ranked the fifth largest B2C products e-commerce market in sales within the Middle East, Africa and South Asia regions valued at $4 billion. The UAE companies in e-commerce account for 6% of the list of the 100 largest companies in the sector within the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, he added.



Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General of Dafza said: The global e-commerce sector is expected to grow 16.6% CAGR between 2019 and 2022. The Middle East, Africa and South Asia region is also expected to grow 18.4%, the Middle East and North Africa region 24.9% and the GCC 32.9% CAGR.



Dubai CommerCitys activities align with the strategies set out by the visionary leadership that have been placed to address the critical issues that have surfaced throughout the past months. The pandemic has redefined the nature of work in various sectors including e-commerce. During this period, the role of e-commerce has expanded and offered several solutions. It has also allowed the UAE to offer unprecedented opportunities to businesses across the region and globally, added Al Zarooni.



The launch of the facility is supported by the strategic partnerships signed by Dubai CommerCity and aims to support businesses to run effectively and seamlessly. The e-commerce free zone has signed agreements with Hellmann Worldwide and Logistics DHL Express that complement the efforts to grow and enhance the portfolio of services that Dubai CommerCity provides. As part of the partnerships, Hellmann Worldwide will manage and operate a shared, multi-client warehouse within the logistics cluster of the free zone and clients will have access to last mile delivery services through DHL Express.



Dubai CommerCitys customers will also utilise unique storage options and pay-as-you-go payment model which are highly cost efficient and allow flexibility to scale their operations in line with demand. The strategic partnerships will allow for fast e-commerce fulfilment across the region and will provide a suitable and stable groundwork from where customers can grow businesses and enter new markets.



Hellmann will also provide end-to-end warehousing including services like order management systems and streamlined customs clearance processes. As part of end-to-end logistics services, Hellmann will also offer last mile delivery services, through its last mile partner DHL Express, from the warehouse directly to the consumer.



Dubai CommerCity has signed partnership agreements with Magento Commerce, a leading e-commerce software provider and Redbox Digital, a global digital consultancy and platinum Magento implementation partner. Focused on offering E-Commerce-as-a-Service, the collaboration will provide Dubai CommerCity customers with tailored access to e-commerce solutions and services that will enhance digital experiences and brand growth.  TradeArabia News Service
Phuket B20k mask fine warning issued as officials target problem foreigners

PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong has levelled a very clear warning for all people to wear face masks at all times while in public on the island, or else face a fine, and consular officials will be sought to discuss problem foreigners failing to comply with COVID-protection measures.

COVID-19Coronavirushealth

By The Phuket News

Sunday 25 April 2021, 09:30AM

Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong at the meeting yesterday (Apr 24). Photo: PR Phuket

Speaking after the urgent meeting of the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Apr 24), Vice Governor Pichet said, The Phuket Provincial Office will ask for cooperation with people [for them] to wear masks.

The Phuket Provincial Office issued Phuket Provincial Order No. 62/2021 in January. People must wear masks every time when leaving their accommodation.

Violations [of the order] may be an offense under Section 51 [of the Communicable Diseases Act], which incurs a fine not exceeding B20,000, he said.

And may be punished under Section 18 [of the Act], and [violators] shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding B40,000, or both.

In addition, in [Phuket Provincial] Order 2077/2021, people are required to comply with the DMHTT measures, where M is to wear a mask, Vice Governor Pichet noted.

Therefore, cooperation between Thais and foreigners is requested to wear a mask because wearing a mask will reduce the transmission of infection from person to person to a great extent.

If everyone participates, wearing a mask will help prevent the spread of COVID 19, thus we are asking for special cooperation, Vice Governor Pichet said.

PROBLEM FOREIGNERS

Vice Governor Pichet yesterday also noted the problem of foreigners living in Phuket failing to comply with Phuket regulations and orders.

In this regard, the Phuket Government has set out two guidelines, he said.

Measure 1: Phuket provincial officials will attend a meeting with all consuls in Phuket to clarify and understand the regulations of Phuket Province to let the consuls publicise and clarify to foreigners to know [the laws] and follow them, Vice Governor Pichet said.

The second approach is to strictly enforce the law against the perpetrators, he added.
New Delhi:

The Agra Lucknow expressway on Tuesday will witness a barrage of fighter jets and cargo planes displaying various formations and maneuvers as the Indian Air Force shall be carrying out a full war drill at Bangarmau in Uttar Pradesh on October 24.

The war drill is a standard exercise undertaken by the Air Force for making it operationally prepared for war time.IAF would also look into the feasability of using the expressway as ad-hoc landing / take-off strip for undertaking flying sorties during war time.

So here is a look at the how the exercise shall unfold and what lies in store with the formations and manouvers likely to be executed by the fighter jets and Garuda Commandos

The IAF exercise will commence with an impressive short landing by the C-130 which on its landing roll itself will start off loading the Garud Commandos and their vehicle. Immediately on disembarking from the C-130, the Commandos will take up position on either side of the airstrip to cordon it off for the fighter operations.

This will be followed by 3 Jaguar Deep penetration strike aircraft, 2 formations of three aircraft each of Mirages and 2 formations of three aircraft each of Sukhoi-30. All fifteen fighter aircraft will carry out a roller/touch and go manoeuvre on the expressway. The C-130 will then return for another short landing to extricate the Garud Commandos.

C130 lands at 10am and from10:15 Am onwards 25min blocks are given for various formations. All timings are subject to weather conditions

The Agra-Lucknow Expressway is 302-km six-lane Expressway which can be expanded to 8-lane. The expressway starts from Agra to reach Lucknow via Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etawah, Oraia, Kannauj, Hardoi,Kanpur Nagar and Unnao.

The 302 kilometer-long expressway was completed in a record time of 22 months at the cost of Rs 13,200 crore.

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Chelsea and Tiffany Castillo remembered their mother, Zoe Rosenthal, as a dedicated woman in her roles as a single mother and an educator.

She was a great mom, and she makes me want to be the best mom I can be, Tiffany Castillo said in emotional testimony in court, speaking about the influence her mom had on her growing up.

Rosenthal, 52, died in November 2017 after being hit by a driver that her family alleges was negligent behind the wheel. Rosenthal, of Holyoke, was walking her dog, Chester, in a marked crosswalk not far from her home when she was struck by Charles J. Davignon, also of Holyoke.

Following a wrongful death lawsuit, a Hampden County jury has awarded $7 million to Rosenthals family after a three-day trial. The family was represented by attorneys Nicholas Rowley and Benjamin Novotny of Trial Lawyers for Justice and Charlotte Glinka and Karen Zahka of Keches Law Group.

Of the $7 million, $3 million goes to each surviving daughter and $1 million is for the pain and suffering Rosenthal endured. And more than $2.5 million was for pre-judgment interest, according to a statement from Keches Law Group.

The verdict, with interest, totals more than $9.5 million

Its an honor to see two wonderful daughters finally get justice, said Rowley. For the last three years, the defendant refused to take responsibility for their mothers death. That changed during this trial. This trial was necessary because the insurance company acted irresponsibly and cheaply. Now theyll have to face the consequences.

Rosenthal was struck as Davignon drove a pickup truck on Canal Street and turned left onto Lyman Street, according to a police report.

She fell to the pavement and hit her head. After being taken by ambulance to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, a CT scan showed a skull fracture and a brain hemorrhage. Rosenthal died two days later.

Police said Davignon, then 62, remained at the scene and cooperated with officers. He told police he did not see Rosenthal in the crosswalk, according to the statement.

This has been a devastating loss to Zoe Rosenthals family and to the community of friends and colleagues who adored her, Glinka said.

An ophthalmologist who testified as an expert for the plaintiffs said during trial that Davignon had a severe visual impairment in his left eye that would have impeded his ability to see a pedestrian on his left.

An attorney for Davignon could not immediately be reached on Saturday.

In the months after Rosenthals death, authorities said no charges had been filed in connection with the crash.

Davignon had his license indefinitely suspended after the collision, according to his public driving record.

In an obituary, Rosenthal was remembered as an imaginative and creative teacher. She taught at Holyoke Community Colleges Literacy Project.

Zoe projected active compassion for the disadvantaged and oppressed. Her commitment to anti-bias and social justice was met in her work at Capacidad, a child-care organization that matched her values. With Umoja Too she went to Japan with a dance troupe where her daughters performed, the obituary reads. She was always willing to help others and share what she had. Her interest were many and included photography and glass blowing. Zoe reveled in Latino culture, food, music, and salsa dance.

Related Content:
Joe Biden is the first U.S. President who formally declared and recognized the mass killings of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide. This announcement is expected to increase the country's tension and its allied countries with Turkey.

According to a recently published article on The Hill, former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump avoided using the term "genocide." Even though Obama pledged to recognize the killings of Armenians, he never did it while he was in office. Trump also did not support the resolution passed to cultivate a friendly relationship with the Turkish leader.

Before Biden's announcement, lawmakers and White House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff urged the President to follow through with what he said during the campaign. This now marked Biden as the first President to recognize the matter as so, according to a published report on CNN News.

Republicans Unveil Measures of the $568 Billion Counteroffer to Joe Biden's Infrastructure Plan

Turkey Denounced Biden's Statement

Biden's statement was welcomed by Bipartisan members in the House of Congress and human rights advocates. However, this is also expected to complicate the country's relationship with Turkey, an ally of NATO and with whom the U.S. has increasingly clashed.

In a recently published article on NBC News, the Turkish government was said to have strongly denounced Biden's statement and said that it would undermine their relationship.

The Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement, "We reject and denounce in the strongest terms the statement of the President of the US regarding the events of 1915 made under the pressure of radical Armenian circles and anti-Turkey groups on 24 April."

He also added that the statement of Biden distorts the historical facts in Turkey and that this will never be accepted in the conscience of its people. Biden's recognition of the killings potentially opens a deep wound as it counteracts mutual trust and relationship between the two countries.

Missing Indonesia Submarine: Unidentified Object Found Floating in Seas North of Bali

Biden's First Call With Turkey

On Friday, Biden made his first phone call as president to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which he allegedly told his counterpart of his intention to recognize the Armenian genocide.

According to a White House readout, the two have agreed to meet on the sidelines of the forthcoming NATO summit in Brussels in June "to discuss the full spectrum of bilateral and regional issues."

Meanwhile, Turkey has long denied that the massacres amounted to genocide, claiming that both Armenians and Turks died in the Ottoman Empire's fall. They also say that 300,000 Armenians were killed.

Although Turkey collaborates with the U.S. on counterterrorism, ending Syria's civil war, and preventing a revival of the Islamic State, tensions with Ankara have risen over its acquisition of a Russian missile defense system and participation in regional conflicts.

Before the announcement this week, Turkey's foreign minister said that acknowledging the Armenian genocide would damage ties between Washington and Ankara.





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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.

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Rap icon and actor DMX was given a spectacular farewell as his casket was carried on a huge monster truck from Yonkers north of Manhattan where he grew up, to Barclay's Centre in Brooklyn, where a memorial service was planned.

Thousands of New Yorkers watched the procession go by, as streets were closed and lanes restricted to facilitate the ceremonial journey.

The monster truck had the words Long Live DMX painted on the side. The truck, and the thousands of bikers escorting it, was seen as a homage to Ruff Ryders, the motorcycle-loving rap group with whom DMX, whose real name was Earl Simmons, rose to fame.

DMX died aged 50 on 9 April after suffering a heart attack following a drug overdose. He passed one week after being admitted to hospital where he was put on life support.

Around 200 police officers were in the streets to help the funeral cortege move along its route.

Only 10 per cent of the seats in the 19,000-seat Barclay's Centre arena were allowed to be filled in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines.

Bikers followed the coffin and the monster truck throughout New York, arriving at the Brooklyn arena just after 2pm.

Cops will be stationed along the route and there will be a heavy police presence, law enforcement said according to the New York Post.

When asked about the cost of the Brooklyn memorial, a spokesperson for Barclay's told the paper: We arent at liberty to discuss the financial arrangements of our events."

Born in Mount Vernon, DMX went on to become a father of 15, making his way in street battles after a problematic childhood, and becoming one of the most successful rappers of all time.
Asean leaders agree five-point plan for Myanmar

WORLD: Asean leaders met Myanmars junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in Jakarta yesterday (Apr 24) and reached a five-point consensus on how to tackle the political crisis the country is facing.

Myanmarpoliticsviolencedeath

By Bangkok Post

Sunday 25 April 2021, 12:17PM

TAKING ACTION: Leaders attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit on the Myanmar crisis in Jakarta. Photo: Bangkok Post.

In a statement announced by Aseans chair, the Sultan of Brunei, the leaders in their five-point consensus called for 1) the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar; 2) constructive dialogue among all parties concerned to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people; 3) mediation to be facilitated by an envoy of Aseans chair, with the assistance of the secretary-general; 4) humanitarian assistance provided by Aseans AHA Centre and 5) a visit by the special envoy and delegation to Myanmar to meet all parties concerned.

The remarks comments followed a meeting in Jakarta of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which was the senior Myanmar generals first foreign trip since security forces staged a coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in early February. Gen Min Aung Hlaing has become the focus of international outrage over the coup and a subsequent crackdown on dissent that has left more than 700 dead.

The first requested commitment is for the Myanmar military to stop the use of violence and that all parties there at the same time must refrain so that tensions can be reduced, The President of Indonesia Joko Widodo said yesterday.

Gen Min Aung Hlaing did not make a formal public statement. But Singapores prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, who called for the release of Suu Kyi from house arrest, said the junta leader heard us.

He was not opposed to Asean playing a constructive role, or an Asean delegation visit, or humanitarian assistance, and that they would move forward and engage with Asean in a constructive way, Mr Lee told reporters, citing the generals comments.

Thailands Foreign Ministry yesterday retweeted that Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai also suggested the D4D as the way forward for Myanmar through de-escalating violence, delivering humanitarian assistance, release of detainees and dialogue at the Asean Summit. Mr Don represented Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at the meeting.

Yesterdays talks follow mass protests which have been met by a brutal crackdown that has left hundreds dead. Small protests outside the blocs Jakarta headquarters were dispersed by security personnel. In Myanmar, protesters took to the streets again yesterday, including in northern Kachin state, where demonstrators wore blue shirts to symbolise detainees. In Yangon, residents staged a mock funeral for the senior general by smashing saffron-coloured clay pots on the ground, symbolic of cutting ties with the dead.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 01:35:16|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, on March 25, 2021 shows a screen displaying U.S. President Joe Biden speaking during a press conference in Washington, D.C., in a live stream provided by Fox News. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Biden is the first U.S. president to use the term "genocide" in describing the mass killing against the Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire, breaking with his predecessors who did not want to undermine relations with Turkey.

WASHINGTON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday recognized the mass killing against Armenians more than a century ago as a "genocide," a move that could further worsen relations between the United States and Turkey.

"The American people honor all those Armenians who perished in the genocide that began 106 years ago today," Biden said in a statement issued by the White House on Saturday, the Armenian Remembrance Day.

"We do this not to cast blame but to ensure that what happened is never repeated," he noted.

Biden is the first U.S. president to use the term "genocide" in describing the mass killing against the Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire, breaking with his predecessors who did not want to undermine relations with Turkey. In 2019, both chambers of Congress passed resolutions recognizing the atrocities as "genocide."

The latest move could further complicate the already strained relations between Washington and Ankara. The two NATO allies have been at odds over Turkey's acquisition of the Russian S-400 air-defense systems and other regional issues, such as the Syria conflict and the dispute in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told local media earlier this week that Biden's statements were not legal-binding and would only harm bilateral relations. "If the United States wants to worsen ties, the decision is theirs," he said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at a press conference in Ankara, Turkey, on Jan. 11, 2021. (Xinhua)

U.S. media reported that Biden informed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of his "genocide" recognition plan in their phone call on Friday.

The phone call was the first between the two leaders since Biden took office in January. The White House said that Biden told Erdogan that he wanted to build a constructive bilateral relationship "with expanded areas of cooperation and effective management of disagreements."

The two leaders agreed to hold a bilateral meeting on the margins of the NATO Summit in June to discuss the full range of bilateral and regional issues, according to the White House.

Armenians have long sought international recognition for the large-scale casualties during the Ottoman era as genocide, which they say left some 1.5 million of their people dead. Turkey, the Ottoman Empire's successor state, has claimed the mass killings did not constitute genocide. 
New Delhi:

The core committee of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation decided to call-off the strike in late-night meeting on Friday. Buses are likely to hit roads from Saturday.

Earlier on Friday, the Bombay High Court on Friday termed MSRTC strike as illegal and ordered to call it off with immediate effect.

In a late evening order, Justice S K Shinde also directed the committee, set up by the state government to look into the employees issues, to submit its interim report by November 15 and the final report on December 21.

Over one lakh MSRTC employees went on an indefinite strike on Tuesday, demanding a salary hike in accordance with the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.

The court was hearing two PILs, including one filed by city resident Jayant Satam, seeking that the strike be declared illegal and the staff be asked to resume work.

The strike is illegal and they (MSRTC staff) are directed to resume work with immediate effect, the court said.

The government cannot remain a mute spectator on the strike. This is affecting the public at large, especially during the festive season, it added.

Nearly 65 lakh people travelled by MSRTC buses every day, the petitions said.

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WE WENT to Newport for three days last week, two Minnesotans long married, to rediscover the fact that ocean air is delicious and invigorating and can even make you happy. That surely is why the Vanderbilts built their monstrous mansion on the shore: sinking into decadence in a fake palace w
James Corden has recalled the moment he ordered a paparazzi photographer to stop taking pictures of himself and his wife - only to discover they were snapping Leonardo DiCaprio instead.

In a new interview, the TV star, 42, opened up on first moving to the US six-years ago as a relative unknown star to American audiences to present The Late Late Show.

And in a highly embarrassing moment, he told how he mistakenly got the hump at a snapper for taking snaps of himself and wife Julia, 45, but soon discovered that they had no idea who he was.

Awkward! James Corden has recalled the moment he ordered a paparazzi photographer to stop taking pictures of himself and his wife, only to discover they were snapping Leonardo DiCaprio instead (pictured on The Late Late Show)

Speaking to The Sun, the Gavin and Stacey star told how his move to the US was 'really tough' as he had to uproot his family across the pond when his son Max was three and daughter Carey was just 12 weeks.

He went on to say that after a few weeks of filming, he and his partner decided to enjoy some downtime at a beach in California, where he had his awkward encounter with the photographer.

He said: 'We went down and found this spot on the sand. As we were lying there we noticed this paparazzi photographer by some rocks. And me in swimming trunks. I dont want to see myself in a mirror, let alone in photos like that.

'So I put my T-shirt on. He was still taking photos, and I thought, "Do you know what? This is my only time with my wife. Im just going to go and speak to him". I walked over and said, "Look, buddy, I think youve got your photo now"

Whoops! In a highly embarrassing moment, he told how he mistakenly got the hump at a snapper for taking snaps of himself and wife Julia, 45, but soon discovered that they had no idea who he was and were actually snapping Leonardo

'And he just went, "What?". And I went, "Come on". And he went, "No, DiCaprio!" And sat behind me in a restaurant was Leonardo DiCaprio.'

The comedian then added that he headed back to his wife with his tail between his legs after being failed to be recognised and told her they needn't 'worry about' the photographer anymore.

Despite being an unknown in the states at the time, six years later James is a huge star stateside, having played host to a plethora of big names on his Carpool Karaoke segment including Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Adele and Michelle Obama.

His favourite guest however was Beatles legend Paul McCartney, 78, with James noting that he and his team were 'immensely proud' of the episode filmed in Liverpool.

Downtime: After a few weeks of filming, he and his partner decided to enjoy some downtime at a beach in California, where he had his awkward encounter with the photographer (pictured together in 2020)

Oh dear: 'I thought, "Do you know what? This is my only time with my wife. Im just going to go and speak to him". I walked over and said, "Look, buddy, I think youve got your photo now

The episode almost didn't happen with Paul cancelling at the last minute as he didn't want to return to his childhood home.

But after sending Paul and email branding his cancellation 'unacceptable', Paul agreed to take part and said afterwards that he's 'had a blast'.

Meanwhile, James, who shot to fame in comedy drama Fat Friends, reflected on the beginnings of his stint on The Late Late Show, admitting that he was 'reticent' at the beginning as it was all so daunting.

Mistake: 'And he just went, "What?". And I went, "Come on". And he went, "No, DiCaprio!" And sat behind me in a restaurant was Leonardo DiCaprio' (Leonardo pictured in 2019)

Hilarious: The comedian then added that he headed back to his wife with his tail between his legs after being failed to be recognised and told her they needn't 'worry about' the photographer anymore

He told how the offer of the job came 'out of the blue' and was very 'anxious' filming the first episode as that would 'define' the series, with the star also worried that no one in the states knew who he was at the time.

He added that he used that anonymity to his advantage and used the opportunity as a 'clean slate' as nobody knew what he 'could do'.

It comes as James recently insisted that there is 'absolutely no truth' in rumours of him 'replacing' Ellen DeGeneres on her eponymous talk show.

James put the record straight on his own show as he played a game of Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts with Alicia Keys.

Made it: Despite being an unknown in the states at the time, six years later James is a huge star stateside, having played host to a plethora of big names on his Carpool Karaoke segment including Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Adele and Michelle Obama

Nerves: James said he was very 'anxious' filming the first episode as that would 'define' the series, with the star also worried that no one in the states knew who he was at the time

The screen star revealed how he 'genuinely' did not know where the rumour 'even came from' and said it would be 'really crazy' to take over from Ellen, 62, who has hosted her own show since 2003.

Asked by Alicia if the rumours were true, the thespian said: 'That is a very... happily I will answer it because I don't even know where, genuinely I don't know where that even came from.

'I think somebody started a rumour somewhere and someone jumped on it. There is absolutely no truth in that story at all - zero.'
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Hundreds of men and boys called Josh showed up to Nebraska to battle each other with pool noodles for the right to keep their name after one Josh challenged the others in a Facebook message that went viral last year.

The hilarity started in April 2020 when an Arizona college student named Josh Swain sent a message to a group of other men with the same name challenging them to a fight for the right to keep it.

Videos posted online on Saturday show total mayhem as the grown men and boys named Josh actually showed up a year later to hit each other with pool noodles, some even falling to the ground.

Though only two Josh Swains showed up most people who attended were in fact named Josh. The Josh Swains duked it out with a game of rock, paper, scissors before the revelry started.

The winner of the battle royale was a 5-year-old referred to as 'Little Josh,' according to KLKN reporter Yousef Nasser. His victory was celebrated with a Burger King crown while he was lifted up by an adult to thunderous cheers from the crowd.

Joshes gathered to battle it out to find out who is the rightful owner of the name Josh via a pool noodle battle royale

Some people not named Josh also showed up to watch the event

Josh Swain, left, the original poster, crowns a five year old boy named Josh the victor, right

Only one other Josh Swain showed up and they duked it out in a game of rock paper scissors

'Little Josh' Vinson Jr. is crowned the ultimate Josh with a Burger King crown on Saturday that is too big for his head

People gather around a little boy named Josh who was crowned the ultimate Josh on Saturday

Josh Swain sent this original message for the Josh Fight last year

Every human in this video is named Josh... They aint joshin around with these pool noodles though



Theres about to be a... #JOSHFIGHT pic.twitter.com/oYExj9VqhI  Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 24, 2021

I caught up with #JoshFight champion Josh "#LittleJosh" Vinson Jr. after his victory.



How much fun did Little Josh have today?



"A lot of fun!" pic.twitter.com/oAhi4859Xc  Yousef Nasser (@YousefKLKN) April 24, 2021

Josh Swain had written in the original message last year: 'You're probably wondering why I've gathered you all here today.'

Another man named Josh Swain replied 'because we all share the same names' while another Josh Swain left the chat.

'Precisely, 4/24/2021, 12:00 p.m., meet at these coordinates, (40.8223286, -96.7982002) we fight, whoever wins gets to keep the name, everyone else has to change their name, you have a year to prepare, good luck,' Swain wrote.

KnowYourMeme, a database for viral content online, noted that the GPS coordinates in the original message point to a location outside the Lincoln airport that was later registered as the 'Josh Fight' when searched on gps-coordinates.net.

Over the last year, people online have continued to remind people named Josh about the Josh Fight in a bid to turn it into a reality. However, it eventually hit a small snag. The person who owned the private property apparently did not want any part in it.

Then on Tuesday, the Twitter account @MemesCentral made a post that said the Josh Fight had been moved.

The post included a picture of a shipping pallet with a message that reads: 'No Josh Fight Here!!! Private Property.

'Please go to Bowling Lake Park for Josh vs Josh vs Josh,' the sign reads before noting the new coordinates. 'May the best Josh win.''

A sign is seemingly placed at the original location for the Josh Fight directing guys named Josh to a local park

A man named Josh wears a nametag that reads 'Josh' during a massive Josh Fight in Nebraska

People named Josh hit each other with pool noodles during a massive brawl on Saturday

Spectators not named Josh record the battle from the safety of the sidelines as the Joshs battled in an open green space in Air Park

One Josh holds two foam swords for the Josh fight, which was randomly held in Nebraska

Josh Swain, the original, then confirmed details of the event on Reddit but said it would be held at Air Park Green Area - not Bowling Lake Park as the sign read.

'Almost one year ago, under a spell of pandemic boredom, I made a group chat of all the people on Facebook that I could find with the same first and last name as mine,' he wrote on Reddit.

'This was a complete joke, and I have posted jokes to my twitter before, but when I posted the screenshots to my Twitter here, the internet ran with it, and ran with enough endurance for you all to remember a YEAR later.'

He continued: 'That doesn't happen very often, so I'm afraid I have to oblige the internet and trek all the way across the contiguous United States to defend my name.'

Swain said that he had picked the original coordinates 'at random.'

'They landed on some farm owner's land who did not agree to host such a ridiculous event. Please be courteous and proceed directly to the new coordinates.'

Swain noted on Reddit for people who show up to bring canned goods for the Food Bank of Lincoln, while providing a link to an online fundraiser for Children's Hospital & Medical Center Foundation  which he cheekily named 'Help pay legal fees for Josh Swain's to change their name fund.'
Samsung became the first major brand to bring foldable smartphones to the masses in the form og Galaxy Fold. It later expanded the portfolio by introducing the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold 2. However, thats not where the Korean smartphone maker plans to stop now. It has filed a 52-page document titled "Foldable electronic device including electronic pen." Whats interesting here is that the patent shows a double-folding phone that features three displays. The firm also calls it as a "multi-foldable device" in the patent found by LetsGoDigital.

From the looks of it, the central display is wider while the other two are narrow. Both can be folded inwards and cover the entire main screen. There is also some space in between the folded screens to accommodate the stylus. However, the illustrations also show an outward folding design. As for the S Pen, it is said to feature magnets and support high-speed charging. The accessory has been mentioned in the patent. Also mentioned is that when the phone is not folded completely but the S Pen is still stuck to it, the accessory will go in a standard charging mode.

Samsung Galaxy Folding smartphone. (LetsGoDigital)

Also read: Samsungs upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 2 might be waterproof devices

Furthermore, the handset might feature two selfie cameras inside a double punch hole cutout. This comes in addition to an in-display fingerprint sensor and a piezoelectric speaker that will also be placed under the screen. As for the main camera, there might be two sensors placed at the back.

However, all of this is a patent for all we know right now, and seems like a pretty ambitious idea of a foldable phone by Samsung. However, fans can still be excited thinking that the fact that Samsung has filed a patent for this such a product, does say that the company thinks it can actually make one in future.
OTTAWA, ON, April 25, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ 

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create stress and anxiety for many Canadians, particularly those who do not have ready access to their regular support networks. Through the Wellness Together Canada online portal, people of all ages across the country can access immediate, free and confidential mental health and substance use supports, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Celebrating National Immunization Awareness Week

Yesterday marked the beginning of National Immunization Awareness Week (NIAW). This is an annual event which is held during the last week of April that serves to highlight and recognize the importance of immunization. NIAW coincides with the Pan American Health Organization's Vaccination Week in the Americas and the World Health Organization's World Immunization Week.

NIAW is a longstanding campaign here in Canada and this Sunday Edition is dedicated to this initiative. In its efforts to raise public awareness on the importance of vaccination, NIAW helps to maintain the health and protect the lives of those we hold dear across the country.

Vaccines are certainly top-of-mind for us all across Canada at this time  whether we have been vaccinated against COVID-19 already, are assisting others in getting vaccinated, and/or are eagerly awaiting our own turn. Thanks to remarkable scientific advancements and unprecedented levels of global collaboration, we are fortunate to have a number of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines that are bringing us growing hope.

This year's NIAW theme is, fittingly, "Vaccines Bring Us Closer." Every time someone gets vaccinated we are closer to getting back the things we've missed so much. Vaccines truly are one of the greatest public health achievements of the twentieth century  and as we are seeing with COVID-19, advancements in this area continue to be critical to our health into the twenty-first century.

A Historical Perspective

Story continues

For those of you who are not familiar with NIAW, its history in the context of the vaccination programs in Canada is worth learning about! NIAW was launched by Immunize Canada in the 1990s. It was based on a very successful program carried out in Canada in the 1930s. In those days, vaccines were new, and the diseases they prevented were very common. Therefore, informing the public on vaccines was a very necessary undertaking. One of the earliest campaigns, launched in 1931, was Toronto's Toxoid Week, which focused on diphtheria.

By the mid-1970s, vaccination was common in Canada, and several serious diseases began to fade from our collective memory. New vaccines also continued to be developed and distributed widely. In 1980, smallpox (a serious infectious disease caused by the variola virus, with a fatality rate of about 30%), was officially eradicated globally. In 1994, Canada was certified as being free of polio (a disabling and life threatening infectious disease caused by the polio virus). These successes are the result of widespread vaccination campaigns.

COVID-19 Vaccines in Canada: History in the Making

COVID-19 has brought vaccines to the forefront of public health once again.

The development of COVID-19 vaccines has been an incredible global scientific achievement. A vaccine development process that generally takes years has been achieved in about 11 months. This development process, built on years of scientific and technological advances, is only possible thanks to the tireless work and collaboration of many researchers around the world. Within a years' time, we now have several safe and effective vaccines to help protect us against COVID-19. I cannot emphasize enough what a tremendous feat this is.

We now know that the COVID-19 vaccines can help to protect us from becoming sick, being hospitalized or dying if we are infected with the virus, as well as reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community, protecting those who cannot, or have yet to be vaccinated. And real-world examples of vaccine effectiveness continue to grow here in Canada! We are seeing reduced cases among older populations who have been vaccinated, and fewer and more contained outbreaks in long-term care facilities. We are also witnessing a decline in COVID-19 cases among people working in healthcare settings. Another heartening and positive example is the high vaccine uptake in Indigenous communities that has contributed to a decline in active cases.

NIAW  Spreading the Message

When National Immunization Week was launched back in 1942, it was noted that the prevention of communicable diseases for which there were specific "preventative agents" was of such significance to public health, and future productivity of the country, that all means available be enlisted in this education effort. Implementation of the plan remained limited to what was technologically possible at the time. Posters (in colour!) were printed for distribution in schools, a series of radio addresses were arranged, and even a "motion picture film" was prepared.

If we consider the ways that we use today to communicate public health-related information, the progress is considerable, with many additional technologies and information-sharing platforms at our disposal. However, inevitably, with these advances comes additional challenges, particularly in terms of the ease and rapidity at which mis- and disinformation can be disseminated (see also my related Sunday Edition).

This is our challenge at this moment in time. It isn't so much about getting the message out anymore  we have countless ways to do so, even as individuals. It is about having the message seen, heard and not have it be misconstrued, or drowned out by all the other 'noise.' As more people in Canada become eligible for vaccination, it has been truly heartening to see many join in the effort to help spread the message about the importance of getting vaccinated, sharing their own vaccination stories and what prompted them to do so. These stories are positive, inspiring, and collectively, they are creating a strong voice in support of vaccination against COVID-19, and the protection of ourselves and one another. I encourage you to continue sharing your stories and the stories of others you know, with social media campaigns like #MyWhy. Together, we can make this voice even stronger!

NIAW  Inspiration to Stay the Course

As COVID-19 vaccines work to protect more and more people in Canada, NIAW can also help to remind and inspire us all to do what we can to stay strong and help protect one another during this time, as we face increased COVID-19 activity and a rise in the proportion of cases involving more contagious variants of concern. I urge everyone to continue to follow public health advice, keep up with individual practices, and get vaccinated when it is your turn.

In addition, and very importantly, although our minds may be focused on COVID-19 vaccines, NIAW also serves as a good opportunity to remind us all about how essential it is that we keep up with routine vaccine recommendations during the pandemic. Your healthcare provider or local public health authority have put in place safe ways for you to get your routine vaccines and to keep your families' vaccinations up to date.

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada

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View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2021/25/c0229.html
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 16:41:49|Editor: huaxia

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GHAZNI, Afghanistan, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Afghan fighting planes targeted the Taliban hideouts in the restive Muqar and Gilan districts of eastern Ghazni province on Saturday, killing 12 insurgents and injuring six others, the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The short statement also noted that a good quantity of arms and ammunitions of the militants were also destroyed during the air raids.

According to the statement, over two dozen militants had also been killed during the cleanup operations in the neighboring Wardak province on Saturday.

The Taliban outfit has not made a comment yet. Enditem
DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 25th Apr, 2021) Emirati businessman Abdul Rahim Mohammed Belghozooz Al Zarooni donated AED1 million to the 100 Million Meals campaign, the first humanitarian campaign of its kind in the Arab world to provide food parcels for disadvantaged individuals and families across 30 countries in the middle East, Asia, and Africa during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The 100 Million Meals campaign, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is managed by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, in cooperation with the UN World Food Programme, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, Food Banking Regional Network, and local food banks and humanitarian and charity institutions in beneficiary countries.

The Emirati businessman said, "The 100 Million Meals campaign is an open invitation to support and feed the needy in 30 countries during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Donating to the campaign is an honor and commitment, because it is an inspiring humanitarian campaign that reminds us of our responsibilities as human beings towards our brothers and sisters across the globe who need help and support. Our wise leadership has instilled in us the race to do good and live by the values of giving and human solidarity, instilled in them by the founding fathers of the UAE."

Al Zarooni added, "The 100 Million Meals campaign provides direct food aid to those in need, especially in lower-income communities, which is the epitome of the spirit of Ramadan.

"

The 100 Million Meals campaign comes as part of the UAEs generous efforts to support the second of the UNs Sustainable Development Goals  to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition in the world by 2030.

More than 820 million people are undernourished globally, including 52 million people across the Middle East and North Africa region. Malnutrition contributes to about 45 percent of deaths in children under-5 years of age and hunger claims a childs life every 10 seconds. Hunger causes more deaths than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.

The campaign, which initially targeted 20 beneficiary countries, expanded to 30 countries just few days after its launch given the influx of donations received. It engages with individuals, companies, businessmen, and community groups, inside and outside the UAE, and encourages them to make financial contributions to help millions of needy people around the world.

Within 10 days of the launch, the campaign collected its target sum of AED100 million.

Cash donations continue to come in through the four available channels. They include, firstly, the campaign website www.100millionmeals.ae; secondly, the campaign call centre on the toll-free number 8004999; thirdly, via the designated bank account through Dubai Islamic Bank (AE08 0240 0015 2097 7815 201), and fourthly, by sending the word "" in Arabic or "Meal" in English by SMS on specified numbers via the Du or Etisalat networks in the UAE.
Amelia Gray Hamlin made quite a splash on Instagram on Sunday.

The fashion model shared a duo of beautiful and fashionable selfies to her account.

The model, 19, posed in profile in a sexy blue and green mini tube dress that showcased her curves, courtesy of UK-based online fashion retailer Boohoo.

Forest nymph: Amelia Gray Hamlin again made quite a splash on Instagram on Sunday, when she shared a duo of beautiful and fashionable selfies to her account

The theme was clearly nature-inspired, as the leafy print on her dress mirrored the backdrop of deep green shrubbery against which she appeared.

Amelias dress featured one shoulder strap, and a cutout right along the side seam.

Her highlighted brown hair hang loosely down her back, parted at the middle.

Peekaboo: The model, 19, posed in profile in a sexy blue and green mini tube dress that showcased her curves, courtesy of UK-based online fashion retailer Boohoo

In the first snap, Amelia demurely had one arm across her chest, while in the other she had her arms more open to reveal more of her slim figure in the bright garment.

The beauty looked to wear minimal makeup, pouting her famous lips inherited from her Real Housewife mom Lisa Rinna.

Amelia frequently posts pictures on behalf of Boohoo, like a sexy bikini snap from last week which saw her flaunting her chiseled abdomen while standing in hip-deep waters.

Brand ambassador: Amelia frequently posts pictures on behalf of Boohoo, like a sexy bikini snap from last week which saw her flaunting her chiseled abdomen

Hamlin is dating reality TV star Scott Disick, who is 18 years her senior.

The famous daughter of Rinna and LA Law actor Harry Hamlin works hard to keep her fit figure, and is often seen on her way in and out of Pilates classes in West Hollywood.

Last week she was spotted arriving at her preferred studio on the same day as Scott's ex Sofia Richie, who is three years older than Amelia.
Shanghai writer releases new bag, speaking for city identity

By:Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-04-25 12:47





On the facade of a popular coffee shop is a big new poster, on which Chinese famed writer Chen Danyan is carrying a handbag with the word Shanghai, giving passers-by and customers a vintage feeling.

The bag is a piece of Shanghai cultural identity. Back in 2008, the bag was mentioned in Chens book Images and Legends of the Shanghai Bund as follows: The sketch of the skyline along the Bund was printed on the leatherette handbags produced in Shanghai between the 1960s and 1980s. The word Shanghai was printed above the skyline.





The humble-looking but durable zipper bag was quite popular among Chinese people due to its quality. In central China, it was even deemed as a symbol of fashion.

However, the bag producer had not registered its trademark patent, and in the 1990s, it exited the market, along with some other old Shanghai brands.

Over the past years, Chen has been taking heed of old Shanghai brands like the Shanghai bag. As she believes, some of them can be rejuvenated.





Something has to be done, she said. The writer often takes elements of those classic brands with her whenever she appears in big public events. On April 23, World Book Day, a bag collection was officially released for sale, after a brand recreation campaign launched by Chen. One of the five newly-released bags is brown in color, as the result of a collaboration with Qiao Coffee, a Shanghai coffee shop.

















Though not a Shanghai native, Chen has deep affection for the city, with many of her books being set in Shanghai. Compared with fashion, Chen prefers to use modern to describe Shanghais old brands. In her eyes, modern means vigorous vitality, creativity and a spirit that transcends fashion.
UPDATE: According to the Oregon Institute of Technology, after bargaining until early Saturday morning, Oregon Tech - American Association of University Professors (OT-AAUP) say they have made a win-win offer in their ongoing negotiations.

The university says that negotiations will continue until an agreement is reached, even during the duration of the strike which is set to begin Monday, April 26th.

OT-AAUP states that in its most recent offer, they will make adjustments to salary equity along with putting any remaining allocated funds into a merit pool if inequities are addressed.

This is a true win-win package, said Terri Torres, Professor of Mathematics and Statistics. Let's keep our faculty in the classroom and labs and truly serve our students.

Our package not only satisfies the concerns of Oregon Tech, it aligns with values and pillars set forth in the President's Strategic Plan with a commitment to the community and institutional excellence that will ultimately lead to student success, said Andria Fultz, member of the OT-AAUP Executive Committee and associate professor in the Communication Department.

According to OIT, the package will use the senior administration's proposed 45 workload hour model, but says there will be clear definitions for non-industrial workloads.

In addition, OIT states that benefits will be served by PEBB at a 95/5 employer/employee contribution level and can only be changed if all employees at the university also do the same.

According the Marcus Popiolek, Executive Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs at OIT, the statement made by faculty that OIT President Dr. Nagi Naganathan has doubled his pay in the last four years at OIT is untrue.

Popiolek states that Dr. Nagi even took a $30,000 pay reduction last year.

Popiolek also states that the faculty average of pay and benefits is $135,000, which is split to $70,000 per year in pay and $65,000 in benefits.

OT-AAUP says that it hopes to hear a positive response from the senior bargaining team soon, but if no deal is met, the strike will begin this coming Monday.

Updated: 8:10 4/24/2021

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore-- On Saturday, Oregon Tech faculty, that are from the Wilsonville and Klamath Falls campuses, announced that they will be striking on Monday, April 26. According to faculty, the the strike comes after negotiations failed with the management and administration of OIT back in March.

According to the union, the two sides have been bargaining for 16 months, with mediation ongoing for almost six months  but agreements on salary, benefits, and working conditions are still far from settled.

Faculty members say that an overwhelming 92% of faculty voted a no confidence vote for president Dr. Nagi Naganathan after they claim that Naganathan says that a lack of finances is the reason for the faculty's salaries.

But in the last four years faculty members says that Dr. Naganathan has managed to double his own salary and raise administrative salaries by nearly 20% while Oregon Tech faculty have been earning an average rate of 70,000 dollars per year.

With the strike set in motion, this will be the first time that public university faculty have gone on strike in Oregon's history.
Australians will be able to continue to access Medicare-subsidised telehealth services until the end of the year, with the federal government set to include a six-month extension in Mays budget.

The government rapidly rolled out telehealth subsidies in March 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic struck so Australians could continue to access GP, mental health and allied health services during lockdowns.

Health Minister Greg Hunt says telehealth services have been vital for Australians during the coronavirus pandemic. Credit:Chris Hopkins

The Medicare arrangements were due to end on June 30, but Health Minister Greg Hunt will extend those until the end of the year while the government works with peak bodies to design a post-pandemic telehealth system.

Over the last 12 months, telehealth services have been life-changing for many in need of support, Mr Hunt said.
Sean Maguire has revealed he and his wife Tanya Flynn are expecting their third child together, a baby girl.

The former EastEnders star, 45, took to Instagram and shared a snap of himself alongside Tanya and their sons Flynn Patrick, 5, and Leo James, 3.

Tanya's growing baby bump was visible in the photo with Sean joking his sons aren't going to know what hit them when their little sister arrives.

Happy news: Sean Maguire has revealed he and his wife Tanya Flynn are expecting their third child together, a baby girl

He wrote: 'Very excited to share the news. We are expecting a baby girl. We couldn't be happier. The boys have no idea what's in store! #DaddysGirl'.

Along with his acting career, Sean regularly works with Oxfam International and recently co-organised a benefit in Los Angeles to assist the Syrian refugee crisis.

The actor previously told fan site Sean Maguire Daily that become a father has made him think about how it would impact the environment.

He said: 'Where it once used to be "Well, this will do me," you now think of what the world will be like when [you] have a child.

Family: The former EastEnders star, 45, took to Instagram and shared a snap of himself alongside Tanya and their sons Flynn Patrick, 5, and Leo James, 3

'The first thing I think about when we talk about parenting. Climate change is a real thing.

'Being a parent is providing a safe future for our children and regardless of what your politics are, climate is not up for negotiation.

'It's a real thing  So, parenthood has made me feel more responsibility for that.'

The actor originally found fame in teen drama Grange Hill, his first notable role, before appearing as troubled drug addict Aidan Brosnan in EastEnders.

Sean left the soap in 1993 after a turbulent 11-months on the Square, during which his character suffered homelessness and depression before returning to Ireland in an attempt to reconnect with his parents.

He has since enjoyed a successful career in the United States, with a steady stream of minor roles leading to recurring part in fantasy drama Once Upon A Time.

Confirming the birth of his second son Leo in a December 2017 Instagram post, he wrote: 'Thank you to my incredible wife for giving me the best Christmas present imaginable. Leo James Maguire.'

High times: The actor starred as troubled drug addict Aidan Brosnan in EastEnders before leaving the Square after 11 turbulent months in 1993

The actor and his former police detective wife's baby boy weighed in at 7lbs 1oz and was named after Italian Renaissance painter Leonardo da Vinci.

'His name was inspired by da Vinci, who Ive been a lifelong admirer of,' Sean later told ET.

'We are so grateful to our amazing Doctor Purlow and all the staff at the hospital.'

Sean became a United States Citizen last year so that he could cast his vote in the November Presidential election.
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls has only been in Congress for a few months, but the freshman lawmaker has already had a crash course in policy and political unrest.

Mere days into his term, an image of Nehls attempting to mollify the domestic terrorists attacking the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 went viral.

Nehls, (R- Texas) represents Congressional District 22, which encompasses much of Fort Bend County and Katy. Prior to becoming a U.S. representative, Nehls served the area as Fort Bend County Sheriff. On April 12, Nehls officially opened his district office, located in Richmond.

Nehls reflected on his first few months in office during a politically turbulent time in U.S. history.

Lets talk about your first few months in office. What are the main impressions you have of Congress so far?

Its been expected and unexpected in different ways. The levels of partisanship and lack of bipartisan cooperation was somewhat expected. Theres very little cooperation between the two parties, and thats not what the American people wanted when they elected one of the narrowest margins in history in the House and a tied Senate.

The attack on the Capitol on January 6th and the subsequent security measures of fences with barb wire and thousands of National guard troops in our nation's Capitol was unexpected.

More by Claire Goodman: Voter protection or Jim Crow laws? Fort Bend County officials lock horns over proposed legislation

Has anything about the job surprised you?

The hatred between the two parties is surprising. It seems we can no longer disagree and still respect the other side. Its devolved into name-calling and personal insults, and its damaging to the fabric of our institutions.

Are there any pieces of legislation that youre particularly excited about? Conversely, are there any that you find particularly troubling?

My first bill, which I introduced in March, would have codified protections for Liquified Natural Gas by rail. Senator Cruz introduced a companion bill in the Senate, and Im excited about the prospect of that becoming law, because its imperative the American people have access to affordable and abundant energy.

My team and I are also working on legislation to reduce recidivism nationwide. As sheriff, I implemented programs that reduced recidivism among participating inmates by over 30 percent. Were using that as the roadmap for national legislation.

Im deeply troubled by the exorbitant spending coming out of the Democrat controlled House. So far, $6 trillion for COVID response and, most recently, theyve introduced a $2.3 trillion infrastructure package that has very little to do with infrastructure. The American people elected one of the narrowest House majorities in history and a tied US Senate. They want us to work together and do our jobs, but thats just not whats happening right now. Democrats are ramming through legislation with zero input from Republicans. Its bad for the country and its counterproductive.

This obviously is a major change from law enforcement, but are there some things you learned in your time as sheriff that have served you as a Congressman?

Yes, especially as it relates to criminal justice reform. Im working hard to make some strides on recidivism reduction programs, similar to those I implemented as sheriff. Also, being accessible, ethical and honest, core tenets during my tenure as sheriff, has served me well in this new role.

In such a short time, youve seen some major historical events, including the Capitol riots, where your image went viral. What was going through your head at that moment? What do you think about the publics reaction to that photograph?

I wasnt thinking. I responded as I had been trained to, moving toward the danger and standing shoulder to shoulder with my brothers and sisters in blue. When one of the rioters punctured a hole in the glass door with a flag pole, I told him what youre doing is un-American. This is not how we settle our differences in this country. You should be ashamed. Primarily, I was attempting to converse with them to deescalate the situation, because if they penetrated those doors, those Capitol police who had guns drawn had the green light to shoot.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Real estate mogul Gates tried to disband his district. He's trying again, but as a legislator.

Youve just opened a local office in Richmond. How will that office serve the local community?

That office will be a hub for constituent services. Whether it be help with a federal agency, flag requests, internships or military academy nominations. Were here to help our district anyway we can. Its located at 1117 FM 359, Suite 210 in Richmond and is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Youre constantly back and forth now from Washington D.C. to District 22, but youre also a family man with young children. How do you balance the travel, legislative capacity, responsibilities to your district and being actively involved with your family?

Its not easy. There are many long nights and weeks that Im away from home. However, I do my best to FaceTime my wife and daughters every night Im not in town. When I am in town, I carve out time to unplug and dedicate to them. Its been a process, but they make it easy by being so supportive and understanding. Im a very blessed man.

claire.goodman@chron.com
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/25/2021



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[ Spoiler Warning: This report includes spoilers revealing if Brandon and Julia are still together now or if the couple has split up.]

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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.

star Julia Trubkina seemed unhappy with her living situation after marrying Brandon Gibbs, so what do spoilers reveal about if the new : Happily Ever After? couple is still together and happily married now?Brandon, a 27-year-old pest-control technician who helps to run his parents' farm in Dinwiddie, VA, entered his first serious relationship with Julia, a 26-year-old go-go club dancer from Krasnodar City, Russia.Brandon felt love at first sight with Julia, and so he flew to Russia after just a few weeks of getting to know her on the phone and through videochat.The couple dated for five months long-distance and then Brandon invited Julia to join him in Iceland, where he proposed marriage to her and the pair got engaged.Brandon and Julia ultimately had a "perfect" reunion at the airport, but Julia was upset to learn she'd have to sleep in a separate bedroom from Brandon at his parents' house while Brandon attempted to save some money.Brandon's mother Betty was also pushing for Julia to take contraception when Julia didn't want to."I can't control my mother. I can't control how they will interact. They both have really strong personalities, and I just feel like they're going to clash," Brandon lamented in a confessional.Once at the farm in Virginia, it didn't take Julia long to realize she hated the chores -- such as feeding the pigs -- and waking up early every morning."I don't want this. This is not the life [of] my dreams. Brandon say we need to stay here before we marry, but I say to him, 'No, Brandon, this is not going to work.' I need to leave," Julia vented in a confessional.Julia admitted she was ready to go back to Russia after only one day of working at his parents' farm."I wish she would see this as an opportunity and just give life on the farm a chance," Brandon told the cameras.But Brandon and Julia still set a wedding date for May 9, even though Brandon felt torn between Julia and his disappointed parents, who believed Brandon had neglected his responsibilities at the farm."I'm going to fix this for us... I'm going to be the man that you want me to be," Brandon told Julia.Brandon was ready to choose Julia over everything, so he told his parents that Julia was unhappy and giving him an ultimatum to move somewhere else or break up.In order to not lose their son, Betty and Brandon's father Ron agreed to let the couple sleep in the same bed.In April 2020, Julia still had one month to go on her K-1 visa but coronavirus was rapidly spreading and posed a problem for her pending nuptials, which she complained Brandon didn't seem excited about.Brandon worried about rushing into a marriage, but he said he wasn't ready to give up on his relationship with Julia. Brandon noted that when he and Julia weren't fighting, they had so much fun together and that's what he loved about her.When the pair had a full month left to marry on Julia's K-1 visa, they decided to move the wedding up in fear someone could test positive for COVID-19 close to the original wedding date.Julia and Brandon, however, kept bickering and Brandon said he didn't want to spend the rest of his life fighting with his wife."Brandon, marry [does] not mean we [won't] divorce after, if we have more problems and not fix [them]," Julia replied."Are you threatening with divorce before we've even gotten married?" Brandon asked."I try to say what happen if we [don't] stop and do not hear each other," Julia explained."That's kind of a threat," Brandon noted.Brandon noted a relationship takes team work and then looked at Julia and said, "I love you," to which she replied, "I love you too."Brandon knew Julia would calm down and be okay, and he explained they were always able to work through their issues and resolve them with a heart-to-heart conversation.Brandon wanted to show Julia how much he cared about her since she couldn't have the "elaborate" wedding of her dreams. As a result, Brandon surprised Julia with a spa day in his parents' bathroom, which included a bubble bath and candles.On the couple's wedding day, Julia wore a dress she didn't love and did her own hair and makeup for the church ceremony, but she was focused on marrying the love of her life.During the wedding, Julia and Brandon exchanged vows in each other's languages, which Julia thought would be incredibly sweet, romantic and personal.Brandon read his vows in Russian and said, "How did I get so lucky to meet you? How did I get so lucky to call you my love? I feel like the happiest man in the world. From this moment on, you are my priority. I love you and I need you forever."Julia cried tears of joy as Brandon read his vows, and she responded by promising to love him always as well as appreciate and respect him. Julia vowed to always make protein cookies and love him forever as his "Russian angel."The ceremony made everyone cry, and Julia looked forward to having another ceremony in Russia one day.On 's Season 8 Tell-All special, Julia revealed there were "more rules" in Brandon's parents' home than ever before even though she and Brandon were officially married.Julia expressed disapproval over the fact they were still living with Ron and Betty at the time.Julia said that she loved Betty but they butted heads when living together and there was always conflict. Julia explained she therefore yelled at Brandon all the time out of frustration.Brandon insisted he had looked at property to buy or rent before Julia moved to America but she didn't like her options."I want to leave this farm!" Julia complained, later adding, "I hate goats! I hate chickens! And I hate pigs!"Julia said she wants to be "the boss" in her own life and Betty competed with her for that title.Julia suggested her chores around the house are like a punishment, but Betty noted she'd have no problem with paying Julia money for her work as long as she and Brandon started paying rent.Brandon insisted Julia didn't have to do any work that she didn't want to do, but Julia said that was her way to spend time with her husband."I tried to be nice for Brandon... I try to be a nice girl," Julia said.Julia also discussed how she wouldn't mind having a child if she were to get pregnant by accident, but Brandon insisted she wasn't even ready to take care of a dog.Brandon and Julia definitely appear to still be a very happy couple, and their story will continue on TLC when they star on the upcoming sixth season of : Happily Ever After? premiering Sunday, April 25 at 8PM ET/PT.There is also photo evidence the couple hasn't broken up since the Tell-All special on social media.On April 21, Brandon posted a photo of himself giving Julia a piggyback ride and captioned it, "Happy wife - Happy life."And Julia shared similar photos on her own Instagram account on the same day. She wrote alongside them, "Everyone asks, did I have friends in America? here is my best friend. #90dayfiance #brandonandjulia #90dayfiancehappilyeverafter."And Brandon and Julia recently took a trip to Miami, FL, together! Julia revealed on Instagram this vacation served as their honeymoon. Coronavirus probably delayed the pair's honeymoon.On March 8, Brandon uploaded an image of Julia and himself with their arms around each other and wrote alongside it, "Happy International Women's Day," along with multiple flower emojis.Earlier in the month, Brandon posted a photo standing next to someone in a grey sweatshirt and captioned it, "Hey Julia... The bus is coming."And Julia posted two photos of herself in a wedding gown around the same time to defend Brandon in light of the fact he had been unenthusiastic and seemingly bored while wedding dress shopping with his fiancee."Bad omens of a wedding. I do not believe in these signs. do you know how many of them? lots of. the whole world must be divorced, since all superstitions cannot be observed. Brandon didn't want to go to the store, but I insisted," Julia wrote.Brandon also posted two selfies with Julia, one of which featured Julia kissing him on the cheek, in late February.Brandon captioned one picture of Julia and himself posing in a hotel room, "I'm just waiting on Sunday. #90dayfiance #brandonandjulia #beautiful."On February 12, Brandon also posted a video on Instagram of Julia kissing him on one cheek while his dog licked his other cheek."Love who loves you back. Happy Valentine's day guys. #90dayfiance #Brandonandjulia," Brandon captioned the video.Around the same time, Julia posted a picture of Brandon hugging her on the beach."I want to congratulate everyone on the upcoming Valentine's day and wish to find a person next to whom you will not need anyone else. #90dayfiance #Brandonandjulia," Julia wrote alongside the image.Pictures of the couple go back for months, and Julia also conducted a Q&A with her followers on Instagram Stories earlier this year and confirmed she enjoys living in the United States."Everything is pretty nice," Julia said of her current life. "It's pretty in my life. I've never had, like, an easy life," Julia said. "I all the time chose a hard life."Julia said her English "is much better than before," probably because she's around English-speaking people all the time."I try to learn everything but it's so hard for me," Julia added.Julia also revealed she currently has a great relationship with Brandon's parents, although there was sometimes tension between them on 's eighth season.A fan asked how Julia essentially puts up with her "parents-in-law," and Julia responded, "I love my parents a lot because my parents want what is best for me. If I could choose other parents I would never choose other parents because my parents are the best and I love them a lot."In addition, Julia said she hopes she can "start working" soon and put her degree in design to good use in either apartments or homes.As far as her favorite experience in the United States goes, Julia revealed, "I like people in America because everyone smiles and everyone tries to help. You never ask for help but people try. This is so cool."When asked whether she likes Russia or America better, Julia said there are some things she likes better in Russia and other things she likes better in the United States.She noted the countries are just "different." For example, Julia said she cannot drive yet in America while she has her license back in Russia.Julia shared excitement, however, when someone mentioned all the states she can travel to in the United States. Julia said she'd love to visit New York especially.Want more spoilers or couples updates? Click here to visit our homepage!
Researchers from the University of Houston, with colleagues at the University of Sao Paolo in Brazil, have demonstrated how copper-resistant bacterium from a copper mine in Brazil convert CuSO 4 (copper sulfate) ions into zero-valent Cu (metallic copper). An open-access paper on their research is published in Science Advances.





Gracioso et al.

The idea of having bacteria in mines is not new, but the unanswered question was: what are they doing in the mines? By putting the bacteria inside an electronic microscope, we were able to figure out the physics and analyze it. We found out the bacteria were isolating single atom copper. In terms of chemistry, this is extremely difficult to derive. Typically, harsh chemicals are used in order to produce single atoms of any element. This bacterium is creating it naturally that is very impressive. Francisco C. Robles Hernandez, professor at the UH College of Technology and co-corresponding author

Mining copper often leads to toxic exposures and challenges on drawing out substantial volume for commercial use. Approximately one billion tons of copper are estimated in global reserves, according to the Copper Development Association Inc., with roughly 12.5 million metric tons per year mined. This aggregates to roughly 65 years of remaining reserves.

Part of the supply challenge comes from limited available copper in high concentration in the earths crust, but the other challenge is the exposure to sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in the copper smelting and production process to concentrate the metal into useful quantities.

The novelty of this discovery is that microbes in the environment can easily transform copper sulfate into zero valent single atom copper. This is a breakthrough because the current synthetic process of single atom zerovalent copper is typically not clean, it is labor intensive and expensive. The microbes utilize a unique biological pathway with an array of proteins that can extract copper (II) (Cu2+) and convert it into single-atom zero-valent copper (Cu0). The aim of the microbes is to create a less toxic environment for themselves by converting the ionic copper into single-atom copper, but at the same time they make something that is beneficial for us too. Debora Rodrigues, Ezekiel Cullen Professor of Engineering at the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering, co-corresponding author





Proposed mechanism of monoatomic copper synthesis assisted by the ferritin protein. The protein contains an iron core that transfers the electrons to Cu2+ ions bound to the nucleation sites on the exterior of the ferritin protein shell to produce Cu0. To restore the hole, citrate is oxidized, and the electron is able to continue to flow to reduce additional Cu2+ ions present inside the bacterium. Gracioso et al.

With a focus in electronic microscopy, Robles examined samples from Rodrigues findings in Brazilian copper mines and he determined the single atom nature of the copper. Rodrigues and Ellen Aquino Perpetuos (professor at the University of Sao Paulo) groups further identified the bacterial process for converting copper sulfate to elemental coppera rare find.

Research results demonstrate this new conversion process as an alternative to produce single atoms of metallic coper is safer, and more efficient versus current methods (i.e. chemical vapor deposition, sputtering and femtosecond laser ablation).

We have only worked with one bacterium, but that may not be the only one out there that performs a similar function. The next step for this particular research is harvesting the copper from these cells and using it for practical applications. Debora Rodrigues

Resources
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) joins demonstrators in a protest outside the Brooklyn Center police station in Brooklyn Center, Minn., on April 17, 2021. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Rep. Waters: Chauvin Trial Judge Way Off Track With Appeal Comment

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) says the judge overseeing the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was way off track in saying that remarks the congresswoman made to demonstrators before jurors reached their verdict could help the defense win an appeal.

Ive talked with a lot of legal scholars and lawyers. He was way off track, Waters said on said April 24 during an appearance on CNN, referring to remarks made by Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill.

He knows that there was no interference with jurors, she said. And he knows that this is not the cause of an appeal. Most of the time you have a case like this, theyre going to appeal it anyway. To say that Im going to cause an appeal really is not credible.

Through a spokesman, the judge declined to comment to The Epoch Times.

Waters traveled to Brooklyn Center, a suburb of Minneapolis, before jurors convicted Chauvin on all three counts in the 2020 death of George Floyd. She told a crowd of demonstrators that she wanted the jury to convict Chauvin. In the event of an acquittal, she urged demonstrators to stay on the street and get more active and more confrontational.

Weve got to make sure that they know that we mean business, she said.

Demonstrations in Brooklyn Center, which broke out after a police officer fatally shot a man who resisted arrest during a traffic stop, turned violent on multiple nights, with a raucous crowd hurling projectiles at law enforcement personnel and trying to tear down fencing erected around the citys police department.

The officer later resigned and has been charged with second-degree manslaughter.

Waterss remarks were noted in court by Chauvins lawyer, Eric Nelson. He said Waters was making what I interpreted to be, and what I think are reasonably interpreted to be, threats against the sanctity of the jury process, threatening and intimidating the jury, demanding that if theres not a guilty verdict there would be further problems.

Nelson asked for a mistrial, given that the jury was not sequestered when Waters made the comments.

While Cahill turned down the request, he weighed in on the remarks.

I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch and our function, he said. If they want to give their opinions, they should do so  in a manner that is consistent with their oath to the Constitution.

In this image from video, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill discusses motions before the court in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, on April 15, 2021. (Court TV via AP/Pool)

Cahill also said that the remarks could contribute to an appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned.

Waters received widespread criticism for her comments, which some said amounted to inciting violence.

This weekend in Minnesota, Maxine Waters broke the law by violating curfew and then incited violence, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said in a statement. He introduced a resolution to censure Waters that was rejected in a party-line vote.

Waters reiterated on CNN that she wasnt calling for violence.

Confrontational does not mean violence, she said. Im a nonviolent person. Martin Luther King taught nonviolence. We must be about resisting, however. And we must be about educating and we must be about trying to protect our children. And so, confrontation is being misused.
As India battles the devastating second wave of COVID-19 pandemic with the nation clocking more than 3 lakh cases every day and making a new high in single day spike of COVID-19 infections, the US government has decided to lift the export ban on the essential raw materials required by the vaccine manufacturer in India for production of COVID-19 vaccine.

This development comes as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and US counterpart Jake Sullivan had a phone conversation regarding the dangerous spike in COVID-19 infections across the country. Sullivan affirmed Americas solidarity with India, the two countries with the greatest number of COVID-19 cases in the world.

A statement released by the White House read, "Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need."

This also seemingly comes after several US lawmakers voiced their concerns over the COVID-19 situation in India. They exerted pressure on the Biden administration to extend assistance, release vaccines and other raw materials critical for India.

'Identified source of specific raw material'

"The United States has identified sources of specific raw material urgently required for Indian manufacture of the Covishield vaccine that will immediately be made available for India. To help treat COVID-19 patients and protect front-line health workers in India, the United States has identified supplies of therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that will immediately be made available for India," the statement read.

"The United States also is pursuing options to provide oxygen generation and related supplies on an urgent basis. The U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is funding a substantial expansion of manufacturing capability for BioE, the vaccine manufacturer in India, enabling BioE to ramp up to produce at least 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2022," the statement added.

Adar Poonawalla appeals to Biden

Earlier in April, Serum Institute of India's (SII) CEO Adar Poonawalla had requested United States President Joe Biden to lift the embargo of raw material exports from the US. Taking to Twitter, Poonawalla appealed to Biden Poonawalla to lift the ban by stating that it will "ramp up" the vaccine production amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Respected @POTUS, if we are to truly unite in beating this virus, on behalf of the vaccine industry outside the U.S., I humbly request you to lift the embargo of raw material exports out of the U.S. so that vaccine production can ramp up. Your administration has the details.   Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) April 16, 2021

SII is currently manufacturing AstraZeneca-Oxfords COVID-19 vaccine 'Covishield' and it will reportedly soon start producing Novavax vaccine, developed by the US biotech company. Poonawalla had also said in an interview that SII was struggling due to an embargo in the US and India requires those materials sooner. He also said that India has ruled out importing raw materials from China considering the quality issues.

India continues to grapple with the alarming surge of COVID-19 infections, deploying all its resources to battle the pandemic. The country has recorded over a million infections in four days, with 349,961 new cases on Sunday. The Sunday's record spike has become another highest single-day spike globally. According to the Union Health Ministry, the country has recorded 2,767 new deaths due to COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.
He may be London's party king, but Andre Balazs has little to celebrate at the moment

He may be London's party king, but Andre Balazs has little to celebrate at the moment.

Not only is the hotelier exasperated by the continued Covid-enforced closure of his Marylebone hotspot The Chiltern Firehouse, but he's facing merry hell over in the States, too.

Andre owns a 35 per cent stake in The Mercer hotel in New York, but he is being sued by his co-owners who want to boot him out and stop him from calling himself its 'owner'.

The partners accuse Balazs of 'gross negligence, bad faith and intentional misconduct, self-dealing, breach of contract', claiming that the suave proprietor, who once dated Hollywood actress Uma Thurman, wasted money on 'pet projects' and allowed his celebrity friends to stay at the hotel for free at a cost of 1 million.

The lawsuit also alleges that negative press surrounding the Chateau Marmont hotel he owns in Los Angeles has been 'incredibly harmful' to The Mercer.

Last year, Balazs was accused of fostering a 'toxic' work environment there, and got tangled up in the #MeToo movement.

Employees have also complained he treated them badly during the Covid crisis. Balazs has yet to file his defence.

The hotelier has been exasperated by the continued Covid-enforced closure of his Marylebone hotspot The Chiltern Firehouse

She's one of the more eco-conscious young Royals, but Lady Amelia Windsor may be taking her green credentials a step too far.

Last week, the 25-year-old, left, announced a partnership with designer Alexander Clementine,  to produce underwear made of pulp and seaweed.

Let's hope she doesn't get caught in the rain in one of their 36 bralets, which claim to be 'super kind' to skin.

Amelia also showed her support for international 'Weed Day' last week, sharing a post that read: 'Our relationship with cannabis goes way back to early civilisations.'

I wonder what her grandfather, the Duke of Kent, would say!

Posh food blogger Tess Ward, far left with Lady Amelia, justified her decision to eat a giant steak last week by saying the cow had died of natural causes

Meanwhile, posh food blogger Tess Ward justified her decision to eat a giant steak last week by saying the cow had died of natural causes.

Tess, an ex of Harry Styles, lives on her banker boyfriends 2,000-acre family farm in Berlin, which specialises in regenerative agriculture  and eats only animals who have died from illness and havent been treated by medicine.

This cow lived a beautiful life, got a minor infection on her udders and we dont do chemicals, so... her life ended as it began, on the pasture.

Yes, Tess, and then it ended up on your plate!
Deliveroo is gobbling up more than 50 per cent of the takings at some restaurants by charging commission on VAT, discounts and even refunded meals.

With thousands of independent outlets still dependent on takeaways or home orders, many have turned to the delivery giant in an effort to keep their operations afloat.

But the company has been hit by claims that it is imposing 'extortionate' fees on businesses. George Kontakos, owner of family-run Greek restaurant The Olive Grove in Cambridge, accused Deliveroo and other delivery firms of taking advantage of small venues during the Covid crisis.

With thousands of independent outlets still dependent on takeaways or home orders, many have turned to the delivery giant in an effort to keep their operations afloat. Picture: Stock

'We're in a fortunate position where we can carry on operating, but despite having good sales we're not making any money because of Deliveroo and third-party delivery apps,' he said.

'We've had so many messages from people saying they thought that by buying on Deliveroo, they were helping their local restaurant. In fact, it is exactly the opposite.'

Under a deal agreed with the restaurant, Deliveroo charges commission of 33 per cent for orders below 25 and 30 per cent on anything higher, but a recent invoice shows The Olive Grove was billed on gross sales, including VAT and discounts, and the total fee equated to 54 per cent.

The restaurant was charged for sales of 6,104 even though special offers and refunds meant they actually took in only 5,091. After all deductions were made, Mr Kontakos was left with 2,835.

nder a deal agreed with the restaurant, Deliveroo charges commission of 33 per cent for orders below 25 and 30 per cent on anything higher. Picture: File image

'Instead of charging us commission on the value of the order after the discount, which is what you would assume, they charge the commission on the amount before the discount, even though this amount has not been cashed,' Mr Kontakos said.

'They do this to inflate the commission they get. There is no way for you to make any money. We're having to pay Deliveroo commission on the tax that we pay to the Government. It's mind-blowing.

'The solution is a commission cap of 20 per cent, which has been introduced in other cities like New York.' A spokesman for Deliveroo, which insists all discounts offered are voluntary, said: 'We have a positive track record of helping our small restaurant partners. This will continue to be our priority as restaurants look towards reopening.'
The Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, as it is commonly known, in Moscows Red Square, Russia. (Baturina Yuliya/Shutterstock)

A Unique Russian Icon: Moscows Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed

Larger Than Life: Art that inspires us through the ages

For centuries, people have marveled at the ornate brickwork and distinctive polychrome onion domes of the Church of Intercession of Most Holy Theotokos (Mary Mother of God) on the Moat, commonly known as the Cathedral of Basil the Blessed, in Moscow. Remarkably, the cathedral took just six years to complete, with the building work finished around 1561.

Csar Ivan IV (the Terrible) commissioned the church to commemorate his victory over the khanate (kingdom) of Kazan, a win that culminated on the Day of Intercession, in 1552.

Despite the churchs almost whimsical appearance, the design is ordered. The layout accommodates ten chapels, nine of which commemorate an event or battle that led to Ivans victory. The largest chapel, in the center, is called something very similar to the wholes buildings name: the Church of the Intercession of Most Holy Theotokos (Mother of God). It is surrounded by four large chapels, each positioned at one of the four compass points. An additional four chapels are equally interspersed between those four chapels, positioned at the intermediate compass points.

Myriad galleries decorated with religious frescoes and oil paintings as well as colorful murals featuring flowers and ornate flourishes connect the chapels.

A tenth chapel, the Church of St. Vasily (Basil) the Blessed, was added in 1588 to commemorate St. Basil who lived in Moscow. The Russian Orthodox saint was known as a holy fool of Christ, a person who relinquished worldly and societal norms to serve God. Basil was believed to be a seer who could perform miracles. Basil often wore no clothes, only chains. He helped people in need and was believed to be a seer who could perform miracles.

The Church of the Intercession of Most Holy Theotokos (Mother of God) on the Moat, commonly known as the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, in Moscow, Russia. (Oleg Doroshin/Shutterstock)

The tented roof of the central chapel, the Church of the Intercession of Most Holy Theotokos (Mother of God). (Mitzo/Shutterstock)

A detail of the central chapels iconostasis, a portable stand of icons and religious paintings that divides the nave from the sanctuary. (Jennie Gerhardt/Shutterstock)

A detail of some of the richly decorated icons and religious paintings. (Mitzo/Shutterstock)

The octagonal ceiling in one of the chapels. (Alexander Tolstykh/Shutterstock)

Icons, murals, and religious paintings adorn just about every surface. (Mitzo/Shutterstock)

One of the many religious paintings that adorn the walls. (Anna Krivitskaya/Shutterstock)

Colorful murals cover the vaulted galleries that connect the chapels. (Olga Golovkina/Shutterstock)

Floral motifs are repeated throughout the murals. (Omoot/Shutterstock)

Artists depicted flowers with ornate flourishes throughout the gallery murals. (Naeblys/Shuttertock)

St. Basils crypt. The Russian Orthodox saint relinquished worldly and societal norms to serve God. (xabi kls/Shutterstock)
A tip from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency led to a child pornography arrest in Dekalb County.

23-year-old Valen Ashe Edwards of Rainsville was arrested for Possession of Child Pornography and Dissemination/Display of Child Pornography.

Detectives from the Rainsville Police Department received the tip on Thursday. Photos and other materials had been tracked from as far as California.

Once a search warrant was issued, the Dekalb County District Attorney's office Major Crimes Task Force served it around 4:00 p.m.

Rainsville Police Department, Fort Payne Police Department, District Attorneys Office Investigators, and Dekalb County sheriff's Office were all involved.

Investigators said more charges are likely.
A South Australian watchlist tracking domestic violence abusers has swollen by 2,000 names in 17 months - with one man named by 14 different women.

The database lists the names of almost 6,300 men, who have been reported by alleged victims who have presented at domestic violence services across the state.

More than 1,700 of the alleged abusers have had multiple victims, while more than 1,800 are alleged to have been involved in multiple incidents.

The shocking figures come after three people were victims of horrific domestic violence murders in South Australia last week, including a nine-month-old baby girl.

Kobi Shepherdson died after her father Henry plunged the pair off the Whispering Wall dam walkway in the Barossa Valley in an apparent murder-suicide.

Almost 6,300 men are listed on a South Australian domestic violence watchlist - which has grown by 2,000 names in 17 months

Women's Safety Services SA acting chief operating officer Kathrine Cock said most of the serial offenders on the list were linked to two women.

However, she said 'three or or four' was not uncommon and the man linked to 14 woman could have also harmed children or relatives.

'What is important for the public to understand is that domestic and family violence is a pattern of behaviour and it's not necessarily limited to a single relationship,' Ms Cock said, The Advertiser reports.

'It takes a lot of work to break that cycle. Where it becomes particularly heartbreaking for us is where we see kids involved multiple times.'

Not all those listed have been charged or convicted of crimes, and emotional abuse and controlling behaviour are included.

However, the majority of those featured have violence intervention orders out against them by their victims.

The list is used by frontline workers to assess risks and develop safety plans but they are unable to tell victims if their abuser is on the system.

The names are not handed to police or placed on public record, but victims who wish to find out their partner's abusive history can be referred to the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, where police reveal a man's past offences.

The growing list has sparked mounting calls for more funding to be injected into programs that change abusive behaviour before it reaches crisis point.

The shocking figures have sparked calls for more funding to be injected into domestic violence programs

Community Transitions chief executive Leigh Garrett, whose organisation runs a men's helpline and behaviour change courses, said enabling women to escape helps keep them safe but does not resolve the problem.

'The long-term treatment and rehabilitation of these men doesn't happen overnight. We've got to be able to hold them (in a program) long enough  that's the difficult job.'

Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink said there are state government-funded initiatives in place, such as the 'Don't Be That Man' hotline and two programs for men and boys going through rehabilitation, that are being used to prevent abuse.

She said the programs send a strong message to perpetrators to stop and get the support they need.

However opposition spokeswoman Katrine Hildyard said tougher laws were needed, proposing legislation which would increase maximum jail terms for people who breached intervention orders.

The watchlist was launched in 2015 as part of coronial inquest recommendations following the murder of Robyn Hayward.

She was killed by her former partner who had a history of assault and abusive in relationships.

For domestic and family violence or sexual assault counselling call the national 1800 RESPECT hotline 1800 737 732.

For help leaving an abusive relationship in South Australia phone the Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 800 098.

Men who have anger, relationship or parenting concerns can contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or the Don't Become That Man hotline on 1300 24 34 13.
McFly star Harry Judd is set to become a father again, after revealing he and his wife Izzy are expecting their third child together.

The drummer, 35, and violinist Izzy, 37, are months away from welcoming a sibling for their daughter Lola, five, and son Kit, three.

Speaking of how the arrival of each of his offspring has triggered strong emotional reactions, he told Hello! magazine: 'When Lola was born, I was a blubbering mess and with Kit, I cried too. They are the most emotional moments of my life.'

Baby on board: McFly star Harry Judd is set to become a father again, after revealing to Hello! that he and his wife Izzy are expecting their third child together

On sharing the baby news with his McFly bandmate Tom Fletcher, Harry said: 'Tom cried. Tom always cries. I didn't even cry when I found out.'

The good news didn't come without its hiccups, as the couple recently tested positive for COVID-19 after Izzy fell pregnant, prompting a feeling of 'panic'.

Podcaster Izzy told the magazine: 'When we found out, I did feel panic. We have all been living in fear of this virus and we've been so careful for over a year, so it is a shock when numbers are low and I'm pregnant.'

She had Lola through IVF and after a previous miscarriage, while this pregnancy happened naturally.

Growing family: The drummer, 35, and violinist Izzy, 37, are months away from welcoming a sibling for their daughter Lola, five, and son Kit, three

Late last year, Izzy reflected on her miscarriage and her experiences with IVF in a documentary detailing the tragedy of baby loss.

She has been candid about her fertility and in the show, which aired in October, she discussed the guilt and pain attached to her baby journey and also noted the 'importance' of the conversation.

Sharing a clip from the show and a lengthy caption, Izzy spoke of how miscarriages can be 'left unspoken', after losing her own baby after her first cycle of IVF in 2014.

Izzy welcomed daughter Lola with musician Harry in 2016 after two rounds of In vitro fertilisation and went on to conceive son Kit naturally the following year.

She suffers with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a condition that affects a woman's oestrogen and progesterone levels causing cysts on the ovaries.

Tough journey: Late last year, Izzy reflected on her miscarriage and her experiences with IVF in a documentary detailing the tragedy of baby loss

Izzy discovered that she had trouble conceiving shortly after marrying Harry in 2012.

In the clip from the documentary, Izzy said: 'After the miscarriage, I wanted to escape me almost. What did I do wrong? Had I tempted fate by having IVF?

'Was I not meant to be a mum and now did I have a bigger problem in that not only could I not get pregnant but could I not carry babies?'

She then detailed the guilt she felt, saying: 'You cant help but feel responsibility, you think cant help but think what if I cant give harry a family what if I cant give his mum and dad grandchildren what if i cant give my mum and dad grandparents.'

Parents: Izzy welcomed daughter Lola with musician Harry in 2016 after two rounds of In vitro fertilisation and went on to conceive son Kit naturally the following year (pictured in 2018)

Izzy added a caption alongside the clip reading: 'I am taking part in a very important conversation. Something that is still painful to talk about and understand. It is grief and yet so often left unspoken, an emptiness and loss suffered in silence.

Interview: Read Harry and Izzy Judd's full interview in the latest issue of Hello! out now

'To anyone who has been through this physical and emotional pain, I hope listening to others talk about it will bring some comfort that you are not alone and thank you to Channel 5 for giving us the opportunity to share our stories.'

In 2019, Harry and Judd revealed the realities of family life, from parenting with anxiety to the dangers of social media in an exclusive chat with MailOnline.

The couple also spoke out on the pressures of 21st century parenting.

Izzy has been open about living with anxiety since she was a teenager, with Harry admitting that hearing his wife say she felt she was 'failing' as a mother during the early days of parenthood, was heartbreaking.

Read Harry and Izzy Judd's full interview in the latest issue of Hello!, out now.
For over two weeks, a volcano on the island of St. Vincent has erupted with unrelenting fury. Now, residents don't even recognize their home.

'It's like a desert, it's desolate, it's apocalyptic. The whole place is covered in gray ash,' Ralph Gonsalves, the prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, told CNN about the communities impacted by the eruptions.

It's been 42 years since La Soufriere volcano -- French for sulfur outlet -- erupted. The 4,094-foot stratovolcano is now making up for lost time, blasting ash and debris miles into the air and neighboring islands.

For months, La Soufriere threatened to erupt and scientists warned residents to prepare to flee at any moment. The government coordinated with cruise ship companies to begin ferrying people from the 'red zone' where catastrophic destruction was expected to take place.

Then, at 8:51 a.m. on April 9, the National Emergency Management announced La Soufriere had erupted.

Thanks to the early evacuations, officials said, there have been no deaths or injuries reported as a result of the eruption. But more than 7,000 residents have taken refuge in government-run shelters and a greater number are staying with friends or family, said Gonsalves, the left-leaning, Bible-quoting prime minister of the island chain who goes by the nickname 'Comrade Ralph.'

With more than 10% of the island chain's 110,000 residents at least temporarily homeless, the local government does not have the resources to address all the need, he said.

'We are not able to do the humanitarian effort, we are not able to do the recovery, we will not be able to without substantial assistance from the region and the global community. We are really at the midnight hour of need,' Gonsalves said.

As the volcano continues to spew ash and pyroclastic flow, a deadly mixture of superheated gases, rock and mud, the ongoing danger has complicated efforts to deliver aid.

'It's not like a hurricane where you get hit and it's over,' said Britnie Turner, the CEO of Aerial Recovery Group, a disaster management company bringing in supplies from the US.

The pandemic has also hurt efforts to help Vincentians impacted by the volcano, she said.

'Donations across the world have dropped dramatically since Covid started but don't stop giving,' Turner said. 'Even though we are all experiencing pain. Even though the world is a little bit of a different place, we still need to help our neighbors.'

In Miami, Michael Capponi, the founder and executive director of the non-profit Global Empowerment Mission, is filling containers with pre-packed boxes of food, water, face masks and hand gel to send to the island.

He called the disaster a 'migrational crisis' as residents flee from the volcano to the south of the island and said his local partners on the ground still have been unable to assess the full extent of the damage.

'You have a foot of ash on everyone's roofs,' Capponi said. 'You have all the crops that are completely destroyed that won't grow back for quite a while. Then you have boulders that were on fire that literally came through people's roofs.'

Gonsalves said the government estimates that the volcano has already inflicted more than $100 million in damage in the last two weeks, with much more likely to come as scientists predict the volcanic activity could last for four months.

The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and even if St. Vincent is spared a direct hit, the heavy summer rains pose a new danger.

'There's a lot of material,' Gonsalves said. 'Stone and ash and they rest on mud. The rains will lubricate and they will add to the weight and they will come down at a very fast pace.'

Gonsalves said the disaster his country is facing may only be beginning. He said he has written President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for assistance.

'It's not going to be an easy struggle but we are not a people of lamentations,' he said.
SPRINGFIELD  To bring Illinois on par with neighboring states, State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) has advanced a bipartisan initiative to allow families to use funds from qualified tuition plans to cover the cost of K-12 tuition and apprenticeship supplies.

Many of our bordering states like Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin consider K-12 tuition and apprenticeship costs eligible expenses under qualified tuition plans, Crowe said. This initiative builds on Illinois commitment to ensure our students have access to the best opportunities by helping families afford K-12 education and job training.
That murder most foul View(s):

While in Sri Lanka the carnage of Easter Sunday two years ago was being mourned in a moment of collective grief for those killed, in distant Minneapolis history was being made.

Justice was done for the brutal killing by police of one man, a nondescript individual named George Floyd. That unanimous verdict of murder by the jury was a significant moment for rarely  if ever  are US policemen charged for deaths in custody.

If the judgment was to bring justice to one man and his family its significance echoed far beyond Minneapolis. It echoed around the world where discriminated peoples, those suppressed and oppressed and others not yet in chains but experience the inhumanity of man to man, see a faint glimmer of hope that one day justice will come to them too.

President Joe Biden told George Floyds seven-year-old daughter Gianna the evening of the verdict Daddy did change the world. Even if he did not change the world he certainly shook it up. If one ordinary individual from a deprived community and a discriminated minority whose enforced death could unleash a movement for justice that sparked protests in support in several other countries around the world, it should send some signal to oppressors and their oppressive regimes that one small step for justice could well turn into a giant step for man.

The George Floyd killing is a landmark case of police violence against black people and other minorities such as Latinos and an important outcome for those who have campaigned for reforms to Americas policing system.

But if in the US it is largely a racial issue that is not just restricted to policing and the peculiar mindset of white policemen, it is more widespread and institutionalised. While Floyds family and the people of Minneapolis and beyond anxiously awaited the verdict of the jury, two other black persons  a man and a girl  were shot in separate incidents elsewhere.

If one were to count the number of black and Latino victims of police brutality in the last five years it would amount to a shocking number as media and research studies have indicated and activists have made public.

The instances of discrimination against the black community in the US and of physical abuse against them increased in the last years largely because of the so-called American nationalism unleashed by a racist president Donald Trump and his white supremacist hordes who turned the American dream of its founders into a disturbing nightmare of unbelievable horror that saw violence in the streets and towns and cities devastated.

That was the legacy that Trump left behind with his racist sloganising at home and the America First catch phrase stamped all over the world that even Americas allies had had enough of a pompous ass who they were happy to see kicked out of the White House which he thought had been bequeathed to him in perpetuity.

Those accustomed to the ways of most power-hungry politicians know that in their ambitious journey to the top of the totem nothing is allowed to stand in the way. It is no surprise that in Sri Lanka today the so-called educated espouse the hated murderer of millions Adolf Hitler as a role model for national leadership.

As several hundreds who waited anxiously to hear the jurys verdict against a seemingly unrepentant killer who continued to keep his knee on the neck of a man until he breathed his last, kept their eyes peeled on the court house in Hennepin County Government Center, television brought to the world those last moments before the historic judgment was announced and the outbursts of joy and celebration that followed.

Though the House of Justice that people look up to as symbolising justice for all, it is not so for people of different ethnicities, faiths, religions and ideologies as history has shown not just in America but in many parts of world where dictators and autocrats rule and repressive regimes continue to deprive their own people of freedom and liberty.

From Minneapolis to the Megapolis, the cry for justice will reverberate as long as those who champion humanity over inhumanity, justice over injustice, morality over immorality continue to battle on despite the overwhelming power against them, be it in China, Myanmar or Putins Russia.

What happens inside some of those chambers of the Houses of Justice in different parts of the world is a travesty of justice where judiciaries packed with friends, stooges and backboneless legal nannies do not dispense justice, but dispense with justice.

Some might remember how in 2019 Donald Trump pushed one of his friends to fill a vacancy in the US Supreme Court. It raised such a rumpus that the candidate Brett Kavanaugh faced impeachment and was only saved by Republican cronies in Congress.

Interestingly, one of those who led the charge for Kavanaughs impeachment for sexual misconduct is current US Vice President Kamala Harris saying that he lied to the US Senate and more importantly to the American people.

But Kavanaugh escaped the indictment and managed to enter the Supreme Court where he provided Trump with a majority. Packing courts at the highest level with friends and stooges happens not only in the United States as we well know.

It is vital to have your faithful in the highest courts so that the all the jiggery-pokery of the political rulers can be legitimised and given a veneer of moral credibility by a wave of the legal wand in the hands of tainted judges.

Since the 16th century, there has been a figure of a blindfolded lady holding the scales in one hand and a sword in the other to represent the impartiality of justice. For convenience I suppose, she is called Lady Justice. This allegorical personification is seen in most if not all court houses in the United States. Even though it might not be displayed in the rest of the world as it is in the US the significance of Lady Justice is not lost among the legal fraternity, the political classes and to the judicial systems of most countries.

The blindfold over the eyes of Lady Justice represents a justice system that is meant to be blind to power, wealth, race, ideology and gender. That is why in some countries under autocratic and authoritarian rule what the lady represents is not just blindfolded but blinded.

History shows that those in the judicial system including judges have joined and conspired tainting and undermining the independence of the judiciary that some politicians strongly favour- verbally and publicly at least.

If the judicial system was so squeaky clean and judges were impartial and beyond reproach, one wonders why so much time, energy and effort have been spent in formulating the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Integrity  principles the United Nations has urged member-states to incorporate into Judicial Codes of Conduct in their own countries?

Surprisingly  or perhaps not  Sri Lanka does not have a code of conduct for its judges. Some might speculate that they are beyond reproach and so do not need one unlike judiciaries in some other UN member states.

How comforting.

(Neville de Silva is a veteran Sri Lankan journalist who was Assistant Editor of the Hong Kong Standard and worked for Gemini News Service in London. Later he was Deputy Chief-of-Mission in Bangkok and Deputy High Commissioner in London.)
When Freedman Seating Co. heard manufacturing industry employees would be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, the company wanted to hold an event to distribute doses at work, much like it does with flu shots.

Getting access to a supply of COVID-19 shots, though, was a struggle for the Chicago-based company. Pharmacies and other companies that could administer the shots were overwhelmed with requests and wanted Freedman Seating to determine the exact number of doses needed, information the company didnt have at the time, said marketing manager John-Paul Paonessa.

Instead, the city reserved spots for the company at mass vaccination sites and employees helped colleagues navigate the registration process. About half of 630 employees have been vaccinated, but Freedman Seating still pursued an on-site vaccination event and recently scheduled one for about 100 employees in early May, Paonessa said.

The more people who are vaccinated, the more comfortable employees may feel returning to some sort of normalcy, he said.

As easy as we can make it, thats what were looking for, he said.

A limited supply of doses and overwhelming demand meant some companies deemed essential in early phases of the vaccine rollout were initially unable to bring doses to their workforces, especially smaller employers without in-house medical staff.

With access to vaccines improving, an even broader swath of companies may consider hosting vaccination clinics. Some health departments say employers are losing interest as workers find appointments on their own. But that, along with improving vaccine supply, could make things easier for companies still trying to secure vaccines.

Its still not that easy to get an appointment, said Betsy Matthews, chief financial officer at Corporate Wellness Partners, which has worked with employers to offer workplace vaccinations in Lake County, Ill. Everybody doesnt have time to sit around and wait for appointments to open online, or go when there is an available appointment time.

In a White House speech Wednesday, President Joe Biden urged employers to make sure work doesnt keep people from getting vaccinated by providing time, with pay, to get the shot, and announced a tax credit for businesses with fewer than 500 workers to help cover the cost of paid leave.

Companies say workplace clinics are an even easier way to get employees vaccinated quickly. It saves people the trouble of tracking down individual appointments, especially those who cant scour websites during the workday, and may help vaccine-hesitant workers grow more comfortable as they see co-workers lining up for shots.

The state has not offered vaccines directly to employers. In an email, the Illinois Department of Public Health said it is developing a plan to distribute doses to employers that have registered to be vaccine providers. But so far, it has focused on getting doses to providers that could reach as many people as possible, like local and county health departments, hospitals and pharmacies.

Employers have reached out to those groups for shots. But in the absence of a coordinated statewide approach, health departments adopted their own strategies for working with companies, particularly while eligibility and doses were limited. In many cases, a companys ability to hold a workplace clinic has depended on the size of its workforce, when it applied, and how the provider interpreted guidelines surrounding essential workers.

Several health departments have given large companies with in-house medical staff doses they could administer themselves, including Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Ill., which began vaccinating employees and contractors April 7, and Deerfield, Ill.-based health care company Baxter.

Baxter had vaccinated about half of its front-line manufacturing employees at a clinic at its Round Lake, Ill., site by early April and said it would continue vaccinating employees as supply and eligibility expands.

Other companies needed to find a partner to administer doses. Some health departments organized workplace clinics for a few companies; others connected employers to pharmacies, medical clinics or occupational health companies that distribute vaccines.

When essential workers first became eligible, the Chicago and DuPage County health departments said there simply werent enough vaccines or providers to match demand from companies.

There werent a lot of providers who had the capacity to work with employers while they were also vaccinating seniors and health care workers, said Tamara Mahal, vaccine operations lead for the city of Chicago.

Of the 1,213 mobile vaccination events the Chicago Department of Public Health conducted as of April 10, the vast majority were in long-term care settings, senior housing and shelters. But the city also held events at 46 workplaces, focusing on large employers with front-line essential workers, including those sites that had experienced outbreaks or had a high exposure risk, Mahal said. That number doesnt include companies that found a provider on their own.

As the vaccine supply increases, the city will have more flexibility to support workplace clinics, she said. The number of providers has also grown significantly.

The Will County Health Department said it has less capacity to run workplace events now that the county has more mass vaccination sites, but theyre still happening, said emergency response coordinator Katie Weber. The county is handing more companies off to Joliet-based KodoCare Pharmacy, which has been conducting workplace vaccination clinics.

Earlier in the vaccine rollout, the department brought teams of nurses to companies with employees eligible in phase 1b that had at least 100 employees, including WeatherTech and school bus company First Student, Weber said. One company, Barr Freight System, invited neighboring companies to send employees so it would have enough people to qualify.

Health departments and vaccine providers said they followed the guidelines for prioritizing essential workers, though some took different approaches to deciding who was essential.

The Lake County Health Department tried to make sure only front-line workers, rather than those able to work from home, as well as employees over 65, got doses before eligibility expanded, though it relied on the honor system, said Buddy Hargett, the departments COVID-19 response coordinator.

Nosco, a subsidiary of Deerfield-based Holden Industries that makes packaging for some COVID-19 vaccines, said Lake County supplied doses and occupational health company Corporate Wellness Providers ran clinics in conference rooms in Noscos facilities in Gurnee and Waukegan in mid-March.

President Craig Curran said all of its roughly 500 Lake County employees were essential, as were 15 salespeople who traveled to the area to get the shots. The company doesnt have employees who work from home full-time, he said.

We wanted to get everyone. All our people are essential to our process, and were trying to keep everyone healthy, Curran said.

Will County didnt ask companies considered essential to differentiate between essential and nonessential workers. If we went to your business, we took your employees, Weber said.

When vaccines were still limited to essential workers and those who qualified because of their age or a health condition, a company didnt need to fall in the category considered essential to obtain them for eligible workers. Hedge fund Citadel worked with Innovative Express Care to vaccinate employees who qualified as part of a round of vaccinations the health clinic said it conducted for nonprofits, schools, factories and other local employers in February and March. Thats before Citadel would have been considered essential as a financial services company in phase 1c.

Citadel spokesman Zia Ahmed said all vaccinated employees were eligible to get the vaccine at the time but declined to comment on how many employees were involved.

Innovative Express Care focused on food pantries, schools and nursing homes before opening appointments to companies, spokeswoman Jennifer Monasteri said in an email. When companies reached out, Innovative first considered whether the company had eligible employees, then whether Innovative had enough vaccines and was able to schedule the event, she said.

As a medical provider, our goal was to get vaccines to as many eligible patients as possible, she said.

The city health department stopped providing vaccines to Innovative last month after alleging it knowingly misallocated doses meant for Chicago Public Schools employees. The company has denied the claims and said the vaccines Citadel received were not intended for CPS.

While the city and DuPage County health departments said they expect to get more calls from employers, Hargett said demand in Lake County has slowed considerably as more community sites have opened and appointments are more available.

That could make it easier for those still trying to organize on-site clinics, including Ford, which recently announced plans to vaccinate employees in Michigan, Ohio and Missouri, and Chicago-based S&C Electric, where about half the companys employees are vaccinated.

Only 31% of human resources leaders surveyed by research and consulting firm Gartner in mid-March planned to help bring vaccines to employees, down from 42% in late January.

Some still want to because they think its the right thing to do or they made a promise to employees. Others are saying its rolling out much faster than expected, so they no longer feel as much need to step into that gap, said Brian Kropp, chief of research in Gartners human resources practice.

Ferrara Candy Co. is making plans for a clinic for corporate employees at its office in The Old Post Office in Chicago.

The company initially focused on working with city and suburban health departments to get doses to workers in its manufacturing plants, starting with its Forest Park facility in February, said Sarah Kittel, Ferraras vice president of corporate affairs. Cook County Health Department provided doses and Chicago Internal Medicine Practice and Research ran the clinic.

Ferrara temporarily shut down a production line in rare cases to ensure employees could get shots, and most were scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays to give employees time to manage side effects if needed, Kittel said.

If research shows people will need COVID-19 booster shots to remain protected, companies will likely want to integrate them into annual flu clinics  a much more common company program, Gartners Kropp said. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has said people will likely need a third dose within a year of being vaccinated and may need annual doses.

--

Lauren Zumbach of the Chicago Tribune wrote this story.

2021 Chicago Tribune. Visit at chicagotribune.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Panama City Beach police officers arrested and charged Demarace Rafeal-Jabbar Snow, 18, of Montgomery, on one count of attempted murder Friday night.

The arrest stems from an incident on Friday at the Shoppes at Edgewater, 493 Richard Jackson Boulevard. Officers responded in reference to the discharging of a firearm.

The victim received a gunshot wound to the right forearm. The victim received treatment at the scene and was released.

An off-duty Bay County Sheriffs Office deputy witnessed Snow actively shooting a handgun at somebody. Snow fled the area on foot and officers pursued him for a short distance before he was apprehended.

There were no other victims involved. Snow was transported to the Bay County Jail to await first appearance on his charges.

This is still an ongoing investigation.

___

(c)2021 The News Herald (Panama City, Fla.)

Visit The News Herald (Panama City, Fla.) at www.newsherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
ARISS contact with school in Glebe, Australia An ARISS educational school contact is planned for Victor Glover KI5BKC with students at St Scholasticas College, Glebe, NSW, Australia.



The contact is scheduled on Monday April 26, 2021 at approximately 08:34:51 UTC, which is 10:34:51 CEST.



The link to the ISS will be operated by the amateur radio telebridge station ON4ISS, located in Belgium. Downlink signals will be audible in Europe on 145.800 MHz FM.



School Information:



St Scholastica's College is an Independent Catholic day and boarding secondary school for girls founded by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan in the Benedictine tradition.



We promote a school culture which focuses on the academic and personal growth of each student. We celebrate diversity and provide an environment that enables all to find a place. We respect the spirituality of the first Australians.



Our Mission is to equip young women to play their part in a world beyond school. Our Vision is to educate young women who, with justice and compassion, will make a difference in the world.



Students First Names and Questions:

1. Georgina (Y8): How has being in the space station changed your beliefs and or perspectives of the universe?

2. Nancyann (Y8): What have you found out on the ISS that cant be found out on Earth?

3. Tasha (Y8): Has COVID-19 had an impact on life in the space station?

4. Hannah (Y7): How do you keep in touch with your family when you are in space?

5. Elena (Y11): Do you ever feel existential terror from being in space and seeing how endless the universe is? / How do you deal with this?



6. Ella (Y11): I imagine your work, being so far away and of such a vast scale, would impact your mental health. Considering this, are there ways you work on your mental health onboard, and has your experience changed the way you think?

7. Iris (Y8): What was the hardest of the requirements for space travel for you to meet?

8. Celeste (Y8): Do you believe that in the future, younger people will be able to go into space?

9. Pawalisa (Y9): What made or motivated you to want to become an astronaut?

10. Amelie (Y7): Can you see the effect of climate change from space? And if so, what are the phenomena you have observed?



11. Mila (Y9): What would you say is the most important skill for astronauts to have and master?

12. Marley (Y8): If funding for space exploration became scarce, how would you convince the world that space exploration was worth the investment?

13. Georgina (Y8): Do you believe that the tests and studies you perform will cause great change and progress in the way we live or view the world?

14. Nancyann (Y8): When first arriving into the space station how did you feel? And how do you feel now?

15. Hannah (Y7): Is there day and night in space?



16. Iris (Y8): Is NASA training similar to Roscosmos training? If so, how? What are the similarities/differences?

17. Pawalisa (Y9): How long did you have to train and prepare to go into space and what was the training like?

18. Amelie (Y7): Have you, personally, ever had to repair a part of the ISS due to damage caused by man-made space debris? And if so, what part of the spacecraft did you repair?

19. Marley (Y8): What is the best scientific advancement or discovery that the ISS has delivered to humanity?

20. Hannah (Y7): Where does your waste (rubbish and sewerage) go?

21. Marley (Y8): Is the future of space travel likely to be in the hands of private companies like Space X or government agencies like NASA?

22. Marley (Y8): What impact do you think that the ISS has had on international cooperation?



ARISS CALENDAR



The ARISS Operations Team meets weekly by telephone conference and much more frequently via e-mail and telephone. Activities coordinated by the ARISS operations team will be announced in this public Google Calendar. These are the ARISS school contacts, HamTV activities (other than blank transmission) and SSTV activities.

Calendar integration features

On this page we show the ARISS contacts calendar in a Google Calendar format.

This calendar allows you to share ARISS contacts with other calendars or it allows you to integrate info about ARISS activities into your own calendar.

https://www.amsat-on.be/ariss-calendar-with-scheduled-contacts-by-the-ariss-operation-team/





TO CHANGE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS



Changing the e-mail address for ARISS-Europe News Bulletins takes two steps:

1. Using the old e-mail address, unsubscribe from the subscribers list with the link available at the bottom of each Bulletin.

2. Subscribe with the new e-mail address using the procedure available at

https://www.amsat-on.be/ariss-europe-news-bulletin-mailing-list/



About ARISS



Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation(AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).



The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For further information, please see www.ariss.org.



Gaston Bertels ON4WF
At least 69 vultures died in farmland of the terai last week, said SAVE (Saving Asia's Vulture from Extinction), a consortium of 24 partners.

New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) In a significant blow to vulture conservation, a mass vulture mortality owing to the poison bait incident was reported in Nepal, severely impacting the population of the critically endangered species in the wild, ornithologists said on Sunday.

Apparently local villagers illegally used poison to kill stray dogs, and these dog carcasses were then eaten by the vultures, killing them.

The incident was reported 50 km west from the main vulture release site in Nawalparasi district, prompted a quick response with officials from the Municipality, police, division forest, livestock and veterinary office, NTNC and Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) reaching the scene within hours of the alarm being raised.

Photographs and tissue samples were taken from the birds to firmly establish the cause, before the vulture and dog carcasses were buried. A crime scene report has been filed, and SAVE partner, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and the Department of Forest and Soil Conservation, the Ministry of Forest and environment officials have launched a further investigation and will be following up with punishment as appropriate.

Samples will be tested at the National Forensic Science Laboratory in Kathmandu, says a post on SAVE.

In total, the death toll included 35 white-rumped vultures, one slender-billed (both critically endangered species) 31 Himalayan griffon and two cinereous vultures (classified as near threatened).

One Himalayan griffon is still alive and now being treated.

Although it was diclofenac that has so dramatically reduced vulture numbers since the 1990s, Nepal has made excellent progress in removing diclofenac from veterinary use, especially through Vulture Safe Zone and other community-based work, as well as clear action of the government in declaring diclofenac illegal for veterinary purposes since 2006.

The poison baits threat could undermine all the efforts if it is repeated, warns SAVE.

Responding to the shocking incident, BCN CEO Ishana Thapa said, "We have been working to save vultures in Nepal for almost 20 years now, and the progress in breeding the birds, and reaching the stage of releases over the past three years, along with the wild vulture population trends showing significant population increases in recent years, has encouraged us that we, together with all involved in the vulture team are on the right track."

"But events like this are a big worry, and we need to do more to ensure this kind of event isn't repeated."

SAVE Programme Manager and Co-chair of the IUCN Vulture Specialist Group Chris Bowden said, "We know that the threat of poison baits is the biggest single challenge to vulture populations worldwide, usually when people try to poison dogs or large carnivores but accidentally killing vultures.

"Although diclofenac and other veterinary drugs used on cattle have had the biggest negative impact on vultures across Asia, and this issue still urgently needs more work, addressing the poison-baits threat does need more attention. We can learn from other regions, notably Africa, how it is being addressed elsewhere."

--IANS

vg/skp/
The oxygen concentrator or an oxygen generator is a piece of medical equipment that can help a person suffering from oxygen shortage and is unable to breathe properly. Given that the Coronavirus attacks the respiratory system in the body, many people suffering from COVID-19 have breathing issues at the onset. Between getting immediate medical assistance and getting to a hospital, certain people might get a slight respite in breathing from an oxygen concentrator at home.

However, do note that an oxygen concentrator should only be used under medical supervision and prescription and is not a treatment for COVID-19. There are cases when a persons oxygen levels drop below normal and they need immediate oxygen intake. At such times and only under a doctors guidance, the affected person can use an oxygen concentrator to improve the oxygen levels. A doctor may also recommend using an oxygen concentrator during a persons recovery at home for low flow oxygen.

An oxygen concentrator or generator is a device that uses atmospheric air and works on electricity to filter oxygen for a person suffering from shortness of breath or breathing issues. Also, note that an oxygen concentrator is not a replacement for an oxygen cylinder and a doctor needs to consult before either of the equipment is used to administer oxygen. There are different types of oxygen concentrators available in India. Some of them are portable while high capacity ones are bulky and need to be kept at a place. Heres a list of the best oxygen concentrator machine to buy in India.

Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccination registration for 18 & above starts April 28 in India: How to register & book appointments

Philips EverFlo Oxygen Concentrator

The Philips EverFlo Oxygen Concentrator is priced around Rs 50,000 in India and weighs 14 kilograms. It can provide upto 5 litres of airflow which is upto 93-96 per cent pure and is a low maintenance oxygen generator that can be used to boost the oxygen levels of a person suffering from oxygen deficiency. Click here to buy.

BPL Oxy 5 Neo Oxygen Concentrator

The BPL Oxy 5 Neo oxygen generator can provide upto 5 litres of oxygen supply with upto 93 per cent oxygen purity level. The BPL Oxy 5 Neo is priced around Rs 50,000 in India. Click here to buy.

Dedakj DE oxygen concentrator

The Dedakj DE-series oxygen concentrator is available in India from anywhere between Rs 45,000 to Rs 60,000. The oxygen generators from Dedakj are lightweight and can provide upto 6-8 litres of oxygen at upto 93 per cent purity levels. Click here to buy.

Evox 5s oxygen concentrator

The Evox 5s oxygen concentrator is available in India is priced around Rs 40,000. The Evox 5s oxygen generator offers upto 5 litres at upto 96 per cent purification levels. It weighs 15 kilograms and does not require much maintenance. Click here to buy.

Nidek Nuvo 10 oxygen concentrator

The Nidek Nuvo 10 oxygen concentrator is priced at around Rs 1,00,000 in India and can provide upto 10 litres of oxygen with upto 95 per cent purity levels. Due to its large capacity, the Nidek Nuvo 10 weighs around 30 kilograms and is ideal for people requiring high-flow oxygen. Click here to buy.
ALBANY  A former in-house attorney for Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, which owns a manufacturing plant in Hoosick Falls that contaminated the village's water supplies with a toxic chemical, alleges he was fired last year after he pushed leaders of the corporation to fully investigate whether their other U.S. plants may have polluted public water supplies with a manmade polymer.

The attorney, Amiel Gross, worked for Saint-Gobain for six years at its headquarters in Malvern, Pa., including on litigation involving toxic pollution. In a whistleblower complaint he filed with the U.S. Department of Labor earlier this month, Gross alleges the company's CEO and other top officials labeled him a "troublemaker" and dissuaded him from doing an investigation.

The civil complaint, which seeks reinstatement and back pay, also said that Saint-Gobain may have used far greater amounts of a highly concentrated version of the toxic chemical at its plants in Hoosick Falls, Bennington, Vt., and Merrimack, N.H., than has been disclosed to regulatory agencies.

A spokeswoman for Saint-Gobain said Gross' allegations are "without merit" and she noted the complaint filed with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration was dismissed last week.

"We had always contended Mr. Gross suit was baseless," said Lia T. LoBello, the company's spokeswoman. "Mr. Gross was separated from the company following an investigation for violating company policies, including our harassment prevention policy, among others. In his suit, Mr. Gross makes many false allegations."

Jeanne M. Christensen, an attorney for Gross, countered that the dismissal was "technical"  the dismissal said the complaint was not filed in a timely fashion  and did not address the merits of the case. Christensen said they intend to file an objection to the dismissal and she added that it will not prevent Gross from seeking legal recourse in a Pennsylvania court for his alleged wrongful termination.

The 43-page complaint, in addition to accusing top company officials of silencing Gross and threatening his law credentials, revealed that Saint-Gobain had purchased and used significant quantities of pure perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, at its manufacturing facilities in Hoosick Falls, as well as at similar manufacturing sites in Bennington and Merrimack, where the plants were also found to have contaminated groundwater supplies.

Gross said that in early 2020, he was tasked with "performing an analysis of options for shifting some of Saint-Gobains mounting financial and legal liability to raw material suppliers who manufactured PFOA-containing products, principally 3M."

In response, Gross said, he enlisted outside lawyers to conduct electronic searches of "millions of documents" that had been gathered in the various class-action lawsuits filed against the company, including cases in federal courts in Albany and Vermont.

The data search focused on finding documents revealing evidence of 3M's sales of PFOA products to the company's sites in Hoosick Falls, Bennington and Merrimack. Gross also interviewed "fact witnesses," his complaint said, who had direct knowledge of the company's use of a 3M product, "F-143" or "Fluorad," which contained 100 percent PFOA.

Potentially thousands of pounds of the product were used at the three manufacturing sites, the complaint states.

"Since this product was pure PFOA, it contained orders of magnitude more PFOA by volume than even the highest-content PTFE aqueous dispersions typically used in Saint-Gobains operations," the complaint states.

Gross said he also warned Carol Gray, the multi-national company's former deputy general counsel for North America, that regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, "may be relying on flawed input data and failing to consider the relative potency of different PFOA-containing products used by Saint-Gobain."

In December 2014, Keller and Heckman, a Washington, D.C., law firm, sent a letter to the U.S. EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act informing federal regulators that PFOA had been detected in "recent tests" of the public drinking water supplies.

The letter was sent months after Michael Hickey a village trustee, launched his own investigation of the pollution after his father and other village residents died from cancer. That year, Hickey had been battling with village officials to have the water tested for PFOA following research he had done after noticing what he believed were a high number of cancer cases in the small community. Facing roadblocks from village officials, Hickey personally sent water samples to a Canadian lab that reported levels of PFOA that the EPA later said were not safe for human consumption.

But the December 2014 letter by the company's attorneys implied its manufacturing facilities were not users of PFOA.

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics "processes fluoropolymers at a facility within the village that were made with PFOA, but it is not and never has been a manufacturer, processor, distributor or user of PFOA per se anywhere in the United States," the letter stated.

LoBello, the company's spokeswoman, acknowledged on Friday that Saint-Gobain's plant in Hoosick Falls had used polytetrafluoroethylene  or PTFE  a synthetic fluoropolymer that is more commonly associated with Teflon, a compound discovered by Dupont in 1938. The plant had used the toxic chemical to manufacture products such as specialty tapes and heat-resistant wiring.

"All such PTFE came from our suppliers," LoBello said. "However, the plant phased out significant portions of these processes in the early 2000s and phased out use of other types of PTFE that may have contained PFOA by 2015 in accordance with the U.S. EPAs environmental stewardship program. It wouldnt be accurate to say we never used the material  but we werent a manufacturer or distributor of it."

Judith Enck, a former EPA regional administrator who was involved in the early stages of investigating the Hoosick Falls Superfund site, characterized the disclosure by Gross about the company's significantly higher use of pure PFOA as "truly troubling revelations."

"Our major problem in Hoosick Falls was the company not informing all the regulatory agencies of the seriousness of this problem and not in a timely fashion. They did not take responsible action while they knew the public was drinking contaminated water," Enck said. Now, "the increased toxicity of what was used at the factory needs to be factored in to all regulatory decisions going forward and it would be appropriate for the federal government to launch an enforcement investigation on the company."

Attorneys for plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit filed against Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics in U.S. District Court in Vermont seized on Gross' accusations earlier this month. On April 12, they filed a motion seeking to reopen discovery in their case and accused Saint-Gobain, if the allegations are true, of concealing evidence.

"Although this information was brought to the attention of Saint-Gobains corporate executives, they and the company may have deliberately failed to alert governmental regulators or correct or amend initial disclosures or expert reports in this litigation (and others)," the motion states. "The complaint also alleges that as more evidence came to light during discovery in the class-action litigations, including this one, about the extent of Saint-Gobains PFOA contamination at its facilities, it failed to investigate or alert authorities, despite the serious public health threat, and instead allegedly engaged in an approach of deliberate failure to investigate."

Saint-Gobain denies Gross' account that Tom Kinisky, the former CEO of Saint-Gobain North America, had directed Gross during a 2019 meeting at their corporate headquarters in Pennsylvania not to investigate PFOA contamination at the company's other sites, including a plant in Wayne, N.J.

If you look, you will find it. If you dont, you can say you didnt know, Gross alleged Kinisky had told him during that meeting.

LoBello said that Gross' additional claims that Saint-Gobain did not investigate pollution at other sites, including the New Jersey plant, are wrong. She said remediation at that plant has been underway "for years" and under guidance from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

"There are numerous publicly available documents and even newspaper notices that show the work being done in Wayne and given his position in the company at that time, Mr. Gross was fully aware of these actions," she said. "Also, those same documents will show no danger to residential wells and that PFAS around the site poses no danger to humans."

Gross also raised concerns about Saint-Gobain plants polluting water supplies or groundwater in Mantua, Ohio, and New Haven, Conn.

In October, Gross said he was summoned to join a conference call at Saint-Gobain with a human resources employee and the company's head of business compliance. He was told that he was under investigation for "insubordination" and accused of making disparaging remarks about another employee.

Gross, in his complaint, said he told those company officials about his investigative efforts to protect the company from future liability, including "whether public health threats existed at the other PFOA sites."

After the call ended, Gross memorialized in writing what he had told the two officials and immediately sent the information to them in an email. He was fired about 45 minutes later, he said.

Saint-Gobain has operated a plant on McCaffrey Street in Hoosick Falls since the 1990s. The plant is adjacent to the village's water treatment plant, which pulls water from underground wells that have been polluted with PFOA. Honeywell's predecessor corporation, Allied Signal, operated the facility from 1986 to 1996, one of five companies that operated the plant since 1956.

The plant was designated a federal Superfund site in July 2017 by the EPA.

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Honeywell International, which acquired a company that previously operated the McCaffrey Street plant, are working with the state Department of Environmental Conservation on securing potential alternate water supplies for the village. Until then, the village is relying on a filtration system to remove PFOA from its water supplies.
A teenage boy stabbed his friend during a fight they pre-arranged in order to settle a dispute between their respective girlfriends, a court has heard.

The boy (15), who cannot be named for legal reasons, twice stabbed his friend during the straightener which they had arranged after there had been slagging about the boy's girlfriend.

The accused pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to production of an article in the course of a dispute and assault causing harm at an address in north Dublin on February 7, 2020. He has no previous convictions.

A local garda told Garrett McCormack BL, prosecuting, that the accused and the victim were friends and they agreed to settle a dispute between their respective girlfriends with a fist fight.

The garda said that prior to the fight the accused lit toilet paper on fire and placed it on the windshield of the victim's family car in order to entice him outside from his home. The two teenagers touched fists before beginning a fight that lasted approximately two minutes.

During the fight, the accused produced a knife and twice stabbed the victim. The victim ran inside his home and was followed by the accused who tried to stab him again before leaving the scene.

In interview with gardai, the accused said he brought the knife because he was concerned the victim had a hurl. Facebook messages between the two showed that they had agreed that no weapons would be used in the fight, which they called a straightener.

The accused said in interview that there had been slagging about his girlfriend regarding something he had told his friend in confidence. The court heard he has since apologised to the victim in person for the offence.

The garda agreed with Ronan Munro SC, defending, that the wind blew away the toilet paper his client lit on fire and that it was not a determined effort to set the car on fire.

He agreed with counsel that his client said he had been smoking weed on the date and was stoned at the time of the fight. He agreed that the environment the accused is in is not great and that he has a brother who is in trouble with gardai.

The garda agreed with Mr Munro that his client speaks about going to prison in a fatalistic way. He agreed the accused had disengaged from school since the pandemic and said the accused is constantly out on the streets.

Judge Elma Sheahan remanded the accused on continuing bail on strict conditions, including that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour, maintain a curfew between 10PM and 6AM, continue attending school and continue liaising with the school's counsellor.

She adjourned the case for finalisation to June 4, next.

At a previous sentencing hearing in March, Judge Sheahan agreed to remand the accused boy in Oberstown detention centre for 28 days so he could engage with the Probation Service on the suggestion of defence counsel.

On Thursday the court heard that the accused was released on bail last week and has been attending school after previously disengaging since the pandemic began.

Additional evidence

At a previous sentencing hearing in March, Mr Munro said a report from the Probation Service had been ordered and that his client did not show up to the appointment. He said a report is not going to happen unless his client is remanded in Oberstown.

Counsel said his client has a certain view of custody, but that this may change after being remanded for 28 days.

Judge Sheahan asked the accused what he thought about being remanded in Oberstown and meeting with the Probation Service there. The accused replied that it would be handier to get the report and agreed he was not too bothered about going into custody.

She asked the accused's grandmother, who was present in court, what she thought about this arrangement in light of the accused seeming to be open to being remanded in custody.

The accused's grandmother replied that it would be for the best and that he would be able to get

the help he needs. She said her grandson has gone off the rails since fighting his friend.

Judge Sheahan ordered that the accused be remanded in Oberstown until Thursday's date, but said there was liberty to bring the matter before the court if a Probation Report was ready before then.

She told the accused to use this time as a break from everything and warned him not to get into trouble in Oberstown.

At the sentence hearing on Thursday, Judge Sheahan asked the accused if he had enjoyed his time in Oberstown.

No, the accused responded. Judge Sheahan told him to keep that at the forefront of his mind.
Women who suddenly change their minds after taking the abortion pill are turning to a controversial treatment in a bid to keep their babies.

Doctors at the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) have treated 90 women in Britain with its 'abortion rescue therapy' in the past year and say almost 50 per cent have maintained their pregnancies.

By contrast, the CMA says, the chance of the foetus surviving if the woman follows NHS advice is only about 25 per cent.

But the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has heavily criticised the therapy, arguing it is based on scant evidence and could be dangerous.

The treatment involves giving large doses of progesterone  a female sex hormone crucial during pregnancy  to counter the blocking effects of the first abortion pill, mifepristone.

Doctors at the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) have treated 90 women in Britain with its 'abortion rescue therapy' in the past year and say almost 50 per cent have maintained their pregnancies (file photo)

Last night, Dr Dermot Kearney, president of the CMA who is leading the service, insisted it was safe and helped save unborn babies' lives. He said more and more women were contacting them as a result of the NHS 'Pills by Post' service put in place during the pandemic, in which both abortion pills  mifepristone and misoprostol  are mailed out to take at home following a telephone consultation.

Dr Kearney said: 'Since last April, 141 women have contacted the abortion pill rescue programme, of whom 90 started progesterone treatment to reverse the lethal effects of the first abortion pill, mifepristone. Of 73 who continued treatment, 38 have managed to hold on to their pregnancies  a success rate of around 50 per cent.

'So far, ten women have delivered healthy babies, while 28 are still pregnant.'

He said NHS advice for women who regret taking mifepristone is to watch and wait what happens without taking the second pill, called 'expectant management'. But he claimed only about one in four women who follow this guidance maintain their pregnancy.

Dr Kearney insists the CMA scrutinised evidence before starting the service, although critics say the data came from US pro-life groups that 'cherry pick' favourable results.

An RCOG spokesman said: 'There is very little evidence to show that a treatment with progesterone will reverse an abortion, and what this is doing is providing false reassurance to women that this is a possible option  which is very distressing for the women involved.'

University of California researchers last year abandoned a trial into the effects of taking progesterone after mifepristone over safety concerns. The team warned of a 'high risk of significant haemorrhage'.

The RCOG said the study showed the method was 'consequently dangerous for women'.

But Dr Kearney said heavy bleeding was a recognised side effect of mifepristone, and that while three of the British patients needed blood transfusions for haemorrhages there had been no deaths or other serious complications to date.

NHS England said that in rare instances where a woman does not take the second abortion pill, the chance of pregnancy continuing is between eight and 40 per cent.

A spokesman added: 'There is not sufficient evidence to suggest that progesterone does what is claimed in these circumstances.'
A longshot bid to raise the age for teachers and others to qualify for full retirement benefits from 62 years to 67 has sparked intense opposition from teachers, superintendents and leaders of the state retirement systems.

State Sen. Barrow Peacock, R-Shreveport and sponsor of the bill, emphasized the change would only apply to future teachers and make Louisiana's retirement systems healthier.

"I am not taking anybody's retirement away from them," Peacock said. "I want to make the retirement systems stronger and healthier."

Reworked pension for future Louisiana state workers shelved amid opposition from Gov. Edwards Amid opposition from Gov. John Bel Edwards, Louisiana's state worker retirement system is shelving its bid to create a new pension plan for fu

Opponents contend the new rules would make it harder to shore up the ranks of teachers at a time when staffing classrooms is increasingly difficult.

"Everyone knows we are having problems with recruiting and retaining teachers," said Cynthia Posey, director of legislative and political affairs for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers.

Posey said Peacock's plan "will keep people from going in the profession when we are already struggling to find certified teachers. This is something that would deter them."

Aside from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers the measure is opposed by the Louisiana Association of Educators, Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, Gov. John Bel Edwards' office, the state AFL-CIO, the Retired State Employees Association and the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana.

The proposal, which would also raise the retirement age for future state employees, is opposed by the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System.

Groups behind the push include the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and the state branch of the National Federation of Independent Businesses.

The legislation, Senate Bill 22, narrowly cleared the Senate Retirement Committee 4-3 on April 19. It next faces action, and an uphill climb, in the full Senate.

Current rules allow teachers with 40 years of experience to retire at the age of 62 with full benefits. That means they qualify for the average of their last five years of salaries for the rest of their life, and those payments are not subject to the state income tax.

Teachers and state employees do not collect Social Security.

SB22 would boost the retirement age to 67 and apply to those who enter the teaching profession or state workforce on or after July 1.

Peacock said the impact for retirees would not be felt for 30 years or more and the change would gradually free up more dollars for teacher salaries and state aid to public schools.

Louisiana school board seeks to double aid requested by governor; includes $400 teacher pay raises Louisiana's top school board Tuesday voted to ask the Legislature for an $80 million hike for public schools, double the amount sought by Gov.

He said the new rules are especially needed because the average life expectancy keeps rising.

LFT leaders have helped lead the fight against the bill, urging their roughly 20,000 members to contact their state senators and ask them to oppose the measure.

The Louisiana Association of Educators, the state's other teachers' union, is also fighting the measure.

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

Tia Mills, president of the group, said allowing veteran teachers to leave the profession at the age of 62 with full benefits "is one of the last recruiting tools we have."

Dawn Starns McVea, senior state director of the Louisiana and other branches of the National Federation of Independent Business, said Peacock's bill is needed because the public sector "should make necessary changes to the pension system so that they can function properly for the long term."

"The average age of retirement in the private sector has increased so it makes sense for the public sector to do the same," she said. "At the end of the day, small business owners could face a big bill for public sector pensions if common sense reforms aren't passed to maintain a stable system."

Mike Faulk, executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, noted the Legislature has taken action in recent years to put Louisiana's retirement systems on sound financial footing.

"The issue continues to be the lack of people to fill vacancies in teaching positions," Faulk said of his group's opposition to the bill. "One of the fears we have is it is gong to discourage people from getting into the field of education."

State education leaders often note that fewer people are entering the teaching profession in Louisiana, and that 1 in 5 teachers is either uncertified or teaching outside their area of expertise.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said 44% of new teachers leave the profession in their first five years and 61% in the first 10 years.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry backs the bill.

LABI supports SB22 because it will decrease the long-term cost burden of Louisianas retirement systems by harmonizing the state retirement age with Social Security," Bo Staples, LABI's director of government reform, said in an email.

"We believe that this legislation is smart policy because it makes necessary reforms while also upholding the states commitments to current employees and retirees," Staples said.

The board of the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana voted to oppose Peacock's bill.

Katherine Whitney, director of the group, said a teacher who enters the classroom at the age of 25 and works for 37 years can now leave at the age of 62 and collect $46,000 annually based on an average salary of $50,000. Whitney said that, under the proposed change, the same scenario would produce an annual retirement benefit of $28,000.

Peacock said the money needed to pay promised benefits for current and future retirees  called the unfunded accrued liability or UAL  totals $10.3 billion for teachers and $7 billion for state employees.

New state workers would have revamped retirement plans under bill that clears first hurdle An effort to raise the age of retirement and include a 401(k)-style component to the pension plan for many newly hired rank-and-file state wor

Cindy Rogeau, executive director of the Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System, told senators new state policies have allowed the system's debt to be trimmed by $1.6 billion, and eventually $8 billion, by skipping cost of living increases for retirees.

"The best kept secret in Baton Rouge is the fact that the Louisiana Legislature has been one of the leaders in the nation for doing pension reform," she said.

Peacock, a member of the Senate Retirement Committee for 10 years, issued a statement Friday that said he plans to amend his bill on the Senate floor to make it "more generous," including pushing back the effective date to 2022.

He said in an interview modifying retirement systems is a challenge.

"People like to complain about it but when you start making changes it is very difficult."
Covid deaths devastate India

Each day, India reports more than 300,000 new infections, a world record that accounts for nearly half of all new cases in a global surge, and more than 2,000 deaths. But experts say those numbers represent just a fraction of the true human toll from the virus in the country.

A sluggish vaccination campaign and an insidious new variant discovered in India may be behind the spread, which has kept cremation grounds burning nonstop and drained hospitals of oxygen resources.

Have you seen a fish out of water? one man said on Saturday outside a hospital in New Delhi after 20 Covid patients died after an oxygen shortage. Its unimaginable. Just like a fish out of water.

Background: Many officials and ordinary citizens stopped taking precautions after India initially avoided the frightening death tolls that sent other big countries into crisis mode, perhaps because its population is young. People here thought it was over, Jeffrey Gettleman, The Timess South Asia bureau chief, told our colleagues at the Coronavirus Briefing.
Winchester Police Department

WINSTED  A local man is facing charges in connection with a fatal crash last year, and initially lied to police about who had been driving the car, according to police.

The crash happened Sept. 28, 2020, in Winchester, killing 21-year-old Tyler Brazil of Norfolk. At the time, police said Brazil had been driving, based on information from the other person in the car.
Taking a lesson from Delhi, aCovid expert panel has advised Karnataka government to increase the number of beds and other facilities in hospitals to tide over the crisis. The members of the panel also emphasized completing the vaccination for vulnerable age groups before the next wave arrives, which is expected to come in October-November.

Bengaluru is Indias worst-hit district with Coronavirus as it has 1,50,000 active cases, the highest for a city in the entire country. However, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa is yet to decide on a complete lockdown in Karnataka to break the chain of Coronavirus infections. As Delhis healthcare system is currently on the verge of collapsing, Bengaluru must be prepared better than Delhi to battle this crisis.

Bengaluru alone accounted for 17,342 new cases and 149 deaths on Saturday. The Karnataka Task Advisory Committee on Covid-19 has suggested the Karnataka government to impose an immediate lockdown for 2 weeks with strict restrictions.

Taking a lesson from Delhi, the panel has also advised the state government to increase the number of beds and other facilities in hospitals to tide over the upcoming crisis. The members of the panel also emphasized on completed the inoculation for vulnerable age groups before the next wave which is expected to come in October-November.

Also read: The Mega Airlift: Every airline must join in as Spicejet does national service

Also read: Mission Oxygen: NewsX lays down India Inc action plan to combat crisis

The Karnataka Chief Minister in fact said that the situation in the state is getting out of control now as the number of cases in the state is increasing rapidly. Karnataka doctors also requested in a tweet to steel manufacturers saying that the state needs seamless oxygen and not stainless steel at the moment as they also produce oxygen. The doctors urged them to come forward and help them save precious lives across Karnataka.

Also read: Ahead of May 1, Centre issues guidelines to states, UTs for phase 3 of vaccination
Between the fall of 2019 to the fall of 2020, Catholic schools in the U.S. lost more than 111,000 students, including many from Massachusetts. It was the largest decline in nearly 50 years  larger than after both the clergy sex abuse scandal and the 2008 fincanical crisis.

But as public schools continued to remain virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, families began looking at in-person options  many of which were parochial schools.

Now, some of those same schools told MassLive that they are not only keeping the students that came to them last year but theyre also continuing to add interested families to the point of full capacity classrooms and waitlists.

Most of the families that have come to us, even though the public schools are going to be open, theyre planning to stay with us based on their experience with the schools, said Daniel Baillargeon, superintendent for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield.

After the influx of students in private school in Massachusetts last fall, there was some concern across the state that the families that switched from public to private last year would switch back.

But from Springfield to Boston, families are staying.

We always were concerned that as the tide came in last year that as we rolled into next year the tide would go out, said Thomas Carroll, superintendent for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. Its still too early to tell for sure. But what were finding is virtually all of the people who came in last year are staying.

St. Peter School in Cambridge has more than a 95% retention rate from families that came last year and are planning to return in the fall, Principal Patrick Boyden said.

Plus, there are even more families interested now.

Notre Dame Academy in Worcester saw the same results of increased interest from families last fall, even getting a handful of transfers in January, said Caitlin Lubelczyk, director of enrollment and marketing. And its not slowing down.

This year, were projected to be even higher than last year, she said. Weve always been a small school, but I think that people are really starting to realize the benefits of the small classroom size and just the tight-knit community.

For Notre Dame, max capacity is at 300 students but with extra precautions due to the pandemic, they are projecting enrollment closer to 225 students. The school already has more than 200 students for next year.

The same thing is being seen at other schools.

During the spring of last year, St. Peters had 26 new student applications. This year they have 130. Second, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh grade are also already full at St. Peters.

Students have been in-person at Academy Hill in Springfield since the fall and have utilized a lot of outdoor space during classes.

What waitlists mean

Many private schools in Massachusetts have been back in-person learning since the fall but that doesnt mean they are fully open.

Baillargeon said schools in the Diocese of Springfield have had to lower capacity in some classrooms due to social distancing, especially in early childhood centers such as preschool and pre-kindergarten.

But even moving to classrooms that are just regular-sized, we still have waiting lists, Baillargeon said.

There was a 26.2% decline in pre-kindergarten enrollment from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021 school years, according to data by the National Catholic Education Association.

Prior to 2020-2021, pre-kindergarten enrollment had been trending slightly upwards across the nation, the organization said. Although demand for pre-kindergarten school options cant be interpreted from this data, it is troubling that even in the midst of prioritization of in-person learning, many seats in Catholic schools were left unfilled.

NCEA also said schools cant assume this enrollment will bounce-back because there has been no evidence in NCEAs historical research on Catholic school enrollment over the last 50 years that suggests positive and commensurate shifts in enrollment typically follow these negative shifts.

Melissa Earls at Academy Hill in Springfield, a private school in Springfield, said shes seeing younger grades still have openings but classrooms are filling up in later grades.

I think that the pandemic allowed some parents at the pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, grade one level to work from home. And so they were more inclined to be able to work with their students with their children through a curriculum, she said. But that ability wanes I think as the students get older, and the content or the instruction gets a little bit more complex or the students themselves get more complex.

The decision for what each classroom can hold comes down to working with the local board of health and the teachers. Many of the schools in the Diocese of Springfield are large, Baillargeon said. But that doesnt mean they will be putting a lot of students in the class.

Were not going to take more than the teachers are comfortable taking, he said. And thats really the case in many of the schools right now. Its not just COVID protocol space

Principals, Baillargeon said, are calling each other to try to place as many students in schools as possible. If one has a full fourth grade, theyre working with families to find them a spot at another school.

[Principals] really want families who want a Catholic education to be in a Catholic school, he said. So we are trying to forward those families on to another local Catholic school, if thats possible.

But there might be some additions throughout the next school year. As COVID restrictions begin opening up even more, the schools might be able to accept more students, Boyden said.

I think theres reason to be hopeful, and I think theres also reason to know that theres probably going to continue to be some things that we have to be careful and considerate about, he said. I dont think September 2021s going to be like September 2019, but hopefully its closer to that than September 2020.

Another reason for waitlists is that families are staying put.

It is catering to the heart, mind and soul of each child, Boyden said. Weve met the threshold for the physical safety, and thats why people got in the door. But weve done so much more than that and thats why people are staying.

This is the first year in a while that were going to have a really robust waitlist for a lot of our grade levels, he said. Were fully capped out in most of our grades already.

And the families with students in-person at private schools are also the ones helping spread the word to friends with children in public school and might be feeling frustrated, Carroll said.

A lot of the people that switched over, they obviously have a lot of friends in the public schools, Carroll said. Theyve watched whats happened over the last year, which hasnt been particularly impressive. And theyre not excited about sending their kids back.

So, instead they come to Carroll asking if his schools are a better fit for their child.

Its incredibly important not to lose any year at any point, Carroll said, adding that education builds and builds and builds as you go along.

If you lose a year, then what do you do? You have to cover two years of information? he asked. Its like somebodys putting weights in your backpack. And every year after that the weights get heavier and heavier and heavier.

Some parents have told Carroll that theyre realizing they shouldve made the switch sooner, he said.

Its not their fault, he said. But whats happening with some of these parents is they now realize, the years not over and that this year is a total waste because theyre not being in-person instruction.

Many of the families, Carroll said, might not have been families that previously considered Catholic school but its actually the schools faith that is keeping them.

We believe every child was created in the image and likeness of God. We simply refused to strand them, which is why when we were allowed to open we did reopen without any long conversations ... We just knew the right thing to do. So we did it, he said. And people who are newly in our schools are seeing a sense of commitment, which is driven by our religious mission, and a sense of community.

Students have been in-person at Academy Hill in Springfield since the fall and have utilized a lot of outdoor space during classes.

Changing perceptions

Even though private schools across the state reopened their doors for in-person learning at the start of last fall. It didnt mean everyone was ready right away.

Some parents needed to build up trust before sending their children back to the classroom.

Early on we provided a remote option to most of our families if they were nervous. Within a few months, many of those families felt that the school was safe and decided to come into the school full time, Baillargeon said. We still have a handful of families that are fully remote.

Students have been in-person at Academy Hill in Springfield since the fall and have utilized a lot of outdoor space during classes.

The schools had to implement a number of safety measures, sometimes changing what the typical classroom looks like.

Beyond recommendations of three to six feet of social distancing, masks and more, teachers at Academy Hill got outside.

The school already had an amphitheater style classroom in the woods but it wasnt used often until this year.

The amphitheater space was used on occasion in years past. Most common for science classes, Earls said. But this year it was used for science, for math, everything.

She said the ability to get outside was great this year. They even added additional tents for more space and created a rotating schedule for the outdoor classrooms.

The kids, the teachers, love it, she said. Love it.

Students have been in-person at Academy Hill in Springfield since the fall and have utilized a lot of outdoor space during classes.

Opening a new school

While the waitlists are filling up now, that wasnt the case this time last year.

At that point, most of the Catholic schools in the state were worried about attendance last year. Still, St. Johns High School in Shrewsbury was looking to expand.

The school announced its plans in March 2019 that they were going to open a middle school for the 2020-2021 school year. Then the pandemic hit.

But that didnt stop them.

We started a middle school program this year, which was an interesting time to start a middle school program, said Alex Zequeira headmaster of St. Johns High School. And our middle school admissions is through the roof.

The eighth grade program is already full for next year with a waitlist.

But once perspective families become interested, getting them through the door isnt as easy as it once was. Schools have had to restrict the usual tours due to the pandemic.

Zequeira said they had some Zoom meetings and webinars where we explored different aspects of life here at St Johns. Then in March the school was finally able to allow tours  although they were much smaller than usual and only during times when all the students were in classrooms. They also hosted two tours on the weekends.

We had people in all the buildings but it was a self guided tour, he said. We had QR codes in different places with videos that they could walk into that space, click the video, see that space in action, the way you normally would see during an open house.

It wasnt easy but Zequeira said they wouldnt have announced they were opening a middle school if they didnt think it would be successful.

Still, the school saw some influence from the overall increased interest in private schools due to the pandemic.

Weve exceeded some of our initial estimations on the interest in the middle school, he said. But it would have been a successful program even without the pandemic.

The conversation for the middle school actually started in 2017, the same year Notre Dame Academy in Worcester opened its doors to middle school girls.

There was also a co-ed option but nothing strictly for boys in the area.

Catholic schools have seen over the last decade, a pretty significant decline in middle school enrollment, he said. And we felt that we could offer something that would keep our young men in Catholic schools and really benefit from that opportunity.

Notre Dames middle school, now about five years old, has been growing due to word of mouth but the pandemic has certainly increased interest, Lubelczyk said.

The pandemic definitely played a role in parents wanting their daughters to be in person learning, she said. But I think that once they were here they realized what a great educational guide and what a great community we have here.

The school, Lubelczyk said, will likely only be adding about 25 more students.

Transitioning students who are behind

Some students in Massachusetts havent been in a classroom since March 2020, leaving some of them behind where theyd typically be.

As some of those students enter private schools in the fall, the schools are having to come up with ways to help them.

Baillargeon said schools in the Diocese of Springfield will be using a testing method to help them track where students are. Its something they have been talking about for years, he said, but now was the right time to implement it.

Were really in a place where this is something that we can do thats going to assure that students who come to us who maybe are a little behind or maybe a little advanced, we have a good understanding where they are so that we can track their progress, he said.

St. Johns is also doing a program to figure out where their students are academically.

Were working with families that are coming into St Johns were doing needs assessments of those students and families, Zequeira said.

For them its a program that includes a series of questions to figure out the students history and current needs. From there, theyll make recommendations for the summer or when classes start in the fall.

We see a student full time at St Johns as an opportunity to undo some of the challenges that students have faced over the last year, year and a half, he said. Were being very proactive with families through this program to make sure that we have as much information as possible so we can best serve those students.

Earls said shes also seeing a number of students who are behind but its not because theyre not smart.

The recommendation would be for some work over the summer or remediation, she said. Not remediation because theyre not bright and theyre not ambitious but just because they havent been exposed to the content.

Sometimes Earls is finding students need more than just extra summer work, and suggests repeating a grade due to the pandemic.

Sometimes we accept students on the condition they repeat the previous grade level, she said. We are finding that students are behind current grade level,

But its not exactly as it seems.

We call it a post-grad year, she said. But its far more advanced than if they had stayed in their public school and repeated the grade there.

So these students coming in to do our post-grad year are not really repeating because its new content for them, Earls said.

This eighth grade class might include geometry all the way up to algebra 2, something some students dont take until junior year of high school.

Arlington Catholic High School created a program to bridge the gap for public school eighth-graders who fell behind due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the students in the program have technically completed their eighth-grade year, the Boston Catholic school isnt trying to reteach them math or reading they already know but fill in the gaps they missed. In fact, most of their learning isnt actually about the typical subjects.

Were really looking to develop their skills and study methods in how to read critically, pay attention, take notes in the class, Vice Principal Nathaniel Naughton said. Things that they havent had to do that they would normally build on in the seventh and eighth grade.

Students have been in-person at Academy Hill in Springfield since the fall and have utilized a lot of outdoor space during classes.

This isnt over

Superintendents and principles arent expecting applications to slow down anytime soon.

Multiple schools told MassLive they expect families to continue inquiring about enrollment through the summer.

Typically at Notre Dame, the deadline for admissions is in December with final acceptance and final enrollment in February.

But this year, its been very much rolling admission until we cant accept anymore, Lubelczyk said.

Theyve even had a few students who decided to leave at one point wanting to return.

For families on the fence, its better to decide sooner rather than later  and its not just about waiting lists.

We start teaching Latin and Classics in fourth grade, for example, Earls said. So the longer they wait, the less time there is for them to catch up.

Introducing Latin early on gives our students a strong foundation for future study in language and equips their minds to take on challenging subjects, the website states.

By middle school, students use Latin via Ovid, which uses adapted versions of the myths in Ovids Metamorphoses to teach the grammar of Latin. As they progress, they are able to appreciate more and more of Ovids original work and read some excerpts from other authors, the website continues.

By sixth grade, they are prepared to take the National Latin Exam.

The school offers a summer program in June. From there, they suggest one-on-one tutors.

In the end, though, every child deserves free and appropriate access to quality education. And with continued challenges due to the pandemic, itll be important for parents to advocate for their children whether its switching to another school, getting them a tutor or just being patient with them, Earls said.

My advice to parents is to be patient, be strong, be good advocates for your children, be vigilant about what theyre doing in class, she said. And we will all get through the next year.

From the schools perspective, however, its about doing their best to meet students where they are.

I think every student has been impacted by the pandemic whether theyve been in person or not, Zequeira said. We are working with incoming families because we recognize that theres been a trauma related to this pandemic for our students.

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Mentorship Forum Middle East (MFME) has announced National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) as the Forums Lead Partner for a second year.

Following the successful launch of the Forum in 2019, the second edition is set to take place in November 2021 in the Kingdom of Bahrain as a hybrid event. With businesses and professionals having faced unprecedented challenges over the past year as a result of Covid-19, this years theme will focus on Prioritising Mentorship in a New World.

As Lead Partners, and founders of an ongoing internal mentorship programme, NBB will join the Forums Think Tank, an advisory group soon to be announced, in charge of designing the agenda. Among the issues to be explored will be those relating to changes in the workplace as a result of the pandemic, gaps in training and development that have occurred and how organisations can harness the power of mentorship to ensure their human capital development goals stay or get back on track for uninterrupted and sustainable growth.

The Forum will once again feature participation from top regional and international speakers and attendees. The inaugural event in 2019 attracted more than 250 senior HR and mentorship experts as well as C-suite leaders from across sectors. This years hybrid event, taking place virtually and with limited in-person attendance reflecting government protocols, expects strong turn out with high level public and private sector leaders taking part. Aimed to be as interactive and engaging as possible, the Forum will comprise of a series of keynote addresses, panel discussions and practical workshops to promote knowledge sharing and hands on learning that attendees can apply to the development of their own mentorship programmes. In the run-up to the Forum, a series of virtual roundtable events will also be organised introducing key themes and bringing together Forum partners and presenters. The agenda for the main event will soon be announced along with a calendar of supporting pre-forum activities.

Commenting, Jean-Christophe Durand, NBBs Chief Executive Officer said: We are delighted once again to announce NBBs backing for the Mentorship Forum Middle East. Innovation in human capital development remains a core pillar of NBBs strategy and we continue to look for ways to support programmes and initiatives, such as this, which help foster the professional and personal growth of our staff and more broadly the next generation of leaders across industries that NBB serves. The past year has seen us and other organisations work hard to ensure business continuity, including meeting the challenges of how to keep providing the most effective training and resources to help our staff progress in their careers. We look forward to gathering with peers and partners to discuss mentorship and how its prioritisation, given our new working realities, can support talent development and ensure that our next generation of leaders get the access and time with senior executives they need to excel and reach their potential.

Adding, Zahraa Taher, Managing Director of FinMark Communications, the Forums founder and organiser, said: Were pleased to welcome NBB as the Forums Lead Partner for a second year. The Banks partnership was instrumental in making the first event such a great success. NBB also continues to lead by example, having launched their own mentorship scheme in 2019, showing their strong belief in the value of mentorship and the important role such programmes play in accelerating professional and leadership development. NBBs input and experience will help shape the Forums agenda and direction for this year and we look forward to working with them and other regional business leaders to highlight the benefits of mentorship and, importantly, how it can and should be prioritised in the post-pandemic workplace.

Mentorship has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to drive talent development globally, but its place is largely missing from the training agendas and development tools used by most GCC organisations. The Forum aims to build understanding of mentorship and the value it can add for companies, their staff and other stakeholders across the board. -- Tradearabia News Service
The incredible moment a patriotic New Zealander performs the last post on an electric guitar for his local community has been captured on camera.

Shane Bielski, who lives in D'Aguilar on Queensland's Sunshine Coast played to a crowd of 20 of his neighbours taking part in Light Up The Dawn on Anzac Day.

The Woodford musician established the tradition last year when the Covid-19 pandemic forced Australians to pay their respects from home.

Shane Bielski (pictured), from D'Aguilar on Queensland's Sunshine Coast played to a crowd of 20 of his neighbours for a makeshift dawn service

Australians from across the country stood outside their homes to commemorate Anzac Day

Mr Bielski said he asked residents on Facebook if they wanted to hear him play the last post again this year.

'I received an overwhelming response from people saying yes do it again', he told the Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Bielski said his rendition of the last post could be heard from miles away, with people from surrounding suburbs thanking him for the makeshift dawn service.

'There's some that can't make it to the official service because they're older or their in wheelchairs, but they still want to hear something in the morning', he said.

After playing the unique rendition of the last post on his driveway last year, Mr Bielski asked residents if they wanted to hear him play again - and got an overwhelming response

This year services and marches were back with limited crowds in most parts of the country, pictured: People paying their respects at a dawn service in Coogee in Sydney

This year Mr Bielski chose to incorporate lines from the Australian and New Zealand national anthem into his unique rendition.

'I'm a Kiwi, so I thought I'd use the first line of New Zealand's national anthem, and the last line of the Australian anthem after I played the last post.'

The guitarist uploaded a video of him playing the last post on Facebook and has received overwhelming support from proud Australians.

'Well that made me tear up. Different but in a respectful way', one user shared.

'Thank you, that was wonderful, brought so many memories and tears to this old lady', another commented.

Hundreds of Australians have thanked the guitarist for his rendition of the last post, especially those who couldn't make it to an official service

Limited crowds were able to paid their respects at official services due to Covid-19, pictured: Australians at the Anzac Day dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne

'Well done, great improvisation as only Aussie's can do' a third said.

Mr Bielski said he's up for playing again next Anzac Day, as long as he gets the green light from his community.

Sunday marks the 106th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli, a campaign which ultimately cost more than 8,700 Australian lives.

Services and marches are back with limited crowds in most parts of the country, with many Australians choosing to pay tribute at home by standing at the end of their driveways at dawn.

Only services in Western Australia's Perth and Peel regions were cancelled after a hotel quarantine outbreak led to community virus transmission and the imposition of a three-day lockdown.
Jesy Nelson set pulses racing on Sunday when she posted a sizzling close-up snap of her cleavage on Instagram.

Showcasing her impressive tattoo collection and glitzy diamond necklaces, Jesy, 29, captioned her photo: 'It's the little things.'

The former Little Mix star was also sporting an immaculate religious-themed manicure.

Wow: Jesy Nelson, 29, set pulses racing on Sunday when she posted a sizzling close-up snap of her cleavage on Instagram

Moments after posting the racy photo, Jesy shared another photo to mark her best friend's birthday, revealing she had teamed her necklaces with a white bralette and camo-print trousers.

She also wore a Louis Vuitton headscarf that featured chain detailing.

Jesy wore a full face of glam for her fun day out.

It comes after Little Mix announced the release date for their first single since Jesy's departure.

The pop trio, Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock discussed the release of their eagerly-awaited track, Confetti, on social media on Wednesday - although life as a three-piece has not sprung into action just yet.

The new single will feature American rapper Saweetie, in a version which does not appear on their album, as they penned online: 'The news you've all been waiting for... our brand new single Confetti featuring @saweetie is out 30/04.'

Stunning: Showcasing her impressive tattoo collection and glitzy diamond necklaces, Jesy, 29, captioned her photo: 'It's the little things'

Stylish: Jesy shared another photo to mark her best friend's birthday, revealing she had teamed her necklaces with a white bralette and camo-print trousers

Jesy sweetly told her friend: 'My actual soul mate, my ride or die, my literal everything! No one will ever understand how much I love this girl'

In an accompanying video, Perrie, 27, sat between Jade, 28, and Leigh-Anne, 29, as they greeted their fans: 'Hey!'

The blonde beauty was seen sporting a white tee as she continued: 'Our brand new single Confetti featuring Saweetie is out on the 30th on Friday.

She asked her bandmates: 'Check it out. 30th of April, are we in April?'.

Jade wore a tie-dye top while Leigh-Anne also dressed casual in a green T-shirt. They responded: 'Yes,' in unison.

'You are going to absolutely gag, you're going to love it,' Perrie concluded the video.

Jesy announced she was leaving the group in December to focus on herself.

She revealed that she was leaving Little Mix after nine years and emotionally admitted that the pressure of being in the band for almost a decade had affected her mental health.

Her emotional statement online read: 'To all my Mixers, the past nine years in Little Mix has been the most incredible time of my life.

Moving on: Little Mix trio discussed the release of their eagerly-awaited track, Confetti, to social media on Wednesday (pictured former Little Mix star Jesy)

'We have achieved things I never thought possible. From winning our first Brit Award to our sold out shows at the O2.

'Making friends and fans all over the world I can't thank you all enough from the bottom of my heart for making me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. You have always been there to support and encourage me and I will never ever forget it.

'The truth is recently being in the band has really taken a toll on my mental health. I find the constant pressure of being in a girl group and living up to expectations very hard.

'There comes a time in life when we need to reinvest in taking care of ourselves rather than focusing on making other people happy, and I feel like now is the time to begin that process.

'So after much consideration and with a heavy heart, I'm announcing I'm leaving Little Mix.'

The Essex native went on to express her gratitude towards her supporters and co-members as she added: 'I need to spend some time with the people I love, doing things that make me happy.

'I'm ready to embark on a new chapter in my life - I'm not sure what it's going to look like right now, but I hope you'll still be there to support.

'I want to say thank you to everyone involved in our journey. All the hard work and dedication that went into making us a success.

Official statement: Jesy said she was leaving Little Mix after nine years and admitted that the pressure of being in the band for almost a decade had affected her mental health

'To every single fan who came to see us in concert, who listened to our songs and sung their hearts out, sent me messages and supported me along the way I want you to know I love you all so much and I could never have done this without you and I appreciate it endlessly.

'Most of all I want to say thank you to Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne for creating some of the most amazing memories I'll never forget. I hope that you'll continue to fulfil all of your dreams and keep on making music that people love. Love Jesy x.'

Last week, it was reported the solo artist is now at the centre of a bidding war between record labels worth 2million as they try to sign her.

Over the past few months, Jesy has dropped several hints she is secretly working on new music by sharing snippets from inside a recording studio on social media.
Aizawl, April 25 : Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Sunday sought help from the Indian Air Force (IAF) as well as the locals in dousing the major forest fire in Lunglei district and its adjoining areas, officials said.

Officials here said that the Zoramthanga has asked the Chief Secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo to talk to the IAF authority to urgently deploy helicopters to douse the forest fire which has been rapidly spreading in the adjoining localities and small towns of Lunglei and the adjacent district in southern Mizoram.

Lunglei district's Deputy Commissioner Kulothungan said that the blaze was mostly under control by the state's fire fighters and disaster management personnel accompanied by the locals but the wind is further increasing the fire spread to newer areas.

"There is no casualty in the fire so far. We are unable to assess the gravity and volume of the damages due to the fire right now as we are busy in dousing the inferno," Deputy Commissioner told IANS.

The Lunglei district blaze is the fifth major forest fire in the four northeastern states - Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Mizoram - since January this year.

The Army's Spear Corps successfully doused a major forest fire at the Bada Kandun Village of Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh earlier this month. The IAF's two helicopters, disaster management personnel and villagers doused a major forest fire at Shirui peak in Ukhrul district of Manipur in the last month end.

In the mid February Army troops successfully doused a major forest fire in Arunachal Pradesh's Dibang Valley district along the China border.In January, the Army, Indian Air Force, National and State Disaster Response Force, local volunteers and administration jointly doused a major wildfire in the famous Dzukou Valley on Nagaland-Manipur borders after two weeks of battle.

The forest fire caused huge damage to the flora and fauna, forest and environment of the Dzukou Valley, which is one of the 10 most beautiful places in the mountainous northeast India.

The Dzukou valley, situated at an altitude of 2,452 metres above the sea level and 30 km from Nagaland capital Kohima, is also a sanctuary for the endangered Blyth's tragopan - Nagaland's state bird - and other species of birds and animals.
The Mercer County Prosecutors Office has identified Cheryl Jones, 65, as the woman who was shot dead near police headquarters Saturday night.

Police say Clent Morris, 90, shot Jones on the front porch of a home on Sheridan Avenue Saturday night. Officers heard the shooting occur and responded immediately, the prosecutors office said in a statement.

Police attempted CPR but Jones did not survive, police said.

Morris was arrested at the residence, where police say they found a gun on a second floor and a holster on the front porch.

Trenton police said Morris and Jones knew each other and had disputes in the past. Morris was taken to a city hospital for treatment for an eye wound, police said.

Morris was charged with murder and weapons charges.

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Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.
Commentary: America's four deficits in climate action

Xinhua) 13:18, April 25, 2021

Photo taken on Jan. 20, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

As the biggest carbon polluter in human history and the largest economy and sole superpower in today's world, the United States indeed bears a special responsibility in the global climate battle.

BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- After being a foot-dragger and outright deserter for years, the United States is returning to the global climate battle with much fanfare, and making no secret of its intention to be the commander-in-chief.

The world welcomes the renewed climate commitment of the largest cumulative emitter of greenhouse gases in history, and looks forward to it playing a constructive role. But the United States has at least four deficits to plug before it can convince others of its seriousness.

The first one is a consistency deficit.

Throughout recent history, flip-flopping has been the hallmark of the U.S. federal climate policy. President Bill Clinton signed the Kyoto Protocol; his successor, George W. Bush, backtracked from it. President Barack Obama brought America to the Paris Agreement; his successor, Donald Trump, withdrew from it.

Now President Joe Biden has recommitted his country to the cause, but no one knows whether the latest commitment will outlast the next election.

Photo taken on Sept. 9, 2020 shows a view of San Francisco, the United States, overcast with wildfire smoke from nearby areas. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

The second one is an ambition deficit.

The United States has released more planet-warming greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than any other country, but successive U.S. governments have hardly lived up to their country's climate responsibility.

The Biden administration appears serious, but its emissions-cutting ambition -- a 50-52 percent cut from 2005 levels by 2030 -- lags behind that of Britain. Moreover, if the United States has a determination that matches China's, it should cut its emissions, which peaked in 2007, to zero in 2037, instead of 2050.

The third one is an assistance deficit.

As human-caused global warming results from cumulative emissions, today's developed countries, particularly the United States, should make sincere and substantive efforts to help their developing peers, including financial support and technology transfers, rather than shirk their historical responsibilities and international obligations.

However, over six years after Washington promised to contribute 3 billion U.S. dollars to the Green Climate Fund, a financial mechanism established to assist developing countries in countering climate change, only 1 billion dollars have been delivered.

People take part in a climate change protest in Times Square in New York, the United States, on Sept. 20, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

Last but not least, there is a morality deficit.

It may seem silly to many to talk about Washington's morality, but climate change, an existential threat to all, should be enough to summon up the better angels in America's ethos and commit the country to wholehearted action.

Sadly, it appears not. Even on this subject, U.S. politicians still have an ulterior motive: to retain U.S. hegemony, or what they call "climate leadership." They view climate change, a planetary crisis that demands all-hands-on-deck cooperation, through the lens of geopolitical competition. That is a big time bomb buried in the global climate response.

As the biggest carbon polluter in human history and the largest economy and sole superpower in today's world, the United States indeed bears a special responsibility in the global climate battle.

It is just that, in a fight that concerns the future of all humankind, it needs much more than fanfare and empty promises for a repeated deserter to ever be trusted again with a leading position.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
The East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council may create its own commission to change street names that honor Confederate soldiers and anyone else with historical ties to racism or other discriminatory actions.

Like the one it's modeled after in New Orleans, the Baton Rouge commission would spend a year taking inventory of public streets to determine which should be changed and developing recommendations for renaming them.

The resolution Councilwoman Erika Green will ask the Metro Council to support this week comes two months after a report on racial inequities in the parish was released by the committee appointed last year by Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome. That report was criticized by many city-parish leaders for what some called a "softball approach" to addressing racist symbols and street names tied to Confederacy.

Rename Baton Rouge's Confederate streets? Commission says educating on racism more important The commission Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome assembled last year to study racial inequities in East Baton Rouge Parish believes it's mo

"There were some concerns brought to me from the community," said Green, who confirmed she spoke with the mayor about the report but declined to elaborate on some of the controversy surrounding the issue.

"We're in the South, I won't hide from that part," said Green, who is Black. "What may be historically significant to one person can be offensive or has an discriminatory effect to others."

The 64-page report, which the mayor's office released in February, takes a comprehensive look at racial disparities throughout East Baton Rouge.

The document examines the rising movement against monuments, buildings and streets honoring controversial figures linked to slavery and racial discrimination. It also underscores the importance of changing "the hearts and minds" of the community instead of just renaming streets, which many people felt should've happened as quickly as it did in other cities  like New Orleans, which reacted swiftly in the wake of police reform protests amid a national reckoning over racial injustice.

The commission argued that its stance was rooted in opposition likely to arise with abrupt changes in East Baton Rouge, as well as red tape associated with the process.

Critics say Baton Rouge panel took 'softball approach' toward Confederate street names New criticisms are emerging over the effort to consider changing Baton Rouge street names honoring Confederate generals, with the head of the 

Renaming a road in the city-parish can only happen if a majority of property owners on a street petition the local government to do so. It would also require public notices and two rounds of hearings.

The cost of replacing signs would fall on the applicant seeking the change.

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To date, no such petitions for street-name changes have cropped up in the community.

Green's resolution, set for public hearing and council consideration Wednesday, would create an eight-member committee comprised of two members from the Metro Council, two from Broome's Commission on Racial Equity and Inclusion, the director of the city-parish Planning Commission and representatives from the local faith-based community and businesses and non-profit sectors.

No more than five public streets will be recommended. Green called that a "starting point."

The advisory committee would be strictly volunteer, meet monthly and report to the Metro Council at least once every 90 days.

Included on the list of streets that should be rechristened will be recommended replacement names and explanations for why those new titles would be a better fit.

The resolution also presents honorary designations as an option instead of actual name changes, given the associated costs and complex process involved in coming up with a new title.

"Honorary designations won't change the street name itself," Green explained. "It's something we can do easily and it's modeled after what other cities have done."

Honorary designation would essentially entail the city-parish installing special signage, though the actual addresses would remain the same.

According to city-parish officials, no honorary designations currently exist. New Orleans has some, but none are tied to removing names tied to the Confederacy. The honorary names in New Orleans were simply a means by which the City Council could honor people without having to jump through all the hoops it takes to formally change a street name.

"Does it need to be more? Absolutely," local NAACP chapter president Eugene Collins said. "But what Councilwoman Green is proposing is a great first step. Sometimes, (this parish) is a hard community to voice these types of changes. The committee, from my understanding, is going to work to address some of that."

Green sees the resolution as a way to hold local organizations accountable to the anti-racism stances many took following the George Floyd protests.

"Everyone in 2020 stood publicly and made these declarations saying they want to stop racism after he died, like (the Baton Rouge Area Chamber)," she said. "Let's see if they will stand by that and support this effort. This can become an opportunity to put action to the words they put out."
Nicola Sturgeon accused Boris Johnson of acting like Donald Trump over Scottish independence today.

The SNP First Minister likened the Prime Minister's refusal to countenance a new vote on splitting up the UK to the former US president's refusal to accept he had lost to Joe Biden last year.

She warned it would be 'unsustainable' for the UK Government to block a second referendum if a majority at Holyrood backs it after the May election.

Scotland's First Minister said that the country must have the chance to put the recovery into its own hands and that 'Scotland's future must, and will, be decided by the people of Scotland'.

She also said that taking legal action over the situation would be an 'appalling' look for any Prime Minister.

Writing in the Observer, Ms Sturgeon said that once the Covid crisis has passed, people in Scotland must have the right to choose their future.

She wrote: 'Tackling the pandemic and getting the recovery under way come first. However, if there is a majority in the Scottish parliament after this election for an independence referendum, then Scotland must have the chance to put the recovery into Scotland's hands.

'For the UK Government to seek to block it would be unsustainable. For it to try to take legal action, as has been suggested, would be asking a court to effectively overturn the result of a free and fair democratic election.

'That would be an appalling look for any prime minister. More to the point, it didn't work for Donald Trump, and it wouldn't work for Boris Johnson.'

The SNP First Minister likened the Prime Minister's refusal to countenance a new vote on splitting up the UK to the former US president's refusal to accept he had lost to Joe Biden last year.

She warned it would be 'unsustainable' for the UK Government to block a second referendum if a majority at Holyrood backs it after the May election.

Ms Sturgeon has repeatedly called for another independence referendum to be held but all such requests have been rebuffed by Downing Street, first under Theresa May and then the current Government headed by Boris Johnson.

Sturgeon admits Scots independence would mean hard border with England Nicola Sturgeon has accepted there would have to be a border between England and an independent Scotland but insisted businesses and trade would not 'suffer' because of it. The SNP leader said Scotland would try to negotiate arrangements to 'keep trade flowing easily across the border' if it becomes independent and rejoins the European Union. The First Minister said an independent Scotland would 'comply with all of the requirements of EU membership' when asked about European Union regulations, customs checks and inspections of goods entering the single market. She told the BBC's Andrew Marr: 'We will put in place arrangements and we will negotiate those arrangements for the UK that means that businesses do not, in a practical sense, suffer from any of that.' Under EU rules, consignments of animals and goods need to be physically inspected before entering the EU's single market, including 30 per cent of poultry, eggs, milk and fish, and all live animals. Ms Sturgeon added: 'I'm not denying that because of the absurdity of Brexit and the Tory Brexit obsession, then all sorts of issues are raised for Scotland completely against our democratic will. 'What I'm saying is we will work as a country to make sure that for our businesses there is no difficulties in terms of their day-to-day experience in trading.' Advertisement

Ms Sturgeon has repeatedly called for another independence referendum to be held but all such requests have been rebuffed by Downing Street, first under Theresa May and then the current Government headed by Boris Johnson.

The SNP's election manifesto has set out plans to hold a second vote on Scottish independence by the end of 2023.

Ms Sturgeon has pledged she will not push for another referendum on independence until after the pandemic.

A UK Government spokesman said: 'Now more than ever, people in Scotland want to see the UK Government and the devolved administrations working together to protect lives and livelihoods.

'The United Kingdom is the most successful political and economic union the world has ever seen, and this pandemic and our collective response, from the furlough scheme to vaccine procurement and the backing of our military personnel, has shown that we are at our strongest when we work together towards a common goal.

'The push for a divisive referendum is simply irresponsible. It is a distraction, when we need to focus on continuing to tackle the pandemic and rebuilding our economy.'

Ms Sturgeon also hit out at the sleaze row engulfing the Government.

She said the 'stench of sleaze' around the Conservative UK government is 'becoming quite overpowering'.

The First Minister called for an inquiry into allegations of 'contracts for cronies, donations for decorating and text messages for tax breaks', saying: 'It is time for the Tories to put all their dealings into the public domain and let them be properly investigated.'

The nationalist party is calling for all of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's emails, texts, and call records to be made available for scrutiny.

Ms Sturgeon's broadside came as Mr Johnson came under pressure to explain how the lavish refurbishment of his Downing Street flat was paid for following an explosive attack by his former chief adviser Dominic Cummings.

In an incendiary blog post, Mr Cummings accused his former boss of plotting an 'unethical, foolish, possibly illegal' plan to get Tory donors to secretly fund the work.
Antigua and Barbuda has an estimated population of 96,286, a number that seems significant but in reality, is smaller than some cities. Disparities in living conditions, public works, streets, and sidewalks are strongly felt. In 2017, the island of Barbuda was devastated by Hurricane Irma, whose 295 km/h winds destroyed 95% of the islands' buildings. Nearly every resident of Barbuda was evacuated to Antigua, and efforts to rebuild are still ongoing. Meanwhile, Parham is often called the "first town" of Antigua and home to the majority of the inhabitants of St. Peter's Parish is a city that has been in dire need of repair and renovation for decades. All of this is on Asot Michael's mind when the MP for St. Peter's closes out his argument in the debate of Antigua and Barbuda's budget for 2021. Where earlier in his statement, MP Michael critiqued what he felt to be an oversight in tax concessions and a misplaced prioritization of meeting excessive demands of select private sector interests, he now turns his attention to areas most in need of assistance: the island of Barbuda still in shambles after the hurricane and his own parish, the bedrock of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party.

Asot Michael shows Solidarity with Barbuda

Barbuda has never had it easy from its colonial origins as an island where slavery was so commonplace, its inhabitants were exported to other islands and the continental united states to its near-complete architectural eradication in 2017. It was after the unmitigated disaster that was Hurricane Irma that Trevor Myke Walker of the Barbuda People's Movement was able to regain his position as MP of Barbuda for a third term. His impassioned statement during the 2021 Budgetary Debate struck a chord with Asot Michael, who took the opportunity in his closing remarks to renew the house's focus, not on hypothetical development of resorts, but the real needs of people brought low by environmental disaster and global pandemic.

Post liberation, the newly freed people of Barbuda were left abandoned on their island for years without aid. This feeling of being abandoned by their neighbors has been an undercurrent of their history and relationship to Antigua, even unified under the banner of one country. Now Trevor Walker fears for the diminishing agency of the island as Prime Minister Gaston Browne announces initiatives for development there. A frequent complaint from the Barbudan council is that PM Browne will not meet with them to discuss the future of their land. Asot Michael takes this complaint to heart and advocates emphatically for their ability to solve any issues between the central government and Barbuda diplomatically. "There are differences of opinion but none of them so serious that they cannot be resolved through diplomacy and negotiation in which both honorable gentlemen are skilled practitioners," MP Michael argues. The worst-case scenario for the nation would be an escalation in conflict and potential secession.

Asot Michael understands the danger if the relationship between the central government and Barbuda ever deteriorated to that degree. In light of that, he emphasizes solidarity with the island of Barbuda, taking the impassioned speech of its MP to heart. Agency is at the heart of the anxieties surrounding Barbuda. As new development initiatives are executed on the island, Barbudans do not want to feel as though their agency is being stripped away. As new policies concerning land ownership become legal precedent on the island, locals are terrified of being priced out of their homes. Development is inevitable, but Asot Michael believes that if the MP of Barbuda and the Member for St. John's City West put their differences aside, development can occur in the least harmful way possible for the locals of Barbuda, who have had an especially difficult half-decade.

Asot Michael wants Parham restored to its Former Glory

The MP of St. Peter's comes from a long line of Labour members and supporters. He frequently credits their work over generations as being integral to the bedrock of the party: "The union of Patrick Michael, Asot Michael, and the Antigua and Barbuda Labour party is no accident. It is a product of dedication to the politics of Labour in the advancement of Antigua and Barbuda." Coming from this lineage, his speech displays a keen understanding of the broader narrative of Antigua and Barbuda. So much of what has been built in Gaston Browne's administration was repaired after "10 years of neglect under the UPP [United Progressive Party]." In that time, his constituency of St. Peter's suffered under neglect and disrepair. Now, with five years of Labour Majority, not much has changed.

Parham, the largest town in St. Peters and the oldest town, historically, in Antigua has the chance to not only become a major attraction but a cultural hub. Plans were made as far back as Lester Bird's administration for what MP Michael calls "the complete refurbishment and modernization of Parham," including the development of a waterfront, marinas, duty-free shopping facilities, arts and crafts, and the refurbishment of historical buildings such as the St. Peter's Anglican Church. With an emphasis on preservation of local history and culture, this is a use of government funds that does what stimulating private development in the region will not by supporting the local population over foreign developers and eventual tourists.

Closing Statement

Asot Michael's closing statement is a re-affirmation of core Labour Party values and a staunch defense of his legacy. It's evident in his disdain for excessive tax giveaways to select corporate interests and his passion for native Barbudans and the people of his constituency, that he cares more for the everyday worker than the wealthy and privileged. In a world of growing ecological instability in which a global pandemic can indefinitely change the nature of global tourism, the old ways, which were shaky to begin with, will no longer function for Antigua and Barbuda. Michael not only believes in the ability of the Labour Party to adopt but in its ability to see past decades of tension and animosity in order to reach the best possible outcomes. In his final statement, he reasserts his faith, a cornerstone of his politics and a crucial part of his message to a majority Christian population. "I serve a righteous God and his people in this blessed land," MP Michael concludes, "In that cause, I stand firm for health, wealth, progress, peace, order, justice, a level playing field, and caring, accountable governance for all."
Moscow, April 25 : Russia confirmed 8,828 new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 4,753,789, the official monitoring and response center said.

The national Covid-19 death toll rose by 399 to 107,900 in the past day, while recoveries grew by 9,254 to 4,380,468, Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Moscow, Russia's worst-hit region, reported 2,541 new cases, taking its total to 1,077,783.

More than 127.5 million Covid-19 tests have been conducted across the country.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, April 25 : Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice N.V. Ramana expressed grief at the passing away of Supreme Court Judge Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar on early Sunday.

"I was hoping for his speedy and complete recovery and his return to the Bench at the earliest. The news of his passing has come as a rude shock. I have lost a valued colleague. In the last four years of my association with him in the Supreme Court, I have benefitted immensely from his amazing legal acumen," CJI Ramana said.

He also spoke to son of Justice Shantanagoudar and offered condolences to the bereaved family on his own behalf and on behalf of the judges of the Supreme Court.

Justice Shantanagoudar, elevated to apex court as Judge in February 2017, was admitted in the Medanta hospital in Gurugram for treatment of lung infection and was in the ICU.
Amazon India on Sunday said it has joined hands with ACT Grants, Temasek Foundation, Pune Platform for COVID-19 Response (PPCR), and other partners to urgently airlift over 8,000 oxygen concentrators and 500 BiPAP machines from Singapore.

All the organisations are working closely with the Indian government to expedite the entry of these oxygen concentrators and BiPAP machines into the country, Amazon said in a blog post.

These medical equipments will be donated to hospitals and public institutions to augment their capacity to help COVID-19 infected patients across multiple cities, it added.

The first of these consignments will land in Mumbai on late Sunday night (on April 25) and a majority of the shipping is expected to be completed by April 30, it said.

India is registering a record number of COVID cases daily that has put extreme pressure on the healthcare infrastructure of the country. The number of new COVID infections touched 3,49,691 cases and 2,767 fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday at 8 am.

The massive rise in infections in the second wave of the pandemic has led to hospitals in several states reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds. Social media timelines are filled with SOS calls with people looking for oxygen cylinders, hospital beds, plasma donors, and ventilators.

The PMO on Sunday said that 551 dedicated pressure swing Adsorption (PSA) medical oxygen generation plants will be set up in public health facilities across the country through PM Cares Fund to boost the availability of the life-saving gas.

The PM Cares Fund has given in-principle approval for allocation of funds for their installation, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi directing these plants should be made functional as soon as possible.

Also, to make oxygen available to more people, the Centre has barred the use of liquid oxygen for any non-medical purpose and asked manufacturing units to maximise its production and make it available to the government for medical use. The government has also directed all major ports to waive all charges for ships carrying oxygen and related equipment.

Amazon, in its blog post, said will bear the cost of airlifting these machines, procured through multiple funders including ACT Grants and PPCR, from Singapore to India, through Air India and other international carriers.

Additionally, Amazon will also manage the movement of these oxygen concentrators and other donations from the local airport to identified hospitals and institutions.

"COVID-19 has severely impacted India in unimaginable ways. We stand firmly with the country, deploying our global logistics network to urgently airlift the needed oxygen concentrators to support the nation's immediate need. We continue to explore other meaningful ways to help in saving lives and are committed to support the nation in this time of crisis," Amazon Global SVP and Country Head India Amit Agarwal said.

Additionally, Amazon India is also procuring over 1,500 oxygen concentrators and other critical medical equipment that will be donated to hospitals and medical facilities in partnership with multiple non-profits including Swasth, Concern India, and impact organisations like ACT Grants and Sattva Consulting, the blogpost said.

A clutch of founders of Gurugram-based startups has launched 'Mission Oxygen' to raise crowdfunding for importing oxygen concentrators.

The startup founders aim to raise a total of Rs 5 crore to meet the demand of 3,000 concentrators. The group has already procured 500 concentrators from China which will be made available in hospitals by April 28 and another 500 are expected to be ordered by Saturday evening, a statement said.

The fundraiser has seen support coming from Bollywood celebrities including actor Taapsee Pannu, Abhishek Bachchan and Kunal Kapoor among others.
KENT COUNTY, MI  Its known in the jazz community as the Superbowl of high school competitions.

The Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Festival, held each summer in New York, is a premier jazz education event that assembles the top high school bands from across the country to showcase their talent at Lincoln Center.

And this year, the prestigious festival will have West Michigan representation.

The Byron Center High School Jazz Orchestra is one of 15 bands across the nation invited to perform at this years Essentially Ellington festival. The event, scheduled for June 4-5, will be held virtually this summer because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and free to the public.

Jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, Lincoln Center managing and artistic director, announced the finalists for the competitive event on April 9. This marks the fourth time that Byron Center has been tapped for the annual festival, and its only the second Michigan band ever to play in Ellingtons final 15.

But for band director Marc Townley, this is just part of the Byron Center bands long history of a steadfast dedication to excellence in jazz education.

What were trying to do is accomplish something on a level thats beyond high school band, said Townley, who has taught music at Byron Center since 2005.

Weve always served the music. And what we have tried to do in transcending the high school experience is, instead of worrying about festivals and awards at a high school level, we try to be part of the history of the music, and we try to contribute to the jazz world on some level.

That commitment to serving the music did not waver this year, even with the challenges COVID-19 brought to education. Byron Center students have switched between various learning models this year, including fully in-person, online-only, and a hybrid model where only half the students were in the classroom at a time.

But despite months of back-and-forth, the high school band continued to hold itself to the same high standards as any other school year, Townley said.

Theres been no consistency with the class setup, but what has remained consistent right from the beginning is the drive to achieve excellence, he said. When that is the consistent theme, it makes all the other factors much easier to work with, because we always have that foundation to fall back on.

For example, while the band was preparing to audition for Essentially Ellington, the students dutifully practiced their music at home even when the group was not able to rehearse together due to remote learning.

That way, when the band could come together and rehearse as a full group, the ensemble was ready to go, Townley said.

Its a matter of not letting that consistent foundation waver, while everything else is shifting, he said.

The Byron Center Jazz Orchestra is considered to be the high school music programs elite jazz ensemble. Senior Josh Ferguson, the bands drummer, said playing in the Jazz Orchestra has been his dream ever since he first began playing drums in eighth grade.

So to be able to perform with this band in the countrys top high school jazz festival is an incredible honor, he said.

Its just so special to me and this band, because these are the best jazz musicians in the world that were playing with, Ferguson said. To even make it, its just such an honor. Ive listened to these musicians the past few years, ever since I got into jazz, and its such a big deal and a great honor.

Byron Center senior Jake Brunink, one of the bands five trombone players, said hes excited to be playing in a festival that is organized by one of his jazz heroes, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, who is the artistic director of the Jazz at Lincoln Center ensemble.

Ive been looking up and listening to the bands that have made it in the past, and to be one of them now is an incredible feeling, he said.

Especially knowing that were playing at such a high level that Jazz at Lincoln Center and Wynton Marsalis wanted us to be a part of this festival  like, some of my heroes are in that band, and to know that Im going to be able to participate in this festival thats run by them is just an amazing feeling.

Townley said the coronavirus pandemic has shown how crucial jazz band, and all of the fine arts, is to a students education.

We have found that the students needed this outlet, now more than ever, because it gives them a chance to express themselves, he said.

It gives them a chance to work through all the emotions they might be going through. It has really done so much for the students emotionally, for their mental health, for their relationships, to have that kind of outlet. It allows them to speak from the heart.

More on MLive:

Art, music and PE are wild subjects to teach online. But creative Michigan teachers are making it work

First Grand Rapids Promise Zone graduate says everything just switched after the college scholarship

Mental health struggles are surging in Michigan families during the pandemic. Here are their stories.
With the blessing of both boards of finance, proposed 2021-2022 budgets for Roxbury ($11,661,751) and Bridgewater ($7,281,163) move forward with public hearings scheduled for the residents of both towns to discuss the proposals.

The Roxbury public hearing will be Monday at 7 p.m. via a Zoom meeting and the Bridgewater public hearing is scheduled for May 6.

Roxbury First Selectman Barbara Henry and Bridgewater First Selectman Curtis Read are bullish on their respective proposed town proposals.

The Roxbury town side of the budget has a decrease of 5 percent ($209,019), which equates to a final budget of $3,972,078, Henry said. They are also projecting a drop in the mill rate from 15.80 to 15.50. This is even though Roxburys share of the Region 12 school budget is going up.

The Roxbury share of the school budget is $7,689,679, a 9.26 percent increase over last year of $651,908. The total town and school budget is $11,661,757, a 3.95 percent increase of $442,889 over last year.

The Roxbury budget wasnt without controversy, stemming from Henrys decision not to run for office again in November, with a new incoming first selecman the ultimate result.

The most controversial thing was what the new incoming first selectmans salary should be, Henry said. The Board of Selectmen approved their budget which went to the BOF (Board of Finance) with a decrease in the First Selectman salary to $70,000, down from the present $83,000.

The BOF had a couple of meetings to discuss that and then set it at $83,000 for the incoming first selectman.

Henry said the selectmen brought the budget down due to insurance benefits, switching to the Connecticut State Partnership plan.

The money we budgeted in contingency this year for COVID-19-related expenses was also brought down along with lower capital projects expenses.

Roxburys Region 12 school budget referendum is May 4 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Hall and the Roxbury town budget is voted on at the town annual and budget meeting on May 18 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

Read said the Bridgewater budgetary process has moved along smoothly.

The budget has been finalized by the Board of Finance and Selectmen, so it is ready to go to a budget hearing on May 6, Read said. That will be followed by taxpayer approval at the annual Town meeting on May 20 at the Pratt Pavilion. The towns part of the budget ($2,643,162) represents 36 percent of the overall budget while our portion of the Region 12 educational budget is 64 percent ($4,638,001).

The budget is essentially flat with no expected change in the tax mill rate, which is expected to stay at 17.5. The Region 12 side is up $156,610 but we do have some revenue growth due to the increase in the grand list this fiscal year.
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Treasurer Josh Frydenberg (L) and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton talk during a vote to suspend standing orders in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 21, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Ending Chinas Port Lease in Northern Australia Possible: Defence Minister

The Port of Darwin lease is one of many deals that have been sewn up with China and one Foreign Minister Marise Payne could consider ending after she tore up Victorias the Belt and Road initiative with the Asian giant last week.

The Northern Territory government signed a 99-year lease for the Port of Darwin to a Chinese-owned company in 2015.

There are literally thousands of these cases to look at and the foreign affairs minister is working through all of that, Defence Minister Peter Dutton told ABCs Insiders program on Sunday.

I am not pre-empting or suggesting that shes looking at it. I think it is a question for Marise to look at these individual cases. If it is not in our national interests, then obviously she will act.

The decision to end Victorias infrastructure initiative with China was the latest twist in the growing Sino-Australian tensions.

Within the region, there are concerns that Chinas ruling communist party is progressing with its aim of claiming Taiwan.

I dont think it should be discounted, I think China has been very clear about the reunification and thats been a long-held objective of theirs, Dutton said.

If you look at any of the rhetoric that is coming out of China from spokesmen, particularly in recent weeks and months in response to different suggestions that have been made, they have been very clear about that goal.

He said there is a significant amount of activity and an animosity between Taiwan and China.

For us we want to make sure we continue to be a good neighbour in the region, that we work with our partners and with our allies, he said.

Nobody wants to see conflict between China and Taiwan or anywhere else.

We need to recognise that our region is changing, he also told Nine News Weekend Today, while paying tribute to Australian Defence Force personnel who have served in Afghanistan on Anzac Day.

China is militarising ports across our region. We need to deal with all of that, and that is exactly what we are now focused on, he said, adding that Australias withdrawal from Afghanistan comes at a time when Australia will be turning its attention closer to home amid growing aggression by the Chinese Communist Party in the Pacific region.

By Colin Brinsden
Dozens of Black Lives Matter protesters were seen clashing with officers of the New York Police Department on Saturday while marching across the Brooklyn Bridge.

The demonstrators were attempting to cross the bridge from the Brooklyn side when police officers blocked their path.

Dramatic footage taken at the scene by photographer Leeroy Johnson shows a scuffle between police bicycle officers and demonstrators.

According to Johnson, multiple protesters were 'hit with NYPD bikes and sprayed with pepper spray'.

Scroll down for video

Dozens of Black Lives Matter protesters were seen clashing with officers of the New York Police Department on Saturday while marching across the Brooklyn Bridge

Police are seen arresting a man during the protest Saturday night

About a half dozen people were given citations during Saturday night's incident

The demonstrators were attempting to cross the bridge from the Brooklyn side when police officers blocked their path

Other footage showed police directing the demonstrators off the roadway of the bridge after they blocked traffic during the protest.

During the incident, several protesters were given appearance tickets for obstruction of vehicular traffic, according to the New York Post.

Police said no injuries were reported during the incident.

Protesters have been demonstrating against multiple police shootings for the last few weeks.

On Tuesday, the celebration of Derek Chauvin's guilty verdict in the death of George Floyd was cut short when a Columbus, Ohio, police officer shot dead a 16-year-old girl.

Ma'Khia Bryant was wielding a knife when she was shot by an officer.

The next day, Andrew Brown Jr, 42, was shot dead by police officers in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Deputy sheriffs tried to serve drug-related search and arrest warrants to Brown when the shooting occurred, they said.

During the incident, several protesters were given appearance tickets for obstruction of vehicular traffic

Protesters were seen confronting police officers on the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday

Police said no injuries were reported during the incident

Authorities are seen directing the protesters after the roadway after they blocked it on Saturday

Police (pictured) said the protesters dispersed around midnight as they walked down Broadway near park Row

An eyewitness has said Brown was shot dead in his car as he tried to drive away. A car authorities removed from the scene appeared to have multiple bullet holes and a shattered back window.

And before the police shootings of Brown and Bryant, demonstrators had already taken to the streets to protest the killing of Daunte Wright.

The 20-year-old father-of-one was shot dead by a Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, police officer.

Brooklyn Center's police chief said it appeared from body camera video that the officer who shot Wright used her gun when she meant to use her Taser as Wright struggled with police.

The 26-year veteran, Kim Potter, is charged with second-degree manslaughter. Both she and the chief resigned after the shooting.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday expressed solidarity with India over the sharp surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, sharing that Germany was urgently preparing a 'Mission of Support' to help India tide over the health crisis. Taking to Twitter, Angela Merkel's official spokesperson Steffen Seibert shared her statement where the Chancellor expressed her sympathy with India over the suffering assuring that Germany stands in solidarity with the citizens in the fight against the virus.

"To the people of India I want to express my sympathy on the terrible suffering that COVID-19 has again brought over your communities. The fight against the pandemic is our common fight. Germany stands in solidarity with India and is urgently preparing a mission of support," Merkel said in the message.

Earlier this week, German Health Minister Jens Spahn had raised an alarm over the rising cases of Coronavirus in Germany calling for stricter coronavirus measures are to take effect in the country. The nation has cleared an urgent plan to mandate uniform restrictions in areas where the virus is spreading too quickly and to apply an "emergency brake" in areas of high infection. Germany recorded 23,000 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, as per figures of the Robert Koch Institut.

India on the other hand is currently engulfed in the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic with the country recording more than 2.5 lakh new cases on average. On April 24, India recorded nearly 3.49 lakh fresh cases, which is the highest single-day rise since the start of the pandemic. According to the data provided by the Ministry of Health, over 2,700 people lost their lives in the last 24 hours due to the virus.
The exchange rates of Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash are seen on the display of a cryptocurrency ATM at the headquarters of Swiss Falcon Private Bank in Zurich on May 29, 2019.

REUTERS
New Delhi:

Due to heavy morning fog in Bihars Munger, an intercity train ran over five women, killing four of them, after they failed to notice it approaching towards them, a senior police official said on Monday.

Five women were crossing the tracks on their way home after taking bath at a nearby ghat, when the incident took place, Munger Superintendent of Police Ashish Bharti said.

The women must have failed to notice the approaching Bhagalpur-Danapur Intercity train due to heavy morning fog, he added.

Four of them died on the spot and another received serious injuries, the SP said.

The injured woman has been admitted to Munger Sadar Hospital.

Soon after the accident, angry villagers came to the spot and squatted on the tracks, preventing the bodies from being removed, the SP said, adding that efforts were being made to pacify the locals.

(With PTI inputs)

ALSO READ | Chhath Puja Special Train 2017: South Eastern Railway to run nine pairs of special trains between Howrah and Ranchi

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https://www.aish.com/jw/id/The-Lebanese-Jew-Working-for-Israeli-Intelligence.html

Growing up in Lebanon, K. never thought he would one day serve in the IDF. His family moved to Israel and he was drafted, a gem for the Israeli intelligence unit.

If K. has one dream, it's to go back to Beirut. To walk around the neighborhood he grew up in, to meet his old neighbors and friends. To sit in restaurants, to go for vacations in the north like he did when he was a kid. "I'll be the first to go to Lebanon once it's possible," he says.

Sergeant Major K. is known in Unit 8200, Israels Central Collection Unit of the Intelligence Corps, as "The Lebanese". He came to Israel from Lebanon with his family, among the last Jews who lived there, and was drafted into the IDF and made a career in Unit 8200 focusing on his former home  Lebanon and the fight against Hezbollah, who took over the country he grew up in.

He's 39 years old, married with two girls aged 8 and 3. His perfect Hebrew can be misleading: when he came to Israel, aged 12, he didn't speak a word. Everything he learned he learned by himself. Word after word, sentence after sentence.

His mother tongue is Arabic, and just like any educated Lebanese, he also speaks French and English. He studied in a Christian school, and most of his friends were Christian. "Most of the Jews left before us. Most of them after the Six Day War, and then after the Yom Kippur War. Those who stayed, dispersed after the civil war began in 1975, many moved to France or Canada, because they knew how to speak French, and also to Brazil."

His parents lived in Beirut. "They were convinced that in a few months the war will end, but like all the Jews who remained in the city, they decided to go up a bit north, to a more remote mountainous area. They were sure they would return when the fighting subsided, but it didn't, and we stayed there."

His father was a successful salesman and his mother a housewife. He remembers a normal and happy childhood of a regular family: two parents with four kids, K. and his three sisters. In retrospect, he can say that during those times there was considerable persecution of Jews, even though his family never felt it. "I don't remember being scared to say I'm Jewish. Our neighbors knew we were Jews. My father came from a religious home, and we would celebrate the major holidays  Passover, Rosh Hashanah."

I was never ashamed or scared to say I was Jewish.

They would get matzah for Passover from Syria, where there was still a large Jewish community, with a chief rabbi, kosher slaughter and bakeries. "In Lebanon all that disappeared years earlier, but we learned to get by. We lived among Christians, but we upheld our Jewish lives. Father prayed at home. On Yom Kippur the neighbor would come over before the fast ended to warm up our food, and the neighbors would move our car so we didn't desecrate the holiday."

Q: Weren't you scared?

"I was a Lebanese Jew. I was accepted like they accept a Lebanese Christian. I studied in a Christian school that was somewhat religious, and anyone who needed to know  they knew I was Jewish and didn't attend religious lessons. I didn't go around screaming that, but I was never ashamed or scared to say I was Jewish."

Unit 8200

They avoided going to the Shiite areas of Beirut. "We lived in a Christian area, which was protected. The moment you ventured a bit south, you were exposed. My father didn't like going to these areas. He was connected to military people who would give him passage, but he was very careful."

He remembers many vacations during his childhood in Lebanon: In the snowy mountains, and on the beach during summers. Long vacations that sometimes lasted the whole summer.

In the 1980s the family would get in their car, drive south to the border, pass through Rosh Hanikra, and when the vacation ended go back home.

During holidays they would come to Israel, to visit his mother's family. Today it sounds like science fiction, but in the 1980s they would get in their car, drive south to the border, pass through Rosh Hanikra, and when the vacation ended go back home. "I remember holidays, the hotel in Nahariya. We would usually come for Rosh Hashanah, because it coincided with the vacation in Lebanon." His father was the only one then who spoke Hebrew. The rest of the family spoke with their relatives in Arabic.

At the end of the 1980s the visits became less frequent due to the security situation, and the family slowly began to think more about leaving Lebanon and moving to Israel. "My father was Zionist, and he wanted to live again in a warm and embracing Jewish Zionist community."

At the end of 1993, they made the decision and K.'s family prepared for the move. As opposed to Syrian Jews, who had to escape without any belongings, Lebanese Jews left in an orderly fashion. K.'s family told their neighbors they were leaving for America, packed their house, including the furniture, called the movers and put their possessions on a ship that sailed to Cyprus, where they were greeted by Jewish Agency officials. After a few days waiting, in December 1993, they flew to Israel.

The move to Israel wasn't easy, especially for his parents. A different civilization, different language. K. and his sisters had to get along by themselves. After six months in an immigrant hotel, they moved to Holon, where he first entered the Israeli school system, in the 7th grade. It wasn't smooth. "Kids can be cruel sometimes. There was unpleasant name-calling. They called me Hezbollah. Today I understand that the cruelty wasn't meant really to hurt  that's what they knew."

As a defense mechanism, he tried to hide that he came from Lebanon. Until he was drafted. Intelligence realized they had a diamond.

As a defense mechanism, he tried to hide that he came from Lebanon. Until he was drafted. The Intelligence Branch didn't miss the fact that he was born and grew up in the neighboring country to the north. In a unit that works hard to train Arabists, K. was a diamond. Not only one whose mother tongue is Arabic, but who also knows Lebanon not only from books or intel, but really, from the inside. A real Lebanese, who knows the culture, traditions and food. "A real Lebanese. A Lebanese Jew," as he calls himself.

He was drafted in 2000 to Unit 8200, the IDF's top Military Intelligence unit. He received training and served as a radio technician. He listened to calls, analyzed data, sent messages. He quickly understood there's a difference between "his" Lebanon, the one he loved and grew up in, to Hezbollah, the enemy. "Not all the Lebanese residents that I know are enemies. It's an important distinction to make."

In his eyes, Hezbollah is not only an enemy of Israel, but of Lebanon. "Most of the Lebanese people suffer from Hezbollah's presence. With what I do today, I not only serve the state of Israel, I also serve the Lebanese people."

He has no doubt that in the area he grew up in Hezbollah is a threat. "They control everything, and that's why they look after their own personal interests, the Shiite community  and those who aren't connected to Hezbollah, are severely harmed."

Q: Are you in touch with friends, neighbors?

"No. The connection with everyone was lost. At first my dad still had ties, but they slowly disappeared. It's not like today where there's email and Facebook."

The move to Israel wasn't easy for his parents, either. "In Lebanon, our door was always open. A neighbor came in, a neighbor went out, and suddenly here is the mentality where everyone is closed inside themselves. Everyone worries about themselves and their own families. It was hard for them to accept that they won't have friends like they did in Lebanon."

Q: Do you miss it?

"My father misses it a lot. Last summer with the explosion at the Beirut port, the first thing I did was run to watch Lebanese TV stations to see what was happening, and then I called Dad. It was very hard for him to digest. His childhood was there. The memories. I asked him when that country would finally find some peace."

His father still lives in Holon, and despite his age works in security, so as not to come home empty handed. His mother passed away eight years ago, and his sisters keep the Lebanese tradition, mostly by cooking food from there. He speaks with his father "half Hebrew half Arabic" even though "Dad thinks in Arabic, Arabic is the most comfortable for him."

Q: And when he sees what Hezbollah does in Lebanon?

"He doesn't think much about that now. He thinks more about politics."

Q: Lebanese politics?

"Of course. He's always watching the Arabic channels."

Q: And what does he say about the mess there now?

"That we're lucky we left. My parents sacrificed a lot by leaving, each of us paid a price. But today everyone is settled, and he's happy about that."

Q: Do you ever imagine what would have happened if you stayed there?

"Of course. And I probably would have found some way to leave, too. In Lebanon there is conscription at age 18, so if I had stayed it would have been a problem."

Head held high

During his service he moved between arenas. He also worked on the Palestinian arena, but most of his service was spent dealing with the Lebanese arena. During the Second Lebanon War he was at a northern base of the unit that was under fire, and dealt with "life saving" as he calls it. "My job was to save the lives of soldiers who were in Lebanon, and we did it. I can say without a doubt we saved the lives of a few soldiers."

My job was to save the lives of soldiers who were in Lebanon.

During one of the incidents, they alerted a force inside a house of an anti-tank missile fired at them. The force evacuated the house  and survived. "That was a difficult period. You're being bombarded, you need to make a switch and move to 'war mode', but the mission is above everything."

And amidst all this, thoughts on Lebanon. His Lebanon. "I long ago made the distinction between me being Lebanese and being Israeli. I don't think I'm hurting Lebanon in any way. Like I already said, I think I'm doing good for them."

As such he no longer hides his identity. "I used to hide it. Today I hold my head high. I'm K.. Jewish-Lebanese. Everything I had when I came here  the shame, the desire to act as if I was born here and not there  all that is gone."

Q: What do you tell the young soldiers you meet?

"Everything. How life was there, the summer vacations, the restaurants, the food. The young guys don't really understand it, that there is a Lebanon that isn't Hezbollah. A different Lebanon."

K. makes it clear he differentiates between Lebanon the state and Hezbollah, which grips it with an iron fist.

Hezbollah supporters watch a televised speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah (AFP/File photo)

"It's not the same thing. I lived with these people. I know their opinions, their culture. But I also work on the northern front and see the evil. And there's a major difference between the two."

As time goes by the differences become blurred. Hezbollah is gradually taking over Lebanon and its institutions, and in many ways its interests have become those of Lebanon. And yet, the distinction is important to him, even though he focuses on the enemy  Hezbollah  and less on the sentiment, on the Lebanon he left.

Hezbollah, he says, is a smart organization that learns lessons. But it's also an organization that is aware of its limits and who is opposite it. "You can't ignore Hezbollah and its strength, but neither our capability and strength, and this they know very well."

Unit 8200 has been through dramatic changes during his service in the unit, especially the transition from the world of signals intelligence to the world of cyber. If in the past he mostly dealt with listening to calls, today his world includes many types of messages and other data. The unit has many other Arabists, but K. is the only Lebanese, and this is a unique source of knowledge.

As such, his familiarity with Hezbollah is intimate. Last year he dealt quite a bit with thwarting attempted attacks by the organization on the northern border, as a response to the killing of one of its militants in an attack attributed to the Israel Air Force in Damascus. "I'm not ashamed to say that I wake up every day with a certain amount of vigilance, in knowledge that things can change any second."

Q: And when you hear Nasrallah say there will be revenge, what do you do?

"Our job is to always look for an intent to attack, whether or not Nasrallah speaks to the media; and for that we need to be focused and sharp. Yes, we look for needles in a haystack. It's not simple. But we know the job."

Q: And when you don't succeed? You're not success wizards.

"Then the feeling is very difficult. And if there is a soldier killed or injured, your world falls apart. But the great thing about 8200 is learning lessons. We're humans and we make mistakes, but the idea is to know how to fix those mistakes."

Q: And how does it feel to be the only Lebanese in the business?

"It's kind of funny to say, but the feeling is like a weight on my back because I have a great responsibility. First of all, to my country, and yes  also to Lebanon, or at least part of its citizens. And part of my missions as I see it is to guide the young soldiers and train them. To teach them the culture, the language. The correct pronunciation."

As part of his job, K. led a team in operation Northern Shield, which exposed and neutralized cross-border attack tunnels Hezbollah dug. "We took a strategic capability from them. It has great significance. I was very proud, I felt I achieved closure. They worked so hard on that, and in the end a Lebanese came and exposed and thwarted their plans."

Q: The Lebanese who thwarted the Lebanese.

"Hezbollah. The Lebanese I know are not Hezbollah. I never knew Hezbollah activists. My friends were Christians. Good people."

Q: You say you are a Lebanese patriot. They will say you're a traitor.

"I'm an Israeli patriot. Born in Lebanon, but my heart and soul are Israeli. And yes, I want to save Lebanon."

Finally, he says that when the Abraham Accords were signed with the Emirates and Bahrain, he thought of his homeland. "My dream is that someday this will happen with Lebanon. I will be the first to go there."

This article originally appeared in Israel HaYom.
An Allentown police officer was injured Saturday after the cruiser he was operating was struck by a car at a city intersection.

Allentown Police Captain Mike Becker said the accident happened at 6 a.m. Saturday at North Fourth and Linden streets. An initial investigation determined the driver in the other vehicle traveled through a red traffic signal and struck the cruiser, Becker said.

The officer in the patrol vehicle was taken to an area hospital to be treated. He has since been released and is recovering, Becker said Sunday afternoon.

The driver of the other vehicle will be cited for traffic violations, Becker said. Alcohol and drugs were not found to be factors in the accident, he added.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.

Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 21:00:14|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- "Cliff Walkers," the first foray of renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou into the spy genre, has received wide acclaim from moviegoers and critics alike following a test screening Saturday.

Starring Zhang Yi and Yu Hewei, the action heavyweight is set for release in China on April 30, joining a packed lineup for screening during the five-day May Day holiday starting on May 1, usually a busy moviegoing period.

Yin Hong, vice chairman of the China Film Association and a renowned film critic, was amazed at the film's star-studded cast and hailed its high quality in a social media post.

"Cliff Walkers" currently boasts a rating of 9.2 out of 10 on e-ticketing platform Maoyan.

Its release in North America, Australia and New Zealand is also scheduled for April 30, according to CMC Pictures, the film's overseas distributor. Enditem
File Photo/Hearst Connecticut Media

Port Arthur Police are searching for three suspects in connection with two robberies Wednesday, according to a Port Arthur Police news release.

The first incident occurred just after 11 p.m. at the Port Arthur Park Apartments. A victim told police he was approached by three armed men with guns. They demanded money, the victim complied and was not injured, police said.
Manu Fieldel is in the best shape of his life, and he isn't shy to admit it.

Speaking to Popsugar on Friday, the former My Kitchen Rules judge, 48, said his intensive training for the Dancing With The Stars reboot has transformed his physique in recent months.

'I'm the lightest I've ever been and the fittest I've ever been,' the French chef said.

What a transformation! My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Fieldel, 48, has revealed he's is in the best shape of his life thanks to his intensive training for the Dancing With The Stars reboot. Pictured left in 2018, right on DWTS in 2021

He continued: 'But it doesn't mean I'm not still 48-year-old. I've got joint issues and pain. It's inside more than the outside.'

Manu first competed on Dancing With The stars back in 2011, and admitted that he found the experience far more physically challenging the second time around.

'I had just forgotten how many hours we had to train and it's mentally stressful to remember all of those steps.' he admitted.

'I've got joint issues': Manu first competed on Dancing With The stars back in 2011, and admitted that he found the experience far more physically challenging the second time around

Hard work: Manu is currently putting his fitness levels to the test as he films the upcoming second season of SAS Australia

Manu is currently putting his fitness levels to the test as he competes on the upcoming second season of SAS Australia.

Joined by the likes of troubled NRL star Sam Burgess, socialite Brynne Edelsten and ironman Jett Kenny, Manu will undertake a series of physical and psychological tests from an elite team of former Special Forces soldiers.

Directing Staff Ant Middleton, Mark 'Billy' Billingham, Jason 'Foxy' Fox and Matthew 'Ollie' Ollerton are also all returning to the show.

Challenge: Manu will join the likes of troubled NRL star Sam Burgess (pictured), socialite Brynne Edelsten and ironman Jett Kenny as they undertake a series of physical and psychological tests from an elite team of former Special Forces soldiers

Speaking to 7News last week, Ant said: 'Living in our world will be the rawest and most brutal life lesson these celebrities will ever experience.'

'We aren't holding anything back, it's as authentic as it gets,' he added.

Channel Seven is yet to announce when the new season of SAS Australia will air.
THE FATHER

The Father stars Olivia Coleman and Anthony Hopkins.

The mind plays tricks on us and the discombobulated title character in Florian Zeller's classy adaptation of his award-winning stage play, co-written for the screen by Christopher Hampton.

Set in the handsomely furnished London apartment of an octogenarian patriarch (Sir Anthony Hopkins), The Father slowly picks at the seams of his supposed reality and questions the reliability of his muddied memory as Olivia Colman and Olivia Williams both claim to be his concerned daughter.

Ingenious production design ramps up the unease as Sir Anthony delivers an acting masterclass and poses the most serious threat - as the Baftas confirmed - to Chadwick Boseman's posthumous coronation.

Rating: ****

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

Daniel Kaluuya in a scene from "Judas and the Black Messiah.

Anchored by scintillating Oscar-nominated performances from Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield, Judas And The Black Messiah is a gripping dramatisation of an FBI counter-intelligence operation to infiltrate the Black Panther Party in 1960s Chicago.

Themes of racial injustice, betrayal and collusion, which run deep in a muscular script co-written by director Shaka King and Will Berson, strike discomfiting chords in the current climate and underline the short distance travelled since the shooting of 21-year-old party chairman Fred Hampton during a pre-dawn raid.

Stock footage of clashes between white police officers and black citizens lights a fuse on tension between the two communities, which detonates with full force in the film's suspenseful second act.

Rating: ****

MANK

Amanda Seyfried and Gary Oldman in Mank.

Shot in lustrous black and white, Mank is a rhapsodic valentine to a bygone age of Hollywood based on an exquisite script by director David Fincher's late father Jack.

We are awestruck witnesses to the battle of wits between wunderkind director Orson Welles (Tom Burke) and booze-sodden playwright Herman J Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman) to produce a mammoth first draft of Citizen Kane.

Snappy, rat-a-tat dialogue sings and the cast visibly savour every polished word such as when Mank succinctly relates his feelings about studio titan Louis B Mayer (Arliss Howard): "If I ever go to the electric chair, I'd like him to be sitting in my lap."

Rating: ****

MINARI

Steven Yeun, Alan S. Kim, Yuh-Jung Youn, Yeri Han, Noel Cho in Minari.

Writer-director Lee Isaac Chung plunders memories of his childhood in the shadow of the Ozark Mountains in an autobiographical love letter to family ties and intergenerational conflict, glimpsed through the eyes of a Korean American couple (Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri), who relocate their brood to 1980s Arkansas.

Supporting actress nominee Youn Yuh-jung is a lip-smacking delight as the potty-mouthed grandmother with scant regard for social niceties, who shatters the peace with the cool disregard of a wrecking ball.

In the rubble, Minari unearths moments of life-affirming joy and despair from a gifted filmmaker's heart.

Rating: ****

NOMADLAND

Frances McDormand as Fern on Nomadland.

Chloe Zhao's four nominations (as director, producer, screenwriter and editor) whet appetites for Academy Awards history in the making. Her achingly beautiful and poetic paean to solitude is inspired by Jessica Bruder's non-fiction book Nomadland: Surviving America In The Twenty-First Century.

Nominee Frances McDormand's unself-conscious lead performance as a free-spirited vagabond on the tattered fringes of American society is enriched by a non-professional supporting cast of real-life nomads.

Joshua James Richards's exquisite cinematography captures tightly wound emotions in the majestic wilderness set to the haunting lament of composer Ludovico Einaudi's score.

Rating: *****

PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN

Carey Mulligan as Cassie, Bo Burnham as Ryan in Promising Young Woman.

Double nominee Emerald Fennell sharpens her claws with a provocative and coruscating thriller that draws copious blood from the efforts of an avenging angel (Carey Mulligan) to dole out the justice denied to her best friend in the aftermath of a sexual assault.

Her blackly humorous directorial debut strikes a sickening chord, culminating in arguably the most harrowing scene of the year at a boozy bachelor party unscored by a deliciously discordant orchestral arrangement of Britney Spears's Toxic.

Nominee Mulligan issues her character's ferocious, primal screams with unwavering commitment.

Rating: ****

SOUND OF METAL

Paul Raci as Joe, Riz Ahmed as Ruben in Sound Of Metal.

An uncompromising lead performance from London-born actor Riz Ahmed, nominated alongside co-star Paul Raci, invigorates writer-director Darius Marder's hard-hitting drama co-written by his brother Abraham.

Impeccable, immersive sound design conveys the inner turmoil of heavy metal drummer Ruben (Ahmed), who is diagnosed with rapidly deteriorating hearing and can't afford expensive cochlear implants that may allow him to continue his journey in the band.

Sound Of Metal illuminates Ruben's anguished odyssey from denial to acceptance in the warming embrace of the deaf community. Melodramatic riffs creep into the second half but Ahmed doesn't strike a single false note.

Rating: ****

THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7

Mark Rylance, Ben Shenkman, Eddie Redmayne, Alex Sharp, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in The Trial of the Chicago 7.

Justice isn't simply blind in The Trial Of The Chicago 7, it's also deaf, mute and untouched by common decency. Aaron Sorkin, Academy Award-winning screenwriter of The Social Network, ventures behind the camera to stylishly dramatise the aftermath of the anti-Vietnam War demonstration against President Lyndon B Johnson outside the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

He splices black-and-white news footage of clashes between protesters and police, armed with tear gas and batons, with his own blood-soaked recreation of events in Lincoln Park.

A starry ensemble cast including Eddie Redmayne, Mark Rylance and nominee Sacha Baron Cohen savour meaty, tub-thumping speeches that prick consciences and bruise over-inflated egos.

Rating: ****
Banff currently has the second-highest active COVID-19 case rate in Alberta, with 1,070.5 cases per 100,000 people. (Helen Pike/CBC - image credit)

The town of Banff has a footprint of just four square kilometres  and with the second-highest active COVID-19 case rate in Alberta, the pandemic is having an outsize impact on the mountain community.

Silvio Adamo, emergency management director for the town, said Banff is advocating for mass vaccination for residents as its largest demographic  those ages 18 to 40  are currently left out of the province's immunization rollout.

"It's very concerning. We are a small and tight-knit community, and we know that it can spread," Adamo said.

Currently, there are 144 active COVID-19 cases in Banff and Lake Louise, which have a combined population of more than 13,000. That's 1,070.5 cases for every 100,000 people. The region has seen a total of 701 cases. The majority of them are the B117 variant first identified in the U.K., and the P1 variant now associated with Brazil is also present.

Of the town's 80 isolation rooms, 50 are occupied.

Adamo said because many of Banff's hospitality and service industry workers live communally, isolation is a challenge.

"There's a significant amount of staff accommodation where people have to share cooking spaces and living spaces," he said.

Silvio Adamo, emergency management director for the Town of Banff. (Helen Pike/CBC)

Allison Harker, who lives in town, said the community is also dealing with a constant influx of tourists.

"As a community we're fighting against the virus coming from all places in Alberta  it's just not fair," she said.

For the third weekend in a row, Alberta Health Services has held pop-up COVID-19 testing sites, and pre-booked testing appointments are being made available at the town's community health centre.

Adamo said Banff has also taken its own measures, like being one of the few places in the country to require outdoor masking in high-density areas.

But he said it's still not enough.

"We've advocated to the province, and we continue to advocate for that mass vaccination of all of our demographics," he said.

Story continues

However, unlike B.C. and Ontario, Alberta is deploying vaccines by age and severity of health conditions instead of targeting "hot spots"  neighbourhoods or workplaces that have seen high infection rates.

Alberta Health said in an emailed statement that the rollout will expand as supply increases.

"With limited supply and high active case rates in all regions of the province, we are focusing on those who are most at risk of severe outcomes," an Alberta Health spokesperson said.

Jessia Arsenio, a community activist, said at this point he knows many people who have had COVID-19.

"We're pleading with the provincial government to start vaccinations here, but we're just not seeing it. We're going to have to ride it out and scrape together on our own."

Banff MLA Miranda Rosin has spoken out against public health restrictions  a move that Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen said she was not consulted about.

Adamo said it's critical residents and visitors to Banff continue to follow restrictions like maintaining distance, wearing masks and not dining outside of their households.

"We also understand that many people consider coming to the mountains as essential for their mental health. If they do decide to come we just ask that they follow all of our rules and regulations," he said.
Speaking to the media after a visit to the Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (Tims)  the 1,000-bed Covid19-only hospital at Gachibowli  the Union minister said that the Centre has provided 200 ventilators exclusively to TIMS. (Photo: Twitter@kishanreddybjp)

HYDERABAD: The Central government is taking all possible steps to ensure oxygen availability at hospitals across the country, Union minister of state for home G. Kishan Reddy said here on Sunday. At the same time, he said, the Telangana state government should give out correct figures on the daily Covid-19 deaths and cases.

Speaking to the media after a visit to the Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (Tims)  the 1,000-bed Covid19-only hospital at Gachibowli  the Union minister said that the Centre has provided 200 ventilators exclusively to TIMS. There is no problem with ventilators in TIMS, he said.

Kishan Reddy had been advised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit government hospitals in Telangana state and check the Covid-related situations there.

The minister said about 600 Covid-19 patients are being treated at Tims and 100 patients are in ICU while 50 people are in general wards. NRB equipment for oxygen is also available, but there is a shortage of masks, he said and noted that states have an emergency fund to rely on during natural disasters.

The minister of state said Tims has 700 vials of remdesivir and the Centre has given fresh permission to several companies to produce oxygen. Oxygen is also being imported from Singapore and Germany.

Telangana state should keep revealing the actual number of Covid19 cases and deaths in the state. If the true picture is given, people will be aware of the seriousness of the situation and take more care, he said.

The minister said the second wave is far more serious and deadly than the first. The state government should not hold back information relating to the pandemic. I urge the state to mend its ways and start speaking the truth.

Notably, the Telangana High Court here had pulled up the state government on its fudged Covid19 data and many doctors across hospitals stated in confidence that the numbers of Coronavirus cases and deaths are far higher than what were being released by the government through its daily bulletins.

Without wasting time criticising the central government, states should focus on preventive steps. Some people are seen roaming freely without wearing masks even after they tested positive for Coronavirus. The state government should take strict action.

The minister warned that strict action would be taken if the remdesivir vials are sold at prices higher than what was fixed by the government. He also reviewed the progress on the upcoming oxygen plant at Tims sanctioned by the Central government that will generate 1,000 litre of oxygen per minute.

The minister later visited the ESI Hospital at Sanathnagar. He said one lakh tests were done so far in ESI hospitals for Covid-19. ESI hospitals underwent upgradation in terms of technology and facilities. There are 100 beds, 470 general beds, 300 Covid beds and 150 super specialty beds available for all types of services here, he said.

Kishen Reddy held a video conference with DRDO chairman Dr G. Satheesh Reddy and others on steps to augment oxygen supplies.
(Natural News) A new study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) estimates that future wind power costs will be 50 percent lower than what experts predicted five years ago. This disparity is mainly fueled by lower upfront, operating and financing costs, higher power generation capacity and longer design life. Improvements in these areas hinge upon better turbine technology in the future.

The study was led by researchers from Berkeley Lab, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Department of Energy. The researchers detailed their findings in a paper, which is slated to published in the journal Nature Energy.

Better wind turbine technology fuel lower costs

For their study, the researchers surveyed 140 wind energy experts worldwide on three wind applications  land-based, fixed-bottom offshore and floating offshore wind  to identify and compare potential changes in the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of a standard wind power project. The survey was similar to what Berkeley Lab conducted in 2015.

The LCOE refers to the cost of building and operating an energy asset over a lifetime. It is commonly used to determine whether a project will be worthwhile.

The respondents forecast that wind powers LCOE would decrease 17 to 35 percent by 2035, and 37 to 49 percent by 2050. When technological advancements were considered, the respondents predicted even greater reductions of 38 to 53 percent by 2035 and 54 to 64 percent by 2050. Floating offshore costs would decline fastest, followed by fixed-bottom offshore costs.

These reductions were influenced by continued improvements across five factors: upfront capital cost, operating costs, power generation capacity, project design life and cost of financing. A key driver to these improvements was improved turbine technology.

Pundits were anticipating future land-based wind turbines with longer rotors and higher hubs. Based on experts turbine size estimates, the power generating capacity would go up from 2.5 megawatts (MW) in 2019 to 5.5 MW by 2035.

Offshore wind turbines were forecast to get even bigger, increasing their capacity from six MW in 2019 to 17 MW by 2035. Experts also predicted floating offshore wind to gain market share. In particular, it was expected to account for up to 25 percent of new offshore wind projects by 2035. (Related: Floating wind farm in Scotland is beginning to show the positive impact of offshore wind farming.)

Joachim Seel, a Berkeley Lab scientist and one of the studys researchers, said that the findings teased a more optimistic future for wind energy.

All else being equal, these trends will enable wind to play a larger role in global energy supply than previously thought while facilitating energy-sector decarbonization, Seel said. Analysts, investors, planners and policymakers should avoid outdated assumptions and forecasts.

Wind turbines are really going to get bigger

The study came as multiple original equipment manufacturers (OEM) announced plans to develop much bigger turbines for the offshore sector. Back in 2018, GE Renewable Energy revealed that its Haliade-X turbine would have a tip-height of 853 feet, 351-foot-long blades and a 721-foot rotor. Its capacity could be configured to 12, 13 or 14 MW.

Last February, Danish company Vestas unveiled plans to make a 15-MW turbine with a blade length of 378 feet and a rotor diameter of 774 feet. The firm hoped to install a prototype next year and expand production two years later.

Meanwhile, Spanish-German firm Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy was working on a 14-MW model, which could be upgraded to 15 MW. The model would have 354-foot blades and a rotor diameter of 728 feet.

By comparison, the average offshore turbine in 2019 had a rotor diameter of 492 feet and a generation capacity of six MW, according to the Berkeley Lab study.

Shashi Barla, a principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie, observed that wind turbine technology was developing at a rapid pace. You could see a quantum leap in the technology architecture, and the technology specifications on the turbines, Barla told CNBC.

There was a practical reason for these bigger designs. In terms of height, for example, a taller turbine could harness faster wind speeds and produce more electricity in the process. Barla also pointed out that increasing the diameter of a rotor increases the swept area, thus capturing more wind. Additionally, turbines with larger blades operate better in low-wind areas. (Related: Bigger is better when it comes to wind turbines.)

But as OEMs scaled their products up, one thing they would have to resolve was logistics. A towers components could not be folded once fully constructed, complicating delivery.

The biggest limiting factor for technology scale up is not the technology itself, but logistics, Barla noted.

Follow NewEnergyReport.com for more on the latest innovations in wind power.

Sources include:

EVWind.es

Energy.gov [PDF]

ETA-Publications.LBL.gov [PDF]

ScienceDaily.com

CNBC.com
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SEYMOUR  After the release on Friday of the identities of the three people killed in a head-on collision, there were no major updates to the police investigation reported as of Saturday afternoon.

Police on Friday identified the driver and two passengers killed in a Wednesday night head-on collision on Route 34. Officials said investigators believe speed was a factor in the crash.

The driver killed was identified as 28-year-old Shanea Leary of West Haven. Police said the front seat passenger, 35-year-old Nicole Gibson of Ansonia, and the back seat passenger, Learys 4-year-old daughter, were also killed by the severe impact of the collision. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the other vehicle, identified by police as a 33-year-old Brookfield woman, was extricated from her vehicle and taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Police, EMS and fire units were called to the scene around 10 p.m. Wednesday. When first responders arrived, they found a Toyota on its side and in an embankment, while a Hyundai was in the eastbound lane of the road facing west.

Police Chief Paul Satkowski, in an update on the crash Friday, said Leary was driving the Hyundai east on Roosevelt Drive toward Derby at an apparent high rate of speed when the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. He said the vehicle crossed into the other lane where the driver of the Toyota tried to take evasion action but was unable to completely do so.

The two vehicles collided near Argonne Terrace. Deputy Chief Robert Rinaldi said while it appears speed was a factor, investigators dont know if there were other factors that contributed to the crash.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Dave Paratt at 203-915-2517, or the police department at 203-881-7600.
Ten Vietnamese citizens returning from Russia, Japan, and Germany have been diagnosed with the SRAS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease, the Ministry of Health said in its 18.00hrs update on April 25.

They were all placed in quarantine as soon as they arrived at airports in Hanoi, Khanh Hoa and Da Nang.

The patients tested positive during their stay in concentrated quarantine facilities, thus posing no risk to the community, said the MoH.

Following positive tests, the patients were transferred to health facilities for medical surveillance and treatment.

Vietnam has so far recorded a total of 2,843 coronavirus infections, including 1,516 recoveries.

Thirty-five patients, who also suffered from other underlying illnesses, have died of the disease.

The MoH recently warned about an imminent threat of a new coronavirus outbreak in the community as an increasing number of people residing in COVID-19 ravaged Cambodia is seeking to illegally cross the border into the country.

Results of genome sequencing by the Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute show 85.7% of the infected returnees from Cambodia had variant B1.1.7 of the UK and 14.3% carried variant B.1.351 of South Africa. Both variants are said to be more transmissible than the predecessor lineage.

VOV
Philippines holds drills in contested waters

The Philippine coast guard has been holding exercises in contested waters amid heightened tensions with China. File photo: AP

The Philippine coast guard is conducting drills in the South China Sea which an official said on Sunday were part of efforts to secure "our maritime jurisdiction" over the disputed waters.



The exercises near the Philippine-occupied Thitu Island and China-controlled Scarborough Shoal come amid heightened tensions over the resource-rich sea.



The latest diplomatic wrangle between the two countries was triggered by the detection last month of hundreds of Chinese vessels in the Spratly Islands.



Most of the boats have since dispersed around the contested archipelago.



China -- which claims almost the entirety of the sea -- has refused repeated demands by the Philippines to call back the ships, which Manila says are maritime militia vessels and Beijing says are fishing boats.



In response, the Philippines has deployed more patrol vessels, including coast guard and navy ships, to intensify surveillance and prevent illegal fishing.



The coast guard drills began last week.



"We are supporting the whole-of-nation approach in securing our maritime jurisdiction," coast guard spokesman Commodore Armando Balilo said.



The exercises involve training in navigation, small boat operations, maintenance and logistical operations.



They are being held near Thitu Island and Scarborough Shoal, as well as the Batanes islands in the north, and the southern and eastern parts of the country.



Scarborough -- one of the region's richest fishing grounds -- has long been a flashpoint between Manila and Beijing.



China seized it from the Philippines in 2012 following a tense standoff.



The drills began as Philippine armed forces held joint exercises with US soldiers that ended Friday.



Beijing has ignored a 2016 international tribunal decision that declared its historical claim over most of the South China Sea to be without basis.



But once-frosty relations between Manila and Beijing have warmed under President Rodrigo Duterte, who set aside the ruling in exchange for promises of trade and investment.



The Philippine foreign and defence secretaries, however, have been engaged in a war of words with Beijing.



The foreign affairs department has been filing daily protests over the Chinese vessels and, in a rare move, recently summoned Beijing's envoy to express its "utmost displeasure" over the issue. (AFP)
New Delhi:

Delhi Police arrests a man for lifting more than 1000 cars in the Delhi and neighbouring areas on Sunday early hours.

The arrested car-lifter has been identified as Kunal. The arrested was infamous as super-chor.

Delhi Police said, Kunal was wanted for more than 1000 car-lifting incident.

According to police, the car-lifter to evade arrest had gone through a plastic surgery.

According to sources in the Delhi Police the arrest was made after a tip off provided by a close aide of Kunal.

(More details awaited)







For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Celebrities break up all the time, and there is certainly no shortage of high-profile celebrity divorces  just ask Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West. Still, when a couple who seemed to be on the track to a fairytale ending call it quits, it draws extra attention. For Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez fans, the news of an official split has been shocking. Were left with lots of questions about what happened and what the future holds for the stars. One burning question on a lot of peoples minds is what happens to that whopping $1 million engagement ring.

(L-R) Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez | Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez had a long engagement

She said yes  pic.twitter.com/IoyGj6NSAU  Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) March 10, 2019

RELATED: The Real Reason Jennifer Lopez Reportedly Ended Her Engagement to Alex Rodriguez

Jennifer Lopez has certainly garnered headline attention for her amazing musical prowess  and flashy Super Bowl performance  but shes also gotten a lot of press for her relationships. Over the years, Lopez has seen many engagements and even made it all the way down the aisle on more than one occasion. Previous marriages to Cris Judd and Marc Anthony and a serious relationship with Ben Affleck often kept Lopez on tabloid covers.

It seemed like the star was finally heading to a happily ever after that had evaded her when she began dating Alex Rodriguez. The pair officially confirmed their relationship in spring 2017, according to Elle. Soon, they were gushing about each other in interviews and posting social media pictures to confirm their budding love. By June, they were vacationing together, and things certainly looked to be getting serious.

By the fall of that same year, rumors were spreading that the couple was moving in together, and when they spent the holidays as a couple, they looked like they had found a comfortable groove for sharing their lives. Of course, Lopez started getting questions about whether they were heading down the aisle, but she made it clear she was in no rush to get married again.

That didnt stop fans from speculating about an engagement in 2018 when Lopez was seen sporting a ring, but it turned out not to be the case. Once the couple shared a photo of them and their blended family of kids together, it seemed inevitable that things would eventually progress, and Lopez dazzled the world with a stunning engagement ring to make it official in March 2019.

JLo, Pamela Anderson, Katy Perry  A look at celebs who married or postponed their weddings in 2020https://t.co/3oiwrmaYCr pic.twitter.com/yO5S8yTXbe  W24.co.za (@W24_SA) December 10, 2020

RELATED: How Much Did Jennifer Lopezs Engagement Ring From Alex Rodriguez Cost?

The logical next question was when the wedding would take place, but fans were left scrambling for an answer. They had apparently planned to tie the knot in June 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic put those plans to rest. Their planned destination wedding in Italy certainly was not safe at the time. When pressed about rescheduling and what the new date would be, the couple was a bit hard to pin down. At one point, they even questioned whether they needed to get married at all, citing their age and their previous marriages.

What happens to that expensive ring?

In an exclusive joint statement to TODAY, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez reveal they have called off their engagement and are going their separate ways. @SheinelleJones reports. pic.twitter.com/WRGQSrJbBF  TODAY (@TODAYshow) April 15, 2021

Stunningly, this isnt the most expensive engagement ring that Lopez has had to determine how to handle. After her engagement to Ben Affleck ended without a wedding, she was left with a stunning $2.5 million ring. While she never publicly disclosed its fate, sources said at the time that she planned to privately return it to Affleck because it would bring closure. Engagement rings are tricky topics, and The Spruce shares that some states require an engagement ring be returned if the marriage doesnt happen.

These conditional gift states make a legal obligation for the bride-not-to-be to hand the gift back over. Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez share multiple homes together  spread out across Florida, California, and New York, according to House Beautiful. Florida and New York are both conditional gift states, but California is not.

Instead, California is an implied conditional gift state, which means that if the bride-to-be is the one who calls things off, the man who gifted the ring can legally request its return. Whether it is legally mandated or not, etiquette generally dictates that the best course of action is to give the ring back when the engagement ends. It seems likely that Lopez will be parting ways with the bling.
Boeing had a historically bad 2020. Its 737 Max was grounded for most of the year after two deadly crashes, the pandemic decimated its business, and the company announced plans to lay off 30,000 workers and reported a $12 billion loss. Nonetheless, its chief executive, David Calhoun, was rewarded with some $21.1 million in compensation.

Norwegian Cruise Line barely survived the year. With the cruise industry at a standstill, the company lost $4 billion and furloughed 20 percent of its staff. That didn't stop Norwegian from more than doubling the pay of Frank Del Rio, its chief executive, to $36.4 million.

And at Hilton, where nearly a quarter of the corporate staff were laid off as hotels around the world sat empty and the company lost $720 million, it was a good year for the man in charge. Hilton reported in a securities filing that Chris Nassetta, its chief executive, received compensation worth $55.9 million in 2020.

The coronavirus plunged the world into an economic crisis, sent the U.S. unemployment rate skyrocketing and left millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet. Yet at many of the hit hardest by the pandemic, the executives in charge were showered with riches.

The divergent fortunes of CEOs and everyday workers illustrate the sharp divides in a nation on the precipice of an economic boom but still racked by steep income inequality. The stock markets are up and the wealthy are spending freely, but millions are still facing significant hardship. Executives are minting fortunes while laid-off workers line up at food banks.

"Many of these CEOs have improved profitability by laying off workers," said Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, who has proposed new taxes on the ultrawealthy. "A tiny handful of people who have shimmied all the way to the top of the greasy pole get all of the rewards, while everyone else gets left behind."

For executives who own large stakes in giant companies, the gains have been even more pronounced. Eight of the 10 wealthiest people in the world are men who founded or ran tech in the United States, and each has grown billions of dollars richer this year, according to Bloomberg. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, which saw profits skyrocket with people stuck at home, is now worth $193 billion. Larry Page, a co-founder, is worth $103 billion, up $21 billion in the last four months alone, as his company's fortunes have only improved during the pandemic.

And, according to security filings, a select few are rapidly accumulating new fortunes. Chad Richison, founder and chief executive of an Oklahoma software company, Paycom, is worth more than $3 billion and was awarded $211 million last year, when his company made $144 million in profit. John Legere, the former chief executive of T-Mobile, was awarded $137.2 million last year, a reward for taking over the rival Sprint.

"We've created this class of centimillionaires and billionaires who have not been good for this country," said Nell Minow, vice chair of ValueEdge Advisors, an investment consulting firm. "They may build a wing on a museum. But it's not infrastructure  it's not the middle class."

The gap between executive compensation and average worker pay has been growing for decades. Chief executives of big now make, on average, 320 times as much as their typical worker, according to the Economic Policy Institute. In 1989, that ratio was 61 to 1. From 1978 to 2019, compensation grew 14 percent for typical workers. It rose 1,167 percent for CEOs.

The pandemic only compounded these disparities, as hundreds of companies awarded their leaders pay packages worth significantly more than most Americans will make in their entire lives.

"To my mind, they're the logical consequence of our total embrace of shareholder capitalism, starting with the corporate raiders of the 1980s, to the exclusion and sacrifice of all else, including American workers," said Robert Reich, a labor secretary under President Bill Clinton. "The pay packages reflect soaring share prices, which in turn reflect, at least in part, the willingness if not eagerness of corporations to cut payrolls at the slightest provocation."

AT&T, the media conglomerate, lost $5.4 billion and cut thousands of jobs throughout the year. John Stankey, the chief executive, received $21 million for his work in 2020, down from $22.5 million in 2019.

T-Mobile said it would create new jobs through its merger with Sprint, but has already begun layoffs. It made $3.1 billion in 2020. In addition to Mr. Legere's windfall, the company awarded its current chief executive, Mike Sievert, $54.9 million.

Tenet Healthcare, a hospital chain, furloughed about 11,000 workers during the pandemic, but made nearly $399 million in profit. "The last 12 months clearly have been an extraordinary challenge and learning experience," the company's chief executive, Ronald Rittenmeyer, wrote in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the same document, Tenet revealed that Mr. Rittenmeyer earned $16.7 million last year.

And L Brands, the owner of Victoria's Secret, cut 15 percent of its office staff and temporarily closed most of its stores during the pandemic. Andrew Meslow, who took over from Leslie H. Wexner as chief executive in February last year, still earned $18.5 million.

"They always talk about how their employees are the most important assets," Ms. Minow said. "But they sure don't treat them that way."

Dozens of public companies have already reported paying their CEOs $25 million or more last year, according to Equilar, an executive compensation consulting firm. Several companies that announced major layoffs last year, including Comcast and Nike, have not yet released executive compensation data for last year.

Many companies defended their executive compensation plans. In some cases, CEOs took less than they were entitled to. Most top executives receive the bulk of their pay in shares, which may decrease in value and often vest over several years. And at many companies, the stock price was up despite the turbulence in the economy and regardless of whether the company was profitable.

"At the end of the day, CEOs end up getting rewarded for how they respond to these external occurrences," said Jannice Koors, a compensation consultant at Pearl Meyer who works with companies to determine executive pay. "If you think about stores closing, furloughs, etc., CEOs are getting rewarded for making those decisions."

In many ways, the role of corporate chieftains has never been more pronounced. Beyond running their businesses, CEOs have emerged as prominent voices in the national conversations around race, climate change and voting rights.

At the same time, they face critics on all sides. Senator Mitch McConnell recently told companies protesting Republican efforts to overhaul voting laws to "stay out of politics." Meanwhile, labor advocates are calling on companies to take better care of their workers.

"It's time for the corporations in this nation to play their part in a recovery that can be shared by everybody," said Mary Kay Henry, president of the Service Employees Union. "We cannot reinforce the economic inequality that existed before the pandemic."

Executives at publicly traded companies receive most of their compensation in stock, an arrangement intended to align pay with the performance of a company's share price. When the stock price goes up, the theory goes, investors and executives alike share in the gains.

Defying logic, the stock market has been soaring for months now, more than making up the losses it suffered early in the pandemic. As a result, many chief executives ended the first year of the pandemic having overseen, improbably, a rise in their company's share price. The resilience of the markets, and the sense that Covid-19 was an act of God, not the fault of any one person, helped companies justify big pay packages.

"Boards were thinking: This isn't our management team's fault. This isn't the result of bad planing or lax governance. This kind of happened to everybody,'" Ms. Koors said. "There was a sense in board rooms that if, despite all this, they managed to deliver on the numbers, who are we to cut those payments in a year when everyone worked their butts off?"

Some investors and corporate governance groups are pushing back on executive compensation plans.

Starbucks shareholders voted last month against the compensation plans for the company's two top executives. The resolution was nonbinding, however, and the chief executive, Kevin Johnson, received $14.7 million in cash and stock last year.

The biggest clash over pay this year is at General Electric, a company still reeling from years of mismanagement. Larry Culp, the chief executive, received $73.2 million last year and could collect well over $100 million more, thanks to a recently updated pay plan. Several prominent corporate governance groups have come out in opposition to Mr. Culp's pay, and investors will vote on the issue at G.E.'s annual meeting next month.

Even when executive pay was slashed, it often remained high. Robert A. Iger, the chairman of the Walt Disney Company, last year earned less than half what he did in 2019, but his compensation was still $21 million. The pay cut was a reflection of the difficult year at Disney, which laid off more than 28,000 people as its theme parks shut down.

At Boeing, Mr. Calhoun voluntarily gave up most of his cash salary this year, taking just $269,231 of the $1.4 million he was entitled to. Still, thanks to stock awards, his compensation was more than $21 million.

"Dave obviously gave up a lot," a Boeing spokesman said in an email.

A Hilton spokesman said the $55.9 million figure reported in the company's annual filing did not reflect Mr. Nassetta's actual pay. Because of the pandemic, Hilton restructured several complex stock awards. As a result, Mr. Nassetta's actual earnings for 2020 will be closer to $20.1 million, a slight decrease from 2019.

"2020 was an anomaly in so many ways," the spokesman said in an email.
Here are the complexities of climate change.

In 2020, there was record low amount of sea ice in the Arctic.

In 2021, a breach of polar cold from the Arctic into the United States nearly brought Texas to its knees.

The lessons: Pay attention to the science and prepare for it, even if it seems contradictory.

Heed warnings before a crisis strikes, said Western Connecticut State University student James Cantafio at a lecture on climate change at the university. It will happen.

The lecture series Climate and Humans Civilization is sponsored by the universitys Jane Goodall Center. Its been an annual event at Western since 2016.

It was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, there are two lectures, presented online

The first, held last week, was on global warming and the Arctic.

The second  The Urgency of the Ethics of Greening  features talks by Anna Malavisi, assistant professor of philosophy and Western junior Gabrielle Johnson. It will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday. To participate, go to: https://wcsu.webex.com/wcsu/j.php?MTID=me1b2eb1e73ee

153d530ccb315ec5eb5d

Mitch Wagener, the professor of biology at Western who organizes the series, said concentrating on the Arctic allows people to see the consequences of climate change writ large.

Its happening there twice as much as the rest of the world, he said.

It also involves pronounced feedback loops.

As warming melts the Arctic ice, theres less ice to reflect sunlight and heat back into the atmosphere. Instead the exposed land and ocean water absorb the heat. That makes things warmer. More ice melts.

Likewise, warming temperatures are thawing the permafrost  the deeply frozen ground of the Arctic. For centuries, that permafrost has captured carbon dioxide and methane from decaying plants. As it thaws, it releases that carbon dioxide and methane. Those greenhouse gases are a primary cause of global warming. As temperatures rise, more permafrost gets thawed.

This warming could bring profound changes to the Arctic landscape and biodiversity.

Wagener said that a century from now, parts of the tundra could be replaced by boreal forest. That would mean more trees capturing some of the CO2 in the atmosphere.

Thats the long term, Wagener said. The short-term will be more warming.

Cantafio, a meteorology student at Western, spoke of how climate change may be causing irregularities in the huge, swirling air mass above the North Pole known as the Polar Vortex.

We dont know if it will be happening more frequently, Cantafio said. Theres a hypothesis that it might. But there is no consensus.

But thats what happened in February, as a huge mass of cold air poured into the United States as far south as Texas.

The severe cold essentially froze the Texas power grid  the state was four minutes and 37 seconds from having its grid shut down. In the end, the cold snap affected 4.5 million people who went days without electricity or potable water. It caused $195 billion in damages.

Cantafio said the Texas utilities had been warming for several years that a disaster like this could happen..

But there were no incentives to change, he said. So they didnt do it.

These changes will in some ways form a basis for Malavisis talk on Tuesday about the ethics of environmentalism.

Ill be talking about our place on the earth, she said.

Malavisi said she wants people to rethink their place in the worlds ecology. Rather than seeing human endeavor as dominating the environment, it would be better, she said, to see ourselves as inside the complexity, rather than outside.

We need to think about ecosystems as a whole she said. We love the trees, the water, the oceans. We need to see that we are part of the environment.

Likewise, Western junior Gabrielle Johnson will talk in the second half of the lecture on Tuesday about capitalism and how its emphasis on materialism and constant growth may not create a sustainable, environmentally ethical economy for the 21st century.

Im leaning toward a steady-state economy, Johnson said, of a model that de-emphasizes constant growth and instead supports less consumer spending and a conservation of natural resources.

Wagener said at last weeks lecture that there are things people can do as individuals to reduce their carbon footprints  some things as basic as eating less meat or thinking about family planning and having fewer children.

But he also said people need to think and act collectively.

Vote, he said. Speak up. Stay active.

Contact Robert Miller at earthmattersrgm@gmail.com
New Delhi: Various Urdu newspapers in their Sunday editions have prominently covered Justice NV Ramana's oath-taking ceremony as the 48th Chief Justice Of India.



Most of them have also displayed Delhi High Court's reaction over the prevailing COVID-19 situation across the national capital and FIR against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh in connection with the corruption and extortion-related allegations.

Inquilab: The newspaper leads with Delhi High Court's reaction over the prevailing COVID-19 situation across the national capital. The Court said that if any official at the Central, state or local administration was obstructing in the picking up or supply of oxygen, then "we will hang that man".

The publication also reported that CBI has filed an FIR against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh in connection with the corruption and extortion-related allegations levelled against him by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh. The investigation agency also searched the premises of Deshmukh in Nagpur and Mumbai.

It also covered Justice NV Ramana taking oath as the 48th Chief Justice Of India. President Ram Nath Kovind administered him the oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi in a small ceremony due to Covid restrictions.

Hindustan Express: The publication highlighted the "worsening" situation in the national capital's hospitals. It reported that twenty-five people died at the Jaipur Golden Hospital in Delhi due to a shortage of medical oxygen on Saturday.

The concerns expressed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the deaths of coronavirus patients in Delhi's hospitals also highlighted.

The newspaper also covered Jammu and Kashmir announcing a 34-hour weekend curfew from Saturday to arrest the spread of the coronavirus disease, according to the office of lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha.

Rashtriya Sahara: It displayed the news of 26 patients dying at Jaipur Golden Hospital in Delhi due to the dip in oxygen, along with the news of the Union government deciding to grant full exemption from basic customs duty and health cess on import of oxygen-related equipment for a period of three months with immediate effect.

The daily also reported that former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has been booked by CBI.


Barcelo Hotel Group (BHG) is offering guests the opportunity to spend some much-needed quality time with family and friends this holy month of Ramadan with Barcelo properties throughout the UAE.

Whether guests are seeking for a cosy and safe environment to celebrate their Iftar, staycation packages to enjoy with family and friends or attractive longstay packages to continue their stay post-Ramadan, Barcelo Hotel Group has something to cater to all, available to book on the website.

The family groups longstay and staycation offers are designed to cater to every guests needs, and include in-house dinning credit which is redeemable across each Barcelo property where guests can choose from a variety of savory delicacies and delicious international cuisines to enjoy during their stay, including iftar.

Raquel Lopez, Vice President of Sales and Marketing GCC at Barcelo Hotel Group, said: The holy month of Ramadan is about giving back and spending quality time with family. The past year has been very challenging for everyone and unfortunately not everyone is able to spend time with loved ones. As a family business, we understand the longing to be with close friends and family, and we want our guests to be able to cherish their time with their nearest and dearest.

Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a memorable staycation at the five-star property Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel, for a peaceful stay by the beach this Ramadan. The enticing Ramadan staycation package, starting from AED995 ($270.8) per night, is inclusive of Suhoor and Iftar for two. Family and friends can reminisce through out the holy month, enjoying a burst of North Indian flavors and the best of British cuisine with exquisite Iftar-style packages at Khyber and Great British Restaurant.

Khyber offers guests the culturally infused delicacies of North India for AED140 ($38.1) per person. The package includes soft beverages and Ramadan juices where as children between the ages of 7  12 enjoy 50 per cent off and ages 6 and below are free of charge. Enjoy in the savory delights of Britain at the Great British Restaurant for AED120 ($32.6) per person, inclusive of soft beverage and Ramadan juices with ages 7  12 half priced and ages 6 and below eating for free!

Occidental Sharjah Grand

Parents can relax in tranquility, while children spend the day building sandcastles on the beach this Ramadan with Occidental Sharjah Grands tempting staycation package. The idyllic staycation package includes breakfast for two at the renowned Al Meena Restaurant and AED100 ($27.2) credit to spend on food and beverages throughout their stay. Longstay guests can enjoy 10 per cent off on restaurants, spa treatments, laundry and room services upon booking their stay at the property, making Occidental Sharjah Grand the ideal property to spend Ramadan this year.

Occidental Al Jaddaf and Occidental Dubai Production City

Residents looking for a home away from home staycation, within close proximity to the city of Dubai, can visit Occidental Al Jaddaf and Occidental Dubai Production City, just minutes away from the city center. The staycation packages includes breakfast for two at Souk at Occidental Al Jaddaf and The Avenue as well as AED100 ($27.2) in-house credit on food, beverage and hotel services across each Barcelo property. Visitors seeking extended stay options this holy month, can avail the longstay offerings, including 30 per cent off on all restaurants, laundry and room services.

Barcelo Residence Dubai Marina

Guests seeking quality time with loved ones in the heart of Dubai can enjoy an attractive staycation offering at Barcelo Residence Dubai Marina. The offering includes elegantly serviced 2-bedroom apartments, ideal for up to five people, and an AED 100 gift voucher to redeem on the next stay on a two-bedroom apartment. Visitors seeking the perfect balance between business and leisure, can avail of the longstay promotion that offers spacious apartments boasting stunning views of the Dubai Marina skyline, only minutes away from JBR Beach and the citys exciting attractions.

Barcelo Hotel Group follows the highest standard of safety and hygiene excellence as part of their We Care About You programme, following strict health and safety protocols in adherence to the local health authorities and the World Health Organization. - TradeArabia News Service
One managed to find love on Married At First Sight, while the other had her heart broken in front of the nation.

But on Saturday, both Georgia Fairweather and Belinda Vickers looked equally as giddy to be out on the town together, as they enjoyed a wild night in Melbourne.

Newly single Georgia, 25, donned yet another bright pink outfit for the occasion as the pair sat down for drinks at the city's Pink. The Restaurant.

Scroll down for video

All smiles! On Saturday, Married At First Sight stars Georgia Fairweather and Belinda Vickers appeared to enjoy a wild night out together in Melbourne

Belinda, 29, ditched her usual quirky style for a much more demure outfit by opting for a light pink dress, denim jacket and black ankle boots.

She wore a touch of make-up to accentuate her striking features, and wore her wild long locks in a subtle crimped style.

Meanwhile, Georgia turned heads in a short, hot pink dress and silver glitter ankle boots.

While at the venue, the girls posed in front of a wall that they'd signed with inspirational quotes, with Georgia's reading: 'I love how I am always true to myself.'

Girl power: The ladies also sat on a swing to take a picture at the restaurant, dubbed the most 'Instagrammable restaurant in Melbourne'

Stunner: Georgia turned heads in a very short hot pink dress and silver glittery ankle boots

Pretty at Pink: Belinda, 29, ditched her usual quirky style for a much more demure outfit, opting for a light pink dress, denim jacket and black ankle boots

Pink princess: Later in the evening, Georgia appeared to have a whale of a time with a whole host of shirtless men who lifted her into the air for a photo before she hit the dance floor

Belinda wrote: 'Always stay happy and positive.'

Later in the evening, Georgia appeared to have a whale of a time with a whole host of shirtless men, who lifted her into the air for a photo before she hit the dance floor.

She was then spotted wildly dancing on the podium, her jaw-dropping legs on full display as she moved around to the music.

The sighting comes just weeks after Georgia's 'husband' Liam brutally dumped her after she turned on him during a dramatic commitment ceremony.

After confessing his love for her, Georgia described Liam, 29, as 'manipulative and insecure' in her final vows.

Girls gone wild: Georgia was then spotted wildly dancing on the podium, her jaw-dropping legs on full display as she moved around to the music

Despite expressing her desire to continue their relationship, Liam dumped his wife and claimed she 'doesn't know the real me'.

'Entering into this experiment, I was counting on an adventure - an experience of a lifetime to learn about myself and to hopefully meet a compatible match,' she told him.

'It was obvious how devastated I was, and yet you chose to abandon me that night when I needed you the most. I've never felt so small, inadequate, and confused.'
Subversion of judicial process to the fore as debate on report of CoI into political victimisation begins By Sandun Jayawardana our Parliament correspondent View(s): View(s):

The adjournment debate on the final report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into Political Victimisation commenced this week in Parliament with the Opposition decrying it as a blatant attempt to subvert the judicial process.

The debate was held on Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday, a heated argument had erupted between the Government and Opposition MPs after both wanted to move the adjournment debate.

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella insisted that the Opposition should be allowed to move the debate as it had requested for it first. Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena however, said that it had been agreed at the Party Leaders meeting that their MP would move the adjournment motion.

When the debate eventually got underway on Thursday, it was Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Nalin Fernando who moved it in the House. He alleged that the United National Party (UNP), together with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and several other parties aligned with the Yahapalana Government, had conducted a systematic programme to politically victimise its opponents. I know this personally since I was a State employee who was put in prison on five occasions during this period, said Mr Fernando, a former Chairman of Lanka Sathosa. They sent me to prison because I refused to falsely incriminate Johnston Fernando, who was my subject minister at the time. My father died while I was in prison. He had no medical issues. He died because he was deeply distressed at what they had done to me, an emotional Mr Fernando told the House.

Seconding the motion, SLPP National List MP Jayantha Weerasinghe, alleged that many of those who had been arrested during the previous government had been intimidated into making false confessions implicating members of the Rajapaka family. They had told them to single out people such as Basil, Namal and Gotabaya Rajapaksa over various crimes. Those who refused were remanded, claimed Mr Weerasinghe, who noted that he had represented various members of the Rajapaksa family as legal counsel in some 15 court cases filed against them under the previous Government.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka though, noted that the CoI into political victimisation, headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Upali Abeyratne, had recommended the withdrawal of many court cases it reviewed and even recommended that judgements handed down by courts should be re-examined. This shows the Government has taken the law into its own hands and is ridiculing the judiciary.

Field Marshal Fonseka also questioned whether the Government intends to go ahead and strip him and other current and former MPs named in the CoI report as having violated the Constitution of their civic rights if the special Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) appointed to look into the report of the CoI into political victimisation recommended it. This is bankrupt politics, and though many Government MPs have told us privately they wont support such a thing, we have our suspicions, he remarked.

The Commission was given the task of receiving complaints from public officers, employees of public corporations, members of armed forces and police. Instead, they went above their mandate and accepted complaints from various other persons who dont belong to any of these categories, pointed out Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A. Sumanthiran. The original mandate was later expanded to include the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) seriously undermining the criminal justice system in our country that goes back over 100 years, he stressed.

He also pointed out that the Abeyratne Commission was a Commission of Inquiry and not a special Presidential Commission of Inquiry. A CoI has no right to recommend the deprivation of rights of anyone, he noted, pointing out that nevertheless, it has still gone and done so.

The Yahapalana Government spent heavily on its Anti-Corruption Secretariat to politically victimise those from the then Opposition, State employees and members of the Rajapaksa family, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe noted. They spent Rs 13.4 million in 2015, Rs 14 million in 2016 and Rs 6.2 million in 2017. They spent Rs 33.6 million in public funds. What purpose did it achieve? They are charging us with trying to get cases dismissed, but even cases filed by police as a result of the activities of this Committee were dismissed by courts even during their own time as they were purely meant to politically victimise, he noted.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa likened what the Government is intending to do using the report to the infamous Night of the Long Knives, which saw Hitler destroying his enemies over one night. Hitler purged the country of his enemies in one night. This Government is trying to do the same with one report by wiping out its political opponents from politics. This Commission should be renamed as the Commission to destroy political enemies. The Government is sorely mistaken if it believes that it can destroy its political opponents by depriving them of civic rights. The best examples are in this House. One is S.B. Dissanayake and the other is Sarath Fonseka. Both were deprived of civic rights, but the court of public opinion vindicated them, Mr Premadasa noted.

He added that the political figures being targeted by the CoI report are the masterminds of the 2015 presidential election victory.

If indeed there are suspicions that the Government had interfered with the police and the AGs Department, they should have called the former ministers in charge of Law and Order and Justice to testify. But none has been called. Only MPs who may prove to be a political challenge for the Government have been named by this Committee, SJB MP Patali Champika Ranawaka told the House.

SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne noted that the Government has already brought a resolution to Parliament calling for the implementation of the recommendations in the CoI report. The resolution firstly attacks the doctrine of separation of powers which is in Article 4 of our constitution. This is the first time we have seen such a resolution being brought to Parliament. We know that it is only the judicial bodies that can discharge or acquit those who are being accused. Nobody else can do this. This resolution is positively against the separation of powers, he remarked.

The independence of the judiciary is critical. We have a Commission of Inquiry; we have a special presidential commission of inquiry and now we have a resolution. This process faultily suggests that the judiciary did not arrive at its findings in an independent and impartial manner. This is what it is suggesting.

About 90 cases in the report were instituted by the Attorney General and his department during that period, he said. At that time the AG was His Lordship Jayantha Jayasuriya who is the Chief Justice of the country presently. What are we actually saying? By acting in such a way, we are actually indirectly moving a no-confidence in the current Chief Justice of the Country, Mr Wickramaratne added.

The Government has no intention of depriving the civic rights of anyone, SLPP MP Premanath C. Dolawatte stressed. Those mentioned by the CoI have already been rejected by the people. As such, there is no need to do anything. We urged this in our Parliamentary Group meeting. As such, I call upon Opposition MPs not to waste the time of this House by going on about the subject, he elaborated.

In a hard hitting speech, National Peoples Power (NPP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake blasted the Commissions conduct, noting that it had accepted complaints from many individuals close to the Rajapaksa Government who are not public officers and acted in clear violation of its mandate on many occasions.

The deadline for accepting complaints was March 7, 2020, but they accepted complaints including from Yoshitha Rajapaksa on October 22 and 23, 2020. They heard the complaints on October 26, 27 and 29. The report was handed over on December 8, 2020, but Commission Chairman Upali Abeyratne then distributed the report to the complainants and asked them to write what they had not written in the original complaints. Then he submitted another interim report on January 7 this year. The Cabinet Paper presented by the President calls for the implementation of recommendations in the three volumes of the report and the interim report. Where is that interim report? It has no legal basis, he told the House.

He also pointed out that among those whom the CoI had recommended that charges be dropped is Cabinet Minister Udaya Gammanpila, who is an accused in the case involving the sale of property belonging to an Australian couple using a forged power of attorney. He is in the Cabinet and approved the proposal to withdraw charges filed against himself. He will do so in this Parliament too. In which country does someone vote to dismiss a court case filed against himself?

The CoI report violates the separation of powers and rule of law, stressed Tamil National Peoples Front (TNPF) Leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam. If the recommendations are implemented, it will be a derogation of due process and fair trial rights. It undermines the independence of the several institutions including the judiciary and AGs Department. Henceforth, no one will want to look into politically connected cases for fear of the precedent that you are setting today. Witnesses will be frightened to come and appear before future courts or tribunals. This sets a dangerous precedent to further entrench impunity in this country, he warned.

The Yahapalana Government removed then Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne without so much as a No-Confidence Motion and dismissed Chief Justice Mohan Pieris through a letter from the Presidents Secretary just after it came to power in 2015, reminded State Minister Kanchana Wijesekara, pointing to these as acts of political victimisation.

He further pointed out that the then Government brought laws to Parliament prohibiting dual citizens from entering Parliament and becoming President. But they brought in a Singaporean citizen and made him Governor of the Central Bank. If their aim truly was to prevent dual citizens from holding senior posts in this country, then why did they limit the dual citizenship law to Parliament and the Presidency? They foresaw that Gotabaya Rajapaksa would be the main challenge to them and wanted to stop him. That was why they tried to prosecute him in cases such as the MiG deal. That is why they kept intelligence officers for more than a year in detention without charge, had their pensions cut and threatened to implicate Gotabaya Rajapaksa in wrongdoings, he alleged.

The adjournment debate will continue when Parliament reconvenes on May 4.
For the first time in six decades, no Castro will hold an official position of power in Cuba's government  at least that's what the Cuban government wants us to believe.



On Friday, Raul Castro, the late Fidel's younger brother, stepped down as head of Cuba's Communist Party, the moral center of the regime that reshaped Cuba  and Miami.



To make a point, the last Castro announced his departure during a Communist congress held at the same time as the 60th anniversary of the doomed Bay of Pigs invasion, a final spit in the eye to exiles.



Sadly, Miami-Dade's cemeteries are filled with the graves of Cuban exiles, those who fled in the '50s, '60s and '70s, and whose lives were so brutally interrupted by the Castro brothers' deceitful revolution. They are the greatest generation of sorts, but they are also dying off  along with their heartfelt declarations of "Viva Cuba Libre!" and "Next year in Havana!"



In Havana and Miami, Raul Castro's departure triggers deep emotions, but his leave-taking will be largely symbolic, and not the at-long-last final nail in the coffin of six decades of this regime's repression.



His departure signals little change arising from new leaders on the island, which is undergoing one of its bleakest economic downturns and civil disobedience, in the middle of a pandemic. Cuba has responded to these as it always has  by arresting, harassing and snatching away.



But this last Castro didn't let go of power without bluster: "I will continue participating as one more revolutionary combatant, willing to make my modest contribution until the end of my life," said Fidel's little brother, now 89.



Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel is the heir as the party's first secretary.



Still, the news stings many Cuban Americans who grew up listening to their parents denounce what the Castro brothers had done to Cuba and its people. Castro stepping down feels merely a footnote. Too little, way too late. Too much damage done. Too much time passed.



After all, only Cubans who are about 70 or older now have a firsthand memory of the island  pre-Castro brothers.



One of those whose father fought vehemently to end the Castro regime is Jorge Mas. His father, Jorge Mas Canosa, founder of the Cuban American National Foundation, was one of Fidel Castro's most formidable and influential critics in the United States. Mas Canosa passed away 14 years ago.



"Today, my father would be asking those Castro followers who remain in power if they want to be remembered for continuing the suffering or for restoring peace, freedom and prosperity to the Cuban people," he told the Miami Herald editorial board. "There's no victory as long as Cubans continue to suffer misery and repression under the system the Castros imposed." We couldn't agree more.



Frank Calzon, former director of the Center for a Free Cuba in Washington D.C., who for decades has spoken out against the Castros and communist Cuba inside the Beltway, suspects Raul Castro stepped down for show. New boss, same as the old boss.



"Unless he is seriously ill, he is not likely to give up his absolute power. The new leaders will have as much power as Raul allows them to have," he told the board.

Ninoska Perez Castellon, a well-known Spanish-language radio personality and exile leader who has spent her entire professional career on Miami's airwaves denouncing the Castros and whose husband was a famous Cuban prisoner, echoes the sentiment.



"Sadly nothing changes, the Castro family is like a drug cartel, the capo retires from old age, but the control is still in the hands of those chosen by him. A celebration would be if Raul Castro were tried for the many crimes committed, starting with a mass shooting of 72 men without trial the first week of the revolution," she told the Board. "That would be justice. This is more of the same."



As a child, Carmen Valdivia's parents, fearing indoctrination in schools, spirited her and her late sister to the United States as part of Operation Pedro Pan. She lived for months at a camp in South Dade.



Today, Valdivia heads the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora on Coral Way, charged with preserving the history of the more than 1 million Cubans sent into exile, mainly to Miami, by the Castros.



"Raul Castro may step down, but the dynasty continues to hold onto the real power behind the puppet president," she told the Board. "In the meantime, a generation of heroic Cubans continues to die in exile in Miami without having witnessed an iota of justice for the horrendous crimes against humanity perpetrated against our people by these diabolical monsters."



The fact that time catches up with all of us  even the Castros  is the best revenge the exiles will get. Unfortunately, the end of the Castros is not the end of Cuba communist regime, which the brothers succeeded in cementing, as they ruined what for so many was a perfectly good country.





This editorial appeared in Miami Herald and was distributed by Tribune Content Agency.


EU should "stop sowing discord" in South China Sea: Chinese spokesperson

Xinhua) 08:34, April 25, 2021

Aerial photo taken on July 24, 2020 shows a sperm whale in the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

"The South China Sea should not become a tool for certain countries to contain and suppress China, still less a wrestling ground for major-power rivalry," said a spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU).

Countries in the region and beyond have in recent years seen clearly that "the destabilizing factors and security risks in the South China Sea mainly come from outside the region."

BRUSSELS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Security risks in the South China Sea mainly come from outside the region, a spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) said Saturday, urging the EU to stop sowing discord.

"The South China Sea should not become a tool for certain countries to contain and suppress China, still less a wrestling ground for major-power rivalry," said the spokesperson.

The comments came in response to a statement issued by the European External Action Service (EEAS) earlier Saturday. The EU's diplomatic service claimed that tensions in the region, "including the recent presence of large Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef," endanger peace and stability.

The EEAS statement also recalled the "South China Sea arbitration" in 2016.

The Chinese Mission spokesperson said that Niu'E Jiao Reef (Whitsun Reef) is part of China's Nansha Islands, and the reef and its adjacent waters have always been important operating areas and shelters for Chinese fishing boats.

"Chinese fishing boats are recently operating in the area and sheltering from wind, which is reasonable and lawful," said the spokesperson. "How come does it endanger regional peace and stability?"

"We have reiterated on various occasions that China's sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea are formed in the long course of history and are consistent with international law," the spokesperson said.

Aerial photo taken on Nov. 18, 2020 shows a ship loaded with reef-like artificial coral reef nurseries heading for designated areas in Yazhou Bay of Sanya, south China's Hainan Province.(Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

The spokesperson noted that the so-called Arbitral Tribunal on the South China Sea was established on the basis of illegal acts and claims of the Philippines. "It has no legitimacy and the award it issued is null and void. China does not accept or recognize the award, and firmly rejects any claims or actions based on the award."

Commenting on the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which was proposed by the EU on Monday, the spokesperson pointed out that the current situation in the South China Sea is on the whole stable.

China maintains close communication on relevant issues with countries in the region, including the Philippines, said the spokesperson, adding that countries in the region and beyond have in recent years seen clearly that "the destabilizing factors and security risks in the South China Sea mainly come from outside the region."

The spokesperson urged the EU "to respect the efforts of countries in the region in properly addressing differences and maintaining stability in the South China Sea, and to stop sowing discord."

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Bianji)
Photo taken in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, on March 25, 2021 shows a screen displaying U.S. President Joe Biden speaking during a press conference in Washington, D.C., in a live stream provided by Fox News. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Biden is the first U.S. president to use the term "genocide" in describing the mass killing against the Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire, breaking with his predecessors who did not want to undermine relations with Turkey.

WASHINGTON, April 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday recognized the mass killing against Armenians more than a century ago as a "genocide," a move that could further worsen relations between the United States and Turkey.

"The American people honor all those Armenians who perished in the genocide that began 106 years ago today," Biden said in a statement issued by the White House on Saturday, the Armenian Remembrance Day.

"We do this not to cast blame but to ensure that what happened is never repeated," he noted.

Biden is the first U.S. president to use the term "genocide" in describing the mass killing against the Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire, breaking with his predecessors who did not want to undermine relations with Turkey. In 2019, both chambers of Congress passed resolutions recognizing the atrocities as "genocide."

The latest move could further complicate the already strained relations between Washington and Ankara. The two NATO allies have been at odds over Turkey's acquisition of the Russian S-400 air-defense systems and other regional issues, such as the Syria conflict and the dispute in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told local media earlier this week that Biden's statements were not legal-binding and would only harm bilateral relations. "If the United States wants to worsen ties, the decision is theirs," he said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at a press conference in Ankara, Turkey, on Jan. 11, 2021. (Xinhua)

U.S. media reported that Biden informed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of his "genocide" recognition plan in their phone call on Friday.

The phone call was the first between the two leaders since Biden took office in January. The White House said that Biden told Erdogan that he wanted to build a constructive bilateral relationship "with expanded areas of cooperation and effective management of disagreements."

The two leaders agreed to hold a bilateral meeting on the margins of the NATO Summit in June to discuss the full range of bilateral and regional issues, according to the White House.

Armenians have long sought international recognition for the large-scale casualties during the Ottoman era as genocide, which they say left some 1.5 million of their people dead. Turkey, the Ottoman Empire's successor state, has claimed the mass killings did not constitute genocide.

[ Editor: WXY ]
Residents are urging councils to provide rebates to households that switch to cloth nappies and reusable sanitary products, as existing schemes are overwhelmed.

Just 12 Australian councils currently offer financial incentives to residents who purchase the environmentally friendly alternatives, including Casey, Wyndham, Cardinia Shire and Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. But a series of online petitions is urging more councils to follow suit to reduce waste sent to landfill.

Alana Archer- Veith with her nine- month-old son, Everett, and her stock of reusable nappies. Credit:Luis Ascui

A further 10 Melbourne councils  including Monash, Glen Eira, Nillumbik, Dandenong, Boroondara, Bayside, Stonnington and Yarra Ranges  have lodged a joint funding submission to Sustainability Victoria to investigate a reusable nappy program that could be rolled out across the state.

As councils introduce food waste recycling services to take food out of the garbage bin, nappies are becoming one of the most significant waste streams in household waste bins, Monash mayor Brian Little said.
The second half of season 6 of Fear the Walking Dead continues at 9 p.m. Sunday, April 25, on AMC.

Season 6 episode 10 is called Handle With Care. AMC says, A threat worse than Virginia is on the horizon. Morgan calls for unity, and invites all survivors to his settlement; tasking Daniel to keep the peace. However, Daniel will need to face his own challenge in hopes of protecting his friends.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  With Derek Chauvin convicted of murder in George Floyds death, activists and the Floyd family are turning their attention to this summer's trial for the other three officers involved in his May 2020 arrest.

All three have already sought to deflect responsibility to Chauvin, by far the most senior officer on the scene.

Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao face trial in August on charges of aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill ordered that they be tried together, but separately from Chauvin, to reduce the number of people in the courtroom amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the three weigh their strategies, legal experts say they are sure to be watching what kind of prison time Chauvin gets at his June 16 sentencing  as much as 30 years, though possibly less. Minnesota law sets the same penalties for aiding and abetting murder or manslaughter as for the act itself.

They'll also be mindful that it took jurors less than 24 hours to find Chauvin guilty on all charges. That could ratchet up pressure to consider a plea deal.

"The factual differences between Chauvin and the other three are what should drive this, said Tom Heffelfinger, a former U.S. attorney for Minnesota.

Experts said the best Lane, Kueng and Thao can hope for is a jury of 12 people who think Chauvin was guilty but arent so sure about what roles the other three played. And they said the evidence against the three is weaker than the evidence against Chauvin, which provides opportunities for their attorneys.

I would expect the theme of all three would be, 'Thats a really bad thing that Chauvin did. I didnt like it. I'm not responsible for what happened,'" former Ramsey County prosecutor Susan Gaertner said.

Prosecutors declined to discuss their case. Attorneys for Lane and Kueng also declined, and Thaos attorney did not return a message seeking comment. But their past filings and the evidence offer clues for likely strategies.

Story continues

Lane and Kueng can argue they were rookies, in just their first week as full-fledged cops, and felt a need to defer to Chauvin  their training officer  when he pinned Floyds neck to the ground with his knee for nearly 9 1/2 minutes as Floyd shouted repeatedly that he couldn't breathe before going silent, then limp.

Those two rookies have a facially different defense, and a very real factual defense, as compared to Chauvin, Heffelfinger said.

Lane might have the best defense. Body camera video shows he asked the other officers if they should turn Floyd on his side  and Chauvin said no.

Local defense attorney Joe Friedberg said the evidence at Chauvin's trial showed that Lane was trying to use as little force as possible before Chauvin arrived and took charge.

Kueng can be heard reporting to Chauvin at one point that he could not find Floyd's pulse.

They're raising questions about what was happening and whether they should be doing something different," said another local defense attorney, Brock Hunter. "It's not nearly as clear-cut as I think the evidence against Chauvin was.

But both Chauvin and Kueng maintained their restraint, and body camera video shows Kueng holding up one of Floyd's handcuffed hands  an action that prosecution medical experts testified made it even harder for Floyd to breathe.

Thao can argue that it was crowd control, keeping an agitated group of about 15 onlookers at a safe distance, and that he largely had his back to the other officers and Floyd.

His defense could be, I was just present and it takes more than presence to make a crime,'" Heffelfinger said.

But one of the onlookers Thao specifically ordered to stand back was Genevieve Hansen, a Minneapolis firefighter who can be heard on video pleading repeatedly for officers to check Floyd's pulse. Hansen cried on the witness stand at Chauvin's trial as she described her frustration at being prevented from coming to Floyd's aid.

The quick conviction for Chauvin spurred speculation about plea deals. Heffelfinger said prosecutors may be open to that because they're aware of the potential weaknesses in the cases against the three.

Prosecutors know this stuff, so this is a good time for all parties to consider settlement over the next two or three months," he said.

Gaertner said prosecutors will feel pressure not to strike a plea deal that could be seen by activists as letting the officers off lightly. But she said she hopes they do consider deals that would avert a trial, particularly due to the stress and expense of the just-completed trial that transformed parts of Minneapolis into a militarized zone.

Clearly these three defendants are significantly less culpable than Chauvin," she said. "And that should be taken into account. Another trial is going to be very disruptive, costly and Im not sure that thats in the best interests of the public.

But Friedberg said he doesn't expect any deals.

None of them will ever plead guilty, Friedberg predicted. "They have three really good lawyers who are extremely aggressive lawyers. Theres no question in my mind they're going to go to trial and they're going to claim that they were completely unaware of the depths of what Derek Chauvin was doing.

___

Find APs full coverage of the death of George Floyd at: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd
Tran Dai Chi poses for photo with his degree from the Southern Methodist University, Texas, U.S., in 2019. Photo courtesy of Chi.

Tran Dai Chi received an honorable mention from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for helping ensure domestic cybercrime security.

The 29-year-old works as a security engineer at Amazon in Texas. When the Covid-19 outbreak first hit the southern state, he was ordered to work from home where, each morning, he would conduct an online meeting with a group of security experts.

During one of these meetings in early April, Chi was congratulated by a colleague after his name appeared on the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3) website.

Each month, the DC3 would pick a researcher of the month who had made outstanding contributions to system information security and Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP). Chi, aka "0xfatty", won this title in March.

In a statement on Twitter, the DC3 said the Vietnamese engineer had discovered two cyber-attack methods rated "serious." If exploited, it could "lead to a complete invasion of the system."

Previously, the security engineer from central beach town Nha Trang was honored by tech giants Apple and Google for his findings in the field of cybersecurity. Involved in the information security industry for less than three years, Chi has been raking in foreign accolades.

He had twice failed university entrance exams in Vietnam. At times, he had no choice but to attend a vocational school in Ho Chi Minh City. In 2013, when many of his friends had stable jobs, Chi chose to "start over" by studying abroad.

To him it proved a blessing since he got accepted at Southern Methodist University in Texas. During his studies, Chi overcame the language barrier and initial culture shock.

He decided to pursue a career in the information security industry back in 2018. All his hard work paid off when he passed six interviews and was accepted to work at Amazon Web Services' cyber security department, one of the leading technology companies in the world. Chis main focus is cloud computing, specializing in testing products and services before they hit the consumer market.

In his spare time, Chi took advantage of his cybersecurity research knowledge to solve problems in larger systems, which he claims as a way to improve his skills and gain more experience. He even built his own "problem detecting" system, using information from published vulnerabilities and then discovering which systems may be affected.

The Remote Code Execution (RCE) attack method Chi exposed for the DoD relates to the CVE-2021-22986 problem of the F5 BIG-IP service being used by many agencies in the U.S.

"This vulnerability allows hackers to take control of the whole server and do anything they want on it. The potential risk is that the bad guys can launch an attack from one machine that could spread to many others," Chi said.

U.S. law is strict on cyberattacks, so Chi only detects and confirms security risks, reports and sends them to the DoD, which would typically turn off problematic servers prior to repairs.

His job at Amazon keeps him occupied 10 to 11 hours per day. He does his outside "research" for at night, between 1-2 hours each time, when his wife and children are asleep or on Saturday. Chi said he always tries to balance work and family time.

The engineer said this career also helped him build good relationships with friends in the information security industry both in Vietnam and across the world. He joined in the Anti-Phishing project with Ngo Minh Hieu, who was imprisoned in the U.S. for about seven years until 2019 for stealing the personal information of 200 million Americans, to develope a software add-on that alerts users about scam websites.
New Delhi, April 25 : In line with Prime Minister's direction to boost availability of oxygen to hospitals, the PM CARES Fund has given in-principle approval for allocation of funds for installation of 551 dedicated Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) medical oxygen generation plants inside public health facilities in the country.

In a statement, the Prime Minister Office (PMO) said,"the Prime Minister has directed that these plants should be made functional as soon as possible. The Prime Minister said that these plants will serve as a major boost to oxygen availability at the district level." These dedicated plants will be established in identified Government hospitals in district headquarters in various States/UTs. The procurement will be done through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The PM CARES Fund had earlier this year allocated Rs 201.58 crore for installation of additional 162 dedicated Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Medical Oxygen Generation Plants inside public health facilities in the country. The basic aim behind establishing PSA Oxygen Generation Plants at Government hospitals in the district headquarters is to further strengthen the public health system and ensure that each of these hospitals has a captive oxygen generation facility.

"Such an in-house captive oxygen generation facility would address the day to day medical oxygen needs of these hospitals and the district. In addition, the liquid medical oxygen (LMO) would serve as a "top up" to the captive oxygen generation," the PMO said. The statement further stated that such a system will go a long way in ensuring that Government hospitals in the districts do not face sudden disruption of oxygen supplies and have access to adequate uninterrupted oxygen supply to manage the COVID-19 patients and other patients needing such support.
Chicago officials have released graphic bodycam footage of a fatal police shooting last month that left one teenager dead and an officer and security guard wounded.

Travon Chadwell, 18, died of multiple gunshot wounds on March 25 after opening fire on a Chicago police officer and Home Depot security guard after he was suspected of shoplifting.

Officers were called to the store on 4500 S. Western Blvd in Brighton Park where Chadwell is said to have shot security guard Kevin Lockett in the head after he confronted him, Fox 32 reported.

Cops arrived to find the teenager fleeing the scene and a police chase ensued on the nearby 2400 block of West 46th Street.

Scroll down for video

Travon Chadwell, 18, was killed in a shootout with Chicago police on March 25 shortly after he shot a security guard at a Home Depot, where he had been suspected of shoplifting

Chadwell fled the scene, prompting a police chase into a nearby neighborhood. Bodycam footage released on Friday shows the moment a responding officer (pictured) is shot by Chadwell after confronting him

The officer, who was not identified, was seen running down an alleyway and onto a residential street where he encounters Chadwell, who immediately shoots him

The officer, who was not named, immediately collapses to the ground and shouts 'I'm shot! I'm shot!'

Body cam footage from another officer shows him dragging his wounded partner to safety

The pursuit resulted in a deadly shootout after Chadwell shot an officer in the shoulder, prompting cops to fire multiple shots in return.

On Friday, Chicago's Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) publicly released video and audio footage that captured the events leading up to Chadwell's death, as well as the moment he opens fire on the officer.

Bodycam footage from the wounded officer, who was not identified, shows him chasing teen after he fled to a nearby neighborhood.

The officer, who was wearing a vest, is seen running down an alleyway and onto a residential street where he encounters Chadwell who immediately shoots him.

The cop instantly collapses on the ground and is heard screaming to his partners: 'Ah! I'm shot! I'm shot, I'm shot!'

A clip from another officer's bodycam shows him dragging his wounded colleague back to safety after finding him lying on the ground of the alleyway.

Graphic footage from another officer's bodycam shows the moment police shoot Chadwell dead

The cops are seen surrounding the teen's lifeless body as it lay in a pool of blood. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival

The officer was taken to the hospital where he was treated for non life-threatening injuries and was released the same day, according to the news station.

A clip from another officer's bodycam also captures the moment additional officers arrive to track down Chadwell after the officer was shot.

Security guard Kevin Lockett, 55, was left in a 'coma state' after being shot in the head by Chadwell, family members said

The officers are seen running into a nearby yard and looking over a fence, when gunshots ring out in the near distance.

'I got him, I got him! an officer says.

The video then shows cops running over to the site, where several cops are seen surrounding Chadwell's lifeless body as it lay in a pool of blood.

The teenager was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

According to Chicago officials, the incident marked the fourth time a police officer was shot at in the line of duty in two weeks.

Bystander footage showed Chadwell struggling with the security guard outside of Home Depot where he was suspected of shoplifting on March 25

Lockett, meanwhile, was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.

His daughter Arielle Lockett told ABC 7 the 55-year-old father-of-three was left comatose, 'responding to pain but not opening his eyes, not able to speak.'

'He had a lot of swelling to the head. They took him to surgery to see if they could remove the bullet. They got some of it, but there are fragments left,' she said in an interview last month.

In the wake of the shooting, Chadwell's mother told CBS Chicago her son was not a 'bad person at all' and did not believe he intended to harm anyone.

The mom, who did not wish to be named, said her son was diagnosed with ADHD and had mental health problems.

'He was a beautiful child,' she told the news outlet in an interview last month.

'My condolences to the [security guard's] family because I know my baby did not mean to do that,' she said. 'He didn't, and I am sorry that it happened. I am.'
Photo: The Canadian Press Activists ride their bicycles as they flash a three-finger salute of defiance during a rally called 'bike for Myanmar' against the military coup in Jakarta, Indonesia, Saturday, April 24, 2021. Southeast Asian leaders met Myanmar's top general and coup leader in an emergency summit in Indonesia Saturday, and are expected to press calls for an end to violence by security forces that has left hundreds of protesters dead as well as the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Southeast Asian leaders demanded an immediate end to killings and the release of political detainees in Myanmar in an emergency summit Saturday with its top general and coup leader, Indonesia's president said.

The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations also told Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing during the two-hour talks in Jakarta that a dialogue between contending parties in Myanmar should immediately start, with the help of ASEAN envoys, President Joko Widodo said.

The situation in Myanmar is unacceptable and should not continue. Violence must be stopped, democracy, stability and peace in Myanmar must be returned immediately, Widodo said during the meeting. The interests of the people of Myanmar must always be the priority.

Daily shootings by police and soldiers since the Feb. 1 coup have killed more than 700 mostly peaceful protesters and bystanders, according to several independent tallies.

The messages conveyed to Min Aung Hlaing were unusually blunt and could be seen as a breach of the conservative 10-nation blocs bedrock principle forbidding member states from interfering in each others domestic affairs. But Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that policy should not lead to inaction if a domestic situation jeopardizes the peace, security, and stability of ASEAN and the wider region and there is international clamour for resolute action.

There is a tremendous expectation on the part of the international community on how ASEAN is addressing the Myanmar issue. The pressure is increasing, Muhyiddin said, The current ASEAN chair, Brunei Prime Minister Hassanal Bolkiah, and the regional blocs secretary general should be allowed access to Myanmar to meet contending parties, encourage dialogue and come up with an honest and unbiased observation, he said.

Such a political dialogue can only take place with the prompt and unconditional release of political detainees," the Malaysian premier said.

A formal statement issued by ASEAN through Brunei after the summit outlined the demands made by the six heads of state and three foreign ministers in more subtle terms. It asked for the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and urged all parties to exercise utmost restraint, but omitted the demand voiced by Widodo and other leaders for the immediate release of political detainees. It said ASEAN would provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar.

It was not immediately clear if and how Min Aung Hlaing responded to the blunt messages.

It was the first time he travelled out of Myanmar since the coup, which was followed by the arrests of Aung San Suu Kyi and many other political leaders.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi expressed hopes on the eve of the summit that we can reach an agreement on the next steps that can help the people of Myanmar get out of this delicate situation.

ASEANs diversity, including the divergent ties of many of its members to either China or the United States, along with a bedrock policy of non-interference in each others domestic affairs and deciding by consensus, has hobbled the blocs ability to rapidly deal with crises.

Amid Western pressure, however, the regional group has struggled to take a more forceful position on issues but has kept to its non-confrontational approach.

Critics have said ASEANs decision to meet the coup leader was unacceptable and amounted to legitimizing the overthrow and the deadly crackdown that followed. ASEAN states agreed to meet Min Aung Hlaing but did not treat or address him as Myanmars head of state in the summit, a Southeast Asian diplomat told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to discuss the issue publicly.

The London-based rights watchdog Amnesty International urged Indonesia and other ASEAN states ahead of the summit to investigate Min Aung Hlaing over credible allegations of responsibility for crimes against humanity in Myanmar. As a state party to a U.N. convention against torture, Indonesia has a legal obligation to prosecute or extradite a suspected perpetrator on its territory, it said.

Indonesian police dispersed dozens of protesters opposing the coup and the junta leaders visit. More than 4,300 police fanned out across the Indonesian capital to secure the meetings, held under strict safeguards amid the pandemic.

The leaders of Thailand and the Philippines skipped the summit to deal with coronavirus outbreaks back home. Laos also cancelled at the last minute. The face-to-face summit is the first by ASEAN leaders in more than a year.

Aside from Myanmar, the regional bloc is made up of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 19:59:28|Editor: huaxia

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ADEN, Yemen, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Intense battles flared up on Sunday near Yemen's oil-rich province of Marib amid intensified airstrikes launched by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, a military official told Xinhua.

According to a local military official who asked to remain anonymous, the battles are still going on between the Houthi militia and Yemen's government forces, leaving scores of killed and injured during the past 24 hours.

The source said that the Houthis gained military progress on-ground and largely advanced towards the oil-rich city of Marib that's controlled by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.

"Key areas located in Marib's western part were fully captured by the Houthi attackers who are still having the upper hand in the ongoing battles raging over the control of the strategic city," the official said.

He confirmed that Major Gen. Abdullah al-Hadhri, head of the pro-government Military Justice Department, was killed along with 23 soldiers while fighting off Iran-backed Houthis in the Mashjah battlefront in Marib during the past 24 hours.

The pro-government forces also launched intensified artillery shelling on the Houthi-controlled positions in Marib, killing more than 27 fighters and injuring several others, according to the official.

The Houthis progress comes despite an intensified air campaign launched by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition to support counter-offensive attacks of the government forces in Marib.

Meanwhile, local tribal sources confirmed to Xinhua that civilians continued to leave their houses in various areas of Marib as a result of the military showdown.

At least 2,625 families were displaced in Marib from early February to April 10, while an additional 692 families reportedly were displaced to other Yemeni provinces, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The United Nations said Yemen continues to be the world's worst humanitarian crisis and largest aid operation. However, only about 21 percent is funded of the 3.85-billion-U.S.-dollar 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan to help 16 million people.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized control of several northern provinces and forced the Saudi-backed government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened in the Yemeni military conflict in March 2015 to support Hadi's government. Enditem
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 1, 2021. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Sens. Warren, Durbin Speak Out on Treatment of Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Defendants

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) are raising questions about the rights of people charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, saying that some are being held in solitary confinementeven before their trials have begun.

Solitary confinement is a form of punishment that is cruel and psychologically damaging, Warren said in an interview with Politico. And were talking about people who havent been convicted of anything yet.

Warren was responding to questions about the 300 or so individuals who were charged in connection to the breach. Most of those who were charged have been released on bond while they await trial, but a few dozen who have been deemed dangerous, high risk, or flight risks have been ordered held without bond.

Officials in Washington have placed some of the detainees in 23-hours-per day isolation, despite not having been convicted.

Warren said in the interview that shes concerned that the practice of holding some of the detainees in solitary confinement is a bid to punish the participants in the Jan. 6 riot or theyre trying to break them so that they will cooperate.

Durbin, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said hes alarmed that all of the detainees are being kept in restrictive housing, which entails solitary confinement.

There has to be a clear justification for that, in very limited circumstances, he told Politico.

D.C. Department of Corrections spokesperson Keena Blackmon told Politico, We appreciate the concern, patience, and support of our neighbors as we work to keep all within DOC safe, as well as support the public safety of all in the District.

DOC officials didnt respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment by press time.

Some lawyers for the defendants, however, said the move is unconstitutional.

This is not normal. Its not normal to isolate people and make them eat on their floor, said Marty Tankleff, who is representing Jan. 6 defendants Edward Lang and Dominic Pezzola.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) earlier this month said there needs to be a commission to investigate the breach.

Today is the 100th day since the January 6th insurrection and assault on the Capitol and our Democracy, Pelosi wrote in her letter on April 16. On this 100th day, we are determined to seek the truth of January 6th. To do so, we must have a January 6th Commission. To that end, we have once again sent a proposal for such a Commission to the Republicans, modeled after the 9/11 Commission.
Capturing blue carbon greenhouse gases in mangroves, marshes and seagrasses is critical to fighting climate change, the federal government says, but experts warn while its a positive step a new $30 million fund wont solve global warming.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was under pressure when he delivered his speech to 40 world leaders at US President Joe Bidens climate summit last week. Unlike many of our major trading partners - including the European Union, UK, US and Japan - Australia had no ambitious emissions reduction goals to announce.

Greenhouse gas sequestered in marine vegetation is the focus of a new government fund for blue carbon, which will support ecosystems like the mangroves in the Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia. Credit:Andre Rerekura

Mr Morrison instead promoted his commitment to practical measures, and he singled out blue carbon, which he said can deliver outcomes in Australia and for our neighbours in the Pacific.

The governments blue carbon fund will invest $19 million in restoring lost mangroves and wetlands in Australia, $10 million to support similar projects in developing countries most likely in the Pacific, and $1 million to develop a carbon accounting method to be banked against a countrys emissions reduction targets.
Through super-spreader events and shoddy observance of Covid protocols, Citizens are paying twice over for the ECs failures

The Election Commission dismissed the plea by Mamata Banerjee that the eight-phase election was very risky. It seemed to pay more attention to the BJPs jeers that the eight-phase election was necessary to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections. (Photo: PTI)

For voters and contestants, every election is necessarily different, because the ways in which the thousands of acts of omission, commission, violation and bad faith by the incumbent government or the challenger are in a constant state of change. For the Election Commission, tasked with conducting the process through which the voter chooses a representative who is adequate to fulfil the aspirations and expectations he or she has, every election is both different and the same.

The context in which an election is held is certainly material to the way the Election Commission undertakes the exercise of holding free and fair polls so that the peoples sovereign will is exercised without obstruction or violation. If the EC fails to comprehend the context, then what follows is a super-spreader event of terrifying proportions in the state that has been victim of the whims of the poll panel in its refusal to recognise that the Covid-19 crisis could turn into a catastrophe.

Dismissive of the pleas of West Bengals ruling party and the state government, of all other Opposition parties barring the BJP that the eight-phase six-week poll schedule would be seriously risky at a time when new mutant strains of the coronavirus were detected and whose impact had pushed Britain and Europe to declare new lockdowns, new protocols and manage a new crisis, the EC maintained it had no power to alter the schedule after it was announced or notified. It insisted it was entirely capable of ensuring its strict guidelines on how campaigning and voting should be done in Covid times were followed by all candidates and of course their parties.

Having announced its guidelines, mobilised the largest force of security personnel drawn from every Central paramilitary force imaginable, adding up to over 1.5 lakh jawans and officers and innumerable support personnel, brought in over 200 general observers, added to the original 54 appointed as police observers, the EC flooded West Bengal with the paraphernalia necessary to do two things simultaneously  hold peaceful, free and fair polls over eight phases and ensure adherence to its Covid guidelines. It failed on both counts at an incredibly high cost to the public exchequer.

Citizens exposed to the virus through super-spreader events and shoddy observance of Covid protocols are paying twice over for the ECs failures and its outrageously unrealistic assessment of its own capacity to deliver a flawless election process. The death of two candidates from the virus, a large number of candidates ill or critically ill because of the infection and the final humiliating confirmation of its inadequacy as the order from the Calcutta high court lashed out that the role of the EC cannot be just issuing circulars and holding meetings.

It took a searing indictment from the high court to get the commission to implement its own guidelines. It took a threat from the high court to ensure that big rallies were banned.

The Calcutta high court last week said the judiciary would step in and act like T.N. Seshan, the legendary tough chief election commissioner, who had postponed and threatened to cancel elections in Bihar and West Bengal if political parties failed to follow the rules.

Through the weeks of disastrous mismanagement by the EC that has cost lives and skyrocketing state public health expenditure to cope with the outfall of the speed of the spread of the deadly virus, the then chief election commissioner Sunil Arora and current CEC Sushil Chandra said they were powerless to listen to reason and heed the context of this election in West Bengal, namely the danger of an even greater surge of the evolving virus.

The Election Commission dismissed the plea by Mamata Banerjee that the eight-phase election was very risky. It seemed to pay more attention to the BJPs jeers that the eight-phase election was necessary to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections. The Election Commission rejected the April 16 appeal by all political parties in the fray in West Bengal, besides the BJP, that the remaining three phases should be clubbed together. Defending the eight-phase polls, BJP candidate Swapan Dasgupta said anything else would affect the democratic spirit of the process. His assurance and that of his party that all Covid protocols would be maintained cut no ice with the Calcutta high court, as its indictment reveals.

In declaring that it couldnt change the schedule once it as notified, the Election Commission forgot that it has the power to do so and there is a precedent. In 1984, the Lok Sabha elections were held in all states, except Punjab and Assam. Elections there were held in 1985 because the circumstances called for it. In 1991, the EC decided that the Lok Sabha elections would be rescheduled with new dates because after some states had voted, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated and there was turmoil. The Representation of the People Act is rigid, but the law isnt stupid. It does admit there can be an obstruction to the polling process after a natural calamity or any other sufficient cause.

As a result, West Bengal saw an unprecedented number of public rallies and meetings organised on a mega-scale for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, at least a dozen or more star campaigners from the BJPs very large and varied pool of leaders, including defence minister Rajnath Singh and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath. A comparison of one day of campaigning by the BJP and Ms Banerjee is revealing; the BJP held at least nine major rallies, roadshows and meetings on one day while Mamata Banerjee managed only four.

As the challenger in West Bengal, the BJPs capacity to spread havoc without being restrained by the EC, outdid all other political parties on a daily basis. Can it be a mere coincidence that Prime Minister Modi cancelled his final four rallies, out of a total of 18, minutes before the commission announced the ban on rallies?

A pandemic on the scale of Covid-19 is unprecedented. If the EC failed to grasp this simple fact, so did the Prime Minister. Not till the nationwide oxygen shortage began killing patients in hospitals across India, ICU beds ran short and private hospitals went to court did the magnitude of the calamity impress itself on Mr Modi, whose office had earlier reportedly turned away Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackerays desperate SOS for help. Can the democratic spirit freely exercise its franchise if disease and death stalk the voter? The EC will eventually have to answer this question.
Washington, April 25 : The George Floyd case has brought historic profound ramifications to the issue of racial justice in the United States, US media.

An opinion piece in The New York Times holds that the killing of Floyd not only led to massive protests, but also brought salience to racial justice in many aspects of American life, policing and healthcare, for example, Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

"The entire arc of the Floyd case -- from his death and the protests through the trial and conviction of Chauvin -- played out against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, which further focused attention on the nation's racial inequities: People of colour were among those hardest hit by the virus and by the economic dislocation that followed," it said.

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty Tuesday on all the three criminal charges in the murder of George Floyd last summer.
A statement issued by the company said that it has received clearance from the subject expert committee (SEC) of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) following the successful completion of the Phase I/II clinical trials.

Hyderabad, April 24 (IANS) Hyderabad-based vaccine and pharmaceutical company Biological E. Limited (BE) announced on Saturday that its Covid-19 subunit vaccine candidate has received approval to begin Phase III clinical trials in India.

The Phase III clinical study to be conducted in 15 sites across India will evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of BE's SARS-CoV-2 Covid-19 vaccine in about 1,268 healthy subjects in the age range of 18 to 80 years. It is intended to be part of a larger global Phase III study.

"We are delighted with the success of the Phase I/II clinical trials of our Covid-19 vaccine candidate. The results of these clinical trials are very positive and promising. We believe that our vaccine candidate will become another effective global Covid-19 vaccine as we move forward into Phase III clinical trials," said Mahima Datla, Managing Director, Biological E. Limited.

BE started the Phase I/II clinical trials of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate in the second week of November 2020. Its candidate includes an antigen developed by Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and in-licensed from BCM Ventures, Baylor College of Medicine's integrated commercialisation team, along with Dynavax Technologies Corporation's advanced adjuvant CpG 1018TM.

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have provided support for the Phase I/II clinical trials.

"This vaccine could one day fill the gaps in vaccine supply shortages in Africa, Latin America and low-income Asian countries. It's so exciting to partner with BE and help India provide a vaccine to halt the Covid-19 pandemic globally," said Peter Hotez, professor and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor, and co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development.

BE's Phase I/II clinical trials evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate consisting of the receptor binding domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 at three-dose levels adjuvanted with CpG 1018 plus alum, in about 360 healthy subjects in the age range of 18 to 65 years.

The vaccination schedule consisted of two doses for each study participant, administered via intramuscular injection 28 days apart.

--IANS

pvn/arm
The Ho Chi Minh City taxman has said it will try collecting tax from landlords when they lease residential, commercial or office spaces in apartment buildings in District 11 in the coming time.

This is a part in Ho Chi Minh City Tax Departments report to the municipal Peoples Committee outlining its plan to collect taxes in such fields as e-commerce, consultancy, construction design, banking, healthcare, and real estate, Zing News reported on Saturday.

In the field of real estate, the taxman said it will tax landlords who rent out their houses, flats, and business spaces in apartment buildings; individuals and organizations that directly do business or provide services in such buildings; and lessors of office spaces there.

Accordingly, the pilot tax collection will first be enforced at the following buildings in District 11: the Res 11 Apartment Building at 205 Lac Long Quan Street, Ward 3; Thuan Viet Commercial Residential Area at 319 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Ward 15; Bao Gia Building at 184 Le Dai Hanh Street, Ward 15; 70 Lu Gia Apartment Building at 70 Lu Gia Street, Ward 15; and Khai Hoan Building at 624 Lac Long Quan Street, Ward 5.

Tax offices will work with the management boards of these buildings on the lists of landlords and those who directly do business on their premises.

Tax offices will also coordinate with local police to review the lists of permanent residents and temporary residents and absentees, and to impart the pilot plan to all lessors.

The municipal Tax Department calls for all lessors to provide tax offices with full information relating to their lease agreements.

Based on such data, tax officers will compare between the actual and taxable rent declared by landlords to determine an appropriate tax base.

The specific time for this pilot plan to be implemented has yet to be released.

In addition to such tax collection, the department also proposes management measures to prevent a loss of revenue from land use fees, registration fees, and personal income tax.

Specifically, the municipal tax authority will review all declarations of personal income tax and registration fees in association with real estate transfer deals across the city.

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Bangladesh on Sunday closed its border with India for two weeks in view of the sharp increase in the cases in the neighbouring country.

"We are closing it (border) for the passengers for the time being," Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters.

"Bangladesh took the decision in view of rapid increase of infection in India, he added.

He said that the land routes for people's movement to and from the neighbouring country would be closed for two weeks but the goods-laden vehicles would be allowed to operate.

"The higher authorities have decided to close the borders for two weeks...The land routes with India will be shut from April 26," Home Minister Asaduzzamman Khan Kamal told the Kalerkantha newspaper.

The border closure came as the COVID-19 situation kept suspended flight operations between the two countries since April 14.

(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.)
Various events and factors can increase the price of car insurance. Bad credit score and moving to a dangerous area are just a few from the many events that can affect the insurance premiums, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Car insurance can get quite expensive and many drivers are wondering for what reasons their premiums are so high. Car insurance rates can be affected by various events and factors.

The most common factors and events that can increase the price of insurance are the following:



Customizing the insured vehicle. This is a common factor that can significantly affect the price of insurance. Before changing or adding parts to the vehicle, drivers should inform their insurers. Drivers who do not inform their insurers about the modifications they've done to their cars can get their policies voided. Car modifications like adding turbo-chargers, changing the engine, wheels, brake system, and even specialized paintwork will make car insurance rates go higher.

Being caught with a DUI. Drivers who are caught driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, will be penalized depending on the states legislation with penalties that can be as low as a driving fine and points or they can receive harsher penalties like jail time. Drivers convicted for DUI will be placed in the high-risk category by the insurers and will have their insurance rates raised with 50%, and in some cases, the rates will be even doubled.

Bad credit score. The credit score is an important factor that most insurers use to determine insurance rates. Insurers consider that drivers with a poor credit score are less responsible and they have higher chances for filing a claim. For these reasons, drivers with a poor credit score will pay more on insurance.

Moving to a new area that is exposed to thefts or weather hazards. The location where a driver lives can affect insurance rates. Drivers who move to neighborhoods where car thefts are quite common will pay more on their premiums. The insurance rates will also increase for drivers that move in areas where severe weather events happen more frequently.

For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit http://compare-autoinsurance.org

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.
Before 2017, never before had a student graduated with a first-class from the University of Ibadans Department of History.

But Ozibo Ekele broke that jinx when he graduated with a 6.6 of 7 CGPA. It would take another three years before Mr Ekeles feat would be equalled.

Martins Isaac Olusanya, a former president of UIs Union of Campus Journalists, achieved the feat this year, the second in UIs history departments 72 years of existence.

In this interview with Yusuf Akinpelu, Mr Olusanya, the only child of an Ibadan-based mother, spoke about how he combined active extracurricular engagements with a determination to graduate with a summa cum laude. He also touched on campus journalism, leadership, student unionism and his aspirations for Nigeria.

PT: Tell me, what does it take to become UIs department of historys joint overall best graduating student in 72 years?

Martins: It takes reading hard and smart. The higher I went, the lesser I had time to read owing to my extracurricular commitments, yet my grades soared. As much as you need to spend more time reading, in the humanities, it is important to know what lecturers want and give it to them. It really doesnt matter what you think is right because they end up deciding your score.

It is also important to read vastly. I always consulted sometimes 10-15 literatures or more to prepare for a single question. I used the internet to help me streamline my searches. When I am in the exam hall, I write from start to finish with no time left for proof-reading, hardly taking breaks except when I feel hand pains.

Another important thing to note is time-management. One of the first things I do whenever the word start sounds is, I divide the total time allocated by the number of questions then add to the starting time, and the next and next. I always had an idea when I should round off every question.

Most importantly, (my) mums prayers have always been my solid foundation.

PT: How do you think history can be used as a tool for social re-engineering?

Martins: It has often been said that to not know what has happened in the past is to forever remain a child. The lessons of history are embedded in past events. Knowing what has happened before makes it possible to prepare better and avoid a recurrence. Failure to do so, you repeat the mistakes of the past, starting all over again.

This summarizes the problem of Nigeria, both for leaders seeking to make changes and citizens who vote the same crop of leaders, or leaders who initiate the same old policy. Even in science, progress is only made when scientists continue from where old researches stop, introduce new methods and explore new options. They do not disregard what has existed before them. They rather use it, examine the shortcomings and improve upon it, and from there, innovations occur. Not even doctors immediately administer treatments without constructing an analysis of a patients past medical record. That sums up what history is for you.

PT: You made a first class despite being neck-deep in extracurricular activities. Those arent two easily compatible ventures. How did you manage the two?

Martins: I will never stop getting asked this. First, I will say its Gods grace. I always knew when to attend my extracurricular and when to leave it for my books. I knew how long it would take me to prepare for each course. I was very determined to make the first class. It was all about the balancing, at the cost of social life.

Of course, like I would always admit, I took energy drinks. Their importance is that they make your body capable of working extra hours at optimum functionality. I take them when Im tired to extend my active hours, especially at night.

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There were days I would just go to cafter a long day, take energy drinks, sleep for an hour or two and wake up super active and productive. Some of the prices I paid for that habit was a constant headache, migraines and red eyes. I once spent three days non-stop at KDL to prepare for two exams, with my only exit during the period being to get food.

I take breaks by watching movies. (Laughs) I watched Money Heist, Stranger Things, and Harry Potter series all between the exam period at KDL between 300L and 400L. They help me unwind and sustain a long reading period. I froze my WhatsApp during this period, communicating by call and texts. It helped me keep away from prolonged distractions and remain focused. I also had the support from classmates with notes.

PT: Nigerian best graduating students are often less rewarded. Was it any different in your case?

Martins: Well, it is something I believe tertiary institutions should work on. It was not any different in my case. Although, I must add that Mr Ekele  the pacesetter  reached out to the department to reward myself and the best graduating female.

Reward doesnt even have to be monetary. There should be a system that makes deliberate efforts to help first class students, not only BGS, to further in their future aspirations. I believe to make a strong 2:1  let alone a first class  especially from UI, we can all agree it is not beans. It requires high-level consistency, perseverance, focus, brilliance, retentiveness and never say die attitude spanning four to seven years.

Many need guidance, real support from here to fully fulfil the potential they have shown. Not some caricature shows, or speeches without substance in the form of advice.

Nigerian institutions should be doing more. UI can and should be doing much better than the offer of tuition waiver for Masters programmes to first class (graduates). 72 years of a vast empire of resourceful alumni, international recognition, global appeal should be channelled into the citadel for the development of its product. One of the most proven ways of motivating excellent results is the potential of proportional excellent rewarding.

PT: You led UNIBADANs Union of Campus Journalists in your final year. Some believe press vibrancy in Nigerian institutions is blunt. Would you agree?

Martins: Well, it would depend on the case study. In UI I will strongly disagree. Are they doing enough? No. Can they be better? Yes. Are there limitations? Absolutely.

For example, the management of UI had just renovated the halls of residence then. I must add that the very first episode of my weekly column  The Spy Next Door  published in 2018 strongly called for renovation of hostels since they had hiked fees based on that premise. After that, minute renovations were seen (I hope I havent said my article made the management respond, well, could have played a part) starting from a week after.

Sometime in mid-first semester, I summoned an editorial meeting where I urged the entire editorial board to focus, for that week, on halls of residence and writing about what was deficient and needed renovation in them. I divided them into all the halls of residence existing.

But then, they protested it considering Adekunle Adebajo had just been sanctioned for a similar venture. I persuaded them to write the stories, and for those who were scared, they can put my byline or leave it empty. The point is, fear of sanctions, rustications and expulsions are huge factors in restricting the functionalities of press members.

This is the major challenge in many schools, victimization of the press. But even those truly practicing are not encouraged, but rather endangered, just like mainstream journalists. Even fellow students and alumni threaten you over stories you write.

If you want to see how vibrant campus journalism is, you have to look at its export to the mainstream and how they ease into mainstream journalism. Fisayo Soyombo, president of UCJUI in 2008 is one example. There is Oluwamayowa Tijani, Olaiya Templer of Guardian, and more recently Kunle Adebajo, Yusuf Akinpelu (yourself), Aishat Babatunde and many more from UNIBADAN.

From OAU, I know how great Alfred Olufemi and Kabir Adejumo are doing; I know Ibrahim Adeyemi as well. So, campus journalism is a very sound grooming ground. It has always been, and in some schools, it still is.

PT: Student unionism upon which early national leadership thrived is almost a shadow of itself. Where did we get it wrong?

Martins: Weak and selfish leadership, feeble-hearted and enduring followership. Everything about political leadership at present for those who are in position to keep winning has always been self-centeredness and lack of will to initiate a change in the narrative. As for the followers, they are weary from fights. At the moment, Nigerians can endure just about anything so far they remain breathing.

Poverty and hunger are two instruments that have been used to defeat the people. Religion has not made that any better with its message of hope. Many have lived and died still hoping. So, rather than take the initiative to change the narrative, they hope on and long for a messiah; that brought us Buhari.

On student unionism, corruption has filtered everywhere in the country. Youths want to open ways for themselves. So, political office became nothing more than an avenue to better their lot than the actual mandate given to them. Many of the students they lead on the other hand, do not see any better. Students hardly even vote in visionary leaders. Like the mainstream, it is a popularity contest.

Even in the rare instances that we get it right with leaders, there are no leaders to offer support. I can remember many refusing to protest what should be rightfully theirs, afraid of rustications, reprimanding or expulsion. Rather than even remain indifferent, which is just as bad, they act as foil.

So, there is a really misguided mentality amongst Nigerians, which transcends mainstream politics into every fabric of the society, student leadership inclusive.

PT: Any way forward?

Martins: Revolution. It encompasses several facets of humanity. But first, in mentality. However, people lost hope in good government because they feel nothing can be done to the system. It is rigid and there are people benefiting from it. Ojo Aderemi (UIs former student union president) was rusticated for four semesters for confronting anomalies. No student union leader would attempt such in a long time to come.

If any even attempts it, the followers are not going to support because they believe it would be a futile and counter-productive exercise. So, to begin with, in the remodeling of Kenneth Kaunda, a revolution of the minds of people is critical. The belief needs to be affected, needs to be given life.

A movement is needed, one shrouded in enlightenment, that perfectly captures the majority of the masses. Aderemi attempted this intellectual revolution in UI, but while many believed, not many were willing to partake actively.

PT: What did your stint as UCJ President teach you for those, particularly youths, who are seeking power?

Martins: People. People. People. They are everything. You need very capable and committed hands to go far in any position of leadership. You need to identify leaders with the right mentality and focus amongst your ranks and commit them to worthy responsibilities.

As the leader, you should perform oversight functions. You cannot be everywhere, so you need people to execute tasks, while you do the thinking and harmonize goals.

You also need those who will connect you with those who will help you with things beyond your reach. You need those who will put you in check. You need those who will freely express their reservations on your plans, it makes you see possible obstacles and work around them. Even more important, you need the right set of people within your cabinet, whom you can preach your ideals to, and who will astutely believe and follow you.

In short, my faith has always been in people. They are the most important set of resources you can have. Their freedom allows them to execute with the right vigour and determination. With your oversight, you keep them in check and you continue to motivate them. You trust them, they trust you. It is why you have to carefully know the goods and bad about the people you have. Everyone is a mix of both, it makes you identify how to work with them.

PT: You once said you have an aspiration to lead this country someday. Have you begun to mobilise, or have you given up on the goal?

Martins: [Smiles] I wouldnt completely say I have completely given up on it. I know I am better suited to administration than anything. I dont intend to be a career politician. So, if I will eventually set my mind to it, it will have to be because I strongly believe I can make a change considering the circumstances at the time.

When the belief is there, then I will set out to assemble a vast team, with focus on a revolutionary-inspired empire committed to solving some of the major problems of the masses, pulling financial resources, alleviating poverty and changing the mindset of the common people on practical ways good governance can change their lives for good. Until then, I plan to live as a private individual committed to amassing vast wealth.

PT: What next after your first degree?

Martins: In my situation, there is not much to go by with my first degree and my future plans or aspirations. So, I intend taking further steps higher. I am beginning to seek post-graduate studies (masters and PhD) in the West.

PT: What was your sexual life like while in school?

Martins: It was a mess.

PT: What were your most memorable moments and worst moments, if any, in school?

Martins: My most memorable probably has to be when Fisayo Soyombo rated my administration the best since he left school, or fifteen years. He wasnt alone. Tijani Mayowa, Dr Bayo Ajala, associate professor at NISER, highly rated my administration. They mean a lot to me. I came, achieved and left legacies, which have even expanded now.

My worst moment? I am not sure. Maybe when I slumped into depression while planning the unions alumni reunion and I was being subject to undeserved treatments including the spread of falsehood. It did not last the day though. I went out to catch fun and then dealt with it later.
Lets start with adultification bias. What does it mean, and how does it manifest in schools or interactions with law enforcement?

Jamilia Blake: When Black girls are not seen as children, thats adultification bias. Theyre not seen as being innocent; theyre not seen as needing nurturing; theyre seen as more adultlike, and what it is, is dehumanization. Black girls are not afforded the same freedoms that are guaranteed in childhood, like exploration, the ability to make mistakes or the benefit of the doubt. How it looks in school is this general perception of Black girls behavior being very volitional and menacing, and even more so if they voice their concerns and raise awareness  everything that they do is kind of seen as problematic. They are constantly monitored, they receive more severe disciplinary actions, and they arent even able to be sad or cry. And I dont think many educators, law professionals, mental health professionals and individuals who interact with children are even aware of it  I dont think they know that the adultification bias may be driving the punitiveness and the severity of their responses to Black girls.

Monique Morris: Adultification bias is also age compression. This is a way to erase the normal adolescent behavior and development that we have come to associate with young people, and it heightens our propensity to respond to young people as if theyre fully developed adults  referring to girls as women, not allowing them to make mistakes, even how we define their responses to conditions. So when there are things that negatively impact them and they speak up against it, we as adults associate this Black girl behavior with some of the same tropes and stereotypes that have plagued Black womanhood for centuries. Their way of responding and defending themselves is read to be combative, and their way of challenging structures of oppression are deemed to be aggressive. That leaves very little opportunity for us to really think about the prevalence of trauma in their lives.

Right, and the very harmful angry Black woman trope is always in the wings 

MM: Exactly. And sometimes people think about the emotions as mutually exclusive  like you cant express anger and also be victimized by systems of oppression. We have to really think about the host of environmental conditions as part of the tapestry shaping their life outcomes  to strip them of this context facilitates the adultification bias and, in many ways, reduces the institutional capacity to be responsive.

JB: Right, exactly. The ability to express a range of emotions, whether thats in response to oppressive conditions or not, is a function of being human. So what is happening to Black girls and children is that were robbing them of the essential aspects of what it means to be a human being.

What were your thoughts when you watched the body-camera footage?

JB: For me as a mother  I have a 16-year-old  whenever videos of these incidents come out, I wait a significant amount of time to watch it because I dont want to see the loss of life of another young Black person for something senseless. It really tears away at your soul. At any given time, that could have been me; that could have been my daughter, my niece or any of the girls that I work with. So when I did see the video, I saw someone who just reacted and didnt take a lay of the land in terms of what was happening, didnt ask questions, didnt try to interrupt the fight.
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KYODO NEWS - Apr 25, 2021 - 15:23 | World, All, Coronavirus

Pakistan late Saturday night offered medical assistance to neighboring India, which is battling with one of the worst coronavirus crises in the world.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a Twitter post, "On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I extend our heartfelt sympathies to the affected families" in India and, as "a gesture of solidarity" with them, Pakistan offered to provide ventilators, digital X-ray machines and personal protective equipment.

The archrival neighbors have had very tense ties since August 2019 when India annexed its portion of the disputed territory of Kashmir.

The two had then downgraded their diplomatic ties and are currently without ambassadors in each other's capitals, while their embassies are working with reduced strength.

Qureshi said Pakistan has made this gesture because it believes in the policy of humanity first.

The Pakistani offer came after Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar appealed for international assistance for dealing with the coronavirus crisis in his country.

India reported nearly a million new cases during the past three days that overwhelmed its hospitals. The country is also faced with a severe shortage of medical oxygen.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said that Indian authorities have been asked to coordinate quick delivery of the relief items. It said that ways for further cooperation to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic could also be explored.

Notwithstanding tense political ties between the two countries, Pakistani Twitter users on Friday ran a Twitter trend #IndiaNeedsOxygen to urge the government to help India.

Edhi Foundation, a philanthropic organization that runs ambulance services in Pakistan, has written a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering a fleet of 50 ambulances and support staff.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, meanwhile, in a message posted on Twitter, expressed solidarity with the people of India and prayed for the "speedy recovery" of those affected by the pandemic.

"We must fight this global challenge confronting humanity together," he further said.
Seven of these Astute machines have been commissioned, and four of them (HMS Astute, HMS Ambush, HMS Artful and HMS Audacious) are already patrolling the waters of the world. The fifth in line, HMS Anson, just got to meet water for the first time earlier this month at the BAE Systems facility in Cumbria.After getting its name last December, and hitting the water this month, the submarine is scheduled to enter sea trials with the Royal Navy next year. Until then, it will be subjected to all sorts of tests at the hands of BAE.The launch marks an important milestone in the Astute programme and seeing Anson enter the water at such an advanced state is a tangible demonstration of everyone's hard work over the years, said in a statement Steve Timms, Managing Director BAE Systems Submarines.We now look forward to a successful test and commissioning phase and working alongside Anson's crew to prepare the submarine for operations with the Royal Navy.Astute class submarines are 97 meters long (318 feet) and weigh 7,400 tons submerged. Their power comes from a nuclear reactor that give them virtually unlimited range and power, and also allows the ships to generate their own oxygen and water.The only thing limiting operation is the amount of food and other supplies it can carry, and that usually lasts for about 90 days for the crew of 98  for reference, that would be according to BAE 18,000 sausages and 4,200 Weetabix, just for breakfast.To date, Astute-class submarines have not been involved in any battles that we know of, but there have been incidents. Back in 2010, the first in line, HMS Astute, ran aground in Scotland, and six years later the Ambush hit a merchant ship with its conning tower in the Gibraltar region.
A LIMERICK student has been accepted onto a prestigious Transatlantic programme encouraging leaders of the future.

Jack OConnor, 22, from Kilcolman, is one of this years cohort on the Washington-Ireland programme due to take place in June and July.

Sadly, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the University of Limerick (UL) international business student will not be able to travel to the American capital to take part as all sessions this year are taking place virtually.

Despite this, he is looking forward to it, saying: Its a fantastic opportunity. Its a programme Ive had an interest in since I got into college. Im fortunate enough to have friends who have gone through the process before and theyve said the experience is a life-changing one.

Jack said the programme is focused on developing the leadership skills of youngsters across the island of Ireland, and in normal times, it would include sessions in embassies and consulates Stateside, alongside a work placement in Washington DC.

Jack  who has previously represented Ireland as its youth representative at the United Nations  said he will bring an insane curiousity to the Washington-Ireland programme.

Im keen to start learning more, he said, You read about these things and learn the policy side of it. But I am very keen to be learning from others and actually learning to share the experiences and stories of other people.

After college, he hopes to continue working on a start-up project he is currently carrying out with smallholder farmers in rural parts of Africa.
Brian Howey is publisher of Howey Politics Indiana at howeypolitics.com. Find him on Facebook and Twitter @hwypol.
More than five million people who have received their first COVID-19 shot have skipped out on their second dose.

According to the New York Times, that estimate represents nearly eight per cent of the American population who received the first shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

Some people have opted out of the second dose because they believe they're sufficiently protected with a single shot. Others are fearful of the flulike side effects.

But the fault isn't just on the millions who haven't received their second dose. Vaccine providers have been forced to cancel second-dose appointments because they ran out of supply.

More than five million people who have received their first COVID-19 shot have skipped out on their second dose

That estimate represents nearly eight per cent of the American population who received the first shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines

In one example, several Walgreens customers were unable to get their second because they didn't have the right vaccine on hand, according to the Times.

'I'm very worried, because you need that second dose,' Dr Paul Offit, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told the newspaper.

Some states are also finding that people aren't interested in getting the shots and are having to turn down vaccine deliveries. Louisiana has stopped asking the federal government for its full allotment of COVID-19 vaccine.

About three-quarters of Kansas counties have turned down new shipments of the vaccine at least once over the past month. And in Mississippi, officials asked the federal government to ship vials in smaller packages so they don't go to waste.

As the supply of coronavirus vaccine doses in the US outpaces demand, some places around the country are finding there's such little interest in the shots, they need to turn down shipments.

'It is kind of stalling. Some people just don't want it,' said Stacey Hileman, a nurse with the health department in rural Kansas' Decatur County, where less than a third of the county's 2,900 residents have received at least one vaccine dose.

The dwindling demand for vaccines illustrates the challenge that the US faces in trying to conquer the pandemic while at the same time dealing with the optics of tens of thousands of doses sitting on shelves when countries like India and Brazil are in the midst of full-blown medical emergencies.

More than half of American adults have received at least one vaccine dose, and President Joe Biden last week celebrated eclipsing 200 million doses administered in his first 100 days in office. He also acknowledged entering a new phase to bolster outreach and overcome hesitancy.

Across the country, pharmacists and public health officials are seeing the demand wane and supplies build up. About half of Iowa's counties have stopped asking for new doses from the state, and Louisiana didn't seek shipment of some vaccine doses over the past week.

Some are urging federal officials to send more vaccine to places where there's demand  rather than allocate them based on population  including Massachusetts Republican Gov Charlie Baker, who said on Thursday they could administer two to three times more doses per day if they had more supply.

More than half of American adults have received at least one vaccine dose, and President Joe Biden last week celebrated eclipsing 200 million doses administered in his first 100 days in office

In Mississippi, small-town pharmacist Robin Jackson has been practically begging anyone in the community to show up and get shots after she received her first shipment of vaccine earlier this month and demand was weak, despite placing yard signs outside her storefront celebrating the shipment's arrival. She was wasting more vaccine than she was giving out and started coaxing family members into the pharmacy for shots.

'Nobody was coming,' she said. 'And I mean no one.'

In Barber County, Kansas, which has turned down vaccine doses from the state for two of the past four weeks, Danielle Farr said she has no plans to be vaccinated. The 32-year-old said she got COVID-19 last year, along with her 5- and 12-year-old sons and her husband.

Blood tests detected antibodies for the virus in all four of them, so she figures they're already protected.

'I believe in vaccines that have eradicated terrible diseases for the past 60, 70 years. I totally and fully believe in that,' said Farr, who works at an accounting firm. 'Now a vaccine that was rushed in six, seven months, I'm just going to be a little bit more cautious about what I choose to put into my body.'

Barbara Gennaro, a stay-at-home mother of two small children in Yazoo City, Mississippi, said everybody in her homeschooling community is against getting the vaccine. Gennaro said she generally avoids vaccinations for her family in general, and the coronavirus vaccine is no different.

'All of the strong Christians that I associate with are against it,' she said. 'Fear is what drives people to get the vaccine  plain and simple. The stronger someone's trust is in the Lord, the least likely they are to want the vaccine or feel that it's necessary.'

Another challenge for vaccinations in a rural state like Mississippi is that in many cases, doses are being shipped in large packages with one vial containing at least 10 doses.

During a news conference in early April, Republican Gov Tate Reeves said Mississippi officials have requested that the federal government send the vaccines in smaller packaging so it's not going to waste.

'If you're in New York City, and you're sending a package to one of the large pharmacies in downtown Manhattan, there are literally millions and millions of people within walking distance most likely of that particular pharmacy,' Reeves said. 'Well, if you're in rural Itta Bena, Mississippi, that's just not the case.'

Some states are also finding that people aren't interested in getting the shots and are having to turn down vaccine deliveries. Louisiana has stopped asking the federal government for its full allotment of COVID-19 vaccine

About three-quarters of Kansas counties have turned down new shipments of the vaccine at least once over the past month. And in Mississippi, officials asked the federal government to ship vials in smaller packages so they don't go to waste

To combat the hesitancy, Louisiana continues to increase its outreach work with community organizations and faith-based leaders, set up a hotline to help people schedule appointments, and work to find free transportation to a vaccination center.

The health department is sending out more than 100,000 mailers on Monday to encourage people to get vaccinated, and robocalls from regional medical directors are going out to landline phones around the state.

In New Mexico, state officials are exploring the recruitment of 'community champions'  trusted residents of regions with vaccine hesitancy who can address concerns about safety and efficacy. Question-and-answer style town halls are also a possibility. And video testimonials about coronavirus vaccines have already been recorded.

Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, said now that everyone qualifies to get vaccinated, public health officials are encountering three groups: 'not able,' 'not now' and 'not ever'.

The first group, he said, isn't able to get their shots because there's some kind of barrier. The 'not nows' have earnest questions about vaccine safety, efficacy and whether they need the shot.

He said they're not prepared to write off 'not evers,' but instead are 'working to find trusted messengers like doctors, family members, community members' to give them good information.

In Corinth, Mississippi, pharmacist Austin Bullard said a lot of people were waiting to become vaccinated until a one-dose shot became available. The news about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the risk for blood-clotting  however slim  has scared people about getting any type of vaccination.

'I do feel like there has been more hesitancy across the board since then,' he said.

On Friday, health officials lifted the 11-day pause on COVID-19 vaccinations using Johnson & Johnson's single-dose shot, after scientific advisers decided its benefits outweigh a rare risk of blood clot.

The government uncovered 15 vaccine recipients who developed a highly unusual kind of blood clot out of nearly 8 million people given the J&J shot. All were women, most under age 50. Three died, and seven remain hospitalized.

But ultimately, federal health officials decided that J&J's one-and-done vaccine is critical to fight the pandemic  and that the small clot risk could be handled with warnings to help younger women decide if they should use that shot or an alternative.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the J&J vaccine has important advantages for some people who were anxiously awaiting its return.

And the Food and Drug Administration updated online vaccine information leaflets for would-be recipients and health workers.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky added that the pause should increase confidence in vaccine safety, showing 'that we are taking every one of those needles in a haystack that we find seriously'.
the Union has different images depending on those evaluating it. Parents, for example, consider ASUU as agents of frustration that impede the growth of their children as they understand that the confinement of their wards to their different homes brings imposing pressure on them, to which they have no absorbing mechanism. On the students part, ASUU is conceived as an insanely ambitious group

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is a labour union that emerged from government workers interactions to improve Nigerias educational system. The body came into existence in 1978 to succeed a union of similar philosophical mandate, the Nigerian Association of University Teachers, which aimed to install a viable culture that would effectively transform the country. The conception of the Union is traceable to the examination of the countrys academic condition, which was then heading towards a crisis. The Nigerian political system was in its fledgling state and was exposed to every kind of manipulation by those in power  a situation that was threatening the moral and professional career of teachers. The alternating transition between democratic and military governments cemented the reason for the initiation of a group that would be saddled to speak out the minds of its members and do this without any form of betrayal. In essence, ASUUs emergence has tackled and addressed the aspirations of professional teachers within its socio-historical timeframe in the country by taking measures that would ensure that a fair working condition is complemented with up-to-date infrastructural facilities in the countrys tertiary academic institutions.

Objectives

Going by the motivations of the eggheads that ushered the group into existence, the fundamental objective of ASUU is to negotiate with the Federal Government on the basis of the need for the provision of desirable welfare for Nigerian teachers at the tertiary level, especially the universities. The Unions mission is to ensure that the country does not experience massive brain drain in the intellectual sector, where people in whom the country has invested quality academic resources migrate en masse to areas where they believe have better working conditions. It is the tenacious belief of the Union that losing individuals to those places, due to the challenges of lack of access to quality life resulting from the poor welfare package accorded to them by the country, would ultimately retrograde or proportionally regress the nations knowledge production and inevitably render academics unfit for international competition. Meanwhile, the provision of good welfare befitting of the individuals working at the tertiary level goes beyond salary increment alone. In situations where there is a significant infrastructural deficit in the education system of the country, meeting up with the emerging trends in the global educational society would be largely impossible, and this will have horrible consequences on the academic conditions of the country as those within the sector are likely to become frustrated.

Achievements

To be candid, the Union has recorded several successes to its credit because of some rigorous, persistent, and dedicated efforts put in place by the groups governing body at different times. In fact, despite some areas of excessive obstinacy of the Union, resulting in its outright refusal of compromise, the Union has made impressive landmarks in the facilitation of better academic working conditions for the members since its inception. Some individuals are usually judgmental of the Union because of the information gap between them and the trade organisation. Not many outsiders understand that the high reduction in the degree of migration of lecturers comes from the bodys persistent and continuous assurance of a better working environment that would inevitably fast-track their career development. To convince a people to continue to work for a government, despite continuous deplorable conditions of intellectualism and competence and the unceasing undermining of their social contributions, demands more than a mere verbal innuendo. It requires actively engaging the government as evidence of the commitment to their collective yearnings. Through thick and thin, ASUU has remained steadfast in its pursuit of better work conditions for its members and installing a suitable environment where academic competence is possible.

As the only language understood by the military leadership is force, the language of persuasion by the Union was misconstrued, and this led to its proscription in the same year. After a series of this experience, ASUU was vindicated in 1992 for its achievements. In recent times, ASUU has declined the governments intrusion in overseeing the running of Nigerian universities.

It remains etched in the public memory and the Nigerian archive of history too that the outstanding efforts of the ASUU as a labour or trade union for the implementation of a functional academic structure, especially during the period of military leadership, cannot be overemphasised. Military governments, by their designs, did not usually consider the investment in the education sector and the system as the primary objective of leadership. Their neophyte disposition about the significance of education to the advancement of a peoples collective dreams and goals accounts for their indifference to the system when they found themselves in power. The 1970s and 1980s, in the sociopolitical experience of the country, was largely dominated by military leadership, which invariably meant that the countrys educational sector suffered a callous abandonment from the government. In 1988, when the country was under the siege of military dictatorship, the Union had to organise a nationwide industrial action to obtain fair wages for the academic members. As the only language understood by the military leadership is force, the language of persuasion by the Union was misconstrued, and this led to its proscription in the same year. After a series of this experience, ASUU was vindicated in 1992 for its achievements. In recent times, ASUU has declined the governments intrusion in overseeing the running of Nigerian universities.

Criticisms

It is fair to say that ASUU has won commendable feats through its successful agitations; it is equally incontestable that it has won fierce criticisms by different groups in the Nigerian society. ASUU has been considered notorious for its uncompromising stance when negotiating with the Federal Government. It is a built-in operational method for the Union to threaten and then implement strike actions whenever the government refuses to accede to its requests. However, when this is done, the resulting consequences are usually overwhelming and unpredictable. A society is considered a working system prone to breaking down when it is not primarily functioning. The country is also more exposed to danger when the academic sector is stagnant and not making significant progress. Therefore, strike actions open the country to several consuming challenges that threaten its stability. When the youths are condemned to their homes without engaging in profitable enterprises, apart from them being prone to temptations of unimaginable standards, they are equally available to be used as instruments of moral degeneration in some extreme situations. As such, by its intransigent dispositions, the Union has inadvertently short-circuited the future of many students.

the group protested the deplorable conditions of the countrys education system and expressed its desire for a school environment that is adequately equipped with necessary facilities. The Union dragged the government through a protracted negotiation period, during which tertiary education in the country stood still for almost a year. As usual, this attracted severe criticisms to ASUU from stakeholders.

Consequently, the Union has different images depending on those evaluating it. Parents, for example, consider ASUU as agents of frustration that impede the growth of their children as they understand that the confinement of their wards to their different homes brings imposing pressure on them, to which they have no absorbing mechanism. On the students part, ASUU is conceived as an insanely ambitious group that places its interests above other things, using the innocent students as leverage to get access to its share of the national cake. However, for the government, the body is considered a sellout whose masked ambition is to portray successive governments as unwilling to give the necessary financial attention to the countrys education system. These various critical appraisals have revealed that a body seeking the welfare of the people would always be confronted by several challenges, especially when they have an information gap about the internal issues they have to contend with. In one of its recent industrial actions, the group protested the deplorable conditions of the countrys education system and expressed its desire for a school environment that is adequately equipped with necessary facilities. The Union dragged the government through a protracted negotiation period, during which tertiary education in the country stood still for almost a year. As usual, this attracted severe criticisms to ASUU from stakeholders.

My questions to the President of ASUU are ready:

Can there be an ASUU that will not use strike actions as a weapon?

Is there a strategy without its risk?

Should internal cleansing not be the sole focus: To fight members who engage in malpractices and corrupt management?

A university must not be an island of privilege without responsibility!

Do please join the President of ASUU, Professor Abiodun Ogunyemi on:

Sunday, April 25:

05:00 PM Nigeria (GMT+1)

11:00AM Austin (CST)

Join via Zoom

Watch on YouTube

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Watch on Facebook

Toyin Falola, a professor of History and University Distinguished Teaching Professor, is Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin.
Sim Yohanna, the sister of Dorathy Yohanna, one of the three Greenfield University students killed by bandits in Kaduna, has expressed grief...





Sim Yohanna, the sister of Dorathy Yohanna, one of the three Greenfield University students killed by bandits in Kaduna, has expressed grief over the death of her sister.

Recall that bandits on Tuesday night broke into the private university located along the Kaduna-Abuja highway, shooting sporadically before whisking an unspecified number of students away.

Following the development, Dorathy and two other students, Sadiq Yusuf Sanga and Precious Nwakacha, were killed by the armed bandits few days after their abduction.

The abductors also contacted the parents of their victims to demand a collective ransom of N800 million.

Reacting, Sim who took to Twitter on Saturday to mourn her sister revealed that she and her family were shattered over her senseless murder.

I am broken. My family is broken.

Seeing my sisters lifeless body all over the media breaks my heart. I am shattered.

Sadly, the police is not your friend, she said.




From the Medicis to the House of Saud, it has always been possible for those with means to hire the most skilled artisans of the time to fashion gold and gems into spectacular pieces of jewelry. Within a few years, many people may be able to do it for themselves.

Lets say a couple wants an 18-karat rose gold necklace to celebrate the birth of their daughter. Using digital tools on a brands website, they could create a design dotted with diamonds in the same pattern as the stars on the night she was born, see realistic images of the necklace before ordering it and have it produced and shipped within five days, if not sooner.

Not just that, but the piece could be embedded with an NFT tag, which, when read by a smartphone, could trigger memories and digital memorabilia of the family, almost like a time capsule, said Tanmay Shah, head of innovation at Imaginarium, a rapid prototyping and manufacturing center based in Mumbai, India, with a division specializing in jewelry.

Mr. Shahs vision may sound far-fetched, but he is among a new breed of technophile jewelers convinced that the future of bejeweled adornment is hyper-personalized, computer-generated design made tangible by sophisticated 3-D metal printing.
KURNOOL: At least 60 people, including priests, working at the Srisailam temple have been infected with Covid-19, while one had succumbed to the virus recently, said temple executive officer K.S. Rama Rao.

Following the spurt in the Covid-19 cases in the temple town, the administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code, apart from the night curfew, to discourage people from staying at the temple town.

The executive officer said only those people who have Covid-19 negative certificates, will be allowed to have darshanam. This decision, he said, has reduced the number of people visiting the temple..

It is the Ugadi rush that has brought the pandemic to Srisailam as many people from Maharashtra and Karnataka had visited the temple, he said.

Srisailam tahsildar Singh Rajendra Singh said Covid-19 cases have spiked in Srisailam and Sunnipenta, and a Covid care centre is being set up at Sunnipenta. We have a new facility in the multi-purpose hospital at Sunnipenta where at least 80 patients can be accommodated. About 600 positive cases have been reported at Srisailam so far, he said.

Srisailam temple Annadanam administrator Srinivas said the temple has been supplying free food to all the needy in the temple town. The Covid hit families in need of food are supplied through gram volunteers, he said.
New Delhi: Amid a spike in coronavirus cases, authorities in Bhopal on Sunday (April 25) extended Janata corona curfew in the state capital. Collector Abhinash Lavaniya today issued an official notification in this regard, announcing an extension in the Janata curfew. It is to be noted that a week-long 'corona curfew' was first imposed in Bhopal city from 9 pm on April 12 to curb the rising cases of COVID-19. It was further extended for another week from April 19 to April 26.

The curfew in the state capital was set to end at 6 am on April 26, however, it has now been extended for one more week.

As per the government notification, the Janata curfew in Bhopal will remain in force till May 3. Apart from Bhopal, the lockdown has also been extended in Chhindwara till 6 am on May 3. In Ratlam, Sagar and Jabalpur, the lockdown has been extended until 6 am on May 1.

All previous restrictions imposed by the governemnt will remain enforced during this period. Essential services will be exempted from the corona curfew and people arriving in the city or leaving by rail, bus etc will not be inconvenienced, officials said.

On April 24, Bhopal reported 1,776 fresh cases, pushing its infection count to 78,934, including 707 fatalities. Madhya Pradesh on Saturday reported 104 COVID-19 deaths, a single-day record, and 12,918 new cases, taking the tally to 4,85,703 and the toll to 5,041, an official said. The recovery count in the state touched 3,91,299 after 11,091 people were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, leaving the state with 89,363 active cases, he added.
TORONTO, April 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- FD7 Ventures, a global cryptocurrency investment fund, announced they have increased their investment in BitcoinBlack, raising their holdings from 33% to 66% Class A voting common shares in the company.

The new undisclosed funding amount will help with the global expansion of BitcoinBlack, which bills itself as "The World's Most Exclusive Metal Black Card." The cryptocurrency credit card company will be delivering their inaugural batch of all metal black credit cards to the first 1000 customers on June 15, 2021.

"Our customers will be able to spend their Bitcoin worldwide wherever VISA is accepted and our cardholders will also be eligible for many VIP perks like access to exclusive private jet, luxury car and hotel deals, along with admission to special invite-only crypto events," said BitcoinBlack Chief Operating Officer Phil Payjack.

FD7 Managing Partner, Prakash Chand, who has been a Bitcoin investor since 2011, commented on the new investment, saying, "We have doubled down on BitcoinBlack because of their ability to now offer this card to customers outside of just Canada. It gives anyone in the world the ability to use Bitcoin as a means to make purchases in a format that they are already familiar with."

Over the last few years, metal credit cards have emerged as a symbol of prestige signifying luxury and VIP status. BitcoinBlack is the world's first VIP-level Bitcoin credit card.

The exclusive metal black credit card will connect to BitcoinBlack's Wallet which will be made available for download to all cardholders.

Anyone interested in the limited release BitcoinBlack card can apply on the company's website, bitcoinblackcreditcard.com.

To learn more about FD7 Ventures and their holdings, visit their website at fd7.ventures.

Press Contact:

Mark Holland

Toll-Free: 1-888-437-5217

[email protected]

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BitcoinBlack Credit Card

SOURCE FD7 Ventures Ltd.
Kris Wiley is the director of the Roseburg Public Library. She can be reached at kwiley@cityofroseburg.org or 541-492-7051.
Imagine a penguin, and you probably picture a pure-white snowscape in a David Attenborough programme, the birds huddled together to withstand the polar chill.

In reality, there are 18 species of penguin, and only two are truly native to Antarctica The rest are spread through the climates and continents of the southern hemisphere, even reaching up into the tropics.

To celebrate World Penguin Day, here are a few of the more unexpected places our flightless friends can turn up

1. Australia

Little Penguin in wildlife park, Australia

Purely by reputation, the scorching temperatures and dust-covered deserts of Australia should make an unhappy home for penguins, but there are snow-capped mountains in Victoria, and penguins on the southern coast. Little penguins, barely bigger than a bowling pin, inhabit beaches near Sydney and Melbourne.

Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand also has its fair share of penguins, including the ultra-rare fjordland crested penguin, and the yellow-eyed penguin  a faintly evil-looking bird that earns its name with a vivid yellow glare.

2. The Galapagos Islands

Endangered Galapagos penguin pair (Spheniscus mendiculus) on Bartolome Island in the Galapagos Islands Ecuador

Giant tortoises, marine iguanas penguins? It speaks volumes for the Galapagos Islands biodiversity that tropical penguins arent what the archipelago is famous for. Endemic to the Galapagos Islands, Galapagos penguins are among the worlds smallest, standing at around just 50 centimetres high.

The Galapagos Islands straggle the equator, and there are penguin colonies on Isabela Island that just about live in the Northern Hemisphere  the only penguins in the world to do so.

3. Namibia

African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) colony at Boulders Beach, Cape Town

The sparsely-populated African nation of Namibia is famed for its coastal desert  in which towering dunes lead directly into the ocean  but 24 colonies of African penguins breed down the countrys Atlantic coast, while vagrants have been spotted as far north as the Congo.

The only species of penguin to breed on the African continent, these small birds also frequent South Africas shores, where they are hunted by leopards, mongooses and feral cats. For tourists, African penguin HQ is Boulders Beach  a stretch of sand near Cape Town that would look at home in the Caribbean, were it not for its carpet of squawking penguins.

4. The Ballestas Islands

You dont have to travel all the way to the Galapagos to find South American penguins, and the continent hosts colonies of Humboldt penguins as far north as Peru.

The land of llamas and Machu Picchu, Perus penguins are confined to the Ballestas Islands just off the Paracas Peninsula, and rub shoulders with pelicans, cormorants, dolphins and sea lions.

5. The Falkland Islands

gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), portrait, Antarctica, Falkland Islands

If you know one thing about the wildlife of the Falkland Islands its probably that the archipelago contains an absurd number of sheep. At roughly 153 sheep per person, the islands comfortably put Wales and New Zealand to shame, and a sheep even features on their flag and crest.

But the British Overseas Territory should be just as proud of its five penguin species: Rockhopper, King, Magellanic, Macaroni, and Gentoo. The last of these is more numerous on the Falklands than anywhere else on Earth making the archipelago a global penguin capital.

6. Patagonia

magellanic penguin;spheniscus magellanicus

Known mostly for sweeping grasslands, jagged mountain ridges, and rapidly vanishing glaciers, Patagonias coasts are often overlooked.

In fact this region at the southernmost tip of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile, boasts record-breaking numbers of penguins, with Punta Tombo hosting the largest Magellanic penguin colony in the world  210,000 breeding pairs strong.

The Chilean island of Chiloe is the only place on Earth where Humboldt and Magellanic penguins breed together cheek-by-wing, while Magellanic, Gentoo, King, and Rockhopper penguins call the Tierra del Fuego region their home.
(Newser)  John and Andra Patterson had been living in Hermosillo, Mexico, for just two months when the 31-year-old John, a new member of the United States Foreign Service, was kidnapped. It was March 22, 1974, and as Brendan I. Koerner writes in a lengthy piece for the Atlantic, he was the 6th diplomat to be kidnapped in just under a year, a time during which President Nixon famously declared that the US would not negotiate with terrorists. That was potentially a problem in Patterson's case. A note, written in John's hand, had been delivered to the consulate demanding that Andra deliver $500,000 in person to the kidnappers, who claimed to be members of the People's Liberation Army of Mexico. The government wouldn't pay up, but Patterson's family could, and his widowed mother managed to secure $250,000the first installment that Andra was to deliver.

story continues below

Except the kidnappers never showed. Koerner charts a series of failed attempts to connect with the kidnappers, along with the US government's growing suspicion that this was actually a "self-kidnapping": one cooked up by John and Andra to get a boatload of money from John's family, especially as no one had actually heard of the People's Liberation Army of Mexico. But by mid-May, "the FBI was having a radical change of heart about the case," writes Koernerand had a suspect in mind. That would be Bobby Joe Keesee, a serial liar and thief who, among other things, went AWOL from the US Army, tried to obtain asylum in Cuba, and hijacked a plane in Thailand and demanded he be taken to North Vietnam, where he ended up in the Hanoi Hilton. The FBI was correct, just far too late. Keesee had indeed taken Patterson, and murdered him. The story doesn't end there. (Read Koerner's full piece.)
A Virginia sheriffs deputy shot and seriously wounded an unarmed man early on Wednesday morning, less than an hour after the deputy had given the man a ride after his car broke down, the authorities said.

The Spotsylvania County deputy had initially given the man, Isaiah L. Brown, 32, a lift to a house after responding to a 911 call for a driver whose car was not working at a gas station, the Virginia State Police said.

About 45 minutes later, the deputy responded to another 911 call for a domestic incident involving Mr. Brown and his brother, according to the State Police and a recording of the 911 call and body-camera footage.

After finding Mr. Brown walking in a road and talking to a 911 dispatcher, the deputy said, Hes got a gun to his head.
In the words of prominent Polish politician Piotr Naimski, currently serving as the European countrys plenipotentiary for strategic energy infrastructure, Polish national sovereignty is strongly correlated with the ability to assure independence from Russian energy resources and pipeline infrastructure. Although the above mentioned can be traced back to 2006-2007, diversifying Polands energy supplies away from Russia remains a fully consolidated mantra of the Polish political class. Cognizant of the remarkably strained history between Poland and Russia, the political spectrum of their relationship is well-known and should not surprise anyone. The genuine question that has haunted Polands energy policy ever since the diversification drive was pronounced as its main tenet remains the same: is the diversification really worth it? Leaving aside the usual squabbles surrounding gas supplies, lets focus on one of the rather underreported trends in Polands supply security  namely, the progress Warsaw pulled off with its crude deliveries. Historically, Poland has relied on pipeline imports from Russia via the northern branch of the Druzhba pipeline. Druzhba arrives to Poland from Belarus, wielding a 1mbpd capacity, and reaches the 325kbpd Plock Refinery which up to the present day is running on Urals (or REBCO in the local denomination). From Plock the pipeline bifurcates into a 0.5mbpd capacity branch towards Germany and the 0.6mbpd bidirectional Pomeranian pipeline that connects the 210kbpd Gdansk Refinery to Polands main system of trunk pipelines. Primarily because of its immediate connection to the Baltic Sea, Gdansk has become the harbinger of diversification for Poland.

Related: OPEC Urges Its Members To Lobby Against NOPEC Bill



Graph 1. Polish Imports of Russian Crude in 2017-2021 (000 barrels per day).

Source: Argus.

Looking at the monthly volume split of Russian pipeline exports to Poland, one can notice that the decrease is certainly there, however it can hardly be called drastic  compared to 312kbpd in 2017, the annual average last year stood at 285kbpd. In between those years quite a lot happened, among others the 2019 organic chloride contamination story that has blocked all transportation on the northern section of the Druzhba for a couple of months, as well as the 2020 OPEC+ revamp that has seen Urals surge to historically unprecedented premia. The most recent development, however, is the tangible drop in imported volumes starting from January 2021  at the time of Urals getting really cheap on the back of a gradual OPEC+ quota alleviation for Russia. The root cause of this tumble lies in the termination of PKN Orlens main pipeline supply contract with Rosneft, the Russian NOC that has become Polands prime Urals supplier over the course of past years (see Graph 2).

Graph 2. Rosnefts Share of Polish Crude Imports in 2017-2021 (%).



Source: authors data.

Related: Small Companies Rush To Buy Up Big Oils Assets



As soon as the Rosneft-PKN deal ran out, the Russian firm halted its supplies towards Poland. The other contract supplying Polish companies PKN and Lotos the one with regional producer Tatneft, remained in vigor (its PKN part runs out in late 2021, whilst the Lotos part ends in December 2023), though its allocation of 2.4mtpa is less than half of Rosnefts. It was rumoured that Rosneft was seeking lower discounts to Urals NWE, reportedly down to 50 cents per barrel instead of the previously existing 0.9-1.0 USD per barrel discounts. Resolving the conflict, PKN Orlen and Rosneft have signed a two-year supply continuation deal this mid-March 2021, settling for a significantly lower volume. This has become the second consecutive decrease in annual delivered volumes, after much of the 2010s remained relatively stable:

February 2013  January 2016: 6.0-8.4mtpa

February 2016  January 2019: 6.0-8.4mtpa

February 2019  January 2021: 5.4-6.6mtpa

Graph 3. Polish Seaborne Imports in 2017-2021 (000 barrels per day).





Source: Thomson Reuters.

It needs to be noted that Polands seaborne crude imports have plummeted 30% year-on-year in 2020 (187kbpd in 2020 against 269kbpd in 2019). In periods when the first and second COVID waves were pummelling internal fuel demand and consequently Russian pipeline imports were at their lowest in quite some time, seaborne arrivals simultaneously hit multi-year lows. Even though January 2021 has witnessed a palpable rise in Polands seaborne crude intake (caused by the Rosneft contracts ending), moving above 300kbpd for the first time since the organic chloride crisis of 2019, the subsequent months have dropped back to usual territory. With Urals pipeline contractual obligations revamped and a nationwide lockdown extended into late April in Poland, it is difficult to see what would or should change the declining seaborne trend during the upcoming months.

Even before signing the Rosneft contract, PKN Orlen has signed a one-year contract with ExxonMobil on the purchase of WTI crude. The deal stipulates that the Polish firm can buy up to 1 million tons of WTI, roughly equivalent to one Aframax cargo per month (80-100kt). PKN Orlens opting for West Texas Intermediate is quite interesting. Although there have been sporadic deliveries to Gdansk in 2018-2019, there was none in 2020-2021. Hence, the signing of the WTI deal is a largely symbolic act to show that Polands geographic coverage of its diversification drive is wide enough to include both Saudi Arabia and the United States. On the other hand, Lithuania and Czech Republic, whose refiners are controlled by Polands NOC, might be very keen to utilize the opportunities offered by ExxonMobil  the formers Mazeikiai Refinery saw two WTI cargoes arrive as recently as January 2021.

Finding the right balance amidst megalomaniac-looking ambitions might be the hardest part for the Polish energy community. Although PKN Orlens takeover of Lotos (both are owned by the state to varying degrees  32.4% for PKN and 53.2% for Lotos) was already cleared by the European Commission subject to several conditions in July 2020, doubts about the commercial benefit of creating a national oil champion still linger on. Whilst the Lotos takeover still needs to step into effect, Polands consolidation of assets is poised to go even further as PKN Orlen now wants to buy the Polish states 71.9% stake in the countrys main gas producer and distributor PGNiG. Considering how politically susceptible PKN Orlens decision-making and personnel nominations have been in the past years, the idea of creating a national megacompany seems really half-baked.

By Viktor Katona for Oilprice.com

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Were as guilty as anyone at comparing Australias nooks and crannies to proselytised overseas equivalents.

But as much as The Great Ocean Road does have some beaches that look like Polignano a Mare and as much as certain Port Stephens secrets look a bit like Crete, you have to draw the line somewhere.

That line for us? Bendalong Point is not the Maldives.

Despite the headlines popping off about it everywhere from TikTok to the tabloids (see: A taste of the Maldives in your own backyard: How you can swim with STINGRAYS in crystal clear water just three hours drive from an Aussie city) were here to say the Tasman is quite different from the Indian Ocean.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jessica Biot Beltrando (@jessicabiot)

To be fair to those talking Bendalong up, it is beautiful.

Jerome Webzanet, whose photo can be seen below, visited Bendalong in February. Jerome told us Bendalong was a little piece of heaven on earth though he couldnt compare it to the Maldives having never been.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jerome Webzanet (@jwebzanet)

Also, to be fair to the travel bloggers, as far as weve seen, none say Bendalong is the Maldives. Some say it makes them feel like they are in the Maldives.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by  Lola Hubner  (@lolahubner)

As @lolahubner put it: The South Coast has got me feeling like Im in the Maldives. A sentiment we are more than sympathetic to, having recently ourselves compared South Australia to, of all places, Iceland

Some just make the place look cool, without making any comparisons at all. Maybe, after our disastrous attempts to recreate travel influencer waterfall photos earlier this year, were just jealous?

Who knows? In any case, to assuage our guilty conscience (we too have even likened certain Australian locations to the Maldives this year), wed like to clear a few things up.

First: the Maldives has an average water temperature of 28C to 30C per year. In Bendalong, the water temperature is between 17C and 25C.

Second: there are no caravan parks (as far as we can tell) in the Maldives. Or kangaroos.

Third: last time we checked, there were no overwater villas on the NSW south coast.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pnina Tornai (@pninatornai)

The only thing that is (vaguely) similar is that both regions have good waves.

Well hang 10 to that.

Read Next
New Delhi: The Centre has directed installation of 551 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Medical Oxygen Generation Plants inside public health facilities as the nation grapples with oxygen shortage.

The PM CARES fund, set up for combatting the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, will be utilised for the establishment of these plants. These dedicated plants will be established in identified Government hospitals in district headquarters in various States/UTs. The procurement will be done through Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government said in a press statement.

PM Modi has also asked the officials to make these plants functional" as soon as possible. The PM CARES Fund had earlier this year allocated Rs.201.58 crores for installation of additional 162 dedicated Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Medical Oxygen Generation Plants inside public health facilities in the country, the statement mentioned.

The aim of setting up these plants is to ensure that government hospitals in the districts do not face sudden disruption of oxygen supplies and have access to adequate uninterrupted oxygen supply to manage the COVID-19 patients and other patients needing such support," the government said.

Meanwhile, PM Modi in his monthly radio address "Mann Ki Baat" on Sunday (April 25) addressed the dire COVID-19 crisis in the country. He stressed on giving priority to expert and scientific advice, and added that the Centre is working with all its power to help states.

"I urge people to not fall prey to any rumour about vaccine. You all must be aware that Govt of India has sent free vaccine to all State Govts. All people above 45 yrs of age can benefit from this. From May 1st, vaccines will be available for every person above 18 years of age," the PM said.

Modi also urged the corporate sector to participate in the inoculation drive by getting their employees vaccinated. "Country's corporate sector can also participate in vaccine drive by getting their employees vaccinated.Govt of India's free vaccination program will continue in future too. I request states to ensure benefits of this free vaccination program reaches as many people as possible," he added.

Live TV
CROMWELL - The Board of Finance will explore what options may be available for helping to work their way through the budget process - including possibly holding closed-door workshops.

In discussions with various board members, Chairman Julius C. Neto said there was support for looking at better ways of getting through this process.

We need to look to see if there are better ways of getting this information to the board members, Neto told board members during a recent meeting.

That could include packaging the information differently, he said.

In his discussions with board members there was sentiment in favor of some kind of workshops to review the town [general government] budget and the education information, Neto said.

But now, were looking for an internal assessment to see if there could be a better process, Neto said.

Among the suggestions put forward was to hold closed- door sessions.

I dont want a public forum, board member Daniel Kelly said, adding , I do want to be transparent.

By utilizing closed door sessions, We could do some of the dirty work before we bring it out into the light, he said.

The director of finance and the schools director of financial services would be invited to join in those reviews, board members suggested, saying their presence would be helpful.

Doing so would enable the board to drill down on details in the budget without the messiness of a public forum, Kelly said.

Speaking about the proposed workshops, finance board member John Ireland said, It would be best to utilize it now, when its still fresh in our minds, referring to the voluminous budget data.

Were not trying to circumvent a public meeting, board member Edwin Maley Jr., said.

Board deliberations are bound by the states open-meeting law. Any meeting of four or more members must be noticed and be open to the public.

Maley said there might be an exception to that rule, however, if Democrats and Republicans held caucuses, which are not bound by the Freedom of Information Act.

Each partys members could meet separately with the finance officials to have their questions answered, he explained.

Then the board as a whole would re-convene to start their review process.

However, the only step the board took lat week was to adopt a motion to establish a three-member committee to review various options and report back to the full board.

The members chosen were Neto, Maley, and Ireland.

As they trio prepares to meet, Neto said, It may be that nothing changes.

At present, the school department and the town present their proposed budgets to the board for their study and review before the in-person reviews begins.

On the first a scheduled three nights of review, the finance board spent four hours and 15 minutes going over the education budget.

The meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m.

Earlier this month, the board completed its review of the proposed $54.3 million budget for 2021-22.

The budget includes $32.7 million for education and $17.9 million for general government.

Residents will vote on the budget on Tuesday, May 4, from noon to 8 p.m. at the high school.
Panaji, Apr 25 (PTI) Two leaders of a Goa-based taxi union have been arrested for allegedly attacking some film crew members at Nerul village near here, police said on Sunday.

The duo, identified as Bappa Korgaonkar and Sunil Naik, was held for the attack that took place on Saturday, a senior official from Porvorim police station said.

"The accused illegally entered a bungalow, where a film shoot was on, and attacked the crew members...The taxi union leaders were upset because the film unit had hired taxis from outside the state for ferrying the crew members," he said.

The tourist taxi operators in the coastal state have been on a strike since the last fortnight demanding that app- based taxi aggregator- Goa Miles- be scrapped.

Meanwhile, Goa Lines Producers' Association (GLPA) and Tours and Travel Association of Goa (TTAG), while condemning the attack on the film crew, on Sunday accused the traditional tourist taxi industry of trying to sabotage their business.

GLPA member Shiva Baba Naik said that since August last year, film shoots were increasingly being diverted to Goa, from places like Mumbai and Chennai, as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

But due to the ongoing taxi strike in Goa, things were getting difficult for the film crew members, he said.

"We (film industry) are instrumental in giving jobs to various sectors. One film shoot means giving jobs to 25-30 sectors," he said.

"Just because you (traditional taxi operators) have stopped your business you can't make others stop their businesses," he said. PTI RPS NP NP

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Govt. decides to proceed with 25 mega projects in major cities New Gazette outlines terms to acquire private land View(s): View(s):

The Government has announced plans to proceed with around 25 mega projects in major cities like Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Trincomalee, Kurunegala and Ratnapura by gazetting them under the Land Acquisition Act to acquire private lands and pay compensation for thousands of people who will be affected.

The new regulations have been issued under Chapter 460 of the Land Acquisition Act as part of an amendment to an earlier gazette that listed a separate set of projects. In the latest notification, the initiatives are the Central Expressway, the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project and the railway track from Kurunegala to Habarana through Dambulla.

Also included are the following Strategic Cities Development programmes: Kandy and Galle, under World Bank funds; Anuradhapura under French Agency for Development funds; and Trincomalee, Dambulla, Kurunegala and Ratnapura under Asian Development Bank (ADB) funds.

The others are 12 grid substations and transmissions lines (ADB-financed) around the country, the Ruwanpura Expressway and the Port City Elevated Expressway Extension Project.

The original gazette comprehensively defines the terms under which relief will be decided. The market value of any land or compensation for any injurious affection caused by land acquisition is to be assessed by Land Acquisition and Resettlement Committees (LARCs) appointed in each Divisional Secretariat where the property is located. Every affected person can make representation at LARC proceedings.

Payment for land will include the replacement cost as determined by the Chief Valuer and an ex-gratia payment amounting to the difference between the statutory compensation and the replacement.

If a remaining portion of a land after acquisition (other than agricultural land) is incapable of being utilized as a separate entity, LARC may give an allowance to the owner if he wishes to retain the extra portion.

In case of agriculture lands if the remainder is physically not possible for cultivation, the LARC may decide whether to acquire or make a payment for the balance extent. Reasonable time shall be given to harvest perennial crops where payment will not be made on the market value.

The LARC will determine all ex-gratia payments. The gazette also defines what is to be done in the case of encroachers, the takeover of paddy lands and rent-controlled premises, and the replacement cost of buildings and structures.

In the case of loss of business, payments will be made according to two categories  informal (non-income tax payer) and formal (income tax payer). Those who are self-employed and are temporarily affected due to loss of income are entitled for a loss-of-livelihood payment as determined by the LARC.

There will be an ex-gratia payment for handing over possession of properties before the deadline. The gazette also denotes payments for temporary accommodation and shifting allowances (if the physical possession of the property is required to be taken before the date specified by the acquiring officer).

Every re-settler affected by the acquisition with a title to the land acquired is entitled for a block of land not exceeding an extent of 20 perches from a fully serviced re-settlement site equivalent to the unimproved land value determined by the LARC or to cash payment applicable for self-re location, the original gazette states.

The terms for encroachers of State lands and sub-families living in the same house are also specified.
The more contagious B.1.1.7 variant of the coronavirus has now become the dominant strain in Oregon -- and is helping fuel a fourth surge in COVID-19 despite four out of every 10 Oregonians having received at least one dose of vaccine, public health officials say.

As the governor has said repeatedly, this really is a race between vaccination and the spread of COVID, especially the spread of the B.1.1.7 variant, which we believe now is a majority of cases in the state, Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen told a group of lawmakers last week.

B.1.1.7 was first detected last December in the U.K. as it sent COVID-19 cases skyrocketing and some studies say led to an increase in more serious disease, including a 55% increase in death. A definite answer is still unclear, however, with at least two other studies finding B.1.1.7 didnt result in more hospitalizations or severe cases.

Officials warned the American public in February that they expected B.1.1.7 to become the dominant strain in the U.S. by March, and one study found the variant was doubling in cases every 10 days. On April 7, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that it had become the dominant strain in the U.S. -- with some estimates pinning it at 50% more contagious than the previous most common strain in the country.

It took roughly two more weeks -- after the CDCs April 7 announcement -- before Oregon officials concluded B.1.1.7 was accounting for most cases in Oregon, as well.

Oregon Health Authority spokeswoman Erica Heartquist said theres a weeks-long lag in data reporting.

In the third week of March, B.1.1.7 accounted for 8% of cases analyzed for variants. A week later, that tripled to 24% and rose to 30% by the following week. The next week -- April 4 to 10 -- B.1.1.7 made up an eye-opening 53% of all cases where genomic sequencing testing had been done. Thats the latest data state officials have available.

Officials say they cant extrapolate with certainty to say that by April 10 B.1.1.7 was accounting for 53% of all coronavirus cases in Oregon, because only about 3% of cases in Oregon are analyzed for variants. But the rapid rise in B.1.1.7 cases has led Oregon officials to feel confident in saying B.1.1.7 is dominating -- surpassing strains first identified in California.

This has very real implications for the surge that we appear to be entering now, said Heartquist, in an email.

New cases over the past two weeks have been accelerating faster in Oregon than in any other state in the country -- with a 63% increase in the past two weeks, according to The New York Times ranking of states. Oregon ranks 25th overall in new cases per capita over that same time period.

Over the past month, cases have ballooned from a daily average of 281 to 776 as of Saturday, a 176% increase. The number of hospitalized patients has grown from 109 a month ago to 295 as of Saturday, a 171% jump.

Reported deaths have held steady from a month ago, at three a day. But experts say when cases and hospitalizations increase, deaths often increase weeks later. Its unclear, however, to what extent deaths might rise because so many of the Oregonians most at risk of dying -- seniors -- have already been vaccinated in the first waves of the vaccine rollout.

Besides variants such as B.1.1.7, experts agree that human behavior is feeding the surge.

Basic public health interventions -- masking, physical distancing and avoiding social gatherings -- have never been more important, Heartquist said.

Coronavirus in Oregon: Latest news | Live map tracker |Text alerts | Newsletter

-- Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; @o_aimee
(Natural News) Senators Amy Karen Klobuchar (D-MN) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) have launched a crusade against Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, Dr. Joseph Mercola, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and numerous other big-name medical professionals for supposedly spreading disinformation about the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) online.

The Democrat duo sent a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey urging them to delete these and nine other anti-vaccine accounts from social media because they threaten the Big Pharma cash cow and eugenics agenda.

We write to express our concern about the public health ramifications of online coronavirus vaccine disinformation and to urge you to remove the accounts that have been identified by experts as responsible for producing the majority of this disinformation on social media platforms, Klobuchar and Lujan wrote.

A recent report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) identified a dozen specific content producers as the original sources of an estimated 65 percent of coronavirus disinformation online, they added.

Klobuchar and Lujan say they are especially worried about such messaging being targeted at black and Latino communities, as these folks are prime targets for the deep states depopulation agenda.

For too long, social media platforms have failed to adequately protect Americans by not taking sufficient action to prevent the spread of vaccine disinformation online, Klobuchar and Lujan further contend.

Despite your policies intended to prevent vaccine disinformation, many of these accounts continue to post content that reach millions of users, repeatedly violating your policies with impunity.

Leftists cant win the information war on merit or credibility so they are cheating with tyranny and censorship

Along with Tenpenny, Mercola, and Kennedy, the Democrat duo also names Ty and Charlene Bollinger, Rizza Islam, Rashid Buttar, Erin Elizabeth, Sayer Ji, Kelly Brogan, Christiane Northrup, Ben Tapper, and Kevin Jenkins as problematic influencers who are convincing too many people to skip the jab and take off the mask.

It is apparently not okay that Tenpenny, for instance, told her followers about a scientific study that determined cloth masks to be both dangerous and ineffective at preventing the spread of the Chinese Virus. Because Klobuchar and Lujan do not approve of this type of science, they want Zuckerberg to ban it.

Likewise, the other aforementioned names have posted similar content informing people that getting out in the sun more and eating healthy can greatly reduce the risk of contracting any type of infection. Klobuchar and Lujan do not want people to know about any of this, so they are demanding that it be pulled from the internet.

As we recently reported, the Biden regime is spending billions of your tax dollars trying to get social media influencers to push vaccines and masks, which is apparently not working as tens of millions of Americans are resisting.

It is abundantly clear that the deep state is in a panic over the fact that more Americans than perhaps ever before are breaking through the spell and ignoring the governments public health guidelines. Because of this, wannabe dictator political puppets like Klobuchar and Lujan are desperately trying to stop the flow of truth through tyranny.

Vaccine disinformation? What they mean is they want everyone canceled who questions them, proves them wrong, or spreads the light on the danger of vaccines, wrote an Infowars commenter about this latest shenanigan. They want as many people as possible kept in the dark and unable to see the truth.

This is what you would have thought the communist Chinese government would be involved in  nope, it is here in America now.

More of the latest news about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) tyranny can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

Infowars.com

NaturalNews.com
Mumbai, April 25 : As the Covid crisis impacts investor sentiments, foreign portfolio investors (FPI) have pulled out net investments worth Rs 8,674 crore from Indian equities so far in April.

This reversal in trend comes around a year after a bull run on the Indian stock market and continuous inflow of foreign investments into the equities.

So far in 2021, the net FPI investments into equities stand at Rs 47,068 crore, with net inflows of Rs 19,473 crore, Rs 25,787 crore and Rs 10,482 crore in January, February and March, respectively.

Further, according to analysts, weakness in the Indian rupee also led to the fund outflow. Currently, the rupee is around 75 per dollar.

The recent surge in Covid cases and loss of lives have raised concerns and also have given rise to possibilities of further restrictions and lockdowns, which may eventually impact the economy, analysts said.
Editor: Why try to honor President Joe Biden by naming a street, path or trail after him in Scranton?

Ive never met Biden but I dont think that kind of tribute is important to him. When he speaks about Scranton he speaks about home, values, community and care. What if we do something for him that honors those values without the inconvenience and cost of changing a street name? What if we do something that will not annoy anyone who does not want to participate? What if we do something for him that no one else can do?

A city committee is looking into the naming issue. I urge it to consider this idea: Why dont we pick a day and call it Joe Biden Day and send him a city proclamation to that effect? Then we can invite everyone from Scranton to make it a day of service or a day of kindness. Participants actions could be compiled and documented and communicated to Biden.

We could decide on doing it yearly while hes in the White House or only once. Whatever we choose, I think he would welcome being honored that way by the Scranton community, giving him even more reasons to be proud of being born here.

DENISE NORDBERG

SCRANTON

Editor: Lackawanna County elected officials owe taxpayers a few answers.

Who is responsible for the Wright Center for Community Health vaccine payment fumble and how do taxpayers know that another, larger ball isnt being dropped right now?

Who thought it advisable not to participate in Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognettis wise effort to get local governments together to assure that federal stimulus money coming to the area is used smartly and goes as far as possible?

Why did the county commissioners pull out of a conversation about consolidating Lackawannas public transit system with Luzerne Countys? The prospect of Lackawanna taxpayers sharing in as much as $1.7 million in annual savings seems worth a longer walk down this road.

The stimulus funds offer the opportunity to reimagine how local government works, delivers services and burdens people who pay for it. It should allow the county to revamp its unfair and almost 60-year-old property tax assessment system and give us the opportunity to ask about and do something about another question: Why is there a different tax collector, police department, public works crew, school district and municipal administration every five miles?

The pandemic has shown many employers that much of the work once done in offices can be done from home  anywhere. This should be a boon for communities across Lackawanna County, which are friendly and affordable places to live, within a reasonable drive of major metro markets. But there is competition and county officials are in a unique position to make this area stand out by building more efficient local government and better services for the generations who will pay the post-pandemic bills.

Will the attitude, Its the way weve always done things accomplish this?

JOHN HAMBROSE

SOUTH ABINGTON TWP.

Editor: Lackawanna County Commissioners Debi Domenick and Jerry Notarianni exhibited a complete lack of empathy and compassion for citizens of Scranton when they mailed thousands of liens against city property owners for back taxes they have not paid during the worst pandemic in a century.

Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti always has looked at ways to help Scranton residents during the pandemic. She has helped businesses stay afloat, set up food drives and helped to get people vaccinated.

There was no communication from the county Tax Claim Bureau to the mayor regarding these liens. But there was lots of communication on other issues in secret. The commissioners went after Cognetti but by doing so they bullied innocent people for political reasons. Its shameful.

To stoke fear and anxiety among the very people the commissioners are supposed to be looking out for reeks of nothing other than the old boys political network by going after Cognetti because they want their candidate to win the election.

Its harmful and wrong. It is certainly important to hold people accountable, but not to cause harm during the worst economic situation of many families lives.

The stay on the liens is absolutely not an exoneration, but a delay is imperative. Domenick and Notarianni need to reevaluate their actions. Political ploys need to end now.

FAY FRANUS

SCRANTON
The evaluation report from Hungary may come just weeks or days before the EMA authorises the Russian vaccine.

A nurse holds up the Sputnik V vaccine for COVID-19 at the National Hospital as vaccinations start in Itaugua, Paraguay. (Source: AP/SITA)

Font size: A - | A +

The activities of OLaNO leader, now finance minister, Igor Matovic, around the Sputnik V vaccine were all linked to one declared aim: to speed up the process of adding the Russian vaccine to Slovakia's Covid vaccination rollout.

Yet technically nothing stands in the way of Slovakia using Sputnik V. In early March, then health minister Marek Krajci (OLaNO) made the decision to allow the vaccine in Slovakia.

After the Matovic government purchased the Sputnik V vaccine, which has not yet received the green light from the European Medicines Agency, Slovakia had two options on how to handle the 200,000 doses it received on March 2.

The Hungarian solution was to immediately start vaccinating those willing to get the jab.

"Slovakia will be able to speed up the pace of vaccination by more than 40 percent," Matovic said as prime minister when explaining why his government purchased the unregistered vaccine in the first place.

Another option was to wait until the EMA registers the Russian vaccine, which would provide increased guarantees that the vaccine is both safe and effective.

Slovakia chose the third option. Matovic, in cooperation with Krajci and later his successor as health minister, Vladimir Lengvarsky, has been trying to find a way to quickly roll out Sputnik, as well as speed up the process to confirm it can do no harm to those who get the jab.

The EMA is expected to issue its final decision on the Russian vaccine in a few weeks. Slovakia has not received any more doses of Sputnik V, even though Matovic originally announced another 400,000 doses that were expected in March.

It may turn out that the difference between the date when the EMA approves Sputnik V for use in the EU and when Slovakia actually starts rolling it out will be just a few days or a few weeks.

The later Slovakia starts using Sputnik V as an unregistered vaccine, the less sense it makes to run the risk at all, meaning the current non-standard attempts of Matovic to push the unregistered vaccine into Slovakia's rollout make ever less sense as well.

The Sme daily explains in this Q&A why Slovakia still has not rolled out the Sputnik V vaccination.

Is the Sputnik V vaccination forbidden in Slovakia?

No. Vaccinating people with Sputnik V in Slovakia has been legal for over a month.

On March 1, the Health Ministry under former minister Marek Krajci (OLaNO), issued the "authorisation for therapeutic use of an unregistered drug" for the Sputnik V vaccine. The minister issued the authorisation as soon as the batch of 200,000 doses landed at Kosice Airport, valid until August 2021.

13. Apr 2021 at 13:26 | Michal Katuska
Big Basin State Park celebrated as the humongous California Redwood trees in the area start to recover, following a tragic wildfire that engulfed the forests. Clusters of chartreuse shoots were reported to bud on the blackened redwood branches and trunks. They were discovered during a backcountry guided tour earlier this week, Associated Press reported

Santa Cruz noted that the wildfires have ravaged not only the humongous California redwood trees, but also the "almost total loss" of historic building campgrounds, and visitor amenities of the Big Basin Redwood State Park. Associated Press highlighted that a lightning siege has caused more than 650 wildfires in Northern California.

READ NEXT: Falling Redwood Tree Kills California Parents, Leaving 5 Children Behind

California Redwood Trees Recovering

Experts noted that the resilience Redwood trees have shown may imply hope to every Californian amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"While this [wildfires] is a difficult and heartbreaking situation to be in, it does allow us to think about doing things differently," said Sam Hodder, president of Save the Redwoods League.

Apart from the buds that sprouted on the Redwood's branches and trunks, bright yellow bush poppies, white violets, and star lilies also were seen in the scorched landscape. Meanwhile, new Knobcone pine trees that have popped their cones and dropped their seeds were reported to be sprouting.

Authorities also noted that signs of wildlife like lizards, skinks, and salamanders are going back into the creeks.

Joanne Kerbavaz expressed her thoughts saying that nature is finding a way in restoring the life of the forest. Kerbavaz is state park's current senior environmental scientist. Big Basin Redwood State Park was reported to be closed following the immense destruction of the forest and park infrastructure because of the wildfire.

Efforts in identifying toxins, hazards, and wastes to be removed were launched in August of the previous year. Associated Press confirmed that most of the ancient redwoods in the forest have survived the fire.

Big Basin Wildfire

In the previous year, the Big Basin in California burned to some degree in the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. The fire started on August 17, 2020 and was contained 100 percent on September 22, 2020.

About 86,509 acres were burned and about 1490 were destroyed. Meanwhile, about 140 structures were damaged by the fire. The wildfire burned areas in Southern San Mateo County and Northern Santa Cruz County.

The said wildfire has destroyed about 100 of Big Basin's structures such as historic park headquarters, picnic tables, tent cabins, and viewing platforms. Dozens of bridges were also destroyed, and logs are littered over the forest's floor.

In last's year's interview of CBS SF Bay Area with Kerbavaz, the scientist noted that flames are not necessarily a bad thing because "redwood can re-sprout" and make the lives on top of the trees diverse.

Meanwhile, conservationists and advocates support the wide-open planning process of the Big Basin. The next eight to 10 months will be used to clean the park haul out the charred vehicles. Associated Press noted that it will take a year before the public will be able to see the California Redwood trees in person and have safe access on trails beyond a small coastal area of Rancho Del Oso.

READ MORE: Wild Spring Winter Storms In California Knocked Down The Famous Hallowed 'Drive-Thru' Sequoia Tree

WATCH: Big Basin Wildfire: Before and After - from DeerLakor
The 14th Anhui International Tea Industry Expo will be held in Binhu International Convention and Exhibition Center in Hefei, capital of Anhui province, from May 14 to 17, the provincial government said at a news conference.

The expo covers an exhibition area of 43,000 square meters, containing two major exhibition halls: the main exhibition hall and No.8 exhibition hall. Among 10 displaying areas altogether are five displaying areas set in the main exhibition hall with themes of rural revitalization, Anhui tea, famous tea outside Anhui, famous overseas tea and tea space. Four displaying areas set in the No.8 exhibition hall with themes of tea technology, tea liquor, tea food and tea beverage, tea machinery and tea packaging. There is also a gallery showing tea culture and tea technology outside the main exhibition hall.

In addition to the four traditionally renowned teas in Anhui which are Huangshan Maofeng, Luan Guapian, Taiping Houkui and Qimen black tea, regional public brands such as BaiyunChunhao, Jingxian Lanxiang and Yuexi Cuilan will be displayed at the expo,and Bozhou herbal tea will make its debut at the expo.

In the tea culture displaying area, tea ceremonies, history and culture of Anhui tea and achievements in international tea exchange between Anhui and countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative will also be demonstrated.

Besides, over 30 enterprises from other provinces will participate in the exhibition. Their exhibits include green tea, black tea, white tea, yellow tea, dark green tea, Oolong tea and various organic tea.

The expo, which has been successfully held for 13 times since 2005, has become an influential tea industry brand exhibition in China. At last years expo, the onsite sales reached 239 million yuan, the intended purchase orders were up to 1.513 billion yuan and the contracts totaled 2.779 billion yuan.

(By Yang Zixuan)




MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best is maintaining its stable market segment outlook on Guatemala s insurance industry, mainly due to the governments stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that limited the economic downturn on insurance companies premium generation.

The new Bests Market Segment Report, titled, Market Segment Outlook: Guatemala Insurance, also cites carriers limited exposure to foreign exchange and capital markets in insurers investment portfolios, which mitigates the impact of market shocks. The stable outlook reflects the expectation that economic growth will foster conditions for business generation to face the gradual normalization of claims frequency to pre-pandemic levels. Insurers in the country showed they could manage the challenges brought by the pandemic, including timely receivables collections and lower investment yields, as well as absorb catastrophe-related losses. Recovery in 2021 will hinge on the success of vaccination efforts, along with companies technical capabilities to adequately price risks.

Guatemala remains a positive example among Latin American insurance markets, despite facing the impact of multiple hurricanes and the pandemic. Timely implemented mobility restrictions, along with the development of an economic stimulus package and a countercyclical monetary policy, helped to maintain steady conditions for insurance activity. In 2020, Guatemalas economy contracted less than expected, as well as less than that of other Central American countries, while its insurance market remains the third-largest in Central America. At year-end 2020, the insurance market stood at USD 1 billion, having expanded by 4.5% (1% in real terms) year over year. The industrys combined ratio stood at 85.8, reflecting the lower claims frequency brought by the restrictions on mobility, while its operating expense ratio remained stable.

To access the full copy of this market segment report, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=307925.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  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/20210423005354/en/

Eli Sanchez

Associate Director

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 122

eli.sanchez@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Jim Peavy

Director, Communications

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644

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Source: AM Best
The second time was the charm for a French Quarter sales tax to fund police patrols.

Voters approved the tax with 72% of the vote Saturday night, just six months after shooting down a similar proposal in the fall elections.

The 0.245% tax will be in place for five years. The ballot measure requires the first $2 million of the tax go to fund extra police patrols in the French Quarter, with any additional money being made available for other police or public safety programs.

The sales tax has been a source of friction between the French Quarter Management District, a state board made up of representatives of various groups in the Vieux Carre, and Mayor LaToya Cantrells administration.

The Management District and the Cantrell administration were unable to agree on how the tax should be spent before the previous election. The board eventually recommended voters say no to the tax in the fall, and they did just that.

The main conflict between the two was how the money would be spent. Cantrell administration officials had sought to split the money evenly between police and quality-of-life patrols that would issue minor citations and look for code violations. The Management District, on the other hand, had pushed for the lions share to go police.

Under the new plan, the Management District will oversee the funds, though no agreement is in place yet with the Cantrell administration.

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The original sales tax was passed under former Mayor Mitch Landrieu in 2015 as a way of getting money to pay for State Police patrols in the Quarter. It was one of several programs that were put together that year as crime in the citys main tourist district rose.

The State Police patrols have since ended, and the sales tax expired when voters opted not to renew it in December. The new tax is expected to fund additional off-duty New Orleans Police Department officers to replace those who had patrolled in smart cars under a different program paid for by the hospitality industry before the coronavirus pandemic.
Hyderabad, April 25 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday greeted people in the state on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.

Terming teachings of Mahavir on peace, patience, true perception or "Samyak Jnana" ideal for the people, he said the Telangana region was the native of Jain temples, centres and Jainism had flourished here. The footprints of Jain Tirthankaras have made the region sacred, he added.

The integral philosophy in Telangana life, which is the live and let live principle despite any problems and troubles has its roots in Mahavir's philosophy, he said in his message.

KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, said that Mahatma Gandhi led the non-violent movement for the freedom of the country inspired by the teachings of Mahavir. The second Telangana statehood movement had also incorporated the principles of Mahavir of peace and patience albeit subtly and a peaceful, non-violent movement led to the formation of the state, he added.

He said during these troubled and turbulent times of the Corona pandemic, everyone should have patience and take inspiration from the teachings of Mahavir, follow the guidelines, and win over the pandemic.

Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan also greeted people. "On the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, I wish you all lots of happiness, good health & success. Let us always choose the path of kindness and righteousness," she tweeted.

The Governor appealed to everyone to follow Covid appropriate behaviour at all the time.
[April 25, 2021] StashAway to raise $33.34 million SGD in Series D funding round led by Sequoia Capital India

SINGAPORE, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- StashAway is raising $25 million USD ($33.34 million SGD) in its Series D funding round led by Sequoia Capital India, one of the region's leading venture capital firms. StashAway's existing investors, Eight Roads Ventures, the global investment firm backed by Fidelity International and early investor in Alibaba; and Square Peg, the largest venture capital fund in Australia, also participated in the round. The transaction will close in the next few months pending necessary regulatory approvals. This funding round will bring StashAway's total paid-up capital to $84.04 million SGD and accelerate investment product and feature developments across its 5 markets. The company will also offer to buy back up to $4 million SGD in stock options from its employees and expand its engineering team in Singapore and abroad. Michele Ferrario, Co-Founder and CEO says, "This vote of confidence by one of the most successful venture capital firms affirms that we've been taking the right approach by expanding early into high-opportunity markets, continuing to deepen our product offering, and building a lean and mission-driven team. These steps have translated into rapid AUM growth since our beginning." Abheek Anand, Managing Director, Sequoia India, will be joining StashAway's Board of Directors as part of the funding round, pending regulatory approvals. Anand has more than 20 years of experience in consumer tech, financial services and deep tech sectors across the US, Southeast Asia and India. He says, "StashAway is growing rapidly as it fulfils an obvious gap in the digital wealth management space, especially in areas where its competitors may be lacking: an easy-to-use platform, robust client relationships, and a very sophistiated investing framework. StashAway has built trust with its client base by navigating them through market volatility while providing strong returns."



On buying back employee shares and expanding the team, Nino Ulsamer, Co-Founder and CTO adds, "Providing up to $4 million SGD in liquidity to our employees helps StashAway attract the best talent; it shows that startups can succeed and be financially rewarding. We want all of our team members to participate in the financial benefits of building a successful company, and our promise to all team members has always been an attractive compensation package that includes a significant amount of stock options in the company. This promise is now starting to materialise financially." About StashAway

StashAway is a digital wealth manager that offers investment portfolios and wealth management solutions for both retail and accredited investors and operates in Singapore, Malaysia, the Middle East and North Africa and Hong Kong. StashAway was co-founded by Freddy Lim (CIO), Michele Ferrario (CEO), and Nino Ulsamer (CTO). As of January 2021, the company surpassed $1 billion USD in assets under management. It achieved this milestone faster than it took the world's largest digital wealth managers, Betterment and Wealthfront, to reach the same milestone. In 2020, StashAway was recognised as a Technology Pioneer by The World Economic Forum and a Top 10 LinkedIn Startup. StashAway's portfolios have consistently outperformed their respective same-risk benchmarks* since their inception in 2017, with annualised returns ranging from 15.9% (for its highest-risk portfolio) to 3.5% (for its lowest-risk portfolio) in SGD terms* as of the end of March 2021. www.stashaway.com About Sequoia Capital India Sequoia helps daring founders build legendary companies, from idea to IPO and beyond. Sequoia India operates in Southeast Asia and India where we actively partner with founders from a wide range of companies, across categories, including BYJUs, Carousell, Druva, Gojek, OYO Rooms, Tokopedia, Truecaller, Zilingo, Zomato and more. We spur founders to push the boundaries of what's possible. In partnering with Sequoia, startups benefit from 48 years of tribal knowledge and lessons learned working with companies like Airbnb, Alibaba, Apple, Dropbox, Google, LinkedIn and Stripe early on. From the beginning, non-profits have been the backbone of our LP base, which means founders' accomplishments make a meaningful difference. The majority of our profits are returned to great causes, like the Ford Foundation, Mayo Clinic and MIT. For more information on Sequoia's work in India and SE Asia, visit sequoiacap.com/india *Same-risk benchmarks are proxied by MSCI World Equity Index (for equities) and FTSE World Government Bond Index (for bonds). The benchmarks we use have the same 10-years realised volatility as our portfolios. We calculate these returns before fees. Contact: Amanda Ong

Country Manager

Singapore

Phone: +65 9150 7507

amanda.ong@stashaway.com SOURCE StashAway

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Seoul, April 25 : SK Innovation, South Korea's refinery-to-battery maker, is back in the driver's seat to propel its electric vehicle battery business with stake sales and a planned listing of its subsidiary as its recent settlement with LG Energy Solution Ltd. cleared prolonged business uncertainties.

The subsidiary of the nation's No. 3 conglomerate, SK Group, reached a $1.8 billion settlement with its bigger home rival LG Energy Solution Ltd to end a two-year legal battle for the EV battery business in the United States.

SK Innovation agreed to pay half in cash to LG Energy through 2022 and pay the rest in royalties starting in 2023.

The long-awaited compromise, which came in just before the April 11 deadline for the U.S. International Trade Commission's 10-year import ban on SK Innovation, cleared the stumbling block for its $2.6 billion factory in Georgia, which was under construction to supply EV batteries to Ford Motor and Volkswagen starting next year.

"The settlement cleared uncertainty over (SK Innovation's) battery business and its push in the U.S. market," SK Innovation CEO Kim Jun said in an email to its employees after the agreement. "We will step up construction of the Georgia plant and will expand investment and partnerships to target the rising EV market." SK Innovation, the world's No. 6 EV battery supplier, plans to ramp up its battery production capacity globally to over 125 gigawatt hours by 2025, and in January, it announced a 1.3 trillion-won investment plan to expand its Hungary factory. It also has factories in South Korea and China.

SK Innovation's clients include Volkswagen and Ford in the U.S., Daimler in Europe, and Hyundai Motor and Kia in Asia, reports Yonhap news agency.

Now, it is set to raise funds needed to expand its manufacturing capacity and pay the settlement money via an initial public offering (IPO) of its battery separator making unit and sales of stakes in petrochemical subsidiaries.

SK Innovation, which has a broad portfolio from refinery and gas to battery and chemicals, is also pushing to sell its stakes in its petrochemical affiliates to propel its EV drive.

SK innovation said last month it will sell its entire stakes in two shale gas mines in the U.S. to Texas-based BenchMark Energy Corp., which was estimated at around several hundreds of million dollars. The exact amount of the deal was not disclosed.

In 2019, the company sold two Peruvian gas fields for 1.25 trillion won to reduce its reliance on traditional energy business.

Last year, its battery business's sales more than doubled to 1.6 trillion won, while booking 426.5 billion won of operating losses.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., April 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Susan Whitfield describes her childhood as idyllic. She grew up in Killen, Alabama, before the tiny town in the state's northwest corner had a red light and spent her summers swimming in a creek.

Growing up, the possibility of working for a place like NASA never crossed her mind. Neither of her parents graduated from high school, and no one in her family had finished college. Those barriers couldn't stop Whitfield, who went on to be high school valedictorian, earn a college degree, and work for the U.S. Army before beginning a three-decade career with NASA.

In January, she was named human resources director at the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center, in Huntsville, Alabama.

"Life throws you curves," she said. "I always wanted to be a teacher. I do get to teach people in many ways in this job. I never dreamed that I would be in the position that I am. It's been a wonderful career. I don't have words to describe it."

Whitfield credits her success to her mother, Shelby Jean Smith. Her father, Franklin D. Smith, died in an automobile accident when she was 9. Shelby, a stay-at-home mom with no driver's license, found herself a single parent raising three children. Shelby learned how to drive by practicing in the family's driveway. She got a job in a school lunchroom and worked her way up to manager and took a second job at a bakery to make ends meet. Whitfield said her mother never called in sick or took a day off, even when she should have.

"Watching her overcome the challenges that she did, and how she navigated some really hard circumstances, set the tone for my life," Whitfield said. "My mom was such a hard worker, and I grew up knowing that women are strong and can get things done, so I've always felt very empowered as a woman and knowing that I could do anything that I set my mind to  and remain kind while doing it. I try to instill that confidence for my girls  Skyla and Serena.

"I love our Artemis mission! The first woman going to the Moon  that means something, and it speaks to me. In mentoring women throughout my career, when they ask, 'How do you get to the next level?' It's all within you. It's hard work. It's perseverance and believing in yourself."

Whitfield graduated from Brooks High School in 1982, received a scholarship to the University of North Alabama in Florence, and later earned a bachelor's degree in technology management from Athens State University in Athens, Alabama.

"My mom did not graduate high school but was the smartest person I've ever met," Whitfield said. "I will forever cherish the look of pride on her face when I gave that high school commencement speech. I lost my mother to cancer when she was 59  way too young. I strive to live by the example that she set, both personally and professionally."

In the late 1980s, Whitfield's husband, Steve, was stationed at the U.S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center in Massachusetts. Whitfield became an executive assistant at the center in 1988 through the Army's spouse hiring program, and she worked in a division focused on field operations in support of soldiers. She heard about Marshall from a NASA employee who was a neighbor of Whitifeld's aunt in Huntsville. Whitfield was intrigued and decided to transfer to NASA in December 1990.

"I was in awe when I was offered a position with NASA," she said. "I can't imagine not being a part of this team now. After 30-plus years with the agency, it is part of who I am. I have been blessed with opportunities and the chance to work with some amazing people. NASA's focus on people, our strong culture of diversity and inclusion, and commitment to innovation are all factors that have contributed to NASA being consistently named the No. 1 agency to work for among large federal agencies. We live up to the hype. NASA does extraordinary work that has inspired generations  and it's more than astronauts! Every individual person at NASA is a part of mission success. From janitors to the administrator, it's a team. It is much more about how you do your work, not just what work you do."

Whitfield provided integration and leadership within NASA's Technology Transfer and Innovative Partnerships programs at Marshall before joining the center's human capital team in 2005. Since then, her roles have included supervisory human resources officer, human capital integration manager, senior employee development specialist, and senior human capital consultant.

In 2018, Whitfield took an assignment at NASA Headquarters in Washington, where she was agency project manager for the Mission Support Future Architecture Program for transformation of NASA's Human Capital Program. She also was deputy director for the agency's Business Operations Directorate for Human Capital. She became human resources director at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland in 2019 and was named to the Senior Executive Service  the personnel system covering top managerial positions in federal agencies. When the chance to return to Alabama presented itself, Whitfield didn't hesitate.

"I'm forever grateful for the road I've traveled and for the relationships I built," she said. "But to say that I am happy to be back is an understatement. I feel extremely blessed. Marshall just feels like home to me. I know that I'm bringing back a different skill set, so I'm appreciative of the opportunities that I've had at the agency."

For more information about Marshall Space Flight Center, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mothers-inspiration-set-the-tone-for-nasa-marshall-hr-director-susan-whitfields-three-decade-career-with-agency-301276050.html

SOURCE NASA
James O'Keefe, the founder of Project Veritas, is seen in Washington on Oct. 12, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

James OKeefe Says Hes Suing CNN for Defamation After Project Veritas Twitter Ban

Project Veritas founder James OKeefe said on April 25 that hes filing a defamation lawsuit against CNN after his Twitter account was suspended earlier this month.

OKeefe has already filed a lawsuit against Twitter after it banned his account, saying the social media platform falsely accused him of operating fake accounts. Twitter alleged he violated its platform manipulation rules, which OKeefe has denied.

There are people on Twitter who are impersonating me who still remain on Twitter, he told Fox News on April 25. I will depose [CEO Jack Dorsey] under oath.  And tomorrow, I will sue CNN.

OKeefe said the lawsuit will be expanded to cover CNN after anchor Ana Cabrera alleged that Project Veritas Twitter ban was due to it spreading disinformation.

Not even Twitter alleges that I was banned, or Project Veritas was banned, for disinformation, OKeefe told Fox News. Every day in this country, people are defamed and lied about constantly, and they dont have the will, the money, the resources to fight back. So Veritas is going to be the tip of that spear.

OKeefe said hes confident in the lawsuits success: We dont settle. We fight all the way to a jury verdict, and weve never lost.

We want to put these people through depositions to understand exactly what was going through their minds when they maliciously lied about me, saying I operate fake accounts.

CNN didnt respond to a request for comment about the pending lawsuit by press time.

The lawsuit against Twitter, filed in the Supreme Court of New York in Westchester County, asserts that Twitter knowingly defamed OKeefe in a statement when it explained why he was banned earlier this month.

The false accusation that Mr. OKeefe operated fake accounts is particularly damaging for Mr. OKeefe because Mr. OKeefe is a journalist. As such, his reputation for transparency and accurate reporting is fundamental to his profession, the lawsuit reads.

In the days before the suspension, OKeefe had nearly 1 million followers and had just published several undercover videos that allegedly showed a CNN technical director saying the network had been actively pushing narratives to remove President Donald Trump from office. The same person also spoke about intentionally creating an atmosphere of fear around the COVID-19 pandemic to push Trumps favorability down last year.

Twitter didnt respond to a request for comment at the time.
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More than a hundred Qantas passengers are still waiting for coronavirus test results, after flying to Melbourne with an infected traveller five days ago.

A 45-year-old man carrying the virus flew on QF778 from Perth on Wednesday.

Of the 241 other passengers, 135 have so far tested negative, but more than a hundred others are still waiting on a result.

The man's four close contacts - his spouse, two children and one child's friend - have also tested negative.

Of the 10 airport staff potentially exposed to the case, six have tested negative, and health authorities said messages had been sent to all passengers from the flight.

Of the 241 other Qantas passengers, 135 have so far tested negative, but more than a hundred others are still waiting on a result

Meanwhile, Victoria recorded one new case of COVID-19 in hotel quarantine on Sunday.

The state has not had any new local cases, making 58 days with no community transmission, with the Melbourne passenger counting as an 'interstate case'.

After playing at Perth's Optus Stadium at the weekend, North Melbourne's AFL side returned to Melbourne on Sunday.

All members of the party were tested on arrival and must isolate at home, but have been granted an exemption for training and on medical and compassionate grounds.
Preaching the whole world about the liberal values and cooperation while sitting on stockpiling the vaccines which you will not use is what Bidens America looks like today. The US government is facing strong criticism in India for not allowing the Raw material for vaccine production.

Preaching the whole world about the liberal values and cooperation while sitting on stockpiling the vaccines which you will not use is what Bidens America looks like today. The US government is facing strong criticism in India for not allowing the Raw material for vaccine production. Most of these criticisms came from the social media users asking the Bidens administration to answer Indian vaccine makers requests for raw material. Pakistan, Iran, and even China have offered assistance in these challenging circumstances. The United States, on the other hand, which is a Quad partner, did not send out a single tweet until this morning. Today, US secretary Antony Blinken finally tweeted their support and offered their assistance to India, but the damage had already been done.

A senior State Department official previously defended the USs restrictions on the export of key raw materials for the manufacture of the COVID-19 vaccine, which threatens to stymie Indias vaccination campaign, saying that the Biden administrations first responsibility is to meet the needs of the American people. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Indian-American congressman, has urged the Biden administration to send doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to countries facing a deadly outbreak of COVID-19. Biden and Kamlas silence only sparking more controversy and Anti-US sentiments in India.

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, has also said that the EU allowed India to become the pharmaceutical hub. This statement shows the sheer arrogance and how the west put forward their own interest while preaching to the whole world about Multilateralism. Gita Gopinath, the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund, tweeted that she is deeply disturbed by the exploding health crisis in India.

Read More: The Mega Airlift: Every airline must join in as Spicejet does national service
DETROIT  It was about as one-sided as a game can get, territorially. Jonathan Bernier was the great equalizer for the Detroit Red Wings Saturday, stealing a point for them with a 50-save performance.

The Red Wings didnt earn the second point, however, as Jamie Benn scored 32 seconds into overtime to lift the Dallas Stars to a 2-1 victory at Little Caesars Arena.

Dallas outshot Detroit 52-17 on this night and 98-40 over the past two games.

Benn scored on his teams first shot in OT, after Filip Hroneks turnover near center ice resulted in a two-on-one rush.

The Red Wings (17-25-8) are 5-3-3 in their past 11.

Dallas (20-15-12) moved to within two points of Nashville in the battle for the final playoff spot in the Central Division. The Stars have two games in hand.

Dallas scored on its 44th shot, at 3:52 of the third period, when Mark Pysyk banged in a loose puck in the crease during a scramble. The Red Wings had eight shots at the time.

Dallas held a 21-3 edge in shots after one period and a 41-6 advantage through two periods.

The Red Wings killed four Dallas power plays through two periods.

Dennis Cholowski capped a two-on-one break with Evgeny Svechnikov by snapping a wrist shot that hit the crossbar on the far side and went in past Anton Khudobin at 16:17 of the first period. It was the young defensemans first point in 10 games with Detroit this season.
A prankster has confused Bunnings staff and left online viewers in stitches after asking for help finding a product on the shelves that doesn't exist.

The Australian man filmed himself asking the warehouse workers for a 'bubble to go in his spirit level' before he posted the video to his TikTok account @dibzbaby.

The confused Bunnings staff do their best to accommodate his request, seemingly unaware the item does not exist.

The first Bunnings' staff member pauses in thought before she sends him to the tool shop section

The man filming the video clarifies that he is simply asking for the pocket of air that is used to determine how straight or flat a surface is.

He approaches one staff member and asks 'do you know where I can get a new bubble for a spirit level?'

The Bunnings sales assistant pauses in thought before sending him to the tool shop section.

The man was directed to the tool shop section where the spirit levels are located

'The only place I could think of is the tool shop section,' she said.

'That's where spirit levels are so I'm assuming you'd be able to find the replacement around there.'

The TikTokker is then met by another sales assistant at the tool shop section who also does her utmost to help the man find the non-existent item.

'I don't think I saw bubbles on their own to be honest,' the second Bunnings staff member said.

She then walks him down to the spirit level section of the aisle and confirms that 'they're all fitted, they don't sell the bubbles on their own'.

'Maybe a bigger tool shop? But not Bunnings,' the assistant said.

The second Bunnings staff member then offers to order the non-existent item in for him

The trickster then persistently returns to the lady with a spirit level and asks if she can get the bubble out, before she confirms that they are sold as a 'complete unit'.

The assistant then makes a phone call to another employee to confirm that the bubble can't be purchased separately.

'We could order them, but I think he wants them tonight,' she said.

The man, by now clearly in disbelief at the efforts of the staff, wrote on the video: 'The ending, they can't be serious, can they?'

The spirit level bubble is what is used to determine how flat or straight a surface is as the air moves around in a small vile of coloured liquid.

The video has gone viral since it was uploaded on April 7 and has received over 200,000 likes and one million views.
The nuclear power station accident, disclosed yesterday, is the most serious in the history of nuclear power generation, British experts believe. The full extent of the accident is still unknown. Soviet authorities reverted to silence today after the surprise admission that a reactor at Chernobyl, in the Ukraine; was damaged, causing casualties. A view of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station taken on May 9, 1986. Credit:TASS But a Swedish official said after receiving the Soviet request for advice that it was clear the reactors core had melted in part or even completely. The West German centre said it appeared from information given by the Soviet diplomat that a reactor had melted down and the blaze was out of control.

The Soviet Union at first denied that there had been trouble, but the news agency, Tass, later reported the accident after radiation levels six times higher than normal were reported over Scandinavia and 600 workers were evacuated from a Swedish power station. The leakage has drifted more than 1600 kilometres over Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway, but experts say the only danger to health would be in the immediate area of the accident. Scandinavian readings today showed a decline in radioactivity. The International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna said it had been notified of the accident but given no details. It said it had no power to police reactors but could offer help in an emergency. Even from the scanty evidence available it is believed that the accident, involving a 1000 megawatt reactor, is of major proportions. The BBC news service said it was almost certainly the worst in history. Mr Jim Harding, former adviser to the chairman of the Californian Energy Commission, said the leak made the Three Mile Island affair look like a tea party. An aerial view of the Chernobyl nuclear power reactor shows damage from the explosion and fire. Credit:Tass

The US presidential Chief of Staff, Mr Donald Regan, on tour with Mr Reagan, is reported to have offered American help. Ringhals nuclear power plant, Sweden, measured 100 times the normal amount of caesium 137, and high iodine counts were made in central Sweden. Radiation levels in some areas of Finland were reported to be 10 times higher than normal. A British expert described the caesium level as alarming. Caesium has a half-life of more than 30 years and its presence would indicate high contamination in the area of the accident. Mr Peter Taylor, of the political ecology research group, said the release of caesium 137 would cause long-term, serious health damage. There is speculation that a large-scale evacuation is being carried out from Chernobyl. Bus services in Kiev are reported to have been disrupted because buses have been commandeered for the emergency in Chernobyl, 130 kilometres north. The BBC says the first reports of high radiation over Scandinavia came early on Sunday afternoon, indicating that the accident probably happened on Saturday morning.

A spokesman at the Danish nuclear laboratory at Riso said: It is difficult to say exactly what happened. We are looking at something very close to a meltdown. A Swedish nuclear inspector said the accident appeared to have been caused by the overheating of nuclear fuel. A considerable explosion would have been the result and could have led to a meltdown of the nuclear core of the reactor. Sweden first learned of the high radiation level when a worker at the Formark nuclear plant, about 90 kilometres north of Stockholm, set off an alarm while passing through a routine radiation check. Six hundred workers were evacuated, but tests showed there had been no leak from the plant. Sweden asked Moscow for an extensive report, but the Soviet atomic energy authorities at first told the Swedish embassy in Moscow they were unaware of any nuclear accident that could cause a leak to reach Sweden. The Swedish Energy Minister, Mrs Birgitta Dahl, said last night that Sweden was not satisfied with Soviet behavior. They should have notified us immediately, she said. We must demand higher safety standards in the Soviet Union.

Mrs Dahl urged that all Soviet reactors be placed under international control, although adding that there was no danger to people in Sweden from the present leak. An Energy Ministry spokesman said that the rate of a few millirems an hour was not high enough to warrant the evacuation of Forsmark. A millirem has the same biological effect as one thousandth of a standard unit of X-ray. The British Radiological Protection Board said Britain would not be affected. The Tass report of the accident said: Measures are being taken to eliminate the consequences of the accident. Aid is being given to those affected. A government inquiry had been set up, it added. The report was mentioned on Soviet television last night but did not appear in newspapers this morning. It referred to similar accidents in other countries, claiming it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Mystery still surrounds a serious accident reported in the Urals in the late fifties when hundreds were thought to have died from radiation sickness after an explosion of buried nuclear waste.
Tug of war over Tourism Act of 2005 By Vasantha Leelananda Feature View(s): View(s):

The tourism industry is currently witnessing a raging debate on changing the Tourism Act of 2005. The private sector which lobbied very hard to get this Act is of the opinion that the Tourism Act of 2005 should continue while the government authorities are of the view that the tourism institutions should merge and the structure should change.

The tourism industry has gone through a massive change since 2009 and we have seen a rapid growth in the SME sector which covers accommodation providers, destination management companies as well as ancillary service providers. In addition, technology has brought about a paradigm shift in the tourism model with more and more travellers resorting to purchasing holidays online which has marginalized the traditional package holidays.

Whilst the two main travel associations, The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) have a wide reach and control a significant market share, the SME sector, OTAs and the online direct bookings also account for an increasing share of the market. It is probably this shift and the need to look after the interests of all segments that is driving the authorities to change the Act. However, it should be done with caution as the tourism industry in Sri Lanka is predominantly private sector-driven.

The private sector has firmly believed in tourism and has invested heavily, while having continuous faith and weathered many adverse situations over a considerable period of time. Understandably they want to be seen, heard and have a say in decision-making. Resilience has been the key and no other business sector in our country has gone through what tourism has experienced. The Tourism Act of 2005 was hailed as an excellent example and a model for private-public sector partnerships, therefore any changes to this must be done with careful consideration and the private sector must continue to have a voice in it.

The composition of the boards can be reviewed to accommodate more sectors and the overall operating structure re-modelled to make it leaner, smarter and more efficient. Having served in three boards at different times I can confidently state that we worked very closely with government officials giving due respect to protocol and procedures.

The Sri Lankan tourism industry can ill-afford a tug of war over the Act. There are bigger and more important priorities that warrant attention. The last two years have been extremely difficult and the industry is battling for survival. Despite the vaccine the outlook for this year still looks bleak and it will take a lot more time for normalcy to prevail.

In the interim the industry needs every assistance since in addition to being an invisible export, currently more than two million of our population directly and indirectly depends on it. Let us not get distracted with the Tourism Act. The need of the hour is for all stakeholders to get together to ensure revival and sustainability of the tourism industry.

(The writer is former Executive Vice President  JKH Group/

Head Destination Management Sector and a past President of SLAITO).
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27)  Fifteen senators filed on Tuesday a resolution seeking to censure Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, spokesperson of the government's anti-communist task force, for his "disrespectful, derogatory, and demeaning" statement against members of the Senate.

In a television interview last week, Parlade called some senators "stupid" for their proposal to defund the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict amid issues hounding its alleged profiling and red-tagging activities against community pantry organizers.

In the proposed Senate Resolution No. 709, the lawmakers said Parlade's behavior showed his "lack of respect" for the Senate.

"Instead of engaging in a constructive debate, Lt. Gen. Parlade has chosen to demean and disparage the Senators through statements that display his limited grasp of Congress' role in the budget process," they said.

The resolution was introduced by Senators Franklin Drilon, Vicente Sotto III, Ralph Recto, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Nancy Binay, Pia Cayetano, Leila De Lima, Win Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel, Grace Poe, and Joel Villanueva.

They stood by the validity of their call to defund the NTF-ELCAC, saying Parlade's statements against community pantry organizers are not in line with the projects that Congress has agreed to fund.

In another controversial remark, the general also compared Ana Patricia Non's single-handed effort to establish the first community pantry to Satan deceiving Eve with the forbidden fruit.

"If Parlade's pronouncements and profiling of community pantry organizers were done pursuant to NTF-ELCAC's policy direction, then the agency has clearly departed from its mandate," the resolution read.

It added that contrary to Parlade's assertions, "progressive thinking is not communism."

The senators said the task force's funds could instead be realigned to "more worthy causes," such as providing aid to Filipinos suffering from the pandemic.

Drilon earlier said President Rodrigo Duterte has the power to realign the NTF-ELCAC budget without waiting for the 2022 budget debates.

In the House of Representatives, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez filed a resolution dated April 23 asking the lower chamber to direct the Commission on Human Rights and the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the reported red-tagging of community pantry organizers.

A number of pantries halted operations last week for safety concerns after their organizers and volunteers were linked to communist groups and allegedly approached by authorities to ask for their personal details.

The stall set up in Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, which sparked the bayanihan movement across the country, also closed for a day for similar reasons.

Parlade previously admitted they have been conducting background checks on the organizers, including leftist groups which may have been "engaging in propaganda."
Aerial photo taken on Nov. 18, 2020 shows a ship loaded with reef-like artificial coral reef nurseries heading for designated areas in Yazhou Bay of Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

BRUSSELS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Security risks in the South China Sea mainly come from outside the region, a spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the European Union (EU) said Saturday, urging the EU to stop sowing discord.

"The South China Sea should not become a tool for certain countries to contain and suppress China, still less a wrestling ground for major-power rivalry," said the spokesperson.

The comments came in response to a statement issued by the European External Action Service (EEAS) earlier Saturday. The EU's diplomatic service claimed that tensions in the region, "including the recent presence of large Chinese vessels at Whitsun Reef," endanger peace and stability.

The EEAS statement also recalled the "South China Sea arbitration" in 2016.

The Chinese Mission spokesperson said that Niu'E Jiao Reef (Whitsun Reef) is part of China's Nansha Islands, and the reef and its adjacent waters have always been important operating areas and shelters for Chinese fishing boats.

"Chinese fishing boats are recently operating in the area and sheltering from wind, which is reasonable and lawful," said the spokesperson. "How come does it endanger regional peace and stability?"

"We have reiterated on various occasions that China's sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea are formed in the long course of history and are consistent with international law," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson noted that the so-called Arbitral Tribunal on the South China Sea was established on the basis of illegal acts and claims of the Philippines. "It has no legitimacy and the award it issued is null and void. China does not accept or recognize the award, and firmly rejects any claims or actions based on the award."

Commenting on the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which was proposed by the EU on Monday, the spokesperson pointed out that the current situation in the South China Sea is on the whole stable.

China maintains close communication on relevant issues with countries in the region, including the Philippines, said the spokesperson, adding that countries in the region and beyond have in recent years seen clearly that "the destabilizing factors and security risks in the South China Sea mainly come from outside the region."

The spokesperson urged the EU "to respect the efforts of countries in the region in properly addressing differences and maintaining stability in the South China Sea, and to stop sowing discord."
Border Patrol Agents Thwart Deadly Narcotics Smuggling Attempt Through Checkpoint

Salton City, California - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a man attempting to smuggle fentanyl and methamphetamine through an immigration checkpoint Tuesday night.

Border Patrol agents seized 83 packages

of deadly narcotics.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m., when a blue 2011 Freightliner Cascadia semi-truck approached the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint. A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the semi-truck in the primary inspection lane. Agents directed the truck to enter the secondary inspection area for further investigation.

During their inspection, agents discovered 83 packages of suspected narcotics hidden inside garbage bags in the sleeping area of the cab. The contents inside three of those packages tested positive for the characteristics of fentanyl. The remaining 80 packages tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine. Agents arrested the driver and held him for further processing.

The total weight of the fentanyl was approximately 6.72 pounds with an estimated value of $97,600.

The total weight of the methamphetamine was approximately 99.3 pounds with an estimated value of $273,075.

El Centro Sector turned over the driver, a 37-year-old man, a citizen of Mexico in possession of a nonimmigrant visa from Mexico, the vehicle, and the narcotics to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Fred Gray Sr. is a revered civil rights attorney whose work included defending Rosa Parks against criminal charges for challenging bus segregation and winning compensation and medical treatments for the victims of the Tuskegee Syphilis study more than 45 years ago.

Jefferson Davis served as president of the confederacy from 1861-1865, whose birthday is celebrated as a state holiday in Alabama.

The two names are on a collision course in Montgomery, where a struggle is underway on whether to remove Davis name from a 1-1/2 mile stretch of city street and replace it with Grays name. The roadway  Jefferson Davis Avenue -- was where Gray lived as a child from the mid-1930s to the mid-50s.

I cannot think of a stronger statement to make than to change the street name after the first president of the Confederacy for someone who fought on behalf of making the United States fulfill its potential to all citizens, said Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, who is pushing the effort. Reed is the first Black mayor of Montgomery.

There is a poetic justice in doing that and its appropriate for the city to honor Fred Gray in this type of way, he added. I am 100 percent committed to renaming Jefferson Davis Avenue after attorney Fred Gray. It is the right thing to do.

Gray, who is 90 and practices law from an office in Tuskegee, said on Thursday that he hopes the mayors efforts are successful, but added that he doesnt believe there is anything fascinating about the street name, saying it was just a street I lived on like Hill Street or Oak Street. Nothing magical about the name of it.

Said Gray, If the council and the people want to honor me that way, I would be happy for it and appreciative.

But theres a few major hurdles before that could happen - a 2017 monuments protection law and Montgomery city policies. As such, the Montgomery City Council opted on Tuesday to support a resolution for naming an undetermined site or street after Gray, but not necessarily his childhood street that is named after the Confederate leader who wasnt from Alabama and only briefly lived in the state during his lifetime.

Montgomery Council President Charles Jinright said in an email to AL.com that fewer than a 65 percent city requirement has been met for supporting the name change by the property owners along Jefferson Davis Avenue. Jinright said of the 130 property owners along the street, only 39 have responded in support of the change while 29 said No. The remainder either have not been reached or have not responded to the inquiry.

We have been through this before and its very expensive for the property owners to make all the changes, said Jinright, referring to the costs of on individuals and businesses whenever a city changes a street name.

Reed said the lack of responses, as well as the lack of 65 percent support for the change, is unacceptable. He said in the coming weeks, the city will bring this to a close and be more focused on reaching property owners in whatever way we have to, to let them know what we plan to do and why its important to do this and what message it will send to Montgomery to honor someone who has truly fought for the betterment of this country and the betterment of people everywhere including the city.

Said Reed, And to remove the name for someone who should have never been put on a platform, if you will, of being honored.

Captive to the past

Jefferson Davis birthday is a state holiday in Alabama.Public Domain

Reed also said hes unmoved about concerns over potential punishment for violations of the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017.

The state law has been in the public eye since its adoption. But the past year renewed the focus on the law as cities around the state authorized or supported the removal of monuments honoring the Confederacy and were subsequently fined by the Alabama Attorney Generals Office for doing so. The effort to remove Confederate monuments gained traction following the Memorial Day death of George Floyd at the hands of Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer. Chauvin was convicted by a jury Tuesday on all three counts related to the death.

The law makes it illegal to remove monuments 40 years or older.

Alabama cities have opted to pay a one-time $25,000 fine and have monuments removed. That fine is viewed as too low by backers of revised state legislation, HB242, which would increase the penalties to $10,000 a day for elected officials and institutions, such as universities, for each day the monument is removed.

Related: Watershed moment: Will removal of Confederate monuments lead to lasting change in Alabama?

The existing law and HB242 also governs the renaming of a memorial street, which is defined as a public street named or dedicated in honor of an event, a group, military service, or a movement. The language in HB242 would also include a war or military conflict to the definition.

Reed said he believes the law is contradictory to the beliefs many Republican backers of it hold in the Alabama Legislature. He said there is much angst where the federal government is concerned with guiding the states, and he sees the preservation act as undo interference by the state government into local affairs.

Weve been working under the guise that streets do come under the preservation act, said Reed. That said  I plan on moving forward with honoring attorney Fred Gray in this small way for his contributions and his courage and commitment for equal rights for everyone. That will happen irrespective of what is on the books now or what legislators will put on the books someday. We cant be held captive to the past. We should be focused on those men and women who made the United States fulfill its promise under the Constitution to all of its citizens.

Mike Lewis, spokesman with Attorney General Steve Marshalls Office, confirmed that memorial streets are part of the preservation law. He said the office declined to comment on a hypothetical violation.

During Tuesdays meeting, senior city attorney Stacy Bellinger said she was unaware of the state punishing a city for a street name change since the law surfaced more than four years ago. She said the only instances of violations to the state law have been focused on monument removals.

Different dynamic

Meaher Avenue in Prichard, Ala. Efforts are underway to rename the city roadway "Black Lives Matter Street." The avenue is named after Timothy Meaher, who illegally brought more than 110 slaves from Africa into the United States aboard the Clotilda in 1860. The slaves and their descendants established the Africatown community near Prichard. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

Montgomery isnt the only city considering street name changes in cities with large Black populations.

In Prichard, a city that is more than 86 percent Black, efforts have been underway for the past year to change Meaher Avenue to Black Lives Matter Street. The Prichard City Council, prior to last summers city elections, voted in support of the name change. The efforts have since been stalled, but Mayor Jimmie Gardner said he would like to see it made official by citys Juneteenth celebration, which annually recognizes the emancipation of those who were enslaved in the U.S.

The name change would scrub a reference to the family of Timothy Meaher, the white slave trader who owned the slave ship Clotilda and who was responsible for the last illegal transport of slaves in the U.S. in 1860. Portions of the slave ship were founded in 2019, and efforts are underway to highlight the story of the Africatown region north of Mobile and near Prichard where the 110 or so Clotilda survivors settled and created a community.

Gardner, like Reed, said he believes the city council  and not the state legislature  is the proper governing authority to handle street name changes.

He also said he would like to see other streets renamed in Prichard that intersect with Meaher Avenue after the slaves who were aboard the Clotilda.

Gardner said he doesnt believe the costs with a street name change in Prichard would be much since most are residential roads.

It will be a different dynamic, said Gardner. I dont think youll get citizens opposed to changing it.

True heroes

Fred Gray

Reed said in Montgomery, there is no timetable established for the street name change. He delivered a passionate speech supportive of the name change on Tuesday, with two of Grays sons in attendance, and said it was appropriate to honor Gray while he was alive.

Very often we dont give roses to people who are here, said Reed. We wait until they pass on. I dont believe that.

Another effort is underway in Alabama to honor Gray with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Letters supporting Gray have written in recent months by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey; Steve Murray, the director of the Alabama Department of Archives and History; Wendell Gunn, who helped integrate the University of North Alabama in the 60s (and who was represented by Gray); Jay Gogue, president of Auburn University; and Stuart Bell, the president of the University of Alabama.

Grays long list of accomplishments included six decades of civil rights legal service that included representing Rosa Parks (who has a street named after her in Montgomery, which intersects Jefferson Davis Avenue). He argued for the four main plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle in 1956, which led to bus segregation being ruled unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

His legal work also extended to protecting the marchers during the Selma to Montgomery March in Williams vs. Wallace in 1965. He also fought for school desegregation in 1963s Lee vs. Macon County Board of Education, which resulted in the integration of all Alabama schools not already under a court order.

Gray was also Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s attorney in 1960, successfully defending him against fraudulent charges of tax evasion and winning acquittal from an all-white jury in Montgomery.

Dr. King once said, One day the South will recognize its true heroes, said Derryn Moten, professor of history and political sciences at Alabama State University in Montgomery. Attorney Fred Gray Sr. is one of those heroes. In a state whose motto is We dare defend our rights, I am grateful that Montgomery, the Capital City, has recognized and honored someone who vowed to destroy segregation wherever he found it.

Said Moten, It is not hyperbole to say that Fred Gray changed lives and laws in Alabama irrevocably. By the way, Gray was born on the month and day that Alabama became a state.
Two Schuylkill County school administrators said they are keeping an eye on the outcome of the Mahanoy Area School District vs. B.L. student free speech case as it heads to the U.S. Supreme Court this week.

How the justices rule could affect how public schools across the country address student discipline.

The student, Brandi Levy, was removed from the junior varsity cheerleading squad after she posted a profanity-laced Snapchat comment while off school property on a Saturday.

Schuylkill Haven Area School District Superintendent Shawn T. Fitzpatrick said hes busy with his own matters, but is aware of the case and its potential ramifications.

From what I can gather Mahanoy Area was looking to support one of their own staff members and hold the student accountable for her actions as a member of the cheerleading squad, he said. I think that was the original intent, but I think it kind of blew up on everybody.

Schuylkill Haven will monitor the results of the case closely to see if we need to look at our own policies and procedures and adjust them accordingly and make sure they fall within the letter of the law, Fitzpatrick said.

He expects a lot of that guidance will come the state organizations like the Pennsylvania School Boards Association or the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators.

I would think those state entities will absolutely communicate with all districts in the commonwealth at the outcome of this case and make sure that your policies align with this recent Supreme Court ruling, he said.

Quite frankly, he added, it could be a game-changer on how rules are enforced.

Shenandoah Valley Superintendent Brian K. Waite said he, too, is aware of the case but that it has not been discussed to any extent at regular meetings involving district superintendents because they are aware that Mahanoy Area Superintendent Joie Green is not able to talk about a legal matter.

Waite realizes the high courts ruling could affect any school district.

I will be interested in the outcome and hearing the decision, he said.

After last Mondays meeting of the Shenandoah Borough Council, Councilwoman Eileen Burke was asked for her opinion.

Im not sure exactly what their (Mahanoy Area) issues were, but the girl has graduated already, Burke said. All it was was about language. She didnt threaten to kill anyone. It was on her own time.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden says the U.S is determined to help India as it grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases.

In a tweet Sunday, Biden said, Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need.

The president didn't offer specifics in the brief message. But earlier Sunday the White House said the U.S. is working around the clock to immediately deploy to India drug treatments and rapid diagnostic COVID-19 testing kits. Also coming are ventilators and personal protective equipment, and the U.S. will seek to provide oxygen supplies as well.

The White House says it has identified sources of raw material urgently needed for Indias manufacture of the Covishield vaccine and will make that available. The U.S. also intends to pay for an expansion of manufacturing capability for the vaccine manufacturer in India, BioE, so it can ramp up and produce at least 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2022.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va.  Fans attending the West Virginia girls and boys state basketball tournaments will have the chance to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department says the shots will be administered starting Tuesday at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. Anyone age 16 and older can receive one.

In the words of Dr. Sherri Young, the departments health officer: We understand that parents and teenagers are busy, so this is one way we hope to make the process more convenient for them.

State data show that 31% of West Virginias eligible residents are fully vaccinated and 39% have received at least one dose. Gov. Jim Justice said last week that a statewide mask mandate may stay in place until 70% of eligible residents have been vaccinated.

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THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:

 Indias crematoriums overwhelmed as virus swallows people

 Death toll in fire at Iraqi COVID-19 hospital surpasses 80

Story continues

 Michigan became hotspot as variants rose and vigilance fell

 Morocco scolds Spain over virus help for independence leader

 While much of the world remains hunkered down, the band Six60 has been playing to huge crowds in New Zealand, where social distancing isnt required after the nation stamped out the coronavirus.

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Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

JUNEAU, Alaska -- Alaska Airlines has banned an Alaska state senator from its flights, saying she refused to follow mask requirements.

An airline spokesman says that state Sen. Lora Reinbold of Eagle River had been informed and that the suspension was effective immediately.

Reinbold told the Anchorage Daily News that she had not been notified of a ban and that she hoped to be on an Alaska Airlines flight in the near future.

Reinbold was recorded last week at Juneau International Airport apparently arguing with airport and Alaska Airlines staff about mask policies. Reinbold told the newspaper she was inquiring about a mask exemption with uptight employees at the counter. She said she was reasonable with all employees.

Alaska Airlines has banned over 500 people.

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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. is pledging immediate medical aid to India to help combat its surge in coronavirus cases.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke by phone Sunday with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, and expressed sympathy and support.

According to the White House statement, the U.S. is working around the clock to immediately deploy to India drug treatments, rapid diagnostic COVID-19 testing kits, ventilators and personal protective equipment and will seek to provide oxygen supplies as well.

The White House says it had identified sources of raw material urgently needed for Indias manufacture of the Covishield vaccine and will make that available. The U.S. also intends to pay for an expansion of manufacturing capability for BioE, the vaccine manufacturer in India, so it can ramp up and produce at least 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2022.

A team of U.S. public health advisers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and USAID will also be sent to assist Indian officials.

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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka  Sri Lankas government on Sunday banned all private functions including meetings and parties and also halted all state functions for the next two weeks as COVID-19 cases are steadily rising across the country.

All state festivals planned for the next two weeks have been halted, a statement from the Presidents office said, adding that,  the government had decided to ban all private sector functions, meetings and parties under quarantine regulations.

The number of positive cases have gone up by three times in the last two days in Sri Lanka. For several weeks, the number of cases stood below 300 and on Sunday, the figure rose to 895.

Sri Lanka is still in the midst of a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that erupted in October after two clusters  one centred on a garment factory and other on the fish market  emerged in the capital Colombo and its suburbs.

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ROME  With spring weather bursting upon Italy, many Italians didnt wait for Mondays partial lifting of COVID-19 restrictions on social activities in much of the country.

Starting Friday evening and spanning the sunny and warm weekend, people in Rome, Milan, Turin, Naples and other cities turned out in droves to picnic or hang out in parks or at beaches. They also swarmed, with drinks in hand, through trendy piazzas or promenade down popular shopping streets in historic centres . Many ignored safety-distancing measures or mandatory outdoor mask-wearing.

This week, after government-ordered restrictions that were imposed ahead of Easter holidays, restaurants and cafes will be allowed to resume table service in regions where COVID-19 transmission rates, ICU bed capacity and other pandemic parameters have sufficiently improved.

But only outdoor service, and no inside table or counter service, will be allowed for now to the frustration of many eatery owners. Theaters, cinemas and museums can also re-open in those regions starting on Monday but with strictly reduced capacity.

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LONDON Britain says it is sending 600 pieces of medical equipment including ventilators to India to help the country in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said Sunday the first of nine plane-loads of kit would arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The move follows discussion with the Indian government. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had been due to visit India this week before the worsening situation there forced him to cancel, said Britain stands side by side with India as a friend and partner and would do whatever it could to support India through the crisis.

The assistance package includes 495 oxygen concentrators, 120 non-invasive ventilators and 20 manual ventilators from surplus U.K. stocks.

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WASHINGTON  West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito says fellow Republican senator Ron Johnsons recent statement that Americans shouldnt care if their neighbours get the coronavirus vaccine was unhelpful.

Johnson, of Wisconsin, questioned the need for widespread COVID-19 vaccinations during an interview last week with conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna. He said theres no reason to be pushing vaccines on people, particularly very young people, at a moment when the federal government is trying to counter hesitancy among some Americans over getting inoculated.

Public health officials around globe are urging people to get vaccinated as soon as possible, saying that reaching herd immunity is the best shot at stopping the uncontrolled spread of the virus.

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ORLANDO, Fla.  Shots using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have resumed at federally supported mass vaccination sites throughout Florida, state emergency officials said.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management tweeted Sunday that it was resuming the Johnson & Johnson shots at the vaccination sites in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami after reviewing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.

The federal agencies on Friday called for the 11-day pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to be lifted after federal regulators reviewed data on blood clots and assessed risks associated with the vaccine.

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BERLIN  Germany is considering sending emergency assistance to India to help the country cope with a surge in COVID-19 cases that threatens to overwhelm the countrys hospitals.

The German Defence Ministry said Sunday its examining the possibility of providing a mobile oxygen generator and other aid to India.

Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier expressed her sympathy to the people of India and said Germany was urgently preparing a mission of support.

The German military has so far conducted 38 support missions for other nations or international organizations during the coronavirus pandemic.

___

BERLIN  Germanys Health Ministry says sharp increase in vaccine deliveries over the coming months means it will likely be able to begin offering the shots to all adults from June.

Like most countries, Germany currently prioritizes vaccination of people who are most vulnerable to serious illness from COVID-19 due to their age, preexisting conditions or exposure to potentially infected people.

In a briefing document issued by the Health Ministry ahead of a Cabinet meeting Monday, officials say that pending further delivery commitments from AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, it should be possible to end the prioritization by June at the latest.

They caution that not everyone will immediately be able to get a shot, however, and that the vaccination campaign will likely continue over the summer as planned.

___

CAIRO  Egypts president has received his first dose of coronavirus vaccine, although his office did not say what type of vaccine was used. Egypt in general uses China's Sinopharm or the AstraZeneca vaccines.

Abdel Fattah el-Sissi got the dose as part of the national vaccination campaign, his office said in a Facebook post Sunday.

El-Sissis vaccination appeared aimed to encourage more people to get vaccinated, particularly health care workers.

Health Minister Hala Zayed on Saturday called for health workers to register to be vaccinated. She said only 50% of the targeted health care workers have signed up.

Egypt, the Arab worlds most populous country with over 100 million people, has reported at least 221,570 confirmed cases, including some 13,000 deaths.

However, the actual numbers of COVID-19 cases, like elsewhere in the world, are thought to be far higher, in part due to limited testing.

___

ISLAMABAD  Indias rival Pakistan is offering to send essential medical supplies to its neighbour thats in the grip of a devastating coronavirus surge that has depleted oxygen stocks and other hospital needs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that as a gesture of solidarity with the people of India, Pakistan has offered to provide relief support including ventilators, oxygen supply kits, digital X-ray machines, PPE and and related items.

It said authorities of both countries can work out modalities for a quick delivery of the items and can also explore possible ways of further co-operation to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The offer came a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan in a tweet prayed for the speedy recovery of the Indian people affected by the virus.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says Pakistan, believing in a policy of humanity first, made the offer to India and is awaiting a response.

___

BANGKOK  Thailand on Sunday reported 2,438 new cases and 11 deaths, as Bangkok braced for the closure of entertainment and sport venues as part of measures health care workers say are not enough to relieve overburdened hospitals.

The Thai capital has seen a rapid rise in infections since early April, and its governor, Aswin Kwanmuang, announced the two-week closures starting Monday.

They include gyms, public parks, zoos, exhibition and meeting centres , nurseries and boxing stadiums. Those not wearing masks in public face penalties.

Shortages of hospital beds, stemming from a regulation that everyone testing positive for COVID-19 must be treated in a hospital, are causing frustration. Media reported two people died in their homes after they were turned down by hospitals.

Some health workers are calling for a general lockdown, saying the governments hospital admission policies have exhausted the system.

The Thoracic Society of Thailand wrote an open letter demanding the government restrict the movement of people to reduce the number of new cases.

___

TOKYO  Japans department stores, bars and theatres shuttered Sunday as part of emergency measures to slow a surge in infections.

The 17-day restrictions are declared for Tokyo, Kyoto, Hyogo and Osaka, ahead of the Golden Week holidays, when Japanese usually travel extensively.

Theres doubt about the effectiveness of the effort, which focuses on eateries and theme parks staying closed or limiting hours. Trains and streets remain as packed as ever, and schools will stay open.

Japan has already declared three emergencies over the coronavirus. The vaccine rollout has been slow, with barely 1% of its population inoculated.

One setback is that Japan requires additional testing for vaccines approved overseas, and only the Pfizer vaccine is now in use.

Experts say the unfolding wave of infections includes more deadly variants. Japan has attributed about 10,000 deaths to COVID-19, among the worst in Asia. A domestically produced vaccine is not expected until next year or 2023.

The Associated Press
Int'l students experience TCM culture in Shandong

Xinhua) 15:18, April 25, 2021

A student from China University of Petroleum experiences traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) culture at the TCM cultural base in Traditional Chinese medical hospital of Huangdao District, Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, April 23, 2021. In an effort to promote the international exchange and sharing of the TCM culture, the Traditional Chinese medical hospital of Huangdao District, Qingdao, established a TCM cultural base for international students in cooperation with China University of Petroleum recently. Students from Pakistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Zimbabwe and other countries have paid visit to it. They learned about the TCM culture here, by experiencing TCM treatments, like massage, acupuncture, moxibustion, and etc., and participating in TCM cultural activities, such as making sachets, drinking herbal tea and doing traditional physical exercises. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
Future of Science & Technology in Sri Lanka; Are we ready for a revolution? View(s):

The onset of the current pandemic has placed science and technology at a higher pinnacle as the need for novel technology and innovation to combat the pandemic is of a great necessity. Sri Lanka having a very high literacy level show promising prospects towards contributing to global science and technology. However, the issues of lack of opportunities, lack of internationally recognized pathways and lack of capital & infrastructure act as potential barriers towards reaching these demands.

Technology education plays an important role in developing a trend among youth to engage in careers pertaining to science and technology. Thus availability of high quality educational pathways plays a key role in satisfying this requirement of the youth. This not only allows students to explore the niche areas but also allows them to gain the practical applicative exposure in handling the technology, driven by the curiosity to engage in novel innovations.

Thus, Spectrum Institute of Science & Technology (SIST), firmly believes in making science and technology education available for all youth in various fields including life science, engineering technology, computer and business, in collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University and Lincoln University College. SIST offers degree programmes that can be completed in Sri Lanka while enjoying the luxury of being safe at home with family!

SIST invites young enthusiastics to join the SIST family to bring about revolution in technology thus placing Sri Lanka in the global map of research and innovation!

For further information, contact us on 011 2554848 / 0777499494 or visit us at No 07, Kirimandala Mawatha, Colombo 05 or log into www.spectrumcampus.edu.lk
International trade secretary Liz Truss is interviewed for the Sophy Ridge on Sunday show outside BBC Broadcasting House in central London. (PA)

Cabinet minister Liz Truss has insisted Boris Johnson "fully complied" with the rules over renovating his official Downing Street flat, dismissing Dominic Cummings claims to the contrary as "tittle-tattle".

Speaking to Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday, the international trade secretary said the prime minister had personally met the costs of the renovation work.

But she also repeatedly refused to say whether he ever received the money to pay for it from a Tory donor or from the party itself.

Read: Sacked minister launches astonishing attack on Boris Johnson's 'distrustful, awful' government

It comes as the government faces increasing pressure to answer questions over the issue after Johnson's former top aide made a series of bombshell claims in a statement on Friday.

Cummings alleged that Johnson initially tried to have a party donor pay for the flat renovation and that the government in general lacked integrity.

He also claimed Johnson sought to block an inquiry into how news of the second national lockdown in November was leaked to the press after a friend of his fiancee was implicated.

Boris Johnson has come under fire after bombshell accusations from his former aide Dominic Cummings. (PA)

But Truss told Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "I have been assured that the rules have been fully complied with and I know that he has met the costs of the flat refurbishment.

"I absolutely believe and trust that the prime minister has done that. What people want to know is that in line with the rules the prime minister has met the cost of this refurbishment. That has happened. All the costs will be declared in line with the rules.

"That, as far as I am concerned, completely answers that question."

Truss also said the inquiry into the so-called "chatty rat" leak of plans for the second lockdown in England was ongoing.

Watch: Cummings denies being source of leaked PM's texts with Dyson

She dismissed Cummings' claims that Johnson sought to block the probe, saying: "This is tittle-tattle that is being promoted and I don't think it really addresses the key issues that people in Britain care about.

Story continues

"The prime minister, who I work very closely with, has consistently through this crisis acted in the best interests of the country.

"These noises off are simply not helpful, they are not contributing to a positive future and they don't reflect what is actually going on in Downing Street."

However, her comments came as Labours deputy leader Angela Rayner reiterated the partys calls for the government to answer questions around its conduct.

She told BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show: "There is serious questions now that the Conservatives need to answer around how they've dealt with their mates who have been fast-tracked through a VIP list to get contracts."

Dominic Cummings outside his London home after he resigned from his role as Boris Johnson's top aide in December. (PA)

On the Downing Street flat, she added: "The Electoral Commission should be looking into it absolutely and doing a full investigation, especially as you've got a former senior adviser to the prime minister suggesting that not only was it unethical but he believes it could be illegal as well.

"These are serious allegations and we also think the prime minister should come to the House of Commons on Monday and should declare the ministers' register of interests, which is eight months in delay, we've not seen that. Why are they hiding the fact that ministers have to declare these donations and they've not done that?

"That's serious and the list of the VIPs who got contracts who seem to be mates of Tories or Tory donors, this is a real stench around what government is about."

Meanwhile, Labour's Jess Phillips also called for a "root and branch" independent inquiry into the use of taxpayers' money under Johnson's government.

Read more:

Tributes paid to really nice boy, 14, stabbed death outside pizza restaurant

Have-a-go-hero chases off machete-wielding robber with a plank of wood

The shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding told Sophy Ridge on Sunday: "The truth of the matter is we don't know the truth and we've got scrapping between two very powerful men who seem more interested in who's lying about what and who's leaking what than the substantive of the issue.

"That is whether contracts get given out by text messages, whether tax breaks get given out by text messages or whether the prime minister uses his pals to get money to have his flat done up.

"Whether I back Dominic Cummings' view or Boris Johnson's view, what we need is a proper independent inquiry where it isn't about two boys fighting and is about taxpayers in our country."

Phillips indicated Labour would be seeking an urgent question in parliament on the issue, adding: "Integrity really, really matters."

Watch: Johnson and Cummings are 'two boys fighting'
Many Americans fear that a historic jury decision to lock up a former police officer after a horrific killing won't mitigate racially charged discord, violence and partisan animosity which continues to plague the nation.

This headline and report sums up the continued debate:

AP: 1 verdict, then 6 police killings across America in 24 hours

And so the crisis continues to play out amongst local social media activists who recently shared a sketchy proposition with locals.

Here's the sitch . . .



This week an interesting meme circulated among our progressive friends in Brookside . . . A listing of Kansas City alternatives to calling the police earned quite a few likes, shares and glowing endorsements.

However . . .



KANSAS CITY ACTIVIST MEME ALTERNATIVES TO POLICE DON'T WORK!!!



A quick survey of the resources noted reveals no less than three defunct organizations.

There's also a protest group highlighted that's really effective at making cool signs and t-shirts but their services are confined to loud demonstrations, camp outs and repeated demands for free rent.

More to the point . . The vast majority of these groups don't answer the phone at 3AM.



Don't get it twisted, TKC loves locals sharing information and resources . . . And I certainly don't want people calling me for help. But the info offered won't really assist anyone searching for a true "alternative" to police.



Sadly, even one of the boldest American civil rights leaders has shared skepticism regarding some of the most progressive efforts targeting po-po.

MSNBC's Sharpton: Defunding police 'something a latte liberal may go for'

Nevertheless . . .

Confrontation with law enforcement seems to be at the forefront of the American cultural zeitgeist in what is already an exceptionally violent year. Here's another example out of many . . .

ESPN: LeBron James explains why he deleted tweet on police shooting of Ma'Khia Bryant

And so . . .

The surprisingly popular local meme is merely one component of the persistent movement to abolish/defund police that has been largely rejected by most voters but continues to earn consideration from younger protesters and activists.

You decide . . .


SHANGHAI, China, April 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Junshi Biosciences (HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180), a leading innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of novel therapies, announced today that the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) has determined that toripalimab in combination with paclitaxel/cisplatin as the first-line treatment for patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has reached its pre-specified primary endpoints of Progression Free Survival (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS) at the interim analysis of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, phase III clinical study JUPITER-06 (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03829969). Junshi Biosciences will communicate with the regulatory authorities regarding the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) in the near future.



About Esophageal Squamouse Cell Carcinoma (ESCC)

Esophageal cancer is a primary malignant tumor of the esophageal mucosa epithelium, which is one of the most common cancers in the world. According to data released by GLOBOCAN 2020, esophageal cancer is the seventh most common malignant tumor in the world and the sixth leading cause of cancer death. In 2020, approximately 320,000 new esophageal cancer cases and approximately 300,000 deaths due to esophageal cancer occurred in China, with the incidence and death rates ranking fifth and fourth among all malignant tumors, respectively. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma are the two main histological subtypes of esophageal cancer. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is the main subtype in China, accounting for 90% of all esophageal cancer. For patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, the current standard first-line treatment is platinum based chemotherapy, but the 5-year overall survival rate is less than 20%.

About JUPITER-06 Study

The JUPITER-06 study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter phase  trial that aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of toripalimab combined with paclitaxel/cisplatin versus placebo combined with paclitaxel/cisplatin as first-line treatments for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Professor Ruihua Xu from the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Hospital is the principal investigator of the JUPITER-06 study. A total of 514 patients were enrolled in the study. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) as assessed by the Blinded Independent Review Committee (BICR) and overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints included the PFS assessed by investigator, objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and duration of response (DOR).

Based on the results of interim analysis, the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) determined that both primary endpoints of PFS and OS have crossed the prespecified efficacy boundaries and the results show that compared with the paclitaxel/cisplatin chemotherapy , toripalimab combined with paclitaxel/cisplatin significantly prolonged the PFS and OS of patients with advanced esophageal squamous carcinoma.

About Toripalimab

Toripalimab was the first domestic anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody approved for marketing in China. More than thirty company-sponsored clinical studies covering more than fifteen indications have been conducted globally, including in China and the United States. On 17 December 2018, toripalimab was granted a conditional approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the second-line treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma. In December 2020, toripalimab was successfully included in the updated National Reimbursement Drug List. In February 2021, the supplemental NDA for toripalimab for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma after failure of at least two lines of prior systemic therapy was granted a conditional approval by the NMPA. In April 2021, the supplemental NDA for toripalimab for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who failed platinum-containing chemotherapy or progressed within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant platinum-containing chemotherapy was granted a conditional approval.

In February 2021, the supplemental NDA application of toripalimab in combination with chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced, recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma was accepted by the NMPA. In March 2021, toripalimab was included in the Drug List of the Procedure for Breakthrough Therapy Designation for the first-line treatment of advanced mucosal melanoma by the National Medical Products Administration. In the same month, Junshi Biosciences submitted the Biologics License Application of toripalimab for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As of the date of this announcement, toripalimab has been granted 1 Breakthrough, 1 Fast Track and 3 Orphan Drug Designations (ODD) by the FDA for the treatment of mucosal melanoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and soft tissue sarcoma.

About Junshi Biosciences

Founded in December 2012, Junshi Biosciences is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics. The company has established a diversified R & D pipeline comprising 28 innovative drug candidates and 2 biosimilars, with five therapeutic focus areas covering cancer, autoimmune, metabolic, neurological, and infectious diseases. Junshi Biosciences was the first Chinese pharmaceutical company that obtained marketing approval for anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody in China. Its first-in-human anti-BTLA antibody for solid tumors was the first in the world to be approved for clinical trials by the FDA and NMPA and its anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibody was the first in China to be approved for clinical trials by the NMPA. In early 2020, Junshi Biosciences joined forces with the Institute of Microbiology Chinese Academy of Science and Eli Lilly to co-develop JS016 (etesevimab), Chinas first neutralizing fully human monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2. JS016 administered with bamlanivimab has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the US FDA in February 2021 for the treatment of recently diagnosed, mild to moderate COVID-19 in patients who are at a high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. The JS016 program is a part of our continuous innovation for disease control and prevention of the global pandemic. Junshi Biosciences has over 2,000 employees in the United States (San Francisco and Maryland) and China (Shanghai, Suzhou, Beijing and Guangzhou). For more information, please visit: http://junshipharma.com.

Contact Information



IR Team:

Junshi Biosciences

info@junshipharma.com

+ 86 021-2250 0300

Solebury Trout

Bob Ai

bai@soleburytrout.com

+ 1 646-389-6658

PR Team:

Junshi Biosciences

Zhi Li

zhi_li@junshipharma.com

+ 86 021-6105 8800
[April 25, 2021] Blackstone Hires Israeli Tech Executive Yifat Oron; Announces Opening of New Office in Tel Aviv

Blackstone (NYSE: BX) announced today that it has hired Yifat Oron, who previously served as CEO of LeumiTech, as a Senior Managing Director and head of the firm's new office in Tel Aviv, Israel. She will lead Blackstone's growth and tech investments in Israel for Blackstone Growth (BXG), the firm's growth equity business, and assist with other investing efforts across the firm. Ms. Oron brings more than twenty years of experience as a tech investor and executive in Israel, with leadership roles in venture capital, banking and consulting. BXG recently completed the final close of its oversubscribed, inaugural $4.5 billion growth equity fund - the largest first-time growth equity private vehicle ever raised. BXG began deploying capital in 2020 and has already made a number of significant investments, including in Bumble (which recently completed a successful initial public offering); Oatly; ISN; GeoComply; Ginger Health; Hydrogen Health and Epidemic Sound.



Ambassador Dan Gillerman, former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, has served as Blackstone's Senior Advisor in Israel since 2013. With the establishment of Blackstone's new office in Tel Aviv, Ambassador Gillerman will become Chairman of Blackstone Israel, continuing to serve as an advisor to the firm and the Israel-based team. Stephen A. Schwarzman, Blackstone Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder, said: "We are increasingly focused on investing in fast-growing sectors, such as technology, life sciences and the digital economy. Israel is one of the most promising markets in the world in these areas and Yifat is the perfect choice to scale our firm's presence and investments there."

Jon Korngold, Global Head of Blackstone Growth, said: "We are big believers in Israel, which is one of the most dynamic and innovative markets in the world. I'm delighted to welcome Yifat, an outstanding technology executive and leader, to help us bring the full power of the Blackstone platform and our resources to the country's entrepreneurs." Yifat Oron added: "I'm thrilled to join Blackstone and lead the firm's growth investments in Israel. The breadth of what Blackstone can deliver to entrepreneurs in terms of capital and operating expertise is truly world-class. I'm excited to help fast-growing companies in Israel become global leaders through Blackstone's resources and global network." Ambassador Dan Gillerman added: "I look forward to working with Yifat, a deeply respected tech and finance leader, to scale our efforts and support the most promising companies, entrepreneurs and technological innovation in Israel. Prior to joining Blackstone, Yifat Oron was the CEO of LeumiTech, a leading Israeli technology banking platform, servicing and financing several thousand technology companies and supporting their global expansion via LeumiTech's global footprint. She spent most of her career as a Partner at Vertex (News - Alert) Venture Capital (an Israel-based venture fund), where she invested in and served as a board member of companies across the tech ecosystem. Before joining Vertex, Ms. Oron was a technology investment banking associate at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York. Previously, she spent three years at the Directorate of R&D of the Israeli Ministry of Defense where she achieved the rank of Lieutenant in the Economics, Budget & Control Department. Ms. Oron holds an M.B.A. from Tel-Aviv University and a B.Sc. in Economics and Management from the Technion, also known as the Israel Institute of Technology. BXG seeks to invest in fast-growing companies with proven business models and with the potential to become global market leaders in partnership with Blackstone. Through BXG, Blackstone can offer growth-stage entrepreneurs potential access to its more than 100 operating professionals and advisors, a group procurement program that purchases on behalf of portfolio companies with more than 450,000 employees, a dedicated team responsible for identifying opportunities for its businesses to sell to its global portfolio companies with more than $160 billion of combined revenue, more than 880 million square feet of eCommerce logistics assets, its team of dozens of data scientists, and insights gleaned from more than two dozen offices throughout the world. About Blackstone Blackstone is one of the world's leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our $649 billion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter (News - Alert) @Blackstone. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210425005015/en/

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The new boss at Royal Mail has launched a major drive to stamp out bullying in its 140,000-strong workforce and heal the 'scar tissue' of previous regimes, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

In a video call with employees, Simon Thompson admitted that the postal giant had issues with bullying and he vowed to 'stop it at source'.

Thompson is also understood to be planning initiatives aimed at improving conditions for workers  possibly including new electric vans and handheld scanners for use during deliveries.

A good sign?: Simon Thompson admitted that the postal giant had issues with bullying and he vowed to 'stop it at source'

He is also looking at reintroducing a version of the postal cadets scheme which ran from the late 1970s until 1996 and developed the career of young employees by allowing them to work in every part of the business.

The former Ocado executive, who last year ran the NHS Test and Trace app, joined Royal Mail in January just a month after a landmark agreement with unions following years of rows over pay and conditions.

He is attempting to modernise the delivery firm while repairing relations with union bosses and instilling trust between managers and workers.

Thompson said: 'The brief I've got from the board is to reinvent this British icon for the next generations.'

When asked about repeated claims of bullying by middle managers, Thompson responded: 'I don't believe that we've ever put in a job advertisement 'bullies welcome'. I've never met somebody I've thought was a bully, but it goes on.

'Maybe there's something that we are doing that is putting people in the situation where they either feel that's OK or they feel that's what they have to do to get the outcome.

'My overall impression is that people are proud to be here and they're magnificent people, but [bullying] definitely goes on. It definitely needs to stop.'

Royal Mail last week launched an internal Big Trust Survey aimed at identifying problems and building better relations between employees.

Thompson appealed to staff to come forward with information about the root causes of bullying within the organisation. Employee complaints posted on social media allege postmen and women have felt pressured to take on extra work, while managers have been too focused on taking calls and completing administrative tasks to lead their teams. Management pressure to hit budgets is said to have been unfairly concentrated on the 90,000 postal delivery staff.

One employee wrote: 'Bullying is a scourge in our service. The Communication Workers Union has been complaining about this issue for decades. Time for a new start with a new attitude to move our workplaces forward.'

Another wrote: 'Managers make you feel like you're worthless, even if you give 100 per cent.' In January, a former manager at Royal Mail's Cardiff centre won a 230,000 payout after a failure to deal with his complaints about bullying and discrimination contributed to the deterioration of his mental health. He was subsequently dismissed.

Thompson said he was 'optimistic' about a trial in one mail office designed to free managers from administrative work to spend more time with their teams and solving customer issues.

The video call was jointly hosted by CWU postal deputy general secretary Terry Pullinger, who claimed that managers had been 'encouraged to not form relationships' with workers and to ignore their ideas on best practice. 'That may be an uncomfortable truth...we absolutely have to get past all that stuff,' he said.

Thompson said: 'People do not forget how you've made them feel. There is some scar tissue around the place.'

Former boss Rico Back was ousted in May last year by chairman Keith Williams, who ran the firm until Thompson's arrival. Successive bosses have attempted to modernise the former state monopoly, which was privatised in 2013, while a long-term decline in letter volumes held back revenues.

The pandemic stretched resources and many workers were forced to self-isolate due to the virus, causing delays to deliveries. However, the surge in online shopping as a result of Covid lockdowns has boosted revenues. Profits at Royal Mail are expected to be around 700 million for the past 12 months, compared to 325million a year earlier.

The FTSE 250 firm has seen its share price rocket 240 per cent over the past 12 months to 4.97.
Indias medical oxygen shortage has become so dire that this Sikh temple began offering free breathing sessions with shared tanks to COVID-19 patients waiting for a hospital bed. Credit:AP Experts caution that the figures are underreported in the nation of more than 1.3 billion people. Analysts blame the surge on the arrival of new coronavirus variants in a country that had settled into a degree of complacency, lifted restrictions and returned to old habits. Covid is testing our patience and capacity to bear pain, Modi said Sunday. After successful tackling the first wave, the nations morale was high. However, this storm has shaken the nation.

Calls for the United States to provide more help have mounted in recent weeks. The head of Indias largest vaccine manufacturer asked the United States this month to lift a ban on exporting raw materials for vaccines that was introduced under Trump and preserved by the Biden administration. Anthony Fauci, Bidens chief medical adviser, said that we really need to do more. I dont think we can walk away from that, Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told George Stephanopolous on ABCs This Week before the National Security Council announcement. National security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, according to National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne. The US Development Finance Corporation is funding a substantial expansion in manufacturing capability to enable the Indian vaccine manufacturer Biological E to produce at least 1 billion vaccine doses by the end of 2022, she said, and the government is sending a team of public health experts to work with Indian authorities.

Our hearts go out to the Indian people in the midst of the horrific COVID-19 outbreak, Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted late on Saturday (Sunday AEST). We are working closely with our partners in the Indian government, and we will rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India and Indias health care heroes. European Union Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen tweeted on Sunday that the bloc was pooling resources to respond rapidly to an Indian request for help. Janez Lenarcic, European commissioner for crisis management, wrote that the European Union was coordinating with member states to provide oxygen and medicine. Many countries have provided aid. Singapore sent oxygen containers to India on Sunday. Germany was airlifting 23 mobile oxygen-generation plants to the country. India worked with private companies to ship 80 metric tons of liquid oxygen from Saudi Arabia, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh announced on Sunday. China and Russia have offered help. And Pakistan is ready to give ventilators, digital X-ray machines, protective equipment and other supplies to India, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted on Sunday.

We believe in a policy of #HumanityFirst, Qureshi wrote in what appeared to be a thinly veiled jab at the United States. The surge has devastated Indias health infrastructure. Hospital beds in the capital New Delhi and other hard-hit cities are scarce and patients have died when oxygen supplies have been disrupted or run out. Delhis Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal has extended the citys lockdown another week until May 3. Modi, in his radio address, spoke with a doctor from Mumbai, Shashank Joshi, who suggested that the surge was manageable and urged against panic. The second wave came very fast. It is spreading faster, the physician said. But the recovery rate is also faster. In this phase, young people and children are also being infected.

Cities are reporting high positive rates for coronavirus tests. In Delhi, one in three people tested are positive; in the eastern city of Kolkata, its one in two. Loading The Indian government is moving to vaccinate people as quickly as possible, but the size of the population makes the task daunting. On Sunday, the Health Ministry said more than 140 million vaccine doses had been administered in 99 days. Modi said anyone over the age of 18 will be eligible for the vaccine starting May 1.

The government has moved to silence critics on social media, according to documents published by the Lumen Database, a transparency initiative run by Harvard University. The documents show that officials filed requests Thursday and Friday, asking Twitter to remove 52 tweets, citing Indias Information Technology Act of 2000. The move was first reported by Indian news site MediaNama, which said users in India could no longer access the tweets. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Some of the tweets appeared to include false information about the virus, but many were critical of the government. One, by actor Vineet Kumar Singh, called attention to test shortages. Another, by West Bengal Minister Moloy Ghatak, juxtaposed photos of mass cremations with images of Modi speaking and a large crowd with the caption, When death bodies were burning, Nero was busy doing election rallies. India will never forgive PM @narendramodi for underplaying the corona situation in the country and letting so many people die due to mismanagement, he tweeted. Among the users whose tweets the government asked Twitter to block were a member of parliament and journalists.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the ChinaEU Business Roundtable at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 16, 2018. Li will head a revamped "leadership group" focused on policies to develop China's tech sectors. (Ng Han Guan/Pool via Reuters)

Chinese Premier Meets Business Leaders in Chengdu to Seek Support for EUChina Trade Deal

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has met with representatives of foreign businesses operating in China in an attempt to convince investors that the country continues to foster an environment thats favorable for international trade.

The meeting with representatives from Germany, France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and other countries on April 20 follows last months refusal by the EU parliament to ratify a European UnionChina investment deal.

The downward spiral in EUChina relations followed the EUs decision last month to boycott Xinjiang cotton, triggering counter-sanctions from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that have further imperiled the likelihood of any trade deal.

During the meeting at the ChinaEuropean Center in Chengdu, which has attracted more than 170 foreign institutions and enterprises to invest and locate in Sichuan province, Li praised the business leaders for their contributions to Chinas modernization and the recovery of the global economy following the CCP virus pandemic.

China will continue opening to the outside world, and the door will open wider and wider, Li said. He promised that China will continue to build a business environment that is market-oriented, legalized, and internationalized.

Companies from all countries are treated equally and fair competition is guaranteed, he said.

Lis visit occurred just days after Chinese leader Xi Jinping held a video conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron on April 16. The video meeting was a preparatory session ahead of the Earth Day world leaders summit on climate issues. During the meeting, Xi urged the EU to ratify the EUChina Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI)which was agreed to last December after seven years of negotiations. The CAI must be ratified by EU Parliament to take effect.

However, neither Merkel nor Macron have responded to Xis call for ratification.

In March, the EU approved sanctions on several Chinese communist officials involved in the genocide and human rights abuses against Uyghur minorities in Xinjiang. The Chinese regime quickly retaliated by imposing sanctions on 10 European politicians and scholarsincluding five leading EU Parliament members whose votes are needed to ratify the EUChina investment dealand four entities, including the EU Parliaments Subcommittee on Human Rights.

Raphael Glucksmann, a French member of the European Parliament and longtime French human rights advocate, told Voice of America that the CCPs sanctions on the human rights subcommittee represent a sanction on the democratic institution of the Parliament.

Beijing also said it was sanctioning the EUs Political and Security Committee, which includes 27 EU ambassadors.

Experts call for suspension of EUChina investment deal. (Getty Images)

The sanctions angered many EU lawmakers. The EU Parliament then canceled a meeting to discuss ratification of the CAI, as prominent parliamentarians threatened not to ratify the EUChina investment deal.

Three of the four biggest parties of the EU said that they wont discuss the deal until the CCPs sanctions are lifted.

It seems unthinkable that our Parliament would even entertain the idea of ratifying an agreement while its members and one of its committees are under sanctions, said Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Parliament member representing France and point-woman on the EUChina deal from the Libertarian group Renew Europe.

Critics say a deal with China will grant China-based state-owned companies, which may receive government subsidies, preferential access to European markets, while the Chinese communist regime continues to crack down on Hong Kongs pro-democracy movement and Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker hold a news conference at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on March 26, 2019. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuters)

Merkel and Macron have been among the EUs main backers for an investment deal with China, amid opposition from other EU members, such as Italy, Belgium, Spain, and Poland.

However, Merkel, who is concerned about car dealers China exposure, is stepping down in September, and her SPD has slumped in recent election polls, with the opposition Greens party enjoying a polling lead. The Greens chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock has vowed to take a tough stance on Chinas human rights violations.

The Greens recently argued against the CAI in a written statement: Trade is a powerful lever to defend and strengthen human rights and fundamental democratic values. Unfortunately, the EU-China investment agreement, hastily concluded by the German government at the end of last year, contradicts this very goal.

Macron is also facing public criticism and strong opposition against the CAI domestically ahead of next years presidential election.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2019 shooting death of another man inside a Des Moines home.

The sentence imposed Friday was the only one possible after 49-year-old Stanley Wofford was convicted last month of first-degree murder in the September 2019 death of 45-year-old John Belcher Jr. Wofford was charged in the case nearly three weeks after the shooting, and police testified that it was Wofford who called 911 about half an hour after the shooting and claimed to have found Belchers body.

Police said the evidence showed it was Wofford who did the shooting.
Sabic is showcasing its sustainable material solutions that help to address some of the industry needs after Covid-19 pandemic at the ongoing ChinaPlas 2021.

The event is being held at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center (SWECC) from April 13 to 16, in Shenzhen, China.

The global leader in diversified chemicals said it is demonstrating its commitment to response to industry challenges for circular economy by highlighting a series of high-performance material solutions in packaging, automotive, building & construction, healthcare, and consumer goods.

The global pandemic has enormously changed the world in many ways. In the process to recover from the pandemic, a more sustainable and low carbon future will be the common pursuit of human, further pushing industries to achieve circular economy. The petrochemical industry plays a key role in this transition, by providing sustainable products and solutions. Sabic, fully aware of this dynamic, is working actively with the value chain to adapt to the global megatrends and address challenges in achieving circular economy, the company said in a statement.

Sabic recognises that global megatrends of food & water, sustainability, energy efficiency, healthcare, and urbanisation still greatly influence human life these days, especially healthcare and sustainability in the post-pandemic period. We are actively leveraging our expertise and advanced solutions to address the major challenges from our key target markets and industries, said Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, Executive Vice President of Petrochemicals at Sabic. We are unleashing superior technologies, supporting China's high-quality development endeavors, and ultimately moving towards a brighter future, he added.

China is gearing up for high-quality economic growth and accelerating to a more sustainable society. Sabic enhances collaboration with the industry value chain in China to capture emerging needs by offering market-oriented solutions.

The company is displaying a comprehensive portfolio thsi year at its premium booth:

Lexan PC films for vaccine cold chain packaging

Sabic captures the increasing needs of the healthcare industry and offers its new cold-chain packaging material solutions, including Lexan 8040 and 8B45 polycarbonate films, which meet the ultra-low temperature requirements of Covid-19 vaccine transportation and storage and contribute to combating the pandemic.

Fortify POE for PV module

Among all noticeable megatrends, clean energy plays a major role in improving energy efficiency. Sabic provides innovative material solutions to support the booming PV industry. Sabics POE Fortify C5075DP and C13075DP used as sealing material for PV module, offering excellent protection for PV modules and ensure efficient, reliable energy output.

Lexan PC based on certified renewable feedstock

Sabic has successfully partnered with eyewear lens leader Polyray to apply its certified renewable feedstock-based Lexan polycarbonate (PC) resin, part of Sabic Trucircle portfolio and services for lenses of sunglasses, safety glasses, and sports goggles. This first-ever partnership involves the application of its renewable PC with a local partner in China and celebrates Sabics renewable and sustainable solutions.--TradeArabia News Service
Hyderabad, Apr 25 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy on Sunday said that the Centre is making all efforts to meet the growing demand for Oxygen in the country.

Speaking to media after visiting Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS), Gachibowli here, Reddy said that about 600 COVID-19 patients were taking treatment in TIMS. Of them 100 people were taking treatment in ICU.

Stating that the Centre has sanctioned 200 ventilators to TIMS, Reddy said there is no issue with Ventilators in the state.

Reddy stated that NRB instruments were available for Oxygen. There was a shortage of masks in the hospital.  When funds are not available, the state government can utilized reserve funds during the disasters like the COVID-19 situation, he said.

Stating that TIMS has 700 Remdesivir injections, Reddy said the Centre has given permission for several companies to produce oxygen in the country and at the same time the Centre was importing it from other countries like Singapore and Germany.

Reddy suggested state governments take action to contain COVID-19 in respective states instead of criticising the Centre.

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New Delhi, April 25 : Ahead of vaccination for those aged above 18 beginning next month, Health Ministers of Congress-ruled states on Sunday accused the Central government of "doing politics".

Addressing a joint press conference, Health Ministers T.S. Singh Deo (Chhattisgarh), Raghu Sharma (Rajasthan), Banna Gupta (Jharkhand) and Balbir Singh Sidhu (Punjab) said that there should be uniformity of vaccine prices and also drugs and oxygen should be alloted as per number of cases.

"The Union government is doing politics... Vaccination can be done if vaccines are available but if there is no vaccines, then how it will be done. We have the vaccination sites ready and can complete the vaccination in 30-40 days," Singh Deo said.

Sharma said that when they contacted the Serum Institute, the maker of Covishield, "we were told by them that it may take them till May 15 to fulfill orders placed by Government of India, and they will not be able to deliver vaccines to Rajasthan before it".

Singh Deo also said that with the vision to make government hospitals oxygen independent, the Chhattisgarh government, over the past year, has installed 25 new PSA oxygen generating plants placed in the hospital premises.

"These plants have a cumulative production of 2,57,96,000 litres/3,685 Jumbo cylinders equivalent of oxygen per day. These plants can provided uninterrupted oxygen to 601 ICU beds 24x7. 16 of the 21 plants implemented by the state government are operational today whereas of the four plants that were given by the Centre in November, only one is operational and three are yet to see construction begin.

"Chhattisgarh is also installing 9 new cryogenic oxygen (liquid oxygen) tanks in its government hospitals. These plants have a installed capacity of 106 KL and are capable of suppling uninterrupted oxygen to 717 ICU beds round the clock. Over the past year, 15 industries have been permitted to produce medical grade oxygen in Chhattisgarh. They have a cumulative capacity of 73 MT/day of medical oxygen, which is mainly used to refill oxygen cylinders," he added.
A COVID-19 outbreak has prompted a St. Vital school to close its doors as cases of the virus continue to climb in Manitoba at alarming rates.

A COVID-19 outbreak has prompted a St. Vital school to close its doors as cases of the virus continue to climb in Manitoba at alarming rates.

On Saturday, the province reported 276 cases of the coronavirus, 183 of them in Winnipeg.

The number of highly contagious variants jumped by 108, bringing Manitobas total 1,309. Of those, 558 are considered active.

Saturday's COVID-19 breakdown: Manitoba provincial health officials announced 276 new cases of COVID-19 Saturday: click to read more  11 cases in the Interlake-Eastern health region;  21 cases in the Northern health region;  34 cases in the Prairie Mountain Health region;  27 cases in the Southern Health-Sante Sud health region; and  183 cases in the Winnipeg health region. Three new deaths related to COVID-19 were announced Saturday:  a man in his 40s from the Winnipeg health region;  a woman in her 60s from the Winnipeg health region; and  a man in his 80s from the Prairie Mountain health region, linked to the outbreak at the Russell Health Centre. Public health officials have reported a total of 1,309 variant of concern cases in Manitoba including 858 cases of B.1.1.7, 20 cases of B.1.351, four cases of the P.1 variant and 427 uncategorized variant of concern cases. There are 1,891 active cases in Manitoba, with 140 people in hospital, 34 of them in intensive care. Close

Test-positivity rates also climbed to 6.8 per cent in Manitoba and 7.2 per cent in Winnipeg  the highest in the city since January  while three more Manitobans died.

Parents with children who attend Ecole Marie-Anne-Gaboury received a letter Friday evening from the Louis Riel School Division, announcing the school would move to remote learning beginning Monday.

Seven positive cases were identified in the kindergarten-Grade 8 school across multiple cohorts last week, with more expected to be confirmed.

"As part of our continued discussions with public health officials, we are anticipating additional potential positive cases over the weekend," superintendent Christian Michalik wrote Friday.

Anna Ryan, who has a child in Grade 5 at the school, said parents were first alerted to a positive case last week. The school said Manitoba Health would be in touch with families if their child was deemed a close contact.

"Id seen that once before, earlier in the year. And the first time, that was kind of the end of it, we didnt hear anything more. So I was hoping it would go similarly this time around," Ryan said.

Cases were originally found in a Grade 3/4 class and a Grade 5/6 class. But as the week progressed, seven were identified across six cohorts of students spanning the whole grade spectrum at the school, according to a bulletin published online by the school division.

"So, of course, that was extremely concerning, that it had managed to get to other cohorts, when those cohorts have been put in place to try and stop that kind of thing from happening," Ryan said.

In the last two weeks, 244 positive COVID-19 cases have been identified in Manitoba schools, according to provincial data (which sometimes lags behind the information schools have available to them). Of those cases, 50 were identified as staff members, while 194 were students.

"I frankly, really feel for the schools and the teachers and administrative and support staff at the school. They have a really, really difficult job, I cant imagine how stressful it must be for them. And honestly, aside from my concerns for the health of my own child and the other children at the school, I really feel for the people who are out there providing this service to all of our children, and the risks that theyre constantly putting themselves in by being in that kind of public space," Ryan said.

Another parent, who spoke to the Free Press on the condition of anonymity because shes an educator in Winnipeg, said shes frustrated by the lag time in communicating outbreaks in schools.

She pulled her children out of Ecole Marie-Anne-Gaboury last week after she learned a number of staff members werent able to attend work. She recognized the pattern because of her work as an educator, and knew the situation could get worse.

The educator said she and a number of other parents with kids at Ecole Marie-Anne-Gaboury work at different schools in Winnipeg. She fears the lag time in communication from the province will lead to the spread of the virus in other educational facilities.

Provincial guidelines have mandated that teachers, as essential workers, continue to attend work unless they test positive for COVID-19 themselves or are specifically instructed not to go to work.

"Theres so many kids in the classes affected that have parents who are teachers or administrators or just school staff in general, and theyre going right out back to their schools on Monday and Tuesday," the woman said.

Both mothers expressed concern that teachers and other school staff have not been prioritized by the provincial government for vaccination.

Ecole Marie-Anne-Gaboury will be closed for at least two weeks. School administrators will re-evaluate in early May.

Schools outside of Winnipeg including in Gimli and Pilot Mound have also switched to online learning in recent weeks.

Public health officials on Friday said a return to remote learning was not yet being considered for all Manitoba schools.

sarah.lawrynuik@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @SarahLawrynuik
Midland County Public Libraries removed Pride displays at its two locations after residents complained that the displays, which featured LGBT books, rainbow banners and signs with phrases like you belong, were inappropriate.

The displays were set up at the downtown and Centennial branches during the beginning of Pride Month in June 2020 and removed by Library Director Debbie Garza about two weeks later, according to three former employees. The employees said they frequently made displays for holidays and events like Black History Month as part of their job duties.

I walked into work and the books were stacked on my desk from the display, said Hannah Woupio, a former library clerk. The signs had been taken down and my rainbow hearts that I put up were ripped down.

A photo taken by Woupio shows piles of books on her desk with a note signed by Garza asking her to reshelve the books.

Garza, who previously served as the Dawson County library director, was appointed by Midland County commissioners in the fall of 2019 after John Trischitti III resigned to assume the post of executive director of the Midland Development Corp.

The three library employees said staff made Pride displays in June 2019 without issue. After the displays were removed the following year, the employees said they were told all displays going forward needed approval from Garza.

Garza confirmed that she removed the displays, which were set up in the children and young adult sections, but said many of the books were left on shelves with some moved to the adult area. The books that were on display in the children and young adult sections were written for those age groups, according to the employees.

Midland County Public Libraries/Facebook

My goal is to make sure Im hearing what the employees are saying but at the same time I have to think about the community as a whole, Garza said.

She said the library system strives to be a safe space and promote equality and inclusion. Theyre now reviewing their policies and procedures regarding displays and exhibits, she said.

County Judge Terry Johnson said he and other members of the Commissioners Court received several complaints about the displays from residents.

People were mad. They were really mad that it was up there, he said. They hated that little kids were going in and being indoctrinated with that lifestyle.

He said he contacted Garza about the displays, and she said she hadnt yet seen the presentations and didnt know they had been set up.

Something like that I believe we should have had some dialogue about, so it was kind of agreed to take it down, Johnson said. If they want to do it again, I think thats something the court should be involved in, especially when were the ones getting phone calls about it.

The employees said many staff members were upset about the decision to remove the displays and asked Garza for an explanation, which they said they werent given.

The employees in youth services were very upset about that because they had been trusted to handle book displays before that, said Frances Atha, a former exhibit coordinator. Having that ability taken away from them and having to have every single display formally approved by Debbie over email (after) was very upsetting.

Woupio said she resigned within a month after the displays were removed, while another employee gave her two weeks notice the day they were taken down.

The whole department was upset because even if you dont agree with it or the lifestyle, its still censorship, Woupio said.

Several employees expressed concern to Garza that removing the displays violated the American Library Associations Bill of Rights regarding intellectual freedom, according to emails obtained by the Reporter-Telegram.

Some articles in the ALA Bill of Rights state that exhibit spaces must be made available on an equitable basis and materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

When staff said they would need to report the displays removals to the ALA because of possible censorship, Garza responded that if ALA or TLA or any organization is to be contacted, such contact will be made by my office, the emails show.

The employees said they interpreted Garzas response as a directive to not report the incident. Woupio said she did file a report with the ALA but did not know the status of that report.

A video of one of the Pride displays posted on Facebook on June 4 shows childrens LGBT books, rainbow bookmarks, a rainbow banner and You belong! sign. The post received positive feedback.

A former employee in the youth services department who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the displays were popular with patrons and staff were often refilling empty shelf spaces after books were checked out.

We set up the display and I will never forget seeing the faces of the teens that I worked so close with light up, she said. A teen cried as she looked at the display. She stayed in the teen area for an hour just looking at everything, smiling.

She said she believed the feelings of staff and LGBT patrons were disregarded when the displays were removed, and the decision was a slap in the face and a horrible realization that homophobia existed within the library administration.

Some children and teens who were looking for LGBT books asked library staff what happened to the displays after they were taken down, Woupio said.

I said the director had it removed, and you could see them die a little bit inside, she said. I did my best to try to narrow down the book they wanted and find it on the shelves. But it was a nightmare.
Guest columnist Wendy Patton is senior project director at Policy Matters Ohio.

We should live in a state where all new mothers can rest assured that theyll hear their babys first word and see them take their first steps. But thats not the case for too many Ohio mothers.

The infant mortality rate is an international measure of the quality of life of a people or a region: the higher the rate, the lower the quality of life.

Theres a parallel problem: maternal mortality.

Ohio does exceptionally poorly in both areas for Black mothers and babies, a reflection of the insidious effects of racism embedded in housing, lending policies, employment practices and even in how our health systems deliver care.

Between 2008 and 2016, Ohios Black maternal mortality rate was 29.5 for every 100,000 live births, compared to a white maternal mortality rate of 11.5. Black babies in Ohio are about three times more likely to die before their first birthday as white babies.

The state budget supports some programs to reduce Ohios shameful disparity in infant mortality. Lawmakers must do more by supporting new strategies to make sure both babies and their mothers survive and thrive.

Public policy can affect Black maternal health in direct ways. For example, state lawmakers can accept federal funds through the American Rescue Plan and extend Medicaid coverage for post-partum women from 60 days to 12 months.

They can create training, certification and Medicaid reimbursement for doulas -- healthcare professionals who counsel, advise and protect women before and after the birth of a child.

They can fund better outreach and programs that help all women find health coverage. Many Black women have experienced racism in the healthcare system, which may discourage them from seeking care.

Administrators, physicians and all staff of the healthcare system must work to eliminate racism and build cultural competence. Ohio also simply needs more doctors and nurses. Lawmakers can encourage this by funding grants and forgivable loans for Black, brown and Indigenous students entering medical fields.

Public policy also plays a role in indirect ways. Lawmakers can reduce Black maternal mortality by greatly increasing funds for programs that can improve the social determinants of health -- external factors that shape a persons health.

Lawmakers can make sure people live in a healthy environment by expanding rental subsidies and creating more safe, healthy and affordable housing. They can increase basic safety net services like monthly and emergency support through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant program.

They can help moms earn a living by providing more public transit, greater funding of workforce training and more access to childcare assistance. They can also require employers to pay a living wage, provide a predictable schedule, and offer paid sick days and family leave.

A budget is a statement of values, and the state budget should demonstrate that it values the lives of Black mothers and their babies.

In the current budget, lawmakers must extend postpartum Medicaid coverage and certify doulas so more people insured by Medicaid can benefit from their services. They can make a significant difference in the lives of Black families through better funding of programs that address the social determinants of health: The 34 recommendations of the Minority Health Strike Force gives a roadmap of how to do that.

This is how they demonstrate that they value Black maternal health. The state budget is where lawmakers walk the talk.

Readers are invited to submit Opinion page essays on topics of regional or general interest. Send your 500-word essay for consideration to Ann Norman at anorman@cleveland.com. Essays must include a brief bio and headshot of the writer. Essays rebutting todays topics are also welcome.
The Indian Air Force on Saturday brought four cryogenic tanks, to be used for transporting oxygen, from Singapore as the country scrambles to meet the spike in demand for medical oxygen amid a surge in COVID-19 infections.

The containers were airlifted from Singapore by C17 heavy-lift aircraft of the IAF.

The aircraft "with 4 cryogenic containers for storage of liquid O2 from Singapore landed at Panagarh air base" in West Bengal at around 4.30 pm, a home ministry spokesperson tweeted.

Later, a home ministry official said the tankers have moved out of the Panagarh air base and will fill up oxygen in eastern India.

"Then they will go to the state concerned according to allotment made by the government. The vendor will decide where they will go after filling up. The government has provided logistics for bringing the tankers to the vendor," he said.

It is a commercial agreement between two private entities in India and Singapore. The government has not paid for the containers. It has, however, facilitated the process of bringing them, an official said.

The C-17 aircraft of the IAF took off from the Hindon airbase on the outskirts of Delhi for Singapore's Changi airport early on Saturday morning to bring these tankers.

India is struggling with a second wave of the pandemic with more than 3,00,000 daily new coronavirus cases being reported in the past few days, and hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical oxygen and beds.

Since Friday, the IAF has been airlifting empty oxygen tankers and containers to various filling stations across the country to speed up the distribution of the much-needed medical oxygen in treating COVID-19 patients.

The IAF was also transporting essential medicines as well as equipment required by the designated COVID-19 hospitals in various parts of the country.

"The Indian Air Force is taking sorties to reduce the transportation time of Oxygen and other critical supplies. One C-17 has reached Changi airport in Singapore today. These containers of cryogenic oxygen tanks will help boosting the oxygen supply in the country," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's office tweeted earlier.

On Friday, the Union Home Ministry said it was in talks for the import of high-capacity oxygen-carrying tankers from Singapore and the UAE.

The move came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the coronavirus situation in the country.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Dubais Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) hosted the latest quarterly meetings of its Business Events and Exhibitions Committees, providing industry stakeholders with updates on restarting and scaling up events since their resumption in September and the roadmap for the sector as Dubai continues to lead global recovery.

Held virtually to maximise attendance during the holy month of Ramadan, the two meetings, presided by Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism, were part of a series of meetings and townhalls the department has hosted throughout the global pandemic to both keep stakeholders updated on all stages of the recovery and obtain their inputs on various issues.

During the meetings, attendees were provided with updates on the success of events hosted in recent months, including Gulfood and Gitex, the strong interest from planners and meetings professionals globally, and ongoing marketing efforts to raise awareness and consideration for Dubai as a host city for business events. Also discussed was the Dubai Global Events Re-Opening Forum, hosted last month, which attracted the interest of a global audience.

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism, said: Guided by the citys prudent leadership over the past year, Dubai has been able to lead the way globally not only in wider tourism recovery, but specifically in the restart of business events. Thanks to the efforts of our stakeholders across the sector, the momentum we built at the end of 2020 has gathered pace this year, with strong optimism for the coming months to further leverage our status as one of the few cities globally to be safely hosting business events of all sizes. As the countdown towards Expo 2020 Dubai continues, business events are playing a vital role in attracting more visitors and showcasing this as a safe city for international gatherings, and also in recapturing economic growth across all economic sectors. We remain attuned to the needs of our stakeholders as we continue on our path and welcome their input, collaboration and expertise.

Attendees highlighted the positive impact Dubai is having on the global stage, the strong prospects for attracting and hosting more major business events, and the growing confidence among stakeholders. Over the coming months, many of them will be involved in major events taking place in the city, including Arabian Travel Market, Arab Health, International Astronautical Congress and Society of Petroleum Engineers Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition.

During Q&A sessions held during both committee meetings, Helal Almarri answered a wide range of questions related to the vaccination programme, testing, safety measures and the latest guidelines and best practices for organisers and venues. - TradeArabia News Service
By Mark Peterson



Last time I wrote about how "feudalism" was not a major stage in Korea's historical development. After Korea was occupied by Japan it fell under historical points of view based on those of the Japanese. Japan had a strong feudal era, from the 12th to the mid-19th century. It assumed a superior intellectual position, as well as superior military and industrial positions in its domination of Korea in the early 20th century. The Japanese historical ideal coincided with the European tradition of feudalism, thus reinforcing the idea of an evolutionary superiority. But that is not the only way to look at history and historical stages.



To illustrate today's point, let me engage you in one of my favorite fantasies. I really admire King Sejong. He was a true renaissance man, a true genius. We praise him for the invention of the Korean alphabet, but he did lots of other things in lots of other fields  science, agriculture, astronomy, mapping, medicine, pharmacology, law, literature and many others.



I blame Korea's fall to the Japanese in the late 19th century, although formal annexation didn't take place until 1910, on the inept leadership of the time. Gojong didn't have a clue. I like to think that if Sejong, or someone of his ability, were king in the mid-to-late-19th century, things would have been different.



King Sejong would have learned that the outside would was impinging on China, and he would have set out to learn all about it. He would have sent ambassadors to Europe and the United States in the 1850s. Commodore Perry would have heard about this avant-garde king in East Asia, and rather than taking his expedition to Japan in 1853, he would have gone to Korea!



Perry would have shown the Koreans the quarter-size miniature railroad and all the armaments and technical things he showed the Japanese, and the Koreans would have modernized first and eventually been far ahead of Japan in modernization. Japan would have been slow to catch on, to Westernize, and Korea would have been in the lead.



In my scenario the question of feudalism would have come up and the Japanese, by comparison would have looked backward by comparison. "Feudalism is a primitive form of government, and the centralized government is much more advanced and efficient." "You Japanese have been trapped in a backward system with so much fighting and destruction that it's no wonder you have not progressed as rapidly as we Koreans." The shoe would have been on the other foot.



Tragically, that was not the case. Gjong and those around him had their blinders on and were trapped intellectually in the "sadaejuui" (loyally following China) syndrome. They looked down their noses on the Japanese and didn't see what was happening  that Japan, thanks to Commodore Perry, was "woke" to the changes in the world and the industrialization that was taking place in Europe and North America. Blindly, the Korean court followed China, and the corruption and ineptitude of the court prevented them from seeing the freight train that was about to hit them.



Even Korea's first attempt to figure out what was happening turned sour when the inept Gojong did not believe the delegation he sent to Japan to learn what was happening. Stubbornly, and pushed by his conservative in-laws, Gojong ignored what was going on in the world, following only China, that also did not realize that it was being left behind. They didn't see it coming  the tragedy that was the end of the Joseon Dynasty and the takeover by the Japanese which followed. And with it, the intellectual baggage that supported Japanese "superiority"  their history of feudalism, that mirrored Europe. And the racist and ethnic bias that granted them a higher rung on the perceived evolutionary scale.



And Korea, until very recently, and even some people today, will refer to Korea's "feudalistic past". They'll talk about feudalism as if it were a stage in Korea's development, when it was not. Or if it was, it was such a minor blip on the radar screen of history that it is hard to find  somewhere in the late Silla, early Goryeo period.



No, on Japan's evolutionary scale, Korea is far ahead of Japan in historical development. The centralized state was Korea's pride and joy for over 1,000 years, about the same time that Japanese warlords, daimyo and shogun, were killing each other and thousands and thousands of people to protect a decentralized system where a feudal lord would shed blood to protect his piece of the pie. The Shogunate came, and the Shogunate left in bloody war after bloody war. One, in 1592, even spilled over onto Korean soil and killed more people than in any war up to that point in world history.



Forget the glories of feudalism. Korea was fortunate and farther advanced in its 1,000 years of centralized power, when access to power and position in the centralized government was available by taking a scholarly exam. Not by the sword of the feudal lord.





Mark Peterson (markpeterson@byu.edu) is professor emeritus of Korean, Asian and Near Eastern languages at Brigham Young University in Utah.


TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) -- It's something a lot of small business owners hope to accomplish one day, opening their very own storefront. One couple is celebrating opening their very first store this weekend at the 12 points area in Terre Haute.

Gabrielle and Wyatt Sons are the owners of Sons Spice Company.

The couple started their business at the Terre Haute Farmer's Market. Since then the business steadily grew and now the Sons are opening up a storefront.

Gabrielle said, "We are really excited to be here because I think it's the start of something big. There's so much community support in 12 points that I think is the perfect place for a store like us to open."

That support of the community came in many forms for the small business.

Support ranging from people reaching out asking about the small business, to companies in the area giving Sons the chance to start something new.

Owners said the store couldn't be open without the help of Three Sisters Investments, or Parq at 12 points.

Sons told News 10 the investment company is letting them rent the space of the storefront at a very low cost.

Owners said this kind of support not only helped them be able to get a storefront but also be a part of something bigger.

Gabrielle said, "So many people when we opened they're like, 'oh you're going to be a part of this new story.' so, it's not like 'oh you're just opening a store,' we're a part of this history now."

Sons said they're in 12 points history by being the first store to open in the Parq building.

Owners said they can't wait to see what the future may hold with other stores in the area.

They told us their own grand opening is a new beginning for them and everyone in the community.

Owners said, "With Local Vinyl opening, and Farm Fresh opening I think this strip will be like a really cool thing where you can come and spend a couple of hours because you can come to shop our store, then go to local vinyl, and enjoy something at farm fresh. And it really does feel like, kind of like a family."

Both Gabrielle and Wyatt told News 10 they're thankful to everyone who has supported them throughout their journey, and they are excited to see where the 12 points area will be in the future.
This story was originally published on October 17, 2019.

U.S. Geological Survey seismologists have crunched the numbers to determine the probability of the so-called "Big One" striking the San Francisco Bay Area, and the results are sobering.

Calculations reveal a 72% chance a magnitude 6.7 quake or larger will occur in the next 30 years, and a 51% chance a magnitude 7.0 earthquake will hit.

Quakes this large are capable of causing widespread damage. Thirty years ago, the magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta put a halt to the 1989 World Series, collapsed a section of freeway, toppled thousands of buildings, killed 63 people and injured 3,757.

When you consider all of this, you have to wonder how seismologists who are entrenched in earthquake science sleep at night.

"I sleep at night because I've done my preparations," says Justin Rubinstein, a research geophysicist with the USGS office in Menlo Park. "I've got my earthquake kit, I live in an earthquake retrofitted home, and have a supportive community of neighbors."

Being prepared is a common theme among scientists who study earthquakes, and the four SFGATE talked to all offered specific advice that's helpful to anyone in the earthquake-prone Bay Area.

Make sure the buildings where you spend the most time are safe

Keith Knudsen has focused his earthquake preparations on making his home safe. When he and his wife first moved to the Bay Area, they retrofitted their home.

"The buildings we spend the most time in are what have the potential to kill us," says Knudsen, who is deputy director of the USGS Earthquake Science Center in Menlo Park. "All of this emergency response stuff is secondary. In some ways, it bothers me that people spend all this time talking about preparedness and they dont even know about the buildings they live in. Its where the rubber meets the road with earthquakes."

Knudsen's work on his home involved updating electrical systems and sheer-walling the cripple wall. He explains that a cripple wall is a wood-framed wall between the foundation and the wood-framed first floor. During an earthquake, it can collapse if not supported to resist horizontal movement.

He also advises homeowners to make sure a home's gas lines have flexible connections and the water heater is strapped to the wall. "The water heaters can tip over and then they can start fires, and then the whole neighborhood can burn," he says.

Research geophysicist Sarah Minson echoes the importance of making sure your structure is secure.

"Many people in California live in wood frame houses and buildings, which withstand earthquakes quite well," says Minson, who works at the USGS office in Menlo Park. "The single best thing most people can do is bolt their house to its foundation so that it doesn't fall off its foundation in an earthquake."

Minson says she replaced her home's brick chimney with a wood and stucco one. "Now I don't have to worry that during an earthquake the chimney will rain bricks down on me," she says. "For me, this was an easy retrofit decision to make because my old brick chimney was trying to fall over even without help from an earthquake."

Minson admits there's more to do. "I have done nothing to secure all of the tiny tchotchkes I have on every surface in my house," she says. "If there is strong shaking, they're going airborne."

Create an earthquake plan with neighbors

USGS disaster scientist Anne Wein rethought her earthquake plan after working on a 2018 report known as "HayWired" that forecast the impact of a 7.0 tremor on the Hayward Fault running through the Bay Area.

Wein already had a well-stocked earthquake kit at home. After being entrenched in the study, which predicts up to 800 people dead in a very likely scenario, she realized her preparations needed to expand outside her home.

"What I learned from the HayWired scenario is communications are going to run out and I became more inspired to be community minded," says Wein, who works at the USGS in Menlo Park. "We expect problems with 911 and our safety professionals will not have the capacity to help with small problems that can be solved if neighbors help neighbors. I learned how to use radios and became my neighborhood's preparedness captain, which means I can operate a radio out to the communities' volunteer EOC and radio with neighborhood block captains."

At neighborhood block parties, Wein has begun to map vulnerabilities (such as elderly people who depend on power for medical needs or refrigeration of medication) and pinpoint earthquake resources.

She also went through through Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to learn how to serve her neighborhood in an earthquake or other disaster.

"CERT training was a few full days," she says. "Palo Alto offers the training a few hours at a time over a number of weeks. I learned about fire extinguishing, cribbing (lifting heavy rock off a body), triaging injuries and fatalities, psychological support, searching areas, etc. It was empowering to know more about how to help others and be prepared myself."

Be smart about your earthquake kit

Water, food and first aid supplies are standard items all seismologists contacted for this story report keeping at home.

Wein also keeps on hand: bleach (for water purification), battery-powered radios, flashlights, fire extinguishers, a back-up cellphone battery, a solar panel to charge phones and laptops, a camp cooker, blankets and masks for dust and fire after an earthquake.
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Among the 16 projects pitched at this years Visions du Reel is Science Fiction  a genre-busting documentary about Argentine filmmaker Ezequiel Yancos flight of imagination during the confines of quarantine.

Yanco and producer Ana Godoy first visited the Swiss festival three years ago when La Vida en Comun, their hybrid documentary about a group of indigenous adolescents from a San Luis settlement, received its world premiere in the International Competition category.

Now the pair returns to VdR with another fantasy fiction project inspired by Yancos return to his childhood home in Buenos Aires during lockdown which won the top VdR-Pitching Award for best project at Tuesdays industry prize ceremony.

From the balcony of a seventh floor apartment, Yanco sets up a static camera and casually starts filming his new neighbors, observing their daily routines.

During this early filming stage one character stands out  a twelve year old girl, whom Yanco calls Pop Girl, who can be seen dancing, singing and wearing costumes.

While the scenes from the teaser clip are remnant of Hitchcocks Rear Window and Chantal Ackermans La Bas (in which the Jewish filmmaker reflects on her identity from the confines of her Tel Aviv apartment), Yanco has developed his own solid narrative for Science Fiction.

The first part of the film comprises of an observational documentary involving Yanco and his partner, who are seen as ghost-like reflections in their apartment window, speculating on their neighbors lives.

At one stage the dancing girl disappears, and on her return she appears to be a different person entirely  and has apparently stopped dancing.

This footage is intertwined with snippets of old sci-fi movies such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Invaders from Mars, which build up the dystopian atmosphere.

According to Yanco, the soundtrack for this first part will be a mix of the everyday and the fantastic, a sonic landscape of familiar lockdown sounds: WhatsApp messages from grandparents; washing machines; voicemails from online grocery guys  which are juxtaposed with sounds from the Theremin, an electronic musical instrument widely used in sci-fi soundtracks.

The second part of the film meanwhile takes the form of a scripted drama which attempts to answer what happened to the young girl in a story that sees an actress of a similar age cast in a sci-fi film which then spills over into reality.

Science Fiction is the feeling of living in a dystopian world where fiction and reality are intertwined and fantasy has become part of our everyday life. The film is a reenactment of this altered world, Yanco explains.

Yanco refined his preferred fantasy fiction approach on his previous project La Vida en Comun in which he alternated the shooting, writing and editing stages.

These are open projects, because I usually discover what the next step is going to be during the process itself.

On La Vida en Comun, I worked with the indigenous community; I started to film their routines and their life to discover where I wanted to go with the story.

Then I returned with the idea to create a script where the kids are divided over killing puma that was stalking the village.

So the initial shooting process is also the casting process because its during this time that I discover the characters  its the same with Pop Girl in Science Fiction.

According to Godoy, Yanco is currently editing the first part of Science Fiction and the project is now looking for international co-producers and applying to funds in order to carry out the fictional second act.

We already have a local fund confirmed and were expecting a second one, she says, adding that they have currently raised 35% of the films 232,210 ($279,000) budget.

The project is slated for a May 2021 shoot, with an expected release date scheduled for January 2022.

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The worlds third-largest multinational tobacco company has been running disguised adverts for its brands on Facebook and Instagram, enabling it to bypass social media site rules and national laws in order to assist the marketing of cigarettes to teenagers and young people, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism can reveal.

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has set up social media pages that adopt the appearance of lifestyle groups, allowing the company to run adverts on social media platforms in Germany, where directly marketing tobacco to teenagers is illegal.

On first impression, the pages appear to centre around events, travel and music. In fact, the pages have been used to assist in the promotion of three brands of JTI cigarettes: Camel, Winston and American Spirit.

The pages using the Camel brand are called Lets CML and those for American Spirit are named Full of Spirit. Pages supporting the Winston brand are called Ganz Genau, which translates as exactly and is a slogan used to advertise the brand in Germany.

The pages have promoted competitions for prizes such as earphones and festival tickets. Some of the competitions required a user to visit a website owned by JTI that explicitly promotes cigarettes in order to enter. Others simply ask the user to like a certain post or follow a certain account in order to be entered into the draw.

Winston-branded festival ( )

These pages  which are listed under festival and community in Facebooks transparency section  use the fonts, colour schemes and imagery associated with the brands without making any affiliation explicit, a technique known as alibi marketing.

The practice appears designed as a workaround to skirt both Facebooks rules and the German law, stating that it is illegal to use promotional information that is likely to encourage juveniles and young adults to engage in [tobacco] consumption.

This social media presence chimes with JTIs promotional ventures at some of Germanys major music festivals, which include branded lounging areas and organised activities, as well as roving vendors offering cigarette samples and tokens for free drinks.

JTI told the Bureau: Our social media accounts represent customary activities within our industry. We use age restriction options on our platforms so that minors cannot visit our pages. Our closed communities are only accessible to registered adult smokers.

The Lets CML, Ganz Genau and Full of Spirit websites require users to tick a box confirming that they smoke and are over 18. All three ask for the user to enter a name, address and date of birth, which are checked against official records to ensure they correspond to a real person with a residence in Germany.

The Ganz Genau website, which carries explicit Winston branding ( )

One Lets CML competition winner posted a picture on Instagram of her prizes, which included a pack of Camel cigarettes, a branded ashtray, and yellow and blue Camel socks. Another user told the Bureau they were sent a free pack of Camel cigarettes and a lighter as a surprise birthday present.

The brands social media pages have run adverts on Instagram or Facebook, where the prospective audience is huge. One advert run by an American Spirit page, for instance, had a potential reach of at least 1m people, according to Facebooks ad library. It received more than 50,000 impressions and almost half the people who viewed it were aged between 18 and 24.

Camel was recently running seven separate sponsored adverts on Instagram to promote a competition for 10 AirPod Pros, while a Winston page had placed five adverts across both Facebook and Instagram.

The vast majority of Facebooks revenue comes from advertising. In this case, although the company states it does not allow ads for tobacco products on its platform, it draws a distinction between advertising products and advertising brands, allowing it to keep accepting money from tobacco companies.

Facebook told the Bureau: We dont allow ads or branded content that promotes tobacco-related products on Facebook or Instagram, and no ad brought to our attention violated this policy. The company is reviewing how the tobacco industry might be able to use its services.

JTI also runs a website called Sei So Frei (Be So Free), which pays homage to joie de vivre, enjoyment, diversity and independent action, and has associated Facebook and Instagram pages. The Sei So Frei Facebook page has amassed almost 10,000 followers.

Before the pandemic, the Sei So Frei website gave away tickets for major festivals in Germany, including Rock im Park, Deichbrand, Wacken and Highfield. The company says that it hopes to resume competitions for festival tickets this year.

The website of KK03, a German public relations firm, shows promoters at Highfield festival carrying trays of Winston cigarettes and offering festival-goers samples, drinks tokens and activities including a simulated stage-diving competition.

KK03 also represents Camel and American Spirit, and has used its Instagram account to advertise a brand ambassador job for one of the biggest and most famous cigarette manufacturers.

The job posting was listed alongside a photo showing a slogan in the blue and yellow of the Camel brand. It sought a well-connected student that could promote cigarettes at events including house parties. JTI did not comment on whether the vacancy had been filled or what, if anything, the appointed student had done to promote its brand.

JTI told the Bureau: Minors should not smoke or vape and should not be able to obtain tobacco or vaping products.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 19:53:09|Editor: huaxia

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An Indonesian Navy ship departs to carry out the search and rescue operation of submarine KRI Nanggala-402 at Tanjung Wangi Port in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, April 25, 2021. The wreckage of the missing Indonesian submarine was located on the sea floor off Bali Island on Sunday, and all the 53 crew members were dead, Indonesian Military Chief Hadi Tjahjanto and Navy Chief of Staff Yudo Margono said. (Photo by Kurniawan/Xinhua)

JAKARTA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The wreckage of the missing Indonesian submarine was located on the sea floor off Bali Island on Sunday with all 53 crew members aboard dead, top military officers said.

The Nanggala-402 submarine was broken into three parts at the depth of 838 meters under the sea, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Yudo Margono said.

"There, the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine was found in three big parts," he told a joint press conference, saying the next step is to lift the wreckage of the vessel with the help of foreign navies.

Indonesian Military Chief Hadi Tjahjanto confirmed that all the 53 crew members aboard the submarine were dead after some other components of the vessel were found.

"Based on the authentic evidence, it can be stated that all the crews of the KRI Nanggala-402 submarine have been dead. For that, I express a deep condolence," he said. Enditem
Leitrim County Council has secured funding to repair some footpaths in St Patricks Park, Carrick-on-Shannon.

The council has scheduled resurface of footpaths in Lisnagot estates this spring. They have also secured funding to replace the existing footpath at L-33996 (first left turn at St Patricks Park).

At the April meeting of the Carrick Municipal District, Cllr Finola Armstrong-McGuire said the people of St Patricks Park, Breffni Heights and Breffni Crescent were one of the best communities for working together.

She said they are asking for footpaths to be repaired in the area.

The council said all roadways are in very good condition in St Patrick's Park. The last audit carried out three weeks ago, showed one pothole on the public roads.

They noted that any issues regarding leakages within the footpaths have been brought to the attention of Irish Water.
Ethiopian Airlines Group has joined hands with BGI Health Ethiopia, a subsidiary of China's biotech giant, the BGI Genomics Co., Ltd, to launch high-end Covid-19 testing laboratory at its main hub, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

The testing centre is opened to revitalise the passengers business by creating seamless travel experience that includes Covid-19 testing to passengers that are departing or transiting via Addis Ababa.

The state-of-the-art Covid-19 testing lab is equipped with cutting-edge technologies to provide quick and accurate testing for passengers. Currently, the lab has a capacity to carry out 1,000 Covid-19 tests a day with a potential to grow further after expansion.

Regular test results can be obtained within three hours, leading to a convenient travel arrangement by reducing waiting time for testing and result collection.

Ethiopian Airports CEO Eskinder Alemu said: "We introduced the testing lab inside our hub at Addis Ababa with a view to address our customers challenges in travel and revive the passenger service. Originating or transit passengers will no longer have to look for testing centres in the city and wait in lines for Covid-19 testing. The lab at the airport eliminates the hassle for testing and brings convenience and helps restore passengers confidence in travel. The facility is the outcome of the excellent partnership between Ethiopia's flag carrier and the BGI Health Ethiopia towards ensuring the safety of passengers in line with all international requirements. We will continue to adapt our operations to the new normal so as to ensure customers safe travel with Ethiopian."

Further to significantly reducing the time and energy spent for testing, the launch of the testing centre at the airport will elevate Ethiopian customer service and consolidate the airlines safety measures at the airport and onboard. Timeliness of Covid-19 test results has been an issue of concern for passengers who wish to transit or extend their stay in Ethiopia and the provision of testing at the airport simplifies customers journey with Ethiopian. The laboratory -performs RT-PCR and IgM antibody tests for Covid-19 to departing, arriving and transit passengers with high level of efficiency in delivering the results. - TradeArabia News Service
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Myanmar's military checkpoint is seen on the way to the congress compound in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, February 1, 2021. Photo by Reuters.

Vietnam's Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son stressed the importance of restraint, a halt to violence, humanitarian support, use of dialogue and the central role of ASEAN in addressing Myanmar crisis.

During a meeting with the United Nations Special Envoy on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener in Indonesia on the sidelines of the ASEAN leaders summit Saturday, Son said Vietnam is closely following developments in Myanmar and is playing an active part, together with ASEAN, in looking for the most suitable solutions to deal with its ongoing crisis.

The only ASEAN country now working as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, Vietnam has been striving for the U.N. to enter balanced and comprehensive discussions on Myanmar, Son said, according to a statement from the foreign ministry.

He expressed his hope the international community, the U.N. and Burgener herself would support and assist ASEAN in general and Vietnam in particular in dealing with the issue.

Burgerner said there have been attempts to seek solutions to the current tensions in Myanmar.

The U.N. special envoy expressed her concern about loss of civilian life, especially women and children in Myanmar, and hoped ASEAN would take positive steps, contributing to the settlement of disagreements, and bring peace to Myanmar.

Myanmar has been in crisis since a coup on Feb. 1, with almost daily protests and a crackdown by the junta in which hundreds of people have been killed.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a Burmese activist group, says 745 people have been killed by security forces since the coup and 3,371 people detained.

The special summit between leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is held in Jakarta, Indonesia on Saturday, chaired by Brunei's Sultan and Prime Minister Hassanal Bolkiah.

Myanmar's military junta leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, arrived in Jakarta on Saturday to attend the summit at which analysts expect little progress apart from serving as a necessary first step towards international dialogue.
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
A huge three-metre cobra was caught hiding in a family's kitchen while trying to hunt their pets.

The venomous reptile was seen holed up under the pots and pans by the terrified residents in Phatthalung province, in southern Thailand, on Monday.

Homeowner Sujit Taweesuk, 45, previously saw the snake slithering in his backyard and thought it already left the property so he was shocked when he saw it in the kitchen.

An animal rescuer tries to coax a cobra out of its hiding place. Source: Viral Press/Australscope

The farmer immediately called animal rescuers for help as the family had pet cats and dogs as well as ducks, which the snake could attack.

Mr Sujit said the ducks he was raising outdoors and his pets may have attracted the hungry snake into his yard.

"I think it was hungry because its eyes were focused on the ducks. My pets were making noise as well which meant that they could sense the hunting snake," he said.

The cobra will be returned back into the wild. Source: Viral Press/Australscope

When the rescuers arrived and began searching, the sneaky reptile moved into a dark corner so they had to use long poles to lure it out.

After almost half an hour, the wranglers were able to pin down the snake's neck using a pole and drag it out of the house.

The relieved homeowner thanked rescuers who placed the snake in a sack and will release it back into the wild.

 Australscope

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Spanish police arrest a man for spreading to 22 people

Spain police had arrested a man who went to his workplace and a gym despite having symptoms, spreading the virus to 22 people. The 40-year-old man was arrested on charges of a crime of injury in Manacor, a city on the island of Mallorca, after an investigation that started in late January after an outbreak in the city. The man infected eight people directly: five at his workplace and three at his gym, the police said. Those people infected another 14 people, including three children, among them a one-year-old, the police said. Read here

Let's look at the global statistics Global infections: 146,479,113 Global deaths: 3,099,838 Nations with most cases: US (32,045,236), India (16,960,172), Brazil (14,308,215), France (5,534,656), Russia (4,699,988). Source: John Hopkins Research Center

Africas already slow vaccine drive is threatened as supplies from India are halted

The rapidly escalating coronavirus crisis is having global implications and also wreaking havoc on vaccination efforts worldwide. Most nations were relying on vaccines produced by the Serum Institute factory in India. But the Indian governments decision to restrict exports of doses as it deals with its own outbreak means that Africas already slow vaccination campaign could soon come to a near standstill. Just six million doses have been administered in all of sub-Saharan Africa. The prospect of reduced supplies further complicates what was, for many African nations, an already daunting logistical challenge. Read here

Can herd immunity to coronavirus really be achieved?

Virologists have serious doubts whether a nation can indeed achieve the herd immunity, given the waning levels of immunity after vaccination and infection and the likely impact of new variants. The concept of herd immunity is that when a high enough proportion of the population is vaccinated against a disease, or has been infected with a disease and developed antibodies against it, any one infected person will have the opportunity to infect less than one other susceptible person, halting spread. A paper published by Kirby Institute at the University of New South Wales in Sydney suggests that both waning immunity and the evolution of new viral variants may make vaccine protection levels drop over time, and annual booster vaccination will likely be required. Read here

Marriages in China post biggest drop in decades amid pandemic

The number of marriages in China has declined 12 per cent in 2020 and it is the seventh consecutive year of decline. The figure also represents a 40 per cent fall from the 2013 peak. The drop can be partly attributed to the prolonged closure of registration offices due to the pandemic, but finances appear to have played a major role. Marriages are a costly affair in the country and incomes are not rising as fast as they used to, which inturn is adding to a groom's already heavy financial burden. Read here
New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday (April 25) said that a portal has been set up for better management of the oxygen supply between the Centre, states and Oxygen manufacturers.

In a statement to the media, the Delhi CM reiterated that the national capital is still facing an acute oxygen shortage.

He said that the Central and State teams are working together to ensure there are no further gaps in the supply of oxygen to the hospitals.

We have started a portal that will be updated every two hours by oxygen manufacturers, suppliers and hospitals for better management of oxygen supply. The Central and State teams are working together. CM Kajriwal said.

The Chief Minister also announced that the lockdown in Delhi has been extended by a week and all restrictions will continue being imposed. No new restrictions were announced.

The COVID-19-induced lockdown in Delhi which was supposed to be in effect till April 26 morning will now remain in place till May 3.

On Saturday, the national capital recorded 24,103 new COVID-19 infections and 357 deaths, the highest single-day toll for the city since the pandemic broke out.
Two Defense Department officials briefed members of the House Armed Service Committee about the phenomenon in a classified setting on Wednesday, the people said, and told lawmakers they are increasingly concerned about the vulnerability of U.S. troops in places such as Syria, Afghanistan and various countries in South America.

Briefers pointed to Russia as a likely culprit, the people told POLITICO, but didnt have a smoking gun, citing difficulties in attributing the attacks.
A Moosic police officer who claimed he was illegally passed over for police chief agreed to settle a lawsuit for $112,500, according to the boroughs solicitor.

Assistant Police Chief James Holland filed suit in Lackawanna County Court in 2018, alleging councils hiring of Richard Janesko as chief violated a borough ordinance and code, which he claims requires council select the chief from the existing pool of officers. Janesko was not a member of the department when he was hired in March 2018, the suit said.

Holland has worked for the department since 1982. He notified the borough he wished to apply for the police chiefs position after former Chief Charles Maurer retired, but was never interviewed for the post.

John Brazil, the boroughs solicitor, said council recently approved the settlement. Council also agreed to pay Holland for 9 months of administrative leave.

Brazil said Holland will retire once he signs the settlement agreement. Janesko will remain as chief.

The cost of the settlement will be paid by the boroughs insurance carrier, less a deductible, he said. Information on the amount of the deductible was not immediately available. Insurance will also pay 2 months of the administrative leave, he said.

Brazil said the borough does not admit any wrongdoing. Council approved the settlement at its insurance carriers insistence. If council rejected the settlement, it would be responsible to pay legal fees going forward and, if it lost the case at trial, would be responsible for any verdict above the settlement offer.

The borough wanted to get this behind us and move on, he said.

Brazil said the settlement also resolves a separate federal lawsuit Holland filed that alleged he was passed over as chief because of his age.
New Delhi: Come May 1, the COVID-19 vaccination drive will be extended to everyone above the age of 18, a step that has been taken by the Centre to ensure that maximum numbers of Indians take the coronavirus vaccine jab amid the raging second wave of the pandemic.

The phase-III of the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination drive also aims at liberalised vaccine pricing and scaling up of vaccine coverage.

Phase-I was launched on January 16, 2021, which prioritized the protection of the Health Care Workers (HCWs) and Front Line Workers (FLWs).

Subsequently, phase-II was initiated from March 1 and April 1, which focused on protecting the most vulnerable, ie, everyone above 45 years of age.

In India, the Emergency Use Authorisation has so far been granted to two indigenously manufactured vaccines - COVISHEILD of Serum Institute of India and COVAXIN of Bharat Biotech, On the other hand, a third vaccine, Sputnik, which is presently manufactured abroad, will eventually be manufactured in India.

Know the prices of COVISHEILD and COVAXIN shots in government hospitals

The Serum Institute of India COVID-19 vaccine COVISHEILD will be available for Rs 400/dose in State Government hospitals, whereas, Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine COVAXIN will cost you Rs 600 per dose in State Government hospitals.

Know the prices of COVISHEILD and COVAXIN shots in private hospitals

The COVISHEILD COVID-19 vaccine has been capped at Rs 600/dose in private hospitals, while a single shot of the COVAXIN coronavirus vaccine will cost you Rs 1,200 in private hospitals.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday (April 24, 2021) announced that India has become the fastest country to administer 14 crore Doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The milestone has been achieved in just 99 days, where the cumulative number of coronavirus vaccine doses administered in the country stands at 14,08,02,794.
Bengaluru, April 25 : Amid the pandemic's second wave, Karnataka is setting up a task force with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to jointly fight the Covid surge in the state, Health Minister K. Sudhakar said on Sunday.

"We are setting up a task force with CII to jointly fight the pandemic by augmenting medical infrastructure, including opening a call centre and modular ICUs to treat serious Covid cases," said Sudhakar in a statement here after a virtual meeting with captains of the industry on Saturday.

With state Health Department officials and the CII's state unit representatives as its members, the task force will help the state on using technology to source medicines, medical equipments, among other things.

Infosys co-founder and former CII President Kris Gopalakrishnan, Kirloskar Systems Chairman Vikram Kirloskar, noted cardiologist Devi Shetty and CII Karnataka Chairman Ramesh Ramadurai interacted with Sudhakar and reviewed the Covid situation across the state.

"The task force will provide inputs on setting up a master call centre for coordinating Covid management across the state on the lines of 'Aptha Mitra' helpline the state government had set up last year to fight the virus," said Sudhakar, a medical doctor by profession.

In view of the rising caseload, the state government plans to set up modular ICUs with 3,000-5,000 beds across the state, with a majority of them in the city, which has been hit hard.

"A few companies have come forward to set up modular ICUs in 7-10 days with all facilities to treat Covid patients," the minister said, also urging the CII to channel its corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds for Covid care, as the Central government has allowed it.

"More than CSR funds, we are looking for technology, knowledge and contacts for sourcing medicines and medical equipment," Sudhakar said.

As 95 per cent of active cases are in home isolation, the Health Department is looking for innovative technology to remotely monitor them on a daily basis.

"We have sought CII help to identify and procure anti-viral drugs Remdesivir and Tocilozomab injections from other countries," added Sudhakar.

He also sought the help of CII to identify and procure Remdesivir and Tocilizomab injections from other countries.

Devi Shetty, who heads Narayan Health multi-specialty hospital in the city, urged the state government to address the shortage of doctors and nurses although the immediate needs is oxygen and anti-viral drugs.

"All headlines in the media are on shortage of medical oxygen currently. But soon, headlines will be on shortage of doctors and nurses," he warned, advising the state government to augment medical staff by hiring 2.2 lakh nursing students in the country who are in their final year.

"Similarly, around 1.3-lakh medical (MMBS) students are preparing for NEET exams. The state government should deploy them in Covid management and incentivise them for the work through grace marks or quota in government jobs," Shetty told the Health Minister.

Kirloskar urged the state Health Department to release official protocols for home isolated patients to avoid them from being misled from misinformation on social media.

Gopalakrishnan advised the minister to import anti-viral drugs and medical equipment from overseas to bridge the gap in the medical infrastructure.

According to the state health bulletin, a record 29,438 new cases were reported from across the state on Saturday, including 17,342 in Bengaluru. Of 209 lives lost to the infection on Saturday, 149 were from Bengaluru.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Pay Your Workers for April 2020, says Labour Ministry View(s):

The Labour Ministry has directed companies to pay the full salaries to its workers for April 2020 and that proper payments need to be made to obtain additional labour hours for the loss of hours of work in that month due to the COVID-19 lockdown imposed in the country last year.

Labour Ministry Secretary Mapa Pathirana in a letter addressed to the Ethical Trading Initiative South Asia Regional Director Rana Alok Singh stated that employers in Sri Lanka have to pay full wages for the month of April 2020.

Further, Department of Labour has instructed to its officers that full salary should be paid for the month of April 2020. The Department will take action against any employer if there are any complaints, the letter stated. However, the Secretary has pointed out that they have not received any complaints regarding additional working hours to recover loss occurred due to COVID -19.

It is also pointed out that the existing laws do not permit workers to work overtime to cover the loss hours. According to the existing labour laws in Sri Lanka employers cannot make work overtime to cover for the lost hours and they cannot obtain the service on public holidays and the holidays entitled to the workers without making the proper payments. The Department of Labour will take action against employers if there are any complaints.

However, trade unionists claim that there have been a majority of factories both within and outside the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) that have called on workers to make up for the loss of hours but due to no unions among these companies they have been unable to lodge complaints with the department.

FTZ and General Services Employees Union Joint Secretary Anton Marcus said that a majority of the factories have not made payments for April 2020 while some have paid only half month payments while still others have not fulfilled their complete obligation for the payment of salaries according to the COVID-19 scheme.

He pointed out that currently only 5 per cent of the private sector is unionised and in this respect, all factories that were so represented had worked according to the rules.

Meanwhile, following a meeting with their global partners, Mr. Marcus said that they hope to stage a weeks protest on the theme Pay Your Workers regarding payments not made to workers amounting to US$24 million for the three month period of March to May 2020. However, this number is expected to increase as the unions are hoping to calculate the losses accrued by workers until December.

He noted that companies have not paid attendance bonus, breakfast, lunch and no transport as a result of which workers were compelled to stay away from work thereby causing voluntary worker redundancy.

He explained that though the workers agreed for lesser pay employers have not lost business.

Mr. Marcus also said that at least nine countries that included China, Vietnam, India and Turkey have joined together to demand that brands should pay for the cancellation of orders resulting in losses to the suppliers. However, he noted Sri Lanka has not joined as he believes the

Sri Lankan suppliers think the brands will pull out of suppliers that create problems. (SD)
Fours states ruled by the Congress and its allies Sunday accused the Centre of "hijacking" vaccine stocks from manufacturers, and expressed doubts they would be able to launch the inoculation drive to cover those between 18-45 years of age from May 1.

They also accused the Centre of meting out "step-motherly" treatment to them, and urged the Union government to provide them free vaccine doses to vaccinate all adults.

Addressing a virtual joint press conference, the health ministers of Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jharkhand (ruled by Congress-JMM alliance) asked as to how they will vaccinate all adults when the Centre has already "taken away the stocks" and shots are not available to them.

They said they are prepared for the next phase of vaccination drive from May 1, but the manufacturers have expressed inability to provide them vaccine shots.

"How do we vaccinate adults of 18-45 years as Serum Institute has said they will not be able to provide vaccine till May 15," Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma said.

"We have the capacity, but not the vaccine,"he said. "States should get the supplies. The Government of India should provide vaccine as per their requirements."



The success of the drive depends on availability of shots, he said.

Sharma said, "Our demand is that the Centre fully fund the vaccine. How can we fund it from our budget? No provision has been made by us in the budget."



Chhattisgarh Health Minister T S Singh Deosaid, "There is no way shots can be administered if the vaccine is not available. How will we provide vaccination? We are ready to vaccinate, provided we have the vaccines."He also alleged politics is being played on vaccination the way prime minister's photo is put on the certificate of vaccination.

"The country is being misguided. The Centre has made a joke of this," he said.

Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said, "We are being meted out step-motherly treatment. The Centre should provide the vaccine and essential life-saving medicines."



"If the Centre does not support us, how can we roll out the vaccination drive? We are only hand-to-mouth on vaccines. The Centre should allot the vaccine and provide it to us," Sidhu said.

Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta alleged the prime minister is trying to derive political advantage even during this raging pandemic.

"Step-motherly treatment is being meted out to Congress-ruled states like us. The prime minister is politicising everything and we have to fight a dual battle of saving people from and fighting politics," he said.

"The Centre has hijacked their production capacity (manufacturers') and struck a deal for Rs 150 per dose. The government that talks of one constitution, one tax, are now trying to derive benefits out of pandemic by different pricing of vaccines," he said.

"How will we launch (the next phase of vaccination drive), when vaccine makers do not have vaccines, (and) how will they provide us supplies. People will ask us to vaccinate, we have set up vaccination centres," he said, adding the Centre should allow them to purchase Remdesivir from Bangladesh, which is not being allowed.

"On one side, we are being bound, on the other hand, an impression is being created that there is decentralisation of power to states," he alleged.

The Centre last Monday announced its liberalised vaccination policy, making all adults eligible for Covid19 vaccine from May 1 and has asked states to procure vaccines from makers of their own.

(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.)
Thirsty Brits will get a Brexit booze bonus thanks to a new free trade deal with Australia, minister Liz Truss said today.

The International Trade Secretary said that wine from Down Under would be cheaper under the terms of a new agreement with Canberra.

The admission today came after her department said on Friday that a consensus had been reached in the 'vast majority' of elements of a comprehensive free trade agreement after two days of talks with Australian counterpart Dan Tehan.

Asked today if the agreement would mean cheaper wine from one of the world's largest producers, she told Sky's Ridge on Sunday: 'Well, that is one of the many benefits that there would be from the Australia trade deal.'

Uncertainty had been cast over the discussions last week when allies of Ms Truss described her counterpart to the Telegraph as 'inexperienced' ahead of his visit.

Trade deal progress was criticised as 'glacially slow', while Ms Truss was said to be planning to sit her guest in 'an uncomfortable chair' in the Foreign Office's Locarno Room 'so he has to deal with her directly for nine hours'.

The admission today came after her department said on Friday that a consensus had been reached in the 'vast majority' of elements of a comprehensive free trade agreement after two days of talks with Australian counterpart Dan Tehan (right).

The International Trade Secretary said that wine from Down Under would be cheaper under the terms of a new agreement with Canberra.

But Ms Truss today claimed those remarks were 'a complete load of nonsense', adding: 'The fact is, Dan and I have a very positive relationship.

'We had really positive talks over the last two days, we are now within a glimpse of striking our first post-Brexit trade deal which is negotiated from scratch and I'm looking forward to agreeing that in principle over the next few weeks.

'And this will bring huge benefits to the British economy, whether it's the whisky industry, the car industry, the financial services industry and it also opens up huge opportunities for us in the Asia-Pacific market, one of the fastest growing parts of the world, and I'm looking forward to opening that even further.

In a later interview with the BBC's Andrew Marr she added that the UK would not lower its food standards under the deal.

'I can absolutely promise that were not going to lower our excellent food standards in order to do this trade deal. But what we will do through this trade deal is make sure we get fantastic British products into Australia at a much cheaper price - so whether its whisky or cars - which will help drive jobs and growth across Britain,' she said.

'And it also gives us access to fantastic fast-growing part of the world, the Asia-Pacific.

Were expecting 66 per cent of the worlds middle classes to be there by 2030. So this is all about creating jobs and growth for the future and hitching Britain to the fastest-growing parts of the world.'
 Flash

Multiple advocacy organizations and the Chinese business community in the United States are calling for actions to cope with the historic rise of hatred, violence and xenophobia targeting Asian and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the country.



The United States reported a spurt of anti-AAPI crimes during the pandemic. According to Stop AAPI Hate, a California-based nonprofit social organization, it received nearly 3,800 reports of attacks or abuse against people of Asian descent between March 2020 and February 2021 and the real number of such incidents is believed to be far more than that.

In response to the horrific scenario, the U.S. Senate on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill combating surging hate crimes against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While acknowledging such a gesture, the minorities in the United States are calling for concrete actions to protect them from hate crimes.

Action now

A coalition of advocacy groups on Thursday voiced their appeals to the U.S. law enforcement, elected officials, and government agencies to ensure a holistic response to the Anti-Asian hate problem, and recognize the urgent need to take concrete actions.

In particular, the U.S. Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Justice should set up a task force to specifically investigate and combat increased violence directed towards the AAPI community, stated a release by the Committee of 100, a non-profit organization of prominent Chinese Americans, which organized the action.

The coalition also called on the U.S. Department of Justice to revisit its China Initiative, which instigates U.S. judicial confrontations with China, and examine whether the program has caused the spike in prosecution of innocent Chinese American scientists.

Senior executives and those in leadership positions should ensure that the AAPI community has a voice at the table, including in the boardroom, stressed the coalition.

"This coalition across communities showcases the strength and impact we together possess ... Collectively, we can work to put these horrific incidents in the past and move forward as one nation," said Zhengyu Huang, president of the Committee of 100.

More than 10 advocacy groups in the United States joined the coalition, including the 1990 Institute, the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs, the Committee of 100, Council of Korean Americans, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Partnership With Native Americans.

Those organizations would meet on a quarterly basis to continue discussions of joint programs, activities and advocacy to combat anti-AAPI hate, said the release.

"Silence is unacceptable. Unity in combating hate is absolutely imperative," said David Harris, chief executive officer (CEO) of the American Jewish Committee.

"Only through coordinated action can we prevent further acts of bias-motivated violence and hurtful scapegoating," said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, CEO and national director of the Anti-Defamation League, the world's leading anti-hate organization.

Business community plays a role

Meanwhile, the Chinese business community is also working to fight anti-AAPI hate and violence.

"I would say we shouldn't really feel that we need to be fearful about what's going on ... You should be able to feel that you're at home," said Ni Pin, president of Wanxiang America Corporation, an automobile component designer and manufacturer based in Illinois, at a webinar organized by the China General Chamber of Commerce-USA (CGCC) on Friday.

Speaking of the China Initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice, Ni said, "under that initiative, many people got a screening, which really is hurting American interests, American competitiveness, and for sure is gonna hurt the Asian American community."

The business community should take the lead in fighting anti-Asian hate and violence as the companies have resources, funds and laptops, according to Ni, who is also the chairman of CGCC Chicago.

As much as 86 percent of companies feel that the business community has the responsibility to support the fight against anti-Asian hate and violence, according to a survey by CGCC Chicago.

AAPI small businesses are not able to operate safely and need assistance now, said Chiling Tong, president and CEO of the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE).

The National ACE calls on its partners to join in responding to the ongoing violence against the AAPI small business community by helping to educate employees, customers, and the public to intervene to halt these deplorable acts.

Asian American employees need a special space to talk about the hate issues right now as a lot of them are hurting and that's affecting their work, according to John C. Yang, president and executive director of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice, an advocacy for Asian Americans' civil and human rights.

As for the business community, "the next step is also to engage in these interracial conversations and think about how we show up for each other," said Yang.
LINDEN, MI  When you think of a Venus flytrap your mind might wander to the carnivorous plant character that grew to a size that was larger than life in the comedy musical Little Shop of Horrors.

The film released in 1986 features a singing plant named Audrey II, who thrived off human blood and convinced its owner to continue feeding it, which helped the plant grow to an unrealistic size.

Joey Stinson, 29, and Josh Lee, 34, sell that very same plant from their carnivorous plant nursery, Killer Plant Company, located in Linden, which is not open to the public and its plants are sold online. Of course the Venus flytraps theyre selling dont thrive off human blood - or do they?

Actually, despite how the movie depicted the plant native to subtropical wetlands in North and South Carolina, it only eats insects and joint-legged invertebrate animals such as spiders.

Its a very elaborate process to keep these things alive, Stinson said. But I think customers remember from being in seventh grade, reading about it at some point in time and just being curious about what this thing is.

A Fenton native, Stinson has a background in researching brands and products. He used those skills to find products and markets that had potential to grow a new business. He eventually saw there was a high demand for plants, specifically for the Venus flytrap

Theres not a lot of people doing it, Stinson said. To sell them online would be a little bit of a challenge, but I think we can figure that out.

Thats what Stinson said to convince his business partner Lee, who eventually agreed to take a leap on the business idea initially just to make some extra cash.

Stinson explained he doesnt have any deep fascination with plants in general and the business was more of an experiment. The experiment turned out to be much more than what the business partners bargained for.

It erupted into a full-blown business, Stinson said, noting within the first month, the business made $10,000 in profit.

Business has been successful ever since it launched on Black Friday in 2020.

However, Michigans climate isnt conducive for growing the plants naturally, so Stinson explains how it works.

The Killer Pant Company works with a lab in Colorado that takes the plants and divides them into tissue culture to produce more plantlets. Stinson compared this process to peeling the layers of an onion bulb and multiplying it.

After a year of growing a Venus flytrap, you can actually divide it and turn it into several other genetically identical plants, Stinson said.

After the dividing process, the lab sends the business 50-100 jars of tiny plants. The tiny plants get sent to a grower in Florida who specializes in wholesale nurseries. After the plants are grown to a certain stage, they get shipped back to the business, where workers with the Killer Plant Company repackage, repurpose and pot the plants before theyre shipped to customers all over the country.

Ninety percent of first-time Venus flytrap growers are going to kill their plant, Stinson said. We try to warn people.

The plants need a certain amount of sunlight, need to be kept at certain temperatures and distilled water to be kept alive, Stinson said.

He added that the plant is an endangered species because of the modernization of the society which is eroding their natural environment. The plant has a 14-year life expectancy.

This is not normal, Stinson explained. A carnivorous plant nursery in Michigan is not the ideal environment for that and Im definitely going outside of the norm of whats considered socially acceptable on this.

Currently, the business sells 50-200 plants a day, or 2,000 a month at $24.99, including shipping.

Generally, when we send them out, we want them to be the biggest, healthiest looking plants, Stinson said, noting that the traps on the plants are typically two inches wide.

To keep up with the demand of the plants, the business is looking to hire three to five more people to help with tasks such as watering and packaging the plants. Those interested in the positions, should reach out to business, here.

I want to believe that itll slow down eventually, Stinson said.

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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

In 1972, Gus Foster aimed a camera through his car window to capture the rolling landscape in a visual notebook.

Soon, those images transformed into film and, later, panoramic vistas that took him to mountaintops, glaciers and Times Square in a 360-degree carousel of imagery and time.

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The Taos-based photographer recently released Gus Foster: American Panoramas, (Museum of New Mexico Press, 2021, $55) a monograph of his 45-year career.

Foster spent 15 years photographing the Rocky Mountains, crossing the continent from Mexico to the Canadian border, climbing the highest summits carrying a 65-pound camera. His lens focused on the Pecos Wilderness, Taos Pueblo and Chaco Canyon, as well as Yellowstone National Park and Colorados Maroon Bells.

I crisscrossed the United States; one year, I crossed it 13 times, Foster said in a telephone interview from Taos. Gas was cheap then and it was a way to see the United States.

Soon, he was filming movies from his car, creating films without plots or dialogue.

Youd drive for an hour and youd see a 60-mile panorama, he said. I made movies about panoramas and the passage of time. The kinds of things I was shooting were more like art films; they were more contemplative. I find that experience very restful, meditative.

Foster had moved to Los Angeles after spending 10 years as a curator at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. L.A. boasted labs that could support his pursuit of professional photography. In 1974, his business partner Larry Bell bought the shell of a Taos laundry. The pair transformed it into dual studios. It was in New Mexico that Foster narrowed his focus to his first panoramic still camera.

A still image is a static thing, he explained.  I like the conundrum of revolving and recording twice.

He began with an early 20th century panoramic camera called the Cirkut.

Emerging in the 1920s, panoramic cameras were commonly used to take high school class photographs.

The class clown would invariably run around the bleachers and get into the picture twice, Foster said. I always liked that aspect of it and it implied that time had changed.

When Foster moved to New Mexico, he started shooting the states mountains and mesas. He custom designed and built an enlarger capable of large prints. In 1985, he began using the Globus-Holway camera, a state-of-the-art invention capable of much larger images.

Fosters panoramic camera turns in a circle; you can see everything in one glance.

Its like having eyes in the back of your head, he said.

He began a multi-year project to hike the summits of 75 mountains. There were few trails ascending these peaks.

Foster turned to a friend who was an experienced mountain climber to scale the states 13,000-foot summits, as well as Colorados 14,000-foot peaks . He became immersed in the outdoors, obsessed by the lure of the mountains.

It became like looking at infinity from all points on the compass  all the world became a single emotion.

Today, his largest works span 12 feet; he confines the smallest to 6 feet.

I jokingly call them my wallet-size, he said of the latter.

When you get up that high, you can see for 100 miles in any direction, Foster said.  Its a vast, uninterrupted landscape. Hopefully, theyll be like that in 10,000 years. To me, theyre treasures.

His sublimely foolish enterprise yielded spectacular results.

I tore a few muscles and had a few surgeries, he acknowledged. Its hard work and its harder work coming down. But its the price of admission.

The books cover photo displays Eagle Peak Ridge in Yellowstone National Park. Careful observers can spot his pack goat named William Henry (named for William Henry Jackson, the great Western photographic pioneer) in the tree shade on the right.

In 1991, he ascended to Alaskas Riggs Glacier in the Glacier Bay Wilderness. Between seven and eight glaciers terminate into a lake.

I had to charter a plane to get there, Foster said. My climbing partner was a guy from Sweden who had a lot of experience climbing on ice. I had never climbed on ice before. We never had good visibility. It took us eight hours to get there.

When Kodak went out of business in 2006, it effectively ended Fosters photographic career. Today, he owns a digital camera, but says its not the same.

It took me two years to talk them into making the film in the first place, Foster said. I have to find a whole new muse.

In the book, Foster described the Continental Divide as as the place where he walked along the spine of the United States. Today, he refers to himself as the adopted son of the Rockies.

The book will be accompanied an exhibition at Taos Harwood Museum of Art on Oct. 22.
By Lee Hyo-jin



Two diplomats from the Pakistan Embassy in Korea were caught allegedly shoplifting at a store in Seoul, according to police, Saturday.



Yongsan Police Station said the two were caught stealing items worth 11,000 won ($10) and 1,900 won ($1.70), respectively, at the same store in Itaewon, Yongsan District, on different dates.





Two diplomats at the Pakistan Embassy in Korea were caught shoplifting at a store in Seoul, according to police, Saturday. Yonhap
Connecticut vaccination sites will resume administering the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, more than a week after the state halted the single-dose vaccine amid concerns from federal regulators about rare but serious blood clots.

Deidre Gifford, the states acting commissioner of the Department of Public Health, announced the shots would resume in a statement Saturday.

This pause and review will hopefully give people confidence that we take the safety of these vaccines very seriously and are committed to ensuring that that they meet the highest safety and effectiveness standards, Gifford said.

The news comes a day after the Food and Drug Administration said states could resume using the vaccine, shortly after a key panel advised the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to resume using it.

Federal regulators told states to pause administering the vaccine on April 13, after it was linked to a rare blood-clotting condition that in some cases proved fatal. Connecticuts Department of Public Health quickly followed suit, ordering a pause on the use of the vaccine that same day.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a panel of experts advising the CDC, reccomended resuming shots because the risks from COVID-19 outweighed the danger from the blood-clotting condition. The vaccine was halted after six cases of the blood clots were reported from the 6.8 million people who had received the vaccine.

As of Thursday, 107,082 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in Connecticut, according to numbers shared by Gov. Ned Lamonts office.

With nearly a one-in-a-million chance of developing this rare adverse reaction to the J&J vaccine and no evidence of similar issues with the other two vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, you are far more likely to become ill or be hospitalized with severe COVID than you are from getting vaccinated, said Gifford.

The FDA has issued revised fact sheets for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for medical care providers and recipients warning of the risk of blood clots with symptoms to watch for.

But an official at the states largest hospital system suggested Friday they have enough of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines to meet demand for shots without Johnson & Johnsons vaccine.

With Pfizer and Moderna we continue to have our eight mass vaccination sites going fully staffed and we have been able to meet the demand, said Dr. Tom Balcezak, chief medical officer of Yale New Haven Hospital.

He said next week the sites will be able to begin taking walk-up patients. We are starting to see a lot more availability for appointments, he said.

Several of the mobile vaccination vans targeted at underserved communities in the state had originally planned to use the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The single-dose vaccine presented the advantage of not requiring patients to get a followup second shot, as in the case of the two-dose regimen vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. State officials said at the time those vans would shift to use the two-dose vaccines, but its unclear if plans have changed as a result of Saturdays announcement.

That comes as some communities in Connecticut have more than or nearly half of residents fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In Lyme, a town of about 2,300 along the Connecticut River in New London County, more than 52 percent of residents are fully vaccinated, according to state figures.

Just across the river, the towns of Old Saybrook and Essex report nearly half of residents fully vaccinated, out of total populations of about 10,000 and 6,600, respectively. The town of Kent, which hugs the Housatonic River in western Litchfield County, reports similar statistics, with about 49 percent of its population of around 2,800 fully immunized.

But Connecticuts largest cities are still lagging by comparison. In Hartford, less than 18 percent of the state capitols some 122,000 residents have been fully vaccinated, and a little more than 28 percent have received at least a first dose  both statistics below the state and national averages.

Bridgeports 144,000 residents are faring not much better, with less than 19 percent fully vaccinated, and just under 31 percent having received a first dose. Those stats again put the city below the state and national averages.

Communities with noted underserved populations by and large rank far lower on the list, when comparing cities and towns by the percentage of residents who have received a first shot or more.

As of Thursday, about 51 percent of Connecticut residents 16 and older have been fully vaccinated, Lamont noted during his news conference that day.

The governor pointed to statistics from Israel showing how hospitalizations for COVID-19 dramatically declined after the country reached about 50 percent of its population vaccinated.

Hopefully were going to see something similar here in Connecticut, he said.
Lost Man Rescued by Border Patrol Agents

Ocotillo, California - U.S. Border Patrol agents from El Centro Sector rescued a lost undocumented noncitizen in the Jacumba Wilderness region near Ocotillo.

The incident occurred Sunday morning at approximately 1:30 a.m., when El Centro Sector Communications Dispatch notified El Centro Station agents of a distress call made by an individual who illegally crossed the United States/ Mexico international boundary. The undocumented noncitizen called 9-1-1 and stated that he was left behind by a group and was lost. Agents were able to call the undocumented noncitizen on his cell phone and determined that he was in the Jacumba Wilderness areas, a mountainous region located 27 miles west of Calexico. Agents responded to the area to begin searching for the man. At approximately 3:09 a.m., agents located the lost adult male, a national of Mexico, and conducted a welfare check.

The rescued undocumented noncitizen was assessed, and no medical attention was required. Agents transported him to the El Centro Processing Center for further processing and was removed back to Mexico.

Since October, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents have successfully rescued 102 individuals lost or in distress
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 20:15:22|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Increasing militancy and conflicts have faded the hopes of Afghans for peace as more than 80 fighters, mostly Taliban militants have been killed in the country over the past 24 hours, officials said Sunday.

Taliban militants have stepped up activities everywhere in the conflict-battered country and in the latest waves of violent incidents, they attacked security checkpoints in Sharh-e-Bazarg district of northern Badakhshan province on Sunday but retreated after leaving five bodies behind, spokesman for provincial government Sanahullah Rohani confirmed.

In the clash which lasted for a couple of hours, eight more militants and two security personnel were injured, according to the official.

Taliban militants have also focused their guns on western Badghis province to gain ground, a member of Badghis provincial council Mohammad Nasir Nazari said.

Confirming the clash, an army officer in the restive Badghis province Hafizullah Masoud Akhundzada told Xinhua that fighting planes struck Taliban militants in Ab Kamari district of Badghis on Saturday evening, killing eight insurgents and wounding three others.

According to security officials, at least 70 more militants have been killed in eastern Laghman, Wardak and Paktia provinces over the past 24 hours.

Fighting has increased amid the Afghan peace efforts and the United States' announcement to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11.

The U.S.-led military coalition, according to media reports, would start to pull out from Afghanistan on May 1 and the process would be completed by Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the deadly terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

Denouncing Taliban-led insurgency, an Afghan teacher Mohammad Daud told Xinhua that "since the foreign forces are leaving the country there is no legitimate reason for the Taliban to fight against the government," and the Taliban should clarify "why they are fighting" when the foreign forces are leaving.

"Taliban should stop fighting against Afghans," another Kabul resident Mohammad Akram said. There is no logic for the Taliban to continue war against Afghans and their government while foreign forces are withdrawing from Afghanistan.

Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Rohullah Ahmadzai said the Taliban has intensified violence in Ramadam, the Muslims fasting month, and fighting against Afghan security forces.

Backing the notion, Hamid Roshan, a spokesman for Interior Ministry has claimed that the Taliban violent incidents had claimed the lives of 50 civilians and 100 security personnel since the start of Ramadan 13 days ago.

Intra-Afghan talks in Doha which started in Sept. 12 last year has made no tangible headway and the UN-sponsored peace conference on Afghanistan in Turkey which scheduled for April 24 has been postponed due to Taliban's unwillingness to attend it. Enditem
As Indias health infrastructure gasps for oxygen, is in talks with VRV Asia Pacific, a Chart Group company, and a few others to purchase tankers for transporting liquid medical (LMO), said a top executive at VRV.

India is struggling with a second wave of the pandemic with more than 300,000 new cases being reported daily in the past few days. Hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of medical and beds.

Reliance is likely to get tankers that can hold and transport up to 40,000 litres of liquid to large makeshift Covid facilities and hospitals.

It is also exploring ways with VRV to have smaller tanks installed, GL Rangnekar, managing director (MD), VRV, said.

VRV designs and manufactures cryogenic equipment at its unit at Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the three in the country that makes cryogenic storage tanks, rigid tankers and trailers.

A spokesperson at RIL declined to comment. A person privy to the development confirmed that the company has been in talks to set up on-site storage but nothing has been finalised yet.

We have been in talks with RIL. It will be picking up big stationary tanks for LMO storage and trailers for transportation. We have shared relevant details with it. It is likely to commission them at large Covid care facilities that have hundreds of patients in need of oxygen, said Rangnekar.

RIL may source very large tanks and tankers. Typically, it takes little over a month to commission these tanks at a site. Therefore, to expedite supplies, its also in discussion with VRV for small portable tanks made by Chart in the US of 200 litres capacity. They are easy to commission at Covid facilities.

Oxygen moves through tankers to big hospitals where it is put in storage created for the purpose. Smaller hospitals or nursing homes get their supply in cylinders, which are also in short supply. The number of cylinders and tankers required should ideally be double that of the oxygen demand because empty ones go for refilling. This situation can be avoided if hospitals themselves host small oxygen plants.

Meanwhile, the Chart group company, which also makes cryogenic cylinders and LMO tankers for trailers, is also in touch with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). It is supporting many hospitals in augmenting capacities amid the severe shortage of LMO at Covid care facilities.

VRV is making 100 to 150 cryogenic cylinders per month and also has some stock. We are working 24 hours. Last 10 days, we have supplied 100-150 cylinders to various hospitals, Rangnekar said. It is ramping up capacity and also importing the same from Charts US facilities.
Content Freshness Usefulness If you're anxious and stressed about work, so is your team. Anxiety at Work shares eight strategies to help you reduce overwhelm and anxiety in your business.

If you buy something through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

I know youve been there; sitting in the parking lot of your office, with that anxious pit in your stomach because you know how its gonna go in there. You either cant eat, or you overeat to beat the stress. You cant sleep or you cant get out of bed.

Whichever extreme plagues your daily work life, it feels like endless torture. And, if you thought it would actually do any good, youd open the nearest window and scream  Im mad as hell and Im not going to take it anymore.

Like you, Ive lived through this more than once either as an employee and a business owner. Ive read dozens of books on the topic and this week, a new one showed up that I thought Id share with you  Anxiety at Work: 8 Strategies to Help Teams Build Resilience, Handle Uncertainty, and Get Stuff Done by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton

What Causes Anxiety at Work

Thirty percent of all Americans report symptoms of anxiety at work, including forty-two percent of people in their twenties. And, when you overlay Gallups research that reports a third of all employees are disengaged, well, it doesnt take a genius to see that perhaps some level of anxiety is at the root of it.

According to authors Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton, anxiety at work is primarily caused by levels of uncertainty, overwhelming workload, perfectionism, not feeling valued and accepted, and a relative lack of social bonding with associates.

While Anxiety at Work answers the question of what causes anxiety, in the workplace and offers coping strategies, it makes an assumption that I think you, my dear reader, will notice within a minute of flipping through the book  that leaders and managers are reasonable, nice people with generally acceptable leadership skills.

As you and I know, most of these anxiety causing situations are caused by difficult people who have gotten ahead despite lacking any level of emotional intelligence. Am I right?

But, I digress. Anxiety at Work isnt about that person. It gently avoids that reality and focuses on the hope that you are part of the sixty percent of people who are lucky enough to be at least somewhat engaged in your profession and are working with reasonable human beings who seek to eliminate stress among their teams, but just lack some direction.

And if that is you, then lets take a close look at those 8 strategies that will help your team build resilience, handle uncertainty and get stuff done (without losing your mind in the process.)

8 Strategies on How to Deal with Anxiety at Work

Whether youre a manager or an employee, this book can help! It has 8 strategies that will leave your workplace feeling less anxious and more healthy.

The authors developed these strategies from working hands-on with managers and teams over several years. This means even if you dont understand all the science behind what makes us anxious, knowing what steps to take will help you reduce some level of stress on yourself and your team.

See Also: How to Pick the Best Business Partner for You

Im not going to list all eight, but I will pull out those that I think will help you get an idea of what youll find in the book.

Deal with Uncertainty

Fear of the unknown is the basic cause of stress that comes from uncertainty. And, todays work environment is loaded with uncertainty and hence, fear. Sixty percent of Americans are concerned about job security. Even worse, younger workers, particularly millennials live in a constant state of uncertainty.

The authors advise that the best way to deal with uncertainty is to attach it head-on with information. Here are just a few recommendations:

Make it ok to not have all the answers. Loosen your grip and stop resisting change. Keep people as informed as you can and be clear about whats expected. Stay focused on what you can control. Make it ok to take action. Provide constructive feedback.

Balance Workload Balance

The pandemic has created a perfect storm of workplace overload coupled with family responsibilities that have disproportionately affected women employees and business owners.

As solutions they list the following:

Creating clear roadmaps so that employees can see a path to success. Balance workloads by opening up communication and making it ok to share those areas of your work and life that are getting in the way of optimum productivity. Avoid distractions. I found this recommendation somewhat unrealistic and difficult to do. Id restate this to focus on helping your teams set realistic goals and priorities. Encourage R&R. Again, this is terrific advice and harder to implement with todays time and resource-strapped teams.

Anxiety at Work doesnt have all the answers, but it definitely gives you and your team some ideas that you can customize to work in your specific organization.

Feel Valued and Accepted

This is the last strategy that Im going to cover because I think that its a critical strategy that ultimately impacts the rest; charting career paths, managing perfection, finding your voice, building social bonds and promoting confidence. You can find more detail and more strategies inside the book. But for now, lets talk about how to help the people on your team feel valued and accepted.

This particular strategy is targeted at what the authors call marginalized employees such as LGBTQ team members, disabled team members or any other member who suffers from some type of stigmatized or biased experience.

However, I feel that the strategies proposed by the authors, if applied, will make a positive impact on your organizations well being.

Listen. 75% of the time we spend listening is occupied by distractions. Just listening to your team members fulfills the human desire to be seen, heard and understood. Sponsor. As a small business owner, you are a leader. The authors advocate sponsoring and supporting often marginalized groups for the purpose of showing them that they matter. Its important to avoid doing this as a form of pandering, rather as an authentic desire to support your team. Stand Up and Advocate: Years ago leaders were encouraged to be stewards of their organization. In other words, to serve their employees and communities.

Again, this section is really focused on marginalized groups in your organization, but I think its a pivotal strategy for leaders across their organization.

About the Authors

You can say that Gostich and Chester have been a dynamic duo in the field of leadership. They have co-written several books; All In and The Carrot Principle which have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold more than 1.5 million copies worldwide.

Gostick is the founder and Chester is the co-founder of The Culture Works, a global training company that has trained more than 850,000 people over the last 20 years.

While Gostick and Chester may not be household names in the world of small business, you might have seen either of them on CNN, ABC, MSNBC or quoted as experts by publications like The Economist and The Wall Street Journal.

While their advice is centered on larger companies and teams, their insights come from solid research that small business owners can easily embrace.

How Will Anxiety at Work Help You Run Your Business

Youll see a lot of yourself and perhaps your team in Anxiety at Work. The authors offer a lot of vivid stories of leaders in your position as well as employee stories that will strike at your heartstrings.

But, I want to come back to where I started. The importance of being a good leader. While a good leader can also be a rainmaker, being a rainmaker doesnt translate to good leadership. In fact, a recent LinkedIn study noted that 88% of people said they would be happier and less stressed if their boss didnt show up for work!

Bad bosses cost your business money. Training Industry Magazine reported that a bad boss can cost your business $150,000 per bad boss, per year!

While Anxiety at Work never points fingers at leaders, I couldnt stop myself from constantly asking the question, where does work stress come from? And while Anxiety at Work provided a complete list of causes and how to deal with them, they expect you to be smart enough to see how you might contribute to these causes.

While none of us is perfect, we can all embrace the feedback the authors collected and the strategies they propose to alleviate our stress and that of our employees so that our businesses can grow to what we envision them to be.
Alberta's Jason Kenney recently became the fourth Canadian premier to sign an agreement supporting the development of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in Canada, joining the premiers of Ontario, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan.

Alberta's Jason Kenney recently became the fourth Canadian premier to sign an agreement supporting the development of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in Canada, joining the premiers of Ontario, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan.

The provinces also released a feasibility report prepared by Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power, NB Power and SaskPower which gives a potential timeline for development and deployment of SMRs and assesses their competitiveness with other non-emitting energy sources.

Here's five things you should know about SMRs:

What are SMRs?

SMRs are nuclear reactors that produce less than 300 megawatts of electricity. Because they are smaller than traditional nuclear power plants, which generally produce 800 MW and up, they are expected to be cheaper to manufacture, scalable to meet specific industrial and remote community needs and, according to the report, will have the "potential" to be competitive with other low-carbon forms of energy.

When are they expected to be in use and where?

According to the feasibility study, Canada's first grid-scale SMR project of about 300 MW is expected to be in place at the Darlington nuclear site in Ontario by 2028, followed by up to four similar units in Saskatchewan with the first in service in 2032. The technology and developer are to be selected by the end of this year.

An advanced SMR design is also to be developed in New Brunswick resulting in demonstration units at the Point Lepreau, N.B., nuclear site by 2030. Meanwhile, a new class of "micro SMR" is being designed to replace diesel use in remote communities and mines  a 5-MW gas-cooled reactor project is proposed at the Chalk River nuclear site in Ontario and is expected to be in service by 2026.

What is the federal role in developing SMRs?

The feasibility study says that "cost and risk-sharing with the federal government" is an important part of developing SMRs, noting they support Canadas goals of phasing out coal by 2030 and becoming a net-zero carbon emitter by 2050. Federal Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan has said nuclear power is essential to meeting Canada's climate-change goals.

Are SMRs considered to be safe?

Proponents argue that new applications, simplified designs and advanced technology give SMRs an enhanced level of safety, building on Canada's reputation as a safe and well-regulated leader in nuclear energy.

What do opponents of SMRs say?

More than 100 environmental, anti-nuclear, community and other Canadian groups signed a statement in November declaring that SMRs are a dirty, dangerous distraction from tackling climate change. They argue the fight against global warming can't wait for the technology to be proven and deployed and warn SMRs will cost more than other low-carbon energy alternatives, won't create as many jobs and will result in new streams of dangerous nuclear waste.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2021.
Sen. Melissa Melendez speaks in an episode of The Epoch Times' California Insider, in Irvine, Calif., on March, 19, 2021. (Hau Nguyen/The Epoch Times)

California Cancel Culture Bills Fail in State Senate

A pair of bills designed to tackle cancel culture by designating political affiliation as a protected class have failed to pass the California Senate Judiciary Committee.

Sen. Melissa Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore), who introduced the bills, told The Epoch Times that partisan politics played a role in the committees decision, which she said threatened freedom of speech.

I am extremely disappointed the majority party in the Senate Judiciary Committee could not see past their partisan blinders to protect everyday Californians from becoming victims of discrimination due to their party affiliations and beliefs, Melendez said in an email.

If current laws fail to protect political affiliation and political belief discrimination, it will only reinforce the actions of teachers and employers to victimize more California students and employees.

Senate Bill 238 (SB 238), also known as the Diversity of Thought Act, sought to amend the California Fair Employment and Housing Act by adding political affiliation as a protected class. Senate Bill 249 (SB 249) would have changed the Education Code to prevent discrimination and harassment based on political affiliation.

Cancel culture and bullying completely defy the very nature of our Constitution and our protected rights of freedom of speech and expression, Melendez said. Political censorship and cancellation serves no purpose in our democratic society except to silence the opinions of others who may disagree.

Opposition From Democrats

During a chamber discussion on April 20, Democratic members on the Senate committee expressed concerns about the clarity and intent of the legislation.

Sen. Lena A. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) wanted a clearer definition of political affiliation.

There are some groups that affiliate politically, but theyre not associated with any particular group in that sense, she said.

Melendez said that her staffs request to work with the committee to define the term was denied. She said the absence of a definition isnt necessarily problematic, pointing out that a number of terms within the states Unruh Civil Rights Actsuch as race, color, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, and primary languagealso remain undefined.

And yet, we have been able to apply the law equally without a very specific definition, she said.

Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) used an extreme example to illustrate potential problems he foresaw with SB 238: He wanted to know if a hypothetical employer would be able to legally deny the application of someone who participates in the Nazi movement.

What about [if] theyre just posting things on social media?  Would an employer be able to say, You cant work here? Weiner asked.

Melendez said anti-Semitic statements would qualify as hate speech more than political ideology. Thats a whole different categoryand unfortunately, anti-Semitism knows not only one political party, she stated. It is unlikely that someone who is a member of a Nazi movement would want to go work for an organization that has the exact opposite views.

Sen. Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) zeroed in on a hypothetical scenario presented in the Judiciary Committees analysis, where a job candidate appears for an interview at Smokey Joes BBQ Shack and Whiskey Bar wearing a Mothers Against Drunk Driving T-shirt and a ball cap that reads Go Vegan!

You couldnt discriminate against somebodys political beliefs in hiring them. You would be forced to hire [them], Wieckowski said, even though shes confrontational.

Being a vegan is not a political conversation, said Melendez. In a situation like that  I would imagine that a prospective employer would find a whole host of reasons not to hire that person, so I dont think that that comes into the conversation.

Uphill Battle

Melendez contended at the hearing that certain thoughts and belief systems are facing censorship and must be protected by law.

She mentioned the Walt Disney Companys firing of Gina Carano following an Instagram post by the actress that compared the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany to the current hate directed toward those who hold different political views.

Melendez also referred to Sephora cutting ties with Trump supporter Amanda Ensing because the influencer, according to the company, shared content on social media that is not aligned with Sephoras values around inclusivity.

Melendez maintains that cancellation isnt just a problem for public figures. Her own constituentstwo of whom testified before the committee via teleconferencesaid they had experienced cancel culture firsthand.

Steve Campos, a Riverside County resident whos been teaching for 23 years, described a hostile work environment faced by educators like himself.

Our school board has determined that BLM [Black Lives Matter] is not a political organization. That means wearing a BLM shirt or having BLM as your virtual background is OK, but if someone wears a Blue Line flag in support of law enforcement, then somehow they are racist, Campos said.

Our conservative voice is not only being silenced, but we are vilified on social media platforms for having a differing opinion  that does not align with the progressive political agenda that has infiltrated public education.

College student Chris LeColst said that despite his professors demands, he refused to remove a Trump 2020 icon from the profile picture he used to attend virtual classes.

My professor eventually dropped me from the class and admitted the only reason I was dropped was that profile picture, LeColst testified. It was a painful reminder that in todays hyper-political environment, its Republicans who face an uphill battle  every day, just to have their voices heard here in California.

Melendez said that todays society no longer tolerates disagreement from the majority viewpoint.

In todays society, we have lost our ability to agree to disagree, she said at the hearing. We have lost our ability to listen to the viewpoints of others, to be civil and understanding in that agreement. Weve turned to tribalism and mob advocacy instead, shaming people into joining one viewpoint, sacrificing their own just to avoid scrutiny or backlash.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to defeat the bill by a 92 vote, with the committees two Republicans, Vice Chair Sen. Andreas Borgeas (R-Fresno) and Sen. Brian W. Jones (R-Santee), supporting both measures.

Borgeas said he thought there are currently enough protections for this type of political belief, but its helpful when we openly declare, through legislation, that is exactly what we intend to do  to disallow discrimination based on affiliation.

Jones said that the marketplace of ideas in schools seems to be degrading.

We need to explore and be exposed to these different ideas, and not allow for there to be a prevailing wisdom culture, he said, in support of SB 249.

Both bills have been granted reconsideration status, allowing for another committee vote in the future that could offer a second chance at approval.

In her statement to The Epoch Times, Melendez said that the voices of millions might be silenced by the committees failure to pass the bills.

These bills are not just about the group of people being targeted today; its also about protecting the people who might be targeted tomorrow, she said.
Meet the Holocaust Survivor Who Wants to Create a New Jewish Holiday

Commentary

She sits as erect as an English school head mistress. She can be just as articulate, as English is her third language and shes conscious and careful of every word and sentence that she utters.

Yet when she speaks, she sounds like that glamorous celebrity of years past, the Hungarian Jewish actress Zsa Zsa Gabor, who came to America and conquered Hollywood. But what makes Goldi Steiner, Hungarian immigrant, and long-term Canadian citizen, different from Gabor is her mission.

I want to create a new Jewish holiday, she says as she makes me a cup of coffee and plies me with the kind of pastries that one would expect at a Viennese patisserie in Budapest. What? I ask her in total surprise, Are there not enough Jewish holidays? Why do we need a new one?

Well, she said, Let me clarify what I mean. I want to create another Israeli national holiday that once endorsed by the Knesset [the Israeli parliament], will then be celebrated globally. That means, of course, also in the diaspora!

I realized that this was going to take some time, so I sipped my coffee, dug into my pastry, and said, Convince me.

Goldi then began. It all started on a train to Auschwitz. I was on that train with my mother. I was 5 years old and the Nazis had taken us from the Jewish ghetto in my hometown of Mako on transport whose destination was that notorious extermination camp Auschwitz. But for the grace of God we were re-routed. We suspected that slavery and death awaited us there but we were not sure, just terrified.

At the time all I knew was a visceral fear of the future. During our journey I heard the train change lines and then we were taken to a former Austrian barracks, which was turned into a prison camp. We were kept there for a year until Soviet troops arrived at the gates of our camp and liberated us.

Years later I discovered that we had been held in limbo because the Hungarian underground was negotiating with Nazi Eichmann, hoping to gain our lives in exchange for war materials. I read the book about it many years later and it is still worth the read: Desperate Mission by Joel Brand.

I had been raised in an Orthodox Jewish family of Chassidim, a community who was part of the founding group of what later became the anti-Zionist Neturei Karta. But after the war in Hungary, after our return to my hometown and with the founding of the State of Israel in 1948, at the age of 10, I was old enough to think for myself and recognize that a state that protects Jews from murderous enemies is a good thing. I did not need a Ph.D. in philosophy to figure that one out.

After World War II, many relatives and neighbours had gone to Israel, actually the Palestine Mandate, some as legal refugees that the British allowed in and some as illegals such as those described in the book and film Exodus by Leon Uris.

At the age of 10 I was being sent to afternoon classes at a Jewish school and I presented an aerogram from Israel in a play organized to celebrate the Declaration of Israels Independence. Then I announced that the aerogram was living proof of a Jewish state, as a state is allowed to create its own postal systemor something like that. From that day on I was a lover of the State of Israel, and when I was old enough to understand what it meant, I declared myself and still remain a committed Zionist.

My family applied to come to Canada as the communists in Hungary were on the horizon, and here I became a full adult, first living in Vienna for four years, then Montreal, and coming to Toronto and spending a good number of years living in Venezuela with my first husband.

We came back here. I went into real estate, raised my son and daughter, worked on various Holocaust and Holocaust education projects. Married to my second husband, the artist Ernest Raab, I was the catalyst in building the Yad Vashem Memorial erected in the Earl Bales Park, and later the monument to my role model Raoul Wallenberg.

In Canada I supported Israel in any way I could. Then 12 years ago something changed. I met Salomon Benzimra.

Before I describe Benzimra, what he did, and why its important, let me quote what Israeli Knesset member Naftali Bennett thought about him and wrote about their meeting days before his death:

I had the honor of meeting Mr. Benzimra in Jerusalem, only a few days before his sudden passing. His dedication to Israel and the Jewish People were remarkable. This book uses facts to debunk myths, showing how the State [of] Israel, the Jewish nation-state, is an integral part of international law.

Benzimras book is called The Jewish Peoples Rights to the Land of Israel. Benzimra had explained to me a few years ago what he first shared with Goldi. The argument goes like this, and Im paraphrasing him here.

Most Israelis are not lawyers, and those Israelis who are lawyers dont for the most part necessarily study international law. And so many Israelis feel that after the Holocaust, the British betrayal of the terms of the Mandate for Palestine, and their political and military support of the Arab League in its genocidal war against what was to become the State of Israel in 1948, gave the Jewish people in the land the moral right to fight a war of independence, more truthfully a war of survival, which they miraculously won.

Since then, Israel has done everything possible to join the family of nations, expanding its legitimacy by signing on to as many international treaties as it can, without jeopardizing its own security or national independence.

The frustrating part is that most Israelis dont know that the foundation and legal legitimacy for the State of Israel didnt begin with their defensive war of 1948, nor did it begin when the League of Nations (which later became the U.N., inheriting all its legal precedents) adopted the Mandate for Palestine in 1922, which was a blueprint for a modern Jewish state.

Israel, that is to say, the sovereign state of the Jewish people in Palestine, was given its legal charter according to international law thats still valid today at the San Remo Conference.

People on the far left and Israels enemies believe that by endlessly repeating the big lie that Israel has no legal right to exist and, that the State of Israel is a violation of international law, dont realize that those same legal precedents and treaties that they themselves endorse in their false attack on the Jewish state created and still support the State of Israel. This didnt begin in 1948, but in 1920 at San Remo.

According to the Jewish Virtual Library, the San Remo Conference,

attended by Great Britain, France, Italy and Japanwith the United States as a neutral observer, was held in San Remo, Italy, in April 1920. The conference was a continuation of a previous meetings between these Allied powers that had been held in London in February 1920, where it was decided, among other things, to put Palestine under British Mandatory rule. At San Remo, the Allies confirmed the pledge contained in the Balfour Declaration concerning the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine.

These deliberations became part and parcel of the legal baggage of the League of Nations. And so, when independent Arab states such as Iraq and Egypt joined the League of Nations before World War II, they were actually legally bound to recognize the Jewish peoples sovereign right to the land of Israel. They didnt, and by declaring war on the Jewish state in 1948, they actually violated their own legal obligations to Jewish sovereignty as members of the League of Nations and later the U.N.

Benzimra had that Cartesian exactness of someone trained in the French intellectual tradition. He used it to pursue his educational goalto write a clear, short, and simple book that explained to anyone interested the history of Israels legal rights to the land of Israel. His book is well worth the read and, its short.

With Goldi he established Canadians for Israels Legal Rights (CILR), a Canada-based educational non-profit organization to explain these rights to the Jewish people and to the wider public, including Israelis. Simply put, Salomon explained to me that the Israel war of independence was legal according to international law as the precedent for sovereignty began in 1920, not with the fact of Israeli independence in 1948. For the last more than 100 years, Israel, the sovereign nation of the Jewish people in the land of Israel (remember that charter document, the Bible?), has existed legally, by right, not by might.

Israels legal rights were not a big topic in Jewish, pro-Israeli, or conservative circles 12 years ago, but through the efforts of Goldi, Benzimra, and their supporters at the CILR, the arguments explained in Benzimras book are now gaining ground.

Goldi, Benzimra, and their supporters have lobbied the Israeli government to create a national holiday, San Remo Day (Yom San Remo in Hebrew).

Because of this, a proposal for a bill has been introduced and read in the Knesset by MK Uzi Dayan. Here are some of the suggestions that he made (translated from Hebrew):

The Knesset will declare the 7th of Iyar every year to be a national holiday marking the San Remo Conference, where the Allied Powers of World War I charged England to implement the Balfour Declaration and reconstitute a national homeland of the Jewish People in the Land of Israel  The day will be marked in state institutions, in schools and in the Israel Defense Forces. The day will be commemorated in government meetings, at the Presidents House, by the Israel Defense Forces, where the Chief of Staff will publish special remarks. The commemoration day will be marked in schools, by youth movements, and in youth organizations 

Goldi then told me: I am not saying that I or Salomon are the single cause behind bringing awareness to the public about Israels legal rights. However, the plea to the government to declare San Remo a national holiday is CILRs initiative. We hope that with Uzi Dayans powerful contribution, of creating the bill, and bringing it into the Knesset, this will contribute to the environment where such a suggestion will now be taken seriously by the Israeli government.

As is well known, too many millennials in our colleges and universities are brainwashed by critical race theory that today even Jewish students do not know the legal arguments for Israels existence and many believe the big lie, that Israel is occupying someone elses land.

On the contrary, Israelis are not occupiers, but owners of the land. Sadly, millennials do not know this as they have become ahistorical. This is well documented, and we can thank the teachers in our schools and universities and our national media for this. Our job now is to teach our children and grandchildren history and legal history. This cannot be done in schools or universities alone.

I was still puzzled. So why create a new Jewish holiday, San Remo Day?

Goldi explained: You know how the Jewish people get things done. If San Remo Day becomes a national holiday then schools will have to honour it by giving students and kids education and projects to do. Then Jewish parents all over the world will discover what Salomon explained in his book. We have translated his work into Hebrew, which has been distributed and taught to thousands of students at the top Israeli universities by our partners in Israel and shared with many Israeli schools, and public libraries.

Then Jewish and hopefully even secular schools in the diaspora will have to study it, too. The understandingin an ideal worldof the legal justification of the State of Israel can then become part of the wider historical, civil, and political discussion. It is that simple!

But why a holiday? I persisted.

Goldi said: Jews teach their children history through holidays. We teach about freedom from slavery and independence in ancient Israel at Passover and resilience and religion at Chanukah and so on and so forth. When Jews find an excuse to eat and celebrate a holiday they explain it to their children and it becomes a positive and valued part of family tradition. So, it is time to establish Yom San Remo.

The rest is commentary as the Rabbis said, and one can read that commentary in Salomons short and concise book. The good thing is that Yom San Remo will rarely if ever overlap with Passover.

I had arrived a skeptic but left a believer. I look forward to celebrating Yom San Remo and explaining Israels legal rights to Jews in Israel and to people around the world, and of course to my children and grandchildren.

The problem, now, is to decide what to eat.

Geoffrey Clarfield is an anthropologist-at-large who has spent 20 years travelling, living, and working in East Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
FROM brothers to cousins and couples to father-daughter dynamics, it seems coffee in Cork is becoming a family affair and with the fine weather getting finer, The Echo checked in with some of the people behind Cork's coffee stroll culture, providing caffeine kicks and sweet treats.

Owned by husband and wife, Alan and Michelle Cashman, Cortado was originally a catering company for the business world, providing coffee and treats to office staff in Dublin and in Cork, specifically Navigation Square on the quays.

While Michelle looks after the behind-the-scenes work, the finances and HR, Alan is the face of the business, greeting customers early in the morning and late in the evening with a cheery smile.

Alan Cashman at Cortado coffee dock at Lee rowing club on The Marina

I opened in Dublin in 2016 and then in Navigation Square in 2019. Unfortunately, due to Covid, these offices closed in March, 2020.

Alan said their business model had been speciality coffee in offices, but then offices closed.

We sell Columbia coffee  roasted in Dublin.

We were coming from the corporate side of coffee but we decided to follow the people and set up down the Marina. We bought a second trailer and left the other one in Navigation Square.

They originally thought interest would be from members of the rowing clubs and then the Marina was pedestrianised in June, 2020.

We have had huge community support from the start, we are very lucky, Alan said, I think Covid has changed peoples perception of the work-life balance. Its part of the routine now to take time for yourself. Get some headspace, look after your wellbeing. People see the value of getting out and about.

Cortado has three Cork suppliers that provide sweet treats for hungry walkers and runners.

Monday to Saturday we have Cameron Bakery goods and on Sundays Roots Kitchen provide the treats.

Alan said he and Michelle met in Granada, Spain in 2013 and the plan was always to open a coffee place together.

Alan said he and Michelle met in Granada, Spain in 2013 and the plan was always to open a coffee place together.

The Marina base is doing well, with everyone out and about, catching up in the fresh air and Alan said he has inadvertently become a part of the local community.

The relationship between the barista and the customer is special. You become part of peoples lives. You get told bits and bobs. Weve all sorts telling us all sorts.

Alan said there would be pregnant women visiting for a coffee and next thing you know they have a pram with them.

You hear things, there are a lot of tragedies in the community. I wasnt expecting this element of the job, but Im embracing it, I was surprised by it.

Alan said his family received Christmas cards and presents from customers, something he described as bananas.

Cortado at the Marina kept my family going, put bread on the table, and its seen as a valuable asset to the community. Alan said the business has a no-contact approach at the moment due to Covid, and they add the milk and sugar for people.

It is not always appreciated, you might have a closet sugar addict who takes eight sugars in his tea and doesnt want anyone to know. But we are doing our best to look after everyones welfare. We are very conscious of it.

We cant wait for the day when people can add their own milk and sugar.

Coratado on the Marina is open 8am to 6pm, seven days a week.
British politicians have accused Jacinda Ardern of 'sucking up to China' and turning her back on the Five Eyes alliance.

Conservative MP Bob Seely made the comment about the New Zealand Prime Minister while addressing British parliament.

The Parliament had been debating about passing a motion to officially declare that Uighurs and several ethnic minorities are suffering 'crimes against humanity and genocide'.

More than three million Uighurs have been detained in internment camps in Xinjiang, in north-west China, where, reports claim, they have been subjected to torture, sexual abuse and systemic sterilisation.

British politicians have accused Jacinda Ardern of 'sucking up to China' and turning her back on the Five Eyes alliance

Mr Steely used his time in parliament to turn his attention to New Zealand after the country previously announced it did not want to be associated with some of the negative comments that came from the alliance about China

The United States has declared it genocide, while England became the latest nation to join ranks after unanimously passing its motion in parliament.

The two countries are part of the Five Eyes alliance - a secret intelligence group that also includes Australia, New Zealand and Canada as its partners.

On Monday, New Zealand announced it did not want to be associated with some of the negative comments that came from the alliance about China.

'It's not necessary all the time on every issue, to invoke Five Eyes as your first port of call in terms of creating a coalition of support around particular issues in the human rights space,' Ms Ardern said.

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta added the country would not allow the intelligence alliance to dictate its dealings with its largest trade partners.

The comments were endorsed by China and viewed as an attempt by New Zealand to distance itself from the intelligence alliance.

Mr Steely said it was 'an appallingly, appallingly short-sighted thing to be doing' and that Ms Ardern had dragged her country into 'one hell of an ethical mess'.

He said Ms Ardern is 'a prime minister who virtue signals whilst crudely sucking up to China whilst backing out of the Five Eyes agreement'.

Australia was also praised for not backing down from China as the country continues to be squeezed by heavy trade tariffs.

China imposed tariffs on exports like barley, wheat and wine on the country after prime minister Scott Morrison called for an inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 a year ago.

Mr Steely said it was important that England stood by its ally.

'The Australians are calling out China and they're doing it at trade risk  we need to make sure that they do not pay an ethical price.'
Chinese companies in Egypt donate food boxes to poor people during Ramadan

Xinhua) 11:00, April 25, 2021

An Egyptian receives a box of food donated by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Egypt during a charitable event in Cairo, Egypt, on April 24, 2021. In the backyard of an Egyptian charity in Cairo, dozens of low-income Egyptians received boxes of food donated by some Chinese companies operating in Egypt on Saturday. (Photo by Mohamed Asad/Xinhua)

CAIRO, April 24 (Xinhua) -- In the backyard of an Egyptian charity in Cairo, dozens of low-income Egyptians were seated patiently, waiting for their turns to get boxes of food donated by some Chinese companies operating in Egypt.

The companies are members of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, which donated this year over half a million Egyptian pounds (about 32,000 U.S. dollars) to the Egyptian Society for Integrated Development (ES4ID), a foundation in charge of preparing the food boxes and other charitable activities.

Each beneficiary received a heavy box containing bags of rice, pasta, sugar, legumes, canned tomato sauce, cooking oil, and others.

Karima Kilany, a 36-year-old divorced woman, told Xinhua that the ES4ID and its donors have been enabling her to lead a more decent life despite her impoverishment, "they really care about us and make us in need of nothing."

"We thank China for everything, because all people who have received food boxes really need them," Samir Abdel-Aziz, an aged beneficiary, said after receiving his boxes of food.

"The member companies of this chamber are very pleased to take part in this kind of activities to show our firm commitment to the community here in Egypt, particularly in this holy month of the year," said Bian Shiyuan, head of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.

Bian, also chief representative of the China Development Bank office in Cairo, noted that it is the seventh year in a row for the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to cooperate in donations with the ES4ID.

For her part, Hana Ismail, chairperson of the ES4ID, said each beneficiary has also gained a box of surgical face masks as an additional gift.

Ismail said the ES4ID used to cooperate with Chinese investors in holding a charity banquet for 15 days during Ramadan over the past few years. However, the charitable activity has been suspended for the second year as a precautionary measure against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have agreed with Chinese investors to prepare 1,350 food boxes this year, each 40 kg, but we received more contributions from them so we have prepared over 1,550 boxes so far and it might exceed 2,000 boxes this year," said the charity chief.

Ismail said that over the past seven years, the ES4ID in cooperation with Chinese partners distributed about 11,000 food boxes to some 40,000 beneficiaries, not only in Cairo but also in other provinces including Giza, Beni Suef and Aswan.

Among the donors is China Harbor Engineering Company, Egypt (CHEC Egypt). "We treat Egyptians as our friends. We believe that Egypt will have a bright future and we would like to boost our future cooperation with Egypt," said general manager of CHEC Egypt, Dong Xiaowei.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
Over the weekend, some new details dripped out concerning one of the more prominent attractions coming to the big Essex Crossing project. The 1.9 million square foot mixed use development near the Williamsburg Bridge is scheduled to break ground next spring.

At its gala Saturday night, Andy Warhol Museum Director Eric Shiner told guests that the Pittsburgh-based museum was moving forward with plans for a 10,000 square foot annex as part of Essex Crossing. While the museum was included in the grand plan for the former urban renewal site announced last September, Andy Warhol execs have been largely silent about their potential involvement.

But in the past week Shiner told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the partnership has been formed and were moving forward with our plans to open the branch in New York, while adding, theres still much work to be done to finalize the project and plans and designs.

More from te Post-Gazette story:

Having a New York presence is like having a chance to exhibit more of the collection to a wider, more international audience and to encourage more people to come to Pittsburgh to see everything we have as well, Mr. Shiner said. New York is the amuse bouche and Pittsburgh is the main course.  Mr. Shiner said negotiations for this project began in 2012. David M. Hillenbrand, the president and CEO of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, approved the initiative, as did Joel Wachs, president of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Delancey Street Associates (the Essex Crossing developers) will pay for the cost of building the museum branch, which has a target opening date of 2017. For the first five years of the museums existence, the developers will pay for any operating deficits.

The museum will be located on site #1 of the Seward Park development area, bordered by Ludlow, Broome and Essex streets. The developers are expected to unveil their final renderings in September (the drawing you see above was simply a mock-up prepared for their successful bid). The Warhol Museum is celebrating its 20th year in existence. The Pittsburgh location is about 88,000 square feet.
A nursing home staff receives COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital in Daegu, April 19. Yonhap



By Yi Whan-woo



The slow pace of COVID-19 vaccinations here is raising concern that it will stymie the country's much-anticipated economic recovery. This is highly likely to come in line with a rebound in global trade and consumption based on mass vaccination rollouts around the world.



Economic experts are warning that if Korea fails to achieve herd immunity by November as planned, Asia's fourth-largest economy may decouple from the worldwide recovery and could  in the worst case scenario  suffer another contraction this year. The Bank of Korea, the IMF and OECD all expect Korea to grow in the mid-3 percent range in 2021.





A total of 2.26 million people, or 4.3 percent of the country's population, have been vaccinated as of April 24, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

The current vaccination pace lags far behind the government's proposed timetable of inoculating 3 million people by the end of April, 12 million by June and 70 percent of the population by November, which is what is needed for Korea to reach herd immunity by that month, setting the stage for a return to normalcy.



The low inoculation rate is partly attributed to the government's delayed plan in securing vaccines  noticeably 40 million doses from Moderna  as well as safety concerns over the AstraZeneca vaccines already procured, injections of which have been temporarily suspended.



Under these circumstances, Korea is in the bottom group of the OECD in terms of vaccinations. It is ranked 35th out of the 37 members, with Japan and New Zealand in the same group.



The Bank of Korea projected the country's GDP growth to be in the mid 3-percent range, but cited the continued protracted spread of the coronavirus as a major risk to the path to economic recovery.



The IMF, which revised Korea's economic outlook from 3.1 percent to 3.6 percent, voiced a similar view, saying, "Renewed surges in infections and slower vaccinations  either domestically or abroad  are the principal downside risks to the economy."




(Natural News) A police officer in Australia was rushed to the hospital due to blood clots several days after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

The 40-year-old officers from the state of Queensland had been previously tasked with patrolling the states quarantine hotels, according to local media outlet Nine News. He had received the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine on Sunday, April 18. (Related: Australian doctor shocked by adverse effects of Pfizer coronavirus vaccines second jab.)

On Wednesday, he was rushed to a hospital in the state capital of Brisbane after developing blood clots. As of press time, Nine News reported that the officer has since been discharged and has returned to active duty.

Officials refuse to acknowledge possibility of link between Pfizer vaccine and blood clots

Queensland Health, the main health department of the state, is investigating the incident along with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the countrys highest drug regulator.

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles denied the connection between the blood clots and the Pfizer vaccine, saying it was too early to know if there is any link.

What people should be very confident in though, is that our medical authorities are determined to investigate any such incident and provide that information and data, nationally and indeed internationally, said Miles on Wednesday. It will be thoroughly investigated. Our TGA is one of the strictest in the world.

The health department avoided answering questions about the incident. In a statement it released on Wednesday, it deflected all concerns regarding the police officers situation.

Queensland Health is aware of media reports that a 40-year-old had presented to a hospital following the coronavirus vaccine, read the departments statement. The patient presented to a private hospital, is not currently admitted and any queries should be directed to the Federal Government.

In Queensland, all adverse events in relation to the COVID-19 vaccines are reported to the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the statement continued. The TGA will then undertake an assessment and determine whether there is any clinical link to the vaccination.

Australian government restricts Pfizer coronavirus vaccine to people under 50

The incident with the police officer came just before the federal government of Australia announced that it was limiting the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to Australians under the age of 50.

Department of Health Secretary Brendan Murphy said during a press conference that the Pfizer vaccine will be restricted to people under 50, despite earlier advice from health experts that it be merely classified as recommended for that age group.

People will always have a choice and more Pfizer [vaccines] will be available later in the year, said Murphy. At this stage, we will not be making Pfizer available to those 50 and over. For Australians over 50, the government has recommended the coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca.

The risk-benefit for over 50 is vastly in favor of being vaccinated [with AstraZeneca], claimed Murphy. This is despite the fact that at least one Australian has already died from blood clots likely linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The change in Australias coronavirus vaccination rules may have been prompted by the high levels of vaccine hesitancy among certain groups. Many under 50 who qualify for the coronavirus vaccine, especially healthcare workers, have opted to refuse because they were supposed to get the AstraZeneca vaccine. Many are worried about the blood clots this vaccine causes.

We hope that Australians heed the call to come out and get vaccinated, said Murphy.

If the case of the Queensland police officer is confirmed, it will be the first official Pfizer case in the country to be connected to severe blood clots. Before this case, at least three Australians have been diagnosed with blood clots that were linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Furthermore, over a dozen individuals have reported experiencing allergic reactions to the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, but none of these people developed blood clots.

Learn more about the many, many people around the world who have fallen ill  or worse, have died  after receiving the coronavirus vaccines by reading the latest articles at Vaccines.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

9News.com.au 1

9News.com.au 2

TheGuardian.com
Israeli fashion designer Alber Elbaz, best known for being at the helm of Lanvin from 2001 to 2015, has died at the age of 59, luxury conglomerate Richemont said.

It has been claimed he died from complications from COVID-19.

Soon after celebrity tributes come in via social media. Kim Kardashian, Sarah Jessica Parker and Katie Holmes all shared tributes to the fashion icon.

Star fans: Israeli fashion designer Alber Elbaz, best known for being at the helm of Lanvin from 2001 to 2015, has died at the age of 59, luxury conglomerate Richemont said. Kim Kardashian was one of the first to share a tribute

A friend: Kim shared several photos with the fashion dynamo. 'Sweet @alberelbaz8 When I heard the news of his passing today my heart broke,' said the estranged wife of Kanye West

Kim shared several photos with the fashion dynamo.

'Sweet @alberelbaz8 When I heard the news of his passing today my heart broke,' said the estranged wife of Kanye West.

'My first time to Paris I was surprised with a lunch with Alber and I almost fainted when I walked in. He was the most warm and welcoming.'

She then remarked on their history together.

His work: 'Alber dressed me for my first Vogue cover and gifted me with the cover dress to hold onto that memory forever,' she said of her cover with Kanye in April 2014 which cemented her as a high end fashion queen

Met time: 'Alber and Lanvin dressed me to the first Met Ball I was invited to on my own,' she said on social media

Fab gown: She added, 'Our fittings were filled with laughs and hugs! What a sweet soul. I will cherish all of our memories forever'

'Alber dressed me for my first Vogue cover and gifted me with the cover dress to hold onto that memory forever,' she said of her cover with Kanye in April 2014.

Kim noted: 'I will cherish all of our memories'

The cover, which saw her in a strapless satin gown, cemented her as a high end fashion queen.

But also drew criticism for featuring a reality TV star, and not an actress or musician, on the cover, even though she was with her rapper husband.

'Then Alber and Lanvin dressed me to the first Met Ball I was invited to on my own.

'Our fittings were filled with laughs and hugs! What a sweet soul.

'I will cherish all of our memories forever.'

Parker shared a photo of bows and pearls from the artist.

'A tiny portion of keepsakes I have kept from @alberelbaz8. He always left little notes inside parcels,' said the Sex And The City star.

They had a special bond over fashion: The TV star, who has four kids, added he was a 'sweet soul'

'I have saved these and every box, container and pin he ever sent my way. And more importantly, innumerable memories. Treasures ever more so dear. @alberelbaz8 inspired, loved and brought joy to every occasion. Godspeed and RIP. X,SJ.'

Next it was Holmes who added her thoughts.

'He was so very kind to my daughter and me,' said Katie who has mini-me Suri Cruise with her ex-husband Tom Cruise. Suri recently turned 15-years-old.

Loving tribute: Parker shared a photo of bows and pearls from the artist. 'A tiny portion of keepsakes I have kept from @alberelbaz8. He always left little notes inside parcels,' sid the Sex And The City star

Another beauty made comments: Next it was Katie Holmes who added her thoughts. 'He was so very kind to my daughter and me,' said Katie who has mini-me Suri Cruise with her ex-husband Tom Cruise. Suri recently turned 15-years-old

'And full of joy. He made people feel so special. I am so grateful to have had the experiences I did have with him. May he Rest In Peace.  alber elbaz.'

Wintour, the global chief content officer for Conde Nast and editor of Vogue, paid tribute to Elbaz on Sunday, telling the New York Times: 'Alber always thought of fashion as an embrace of life at its best.

'When we wore his clothes, or were in his wonderful, joyful presence, we felt that too.'

She said he was kind: Julianne Moore shared a photo with the designer as she said, 'So shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Alber Elbaz, a man whos immense talent was only surpassed by his exceptional kindness'

Julianne Moore shared a photo with the designer as she said, 'So shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Alber Elbaz, a man whos immense talent was only surpassed by his exceptional kindness.

'Here we are at one of his shows in Paris - not pictured is my sister Valerie who Alber dressed as well and who he called a bombshell and said that is how my dress should be worn.

'I am only one of the thousands who will miss him and were so profoundly touched by his work but more importantly his very being.'

Big heart: And Lily Collins of Emily In Paris added: 'From that very first night we met to the last time we spoke just weeks ago, you were the brightest light and biggest heart'

And Lily Collins of Emily In Paris added: 'From that very first night we met to the last time we spoke just weeks ago, you were the brightest light and biggest heart.

'Thank you for bringing such magic into my life and such art into the world. Your positive energy was nothing short of inspirational and I feel incredibly grateful to have witnessed your genius.

'Im forever honored to call you a friend and you will always hold a special place in my heart. I miss you already and shall continue to celebrate your generous spirit beside all who love, respect, and admire you...'

In a statement, Richemont's chairman Johann Rupert said 'it was with shock and enormous sadness that I heard of Alber's sudden passing' adding Alber had a richly deserved reputation as one of the industry's brightest and most beloved figures.'

Mr Rupert added: 'I was always taken by his intelligence, sensitivity, generosity and unbridled creativity.

'He was a man of exceptional warmth and talent, and his singular vision, sense of beauty and empathy leave an indelible impression.'

The Richemont group paid tribute to Elbaz's 'inclusive vision of fashion' that 'made women feel beautiful and comfortable by blending traditional craftsmanship with technology'.

On stage: Born in Morocco in 1961, Elbaz grew up in Israel before moving to New York in the 1980s. He first became known to the public when he was named at the helm of French house Guy Laroche in Paris in 1996

Elbaz started to work in collaboration with Richemont in 2019 with the aim of launching his own label, AZfashion.

Born in Morocco in 1961, Elbaz grew up in Israel before moving to New York in the 1980s.

He first became known to the public when he was named at the helm of French house Guy Laroche in Paris in 1996.

In 1998, he became creative director at Yves Saint Laurent. He was credited with reviving French house Lanvin during his long stint there from 2001 to 2015.

Fashion publication Women's Wear Daily said Elbaz died on Saturday at a hospital in Paris.
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PROMOTIONS

Shani Harvie has been named into the newly created position of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion coordinator (JEDI Coordinator) for the New Mexico Economic Development Department. Harvie will be responsible for connecting minority-owned businesses and community organizations in underserved communities with economic development programs, resources, and opportunities. Harvie, a graduate from UNM Anderson School of Management, has served as Secretary Alicia J. Keyes executive assistant since 2019 and most recently created and delivered a two-part online workshop, Miniseries for Business Owners of Color, with a focus on financing opportunities through small-scale alternative financial institutions and other business resources. Harvie also staffed the Governors Council for Racial Justice.

David Long has been promoted by Zia Trust, Inc., to chief executive officer. Long previously was the vice president and senior trust officer at the company. He has extensive experience in trust administration and estate settlement.

WELCOME

Isaac Leon has joined Sutin, Thayer & Browne as an associate attorney practicing primarily in the areas of taxation and general business. Prior to joining Sutin, Leon worked for an Albuquerque law firm where he drafted, negotiated and finalized stock and asset purchase agreements with ancillary documents on both the buyer and seller sides. He reviewed and revised construction contracts, drafted various corporate documents including operating agreements with comprehensive buy-sell provisions, redemption agreements, loan and security agreements and self-directed IRA LLC operating agreements, along with researching corresponding tax issues. He has a bachelors degree in accounting from New Mexico State University; a masters degree in business administration and a law degree, both from the University of New Mexico; and is presently working on his Tax LL.M. with the University of Denver Sturm College of Law Graduate Tax Program.

Robert James Donachie Jr., M.D., has joined the Lovelace Medical Group as a board-certified gastroenterologist and internal medicine physician. Donachie opened his private gastroenterology practice in 1987. He then founded and was acting president at Texas Endoscopy, LLC., a surgery center development and operations company. He has a bachelors degree, with honors, in biology from Tulane University; a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston; completed an internal medicine residency and completed a gastgroenterology fellowship, both at the University of Texas Houston Affiliated Hospitals. Donachie has also been a board member serving on multiple committees including Dallas County Medical Society, Legacy Healthcare Group, Genesis Physicians Group and Presbyterian Hospital of Plano. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physician Executives and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Anne Mallory has joined The Hartman + Majewski Design Group as a project coordinator. Mallory has 25 years of experience supporting architectural project teams. She is currently collaborating on several major housing, government and health care projects.

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New Mexico State University Chancellor Dan Arvizu has been named to Board of Directors of the Border Industrial Association. The move will allow both the BIA and the NMSU system to better leverage their respective economic development operations in support of the regional economy. Headquartered in Santa Teresa, the Border Industrial Association is an industrial advocacy organization that focuses on improving the business environment for its members and the region. Arvizu has served as the NMSU chancellor since 2018. He previously served for more than a decade as the eighth director of the U.S. Department of Energys National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., and is currently director emeritus. Arvizu, a native of Alamogordo, was appointed in 2004 by President George W. Bush to serve on the National Science Board, the governing body of the National Science Foundation, for a six-year term. He was subsequently reappointed by President Barack Obama in 2010. He was twice elected NSB chair by his peers, testifying annually on the National Science Foundations budget before Congress.

Items for consideration for Briefcase should be e-mailed to gporter@abqjournal.com.
Many people would say they have a special bond with their sister. But few people are as close to their sibling as the stars of TLCs newest show, Extreme Sisters. The series  which premieres April 25  focuses on five pairs of sisters with unusually  and some would say uncomfortably  close relationships. That includes Anna and Lucy, a pair of twins who may look familiar to avid fans of reality TV.

These Extreme Sisters stars share everything  even a boyfriend

Anna and Lucy from Extreme Sisters | TLC

Anna and Lucy DeCinque are sisters from Perth, Australia, who claim to be the worlds most identical twins. The two are so close, they do everything together. They even share the same boyfriend, a man named Ben. Now, theyre hoping to achieve their dream of both being pregnant at the same time with Bens baby.

We think of each other as one person, they explained in a teaser for the show.

Anna and Lucy were also on Botched

RELATED: Botched: Dr. Terry Dubrow Shares the Real Reason for Plastic Surgery Mishaps

The twins are sharing their story with the world on Extreme Sisters, but this isnt the first time theyve been on reality TV. The pair was featured in a 2016 episode of the E! series Botched.

In the episode, Anna and Lucy turned to Dr. Paul Nassif and Dr. Terry Dubrow for help fixing their non-identical breasts.

Growing up we were flat chested, A, completely nothing, the twins shared in a preview for the episode. So we found our plastic surgeon through the yellow pages, we didnt really research, which we shouldve. We just wanted breasts. Waking up from surgery we looked at our breasts and were like, I just dont think theyre identical.'

These twin sisters were on another TLC special

RELATED: RHOP: Ashley Darby Appeared On Another Reality Show Before Potomac

Anna and Lucy arent the only Extreme Sisters cast members with some experience in reality TV. Brittany and Briana Salyers (nee Deane) were featured on the 2019 TLC special Our Twinsane Wedding. It chronicled their wedding to another set of identical twins, Josh and Jeremy Salyers. They four met at a festival for twins in Twinsburg, Ohio. Briana immediately fell for Jeremy, while Brittany was drawn to Josh. Both Brittany and Briana and Jeremy and Josh had dreamed of marrying twins, so it seemed like fate.

In Extreme Sisters, Brittany and Briana  who share a home with their husbands and are so similar they had the same SAT scores  are both pregnant. (Brittany welcomed her baby in early 2021.)

In a 2018 interview with People, Brittany explained that while her and her sisters children will be cousins, genetically, theyll be more like siblings.

When we have children, my and Joshs children will be genetic siblings to Briana and Jeremys children, Brittany says. Even though theyre cousins, theyre technically genetic siblings. We imagine it will be like two moms and two dads all raising our families together.

Extreme Sisters premieres Sunday, April 25 at 10 p.m. ET on TLC.

Check out Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Facebook!
Hyderabad, April 25 : Telangana has shown the way to the country by using war planes to airlift oxygen tankers, the state government said on Sunday.

It claims to be working to the maximum of public welfare and in many cases embarked on innovative ideas to get the work done. At a time when the corona is booming, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has once again launched an ideal innovative initiative for the country with the aim of saving the people in times of need in the face of increased demand for oxygen to corona patients, said the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

Realizing that a lot of time would be wasted moving oxygen from distant places through tankers, the chief minister decided to move oxygen cylinders by war planes. "Such an idea is ideal for the country, at emergency times. Thus CM KCR taught an understanding of the immediate decisions that rulers must make for the public good in difficult times, and the programs that must be implemented on a war footing," adds the CMO.

The CMO also released a video of the airlifting of oxygen tankers to Odisha. It claims that Telangana is the first state in the country to use aircrafts to transport oxygen tankers. Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar said for the first time vacant oxygen tankers were sent by aircrafts from Hyderabad or anywhere in the country to another place to save time and lives.

According to the chief secretary, Telangana was self-sufficient with 100 tonnes of oxygen but the requirement has gone up four times. "The Government of India allotted us oxygen at places which are very far off. To get additional 260 tonnes, the tankers take six days. By airlifting the tankers, we will not only be saving three days' time but we can save many lives," he said.

Nine empty oxygen tankers from Hyderabad were airlifted to Odisha on April 24 (Friday) to bring back oxygen faster to the state for supply to hospitals treating Covid patients.

Two C-17 planes of Indian Air Force (IAF) were used to airlift the tankers from Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad to liquid oxygen plants in Odisha.

Health minister Eatala Rajender and Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar supervised the airlifting operation at the airport.

The health minister said the tankers will return by road to the state by April 27.
Bengaluru, April 25 : The Karnataka government has decided to accord state honours at the last rites of Supreme Court judge Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar, who died at a private hospital in Gurugram on Saturday, as he hailed from the state, an official notification said.

"The last rites of Supreme Court judge Justice Mohan Shantanagoudar will be performed with full state honours," it said, adding that his family will inform the state government on the place and date of his last rites.

Shantanagoudar, 62, hailed from Chikkerur in the state's Haveri district.

"Shantanagoudar's last rites will be performed according to Covid-induced guidelines with minimum police force and a gun salute while maintaining social distancing," the notification said.

The apex court judge was recently admitted in the private hospital with lung infection for treatment but did not recover.

Expressing grief over Shantanagoudar's untimely death, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said the country lost a great judge.

Elevated to the Supreme Court on February 17, 2017 and due to retire on May 4, 2023, Shantanagoudar was the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court from September 2016 before his elevation. He was also a judge of Karnataka High Court from September 2004 to August 2016.

Prior to his appointment as an additional judge of Karnataka High Court in May 2003, Shantanagoudar was an advocate since 1980 and handled both criminal and civil cases.
Australian and New Zealand officials took part in a small Anzac Day memorial ceremony in Canakkale in Turkey on Sunday.

The event at the Anzac Cove memorial marked the 106th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign of World War I.

On 25 April, 1915, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and other Allied troops waded ashore on the peninsula.

Their aim was to take control of the peninsula in order to weaken the Ottoman Empire.

The landings marked the start of a fierce battle that lasted for eight months and left around 44,000 Allied troops and 86,000 Ottoman soldiers dead.

Sunday's sombre memorial was kept small due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Earlier this month, Staten Island Academy was presented with a $10,000 financial aid grant presented by Diane Senerchia, executive director at The Northfield Bank Foundation.

Senerchia visited the Todt Hill campus to meet with the Board of Trustees treasurer Frank Scarangello, who accepted the grant on behalf of Staten Island Academy. The Northfield Bank Foundation and Staten Island Academy have a long relationship of working together to benefit the needs of deserving students.

Last year, the Academy granted over $2.6 million in financial aid assistance to over 40% of its students.

The school said it remains committed to providing tuition assistance to ensure that its outstanding program is open to all qualified candidates, as well as creating a community that is as socio-economically diverse as it is ethnically, spiritually and racially diverse. Its grateful to The Northfield Bank Foundation for their generous support and dedication to serve the broader Staten Island community.

SEND US YOUR STORIES

As the school year continues amid the coronavirus pandemic, we are looking to share special editions of the In Class education column, highlighting the positive, uplifting, inspiring, and fun activities that schools, teachers, and families are participating in during in-person or remote learning.

Do you have a story idea for the In Class education column? Email education reporter Annalise Knudson at aknudson@siadvance.com.

*** CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS IN NEW YORK ***

APPLY FOR SCHOOL PRIZE

Applications are now open for the 2021 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence  which will award cash prizes totaling over $1 million to 18 of Americas best public high school skilled trades teachers and their programs.

Teachers can apply now through May 21, 2021 at hftforschoolsprize.org/.

The mission of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools is to increase understanding, support of, and investment in skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools. The Prize for Teaching Excellence is its flagship program.

This is the fifth anniversary of the prize.

The prize recognizes outstanding instruction in the skilled trades in U.S. public high schools and the valuable work of teachers who inspire students to learn a trade that prepares them for life after graduation.

Were honored to shine a spotlight on excellent skilled trades teaching and learning in Americas public high schools and bring well-deserved attention to these amazing educators, said Danny Corwin, executive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. In the five years since the prize was created, we have celebrated more than 70 prize-winning teachers from around the country and continue to collaborate with them to advance this important field of education.

Three grand prize winners will receive $100,00 each with $70,000 going to the high school skilled trades program and $30,000 going directly to the teacher.

Fifteen additional prize winners will each win $50,000, with $35,000 going to the program and $15,000 going to the teacher.

Teachers whose school, district, or state policy prohibits the receipt of the individual portion of prize earnings are eligible to apply on behalf of their schools skilled trades program, according to Harbor Freight Tools for Schools.

NEW VENTURES SPEAKS OUT ON SUICIDE PREVENTION

The New Ventures Charter School counseling team is speaking out on suicide prevention this school year. With the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) virus, there has been an emphasis on the importance of physical health  but there is also a critical need for mental health awareness.

The school  part of the Integration Charter Schools (ICS) network in Bloomfield  pointed to recent studies that show the stress of isolation and social distancing has had significant impact on the rise of loneliness, anxiety, sadness, depression, and even suicidal ideation in kids and teens.

At New Ventures, a student caught the attention of a classmate after beginning to exhibit concerning behavior on social media. Sensing something may be wrong, the bystander student didnt hesitate to reach out to the schools counseling team for assistance.

Principal Ryan Melis has been directly involved in the case since the initial call from the bystander student. He said students are supported all hours of the day with every level of staff communication on a daily basis about their academic, social, and emotional standing.

Understanding that all students learn differently and each of our Stingrays has a variety of needs beyond school, we pride ourselves knowing that we can be flexible when supporting our students goals in and beyond high school, he said.

Diane DiSalvo, director of counseling at ICS, has over 30 years of experience working with youth and families as a licensed clinical social worker.

Some signs to watch out for are expressions of wanting to harm or kill themselves either verbally or in writing, she said, in response to the incident. This might sound more passive like I wish I was dead, I dont want to be here anymore, or they may even joke about it.

Actions that may seem out of character, she added, might be another signal for help. She explained what some other warning signs may be.

You may hear that the person is suddenly preoccupied with death or dying and is exhibiting reckless behavior that may put them in physical danger, said DiSalvo. There may be feelings of hopelessness or being trapped. Often they feel like a burden, expressing how everyone would be better off without them. Sometimes there is withdrawal from friends and family or a visible change in their personality. Saying goodbye or expressing suicidal thoughts on social media is something we are seeing more often in our youth.

The social worker explained it could be difficult for those not struggling with mental health conditions to understand the events leading up to a suicide attempt. Without research, one may even attach stigmas to a person calling out for comfort. One of the key factors when dealing with someone who is suffering is empathy, DiSalvo said.

Those considering suicide often feel overwhelmed with their problems and see no other solution other than killing themselves. Its important for them to know that there are people out there who care and, with help and support, they will be able to feel better and solve their problems in another way, she said.

DiSalvo said if you know someone who is exhibiting signs of serious depression or is considering suicide, its important to let them know you are concerned about them and immediately informing a parent, teacher, school counselor, or another trusted adult.

Many people think that talking about suicide will cause suicide, when in fact, talking about it directly is what can actually save that persons life, she added.

Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you and others.

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This undated handout from the Indonesia Military released on April 21 shows the Indonesian Cakra class submarine KRI Nanggala 402 docking at the naval base in Surabaya. AFP-Yonhap



A missing Indonesian submarine has been found, broken into at least three parts, deep in the Bali Sea, army and navy officials said on Sunday, as the president sent condolences to relatives of the 53 crew.



Rescuers found new objects, including a life vest, that they believe belong to those aboard the 44-year old KRI Nanggala-402, which lost contact on Wednesday as it prepared to conduct a torpedo drill.



"Based on the evidence, it can be stated that the KRI Nanggala has sunk and all of its crew have died," military chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto told reporters.



Navy chief of staff Yudo Margono said the crew were not to blame for the accident. "The KRI Nanggala is divided into three parts, the hull of the ship, the stern of the ship, and the main parts are all separated, with the main part found cracked," he said.






By James J. Florio and Tom Wright

New York City and Northern New Jersey share many things. We breathe the same air, swim in the same waters and root for the same teams. And the futures of our two states are inextricably entwined. We both suffered horrible losses from COVID-19 and we are both looking to recover better and more equitably than before.

A key piece of the puzzle that knits our states together is our amazing transportation network. Each day, over a million trips are taken daily between the two states, making it one of the most heavily traveled state borders in the nation. So it isnt a surprise that as New York embarks on a new policy to toll every automobile entering Manhattan south of 60th Street, concerns have been raised about how this will impact New Jersey drivers and communities and whether it will be equitably and fairly implemented.

These concerns are especially acute right now. After the pandemic began, many people shifted from transit to driving their cars. A recent Regional Plan Association (RPA)/Global Strategy Group (GSG) poll found the convenience of driving as one of the main reasons people are riding transit less. If this pattern holds, our bridges, tunnels and roadways will soon be unable to handle more cars and driving will become a nightmare rather than a convenience.

The good news is that congestion pricing is an excellent policy and New Jerseyans stand to benefit from it a great deal. While New Jersey drivers have always paid tolls to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to cross the Hudson River, many drivers from Westchester, Long Island and Connecticut have avoided paying tolls by crossing at free, city-owned crossings such as the Brooklyn Bridge. This new policy will level the playing field.

And the policy itself is a sound one, simultaneously reducing congestion in the Manhattan central business district and raising much-needed funds for mass transit. New York is following in the footsteps of London, Stockholm and Singapore  all cities that have successfully implemented similar policies. London financed a generation of transit investments from their program; in Stockholm, childhood asthma hospitalizations declined by roughly 50% as a result of cleaner air. New York will fund $15 billion of capital investments in transit from congestion pricing, and we can expect traffic to decline not only inside the charging zone but across the region as drivers are no longer incentivized to drive out of their way to avoid paying tolls.

Many program details must still be worked out in the coming year, such as how much the tolls will actually be, how they will vary by time of day and who will receive credits or exemptions.

Pre-pandemic, only one in five commuters into Manhattan was a driver. The rest were riding on ferries, trains and buses. In total, thats about 250,000 auto trips daily compared to about 930,000 trips by transit, and only 20,000 drivers cross the George Washington Bridge (GWB) and conclude their trip in the congestion pricing zone.

A thorny issue is who should get credited for tolls they already pay on existing bridges and tunnels. The legislation leaves that up to the MTA to decide. While not detailed in the laws final language, the presumption has been that drivers who already pay a toll to enter the congestion zone via the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels from New Jersey, the Hugh Carey Tunnel from Brooklyn, or the Queens-Midtown tunnel would receive a credit toward the congestion zone toll for whatever they had already paid. If the congestion charge is less than or equal to the toll, they would pay no more than they do now.

It is less clear about drivers who cross the GWB from New Jersey or the Robert F Kennedy (Triborough) Bridge from Queens and continue into the congestion zone. Because the law requires the congestion charge to raise a fixed amount of revenue, every credit or toll exemption means everyone else will have to pay more. Whats more, the effects of credits on traffic will depend on how the charge is structured: whether its charged in one direction or two, how much it varies by time of day and whether its higher or lower than other tolls.

Theres a strong case to be made that anyone who pays a toll to enter Manhattan should receive a credit toward the congestion charge, no matter where they entered from. Otherwise, we would be in a situation where some drivers will pay twice as much for equivalent trips and many will travel out of their way to avoid tolls, which drives up regional emissions and traffic. RPAs research found that on the crowded Brooklyn Queens Expressway, 25% of the automobile traffic (pre-pandemic) was bypassing a tolled tunnel to travel across a free East River Bridge. The goal of this policy is to eliminate those incentives and encourage drivers to take the shortest, most direct route. Crediting these additional bridges would mean that everyone else paying the congestion charge would pay a bit more  probably less than 10%. But a slightly higher congestion charge is worth the benefits of parity and traffic reduction.

The bottom line is that congestion pricing will be a big win for the entire region, but the MTA needs to consider the impacts it will have on both sides of the Hudson River and implement it fairly and equitably. New Jersey should support the policy but make sure its drivers are given the same treatment as drivers from other parts of the region.

Tom Wright is the president and CEO of the Regional Plan Association.

James J. Florio served as the 49th governor of the State of New Jersey from 1990-1994. Hes also a founding partner of Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor.

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As I wrote elsewhere today, As a rule, people who fight public disclosure tend to have something to hide. I should add that when they conceal material even after being forced by a court order to disclose it, theres even more reason to believe that there is something they are hiding.

The July 2016 murder of DNC Staffer Seth Rich has drawn our attention for years, and been the subject of litigation and efforts to suppress inquiry. But finally, after denying it had anything on the case, the FBI has been compelled via an FOIA lawsuit to disclose its records, and did release some in a Friday document dump, after heavily redacting them. But what little did make it through, given the concealment via redaction, still raises more questions.

Seth Rich (Linkedin via the Epoch Times)

Zachary Stieber reports for the Epoch Times:

The FBI has produced 68 pages relating to a Democrat National Committee (DNC) worker who was shot dead in 2016 in Washington, including an investigative summary that appears to suggest someone could have paid for his death. Seth Rich, the worker, was shot dead in the early morning hours on July 16, 2016, near his home in the nations capital. The murder, which is unsolved to this day, fueled widespread media coverage, especially after WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange suggested that Rich was the person who provided internal DNC emails to WikiLeaks. Richs family has called the notion that Rich leaked documents to WikiLeaks a conspiracy theory.

Recall that the allegation that Russia hacked the DNC files was part of the Russiagate conspiracy theory pushed by the DNC, the Hillary campaign, and their hired minions, along with FBI rogues like Peter Strzok, Lisa Page and Andrew McCabe.

The newly released files show top Department of Justice officials met in 2018 and discussed Richs murder. They reviewed Richs financial records and did not identify any unusual deposits or withdrawals.

You can review the documents yourself here. The very first thing that struck me was:

Just a few weeks after the crime, Strzok was contacting his adulterous lover about something (what?) that he squashed.

Source

Why, that's not suspicious at all.

Then there is the matter of Richs laptop:

A person whose name was redacted took Richs personal laptop to his house, according to one of the newly released documents. The page also indicates that authorities were not aware if the person deleted or changed anything on Richs personal laptop. The FBI came into possession of Richs work laptop, the bureau previously revealed. On another page, it was said that given [redacted] it is conceivable that an individual or group would want to pay for his death.

Ty Clevenger, the attorney who forced the release of the redacted documents, is not done.

Clevenger said he found concerning how the government apparently does not know whether anything was deleted from Richs personal laptop. The documents were largely redacted but the information that did get through shows that their whole narrative is falling apart, he added. Its a step in the right direction. The attorney plans to ask U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant, an Obama nominee, to produce unredacted copies for his perusal. The judge could rule that some redactions were improper. Defendants could also face repercussions for not producing all of the documents they have concerning Rich, including fines. U.S. Attorney Andrea Parker, who is representing the FBI, told the judge in a court filing this week that the bureau can only process 500 pages per month for each Freedom of Information Act request. She asked the court to give the bureau additional time to produce all of the relevant records. Clevenger told the judge in a court filing this week that the private sector routinely processes 500 pages or more per day and that the government should be afforded no more than two weeks to produce the remaining 1,063 pages.

Richs family firmly opposes further inquiry into his death, for reasons that are not comprehensible to me. I am sorry for their loss, but the stakes in getting to the bottom of a case full of intrigue transcend the concern of his family.

I hope that Judge Mazzant acts on the planned motion and personally reviews the redactions. The FBI has lost all credibility and needs outside supervision.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
WESTMINSTER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Reven Holdings, Inc. (Reven) is a privately held clinical stage biotechnology and pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel treatment platforms for cancer, viral illnesses, including COVID-19 - and inflammatory disorders.

Reven has launched its translational oncology program as a new drug discovery and development initiative that is aimed at changing the therapeutic landscape for difficult-to-treat forms of cancer. The overarching goal of this program is to treat cancer patients more effectively by altering the immediate surroundings of their tumor tissue, also known as the tumor microenvironment (TME). That is because TME is a key contributor to disease progression and metastasis. Several cells in the TME prevent patients immune system elements from mounting a strong immune response against cancer cells. Reven Pharmaceuticals is committed to developing new strategies aimed at overcoming the immunosuppressive TME. Specifically, Reven will employ its lead compound RJX for targeting the TGF-beta signaling in cancer patients. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta can limit the T-cell infiltration to the TME and inhibits T-cells as well as NK-cells with leads to a markedly diminished anti-tumor immune response within the TME. In addition to the TGF pathway, The SYK-PI3K-AKT signaling pathway is also critical for the survival of cancer cells. Reven Pharmaceuticals will explore new generation inhibitors of this biochemical signaling pathway as a new class of anti-cancer drugs.

Another oncology platform being explored by Reven Pharmaceuticals targets the so-called Lactate Shuttle in the TME. Cancer cells specifically use lactate to mediate several environment changes that support tumor growth and stimulate more lactate production. Targeting the lactate shuttle by facilitating lactate clearance may eliminate the contribution of lactate to the immunosuppressive TME in cancer patients. It is noteworthy that ingredients of Revens anti-inflammatory, investigational drug product RJX have been shown to facilitate lactate clearance.

Dr. Fatih Uckun, the Chief Medical Officer of Reven Pharmaceuticals reviews the proof of concept and clinical impact potential of such innovative strategies aimed at the TME in cancer patients with multiple myeloma in a recent article that was published in the prestigious peer-reviewed high-impact biomedical journal Cancers. The article was published on April 22, 2021:

Uckun, F.M. Overcoming the Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment in Multiple Myeloma. Cancers 2021, 13, 2018. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/13/9/2018#cite

Scientific data from multiple studies suggest a tremendous therapeutic potential for the RJX platform and provide the foundation for our optimism regarding the commercialization potential of RJX, said Brian Denomme, Co-founder, President and Chief Operating Officer. This new article emphasizes our commitment to advancing our pipeline for cancer patients through our translational oncology program, stated Michael Volk, Chief Strategy Officer of Reven. CEO Peter Lange added: Our goal is to leverage the most recent R&D discoveries about health benefits of TME targeting strategies in our efforts aimed at building a rich product pipeline that includes rationally designed anti-cancer agents that are optimized for specific target indications.

About Rejuveinix (RJX)

RJX is an intravenous (IV) formulation of physiologically compatible compounds that is being developed for more effective treatment of patients with sepsis, including COVID-19 patients with viral sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The clinical safety and tolerability of RJX was confirmed in a recently completed double blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1 dose-escalation study in healthy volunteers (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03680105). It is currently being evaluated as a COVID-19 drug candidate in high risk COVID-19 patients (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT NCT04708340; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04708340).

About Dr. Uckun

Dr. Uckun is an elected Member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI), an honor society for physician-scientists, and an active member of several professional organizations. He received numerous awards for his work on monoclonal antibodies, recombinant cytokines and fusion proteins, radiation sensitizers, kinase inhibitors and targeted therapeutics for difficult-to-treat cancers, including the Stohlman Memorial Award of the Leukemia Society of America, the highest honor given to a Leukemia Society Scholar. He has served as a member of several editorial boards and National Institutes of Health grant review/special emphasis panels.

Dr. Uckun earned his doctoral degrees at the University of Heidelberg, Germany where he also served as an active member of the autologous bone marrow transplant and peripheral stem cell transplant clinical research teams of the Tumor Center. Dr. Uckun completed his residency training in pediatrics, clinical fellowship training in Hematology/Oncology/Blood and Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation, as well as postdoctoral research training in immunology and microbiology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Uckun has more than thirty years of professional experience in developmental therapeutics with a special emphasis on targeted therapeutics/precision medicines and biopharmaceuticals. He has published more than 500 peer-reviewed papers, authored numerous review articles and book chapters, and is an inventor on numerous patents.

For eleven years, Dr. Uckun worked as a Professor of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Pharmacology, and Pediatrics as well as Director of the Biotherapy Institute at the University of Minnesota, where he became the first recipient of the Endowed Hughes Chair in Biotherapy. At the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, he was a Professor and Head of Translational Research in Leukemia and Lymphoma of the CCBD and a Principal Investigator of the Stem Cell-Regenerative Medicine Initiative for six years. From 2012 to 2015, Dr. Uckun served as chair of the Biotargeting Working Group and a Member of the Coordination and Governance Committee of the National Cancer Institute Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer.

Dr. Uckun has held executive positions in multiple biotechnology companies and has extensive regulatory experience. Prior to joining Reven as its Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Uckun served as Vice President of Scientific Solutions at Worldwide Clinical Trials, Chief Medical Officer of Oncotelic and Mateon Therapeutics, Head of Immuno-Oncology at Ares Pharmaceuticals, and as Executive Medical Director and Strategy Lead in Global Oncology and Hematology at Syneos Health. Previously, he was Vice President of Research and Clinical Development at Nantkwest, and Chief Scientific Officer of both Jupiter Research Institute and Paradigm Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Uckun is a former Vice Chair of the New Agents Committee as well as a Member of the Leukemia Steering Committee of the Children's Cancer Study Group, an NCI-funded cooperative clinical trials consortium that coordinated pediatric and adolescent/young adult leukemia trials at 120 institutions in the U.S., Canada, Australia and Europe.

Dr. Uckun has deep knowledge and experience in the treatment of infectious diseases and their complications as well. In particular, he has extensive experience in viral, fungal, and bacterial infections of immunocompromised hosts, septic shock, ARDS, systemic capillary leak syndrome and cytokine release syndrome (CRS). He served as the Principal Investigator of a virus neutralizer project funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as part of its unconventional countermeasures program. Dr. Uckun directed several federally funded virology/innate immunity projects and published numerous peer-reviewed papers on RNA viruses and anti-viral agents.

About Reven Holdings, Inc.

Reven Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, through its Golden, Colorado based operating company Reven, LLC, is a biopharmaceutical company. Revens vision is to make a difference in the world by making its products accessible to everyone suffering the effects of vascular and metabolic related diseases. Reven is committed to being the premier, research-intensive biopharmaceutical company that advances the health and well-being of people around the world. Its primary product, Rejuveinix (RJX), targets patients suffering from COVID-19, sepsis, vascular and metabolic related diseases as well as specific patient populations suffering PAD and other cardiovascular related medical conditions.

Revens Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this communication regarding strategy, future operations, future financial position, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Words such as may, on-track, expect, anticipate hope, vision, optimism, design, exciting, promising, will, conviction, estimate, intend, believe and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about future plans, the progress, timing, clinical development, scope and success of future clinical trials, the reporting of clinical data for the companys product candidates and the potential use of the companys product candidates to treat various disease indications. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during preclinical or clinical studies, clinical trial site activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected, changes in expected or existing market competition, changes in the regulatory environment, failure of collaborators to support or advance collaborations or product candidates, and unexpected litigation or other disputes. These risks are not exhaustive; the company faces known and unknown risks, including the risk factors described in the companys periodic SEC filings. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, whether as a result of new information regarding future events, or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210423005151/en/

Michael Volk, Chief Strategy Officer

michael.volk@reven.com

Source: Reven Holdings, Inc.
One of the biggest challenges with free money is making sure you dont spend it irresponsibility. And as the Congress considers President Joe Bidens $2 trillion infrastructure plan, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster and other state officials seem determined to fail that test.

There are a lot of ways South Carolina could spend an influx of federal infrastructure funds well  replacing our most dangerous bridges, resurfacing crumbling roads, realigning dangerous intersections, investing in drainage projects and internet capacity. The list goes on.

But Myrtle Beachs Sun News reports that Mr. McMaster was on the Grand Strand Monday talking up the long-fantasized Interstate 73 as a prime contender for new federal infrastructure spending. The governor told the local chamber of commerce that the overpriced new interstate to the beach  which would destroy sensitive wetlands and run parallel to an existing freeway  is a priority for our state. He even endorsed diverting some of South Carolina's federal COVID-19 relief funds to help pay for it. If the Biden administration will sign off on that. Which it shouldnt.

Meantime, U.S. Rep. Tom Rice, who represents the Grand Strand, told the newspaper that hes working to make sure whatever package clears the Congress allows spending on new interstates, which some in the Biden administration wisely want to bar.

Its bad enough that we might squander whatever federal money comes to South Carolina from an infrastructure package, assuming one becomes law. But Mr. McMaster said our state also should kick in some of the funding for the zombie highway. The only saving grace is that the state Transportation Committee can't commit money to build new highways without legislative approval.

Its worth recalling that Mr. McMaster is largely responsible for the most recent resurrection of the plan to extend South Carolinas other zombie highway boondoggle: the long-debated extension of Interstate 526 from U.S. Highway 17 to James Island in Charleston County. So lawmakers need to resist any I-73 entreaties.

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And we need our representatives in Washington focusing on ways to make sure any new infrastructure funding goes toward higher priorities.

Horry County probably does need better evacuation routes. But just as Charleston County would better serve the public by investing in flood mitigation instead of the similarly unnecessary and expensive I-526 extension, Horry County could upgrade the S.C. 38-U.S. 501 corridor to be as useful as an interstate for $147 million to $428 million, according to 2011 projections. Even if that cost estimate has doubled in the past decade, it's still a bargain compared to the projections of $1.2 billion to as much as $4 billion for the portion of I-73 that would connect Myrtle Beach to I-95.

The other thing the proposed I-73 has in common with I-526 is unnecessary environmental degradation. Environmentalists say I-73' construction would impact 324 acres of wetlands and other protected aquatic areas, including the Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area, which includes land along the Little Pee Dee River in Marion and Horry counties. The project also would cut off an important corridor for black bears and fragment other valuable wildlife habitat.

There's a big question about whether our country needs to commit to $2 trillion in new infrastructure spending at the moment  and whether the Congress can find a responsible way to pay for it. But whatever it agrees to, South Carolina needs to make sure that we spend our share wisely. Building new interstate highways doesn't pass that test.
4 Squares Dentistry, the Leading Dental Hospital in Medavakkam in India, Offers Dental Treatments for Kids, Teens and Adults

TAMIL NADU, INDIA / ACCESSWIRE / April 25, 2021 / Dr. Aesha Imran Syeda, the founder of 4 Squares Dentistry in Medavakkam, Chennai, India, is pleased to announce that she is celebrating 10 years in business.

To learn more about the dental hospital and the services that Dr. Syeda and her team offers their patients, please visit https://4squaresdentistry.in/.

As a spokesperson for the Dental Hospital in Medavakkam noted, the office has earned a well-deserved reputation for offering top-notch dental care.

"They truly love to see their patients smile," the spokesperson noted, adding that the well-equipped dental clinic in Medavakkam offers world-class dental treatment for kids, teens and adults.

"It is the quality treatment that we provide with utmost care and hygiene that keeps our patients happy. We have dental solutions for all types of dental concerns all available inside our multi-specialty dental clinic that well integrates technology and modern dental practices."

Dr. Syeda and her team are also committed to outstanding and careful hygiene along with infection control, both of which are managed by high-grade sterilization and systemic disposal of bio-waste.

"At 4 Squares Dentistry, we not only feel that the treatments are important, but also the preventive care that can help to avoid further dental issues. This is why Dr. Syeda and her team provide both a routine examination and preventative care, and they also encourage kids to practice good oral hygiene," the spokesperson noted.

Dr. Syeda is also humbled by the patients who took the time to post positive reviews of 4 Squares Dentistry, including one who wrote "I love the calm, caring and modern atmosphere with dentists who are capable of providing a painless dental solution that is quite effective."

The Press Release is powered by Digital SEO, the Digital Marketing Company in Chennai that has also creatively designed and developed the website.

About 4 Squares Dentistry:

4 Squares Dentistry is the top dental clinic in Medavakkam, Chennai. They offer dental solutions that will care, restore and preserve each patient's natural smile. Their top-notch dental services include general dentistry, cleaning, preventive care, kids' dentistry, root canal, smile correction, full mouth rehabilitation, smile design aesthetics, dental implants, laser dentistry, oral cancer and oral surgery. They undertake everything from routine examinations to minor and complex surgeries, including restorative and corrective cosmetic dental procedures. For more information, please visit https://4squaresdentistry.in/.

4 Squares Dentistry

6/13, First Floor

Velachery Rd.

Medavakkam, Chennai

Tamil Nadu, India 600100

Contact Person: Mr. Mohammed

Phone: 044 - 48592044 and +91 -7305222044

Email: 4squaresdentistry@gmail.com

Contact:

Mr Mohammed

4squaresdentistry@gmail.com

+91 -7305222044

SOURCE: 4 Squares Dentistry

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642123/4-Squares-Dentistry-Celebrates-a-Decade-in-the-Field-of-Modern-Dentistry
Lawton, OK (73501)

Today

Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy with some showers after midnight. Low 67F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
(CNN)  The US will likely soon come up against a significant obstacle in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic  more doses of the vaccines than people who are willing to receive them, according to data that is worrying experts.

"We actually think that (vaccine) supply will outstrip demand ... in probably the middle of May," Dr. Chris Murray, chair of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, told CNN Friday.

The Kaiser Family Foundation earlier this week predicted something similar.

The foundation cited the percentage of survey respondents that said they've already received the vaccine or would get it as soon as they could  62%.

Weighing that against the daily rate of vaccinations, and the CDC's data showing more than 41% of US adults already have had at least one dose, it's possible that the vast majority of US adults who presently want a first dose will have received them by early- to mid-May(https://www.kff.org/policy-watch/supply-vs-demand-when-will-the-scales-tip-on-covid-19-vaccination-in-the-u-s/), the KFF said.

One modifying factor, the foundation said, would be how many of the people who say they'll "wait and see"  13%  decide to get a vaccine in the next few weeks.

Murray cited different data  daily Facebook surveys, watched by his institute, that he said showed a decline in percentage of adults wanting the vaccine since February: About 67%, down from around 75%.

But both Murray and KFF have said their different indicators point to a significant slowdown in new vaccinations sometime in May  and experts have said more people will need to be persuaded to get one, and more people will need to be made eligible, to be assured of herd immunity.

Health officials  including Dr. Anthony Fauci  estimate that somewhere between 70% to 85% of the country needs to be immune to the virus  either through inoculation or previous infection  to suppress its spread.

Currently, no COVID-19 vaccine is authorized in the US for people younger than 16. Vaccine makers have been studying their efficacy and safety in younger people, and Pfizer has asked the FDA to authorize its product for ages 12-15. Expanding vaccine eligibility will be key to stamping out the pandemic, Dr. Leana Wen told CNN.

"It's going to be very difficult, if not impossible, for us to reach herd immunity unless our children are also vaccinated," Wen, a CNN medical analyst and a former Baltimore health commissioner, said Saturday.

The average number of COVID-19 vaccinations administered in the US per day has been falling recently. The average was 2.86 million a day as of Friday morning, down from a record 3.38 million on April 13, according to CDC data.

Already, the military is seeing a surplus of doses and a steady decline in the rate at which they are used.

"We have heard anecdotally that younger people may feel that they're not as vulnerable to COVID and that perhaps the risk of getting vaccination is higher than getting the disease, which of course we know not to be true," Terry Adirim, acting assistant defense secretary for health affairs, told reporters this week.

Model predicts declining deaths, but vaccine hesitancy could hurt

Daily COVID-19 deaths in the US should continue to decline in the coming months, though that could change if vaccine hesitancy rises, Murray's IHME said Friday.

The country averaged 704 COVID-19 deaths a day across the last week, according to Johns Hopkins University data  down from the 3,000s in parts of January and February.

An IHME model projects that average will dip to around 425 by June 1, and 105 by August 1, the institute said Friday.

Recent vaccine expansion and mask usage have helped death rates decline even as more contagious coronavirus variants  such as B.1.1.7  have spread, the IHME said.

But in a worst-case scenario, daily deaths could stay in the 700s in May and June, and in the 600s through July, the IHME predicts. That scenario involves a fast decline in mask use and an increase in mobility, the institute said.

Vaccine hesitancy also would be troublesome, the IHME said.

"Given how central vaccination is to the US strategy to control the B.1.1.7 potential surge, the slow erosion of vaccine confidence unfolding over the last two or more months is cause for concern," the IHME said.

Lifting of J&J pause is welcome news, CDC director says

On Friday, the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration lifted their recommended pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The agencies had recommended the pause April 13 after learning of cases a rare blood clotting syndrome among women who had recently received the vaccine.

After examining data about the cases, the CDC's vaccine advisory committee voted to recommend lifting the pause, essentially deciding the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks.

But the FDA will update the vaccine's label, indicating women under the age of 50 should be aware of a risk of the rare blood clotting syndrome linked to that product. The CDC said it has collected reports of 15 such cases, all in women and 13 of them in women under 50.

At most, resuming administration of the J&J vaccine would result in a few dozen rare blood clots while saving hundreds of lives, a CDC analysis showed.

"When resuming vaccination among all persons at least 18 years, we expect 26 to 45 TTS cases depending on vaccine uptake," CDC's Dr. Sara Oliver said, referring to the rare blood clots known as thrombosis-thrombocytopenia syndrome. But 600 to 1,400 deaths from COVID-19 would be prevented, and as many as 3,500 ICU admissions would be prevented.

The CDC's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said Friday the lifted pause is "welcome news for many, as many have wanted the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to fill an important need in vaccination efforts here and around the world."

"I think we have to do extraordinary outreach to clinicians  as we have been doing this past week; we already have plans to start that on Monday to public health officials  and then we have to do extraordinary outreach to patients, to meet people where they're at, to educate them" about COVID-19 vaccines, Walensky said at a joint conference held by the CDC and the FDA.

"Overall, I actually think that this pause conveyed that we are taking every one of these needles in haystacks that we find seriously -- that we're really examining, scrutinizing the data that we're seeing."

The Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines have not been associated with blood clots, a CDC's vaccine advisory committee was told Friday.

Study shows how to reduce infections in children

While vaccines remain unavailable to children, new research suggests that testing in school and the vaccination of adults may lower infections in children.

So far, no vaccines are authorized for people younger than 16, but a study published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open on Friday showed that quickly identifying and contact tracing children to identify "silent infections" of COVID-19, where the disease is either presymptomatic or asymptomatic, combined with vaccination of 40-60% adults could significantly reduce the amount of disease.

In a different scenario, where silent infections remained undetected, researchers estimated that children would need an 81% vaccination rate, in addition to 40% of adults being vaccinated, in order to achieve a similar infection rate.

As more students return to the classroom, the study provides a road map to continuing reducing the spread of the virus even before children are eligible for the shots.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "The US may have more vaccines than people who want them by mid-May. Here's why that's a big problem."
Black-owned businesses near George Floyd Square plead for help amid rising crime, police ban

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Black-owned businesses near George Floyd Square are struggling to survive amid rising crime inside the autonomous zone that has been the scene of two fatal shootings.

Violent crime has been on the rise in Minneapolis, Minnesota, since 2020. In the area surrounding the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, near where Floyd died last May, there were 19 fatal and non-fatal shootings last year, 14 of which were from May 1Aug. 31, 2020.

Business owners in that neighborhood, who describe themselves as the 38th Street Black Business Collective, said in a lengthy post on their GoFundMe page that they feel like a sacrificial lamb because their families  black families  are losing their livelihood.

While they believe in justice for Floyd, who died in police custody on May 25 last year  for which former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter  they are dismayed by city officials who are allowing what they described as an "occupation" and its "unintended consequences."

"Following  the reduction of the Minneapolis Police Department, there has been uncontrollable crime in this city. ... Carjackings have nearly tripled  Reports of bullets whizzing through the streets, businesses, innocent unintended residence homes, into cars and walls are plentiful. There is constant gunfire day and night,  Black businesses have suffered a similar fate having windows shot out from random gunfire, cars stolen, customers not patronizing businesses due to fear of violence in the neighborhood and throughout the city," the GoFundMe page says, in part.

These once-thriving businesses located at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue have seen a loss in revenue of more than 75% with no reprieve in sight.

Many residents have described the police-restricted autonomous zone dedicated in Floyds memory as a militarized zone, much like Seattle's Capitol Hill Organized Protest occupation zone where multi people were killed and women reported being raped last summer.

In an attempt to keep their businesses going and their employees paid, the 38th Street Black Business Collective is seeking to raise $400,000. So far, they've raised nearly $12,000 toward that goal as of Saturday.

The area, according to the business group, "has always been home to some of Minnesotas most burgeoning Black businesses. This intersection has been home to a thriving Black, community and cultural corridor. However, since May 25th, its reputation has evolved and will now forever be connected to the memory of George Perry Floyd Jr. and the subsequent destruction of our city that followed. ..."

They added, In the fight for justice we must not forget the fight of economic justice of once thriving community. We business owners know that the fight for justice doesn't just include justice from the legal system we must also include justice for business impacted."

Andrea Jenkins, a city councilwoman who represents part of the neighborhood, said residents have complained to city council members about the frequency of hearing gunshots and the rise in crime.

The neighbors deserve to have a level of comfort that does not include gunshots every night, and muggings and carjackings, and all the violent crimes we have been witnessing in this community, Jenkins, told News Nation in an interview last month.

Kim Griffin, the aunt of 30-year-old Imez Wright, who was working security at the now infamous Cup Foods when he was shot dead inside George Floyd Square, told the news outlet that Minneapolis residents are afraid to enter the area.

The situation at the memorial, from what I understand, is its kind of volatile, Griffin said. People that want to go and support doesnt feel a sense of inclusion. There is more of a like militant type atmosphere over and a sense of fear.

Speaker about the circumstances surrounding the March 6 murder of her nephew, who was a youth mentor training to be a mental health practitioner before he was killed, Griffin added: Police were not allowed to get into that area; he was carried out outside of the zone of George Floyd Square. It was made clear law enforcement was not welcome to penetrate that zone, which is an atrocity because his life was taken, and I mean who knows whether or not he would have survived had things been different."

Before the fatal shooting of Wright, a man named Dameon Chambers was shot and killed at the square during a Juneteenth celebration. Emergency services arrived at the scene but were blocked from the area. A city document said that ultimately [police] had to pull Mr. Chambers to an area where the ambulance could access the area. He later died from his injuries, KIMT News reports.

Recently, activists calling themselves the Twin Cities Encampment Responders have encamped in the square, which is cordoned off by cement barricades, warning that they will stay there through August or until the end of the trial for the three other Minneapolis police officers who were at the scene when Floyd died, Fox News reported.

On Wednesday, the Twin Cities Encampment Responders tweeted, We dont need the mayors permission to make decisions about our city. 38th & Chicago will be held until our demands are met.

The Twitter thread referred to the two dozen demands of Justice Resolution 001, which includes continuing the closure of the square until after the trial.

The resolution said that the barricades can be negotiated for removal if the city meets their demands for justice.

The autonomous zone also has special instructions for white visitors posted on a sign near the entrance, which was tweeted out by Fox News correspondent Matt Finn.

Decenter yourself and come to listen, learn, mourn, and witness, the sign said in reference to white people. Remember you are here to support, not to be supported.

Seek to contribute to the energy of the space, rather than to drain it, the statement continued. Bring your own processing to other white folks so that you will not harm BIPOC.

BIPOC is an acronym for black and indigenous people of color.
It was the contents of an old gym bag he found as a teenager in the attic of his family homestead that began Lee David Hambergs journey through time with the history of Southwick. The bag contained a treasure trove of family photographs. It prompted Hamberg to sit with his mother and great-aunt back in the 1970s to learn who the people in the photos were and when the pictures had been taken.

Their history thus documented, those people in the photos became individuals for Hamberg as he went about tracing his familys roots in the small town that borders Connecticut with its famous jog across the state line.

For Hamberg, now in his 60s, that moment in time also launched what has become a devotion to helping preserve and promote the history of the town where his great-great-grandparents, Elise and Harold Hamberg, settled at the turn of the 20th century. They came from Canada to join a small community of fellow immigrants from Sweden who established a church just over the state line in Granby, Connecticut.

Those first Hambergs to call Southwick home owned a small farm on South Loomis Street and would begin a now seven-generation family history here in Western Massachusetts.

Southwick Revisited, recently released by Arcadia Publishing Co. as part of its Images of America series, is Hambergs homage to his hometown in honor of Southwicks 250th anniversary. The anniversary celebration was upended in 2020 by the global pandemic, but the coronavirus did not deter Hambergs work to document the towns rich history in words and pictures.

The book is a continuation of work hes done since he first joined the Southwick Historical Society in 1974. Over in the intervening years, he helped the society raise the funds needed to acquire the historic circa 1751 Joseph Moore house on College Highway in the 1980s and see it become a museum in the 1990s. He was also involved in the societys acquisition of the C.J. Gillett cigar factory warehouse that dates to 1872 and became part of the societys campus on Routes 10 and 202 in 2009.

I got hooked, is how Hamberg describes what transpired after he joined the society. It was in 1985, he remembers, that he first went inside the Moore house as he took visitors from Historic Deerfield on a tour of some examples of the architecturally-renowned Connecticut Valley doorways in Westfield and Southwick.

I can remember saying, This would make a great museum. Someones got to save this house, Hamberg recalls. You can blame me, I guess. I planted the seed.

Old Southwick street signs rest near the feet of local historian Lee David Hamberg as he flips through the pages of his new book Images of America - Southwick Revisited in the Southwick History Museum. (Frederick Gore Photo)

While Hamberg is a humble person, his love and support of his community do not go unnoticed in the town of just under 10,000 people.

Says Selectman Russell S. Fox, who happens to be a high-school classmate, (Lees) been doing a wonderful job for the town for years, as a member of Historical Commission, the nonprofit Southwick Historical Society and as a member of the 250th anniversary committee. Even going back as far as high school, history always seemed important to Lee.

I dont think people realize the amount of time it took for Lee to research and go over things for this (new) book, Fox adds. Its just tremendous, and I cant say enough about him. Hes a very good person who believes in this community.

For the 128 pages of Southwick Revisited, Hamberg curated some 200 photographs, many of them never publicly shared before. They were culled from close to 700 photographs and images, some from the collections of the Southwick Historical Society and others from people who responded to an invitation from the Celebrate Southwick 250 group that planned a year-long celebration. The 250th organization, of which Hamberg is a member, secured the funds needed to scan the photographs and prepare them for publication.

The first criteria I tried to stick to was to avoid publishing photos that have previously been published, explains Hamberg of how he set out to select the images for the book. Hes familiar enough with several books published on the history of Southwick to know this new publication has only a handful of images that people have not seen before. A second criteria to find photos that would best document each chapter, or theme, probably helped tremendously in the winnowing process, according to Hamberg.

This circa 1910 photo is the First Baptist Church of Southwick which was sold in1930 to Helen (Osborne) Storrow of Boston and later gifted to the Eastern States Exposition which is now part of the Storrowtown Tavern in West Springfield. (Image courtesy of Southwick Historical Society)

From a vintage 1910 photograph of the Southwick Baptist Church to one of the few photos known to exist of a Southwick veteran of the Civil War, the images are diverse in time, place and subject matter.

Some, like the Baptist church photograph, depict places that no longer exist. Hamberg likes that photograph in particular for two reasons. First, the original photograph is a cyanotype, a cyan-blue print popular into the early 20th century, which is now somewhat rare to find, he explains. His second attachment to the photo evolves from his professional life as a restoration carpenter at Old Sturbridge Village. The church, it turns out, would eventually be dismantled and wind up being used in the construction of the tavern at Storrowton Village, the history museum on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.

The Civil War veteran whose image is included in Southwick Revisited is Ward Vining. The detail is just beautiful, says Hamberg of the original and well-preserved tintype. For visitors today to Southwick, the name Vining may be familiar as one of the veterans sons, Mort Vining, has a road which bears his name. (That nomenclature comes from the practice of naming streets in honor of those who lived at the roads end closest to the town center, explains Hamberg.)

A tintype photo of Ward Vining (1826-1900) who served in the Civil War in Company F of the 27th Massachusetts Volunteers. Mort Vining Road was named after one of his sons, Morton. (Image courtesy of Southwick Historical Society)

Ward Vining was born in 1826 and died in 1900. He served in the Company F of the Massachusetts 27th Volunteers. The regiment organized at Springfield in September 1861 and served through June 1865; the unit fought in Virginia and took part in 1864 in one of the most brutal battles of the war at Cold Harbor.

He came home to live a good life, says Hamberg. He owned a farm at 233 Mort Vining Road, just down the road a short distance from where he grew up. His mother and dad were among the founders of the Methodist church.

Another among the images Hamberg likes from the book is a wanted poster,offering a $25 reward for a horse stolen from a pasture on Aug. 20, 1842. I cant tell you if the horse was ever recovered, Hamberg notes.

A post-card view of the Lake House at the Congamond Lakes vintage 1905 is also among Hambergs favored images; it burned in 1927. The lakes, then as now, were a regional attraction, and the book features many pictures related to the ponds that make up Congamond and accounted for a major industry  ice  back in the early 1900s. A single ice house at the time would cover two acres or more, Hamberg notes.

The Lake House located at 127 Congamond Road was one of two hotels on the Congamond Lakes and provided outstanding views of the Middle Pond. It was destroyed by fire in early 1927 and replaced by the Franklin House. This photo is circa 1905. (Image courtesy of Lee David Hamberg)

Hamberg says response to book has been very positive. Images from the 1955 hurricane and resulting flood have proven to be most popular, he notes, as have photos from the 1970s onward. People like to see pictures that they are in, he explains. Thus, in the chapter, I Love A Parade, readers will find photos from the early 20th century right through the 1990s.

The book, which costs $21.99, may be purchased online at the Arcadia Publishing website. Copies are also available at the Southwick Florist and Southwoods Printing, both on College Highway. Proceeds will benefit the Southwick Civic Fund to support local celebrations and events in the future as the 250th celebration has drawn to a close.

The father to five adult children and grandfather to 10, Hamberg says hes still happy to call Southwick home. The reasons? The people, number one, he says. Another factor is its a relatively small town, a lot more quaint than New York City. And, there are still some very picturesque areas in town. As for his personal love of the town and its history, with a wry touch of humor, he says, It grows on you, but then so does athletes foot. I guess its in the genes, or at least in my genes.

Cynthia G. Simison is executive editor of The Republican. She may be reached by email to csimison@repub.com.
In the meeting with Cambodian PM Samdech Techo Hun Sen, PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam always treasures and gives the top priority to consolidating the fine neighborliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Cambodia.

He stressed that Vietnam always stays ready to assist Cambodia to prevent the pandemic. In such spirit, Vietnam provided US$500,000 together with 800 respirators, 2 million medical masks and 300,000 N-95 masks for Cambodia.

He suggested Cambodia continue offering support to the Vietnamese community in the country, especially in handling legal documents to help them stabilise lives.

Hun Sen, for his part, affirmed that Cambodia highly values its traditional friendship and neighbourliness with Vietnam. He thanked Vietnam for offering valuable material and experience support to Cambodia to fight the pandemic.

Despite the pandemic, two-way trade between Vietnam and Cambodia doubled to US$2.69 billion in the first half of this year.

The two PMs agreed to work closely together to monitor border areas and conduct vaccination to the two nations citizens. They hailed the exchange of two legal documents approving 84% of border demarcation and consented to do the remaining work in the near future.



The Vietnamese PM proposed Cambodia support Vietnams launch of a centre on emerging diseases and medical contingencies.

They vowed to work with other ASEAN member states to step up negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea/South China Sea in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong (Photo: VNA)

In his talks with Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong, Chinh noted Singapore is the biggest investor in Vietnam in 2020 and early 2021.

He suggested hastening negotiations on a priority travel mechanism in a flexible manner, soon resuming commercial flights, and promoting bilateral economic and tourism links. He asked Singapore to continue providing short- and mid-term scholarships for Vietnam, including training at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Lee, for his part, expressed his wish to foster close ties with Chinh to promote Vietnam  Singapore strategtic partnership, and also agreed with PM Chinhs proposals.

The two PMs pledged to continue boosting bilateral ties at regional and global forums, especially at ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Both sides will complete the ratification and effective implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, maintain ASEANs stance on the East Sea issue, and support ASEANs role in the settlement of Myanmar issue, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation in the region.



PM Chinh welcomed the upcoming Vietnam visit by the Singaporean Foreign Minister to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) high-level policy dialogue scheduled for next month, and invited Lee to visit Vietnam. The Singaporean PM accepted the invitation with pleasure and also invited Chinh to Singapore.

PM Pham Minh Chinh meets Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin (Photo: VNA)

In the conversation with Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin, PM Chinh wished to reinforce ties with Malaysia in bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

Yassin said he believes that with achievements in pandemic control, socio-economic stability and success in external relations, Vietnam will reap further successes in socio-economic development, thus improving its stature in the region and the world.

The two PMs promised to expand bilateral coordination in various fields in the near future, including maintaining all-level exchanges, both online and offline. The two countries will also hold the sixth meeting of the Vietnam  Malaysia Inter-Committee for Economic and Scientific-Technological Cooperation, and the fourth meeting of the Trade Joint Committee, towards raising two-way trade to US$15 billion.

The two sides pledged to offer mutual support within the ASEAN framework and at regional and global forums, continue upholding ASEANs role in the East Sea issue, seriously abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and soon reach a practical and effective COC in accordance with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.

On the sidelines of the ASEAN Leaders Meeting, heads of delegations of Laos, Thailand, the Philippines and Myanmar also paid courtesy calls to PM Chinh, and wished that he would continue boosting bilateral ties.
Eight police officers were injured after violence broke out at an anti-lockdown protest in central London attended by thousands of people.

Bottles were thrown as the Metropolitan Police attempted to disperse crowds in Hyde Park at the end of the demonstration on Saturday evening.

The force said two of the injured officers were taken to hospital but were not believed to be seriously injured. Photos posted on social media showed a female police officer bleeding from a cut to her head and a male police officer with a cut to his forehead.

Five people were arrested for offences including assault on police.

It came after an estimated 10,000 joined the Unite for Freedom march through the capital to oppose measures in place to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Protesters - mostly not wearing face coverings - carried signs and marched through London chanting freedom and take off your mask.

Images from Hyde Park showed protesters holding placards reading you dont need proof to know the truth, no to vaccine passports and the people refuse your totalitarian state agenda.

A Met Police officer walks amongst protestors during a Unite For Freedom' anti-lockdown demonstration (Getty Images)

The Met described the violence as small pockets of disorder which broke out after the organised event finished at 6.30pm.

Earlier in the day two men were arrested for public order offences near Embankment and Trafalgar Square.

Anti-lockdown protests have taken place in London over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, including recent months.

Last month 36 people were arrested at an anti-lockdown protest in London, which saw thousands march through the capital and demonstrators clash with police.

Dozens of arrests were made at similar demonstrations against lockdown restrictions in the capital in the months before.

Meanwhile, two more arrests have been made in connection with a Kill the Bill protest in Bristol that turned violent. Avon and Somerset Police said two men aged 23 and 25 were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder following the disturbances on 21 March.

The 25-year-old was also detained on suspicion of arson in connection with a fire which damaged a mobile police station van. He remains in custody while the other man has been released under investigation. "A total of 44 people have now been arrested in connection with this investigation and in addition, a 14-year-old boy has also attended for a voluntary interview," a force spokesman said.

Protesters gathered in central London for a Unite For Freedom demonstration against lockdown restrictions (Getty Images)

In mid-April, England eased its restrictions on socialising - allowing a group of six people or two households to meet outside - and businesses, with gyms, non-essential retail and hairdressers reopening after months of closure.

Restrictions on indoor gatherings and international travel will be lifted in mid-May at the earliest.

The final stage of Englands roadmap out of lockdown is planned for no earlier than June and will see all legal limits on social contract lifted and nightclubs allowed to reopen.
Going back to the office? How employers are handling COVID vaccines for workers
The publication of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM)'s 2019 annual report last came shortly after the catastrophic collapse of a tailings dam at Vale's Corrego do Feijao mine in Brumadinho, Brazil.

More than 250 people lost their lives as a result of the collapse.

It was the deadliest catastrophe the industry had seen in more than 30 years, since a tailings-related incident in Stava, Northern Italy, claimed a similar number of lives.

The Corrego do Feijao mine disaster happened not long after catastrophic failures at tailings storage facilities at Samarco, also in Brazil in November 2015, which devastated the downstream villages of Bento Rodrigues and Paracatu de Baixo, killing 19 people.

The scale of the Brumadinho collapse gravely undermined public trust in the sector's ability to safely manage tailings storage facilities, the council said.

"In response to [the Corrego do Feijao mine] tragedy, ICMM, together with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), has taken decisive steps to establish a robust, fit-for-purpose international standard for the safer management of tailings storage facilities," then ICMM chief executive Tom Buttler said.

"We have co-convened a Global Tailings Review, led by an independent chair, Dr Bruno Oberle, to develop the standard, which will [apply] to the management of existing and future tailings storage facilities, wherever they are."

ICMM recently released its 2020 annual report in which it said that the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management was published last August with an ambition of zero harm to people and the environment.

The Standard sets a global benchmark for achieving strong social, environmental and technical outcomes.

It elevates accountability to the highest organisational levels and adds new requirements for independent oversight.

The Standard also establishes clear expectations around transparency and public disclosure, helping to improve understanding by interested stakeholders.

It covers six key topics: Affected communities; Integrated knowledge base; Design, construction, operation and monitoring of tailings facilities; Management and governance; Emergency response and long-term recovery; and, Public disclosure and access to information.

The Standard will be integrated into ICMM's existing member commitments, which include third party assurance and validation.

Members have committed that all facilities with 'Extreme' or 'Very high' potential consequences will be in conformance within three years of the launch of the Standard in August 2020, and all other facilities within five years.

ICMM is also in the process of developing Conformance Protocols to support the integration of the Standard into ICMM's existing assurance processes.

"This document will enable member companies to assess progress with implementing the Standard," it said.

The Conformance Protocols will be published next month.

The council noted that it will in the near term, focus on a few technology themes, namely continuous sorting, batch sensing, and continuous mining machines to accelerate the development and adoption of these technology themes.

"In 2021, ICMM will continue to work with suppliers and research/innovation organisations to co-create an industry level roadmap [to promote] future collaborative initiatives," it said.

Responsible sourcing, production

ICMM said understanding whether or not products are responsibly produced, from manufacture right back to the source of its component materials is of increasing importance to society.

The council said it worked closely in 2019 with value chain stakeholders to advance understanding of responsible mining good practice and to explore tools to improve transparency in mineral value chains.

It said in its 2020 report that no matter how essential metals and minerals may be, customers and other stakeholders are justifiably demanding that they be produced responsibly.

"The industry has responded by developing a range of initiatives that establish performance requirements for the responsible production of metals and minerals, supported by a mix of self-assessment and independent third party reviews of implementation progress," said ICMM.

"While some of these initiatives aim to improve practices across the supply chain where mined materials are an important part of the production process, and others offer a 'seal of approval' in the form of certification, most involve mining companies making a commercial decision on whether to join industry ESG initiatives."

The number of mines covered by the ESG initiatives is relatively small, but ICMM's Mining Principles, launched in February 2020, will help to fill this gap while remaining aligned to other responsible supply initiatives.

Covering 38 areas, including biodiversity, gender, human rights due diligence, labour rights, local content, mine closure, pollution, resettlement and waste they apply to more than 650 ICMM members' assets in over 50 countries.

Their implementation by member companies will therefore drive performance improvements at scale.

Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 21:08:16|Editor: huaxia

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BEIRUT, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Head of the Lebanese Farmers' Association Antoine Howayek said Sunday that Lebanon risks losing its agricultural exports to Gulf countries after Saudi Arabia announced a ban on imports of fruits and vegetables from Lebanon as shipments were used for drug smuggling.

"We export 55 percent of our agricultural produce to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman at the value of 92 million U.S. dollars yearly," Howayek told Xinhua.

Saudi authorities issued a decision to prevent the entry of Lebanon's agricultural products after the Saudi customs managed on Friday to foil an attempt to smuggle over five million Captagon narcotic pills in Saudi Arabia's port of Jeddah from Lebanon.

The Captagon pills were hidden in the shipment of the pomegranate fruit.

Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, and the UAE said they supported the Saudi ban which came into effect on Sunday. However, they haven't yet specify whether they will issue a similar decision or not.

Howayek warned against losing the country's agricultural exports to other Gulf countries, urging Lebanese officials to seek help from international companies that can supervise the products shipped through Lebanese customs to make sure they are free from drugs.

"Lebanese officials must agree with Saudi authorities on appointing a company tasked with supervising Lebanon's exports in a bid to protect Lebanese agricultural exports to Gulf countries," Howayek said.

The Lebanese Foreign Ministry pledged on Friday to crack down on smuggling drugs in containers or trucks loaded with fruits and vegetables without providing details. Enditem
SHENANDOAH  Shenandoah Valley, like other school districts in the county, is receiving relief funds due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At Wednesdays school board meeting, Superintendent Brian K. Waite announced the district has been allocated nearly almost $5 million.

Recently the Shenandoah Valley School District has been notified they will receive $4,915,981 as part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, Waite said. First and foremost, we are extremely grateful for the funding, but we also need to be realistic about the impact. Our district has long been underfunded, and as a result, our children often dont get the resources they deserve to fulfill their potential.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 will provide Pennsylvania with $4.9 billion in emergency funding to support the long-term work of education recovery. Under ARP, at least 90%, or $4.5 billion, of the fund will flow to eligible public school districts and charter schools, with each entity receiving an amount proportional to the federal Title I-A funds received in 2020 under the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Underfunding is a long-term problem, and it needs a long-term solution, giving students those resources each and every year they are with us. All of which is to say that we will work to put the ESSR money to good use, but we need to be realistic that this is one time funding that will soon disappear, Waite said.

The funds will be spent as follows:

1. Buying technology, including hardware, software, and connectivity.

2. Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning.

3. School facility repairs and improvements to reduce risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards, and to support student health needs.

4. Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement, and upgrade projects to improve the indoor air quality in school facilities, including mechanical and non-mechanical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, filtering, purification and other air cleaning, fans, control systems, and window and door repair and replacement.

Meanwhile, the district will offer summer school for students to help close achievement gaps caused by pandemic. Students in grades 3-12 will be offered the opportunity to attend for math and ELA. The expected dates for summer school are June 7 to 25 from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for students in grades 7-12, and June 14 to July 2 for students in grades 3-6. Students will attend in-person learning Monday through Friday at no cost. Students in grades 7-12 will be charged a $25 fee for each course, which will be returned to the family upon successful completion of the course.

Waite questioned the distribution of funding to cyber charter schools, which receive taxpayers dollars taken from public school budgets.

As a public school that is underfunded, I am frustrated by the fact that cyber charter schools receive ESSER funds even though they already have technology infrastructure and dont have traditional buildings for students to attend, Waite said. They do not have facilities to repair, ventilation and air conditioning systems to replace, need for filtering, purification and other air cleaning necessary to reduce the risk of virus transmission and environmental health hazards to students like traditional public schools.

Waite said the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School has a fund balance of more than 62% of its expenses; which is over $90,000,000. Its budget included more than $7 million in advertising and promotion expenses using taxpayer dollars, but will get more than $23 million in ARP-ESSER funds, according to Waite.

Cyber schools are considered a public school but do not have the day-to-day maintenance of schools compared to their traditional counterparts, he said. The inequities of the funding formula between cyber charter schools and traditional public schools have been heightened by the pandemic. The funding formula for cyber schools has to be addressed or Shenandoah taxpayers will continue to pay for disproportionate services such as advertising as compared to the funds used to provide education to the students attending the Shenandoah Valley School District brick and mortar school.

The local education agency allocations for Schuylkill County districts from the ARP-ESSER fund are listed below. Allocations are based on each LEAs share of the final fiscal year 2020-21 state-determined Title I-A award.

 Blue Mountain School District  $2,375,995.

 Gillingham Charter School  $445,971.

 Hazleton Area School District  $34,460,376.

 Mahanoy Area School District  $3,067,749.

 Minersville Area School District  $2,149,956.

 North Schuylkill School District  $3,216,234.

 Panther Valley School District  $4,906,891.

 Pine rove Area School District  $2,460,168.

 Pottsville Area School District  $5,515,566.

 Saint Clair Area School District  $1,200,371.

 Schuylkill Haven Area School District  $1,559,623.

 Shenandoah Valley School District  $4,915,981.

 Tamaqua Area School District  $3,843,904.

 Tri-Valley School District  $805,029.

 Williams Valley School District  $2,207,621.
Apr. 25Author Myra G. Love this week released a third book in her self-published children's series. Davey Panda: God Will Bless Those Who Are Sad follows its namesake character and his friends through experiences of loss, inspired by the coronavirus pandemic.

"I'm encouraging readers to get through the pain of loss with Scripture," Mrs. Love said of the latest nursery rhyme-style installment.

Since she released her first book, Davey Panda Can Do All Things Through Christ, in 2018, Mrs. Love has shared her and her character's stories in numerous speaking engagements, sometimes accompanied by a costumed Davey Panda. She will be one of several speakers at a women's luncheon hosted by One Way Community Church's Wailing Women of Zion Ministry between 1 to 3:30 p.m. May 15 at Southern Missionary Baptist Church, 1222 Indiana Ave., Toledo. RSVPs are requested by to wwoz@onewaycommunitychurch or 419-214-1327 by May 1, and a $10 donation is requested at the door.

Mrs. Love and her character will also be at this year's Lucas County Fair.

For information on future appearances, or to purchase a book, go to myraglove.com.

Scotty Smiley

Scotty Smiley is the keynote speaker for the 32nd annual Northwest Ohio Prayer Breakfast or Dinner on May 6. He will present over meals at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at The Premier, 4480 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo. Tickets are available through Thursday.

Mr. Smiley became the first blind active-duty officer in military history following a car bombing in Iraq in 2005. After his injury, his faith led him to forgive his attacker and inspired him to rebuild his life while continuing to serve his country in the U.S. Army, according to his website. He is the recipient of a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and the Army's General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award, among other other military and non-military honors.

He retired from the military in 2015, and currently lives with his family in Washington, where he is an author, speaker, investment banker and "eternal adventure seeker."

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For more information or to purchase individual tickets, $35, or table sponsorships, go to nwoprayerbreakfast.org or call 419-377-4829 by Thursday.

Zach Williams

Christian rocker Zach Williams brings his Drive-In Theater Tour to Oregon on May 1. Williams broke out as the Gospel Music Association's New Artist of the Year in 2017, the same year he picked up his first of two Grammys for his debut solo album Chain Breaker.

He performs alongside CAIN at dusk at the Sundance Kid Drive-In, 4500 Navarre Ave., Oregon. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are sold by the car, with a limit of six passengers, and begin at $88. For more information, go to driveintheatertour.com/zachwilliams.

Islamic Food Bank

The Islamic Food Bank recently shared its first-ever impact report, documenting 266,375 meals and snacks distributed between March, 2020, and February, 2021, a total value of $532,750. The impact report also details the launch of the Islamic Food Bank of Toledo Pantry at the Perrysburg Heights Community Association, created in collaboration with the community association and Perrysburg Schools in response to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March, 2020, as well as other new partnerships that extended the food bank's reach beginning in 2020.

"We are grateful for all gifts that were made to support our COVID-19 Hunger Relief effort," Executive Director M. Razi Rafeeq wrote in part in his introduction. "This pandemic has brought out the best in us and has brought us together."
Black-owned businesses near George Floyd Square are struggling to survive amid rising crime inside the autonomous zone that has been the scene of two fatal shootings.

Violent crime has been on the rise in Minneapolis, Minnesota, since 2020. In the area surrounding the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, near where Floyd died last May, there were 19 fatal and non-fatal shootings last year, 14 of which were from May 1Aug. 31, 2020.

Business owners in that neighborhood, who describe themselves as the 38th Street Black Business Collective, said in a lengthy post on their GoFundMe page that they feel like a sacrificial lamb because their families  black families  are losing their livelihood.

While they believe in justice for Floyd, who died in police custody on May 25 last year  for which former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter  they are dismayed by city officials who are allowing what they described as an "occupation" and its "unintended consequences."

Source:The Christian Post
The former school of a disgraced teacher sacked after taking his pupils to a strip club in Costa Rica has slammed his 'unexpected, unprofessional behaviour.'

Richard Glenn, 55, was six days into a three-week trip in 2019 when he was sent home for getting drunk with students aged between 16 and 18 and taking them to a seedy bar.

The married father-of-two also exposed himself to the female trip leader in their shared hotel room on the trip.

Richard Glenn (pictured) claimed at a hearing to have been 'mentally unwell' at the time, while he had battled issues with alcohol

This week he was banned from teaching indefinitely following a Teaching Regulation Agency hearing and now 9,800-a-term Longridge Towers independent school near Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, say they welcome their findings.

A spokesman said: 'We remain deeply saddened by the unexpected, unprofessional behaviour of this former staff member which occurred on a school trip in July 2019. As a caring and close school community, we regret that this matter occurred whilst pupils were under our care.

The teacher was in charge of a group of 1students when he got drunk and took them to a strip club. Pictured, Longridge Towers

'As soon as the School was informed about an alleged incident overseas, we arranged for the member of staff involved to leave the expedition immediately. Our utmost priority was to support our pupils and ensure their safety.'

'We liaised with the organising company, the trip leader and the parents of the pupils on the trip, to ensure appropriate measures were identified and put in place so that the trip could continue as planned.

'We arranged for an experienced team leader from the expedition to join the group. With the team leader in place, we continued to care for and support our pupils for the duration of the trip until they returned home.'

The students were on a tour of Costa Rica in Central America when their teacher got drunk and took them to a strip club

The professional misconduct hearing had been told during one drinking session he told a student 'I'm going to kick your f****ing head in', and added to another 'I'm going to f****ing kill you'.

He was too drunk to remember the threats the next morning the hearing was told.

Glenn admitted unacceptable professional behaviour and conduct that may bring teaching into disrepute and was banned from the classroom indefinitely and cannot apply to teach again for three years.

That panel heard how his behaviour, which he apologised for, had ended 12 years of unblemished service at the school.

As well as taking his students to a strip club, married Glenn also exposed himself to a female trip leader in their shared hotel room

Addressing the meeting, he claimed to have been 'mentally unwell' at the time, while he had battled issues with alcohol.

He said: 'I recognise that I caused upset and anguish to many people.

'My family have also suffered as a result of my poor judgement, both financially, psychologically, emotionally.'

He has since got a new job away from teaching.
About an hour after the judge announced the Derek Chauvin verdict, I walked to downtown Oakland, sat in the open space across from City Hall called Oscar Grant Plaza and took a few deep breaths.

I felt relief.

Police officers in this country are rarely charged and convicted of murder for killing someone while on duty. Even with a nine-minute video of Chauvin, a white man, kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a Black man, history has taught me I shouldnt be confident the trial would have a just outcome. Yet it did.

A Minnesota jury convicted Chauvin of murder and manslaughter, but it was Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison who levied the charges and orchestrated a tough prosecution. Ellison gave Black America something rare: a glimpse at what true police accountability looks like.

Weve seen recent attempts at this from locally elected district attorneys in San Francisco and Contra Costa counties, but there is by no means a pattern of holding officers to account here.

Ellison gave Black Californians something more: a standard to which we should hold our present and future state attorney generals. The truth is, California, the last few have not wanted to investigate the officers who kill us.

Any time somebody comes at me with some kind of racial paradise version of California, I always say how if it was a racial paradise, why would the Black Panther Party have been created and existed here, or Black Freedom Schools or all of our symbols of resistance, Tianna Paschel, an assistant professor of African American studies and sociology at UC Berkeley, told me last week. California is not the salvation or the promised land on any level.

Police shot and killed blacks at almost five times the rate of whites and three times the rate of Latinos from 2006 to 2015, according to a 2016 Sacramento Bee review of California Department of Justice data.

And according to data compiled by Mapping Police Violence, a research and advocacy group that examines police killings, California police killed more than 200 Black people from 2013 to 2020.

We are hunted here in levels unlike anywhere else, Cat Brooks, co-founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project, told me. Theres a war being waged on Black bodies in a state that the rest of the country looks at as progressive.

Vice President Kamala Harris was California attorney general from 2011 and 2017. Although she became more assertive about police accountability near the end of her tenure, there was a significant period where Black Californians felt she wasnt doing enough to investigate problematic police killings.

Mario Woods was killed by San Francisco police in 2015. Community members spent months urging Harris to take a direct role in investigating the shooting. She declined. None of the officers faced criminal charges. The department changed its use-of-force policy after the shooting.

Xavier Becerra took office after Harris in 2017. The next year, Stephon Clark was killed by Sacramento police in the backyard of his grandmothers home. He was unarmed. After a review of the shooting, Becerra said there was no need to charge the two officers who killed the young father of two.

In 2019, Becerra refused to provide media outlets with requested records on police misconduct, CalMatters reported. He pushed back against AB1506, which called on the attorney generals office to review police killings of unarmed civilians. Last year, he refused multiple requests by Vallejo city officials to investigate the fatal shooting of Sean Monterrosa.

AB1506 could have forced Becerras involvement, but it wouldnt have guaranteed justice.

The Hennepin County Attorneys Office in Minnesota invited Ellison to work on the Floyd case six days after the shooting last year. He accepted. The murder and manslaughter charges against Chauvin were announced three days later.

This is the kind of proactive attorney general Black Californians want and need.

Becerra stepped down as attorney general to become President Bidens secretary of health and human services in March. Next up: Rob Bonta. Hes seen as one of the most progressive lawmakers in Sacramento, according to The Chronicle.

But will he summon more courage than predecessors Becerra, Harris and even former Gov. Jerry Brown? Only time will tell.

Before leaving the plaza, I read Gov. Gavin Newsoms Twitter post about the Chauvin verdict. He acknowledged that Floyd would still be alive if he looked like me, and added that the state must continue our work to root out the racial injustice that haunts our society.

It read like familiar woke talk from other California politicians over the past year. Its on Bonta to produce results.

The next time a police officer murders a Black person in California, my hope is that county and state authorities like Bonta will seek justice for the victim, that the jury will deliver the appropriate verdict, and that Ill be able to walk to Oscar Grant Plaza again, not to protest, but to breathe a sigh of relief.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Justin Phillips appears Sundays. Email: jphillips@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JustMrPhillips
Nicola Sturgeon was under fire today after admitting today that an independent Scotland would have to have a hard border with England if it rejoins the EU.

But the First Minister claimed that cross-border businesses and trade would not 'suffer' because of it, as she appeared on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme.

The SNP leader said Scotland would try to negotiate arrangements to 'keep trade flowing easily across the border' if it becomes independent and is successful at taking the country back into the EU.

Her comments sparked fury from unionists, who accused her of planning to oversea actions that would be a 'hammer blow' for Scottish businesses.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: 'By Nicola Sturgeon's own admission, the SNP are clueless about the economic impact of independence.

The SNP leader said Scotland would try to negotiate arrangements to 'keep trade flowing easily across the border' if it becomes independent and is successful at taking the country back into the EU.

The First Minister claimed that cross-border businesses and trade would not 'suffer' because of it, as she appeared on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: 'By Nicola Sturgeon's own admission, the SNP are clueless about the economic impact of independence.

Sturgeon accuses Boris of acting like Trump Nicola Sturgeon accused Boris Johnson of acting like Donald Trump over Scottish independence today. The SNP First Minister likened the Prime Minister's refusal to countenance a new vote on splitting up the UK to the former US president's refusal to accept he had lost to Joe Biden last year. She warned it would be 'unsustainable' for the UK Government to block a second referendum if a majority at Holyrood backs it after the May election. Scotland's First Minister said that the country must have the chance to put the recovery into its own hands and that 'Scotland's future must, and will, be decided by the people of Scotland'. She also said that taking legal action over the situation would be an 'appalling' look for any Prime Minister. Writing in the Observer, Ms Sturgeon said that once the Covid crisis has passed, people in Scotland must have the right to choose their future. She wrote: 'Tackling the pandemic and getting the recovery under way come first. However, if there is a majority in the Scottish parliament after this election for an independence referendum, then Scotland must have the chance to put the recovery into Scotland's hands. 'For the UK Government to seek to block it would be unsustainable. For it to try to take legal action, as has been suggested, would be asking a court to effectively overturn the result of a free and fair democratic election. 'That would be an appalling look for any prime minister. More to the point, it didn't work for Donald Trump, and it wouldn't work for Boris Johnson.' Advertisement

'They've done no analysis on how many jobs it would put at risk or how much damage would be done to Scotland's economy.

'She floundered and didn't have a single convincing answer to dispel the overwhelming evidence that separating Scotland from the rest of the UK would be devastating for jobs and businesses.'

Ms Sturgeon's comments have echoes of those made by Boris Johnson while attempting to downplay the impact of his Brexit deal on trade with Northern Ireland.

The First Minister said an independent Scotland would 'comply with all of the requirements of EU membership' when asked about European Union regulations, customs checks and inspections of goods entering the single market.

She said: 'We will put in place arrangements and we will negotiate those arrangements for the UK that means that businesses do not, in a practical sense, suffer from any of that.'

Under EU rules, consignments of animals and goods need to be physically inspected before entering the EU's single market, including 30% of poultry, eggs, milk and fish, and all live animals.

Ms Sturgeon added: 'I'm not denying that because of the absurdity of Brexit and the Tory Brexit obsession, then all sorts of issues are raised for Scotland completely against our democratic will.

'What I'm saying is we will work as a country to make sure that for our businesses there is no difficulties in terms of their day-to-day experience in trading.'

She defended the absence of any analysis on the financial impact of independence and said it would be 'to put the cart rather before the horse' ahead of another vote.

'Before we get to a point where we're asking people to choose whether or not they want Scotland to become independent - which is the choice of the Scottish people - just as we did in 2014, we will set out all of the implications of independence, all of the advantages of independence, and all the practical issues that people have to consider so that people make an informed choice,' she added.

Following Ms Sturgeon's interview, Labour's shadow Scotland secretary Ian Murray said: 'With economists warning Scotland is headed for a jobs crisis it is reckless beyond imagining to call for a referendum during our recovery.

'Hearing the casual way with which Nicola Sturgeon dismisses those independent experts that she is so fond of quoting when they agree with her and her failure to answer any of the tough questions on separation - from effects on income to the border - is playing fast and loose with people's futures.
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Christian apologetic materials have become more and more accessible through various podcasts, and platforms such as YouTube and Facebook. This is a blessing for the Church because these materials can be used to strengthen a believers faith and give her confidence to share the gospel with her neighbor or colleague. While specific apologetic materials are common, overarching definitions are less so. In this short article I will introduce a common description of apologetics and offer a good reason for dedicating some time to studying it.

Many Christians know the work of William Lane Craig. He is a philosopher and theologian who is known for his public defense of the Christian faith through debate style interactions with unbelievers. As a scholar he has published on a number of topics, and his Christian apologetics textbook, Reasonable Faith, has become the standard in academics. In the book, Craig explains that apologetics is a theorical discipline, conducted to defend the great truths of the Christian faith.

On this definition, Christian apologetics is a scholarly task meant to answer critics. For example, when Charles Darwin proposed his theory of natural selection, some scientists thought that Darwinism had replaced the need for a personal Creator. Such claims drew the attention of Christians who crafted a defense (/apologia), and for good reason.

Claims such as the idea that natural selection has replaced the need for a creator will often catch peoples attention because they deal with the ultimate questions of human existence, including, how did we get here? And for what purpose? While many Christians might simply dismiss such claims, lay unbelievers can easily be persuaded because they might lack both a relational experience of a loving God, and an understanding of the coherence of Christianity.

Of course, lacking a relational experience with God does not imply that God does not offer His love to unbelievers, indeed, He certainly does. The apostle Paul preaches that God is not far from any one of us, and wishes only that we might seek after Him (Acts 17). And it is not as though He leaves us without evidence. Paul writes that God has made himself known through creation (Romans 1), and Jesus himself says that God sends his Holy Spirit to convict the world (John 16). We even find a beautiful passage in Timothy, where God explicitly states that He desires for all humankind to be saved (1 Timothy 2).

Still, there is something unique about the human heart, and its susceptibility to wickedness. David writes that humans are born sinful (Psalm 51), and theologians such as Augustine suggest that this sin can be explained by the abuse of human free will. God not only created us to be in a relationship with Him, He also created us free, and this implies that Gods love can be rejected. All of this means that the unbeliever not only has an opportunity to know God, but that God also desires to know her. The problem is that the strength of sin gets in the way.

As believers we experience the joy of the Holy Spirit in our lives, or recognize Gods providential hand in our affairs, or have been moved in our spirit by the truths of Scripture, and these experiences can develop a deep bond between us and our Creator. For many Christians, no scientific discovery or philosophic insight could cause them to reject these experiences. But for unbelievers, there might be no personal connection with God at all, and no place for their intellect, or their hearts to rest.

And that is why Christian apologists have been stepping in for about two thousand years. Sometimes we think apologetics is a modern phenomenon, but Christians have been challenging conceptual issues lobbed against the truth of our faith since the start (Dulles, AHistory of Apologetics, 1971). Men like Justin Martyr (d. 165), Clement (d. 215), and his student Origen (d. 253), and others such as Augustine (d. 430), Anselm (d. 1109) and Aquinas (d. 1274), not only defended the gospel against heresies, but they also winsomely presented it as a coherent worldview which explains reality.

These figures did not come at Christianity as skeptical observers, but as people of faith, who desired to answer their contemporary critics, and in so doing, offer Christianity as a beautifully coherent way of explaining lifes ultimate questions. They did this conceptual work, not primarily as an academic adventure (although it can be one), or for the sake of winning an argument (even while silencing many), but because they understood the grace of God that is revealed through the cross of Jesus Christ, and desired to share that grace with others.

And that same grace extends to us, because while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, and God sends prophets, and pastors, and elders and teachers to tell us this unspeakably good news, even in the face of our sin, and intellectual doubts. In turn, he commands us to extend that same grace to our neighbors, and colleagues, and friends, so that they too might share in the goodness of Gods grace.

And this is why Christians do well to become familiar with Christian apologetics. It can not only strengthen the believers faith when she learns just how robust Christianity is from an intellectual perspective, but it also gives her the confidence and resources to share the grace of Christianity with others. While it may only be the calling of a very few to defend the faith from a conceptual level, all of us can participate on a practical level, by becoming better equipped to present the gospel. In this way, believers can extend grace to their neighbor, and help bring more and more people from the darkness, and into Gods bountiful fold.
Barcelona, April 25 : Spanish World No.2 Rafael Nadal made it to his 12th Barcelona Open final with a 6-3, 6-2 win against countryman Pablo Carreno Busta and set up a title clash with World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece.

The 11-time champion landed 13 forehand winners and claimed four service breaks to extend his unbeaten ATP head-to-head record against Carreno Busta to 8-0 on Saturday night.

Nadal, the winner of 20 Grand Slam titles, made quick starts to both sets and reached his 69th clay final after 89 minutes.

"I am very happy to be back in a final here at an historic event, a home event and an important one for me," Nadal told the ATP Tour website. "I think I did things well today, better than the other days. I have been improving every single day a little bit more." Nadal is chasing his 12th title at the ATP 500 event. The 60-time clay-court titlist is the only player to lift 12 or more tour-level trophies at the same tournament, having claimed 13 titles at Roland Garros.

Nadal owns a combined 23-1 record in Barcelona semi-final and final matches. The Spaniard's only loss in Barcelona after reaching the final-four came in 2019, when he fell to eventual champion Dominic Thiem.

The top seed will meet Stefanos Tsitsipas for the trophy in a repeat of the 2018 Barcelona final. On that occasion, Nadal defeated the first-time ATP Tour finalist 6-2, 6-1.

The 34-year-old will be seeking revenge for his loss to the Greek in this year's Australian Open quarter-finals, when Tsitsipas became only the second player to defeat Nadal from two sets down at a Grand Slam. Nadal has a 6-2 ATP head-to-head advantage against the reigning Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters champion.

"Tomorrow will be a very tough one. Stefanos is playing probably better than ever," said Nadal. "Not one set lost in Monte-Carlo and here, so it will be the toughest opponent possible. I hope to be ready. It is going to be a tough one, but I need to be ready to increase my level and let's see." Nadal attacked Carreno Busta's backhand and dictated rallies with his forehand to charge into a 5-1 lead in the first set. The 20-time Grand Slam champion dropped serve when he tried to serve out the set at 5-1 and was forced to save three break points on his second attempt as Carreno Busta raised his level.

After clinching the opener, Nadal made another impressive start to the second set, using his forehand to overpower his opponent. Nadal reached his 12th Barcelona final (11-0) when Carreno Busta struck a backhand return into the tramline.
Apr. 25JUNEAU  Alaska Airlines said Saturday that it has banned state Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, from its flights for continuing to refuse to follow mask-wearing requirements for travelers.

"We have notified Senator Lora Reinbold that she is not permitted to fly with us for her continued refusal to comply with employee instruction regarding the current mask policy," spokesman Tim Thompson said by email.

"This suspension is effective immediately, pending further review. Federal law requires all guests to wear a mask over their nose and mouth at all times during travel, including throughout the flight, during boarding and deplaning, and while traveling through an airport," he said.

The ban cast uncertainty on how Reinbold might rejoin the Alaska Senate when legislative work resumes Monday. No other airline has regularly scheduled direct flights between Anchorage and Juneau.

But it appeared as though Reinbold was pursuing an alternate travel solution: On Saturday night, Reinbold told an anti-mask group that she was "en route to Juneau" and had pulled her car over to the side of the road to talk.

"I have an unexpected trip that I am taking that is a little bit confidential," Reinbold told the group. She did not answer a text message asking whether she was driving to Haines or Skagway, which had scheduled ferry service to Juneau on Sunday afternoon. Driving to either location requires going through Canada, which has implemented strict pandemic travel restrictions.

Thompson, with Alaska Airlines, said the length of Reinbold's ban will be determined after a review. Alaska Airlines has banned 506 people as of Friday.

Reinbold said in a message to a Daily News reporter Saturday  after telling the anti-mask group she was en route to Juneau by car  that she had not been notified of a ban.

Thompson said he was not able to provide a copy of the notice sent to Reinbold, "but the notice was received."

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"I hope to be on an Alaska Airlines flight in the near future," Reinbold said earlier Saturday.

Reinbold has been vocal in her objections to COVID-19 mitigation measures in the Alaska Capitol and in public and has repeatedly objected to Alaska Airlines' mask policy, which was enacted in 2020 before the federal government began requiring masks aboard aircraft and public transportation earlier this year.

Last year, she referred to airline staff as "mask bullies" and the airline itself as "part of mask tyranny" after being asked by Alaska Airlines flight attendants to wear a mask aboard a flight. After the incident, she sent a cake to some airline flight attendants. The cake bore an inscription saying, "I'm sorry if I offended you."

The airline's ban comes after an incident this week at Juneau International Airport in which Reinbold was recorded apparently arguing with airport and Alaska Airlines staff about the mask policies.

A video posted to social media by the Alaska Landmine website appears to show part of the incident. A Juneau Police Department officer responded to the scene.

"JPD has an officer staffed at the airport full time, so we would be present or in the area of any issues there, but we didn't take any enforcement action," said Lt. Krag Campbell, a spokesman for the department.

The airport's manager said surveillance video of the incident would be released only by court order.

Reinbold addressed the situation in a text message.

"I was reasonable with all Alaska Airlines employees," she said. "I have been flying on Alaska Air for decades and am an MVP Gold (frequent flyer). I inquired about mask exemption with uptight employees at the counter."

She said the timing of the complaint "and a specific employee" is of keen interest.

"I have been assured this (will) be looked into," she said.

Reinbold was able to board a flight to Anchorage and said it was a "pleasant, safe flight with happy flight attendants and great, talented pilots."

Lawmakers can participate in committee meetings by teleconference but cannot vote on the House or Senate floor remotely under current procedures.
Onscene

Police on Saturday investigated the shooting death of a man in northwest Houston.

The man was found shot to death around 7 p.m. in the 1100 block of Wisterwood, on the edge of the Shadow Oaks subdivision.
The incident happened on the junction of Crompton Way and Crompton Vale in Bolton. (Google Maps)

A man has died after being run over by his own car as he tried to stop it rolling downhill.

The 69-year-old had just returned to the Kia Sportage after a walk on Saturday afternoon when it started to roll downhill.

As he tried to stop it, the man was run over and despite emergency services being called to the scene, was pronounced dead.

The incident happened at around 2.20pm on Saturday at the junction of Crompton Way and Crompton Vale in Bolton, Greater Manchester Police said.

Sergeant Philip Shaw, from the force's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This appears to be a tragic accident and our thoughts are with this man's family at this terribly difficult time for them.

"It remains important that we conduct an investigation into the circumstances of this incident to make sure the family have answers to why this happened.

Read more: Pensioner faces losing her home after council orders demolition of her eco-log cabin

"We encourage anyone who witnessed the incident, saw the car prior to the man's return to it, or has any information that may assist our enquiries to get in touch."

Anyone with any information is urged to call police on 0161 856 4741 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Australia to spend $10.6 billion on the public cloud in 2021

New forecast from research firm Gartner has predicted Australian organisations will spend $10.6 billion on public cloud services in 2021. This represents an 18.4% increase from 2020, when spending on public cloud reached $8.9 billion.

Emerging technologies such as containerisation, desktop as a service, and edge computing are becoming more mainstream and driving additional cloud spending. And hyperscale public cloud services have proven their underlying scalability and elasticity. This has led to stronger forecasts for cloud adoption in coming years, said Michael Warrilow, a research vice president at Gartner.

[ Keep up on the latest thought leadership, insights, how-to, and analysis on IT through Computerworlds newsletters. ]

Gartner found that software as a service (SaaS) remains the largest market segment and is forecast to reach $5.7 billion spending in Australia in 2021 because the demand for composable applications requires a different type of SaaS experience. The highest growth in 2021 will be in infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and desktop as a service (DaaS), at 30.2% and 57.7%, respectively, as CIOs face continued pressures to scale infrastructure that supports moving complex workloads to the cloud and the demands of a hybrid workforce.

Woolies increases stake in data science organisation

Woolworths Group has increased its shareholding of data science and analytics company Quantium from 47% to 75%, for $223 million.

The retailer had acquired 50% of Quantium in 2013 for $20 million, which resulted in the jointly development of products and services that provide insights to Woolworths Group and its suppliers.

A new business unit called Q-Retail will be created upon completion of the transaction, bringing together Quantium and Woolworths Groups collective data science and advanced analytics capabilities.

5G spectrum auction results start coming out

The auction of 26MHz-band 5G spectrum, which started on 12 April, has seen five telecommunications providers pay a total of $647.6 million for their share.

Telstra invested $277 million for 1000MHz of the band, securing spectrum in all major capital cities and regional areas where it was sold.

There were 12 lots of 200MHz allotments available across 24 areas and 24 lots of 100MHz allotments available across three areas, including Greater Perth, Hobart, and Margaret River.

Telstra acquired 150 lots, while Optus acquired 116 lots, including 800MHz of 26GHz band in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, and a range of regional areas, and 600MHz in Hobart and Margaret River in Western Australia for a total of $226.2 million.

For enterprise, this spectrum could support remote controlled automation  for example, robotics in a warehouse or factory, or the creation of a secured private network at a university campus to support thousands of students and academics, said Optus Networks managing director Lambo Kanagaratnam in a statement.

Through its subsidiary Mobile JV, TPG Telecom has acquired 400MHz of the 26GHz-band spectrum licences for Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, and 600MHz licenses for Brisbane and all other metropolitan and regional areas for $108.2 million, a total of 86 lots.

Pentanet acquired four lots, including a licence for 200MHz of 5G millimetre wave (mmWave) spectrum covering the Greater Perth area in Western Australia, including Perth, Mandurah, Bunbury, and Margaret River, for $8 million.

Dense Air Australia won two lots for $28.6 million.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said 358 of the 360 lots available in the auction were sold at a total revenue of $647.6 million. Licences won at auction will come into force later this year, for a 15-year term ending in 2036.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Communications announced in October 2020 that successful will be able to pay their spectrum access charges in five instalments, to support the rollout of 5G infrastructure.

An auction of low-band 5G spectrum (in the 850/900 MHz band) is planned for the second half of 2021.
(Natural News) Treason is defined in the Constitution as levying war against the US or adhering to its enemies. More than a dozen US journalists, from nearly every mass media (fake news) outlet, including CNN, NYT, MSNBC, WaPo, and more, have been caught red-handed in a pay-for-play agreement with the Communist Chinese Party. The journalists all agreed to write positive pieces about Communist China, in exchange for lavish trips around the world.

The following shills may face criminal prosecutions for selling out to Communist China

As the Biden Regime sets the stage for turning America into a Socialist hell-hole, Communist China has plenty of job openings for American journalists who can paint a pretty picture of the Chinese Communist Tyranny for all the dumb, brainwashed Americans who suck down their corn sugar, prescription medications and mass media fake news, all day and night.

Thats right, CUSEF trips are being traded for positive media coverage by US journalists who can say that the CCP is a peaceful, loving, thriving way of life and governing that can help America heal from all its damage from Trump, or whatever.

The shill journalists busted themselves by identifying themselves as accepting CUSEF trips, as noted in their disclaimer at the bottom of their articles: (Disclosure: My trip is being paid for by the China-United States Exchange Foundation, a Hong Kong-based nonprofit that aims to improve Americans understanding of China.)

Congress shall have the power to declare the punishment of treason for the following pundits, reporters, correspondents, editors and journalists

CNN Senior Political Analyst and The Atlantic Senior Editor Ronald Brownstein

New York Times Reporter Bradford Plumer

Former Newsweek and Wall Street Journal Marketplace Editor Kathleen Deveny

Former U.S. News and World Report Correspondent Tom Omestad

Chicago Tribune Columnist and Editorial Writer Steve Chapman

Associated Press Vice President and Editor Marjorie Miller

The Hill Editor-at-Large Steve Clemons

Former NPR Senior Editor Marilyn Geewax

Former National Journal Correspondent Bruce Stokes

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Washington Bureau Chief Craig Gilbert

The Week columnist Shikha Dalmia

Vox Co-founder and New York Times columnist Ezra Klein

Vox Co-founder Matthew Yglesias

Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell

Criminal journalists may be tried for treason

These are just the shill journalists who are dumb enough to bust themselves, and only represent the tip of the iceberg for the traitors who will now write anything they are told to write, and do. No more talking mean about the CCP, who take political and religious prisoners and harvest their organs for black market medical trading.

No criticizing the country that creates more pollution than any other, by far. The treasonous shills are out to tell Americans that communism is good, so just relax and get your dirty mRNA vaccine series. From op-eds to shared articles, the treasonous shills are complimenting the CCPs handling of Covid-19.

These criminal journalists are literally pushing propaganda that can destroy America. We supposedly fought the war in Vietnam to stop the spread of communism from North Vietnam to South Vietnam. Then we supposedly were so overtaken by Russian communist influence in 2016 that Trump won the election because of it.

Now, were all supposed to suddenly believe that communism, coming from China instead of Russia, is A-Okay and just grand for America. Lets all collaborate and do things like they do, over there, in China. Lets all complement them and support communism in the press, is the message from the treasonous shills. Its time for these people to be tried for treason and sentenced accordingly. Theyve already admitted their own guilt and published it for the world to see.

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

TheNationalPulse.com
The bijou dimensions and vivid decor suggest Barbie's budget boudoir, but this is actually a jail cell.

Female inmates at HMP Peterborough in Cambridgeshire are allowed to paint their living quarters in their favourite colours and, as this picture shows, at least one opted for a garish shade of pink with matching curtains, bed linen and laundry bag.

The initiative was revealed in a report last week by Charlie Taylor, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, in which he described how prisoners were 'able to personalise their cells, which they appreciated, and many we saw were painted in bright colours, which women said made them feel more homely'.

Inmates at the 400-capacity institution  previously likened by a local MP to a Butlin's holiday camp  were also issued with pedometers to help count their daily steps

Female inmates at HMP Peterborough in Cambridgeshire are allowed to paint their living quarters in their favourite colours

According to the study, inmates at the 400-capacity institution  previously likened by a local MP to a Butlin's holiday camp  were also issued with pedometers to help count their daily steps. They were handed out as part of a fitness drive introduced when the gym was closed because of Covid restrictions.

'PE staff had made efforts to offset the lack of structured exercise by offering women advice on in-cell fitness and nutrition on request, as well as some yoga,' the report says.

It added: 'Weight management was important to a number of women we spoke to, and the prison encouraged them by issuing pedometers and PE staff visited units each week to allow women to weigh themselves.'

Almost two-thirds of prisoners at the jail described the food as either 'good' or 'very good', although there were complaints about the main evening meal being served as early as 3.30pm. Inmates at the privately run jail, which is operated by French firm Sodexo, also said they were treated 'with respect', with 82 per cent agreeing that staff behaved courteously towards them.

When it was established in 2005, HMP Peterborough, which also houses a separate men's jail, was criticised for offering spa services such as aromatherapy and Indian head massages.

Stewart Jackson, the Tory MP for Peterborough from 2005 to 2017, said at the time: 'It is wrong that prisoners are being treated in this way. Are they using it as a Butlin's holiday camp?'

Damian Evans, Sodexo's director of HMP Peterborough, said: ' Given that prisoners have been spending far more time in their cells, we have allowed a degree of personalisation to assist with mental health and wellbeing, all within the boundaries of safety and security.'
The United States on Sunday pledged to rapidly deploy additional support to India as an unabated rise in Covid-19 cases continued to wreak havoc in the country, and said it was working closely with the Indian government.

This came amid intense pressure on the Biden government from various quarters, including the powerful US Chambers of Commerce, lawmakers, and Indian-Americans, to ship AstraZeneca and other Covid-19 vaccines, along with life-saving medical supplies, to India.

Our hearts go out to the Indian people in the midst of the horrific Covid-19 outbreak. We are working closely with our partners in the Indian government, and we will rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India and India's health care heroes, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken posted on Twitter.

In a separate tweet, Jake Sullivan, US national security advisor, said, The US is deeply concerned by the severe Covid outbreak in India. We are working around the clock to deploy more supplies and support to our friends and partners in India as they bravely battle this pandemic. More very soon.



A senior government official said India was urgently looking at augmenting supply. We may be able to procure some oxygen-related items from the US. The US is also being looked at in this context.



India has been reporting more than 300,000 daily infections for the past few days, with hospitals falling short of beds, supplies, and other crucial medical equipment.

Several other nations, too, have offered India help to deal with the Covid crisis.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday said her government was preparing emergency aid for India. To the people of India, I want to express my sympathy on the terrible suffering that Covid-19 has again brought over your communities, Merkel said in a message shared on Twitter by her spokesman Steffen Seibert. The fight against the pandemic is our common fight. Germany stands in solidarity with India and is urgently preparing a mission of support.



The UK announced sending life-saving medical equipment, including ventilators and concentrator devices, to the country. Saudi Arabia is shipping 80 tonnes of liquid oxygen to India, in cooperation with the Adani group and Linde company. Pakistan has offered to provide ventilators and other medical equipment to its neighbour. On Thursday, China had offered to provide the necessary support and assistance to India to deal with the sharp increase in Covid-19 cases.

As an extension of vaccine nationalism, the US first stopped export of vaccines, and then export of vaccine raw materials. While it is also important for countries to cover everyone, a country like the US is much more capable of addressing the problem. Developed countries have to be more sensitive to the global needs, Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Biswajit Dhar said.
Less than a week after provincial health restrictions were tweaked in response to the rising third wave and concerns over emerging variants of COVID-19, Manitoba's test-positivity rate continues to move in the wrong direction.

Less than a week after provincial health restrictions were tweaked in response to the rising third wave and concerns over emerging variants of COVID-19, Manitoba's test-positivity rate continues to move in the wrong direction.

No new deaths related to the virus were announced on Sunday, but another 259 cases were identified.

Last Monday, Dr. Brent Roussin, the chief provincial public health officer, called the public health order adjustments the "last shot" at avoiding a lockdown. That day, a test-positivity rate of 5.7 per cent was reported provincewide.

On Sunday, public health officials announced the rate has now risen to 7.1 across the province and 7.6 per cent in Winnipeg  the highest percentage it's been since early February.

Like the test-positivity rate, case counts are also on the rise.

There are currently 2,024 active cases in the province. There have been 1,460 new cases reported in the last seven days.

Of the new cases reported Sunday, 188 were found in the Winnipeg health region, followed by 25 cases in both the Northern and Prairie Mountain health regions, 15 cases in Southern Health and six cases in Interlake-Eastern. About two-thirds of all new cases this week have been found in Winnipeg, which has averaged 130 cases per day over the last seven days.

There are currently 139 people in hospital for treatment related to COVID-19, including 37 patients in intensive care.

A stay-at-home order has been issued for residents of Chemawawin Cree Nation, which the province said faces a trend of concerning virus case numbers in the community.

Public gatherings are not permitted and residents may only leave their homes to seek testing or medical care, or to send one person from a household for essential supplies. Essential service workers may leave their residences for work. Non-medical masks must be worn outside the home.

The province also advised on Sunday of a possible public exposure connected to air travel on April 16 related to a variant of concern: WestJet Flight WS526: departed Calgary at 9:50 p.m., arrived in Winnipeg at 1 a.m., affected rows one to six.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
Googles Question & Answers section, the never-ending section of Quora-like quick information snippets that were so popular on multiple search results page is reportedly set to be retired by the company after two months.

According to a report by Android Police, Google will shut down the feature that showed answers to questions that were somewhat related to the search term, by June 30. The company has updated its support page for the topic, informing users that the feature is going away on that date.

Read more: Covid 19: Search for hospital beds, oxygen and location on Twitter using filters

The feature itself wasnt a very old one and seems to have been introduced a couple of years ago. Tapping or clicking on one of the questions and results usually populates the list between search results with a few more related questions and answers below them. Google also appears to have allowed publishers to reply to questions posted by users.

Some of Google's Q&A entries among the search results. (HT Tech)

The report seems to suggest that Google had developed the feature primarily for the Indian market, but the companys own website does not mention this as an India-specific feature. On Google Search, you can ask and answer questions about what you search. Contributions on Google Search don't work in all languages and all countries/regions, is what Googles own documentation has to say about the feature.

Also read: How to use Google Maps to find the closest Covid-19 vaccination centres

However, the questions and answers may not always have the best results  at least in our experience. Google also currently allows users to ask questions and answer questions from both the Google.com webpage and the Google app on smartphones.

If you have contributed to any questions and answers over the past couple of years, the company says you can head over to Google Takeout to export your search contributions before they disappear from the site at the end of June.
Indian Institute of Management - Ahmedabad professor Chinmay Tumbe on Sunday said India failed to prepare for the second COVID-19 wave due to the complacency of the government and society, and failure to keep track of the different strains of the virus.

Tumbe, who recently authored the book titled 'The Age of Pandemics: How They Shaped India and the World', further said India will have to be alert for at least two more years to the possibility of a repeated wave of this crisis.

"I think there are two major factors (India's failure to prepare for the second wave). One is, of course, complacency from the government level, from the society level where everybody assumed that the pandemic is over, but serious pandemic rarely gets over in a few months, so that was a big mistake.

"Second is failure to keep track of the different strains of the virus, it's clear that this particular strain that is right now is quite different from the first one," he told PTI.

India is grappling with a spiralling number of COVID cases as well as related deaths, forcing many state governments to put in place restrictions on the movement of people.

Asked what India could have done differently to fight COVID-19, Tumbe said if you see what countries like New Zealand and Australia have done, they have been very very slow to go back to full economic activity.

"The fact that a lot of focus on the science behind the pandemic was forgotten in India. For example, Kumbh Mela should not have been allowed because we were not completely out of the woods of pandemic," he said.

He also argued that beds, oxygen cylinders, ventilators, all should have been ramped up in the last year by the Centre and states.

"Between, say December to February, the amount of complacency was terrible," Tumbe opined.

The IIMA professor said the pandemic is not going to get over in a few weeks, it is going to be there for a long time.

"We have to be alert for at least two more years to the possibility of a repeated wave of this crisis. But our immediate focus has to be on crushing this immediate wave in the next few weeks," he said.

Asked how India should prepare to fight the next pandemic, Tumbe said the country needs to ramp up the availability of bed, oxygen cylinders and ventilators.

"It is better to have an oversupply of these things than undersupply... Even if COVID-19 cases come down, we should plan ourselves for 10X, 20X demand for medical oxygen that sort of planning has to be done," he observed.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An extraordinary resolution in parliament that scoffs at Sri Lankas courts View(s):

It is the height of rather superb irony that the Abeyratne Commission of Inquiry tasked to look into allegations of political victimisation of public officers, employees of public corporations and members of the armed forces and the police during 2015 to 2019 and ascertain if any person or persons had unlawfully intervened into certain investigations, itself stands accused with good reason, of unlawfully intervening into Sri Lankas judicial process.

Implementation of outrageous recommendations

To be blunt, the creation of this Commission, its manner of functioning and its findings, now poised to be implemented by the Parliament turns this nations more than hundred-year judicial history unceremoniously on its head. As the Resolution before the House reportedly recites, among its recommendations are, outrageously, the withdrawing of indictments by the Attorney General in ongoing cases in the courts including in trials of gross corruption and human rights violations implicating many currently in seats of power.

Never mind that these cases have scarred Sri Lanka in the critical eyes of the world. Certainly it is folly to engage in acts of extra-legal harakiri knowing that this would only give a fillip to international scrutiny in the face of Resolution 46/1 on Sri Lanka adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council on March 23rd, 2021 which in fact, cites some of these cases as emblematic instances of human rights violations for which there has been no accountability. Even so, the betrayal here goes far beyond the pale of international accountability processes, let me be clear.

First and foremost, this Resolution (and not UNHRC Resolution 46/1) is a betrayal of We, the People in a most fundamental sense. If this Resolution is approved and its implementation secured through consequent legal instruments by the House including by those very members who are the focus of the cases that are recommended to be withdrawn, the practice, study and teaching of constitutional law will cease to have any meaning. Judges may well cease their judicial function and lawyers may leave their black coats (which many of them have undeniably disgraced) at home.

A mockery of the Rule of Law

This strikes first at the Bench and the Bar, let us note. It was reported with some mirth that the Governments lawyers had, during submissions on the Port City Economic Commission Bill this week, responded to the objection that the Bill allow foreigners to sit on the proposed Commission by saying so what? Even the Chief Justice can be a foreigner. Will we now hear, so what? The Parliament is supreme? These are frivolities that must be dismissed with manifest contempt.

Not only content with reflecting the Abeyratne Commissions recommendations that indictments be withdrawn, the House will also consider if calls for convictions entered into the trial court and affirmed by the apex court should be reconsidered. To complete this mad hatters tea party, it has also been recommended that prosecutors handling cases against those currently in power be investigated. What mockery is this of the countrys legal system and the Rule of Law? The Resolution is not an artful strategy. Far from it. In fact, by resorting to such an unlikely device as a fact finding Commission of Inquiry to serve its purpose, the Government has demonstrated its mala fide in fighting shy of the judicial and legal process which has been activated in respect of these cases.

In other words, this malodorous exercise has been indulged in because of fears as to what might transpire in the judicial arena. To any reasonable man or woman on the Clapham omnibus, this speaks to guilt, irreversible and irredeemable. So to protect a few and their cronies, accused of the most unspeakable atrocities, does the nation have to pay? Let us not forget that this was a country founded on the bedrock principle that judicial power is vested only in the judicature, where indeed, it had been reposed for centuries. This was no abstract legal doctrine trapped within the stiff pages of a Constitution.

Rendering the Sri Lankan judiciary redundant

Instead, that principle had enormous practical force where any attempts to encroach on the preserve of the judiciary were jealously repelled. One of the earliest instances of course, known to any student of constitutional history is when legislation sought to imprudently vest the executive (the Minister of Justice) with the power to nominate judges to constitute a Trial-at-Bar. That attempt was summarily thrown out as an interference with the strict judicial power of the State vested with the Court and the impugned power therein was vested with the Chief Justice.

Our judicial institution has certainly been chequered. We have had judges of the highest integrity and steadfast principle along with others who have adorned the Bench with considerably less intellectual and moral strength. In the last two decades, the judicial institution has been more the topic of unseemly scandal than at any point since independence. This has been the subject of extensive documentation and scathing critique domestically as well as overseas. And as a practitioner and appalled observer of the grievous degeneration of the legal system and the forsaking of justice in its most substantive form, this regression has been particularly painful to witness.

But what we are facing now is far worse. This crisis does not concern the peccadilloes of a Chief Justice unable to occupy a most hallowed Chair with dignity befitting the post or the eccentricities of a legal system staggering under the weight of citizens seeking redress for their wrongs. Rather, it is the submerging of Sri Lankas judicial institution in one fell swoop and rendering it redundant. Is this part of a strategy of a Government which came into power on the basis that it will protect national sovereignty but betrays that same sovereignty with most awful effect?

A cardinal constitutional sin

How can a Parliament set aside court cases and convictions? Is this not the most clear evidence of contempt of court that one can find? If a parliamentarian is sentenced to several years for publicly criticising judges, what can one say of those who directly interfere in court cases or parliamentarians who act contrary to Article 4 c) of the Constitution which mandates that, judicial power shall be exercised by courts? Merely promising that the findings of the Abeyratne Commission will not be used to impose civic disabilities on opposition parliamentarians, as some in government ranks have sought to do, does not suffice.

This indeed, may be a red herring to divert attention from the cardinal constitutional sin that is sought to be perpetuated on the Sri Lankan people through this Resolution that is before the House. Hitherto, the complaint in regard to bodies appointed under the Commissions of Inquiry Act (1948) was that they were far too tame in nature, that their recommendations had not made any impact on those affected and that they were a waste of public funds. The excellent recommendations of many previous Commissions have been tossed into wastepaper baskets, including those of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, (LLRC).

It is one more tragedy among many others inflicting this country that while those Commissions were treated so rudely, the findings of this one Commission which so flagrantly exceeded its mandate is potentially poised to form the basis of implementation by Parliament. Clearly, this is to benefit the political patrons named therein. This is how Sri Lanka is ruined and the very foundation of the nation-state destabilized.

For that we have ourselves to thank and not that convenient bogey of international conspirators, let us remind with force.
On another Anzac Day turned lonesome by the global pandemic, solitary actions showed all the more how the sacrifices of Australia and New Zealand during World War I are far from forgotten.



While global attention turned at dawn Sunday to the beaches of Turkey's Gallipoli where the two emerging countries crafted a sense of nationhood from the horrors of war in April 1915, all along the front line in Europe, small ceremonies highlighted gratitude for the so-called Anzac troops over a century after the war ended.





A veteran parades in the Anzac Day march to the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, April 25. AFP-Yonhap
Highlights iQOO latest flagship smartphones iQOO 7 5G and iQOO 7 Legend 5G are set to launch tomorrow, 26th April.

The price of the smartphone has been leaked online via Amazons promotional page.

Earlier iQOO India Director had shared that iQOO 7 Legend 5G would be priced under Rs. 40,000.

Before the launch of its latest flagship smartphones on April 26th, iQOO 7's pricing details in India have been leaked via Amazon's promotional material. According to the leak, shared by tipster Abhishek Yadav, the handset will be priced at Rs. 34,999.

The upcoming iQOO phone is powered by the top-end Qualcomm flagship Snapdragon 888 SoC paired with 12GB RAM. iQOO 7 Legend India launch will happen later this month, and it will become one of the most powerful Android smartphones available in India. iQOO 7 Legend is going to be one of the top-end flagship smartphones.

iQOO 7 5G is rumored to be a rebranded version of iQOO Neo5, which debuted in China in February. The iQOO 7 Legend 5G was also launched with the iQOO 7 moniker in January in China.

The IQOO 7 5G is expected to feature a 6.62-inch AMOLED FHD+ 120Hz display with a 20:9 aspect ratio, HDR10+, and 1,300 nits brightness. It may run on iQOO UI-based Android 11 OS.

Earlier, iQOO India Director Gagan Arora shared that the iQOO 7 Legend 5G will be priced under Rs 40,000. And as the iQOO 7 5G is less powerful than the iQOO 7 Legend 5G, it is expected to have a cheaper price in India.

The smartphone could feature a triple camera system with a 48-megapixel main camera, a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. It may sport a 16-megapixel selfie camera at the front.

For connectivity, the device will offer support for dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, 5G, NFC, and a Type-C port.

Moreover, a 4,400 mAh battery will power the smartphone and it will also support 66W fast-charging tech. Lastly, the phone will get an in-display fingerprint sensor for security and Hi-Fi audio, and stereo speakers.

iQOO is a Chinese smartphone brand and manufacturer founded in February 2019 as a subsidiary of the popular smartphone manufacturer Vivo. However, the company now operates independently of Vivo.
Bicyclist taken to hospital after Friday crash with vehicle
Covid cases top 100,000 as dengue also strikes View(s):

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka crossed the 100,000 mark last evening with another 826 persons testing positive for the virus, health authorities reported an increase in dengue cases and warned about a further rise due to the rains.

As of 7 pm yesterday, the number of COVID-19 cases, since the detection of the first case in January last year, stood at 100,517. Four patients, including an 18-year-old girl, died of Covid yesterday. The death toll stood at 638 last night.

On Friday, the authorities issued fresh health guidelines applicable till May 31 and appealed to the people to limit non-essential travel during the long weekend.

The surge in Covid cases came as several districts reported a spike in dengue cases.

Dengue Control Unit Director Dr Arun Jayasekara said the highly populated districts of Batticaloa, Colombo, Gamapaha and Kurunegala reported the highest number of cases this year, he said.

The Batticaloa district reported 2,686 cases which was the highest number, followed by the Colombo district which reported 939 patients.

Dr. Jayasekera said he feared a further increase next month and the situation would be tough to handle because of the surge in the COVID-19 pandemic also.

According to the statistics published on the Health Ministry epidemiology unit website, there have been a total of 6389 dengue cases reported from January to date.

The statistics show that even though the numbers are low compared to the corresponding period of last year, the number of cases gradually increased last month and this month.

Dr Jayasekara called on the people to be more vigilant and clear mosquito breeding areas in their premises as part of the measures to prevent a further increase in the number of cases.

He said the Government had arranged cleaning and fumigation programmes at public places. Priority was being given to schools and universities.

Colombo Municipal Councils (CMC) Public Health Department also has deployed 360 personnel and 60 teams to carry out house inspections to issue red notices and destroy mosquito breeding areas within Colombo city limits.

The citys Chief Medical Officer Dr Ruwan Wijayamuni told the Sunday times the number of dengue cases had increased mainly due to the recent rains. He said that normally dengue cases increase in early July but this year the numbers had risen from March.

He said the highest number of cases was reported from Colombo Central and Colombo North.

He said PHIs had inspected more than 22,000 houses and issued red notices to about 440.

We are unable to take legal action as we are overwhelmed with COVID control work. Therefore we destroy dengue breeding places at the source, he said.

The Public Health Inspectors Union urged the people to seek immediate medical treatment if they developed dengue symptoms such as joint pains or fever which persisted for two to three days.

PHI Union Secretary M. Balasooriya said that as both COVID-19 and dengue were virus infections, the symptoms could be similar. Therefore patients could not neglect treatment as both illnesses could lead to death, if not treated properly.
1. Yes. Its important to keep my child as safe as possible. We plan to take advantage.

2. Yes. With the school district dropping its mask mandate, its a necessary step.

3. No. Local COVID cases are dropping. There is no good reason to vaccinate my child.

4. No. There hasnt been enough data on vaccinated children. I think Ill hold off.

5. Unsure. I havent decided yet whether to take part in the vaccine clinics.

Vote

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A 100 year old received 788 birtday cards from strangers after her care home asked people on social media to help mark the momentous day.

Helen Maxwell-Lefroy, from Winchester, Hampshire, was overjoyed by hundreds of cards she received on her 100th birthday, which included several from strangers in Canada, Abu Dhabi and Australia.

Her carer, Laura Sheldrake, 33, posted on Facebook asking people to send cards as she knew Helen would not be able to receive any visits from her family on the day.

Helen Maxwell-Lefroy, from Winchester, Hampshire, was overjoyed by hundreds of cards she received on her 100th birthday

She does not have any children and her nieces and nephews live abroad and Covid restrictions at the care home made it difficult for her to have any visitors.

Ms Sheldrake said Helen, who has dementia, was shocked to see the number 100 on the cards and remarked to her 'I thought I was 50.'

Ms Sheldrake added: 'She absolutely loved looking through all the cards. She was overwhelmed especially by the cards she received from the schoolchildren as they had drawn them for her.

'She just kept saying 'they can't all be for me' and she was just shocked at the amount she was getting.'

She does not have any children and her nieces and nephews live abroad and Covid restrictions at the care home made it difficult for her to have any visitors

The centenarian went through every single card that she received, reading some herself and having some read out loud to her.

The care home also marked the day by having a Victorian-style tea party for Helen and the other residents.

Her family had strong links with Jane Austen's family and Helen spent much of her life writing about and giving lectures on the writer.

She is pictured above in her teenage years in the 1930s. Her carer, Laura Sheldrake, 33, posted on Facebook asking people to send cards as she knew Helen would not be able to receive any visits from her family on the day

She was part of the Jane Austen Society and worked on archival materials, assisting others in producing books on the much-loved author.

Helen's family's connection with the Austen family dates back to the late 18th century when the Reverends George Lefroy and George Austen held the neighbouring parishes of Steventon and Ashe, near Farnham.

The Reverend's wives and children were close, leading to a marriage between Jane's niece, Anna, and George Lefroy's son, Benjamin and the two families have remained close through the last 230 years.

Helen lived in Winchester which is where Jane Austen died and she made sure the city's historic Cathedral commemorated the author properly.

Helen's niece, Caroline Mackenzie who lives in France, said: 'She is an important person for us, her nieces and nephews and their children.

'She reached out to Lefroys everywhere, enjoying every opportunity to visit them and share her home.

'Her bookshelves were always full of cards and photos and she would share snippets of information about our lives, weaving our stories in with those of other Lefroys, bringing us all together connecting us with our past and the future - always available for a chat, a glass of wine, a party.'
At a time when several brands are coming up with their initiative to help India fight the Covid-19 crisis, Zomatos not-for-profit arm Feeding India has inked a partnership with Delhivery to source oxygen concentrators to hospitals across the country.

Announcing the partnership on Twitter, Zomatos co-founder Deepinder Goyal said that both the companies will also aim to deliver other important Covid-19 related supplies to hospitals and families.

"We have already kickstarted the effort, and now need your help to raise Rs 50 crores for @FeedingIndia in the next few days (hours?) to save hundreds of thousands of lives. If we raise more, we will get more oxygen," Goyal said on Twitter. Domestic donors can head over to the Feeding India website to make donations while the platform will soon open for international donors, Goyal said on Twitter.

All the funds raised by Feeding India will be directed towards the cause, as Zomato is bearing the entire administrative costs. Till the time of writing, the not for profit organisation had raised over Rs 50 lakh of the Rs 50 crore target.

Meanwhile, logistics firm Delhivery is working to import oxygen concentrators from China, with the aim to fulfil the unprecedented demand for life-saving gas. A Delhivery spokesperson told Economic Times that the company is providing logistical support on an urgent and subsidised basis, and not importing the material itself.

We are going to fly these charters at subsidised prices to ensure that a capacity crunch on air freight does not delay or make the logistics of these essential items prohibitive. Besides the air movement, we will also help with local movement at both ends and assist with customs clearance, again through partners, in India, the spokesperson was quoted as saying.

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Ambitious: Bulb's chief executive Hayden Wood owns a fifth of the firm

Bulb Energy has enjoyed a rocket-fuelled trajectory since launching six years ago  and its chief executive does little to dampen speculation that he's eyeing up another growth spurt.

When asked to confirm rumours the green energy firm is considering a further multi-million-pound fundraising, Hayden Wood says he has 'plans to continue Bulb's mission and to grow rapidly'.

And he even hints he could float the company on the stock market through an initial public offering in the future. 'It's something we would consider,' says Wood, 37, who poured his life savings into Bulb in its start-up phase and owns a fifth of the business.

'It's not something we are planning to do right now. But I would love to give Bulb members [customers] the opportunity to buy shares in Bulb if they want to. That's all I'll say.'

Wood, a former management consultant, co-founded Bulb in 2015 with his friend Amit Gudka, a former Barclays energy trader.

They felt the energy market had become broken under its dominance by the old 'Big Six' energy suppliers and set out to provide a cheaper, greener and simpler alternative.

'Over the past few years, Wood says Bulb has won 'hundreds of thousands' of customers who have mostly switched from firms such as British Gas and EDF, making it the sixth biggest energy supplier in the UK behind Scottish Power.

It has 1.7million customers globally, up from 15,000 in 2017, and has just hit 50,000 international customers after expanding overseas last year to France, Spain and Texas.

Wood admits the rapid expansion has been stressful, saying it has sometimes felt as though 'we had to be building the plane while we are flying it'. He was 'gutted' when the pandemic hit last March because the workload meant he couldn't take paternity leave to spend time with his baby daughter.

The pressure has also led to allegations of a bullying culture at the firm  issues that Wood says are now firmly in the past (see box).

But the pace shows no sign of slowing for Bulb, which was named as Europe's fastest-growing startup in March and hired 400 staff over the pandemic, swelling its employee ranks to 1,000.

Under Wood's ambitious ten-year plan he wants to supply 100 million customers globally by 2030. Bulb aims to make a 50 profit per household, on average annual energy bills of around 1,000, taking turnover to around 1.8billion.

He calls the climate crisis 'a race against time' and says he has to expand Bulb's green energy supply to help hit net zero targets. 'If we deliver our plan we think we will be able to save around 60billion on people's energy bills and around 800 million tons of carbon dioxide,' he says.

'Without setting these really ambitious goals we are just not going to get there.'

Bulb has received 67million investment to date, with the bulk from hedge fund Magnetar Capital and Russian billionaire Yuri Milner's firm DST Global, an early investor in Deliveroo, Facebook and Twitter. Wood sees Bulb as much as a tech start-up as an energy firm. And like many young tech companies, Bulb has run up large losses as it invests heavily in expansion, with a 63million loss over the year to the end of March 2020.

Wood will not confirm whether it moved into profit this financial year because the company is in 'growth mode'. His overall vision for Bulb is to transition from an energy supplier to an 'energy manager', offering technological solutions and products such as home batteries for solar panel owners and smart electric vehicle charging.

Bulb, based in East London, builds all its software in-house and is currently trialling an app that will connect to customers' electric vehicles and automatically charge their cars at the cheapest times of day, as prices fluctuate due to changing demand. It is also testing home battery technology that will improve the storage and management of energy generated by solar panels.

It is the first UK supplier to allow customers to make money by selling unused solar energy back to the grid.

'The role of an energy supplier is changing,' Wood says. 'We now need to tell customers how much solar panels will cost, how much they can save on bills, and where they should charge their electric vehicle. We are building the products that will let people navigate this complex world and make it seamless across those different devices.'

Wood claims Bulb is the cheapest UK energy supplier over a two-year period because other firms switch customers on to higher standard variable tariffs after a year through the so-called 'loyalty tax'.

The Government is looking to ban this practice after pressure from Wood. Bulb only has one tariff and its bills are typically 100 cheaper per year than the Government's 1,138 price cap.

Wood is extremely proud of Bulb's mobile app, claiming it's the best in the market and beats green rivals Ovo and Octopus for customer experience.

'People have been saying that energy tech is the new fintech,' Wood says.

'People used to interact with their energy companies by calling them and berating them for sending an inaccurate bill, now they can check their energy usage and their payments on their app.'

Wood is also in talks with the Prime Minister and the Chancellor to scrap VAT on green products such as electric cars and electric heat pumps and will launch the 'Tech Zero' taskforce in the coming weeks to help tech firms measure and reduce their carbon footprint.

He says: 'It is a colossal challenge to change the way we live and work so I imagine we will continue to have these conversations for a very long time. But we are making rapid progress.'
This image taken on April 25, 2021 by a Singaporean unmanned submersible vehicle and released by the Indonesian Military shows parts of the missing submarine, which has been found cracked apart on the seafloor in waters off Bali.

A sunken Indonesian submarine was found broken into pieces on the seabed, senior military officials announced Sunday, as they declared all 53 crew members dead in waters off Bali more than a half-mile deep.

An unmanned Singaporean submersible vehicle captured images of the wreckage of the KRI Nanggala-402 at a depth of 838 meters (2,750 feet), said Air Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, Indonesias military chief, as he confirmed that the submarine had disintegrated under enormous pressure at depths far below those it could safely dive to.

We have received images that have been confirmed to be parts of the submarine including the rear vertical rudder, the anchor, the outer pressure body and other parts of the ship including safety suits, Hadi told a press conference at an air force base in Bali.

With deep sadness, I, as the TNI commander, declare that the 53 members of the TNI aboard the Nanggala-402 have died, he said, using the Indonesian acronym for the countrys armed forces.

Moments before the military announced the news about confirmation of the wreckage and deaths of all the sailors aboard the Nanggala, President Joko Jokowi Widodo went on his official YouTube channel to pay tribute to the fallen seamen and offer condolences.

The tragedy has shocked all of us, not just the families of the crew members and the Indonesian Navy, but the entire nation, he said.

His message was broadcast after the president had been briefed about the deaths of the crew members and first loss of a submarine in the nations naval fleet.

They were the best children of our nation, patriots who defended our national sovereignty, he said.

Both the prime minister and the king of Malaysia also offered their condolences.

We are saddened by this shocking incident, Prime Minister Muyhiddin Yassin said in a statement.

Malaysia is always ready to extend necessary aid if needed to the Indonesian republic during this critical time, he said.

The German-made submarine lost radio contact after being cleared to dive during a torpedo training exercise early Wednesday morning about 60 miles (96.5 km) off Bali.

On Saturday, hopes for crew members survival were effectively dashed when the military announced that debris and objects from the submarine had been found, leading officials to suspect that the ships hull may have cracked and broken up under the strain of pressure at waters so deep.

Earlier, naval officials had warned that oxygen reserves aboard the submarine were expected to run out early Saturday had there been an onboard power outage.

Relatives of crew members on the sunken KRI Nanggala-402 submarine hug as they react at the Koarmada II fleet office in Surabaya, Indonesia, April 25 2021. [Antara Foto/Didik Suhartono/via Reuters]





Indonesias next-door neighbors  Singapore, Malaysia and Australia  sent ships to support dozens of Indonesian naval vessels and aircraft in the search for the submarine. The United States sent a P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance plane.

Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Yudo Margono said the KRI Rigel, an Indonesian Navy ship equipped with sonar technology, had detected the sunken sub at a depth of about 800 meters (2,625 feet).

A submarine-rescue vessel sent by Singapore, the MV Swift Rescue, then dispatched a remote-operated underwater vehicle to confirm the finding, he said.

It was found that the KRI Nanggala has been broken into three parts, Yudo told the same press conference.

There are parts that are still intact but with visible cracks. Parts of the ship were dislodged due to high pressure, he said.

Yudo said the crew would not have survived at that depth.

On behalf of the Indonesian Navy I express condolences on the death of the 53 naval personnel while on duty. To the families who are left behind, may they be granted fortitude, he said.

Yudo said the cause of the accident was unlikely to be human error.

The diving was carried out in accordance with proper procedures. This will be investigated and we will find out after the hull is lifted, he said, adding recovery teams would be working to find and retrieve the bodies of the dead sailors.

A robotic arm attached to the Singaporean submersible was used to retrieve some items from the submarine that were found on the sea floor, including orange safety suits, Yudo said.

The suits were kept in a box but they were out. Its possible that they tried to use them in an emergency, he told reporters, referring to the sailors.

Earlier on Sunday, Slamet Sarwono, the father of one of the crew members, Second Sergeant Eko Prasetyo, was still holding out that his son may still be alive.

Whatever happened, I hope Eko and other crew members can be found safe, Slamet told local news broadcaster Kompas TV.

Eko had served in the Navy for 11 years and left behind two children, he told the news channel.

The family of one of the other sailors declined to be interviewed by BenarNews, saying they needed time to grieve.

The KRI Nanggala-402 was built by German company Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in 1977 and came into service in 1981, the Indonesian military said.

From 2009 to 2012, the submarine was retrofitted by South Koreas Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, officials said.

With the loss of the KRI Nanggala-402, Indonesia has four submarines left in its naval fleet.

Noah Lee in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report.
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Mexico-based, El Salvador-born Tatiana Huezo has quickly emerged in the world of documentary as one of its most talented and thought-provoking directors of her generation.

As she finally jumps from documentary to fiction with the upcoming Noche de Fuego, a strong big fest candidate, the director delivered a three-hour masterclass at this weeks Swiss doc fest Visions de Reel.

Drilling down on her award-winning features and short films, the director expounded on her own understanding of filmmaking as a personal journey in a talk that took a chronological take on her career. Five key points made by Huezo:

Retrato de Familia (2005)

Having studied at Mexico Citys celebrated CCC film school, Huezo initially worked as a DP, battling to find her place as one of Mexicos then few women cinematographers -a story shared by so many women in the industry. It was a male job in a male world, especially in Mexico, she remembered.

After having made her graduate film, a sci-fi short, El Ombligo del Mundo, she ended up directing her first documentary short film, Retrato de Familia, where she explored the dynamics of a love triangle between two sisters and the man they shared.

The experience changed her approach to filmmaking as she delved deeper into the reality of the films characters, living with them for weeks and learning to observe with peeled eyes.

The Tiniest Place (2011)

Huezos big breakout, which received a rave review from Variety, The Tiniest Place won a berth in Official Selection at 2011s Visions du Reel. Her first doc feature explores the legacy of ghastly violence from El Salvadors 1980-1992 Civil War between guerrilla insurgents and government forces.

Picturing the still remaining traces of massacre and the haunting memories of the survivors, whose voices echo through the forest, Huezo uses the voiceover as a major device that carries the film. After my research, I came back to Spain, where silence became the heart of my dramatic structure, she added.

This became one of her most emphasized points in the masterclass. Huezos capacity to express herself through sound and silence was a point that she and the masterclass moderators returned to time and again. You need to have silence after a big moment, if not, that may be lost and forgotten, Huezo explained.

Tempest (2016)

Highlighted by the class moderators, Tempest has built into a major, influential title on Latin Americas documentary scene, driven by a powerful voiceover in which a female inmate describes what women go through inside Mexican penitentiaries.

Crossing Mexico from north to south as she returns home by bus through Mexicos vast landscapes, the documentary has the bus stopping at a military checkpoint. The producers were denied a shoot permit, however. When I asked for permission, everything changed and fell apart. All I really wanted was those anonymous faces of fellow passengers in transit, Huezo recalled.

Exploring the boundaries between documentary and fiction, Huezos production team created checkpoint scenes, hiring retired military personnel and renting army uniforms.

The military we hired did what they usually had done in such scenes, so everything came easily to them, Yet you could feel the passengers vulnerability, their fear when being questioned, Huezo explained about using fiction to drive to the heart of reality.

Noche de Fuego

Based on Jennifer Clements novel, Prayers for the Stolen, this is Huezos first fiction film. After I wrote a first draft, Nico said they wanted me to direct, Huezo recalled referring to her longtime producer, Mexicos Nicolas Celis, a producer on Roma.

It was a big challenge, since here we had to create everything from scratch said Huezo, pointing to this as one of main differences between documentary and fiction. Now, I feel I can move freely between fiction and documentary.

The Echo

Currently Huezos next documentary project, The Echo will take place in a remote village in Mexico. She plans to follow three families for one full year, focusing on the children  reflecting Huezos interest in lost childhood.

Set in a village where conditions change drastically between seasons, The Echo asks what survival means at this remote location in Mexico, said Huezo. The name of the village, El Eco, gave its name to the title of the project.

Huezo has now consolidated her status as one of the key directors in the international documentary community. Research, for me, is the key step in documentaries, she said at Visions du Reel. No matter whether a films documentary or fiction, a film is indeed a film, she added, with reference to the ever more conflated borders between the two.

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Massachusetts business owners, large and small, rose to confront and cope with a multitude of challenges over the past year. They labored long and hard, reinventing themselves and how they do business, caring for their employees as much as they could when they could.

From restaurants to convenience stores, from health care providers to retailers, from factories to small businesses with fewer than 20 employees, they are now facing a new challenge resulting from a law intended to help them emerge from the pandemic.

Despite the state passing an unemployment insurance law that was praised as a relief package for employers, business owners are now faced with an unintended consequence of the pandemic unemployment crisis.

As the pandemic raged in 2020 and employers had no choice but to pare down, or even eliminate entire workforces, the states unemployment insurance trust fund slowly became swallowed up by record numbers of claims.

The fund expects to face a $4 billion deficit by the end of the year. The unintended consequence was in the states unemployment insurance solvency fund. The CARES Act mandated states divert COVID-related unemployment claims to the solvency fund, which typically remains below 2%.

The long and short of it is this: To replenish this fund, employers unemployment insurance contribution rate skyrocketed from 0.58% to 9.23% for 2021. And most businesses, The Republican among them, will take a significant financial hit. Some may not be able to recover.

Many employers are scrambling to figure out what path to take. Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, said, We do not think its fair that employers have to cover the entire cost of COVID layoffs, referring to layoffs and furloughs that happened after the state mandated that non-essential businesses temporarily close. This has nothing to do with employer decisions. This has everything to do with government decisions.

Hurst is correct. How can businesses, through no fault of their own, without fair warning to plan in any significant way, be able to work this into their financial projections? The government-mandated closures, so the government needs to provide a fix.

Government worked well to get workers who were laid off or furloughed the unemployment insurance they needed to get through the worst of the pandemic. Now, businesses need assistance to stay viable due to unintended consequences based on the workings of the unemployment system.

Gov. Charlie Baker is currently working with the Legislature to provide financial relief for businesses faced with these tax increases. Officials must dig deep within President Trumps Cares Act structure and President Bidens American Rescue Plan to come with a solution to this potential crisis. Some of the federal funds should be tapped for this purpose, to help the states employers stay viable and able to preserve the jobs theyve worked so hard to provide.

Our government has worked through unprecedented events to serve the public and get through the worst of the pandemic. It is critical that business owners be offered relief from this tax increase. The alternative could well be that our communities will incur more layoffs and closures and further delay any real economic recovery.
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Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has given assurance that the construction work on the Obudu International Passenger and Cargo Airport would be ready within the stipulated time.

Mr Ayade, who gave the assurance while inspecting the project on Sunday at Obudu, however, did not state the exact time the airport would be ready for inauguration and operation.

The governor expressed satisfaction with the speed of work at the project site in Obudu, saying that the number of contractors engaged in the project would ensure completion in stipulated time.

I am quite excited at the progress of work so far, we have five subcontractors working here at the Obudu International passenger/cargo airport and we hope to be done with all the earthworks in the next four months.

The contract was only awarded earlier this year and they moved to site about two months ago and they have achieved about 35 per cent in terms of job completion.

We are passionate about this project, we are very aggressive about this project, you can see the number of equipment and different subcontractors on site, he said.

He said the airport project and the state-owned airline, Cally Air, had been positioned to change the economic narrative of the state by increasing its tourism potential.

The Cally Air is completely set up to drive traffic into the state. If you take Emirates out of Dubai, you will have no Dubai, therefore we must understand the fact that logistics is key in todays world.

No matter how much you want to depend on a digital world, some physical movement remains imperative, he added.

Mr Ayade noted that the airport is a vital life wire for the Obudu Cattle Ranch.

He explained that the facility has the capacity to meet Nigerias tourism needs, hence the need to create higher footfalls and densification for the ranch.

To achieve this, access is critical. You cannot have access to Obudu Cattle Ranch even if you were to come in from Lagos, for example.

You will have to land in Calabar and then you have to deal with six hours of travel time by road to get to the Ranch, which is quite discouraging.

Tourism cannot be tolerated; tourism is a pleasure. When it becomes tolerance it becomes torture.

So, we needed to deal with the access because even if I have to put gold in the Ranch nobody will come unless the access to the Ranch is very convenient.

Beyond increasing footfalls to the Ranch, the main objective of the airport is to create an industrialization process that will give every industry in the state an export potential.

You have to invest in Naira and earn in dollar for this country to grow, Mr Ayade said. (NAN)
A 24-year-old Weymouth man is accused of stabbing three people outside a Quincy bar Sunday morning.

Police were called around 1 a.m. to the area of Rags Tavern on Washington Street.

Upon arrival, officers observed a large fight in the parking lot of the establishment, police said.

Officers discovered three people had been stabbed. The victims, who are all 21-years-old, were taken to area hospitals for treatment.

Two of the victims had multiple stab wounds, police said.

Tyler Maclean was arrested and charged with three counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct.

He was taken to a local hospital with facial injuries. Maclean was then taken to the Quincy Police Station where he was booked.
(AP)

A group of volunteers emerged from a cave in south-west France on Saturday after spending 40 days underground for an experiment.

Fifteen people endured more that a month without daylight, clocks or external communications to see how it would affect their sense of time.

The group, led by French-Swiss explorer Christian Clot appeared at around 10:30 am (0830 GMT) from the Lombrives cave in Ariege.

They lived in and explored the cave as part of a project called Deep Time, where there was no natural light, the temperature was 10C and the relative humidity 100 per cent.

Members had to generate their own electricity with a pedal bike and draw water from a well 45 metres below the earth.

The volunteers, aged between 27 and 50, had no contact with the outside world.

It was like pressing pause, said Marina Lancon, one of seven women to take part in the experiment.

According to the Guardian, Ms Lancon said she did not feel any rush to do anything and wished she could have stayed in the cave a few days longer.

She added that she was happy to feel the wind and hear birdsong again.

In partnership with laboratories in France and Switzerland, scientists at the Human Adaption Institue, monitored the 15 team members sleep patterns, social interactions and behavioural reactions via sensors.

One sensor was a tiny thermometer inside a capsule that participants consumed like a pill.

It analysed body temperature and transmitted data to a computer until it was ejected naturally.

The team members followed their biological clocks to indicate when to wake up, go to sleep and eat.

They counted their days not in hours but in sleep cycles.

For us it was a real surprise, the project director, Mr Clot, said. In our heads, we had walked into the cave 30 days ago.

One team member thought the time they spent underground was 23 days.

Two-thirds of the participants stated a desire to stay underground a little longer to finish group projects started during their stay, according to Benoit Mauvieux, a chronobiologist involved in the research.

Story continues

The scientists said the 860,000 (1.2m) project will help them better understand how people adapt to extreme changes in living conditions and environments.

Our future as humans on this planet will evolve, Mr Clot said after emerging.

We must learn to better understand how our brains are capable of finding new solutions, whatever the situation.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 16:22:23|Editor: huaxia

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KIEV, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A Ukrainian nuclear expert has sounded alarms over the health risks posed to generations by the nuclear-contaminated water that Japan plans to dump into the ocean.

"Dumping 1.2 million tons (of radioactive wastewater) into the ocean is barbaric ... I know firsthand how badly it affects people," Olga Kosharna, member of the Board of the State Inspectorate for Nuclear Regulation of Ukraine, told Xinhua in an interview on Friday.

The wastewater that Japan plans to release into the sea contains tritium -- a radioactive byproduct of nuclear reactors, which could pose health risks even for the next generations, the expert warned.

"Tritium is a very dangerous element for the human body ... Its half-life is 12.5 years (Editor: which means half of the radioactive atoms will decay over that amount of time, a repeated cycle which literally lasts forever), and it causes internal irradiation of cells, which leads to irreversible consequences primarily for human embryos and pregnant women," Kosharna said.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has stored 1.25 million tons of water in tanks after the 2011 accident. The seawater was used to cool the reactors, which melted down following the earthquake and tsunami. The plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, known as TEPCO, is expected to run out of space to store the nuclear-contaminated water by summer 2022.

"Japan is running out of storage tanks. It is clear that the half-life (of tritium) is approaching, but there is a lot of technology," said the expert.

She said that Canada and Russia have offered Japan tritium removal technology which meets safety standards, but Tokyo declined the assistance.

Speaking about Japan's way to deal with the Fukushima accident, Kosharna said she was unpleasantly surprised at the cleanup efforts, which led to hydrogen explosions at the plant releasing radioactive materials into the atmosphere.

"I have followed the development of the Fukushima accident. I have always been a fan of Japanese technology, but when I saw that they let the accident transform into a hydrogen explosion, I was shocked," Kosharna said, noting that Japan was unprepared for the Fukushima accident.

"It turned out that at that time there was no scientific institution in Japan that would study the distribution of radionuclides in different environments," the expert said.

Professional incompetence was behind the devastating consequences of the disaster at the Fukushima plant, Kosharna said.

"The head of the TEPCO company, which operates the plant, was (just) an effective manager. He was just an investment banker, a person who has no working experience in the sector. He did not understand physical processes," she said. Enditem
Lucknow, April 25 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that the state government will conduct an audit of the life-saving gas, oxygen, in collaboration with various institutes.

"There is no shortage of oxygen in any Covid hospital, be it private or government. The problem is black marketing and hoarding, which will be tackled with a heavy hand. We are going to conduct an oxygen audit in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, IIM Lucknow and IIT BHU for proper monitoring of medical oxygen. The system of live tracking of oxygen demand, supply and distribution will be implemented," the chief minister said in a virtual meeting with editors of various newspapers on Saturday evening.

The chief minister has also launched a digital platform for monitoring oxygen supply.

Asserting that there is no shortage of oxygen in any private or public Covid hospital in Uttar Pradesh, he urged people not to let their guard down against Corona virus.

Yogi Adityanath also said that oxygen is not in short supply, provided only the needy use it.

"Every infected patient does not need oxygen, cooperation is expected from the media in increasing awareness about this," he said.

He acknowledged that there were some initial problems in increasing the number of hospital beds in the state, but they have been quickly overcome.

Yogi Adityanath said, "It would be a huge mistake to take Corona as normal viral fever. I am also in its grip. I have been following all Covid protocols since April 13 while in isolation." The number of infections in this Covid wave is about 30 times more than the last time, he added, but also claimed that the state government's preparation is better than before.

"We have made arrangements for oxygen plants in government institutions. There was a lack of this system in private institutions. Work is on to set up 31 new oxygen plants including 18 plants based on DRDO's latest technology," he said.

The chief minister also assured that there is no shortage of drugs like Remdesivir in Uttar Pradesh.

"When the demand increased, a state aircraft was sent to Ahmedabad and the drug was procured directly from the pharma company. Again, even this medicine is not required by all patients," he said.

The chief minister said that Uttar Pradesh is the first state to go for 'free vaccination for all'.

Nearly 8,000 centres have been set up where Covid vaccines will be administered free of cost to all people above the age of 18 from May 1, he said.

Reacting to the move on oxygen audit, a spokesperson for Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur (IIT-K) said, "We are more than happy to assist the UP government in any way we can in these times of crisis. A team will be formed and assigned this task once an official communication in this regard is received by us." The Indian Institute of Management-Lucknow (IIM-L) also assured full cooperation in the oxygen audit.

IIT-BHU director Prof P.K. Jain said, "A team of experts will be constituted for the oxygen audit as soon as we receive any communication from the government in this regard."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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The police in Edo State on Friday arraigned a 72-year old man and two others before a Chief Magistrates Court, Benin City, for allegedly stealing 50 units of tricycles, valued at N25 million.

The three defendants are Ifeanyi Onukwube, 35, Chima Sunday (AKA Papa), 72, and Bethel Abraham, 27.

The police prosecutor, Kehinde Iyawe, said the accused were arraigned on a four-count charge, including conspiracy and stealing.

Mr Iyawe, a sergeant, said the defendants on November 23, 2020 at Ahor Garage in Ahor community, within Oregbeni Magisterial District, conspired to steal tricycles.

He said the defendants stole 50 units of tricycles valued N 25million, property of Godec Power Nigeria Ltd.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 517, 383(1) and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of the defunct Bendel State, 1976, which is now applicable in Edo State.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The defendants counsel, Martha Imafu, appealed to the Chief Magistrate to grant them bail and assured him that the defendants would not jump bail.

The police prosecutor did not oppose the bail application.

Consequently, Chief Magistrate Mutairu Oare admitted the accused to a bail of N200,000 each, with one surety in like sum.

He said the surety must be a responsible person and must depose to an affidavit of means.

Mr Oare also directed that the surety must deposit two recent passport photographs of himself and that of the defendants with the court.

He added that information about the suretys residence should be verified by the court registrar.

The case was adjourned to May 12 for hearing.

(NAN)
Kadapa District Railwaykoduru constituency is famous for its mango crop in south India. Farmers cultivate about 100 varieties of mangoes here. (Photo: PTI)

Kadapa: Despite lower mango yield this year, farmers are not optimistic about finding buyers for their produce because of Covid-19 lockdowns. They are not sure about getting good prices for their produce.

No one is coming forward to buy mangoes in cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik in Maharashtra as markets are closed due to Coronavirus. Exports too came to a standstill as markets remained closed in several parts of the northern states.

With northern states and export markets remaining out of reach, the farmers are looking to rely on the local market in Kadapa itself. However, mangoes from Vijayawada, Visannapeta, Damalacheruvu, Kottakotta, Srinivasapur in Karnataka, and other parts of the state reached the local markets at the same time.

Kadapa District Railwaykoduru constituency is famous for its mango crop in south India. Farmers cultivate about 100 varieties of mangoes here. While the Benisha type is the main crop, other types are Rumani, Tothapuri, Neelam, Khader, Mallika, Pulihora, Manoranjan, Noonepasand, Neelishan, etc.

While the Benishan variety fetched between Rs 60,000 and Rs 70,000 per tonne last year, it is priced in the range of Rs 40,000 and Rs 42,000 per tonne this year. Tothapuri variety was priced at Rs 22,000 to Rs 24,000 per tonne last year, while it fetched only Rs 18,000 to Rs 19,000 per tonne this year.

Totapuri mangoes are mostly supplied to juice factories in the Chittoor district.
KALAMAZOO, MI  Its been eight years since Teresa Stefanovic first traveled from Taiwan to the United States as a 20-year-old college student studying abroad in San Francisco.

A semester-long taste of the city was all the aspiring pastry chef needed to inspire her to return as soon as her studies were done.

She landed a managerial internship at the prestigious Mark Hopkins Hotel, became a manager there, met her husband-to-be and the rest, as they say, is history.

After getting married and beginning the process four years ago to become a U.S. citizen, Stefanovic can now officially call America her home.

An employee of Sarkozys Bakery in Kalamazoo, Stefanovic became a U.S. citizen earlier this April in Detroit without any fanfare.

Because of the pandemic, her parents were unable to fly in from Taiwan to celebrate with her. And her husband  who happens to be a Serbian immigrant  as well as her boss, Judy Sarkozy, were unable to accompany her to the ceremony.

When she returned to work on April 17; however, Stefanovic was greeted with a banner and flowers from Sarkozy and the rest of the staff.

Congratulations to Teresa on becoming an American citizen! If you've been in our bakery and had the pleasure of meeting... Posted by Sarkozy Bakery on Saturday, April 17, 2021

The gesture touched Stefanovic greatly, and a post picturing an elated new American drew over 1,000 positive reactions on Facebook, something that also touched her  especially in an age in which immigration can be a contentious topic.

I was really touched, she said with a smile. Its like a family here. I dont have any family here besides my husband and I feel like I really belong here.

Stefanovic said she feels fortunate that in her eight years in America, she has had nothing but a loving and welcoming experience without any personal incidents of discrimination, but she knows it isnt that way for everyone, especially in the current political climate.

Many immigrants, and people of color, unfortunately nowadays, a lot of people have been murdered because of racial issues, and I just wish the world could be nicer without hate, she said.

She said if there was a message she could share, its that: we are all immigrants to some extent, no matter how long, and we all claim this place as home.

Stefanovic still struggles with her accent and joked that she wishes she could have that erased when she obtained her citizenship. She said speaking in a second language was extremely difficult when she moved here and said for those coming to the country to hang in there and stay strong.

She may have never thought shed live in Kalamazoo, Michigan  she moved here because of her husbands job  but its home. And she plans to soak up decades of knowledge from Sarkozy at the bakery.

I think it is really significant and important that she is now a citizen, Sarkozy said. Its a thrill for her and a thrill for us. Im very touched that she wanted to be a citizen and went through all the hoops and did it.

That was one of the reasons I put the banner up, because no one could go and be with her. ... Everybody really enjoys her here.

Also on MLive:

We just didnt have a path, says Food Dance owner about near closure of Kalamazoo restaurant

How Kalamazoo-area policing has changed in wake of George Floyd protests

Unaffordable rent among the challenges to fair housing in Kalamazoo, report shows

Unprecedented housing market leaves Realtors stunned: Never seen anything like this
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Kelly Osbourne made her first public outing on Saturday since revealing she had relapsed following nearly four years of sobriety.

The star, 36, who has assured fans that she is now 'back on track' with her health. attended a get-together at a friend's house on Saturday.

Accompanied by her boyfriend Erik Bragg, Kelly cut a casual figure in a black long-sleeved top with matching jeans.

Back on track: Kelly Osbourne made her first public outing on Saturday since revealing she had relapsed following nearly four years of sobriety

The daughter of Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne wore her purple locks in double buns, while she carried a black jacket and rounded out her look with Converse shoes.

Meanwhile, her cinematographer boyfriend matched her style, as he also stepped out in an all-black ensemble, which he teamed with a pair of boots.

On Thursday, Kelly showed she was feeling positive as she shared a snap of her new long purple tresses and insisted her hair change had given her a 'new outlook'.

She looked radiant in the picture uploaded to her Instagram as she debuted her perfectly styled glossy locks after a trip to the salon.

Stepping out: Accompanied by her boyfriend Erik Bragg, the TV personality, 36, looked relaxed and happy in a black long-sleeved top with matching jeans

Clearly feeling back on track she captioned the glowing snap: 'New hair!! New outlook!!'

She also took to her Instagram Story to show her getting the makeover at the salon and said: 'She's got her long hair today. Wow look at me I feel like a completely different person!

'I could be like you know one of them sexy girls. To think how fugly I used to be!'

It comes after Kelly revealed that she had relapsed after nearly four years of sobriety in a candid video posted to social media on Monday.

She took to Instagram to admit she was 'not proud' over her decision but wanted to be 'honest' with fans.

Back on track: Kelly showed she was feeling positive as she shared a snap off her new long purple tresses on Thursday and insisted her new hair had given her a 'new outlook'

Wow! The day before Kelly showed off her purple hair yet again but this time she wore it in a shorter style

Kelly insisted that she is now 'back on track' with her recovery and that she is just taking things one day at a time.

The TV personality went sober in 2017 and previously admitted that she never thought she would be alive at 35 after passing out every night from drugs and partying at the height of her battle.

Speaking in a video shared with her 1.3million followers, Kelly said: 'This is a little hard for me to talk about but I've always promised you I will be honest with you about where I'm at and what's going on on my road to recovery.

'I relapsed, not proud of it but I'm back on track and I will be doing a podcast this week where I tell everybody about what's going on and what happened.'

New look: She also took to her Instagram Story to show her getting the makeover at the salon and said: 'She's got her long hair today'

Happy: She added: 'Wow look at me I feel like a completely different person! I could be like you know one of them sexy girls!'

Kelly added that she is taking things just 'one day at a time' and wanted to tell her followers the truth as she never lies.

She continued: 'I just want to let you know that I'm sober today and I'm going to be sober tomorrow but I've truly learned that it is just one day at a time and I wanted to tell you guys the truth cause I never ever want to lie to you.'

Thanking fans for their support at the end of her video, Kelly signed off with: 'Thank you so much for your support and love and you'll be hearing from me soon.'

In 2020, Kelly spoke about her past battle and said that she used to take so many drugs she 'embalmed' her body every night.

The former wild child said she doubted she would be alive at 35 after passing out every night from drugs and partying.

Kelly admitted that she regularly took a cocktail of amphetamines, tranquillisers and marijuana at the height of her battle.

The star told her friend DJ Fat Tony on his podcast, The Recovery: 'I never thought I'd be alive at 35 years old.

'A lot of my friends didn't make it and burying them was hard. I had survivor's guilt for a long time. I'm almost three years sober.'

The reality star also revealed how she would convince her mum Sharon that she was sober by showing her stolen Alcoholics Anonymous sobriety chips.

Candid: It comes after Kelly revealed that she had relapsed after nearly four years of sobriety in a candid video posted to social media on Monday

She said: 'I never truly slept, I would pass out from whatever I drank or took and came to.

'I was in a haze of hangovers and withdrawals. I don't know how I did it for as long as I did. I embalmed my body.'

Kelly has been to rehab seven times and she was even locked in a padded cell to keep her off drugs.

She said she had her awakening in 2017 and decided she needed to change her ways.

Kelly revealed: 'I was so wasted the whole time. I hadn't been to a grocery store in three years or done normal things. I thought, "I don't want to live like this any more".

Way back when: Kelly took to Instagram to admit she was 'not proud' over her decision but wanted to be 'honest' with fans (pictured in 2002)

'I'd put blackout curtains in my house so I didn't know what time it was. I realised I wasn't going to make it. I'd be dead if I keep doing this.

'I picked up the phone and I was really drunk when I called my brother Jack.'

Kelly said that he arrived in minutes, even though his efforts to help before had resulted in Kelly being abusive to him.

She said: 'I got into his car. I was wearing a T-shirt and underwear. I remember saying to him, crying, "I don't want to be a fat drunk loser any more. I want to be a skinny winner".'

Kelly then checked into a new facility with a renewed energy and the help from her family.

Sobriety: The TV personality went sober in 2017 and previously admitted that she never thought she would be alive at 35 after passing out every night from drugs and partying at the height of her battle (pictured in 2007)

She said: 'I went to therapy for the first six months, for about six hours a day. I was like, "If I'm going to do this, I'm going to really do it".'

During the height of her battle, Kelly admitted that the longest she went off substances was a month.

She said: 'I've only ever had about 30 days of clean time, which is when I was in treatment, then I would come out and get high again.

'But I lied about it. I used to steal 60-day AA chips and give them to my mum so she would take me out for dinner.'

For help with similar issues call Narcotics Anonymous on 0300 999 1212 or Alcoholics Anonymous on 020 7407 0700.
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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In Melbourne, a manufacturing facility that could potentially be repurposed to help produce a COVID-19 vaccine sits idle. The facility  owned by pharmaceutical company IDT Australia  was opened in 2008 by then-premier John Brumby, and among the types of products made on its production line were antibiotics. But the facility fell into disuse as it became cheaper to manufacture medicines offshore. In March, the federal Health Department asked IDT to conduct a feasibility assessment to determine if its facility could be used to supplement the production capacity for a COVID-19 vaccine. The answer was yes. IDT facilities could be used to produce a vaccine, including an mRNA vaccine. We have existing facilities which could potentially be deployed to manufacture mRNA vaccines, says David Sparling, chief executive of pharmaceutical company IDT Australia. Credit:Wayne Taylor. Currently, CSL is the only manufacturer of a COVID-19 vaccine in Australia, delivering the AstraZeneca vaccine, of which Australia had agreed to buy almost 53.8 million doses. However, that vaccine has now been restricted to people aged over 50 after concerns of a rare blood clot side effect. The AstraZeneca vaccine has been widely administered in the UK but not approved in the US, which has primarily been deploying mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. There is growing evidence that the mRNA vaccines, which contain genetic code from a virus rather than the virus itself, are much easier to reconfigure to cover new viral variants of COVID-19 than the conventional inoculations such as AstraZenecas. The mRNA vaccines also have the highest efficacy rates in fighting COVID-19. The Victorian government announced last week that it would invest $50 million to fund the manufacturing of mRNA vaccines. While Pfizer and Moderna have commercially available mRNA vaccines, Australian universities, such as Monash, have also developed mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, which could be ready for manufacture and clinical trials if more local production facilities were made available. David Sparling, IDTs chief executive, said his company was keen to be involved in the production of COVID-19 vaccines in Australia and welcomed the Victorian governments announcement. This is a great initiative, he told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Australia has world-class mRNA researchers and IDT Australia could play a role, as we have existing facilities which could potentially be deployed to manufacture cGMP mRNA vaccines and treatments.

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Sparling declined to comment about the size of IDTs facility. Pharmaceutical industry sources, however, say IDTs plant has a production line similar in size to that of CSLs, and would only require minor repurposing. IDTs production line is understood to be currently set up for 20mm vials, while an mRNA vaccine requires 2mm vials. The Victorian governments announcement has prompted an assessment of other manufacturing facilities in that state that could be repurposed, with speculation also falling on a GSK Australia facility, which had been marked for closure at the end of next year. The move by the Victorian government to develop a manufacturing facility for mRNA vaccines comes as the timetable to vaccinate all Australians continues to slip, as it has also in some other countries. The reasons for the delay include unexpected safety concerns with vaccines and bottlenecks in supply. Vials of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer said it is not in discussions to manufacture its vaccine in Australia. Credit:Bloomberg The federal government has now said Australians aged under 50 will receive the Pfizer vaccine by year-end, of which its committed to buying 40 million doses. Pfizers mRNA vaccine is flown in weekly to Australia but the company wont disclose how many doses are in those deliveries. A company spokesperson said Pfizer was confident of delivering those 40 million doses by the end of 2021. We can confirm second-quarter, third-quarter and fourth-quarter 2021 deliveries to Australia remain on track and continue to progress in line with our weekly delivery schedule. The spokesperson said Pfizer was not in discussion with Australian companies on mRNA manufacturing, and remained focused on its hubs in Europe and the United States. At this time we are not in discussions for any additional manufacturing outside these established supply lines for this vaccine, the spokesperson said. Once the pandemic supply phase is over, and we enter a phase of regular supplies, Pfizer will certainly evaluate all additional opportunities available.

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The slow pace of inoculation in Australia and globally has prompted concerns the battle against the pandemic and the economic effects of it will stretch beyond 2022. A report by investment bank UBS estimates that 48.7 per cent of the world population will be inoculated by the end of this year. In Australia, Professor Colin Pouton of Monash Universitys Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and his team have developed three mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidates. He has argued strongly for onshore production, as has Professor John Shine, president of the Australian Academy of Science. Pouton has been advising the Victorian government on its manufacturing mRNA plans. The ability to control the supply of critical vaccines would give Australia greater flexibility in adapting to potentially new strains of COVID-19 and responding to other emerging viruses in the future. It would also position the federal government to better assist neighbouring countries such as Papua New Guinea, where COVID-19 cases are surging. The fragility in the global supply of pharmaceutical products was highlighted in a Productivity Commission report released last month. It noted the problem with pharmaceuticals was that they often come from a single foreign source. Australia, according to the Institute for Integrated Economic Research, imports 90 per cent of its medicines, which it had argued has left the country vulnerable. The IIER notes that while offshoring of pharmaceutical manufacturing has delivered cheaper medicines for Australia, it has come at a cost and this was demonstrated when COVID-19 hit. As the pandemic swept the globe last year, many countries stockpiled medicines and equipment, disrupting supply chains and causing shortages in Australia of critical medicines. The disruption continues, with export restrictions imposed on vaccines and the raw materials to make vaccines.

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The US Defence Production Act, invoked by President Joe Biden, can also hinder the export of raw materials and equipment used in vaccine production. Credit:AP In the US, the Biden administration invoked the Defence Production Act earlier this year, which allowed it to impose some control over private-sector supply of critical equipment and material, and direct it towards bolstering domestic vaccine development and supply. The US Defence Production Act can also hinder the export of such materials and equipment. Loading The New York Times reported that Pfizer has benefited from the US Defence Production Act. The European Commission also imposed export controls, which allowed EU countries or the Commission to block shipments of vaccines made by companies that were failing to fulfil their contractual obligations to the EU. Vaccine nationalism is a problem that isnt going to be resolved soon. And even as the one billionth dose of COVID-19 vaccine was produced this month, global demand remains huge: 9.5 billion doses, according to UBS. Australia, with almost no COVID-19 cases, is unlikely to be put at the top of the queue for supply of vaccines from offshore. Get our Coronavirus Update newsletter Stay across the news you need to know related to the pandemic. Sent Monday and Thursday. Sign up here.
TROY  Michael P. Barrett can answer this question: Just how do you move a 120,000-pound piece of industrial history?

Ingenuity, patience and a money source are the ingredients to dismantle a historic Corliss steam powered generator still standing where it was installed more than a century ago, transport it and reassemble it more than a half mile away in its future home at the Burden Iron Works Museum.

Slowly but surely weve been working our way toward this. Now through the extreme generosity of a sugar daddy, whom Im not at liberty to disclose just yet, we have a very large sum of money to move the remnant of that steam-powered generator," said Barrett, executive director of the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway, headquartered at the museum.

The generator is believed to date to the Troy and Albany Iron & Steel Company when it would have powered its manufacturing facilities between Madison Street and the Poesten Kill on the banks of the Hudson River. The company manufactured rails for railroad tracks during the 19th and 20th centuries. Its here that the rails for the eastern half of the first transcontinental railroad would have been made. Later the Ludlow Valve Company would have used it to power the production of a variety of different sized valves.

The generator now stands surrounded by a chain link fence on the northern side of whats generally called the Scolite site just yards from the Poesten Kill. Its an orphaned piece of equipment now that the buildings that it served have long since been demolished.

The remnants of this generator are still very neat to us industrial history geeks, Barrett said.

Even though scrappers have stolen as much metal as they could carry off from the generator its still massive. The generator is estimated to weigh between 40 to 60 tons or about 80,000 to 120,000 pounds, said Allen Cluett, whos studied the machine for years. There was a General Electric plaque on it at one point, but that too was stolen.

Cluett is familiar with Troys history. Hes related to the Cluetts of Cluett Peabody, which was famous for Arrow shirts, and to Cluett and Sons, a music company famous for instruments and sheet music.

Buying the generator is easy. The Hudson Mohawk Gateway is paying the city $1 for the machinery. The City Council is declaring it surplus property so it can be relocated.

After years of examining the generator, Cluett said it will be dismantled into about five pieces so tonnage will be easier to handle. Barrett said the gateway has asked for bids from three crane and rigging companies to lift the generator on to trucks, transport it down the road to the Burden Iron Works Museum where it will be reassembled and installed on an outdoor platform where visitors will be able to inspect it.

In keeping with the traditions of historic preservation which continues to shape our citys future, were excited to transfer ownership of this important historical artifact to the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway for permanent exhibition, Mayor Patrick Madden said.

Troy was one of the nations wealthiest cities during the 19th and early 20th centuries due to its large industrial base. The wealth of that era can still be seen in much of the Victorian architecture downtown.
Before the video surfaced of George Floyds murder, Minneapolis police put out a crisp statement that somebody died in custody because of a medical incident. If not for a teenager with a cell phone, we might never have known about the knee on his neck.

The lesson is clear: We cannot trust what these agencies tell us in just a few terse sentences. They could leave out the ugly stuff, and we would be none the wiser.

Yet more than two dozen states have more transparency when it comes to police disciplinary records than we do in New Jersey  including Florida, Alabama and Texas, which is just embarrassing.

Theres one area where New Jersey lags behind the pack, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal testified in July. We are one of a shrinking number of states where police disciplinary records remain shrouded in secrecy, virtually never seeing the light of day.

This means we cant find out if any of the cops we pay $100,000 salaries are beating their wives, showing up drunk, or prone to fits of rage. Even somebody whose life is literally at the mercy of an officers credibility has no access to these records. Defense attorneys dont know if a cop has a history of violence or has been disciplined for lying. Prosecutors cant find out either, when deciding whether to charge someone based on his word. Grand juries have no clue.

Grewal took a modest step toward reform, ordering the names of cops who have been disciplined to be publicly released. But theres a high threshold: It only applies to those who get suspended for more than five days. The Policemans Benevolent Association is now suing him over this. And even under that measure, cops could still look at a video of an officer slugging someone, decide it was not excessive or give a written reprimand, and wed never hear about it.

What we really need is the more ambitious measure stuck in the Legislature; one that would make all internal affairs files public as they are already in Florida and Alabama.

The police union would have us ignore this reality and believe that officers lives would be jeopardized if we learned about the existence of internal affairs files, because their reputations could be unjustly smeared. But you can access complaints filed against other regulated professionals in New Jersey, from your doctor to your plumber to your manicurist, as Alexander Shalom of the ACLU points out. And isnt transparency only more important for someone who carries a gun and arrests people?

Patrick Colligan, president of the PBA, argues that hes not trying to protect truly bad cops, but that the public shouldnt see minor infractions. If you want to expose officers who were merely given major discipline for minor offenses  alcohol abuse, possibly a domestic violence  youre going to cause harm to those officers for the rest of their careers, he testified.

Except this isnt minor stuff: If a cop comes to work drunk or beats his wife, we need to know. Otherwise, the department may do a shoddy investigation, as happened with Neptune Officer Philip Seidle, who had his gun restored after serving two suspensions for domestic violence, then used it to kill his ex-wife in front of their daughter in 2015.

And why shouldnt we learn about even the minor infractions? The public has an interest not only in the officer, but in the system. Are female officers being discriminated against in the disciplinary process, for instance? It benefits us all, including cops, to ensure that government is working as it should.

The details are critical. Some internal affairs reports contain names of whistleblowers, or victims of domestic violence, and those names should be redacted. And if a cop goes to his supervisor to confess that he has a drinking problem, for instance, it wont be part of the public record under this bill. The governor and AG both say they endorse the concept behind the bill. So why hasnt it gotten a single hearing?

Legislative leaders are evading questions on this, no doubt out of fear of angering the police unions. We got piles of statements about the Chauvin verdict this week, yet on this reform, virtual silence in response to repeated inquiries. Nothing from Senate President Steve Sweeney, and just the standard-issue reply from Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlins office that the bill is being considered thoughtfully and thoroughly. We heard nothing from the men in charge of the committees where its stuck, Sen. James Beach and Assemblyman Adam Taliaferro.

Its easy to talk about the need for police reform in the abstract, or whats happening in the Twin Cities. But bringing transparency and accountability to policing in New Jersey requires action and not nicely worded press statements, as Karen Thompson of the ACLU put it. If Black lives truly matter, then move this bill.

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Ric Shahin, 63, lives in Midland with his wife, Martha. Theyve been married for 31 years. They have two sons. The older, Peter, lives in Washington, D.C., while the younger, Nick, lives in Royal Oak.

Ric and Martha met at the opening teaching meeting in 1988 while working for Midland Public Schools. Shes retired from teaching Spanish and English at H.H. Dow High School. Marthas from Iron Mountain.

Rics parents are JoAnn and Jim Shahin. His Dad was the editor of the Dow Diamond, a Dow Chemical Company publication. His Dad died when Ric was 13. His mom remarried several years later to Don Hawkins of Hawkins Printing. Don passed away earlier this year.

Ric is a graduate of Midland High, the University of Michigan, and Central Michigan University. He earned a bachelors in political science and English at the U of M, and a masters in political science at Central.

He first taught in Carleton, Michigan, was laid off, and returned to Midland to go to grad school. He also worked at then-Northwood Institute, serving three years as the registrar, but he missed being in the classroom.

1. How long have you lived in Midland and what brought you here?

Off and on, since 1967, 54 years. Born in Philadelphia, moved to Midland when Dad took a job with Dow.

2. What is your profession and why?

Currently retired, but once youre a teacher, youre always a teacher. Im retired from the Midland Public Schools, taught social studies from 1988 to 2016 at Dow High and Jefferson Middle School. Its always changing. Every day, theres a different intellectual and emotional challenge. Its never the same thing the same day, and even the same hour. Youre always getting mental stimulation. Where else do you have the same impact?

Weve had all teachers, starting with toilet training or learning how to feed yourself as a child. The blessing of formal education was given to us by generations wiser than we. Its humbling to be part of that. Its the yearning to have the next generation be smarter and wiser than us.

3. What are some of your interests and hobbies?

Our kitchen is where things are happening. I love to bake. I love to cook. Music, I like that. Travel, when its possible.

4. What are your favorite things to do in Midland?

Farmers Market, always great. Love going down to the Tridge area. The multiplicity of restaurants. Not as many venues for live music as there used to be, but still like to go to that. The diamond in the crown of our community is the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library.

5. What do you enjoy about living in the community?

First off, we have a phenomenal school system. Because of that, we have engaged, involved citizens. Our public services are taken for granted. There are communities that would be green with envy. When you think of the City workers during the flood with the constant parade of dump trucks hauling debris to the landfill. The coordination among local leaders and emergency responders during that emergency. We had no casualties. We survived and it could have been much, much worse.

Lots of different opportunities for recreation. The Loons, unbelievable we have that here, the parks, the Chippewa Nature Center. All of those things are great to have in a town this size.

6. What is a message youd like to give the community?

What people need to remember is we have a community that embraces and overcomes challenges by rallying behind its goals towards progress. Theres very little this community cant do once it puts its mind to it.
The High Court has ruled that four publicans who won significant test actions over FBD's failure to pay out on business disruption claims caused by Covid-19, are entitled to their legal costs, but not on the highest scale.

In his judgement Mr Justice Denis McDonald said that while it was accepted that the actions were important test actions.

He said that the court, after considering various legal authorities on the issue could see no proper basis to order that the costs should be assessed on the legal practioner and client basis- the highest level of costs that can be awarded.

The four test actions were taken by Dublin bars Aberken, trading as Sinnotts Bar; Hyper Trust Ltd, trading as The Leopardstown Inn' and Inn on Hibernian Way Ltd trading as Lemon & Duke.

The fourth action was taken by Leinster Overview Concepts Ltd the owner of Sean's Bar, which is based in Athlone, Co Westmeath.

In his decision earlier this year, the outcome of which affects claims made by some 1,000 Irish pubs and restaurants, the judge found that a policy sold by FBD covered losses pubs sustained by having to close due to the pandemic.

The issue of quantifying the losses will be dealt with at a later date.

Following last February's judgement the publicans asked the court for an order compelling FBD to pay the legal fees the publicans incurred on an enhanced solicitor-client basis.

They claimed they had to engage in these actions, and argued that FBD had gained the benefit of a decision which has very wide implications for the insurer and its clients.

The publicans also argued that if they were awarded costs on a lower scale, they would be left in a less advantageous position than policy holders who did not take part in the test cases, which was not a fair outcome.

FBD argued the fact the cases were test actions, was not a reason for the court to award costs against it on the enhanced scale. Before the trial started FBD agreed to make a contribution towards the plaintiff's legal costs.

The courts should only award the level of costs sought in scenarios including when the court is unhappy with the conduct of the case, or in exceptional circumstances which did not exist in this case, FBD argued.

The judge said that the court was not prepared to award costs on the level sought by the publicans.

He said that the appropriate way to take account of the test nature of the proceedings was to treat it as a relevant circumstance when the publican's costs are being assessed by a Legal Costs Adjudicator.

The judge said if he is wrong on this, and the Central Bank which a regulatory role regarding the insurance sector, takes a different view over the level of costs that should be awarded then the court would revisit the issue.

In addition to the costs issue the court also sought submissions on matters including the proper interpretation to be applied to the term 'closure' within FBD's Public House Policy of insurance, which is relevant to quantifying the losses.

The publicans argued that the correct interpretation of the policy did not require the pubs to be fully closed in order for them to be covered.

They also claimed the policy also indemnifies them during the periods when the pubs were partially closed or limited in what trade they could do while various government restrictions were in place.

FBD argued that the court should interpret the section of the policy differently from the publicans.

It claimed that the language contained in the policy clearly refers to the period when the plaintiff's businesses were "completely closed," and not partially closed, and when certain pubs were carrying on some trade on their premises.

The judge ruled that he had come to the conclusion that the word closure is not confined to a total shutdown of the insured properties premises, but extends to a closure of part of the premises.

In his February judgement the judge disagreed with FBD's interpretation of its business disruption policy regarding covid19.

He said that cover is not lost where the closure is prompted by nationwide outbreaks of disease provided that there is an outbreak within the 25-mile radius and that outbreak is one of the causes of the closure.

The publicans had challenged FBDs refusal to indemnify them, as well as the insurers claim its policies did not cover the disruption caused by Covid-19.

They claimed that under their policies of insurance they were entitled to have their consequential losses covered by the insurer.

They also claimed FBD's failure to pay out was a breach of contract.

They claimed the policies contained a clause that states the pubs will be indemnified if their premises were closed by order of the local or Government Authority if there are "Outbreaks of contagious or infectious diseases on the premises or within 25 miles of same."

FBD disputed the claims and argued that the closures did not occur as a result of an outbreak of disease at the premises or areas where the pubs are located.

The actions will return before the court next month.
1. With Raul Castros announcement that he is stepping down as first secretary of Cubas Communist Party, the control of the island will be out of Castro hands for the first time in decades. When did Fidel Castro take control of the island nation?

A. 1939.

B. 1949.

C. 1959.

D. 1969.

2. Federal authorities have charged a 39-year-old mother of three with threats to kill Vice President Kamala Harris, saying the threats were serious enough that the woman practiced at a gun range and applied for a concealed weapons permit. Where is the woman from?

A. Texas.

B. California.

C. Montana.

D. Florida.

3. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that half of all adults age 18 and older in the United States have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. How many people is that?

A. 120 million.

B. 130 million

C. 140 million.

D. 150 million.

4. NASAs experimental helicopter Ingenuity made the first powered flight by an aircraft on another planet. It carried a remnant of wing fabric from the Wright Flyer that made history as the first successful flight on this planet at Kitty Hawk, N.C., in 1903. How much does Ingenuity weigh?

A. 4 pounds.

B. 40 pounds.

C. 104 pounds.

D. 400 pounds.

5. The death of Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick, who was injured during the Jan. 6 confrontation with rioters, has been ruled as result of natural causes, lessening the chance that anyone would be charged in his death. What was the cause determined to be?

A. Blood aneurysm.

B. Heart attack.

C. Stroke.

D. Previously undiagnosed liver cancer.

6. Consumers across the nation are reporting problems getting rental cars, for travel or just for in-town business. Why is there such a shortage of cars?

A. Car rental agencies sold off about a third of their fleet because there was no demand during the pandemic.

B. A shortage of a critical part is stalling auto production, making new cars more expensive and hard to find as fleet replacements.

C. A surge in tourists wanting to flee their COVID-locked-down locations.

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D. All of the above.

7. Former police officer Derek Chauvin, 45, was convicted of murder and manslaughter for kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, 46, and causing his death in Minneapolis. How long did the jury deliberate before delivering its three guilty verdicts?

A. 5 hours.

B. 10 hours.

C. 15 hours.

D. 20 hours.

8. Former president George W. Bush appeared on NBCs Today show and said hes concerned about the anti-immigrant rhetoric espoused by todays Republican party. He also described the current party as what?

A. Lost in its own rhetoric.

B. The formerly beloved party of Lincoln.

C. Full of insurrectionists.

D. Isolationist, protectionist, and, to a certain extent, nativist.

9. Which country music artist was named Entertainer of the Year, but was unable to perform at the Academy of Country Music awards event because of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis?

A. Thomas Rhett.

B. Maren Morris.

C. Luke Bryan.

D. Carrie Underwood.

10. Scott Rudin, a prolific producer whose biggest Broadway success is the long-running musical The Book of Mormon, announced he is stepping away from active participation with all of his current shows. Why?

A. Accusations of bullying workers.

B. Claims of sexual harassment.

C. Lost revenue due to the pandemic.

D. Fierce disputes with key stage actors.

Answers: 1. (C); 2. (D); 3. (B); 4. (A); 5. (C); 6. (D); 7. (B); 8. (D); 9. (C); 10. (A)
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani looks on as he attends a press conference in Bern, on July 3, 2018. (Ruben Sprich/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran to Bar Travellers From India Over COVID-19 Variant, Officials Say

Iran said on Saturday that it would bar travelers from India over a COVID-19 variant to avert its spread in the already stricken country.

Officials, however, did not say if any cases of the variant first identified in India in late March had been detected in Iran, the epicenter of the pandemic in the Middle East.

The Indian coronavirus is a new threat we face, President Hassan Rouhani said in remarks broadcast on state TV.

The Indian virus is more dangerous than the English and Brazilian variants, he added.

All the eastern provinces should make sure people infected with the virus do not cross the borders into the country, Rouhani said. Irans eastern provinces border with Pakistan and Afghanistan. Visitors can also travel Iran by way of the Gulf.

Irans civil aviation organization announced on local media that all flights to and from India and Pakistan would be halted from midnight Sunday.

Health Minister Saeed Namaki has asked the interior minister to halt the direct and indirect transport of travellers from India, Iranian media reported.

Most of Iran, whose coronavirus cases have surpassed 2 million, has been under a lockdown for the past two weeks as it grapples with a fourth wave of the pandemic.

The health ministry has reported a daily average of over 20,000 infections. Nearly 70,000 have died.

The countrys vaccination drive, meanwhile, has been slow going.
China aims to launch Chang'e-6 lunar probe around 2024

Xinhua) 08:17, April 25, 2021

Technical personnel monitor the rendezvous and docking of the ascender of China's Chang'e-5 probe with the orbiter-returner combination at Beijing Aerospace Control Center in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 6, 2020. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

NANJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China aims to launch the Chang'e-6 probe to collect samples in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the moon around 2024, said a space expert on Saturday.

Hu Hao, the chief designer of the third stage of China's lunar exploration program, told the China Space Conference, held in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, that detailed designing on the mission is in progress.

China launched the Chang'e-5 probe in 2020, successfully bringing home 1,731 grams of moon samples.

As the backup of the Chang'e-5 mission, the Chang'e-6 mission would also collect lunar samples automatically for comprehensive analysis and research.

The China National Space Administration has invited scientists around the world to participate in the program, offering to carry solicited payloads.

Four payloads developed by scientists from France, Sweden, Italy, Russia and China have been preliminarily selected. After the detailed plan of the Chang'e-6 mission comes out, the payloads will be finally determined, said Hu.

China will carry out lunar resource exploration, scientific research and technological experiments in the Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 missions, aiming to build a prototype scientific research station on the moon by 2030, Hu added.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Bianji)
Abbey Quinn regrets the Easter dinner.

The 29-year-old celebrated the holiday with her roommate's family five days after nabbing her first Moderna vaccine shot. Later that week Quinn, a restaurant worker in Asheville, N.C., woke up feeling her shirt hurt against her skin and knew it wasn't a typical cold.

Everyone at the meal tested positive for coronavirus, she said.

Quinn falls into an unlucky group of Americans exposed to the virus before their vaccine doses could offer them full protection. Their stories offer a reminder of the danger of people letting their guard down while highly transmissible virus variants circulate and a spring wave drives up hospitalizations across the country.

"We are all had an collective, 'Oh man, you were so close,'" Quinn recalled after telling her family about testing positive after her first shot. "I understood I wasn't fully protected. I did feel some sense of relief not because I felt like I was immune, but just because it felt the end was near. I saw a light at the end of the tunnel."

There's no clear data on how many people contracted coronavirus before their vaccinations could take full effect.

Based on a Washington Post analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Post estimates about 21,000 of 470,000 people who tested positive for coronavirus for the week ended Sunday already had their first dose. Michigan, where cases have been rising sharply with the rise of highly transmissible variants, accounts for about a tenth of that estimate.

Experts warn these cases should not be interpreted as evidence vaccines don't work. The immune system needs several weeks to provide robust protection as the body learns the blueprint for stopping the virus before it can cause serious disease. They are not the same as "breakthrough infections" happening at least two weeks after the final dose - which are overwhelmingly mild and extreme outliers.

With every American adult eligible for a vaccine this week, public health authorities and experts are pleading for vigilance and social distancing for a few more weeks to deliver a finishing blow to the pandemic in time for summer.

photo for The Washington Post by Kim Raff.

Experts say the first dose may keep coronavirus infections mild, but the protection probably wouldn't start kicking in for at least a week.A CDC study of 4,000 vaccinated health care workers and first responders found the risk of infection was reduced by 80% two weeks or more after the first shot and protection increased to more than 90% two weeks or more after the second shot.

"Even if you develop disease, you already have a head start form an immune system standpoint on controlling the virus," said C. Buddy Creech, the director of Vanderbilt University's vaccine research program. "The real challenge is we have to show the blueprint to the immune system with enough lead time."

Krutika Kuppalli, an infectious-disease doctor in South Carolina, said most patients who tested positive after a first vaccine dose that she encountered had mild symptoms.

"The thing people need to remember is the vaccine is not 100% protective, nothing is 100% protective," Kuppalli said. "We want this to become akin to it feeling like a nuisance cold if you get vaccinated. We don't want people having significant morbidity and mortality from covid."

In other cases, a person may have been exposed to the virus before their first jab. Montana Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte may be among the most high-profile of those cases after experiencing mild coronavirus symptoms three days after his first shot.

Anuraag Routroy, a 19-year-old freshman at the University of Texas Austin, was excited for a shot on Jan. 25 through the university. Then he felt stomach pains, which he initially chalked up to bad dorm food, and tested positive for the virus on Jan. 24.

"It felt like all the work that we had done since the pandemic begun being careful went to waste in a sense because you are so close to the vaccine, the final prize and you lose right before it," Routroy said.

Kuppalli said vaccines for other viruses, such as Ebola, have been shown to effective as a post-exposure prophylactic that could prevent disease.

But no studies have demonstrated a similar effect with the coronavirus vaccine, and the CDC advises people to wait until they are fully recovered before getting vaccinated. This is because the immune system could produce an "overly robust" response for people recovering from infection, Creech said.

There's no clear cut guidance for people infected between shots, who are usually advised to consult their doctor.

Zack, a 30-year-old Philadelphia entrepreneur, lucked out when a friend told him a mass vaccination site had leftover doses at the end of an early March evening. He wasn't particularly worried about the virus as a young adult without high-risk medical conditions.

That weekend, he went to a restaurant to dine indoors for the first time in months and joined a small home dinner party with friends. He woke in the middle of the night with a fever a few days later. Tests confirmed he and a friend at the dinner party contracted the virus.

"It's not like I was running around licking door handles or making out with random strangers, but I was thinking now I can eat indoors even though I knew I hadn't changed my risk profile that much at that point," said Zach, who asked his last name not be published to avoid harassment.

His case was mild and he has since become fully vaccinated. Now he's trying to help others avoid his situation.

"If I hear someone who says I got first vaccine, I say, 'Hey, just keep in mind you still got to behave safely and keep masking up," he said. "The first vaccine is not going to totally protect you."

Others who tested positive for coronavirus after their first vaccine dose have been trying to make sure their bad timing does not fuel vaccine hesitancy among friends and family.

Monica Martinez, a 25-year-old Utah resident, has been kicking herself for flying with her husband to visit relatives in Florida over the holidays. She tested negative five days before her vaccine appointment on Jan. 11, but felt feverish on the day of her appointment. Staff at the site told her she could get her shot anyway, but two days later, she tested positive.

"I didn't tell everyone I got covid, at least not right away, and would say please get vaccinated - it's not the vaccine's fault," said Martinez, a psychology student. "I didn't want to add to any sensationalism that 'She just got vaccinated and she got covid two days later, I wonder what that's about.'"

The disease hit her hard the first few days akin to a bad flu and leaving her with a high heartbeat. Her husband, who also tested positive, is just starting to recover his sense of taste and smell four months later.

"The theme of this is we are trying to be as careful as we can during a pandemic and the one time we slipped up and went traveling is the time we paid the price," Martinez said. "We learned our lesson."
The Vietnam National Quality Awards 2019-2020 were presented at a ceremony in Hanoi on April 25, honouring 116 companies with remarkable achievements







Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and representatives from a number of ministries, sectors and businesses attended the event.

The Vietnam National Quality Awards 2019 went to 61 enterprises, while 55 others received the Awards in 2020.

Also at the ceremony, the Global Performance Excellence Awards (GPEA) 2019-2020 were presented to four enterprises: Viglacera Corporation JSC; KIZUNA JV Joint Stock Company, Tan A Production and Trading Company Limited, and Central Power Electronic Measurement Equipment Manufacturing Centre of the Central Power Corporation.

Addressing the event, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat said the winners were all typical enterprises with the high spirit of innovation, which crystallised the quality of their products and services.

In the coming time, the ministry will continue to work hard on setting out policies so that businesses can enjoy preferential treatment on market access and development, thus improving their productivity and quality as well as promoting innovation, improving their competitiveness, he said.

The National Quality Awards were approved by the Prime Minister and are included in the GPEA. The PM signed decisions presenting the awards to 116 companies last year.

Over the past 25 years, more than 2,000 enterprises have won these awards, including 240 receiving the golden prize. Of note, 50 were also honoured with the GPEA.

The GPEA programme is administered by the Asia-Pacific Quality Organisation (APQO), which is a non-profit organisation bringing together all of the leading quality societies in the Asia Pacific region.

To be eligible for the prestigious awards, businesses must earn a national quality award for two years preceding the year of application and be recommended by the national awards body.

2019 was the 20th year Vietnam has participated in the GPEA programme. So far, there have been 50 Vietnamese enterprises winning this international awards.

VNA
New Delhi: Mahavir Janma Kalyanak or Mahavir Jayanti is the most important festival in the Jain community. The auspicious festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Mahavir - the founder of Jainism. This year, Mahavir Jayanti falls on Sunday (April 25).

Mahavir was the 24th and last Jain Tirthankara who established core tenets of Jainism. According to Jain scriptures and religious texts, Lord Mahavir was born on the 13th day of the bright half of the moon in the month of Chaitra in the year 599 BCE (Chaitra Sud 13).

Here are some interesting facts about Mahavir Jayanti:

1. It marks the birth of Lord Mahavir. He is said to be the twenty-fourth and the last Tirthankara (Teaching God). He was also called Vardhamana.

2. As a son to King Siddartha and Queen Trishala, Mahavir was born at Kundalagrama in Bihar. He spent 12 years of his life as an ascetic after abandoning everything at the age of 30.

3. It is said that Mahavir, had exemplary control over his senses, and attained nirvana at 72. Then, he preached spiritual freedom for the rest of his life.

4. Mahavir Jayanti often witnesses huge processions by the followers of Lord Mahavir. Prayers are offered in his name and Mahavir's teachings are recited on this day.

5. Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated every year on the 8th day of the holy period of Paryushana.

6. People from the Jain community also engage in charitable acts such as saving animals from slaughter or feeding the needy on the occasion.

Usually, Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated with full fervour across India as processions are carried out at various places. However, this year the celebrations are marred due to the rising cases of COVID-19 across the country, and the festival is restricted to homes.

We wish you a Happy Mahavir Jayanti!
New Delhi, April 25 : A recent survey conducted by CSIR (Council of Scientific Industrial Research), Government of India, has revealed that smokers and vegetarians are less likely to contract Covid-19 infection. The survey suggested smoking may be protective, despite Covid-19 being a respiratory disease, due to its role in increasing the mucous production that may be acting as the first line of defence among the smoking population. It indicated that vegetarian food rich in fibre may have a role to play in providing immunity against COVID-19 due to its anti-inflammatory properties by modification of gut microbiota.

The pan India survey was conducted by an eminent team of 140 doctors and research scientists to study the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, and their neutralization capability to infer possible risk factors for infection. The study assessed 10,427 adult individuals working in more than 40 CSIR laboratories and centers in urban and semi-urban settings spread across and their family members. These people voluntarily participated in the study.

Earlier, two studies from France and similar reports from Italy, New York, and China reported lower Covid infection rates among smokers. A study by America's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which examined over 7,000 people who tested positive for COVID-19, also vindicated the above findings. Interestingly, the study found that only 1.3 per cent of survey participants were smokers, compared to the CDC report that 14 per cent of all Americans smoke.

Similarly, UCL (University College London) academics that looked at 28 papers across the UK, China, US, and France found the proportions of smokers among hospital patients were 'lower than expected. One of its studies showed that in the UK the proportion of smokers among COVID-19 patients was just five per cent, a third of the national rate of 14.4 per cent. Another found in France the rate being four times lower (7.1 per cent vs 32 per cent among all population). In China, a study noted that only 3.8 per cent of patients were smokers - despite more than half of the population regularly smoking cigarettes.

In a separate study by Jin-jin Zhang to understand the influence of smoking behaviour on the susceptibility to Coronavirus observed that only 9 (6.4 per cent) patients had a history of smoking, and 7 of them were past smokers. The study found that smoking populations were less likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2. These findings were also confirmed by a French study of public health data that showed people who smoke, were 80 per cent less likely to fall prey to COVID-19 than non-smokers of the same age and sex.

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), known for its cutting-edge R&D knowledge base in diverse S&T areas, is a contemporary R&D organization. Having a pan-India presence, CSIR has a dynamic network of 40 national laboratories, 39 outreach centers, 3 Innovation Complexes, and 5 units. CSIR's R&D expertise and experience are embodied in about 4,600 active scientists supported by about 8,000 scientific and technical personnel.

CSIR covers a wide spectrum of science and technology - from radio and space physics, oceanography, geophysics, chemicals, drugs, genomics, biotechnology, and nanotechnology to mining, aeronautics, instrumentation, environmental engineering, and information technology. It provides significant technological intervention in many areas with regard to societal efforts which include environment, health, drinking water, food, housing, energy, farm and non-farm sectors. Further, CSIR's role in S&T human resource development is noteworthy.

CSIR is ranked at 84th among 4851 institutions worldwide and is the only Indian organization among the top 100 global institutions, according to the Scimago Institutions Ranking World Report 2014. CSIR holds the 17th rank in Asia and leads the country at the first position.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has described Boris Johnson the biggest threat to the union, as party leaders continue to clash over the possibility of another referendum on Scottish independence.

The prime minister is particularly unpopular in Scotland, polling suggests, with one recent Savanta ComRes survey putting his net favourability rating at  21 per cent.

Mr Sarwar suggested it was not in Scottish Conservative interests for him to head north of the border in the final two weeks of the Holyrood election campaign.

I can understand why Boris Johnson doesnt want to visit  Boris Johnson is a disaster, said the Scottish Labour chief.

He added: Boris Johnson is the biggest threat to the United Kingdom. Boris Johnson has delivered us Brexit and things are so bad that even Ruth Davidson has walked away.

Pushed on whether Sir Keir Starmer would return to Scotland before the 6 May election, Mr Sarwar said the party leader was an asset, adding: Well see  my intention is that I believe he is going to come back up.

SNP leader Nicola and Scottish Tory chief Douglas Ross very briefly joined forces during a heated online debate on Tuesday night  accusing Mr Sarwar of sitting on the fence.

Ms Sturgeon and Mr Ross initially clashed over Scotlands Covid vaccine programme during the debate organised by the National Union of Students (NUS), with the first minister making an impassioned defence of her governments rollout.

Suggesting they had both lost their cool, Mr Sarwar said, sarcastically: What a great example to children and the young people across the country  fantastic.

Ms Sturgeon fired back: This sitting on the fence, it might be good for a while. But sooner or later you have to decide which side you are on.

Mr Sarwar then asked: Was that targeted at me, sorry? Mr Ross interjected: She was speaking about sitting on the fence, it was definitely targeted at you Anas.

Mr Sarwar responded: I just like to not forget about the half of the country that doesnt agree with me on the constitution  we are in a pandemic after all.

It comes ahead of the Alba partys manifesto launch on Wednesday, when Alex Salmond is expected to say a supermajority for Scottish independence is needed at Holyrood to hold Boris Johnsons feet to the fire.
Boris Johnson said he would rather see bodies pile high in their thousands than order a third lockdown, it was claimed last night.

The explosive remark is said to have come after he reluctantly imposed the second lockdown, sources told the Mail.

Downing Street last night strongly denied the Prime Minister made the comment, insisting it was just another lie. But those who say they heard it stand by their claim.

It allegedly came after Michael Gove warned Mr Johnson that soldiers would be needed to guard hospitals overrun with Covid victims.

Boris Johnson (pictured)said he would rather see bodies pile high in their thousands than order a third lockdown, it was claimed last night

It allegedly came after Michael Gove (pictured) warned Mr Johnson that soldiers would be needed to guard hospitals overrun with Covid victims

Dominic Cummings 'is STILL in the frame as the chatty rat leaker as the investigation has moved on since he left Downing Street', sources claim Dominic Cummings is still considered a suspect in the hunt for the government's 'chatty rat' leaker, sources have claimed. Cabinet Secretary Simon Case will be grilled by MPs this afternoon about a string of explosive allegations made by Mr Cummings. The PM's former-svengali denied being the 'chatty rat' and on Friday accused Henry Newman, a No10 adviser and close friend of Carrie Symonds, of being the most likely culprit. Mr Cummings said Mr Case told Boris Johnson that the leak came from 'neither me nor the then Director of Communications (Lee Cain)'. But Mr Case is expected to deny claims that he cleared Mr Cummings over involvement in the 'chatty rat' leak last year, which led to revelations in the Daily Mail that Mr Johnson was poised to order a second national lockdown in October. Those plans were leaked to the press than night, forcing Mr Johnson to bring forward an announcement that a four-week closure would happen in November. A government source last night said the inquiry - conducted with the assistance of MI5 - was ongoing, adding: 'It has neither found anyone responsible, nor ruled anyone out.' A separate Whitehall source told The Times that while Cummings' claims he was cleared 'could well have been true some week in November last year' - this was no longer the case. They added: 'Things change. No one has been exonerated and the investigation is still active.' Advertisement

He agreed to fresh restrictions but his frustration is said to have boiled over after the crucial meeting at No 10 in October. No more ****ing lockdowns  let the bodies pile high in their thousands! he is alleged to have raged.

The Prime Minister is also reported to have made similarly blunt observations during the crisis.

The disclosure comes amid a spectacular public war of words between him and his former chief of staff Dominic Cummings.

Mr Cummings is expected to use his appearance before a Commons committee next month to challenge the Prime Ministers handling of the pandemic.

He tweeted over the weekend that the failure to introduce travel bans more quickly was a very important issue re: learning from the disaster.

The Prime Ministers critics say the third lockdown he introduced in January could have been avoided had he yielded to pressure from Cabinet Office minister Mr Gove and Health Secretary Matt Hancock to make the second lockdown more stringent. Hopes of avoiding a fourth lockdown have been boosted by the success of the vaccine programme.

But Mr Johnson has still warned some restrictions may have to remain  or be reimposed  to safeguard against the risk of another Covid wave.

In other developments:

Cabinet Secretary Simon Case prepared for a grilling by MPs today in which he is expected to deny clearing Mr Cummings of involvement in leaking plans for the second lockdown;

Allies of Mr Cummings claimed he had kept audio recordings of sensitive conversations with senior ministers and officials after he left No 10;

Environment minister Zac Goldsmith hit out at sexist claims that the PMs fiancee Carrie Symonds, who helped force out Mr Cummings, is acting as the power behind the throne;

Mr Johnson also faces demands for an inquiry into the row over the lavish makeover for his and Miss Symondss Downing Street flat.

Mr Johnsons comments about lockdowns were said to have been made at the end of October when Britain was hit by a second wave of coronavirus.

The Prime Minister found himself outgunned when Mr Gove and Health Secretary Matt Hancock led the demand for a new clampdown on the disease.

The disclosure comes amid a spectacular public war of words between him and his former chief of staff Dominic Cummings (pictured)

By October, Mr Sunak had moved closer to the stance of Mr Gove and Mr Hancock. Chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance (both pictured) strongly backed the position of Mr Gove and Mr Hancock

Earlier in the pandemic, he had been supported by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who warned of the dire economic consequences of national lockdowns.

By October, Mr Sunak had moved closer to the stance of Mr Gove and Mr Hancock. Chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance strongly backed the position of Mr Gove and Mr Hancock.

A well-placed source said: The PM hates the idea of lockdowns. He kept saying theres no evidence they even work and that it goes against everything Ive stood for. But he was outnumbered  and ended up sitting in sullen silence as the others told him he had no choice.

The Prime Minister found himself outgunned when Mr Gove and Health Secretary Matt Hancock (pictured) led the demand for a new clampdown on the disease

The tipping point reportedly came after a passionate speech by Mr Gove at a meeting with Mr Johnson and senior ministers.

Michael said that if he didnt impose a second lockdown there would be a catastrophe, a source close to Mr Gove said.

Hospitals would be over-run, people would be turned away from A&E and people would be dying in hospital corridors and hospital car parks.

He told the PM he would have to send soldiers into hospitals to keep people out.

TV film of that would be beamed around the globe. Was that the image of his post-Brexit Britain he wanted the world to see? It was devastating. The PM had no answer.

Insiders say that from that point Mr Johnson gave in to the inevitable  and agreed to a second lockdown. But he also made it clear that it was to be the last, and under no circumstances world he agree to a third lockdown.

Mr Johnson also faces demands for an inquiry into the row over the lavish makeover for his and Miss Symondss Downing Street flat

One said: You have understand how difficult this has been for the PM. The free spirit libertarian and journalist mischief maker in him wanted to join the lockdown sceptics revolt. But faced with being told by his Cabinet and experts that he would be held responsible for tens of thousands of deaths he knew he had no choice.

Mr Case may face questions about Mr Johnsons reported comments when he appears in front of the public administration committee this afternoon.

Mr Cummings is expected to accuse the Prime Minister of putting lives at risk by blocking Priti Patels plan to close the borders at the start of the Covid crisis.

He is expected to tell MPs he backed the Home Secretarys move to ban flights from coronavirus hotspots.

A No 10 spokesman last night insisted the PM would not be distracted by the row, adding: The Government is totally focused on delivering the peoples priorities as we continue our vaccination programme and recover from coronavirus, creating new jobs and building back better.

Cummings has key No 10 tapes Dominic Cummings kept audio recordings of key conversations in government, an ally claimed last night Dominic Cummings kept audio recordings of key conversations in government, an ally claimed last night. The former chief adviser is locked in an explosive war of words with Boris Johnson after Downing Street accused him of a string of damaging leaks. No 10 attempted to rubbish his claims on Friday night, saying it was not true that the Prime Minister had discussed ending a leak inquiry after a friend of his fiancee Carrie Symonds was identified as the likely suspect. But an ally of Mr Cummings said the PMs former chief adviser had taken a treasure trove of material with him when he left Downing Street last year, including audio recordings of discussions with senior ministers and officials. Dom has stuff on tape, the ally said. They are mad to pick a fight with him because he will be able to back up a lot of his claims. He used to tell advisers to record things all the time  discussions with officials. He has also kept a lot of his correspondence. A Whitehall source yesterday said officials did not know the full extent of the material Mr Cummings has. He has denied leaking and has already told MPs that aspects of the Governments approach to Covid went catastrophically wrong. Advertisement

Johnson took out a loan to pay for lavish makeover of his flat

By Jason Groves Political Editor for the Daily Mail

Britain's top civil servant will be quizzed over the lavish refurbishment of Boris Johnsons Downing Street flat today amid claims that the Prime Minister has had to take out a personal loan to pay for it.

Cabinet Secretary Simon Case will be grilled by MPs this afternoon about a string of explosive allegations made by Dominic Cummings.

Mr Case is expected to deny claims that he cleared Mr Cummings over involvement in the chatty rat leak last year, which led to revelations in the Daily Mail that Mr Johnson was poised to order a second national lockdown.

A government source said last night the inquiry, conducted with the assistance of MI5, was ongoing, adding: It has neither found anyone responsible, nor ruled anyone out. But Mr Case is also expected to face detailed questions about the refurbishment of the flat above Number 11 Downing Street used by Mr Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds.

Adding to the controversy, one senior Tory said last night: Boris had to take out a personal loan to cover the cost. You have to be pretty wealthy to have 60,000 lying around. He has just emerged from an expensive divorce.

Britain's top civil servant will be quizzed over the lavish refurbishment of Boris Johnsons Downing Street flat today amid claims that the Prime Minister has had to take out a personal loan to pay for it

The Electoral Commission said yesterday it was still seeking answers from Tory chiefs about whether party funds or donations were used.

Labour last night wrote to the commission calling for a full investigation. On Friday, Mr Cummings said Mr Johnson wanted donors to secretly pay for the renovation  which he said was unethical, foolish, possibly illegal and almost certainly broke the rules.

The Mail had revealed that Mr Johnson asked Tory donors to help with the cost of the makeover which is said to run to six figures. On Friday, the Cabinet Office said the cost of painting, sanding and floorboards had been paid from a 30,000 maintenance allowance, but any costs of wider refurbishment have been met by the Prime Minister personally.

Trade Secretary Liz Truss said the claims made by Mr Cummings were tittle-tattle and the PM had met the cost of the flat.

Downing Street made no comment last night.

Lonely losing battle of PM who'd resisted the clamour for lockdowns: Yes, his outburst was shocking. But libertarian Boris knew it wasn't just Covid lives at stake, writes ANDREW PIERCE

As No10 officials and senior ministers joined Boris Johnson in the Cabinet Room the mood was bleak. For weeks the Prime Minister had been rejecting calls to impose a second lockdown, not just from Cabinet colleagues but also from the scientists.

But, with the number of Covid infections and deaths on an obstinately upward curve, the pressure to take decisive action was becoming irresistible.

Gathered in the room alongside Boris on Friday, October 30, last year were Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, and Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor: the so-called Quad directing the fight against Covid. Dominic Cummings, then Johnsons chief adviser, was also present.

Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific officer, and Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, were given the floor and they proceeded to rehearse their well-worn arguments for total lockdown in England.

But the Prime Minister was still in no mood to acquiesce. I will never be able to sell it to the Tory Party, he said.

It was at this point that Gove jumped in to make a short but passionate speech. If we dont do this now we will have to go into a much harder lockdown in three or four weeks, he argued. He then conjured up a dystopian image of what the streets would look like if immediate action wasnt taken.

We will be forced to put the Army on the doors of hospitals to turn the sick away as the NHS will be overwhelmed. We will not be forgiven and the Tories will be driven from power.

You could have heard a pin drop in the Cabinet Room. Sunak, who had traditionally been very hawkish about lockdowns because of their devastating impact on the economy, sided with Gove. Hancock, who had always been in favour of more draconian restrictions, made it three to one against the PM.

Tired and irritable, his hair even more dishevelled than usual, Boris looked utterly deflated.

Only ten days earlier he had told the Commons that the idea of another lockdown was the height of absurdity. It would turn the lights out.

If he ordered a U-turn, he knew his political opponents  especially on the Tory benches  would have a field day.

Cummings, who has always held Tory MPs in total contempt, urged him to ignore the carping and do the right thing. After five weeks of trench warfare in Downing Street, Boris reluctantly agreed.

It was shortly after this meeting that he allegedly uttered the phrases that have turned out to be such hostages to fortune: no more ****ing lockdowns regardless of the bodies.

Boris  who once said the real hero of the film Jaws was the mayor of Amity who kept the beaches open despite the presence of a killer shark  was devastated that he had lost the battle.

He said he hadnt gone into Downing Street to shut down the economy, said the source, but he was in a minority of one.

The harsh reality is that  despite his rhetoric  Boris had been fighting a lonely losing battle for some time.

Only six weeks earlier, in an attempt to placate his Tory critics, he had told the Commons that a second national lockdown would have disastrous financial consequences for the country and that the Government would do everything in our power to prevent it.

Yet just three days after that speech the lockdown moved closer when the Government announced that people who did not live in the same household, or who were not in a support bubble, could not gather in groups of more than six.

Boris agreed the rule of six as a compromise. His scientists had put him under pressure to go even further. And that pressure did not let up. Within 48 hours, the Quad was urged by Sage  the committee of scientists that advised the Government  to urgently introduce a two-week circuit-breaker lockdown to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

It warned the UK faced a very large epidemic with catastrophic consequences on its current course. The seven-day average of daily cases stood at 4,964; there were 1,502 Covid patients in hospital; and daily deaths stood at 28.

The Sage group proposed the circuit-breaker  a short period of lockdown to drive new infections down  to head off a second wave of the virus that would fall disproportionately on the frailest in our society, [people on] lower incomes and BAME communities.

In the Quad meeting the scientists had Cummings safely onside but even Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor who had been an implacable opponent of inflicting any more harm on the economy, was coming round to the idea of more restrictions.

Ever the pragmatist, he didnt want to be lumbered with any political damage if Covid soared and he was seen to have argued for putting jobs before lives, said one insider.

But Boris, true to his libertarian instincts, was opposed to once more shutting shopping malls, pubs and restaurants.

The source added: He warned of the huge impact it would have on the economy, on the mental health of people, and reminded everyone enforcing lockdowns comes with huge costs. He also knew politically there would be trouble among restive Tory MPs who were increasingly opposed to talk of more restrictions. It is a tribute to Boriss force of personality and  it has to be said  the power of his office that his view prevailed.

Three days later, in another compromise with the scientists, the tier system was brought in. This divided England into medium, high and very high zones.

Even as he announced the new rules Boris was clear they would go no further.

The social and economic trauma of a full lockdown, shuttering our lives and our society would do such damage to our economy as to erode our long-term ability to fund the NHS and other crucial public services, he said.

The very next day the news that Boris had overruled the scientists the previous month on the circuit-breaker was leaked to the media. The Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who had ordered his MPs to abstain in a Commons vote on the rule of six, saw his opportunity to score political points. He urged the Government to impose a circuit-breaker of between two and three weeks to prevent a sleepwalk into a bleak winter.

While the Tories attacked Starmers opportunism, the public backed him, with 54 per cent surveyed by YouGov saying they felt the Government should have introduced a national lockdown in September, while just 28 per cent of the 4,222 adults polled disagreed.

Despite the growing pressure, Boris was sticking to his guns and at a press conference two days later said the Government cannot rule anything out, but expressed his desire to avoid a national lockdown because of the damaging health, economic and social effects it would have.

His stance won the backing of senior Tory MPs, including Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs.

A few days later in the Commons, he uttered the phrase that would return to haunt him, when he condemned the idea of a second national lockdown as the height of absurdity that would turn the lights out.

So the scene was set for the PM to announce the biggest U-turn of his premiership. He knew he now faced a greater political challenge than the first lockdown in March when much of the country was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

He had been told months earlier by the scientists that a second wave in the winter would be more deadly and that he should manage the publics expectations. But he had ignored that advice.

Typical Boris, he wanted to be bullish and optimistic, which is his nature. He couldnt face dishing out a negative message all year round, says the source.

He wanted to be positive. He thought people were already fed-up without him adding to it, so decided to try to be upbeat.

An admirable sentiment, and just like the mayor in Jaws. But things didnt end well for the citizens of Amity.
Whitney Grubbs

Grubbs is executive director of Foundations for a Better Oregon, a former policy advisor to Gov. John Kitzhaber, and the parent of a current student and a recent graduate of Portland Public Schools. She lives in Portland.

Through the American Rescue Plan, the federal government is infusing $1.1 billion into Oregons education system to help reopen schools and bolster students academic, social and emotional learning. But after a year that kept so many of us apart, Oregon schools cant presume to know what every student needs as they return to the classroom. An equitable recovery that supports all children to learn and grow will only be possible if students and families have a say in how federal stimulus funds are spent.

The federal stimulus is a historic investment in Oregon schools, but its not a windfall. Its a proportionate response to the devastation of the COVID-19 crisis, which has disproportionately impacted children from Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and Pacific Islander and immigrant and refugee families. The pandemic has also heavily affected children experiencing disability, children in rural communities and many more who have been denied the education they deserve for generations because of systemic racism and years of disinvestment in schools. Understanding their experiences and needs is essential to planning an inclusive and equitable recovery.

As U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has acknowledged, consulting with students, families and educators about how schools will spend federal stimulus funds should be an essential component of the process. This is especially critical in a local-control state like Oregon, where school boards and administrators make the lions share of decisions about how federal and state education funds are spent. School leaders must take this opportunity to engage their local communities to diagnose problems and design solutions that put stimulus dollars to best use. Decisions about whether to invest these dollars in initiatives such as high-quality tutoring, mental health services, summer enrichment or even an extended school year should be made with full understanding of what communities need and how to target such supports equitably.

Given the urgency to act quickly, it can be easy to think of community engagement as a check-the-box activity or a feel-good exercise. In fact, its a vital strategy to move Oregon toward a more effective and racially just education system that sees, hears and cares for every child. When school districts design their plans and budgets in true partnership with local communitiesespecially those who have historically been sidelined from decision-makingthey are more likely to unlock solutions that accelerate progress for all children.

In 2019, the Oregon Legislature passed the Student Success Act, which brought a much-needed boost in funding in exchange for school districts commitment to engage underserved students, their families and their educators to determine how to spend new funds. The heart of the law recognizes that meaningful community engagementnot just a survey or a listening session, but real collaboration with communities most impacted by inequityis critical to achieve better outcomes for children. This community engagement requirement helped school districts draw up plans that dedicated funds to community priorities, ranging from new preschool and early learning programs to more culturally responsive curriculum and inclusive school cultures. Even though the first year of the act was disrupted by the pandemic, weve seen how school districts that built stronger relationships with their communities were better able to respond in real-time with meals, internet hotspots, and laptops for students transitioning to distance learning.

Now, as we move forward to recovery, Oregon must not forget this lesson. Our states greatest asset has always been the expertise of our students and families, and the educators and community partners who support them. Thats especially true of underserved communities, who understand and experience firsthand how our education system creates opportunity gaps and reinforces disparities. Their insight is essential to investing stimulus dollars in an education that uplifts childrens unique strengths, embraces their diverse cultural contexts, and addresses the distinct traumas they have experienced.

This spring, school districts are making plans and budgets for next fall under unprecedented pressure. But this is not the time to act alone. Districts must actively seek out the wisdom of students, families and communities to determine how these federal fundsand indeed, all education fundsshould be invested. Its the surest path to an equitable recovery and lasting change for Oregon children.

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The European Union (EU) has extended its support to India amid a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country which has led shortage of hospital beds and medical-grade oxygen.

"The EU together with its Member States will do its utmost to support India in this difficult moment," said Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India and Bhutan.

Janez Lenarcic, the European Emergency Response Coordinator today informed that the EU has activated its Civil Protection Mechanism to help India with the COVID-19 crisis.

"Upon request for assistance by India, we have activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The European Union will do its utmost to mobilise assistance to support people of India. Our #ERCC is already coordinating EU MS that are ready to provide urgently needed oxygen and medicine rapidly," Lenarcic tweeted.

Several leaders from countries like Australia, China, Pakistan, Bhutan have expressed solidarity with India.

India recorded 3,49,691 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike since the pandemic broke out last year. According to the Union Health Ministry, the country has recorded 2,767 new deaths due to COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

The country's total infection count has mounted to 1,69,60,172 cases, while 1,92,311 people have so far succumbed to the viral infection so far. There are 26,82,751 active COVID-19 cases in the country, said the official data of the ministry.

(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.)
Czech President Milos Zeman on Sunday declared his readiness to support the use of Russia's coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V in the country in case there will be a shortage of EU-certified vaccines, Sputnik reports.

"I will support the use of Sputnik [V] in the Czech Republic if the republic suffers a shortage of other [vaccines], including those vaccines that are already in use," Zeman said in an interview with CNN Prima news.
Special panel launched to beef up chip industry



The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has launched a special committee to come up with measures to beef up the country's semiconductor sector. On Friday, the panel began operations with the aim of drafting a special bill on how to support chipmakers by the end of August.



The committee is composed of 25 DPK lawmakers with government officials and former executives of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix joining as advisers. Its launch is welcome, though somewhat belated, coming amid an acute global shortage of semiconductors, particularly those for automotive use. The move follows a virtual summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden earlier this month to tackle the chip shortfall.



Regrettably, however, the Moon Jae-in administration has done little to address the shortage, causing a halt in the operation of assembly lines at Hyundai Motor and other local carmakers. The government cannot avoid criticism for taking a hands-off approach, despite the ongoing global "semiconductor war."



The U.S. has begun to form a semiconductor alliance with Japan, Taiwan and European countries to create its own supply chains as well as block China from catching up with it technologically. During the summit with the CEOs of 19 global manufactures including the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Samsung Electronics, President Biden called for their investment in chip making facilities in America.



Semiconductors have emerged as a strategic material directly linked to national security. That's why the race for chips is escalating on top of the growing rivalry in geopolitics and trade between the U.S. and China. The U.S.-led semiconductor alliance appears to be turning into a technology alliance associated with its security alliance against China.



It is worth noting that the U.S. has decided to provide a 40 percent tax deduction for semiconductor facility investment in the country. According to the White House, Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure investment package includes $50 billion for semiconductor production and research. The European Union (EU) plans to make a huge investment to reduce its dependence on foreign-made chips. China is seeking to increase its semiconductor self-sufficiency rate from 15.7 percent in 2019 to 70 percent by 2025.



Against this backdrop, South Korean chipmakers alone cannot cope with the ever-intensifying global competition. Thus, the government needs to play a proactive role to transform semiconductor manufacturing into a strategic industry crucial to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.



South Korea has become a leader in the global memory chip market. However the country's share in the non-memory chip market was a meager 3.2 percent as of 2019. Samsung Electronics, one of the world's largest memory chip manufacturers, plans to invest 130 trillion won ($116 billion) into non-memory chips by 2030. The nation cannot be a semiconductor powerhouse in a real sense without boosting this sector.



The DPK's special committee should work together with the government and the business community to set forth a new strategy for the development of the semiconductor industry. Any envisioned special bill needs to offer more incentives, including tax deductions on facility investment and research and development (R&D) spending, for chipmakers. Most of all, it is imperative to push for deregulation to allow semiconductor manufacturers to set up their factories more easily and conduct their businesses more freely.


Many Indians are frustrated that their country, the worlds largest producer of vaccines, is so behind in its own inoculation campaign. Fewer than 10 percent of Indians have received even one dose, and just 1.6 percent are fully vaccinated, according to a New York Times database  even though India is producing two vaccines on its own soil.

Yet even as horrifying images of strained hospitals and orange flames from mass cremation sites circulated around the world last week, administration officials had pushed back as pressure mounted for the United States to broaden its effort to combat the surge in India. For Mr. Biden, the crisis in India amounts to a clash of competing forces. The president came into office vowing to restore Americas place as a leader in global health, and he has repeatedly said the pandemic does not stop at the nations borders.

But he is also grappling with the legacy of his predecessors America First approach, and he must weigh his instincts to help the world against the threat of a political backlash for giving vaccines away before every American has had a chance to get a shot. As of Sunday, 28.5 percent of Americans were fully vaccinated, and 42.2 percent had had at least one dose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The statement on Sunday did not mention the possibility of the United States directly sending vaccines to India. But in an appearance on ABCs This Week on Sunday, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the nations leading infectious disease expert, said the United States would consider sending some doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine there.
They are set to tie the knot after he popped the question last summer.

And Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz proved their relationship is stronger than ever as they professed their love for each other in romantic Instagram posts.

The couple looked on cloud nine in a snap Nicola, 26, shared as Brooklyn, 22, wrapped his arms around the actress and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

Romantic: Brooklyn Beckham, 22, and Nicola Peltz, 26, proved their relationship is stronger than ever as they professed their love for each other in romantic Instagram posts

The aspiring photographer went shirtless in the snap while the actress donned a black vest top and styled her blonde locks into an updo.

Nicola then uploaded a second photo of Brooklyn running his hands through his hair while she accentuated her natural beauty while posing in the mirror.

Alongside the post, Nicola wrote: 'his heart is the kindest,' while Brooklyn commented with: 'I'm yours forever '.

Brooklyn shared his own snap of the pair where he could be seen kissing Nicola on the cheek as she looked into the camera.

Smooch: Brooklyn shared his own snap of the pair where he could be seen kissing Nicola on the cheek as she looked into the camera

Loved-up: Alongside the post, Nicola wrote: 'his heart is the kindest,' while Brooklyn commented with: 'Im yours forever '

Wrapping an arm around her husband-to-be, the actress looked sensational as the pair stood in front of a breathtaking view of the evening shoreline.

It comes after Nicola recently finished filming on her first co-directed film, Lola James.

The creative couple were said to haveworked together on her new movie as it was reported that Brooklyn landed a photography role on set.

Upcoming movie Lola James is set in 2002 and follows the story of 19-year-old Lola who tries to save enough money to get her brother Arlo out of their toxic home but ends up developing a drug addiction, reports Deadline.

Candid: Nicola then uploaded a second photo of Brooklyn running his hands through his hair while she accentuated her natural beauty while posing in the mirror

The Florida Project actress Bria Vinaite, 27, co-directed alongside Nicola and Sideways Oscar nominee Virginia Madsen was also cast in the Indie flick.

Nicola previously gave a sneak peek from the set of her latest film project as she shared pictures with the Lola James cast members and crew.

Snaps included Nicola posing with co-director Bria Vinaite and cast member Luke David Blumm as she threw a peace sign to the camera and hugging a friend as others stood around clapping.

Brooklyn has already been gushing about his talented other-half's involvement in the movie on Instagram, sharing a loved-up post last month.

Project: It comes after Nicola recently finished filming on her first co-directed film, Lola James with Brooklyn reportedly landing a photography role on set

He penned: 'I am so proud of you and looking forward to seeing this project x you are the most talented person and I am so happy that your dream is coming true x

'you have worked your bum off to create an amazing movie and an amazing piece of art x I am so lucky I got to be a part of it and got to meet the amazing cast and crew x cant wait to see the most amazing movie "Lola James"'.

Brooklyn's photography is creating an ever-growing portfolio of enviably high profile work, including shooting Sophie Turner, a Burberry campaign, and his dad David's sunglasses campaign. He has also interned with Rankin.

Over the summer, he took two snaps in his own photoshoot for ICON magazine.

Behind-the-scenes: Nicola gave an sneak peek from her latest film posing with co-director Bria Vinaite, 27, and cast member Luke David Blumm as she threw a peace sign to the camera

On set: Upcoming movie Lola James is set in 2002 and follows the story of 19-year-old Lola who tries to save enough money to get her brother Arlo out of their toxic home

Meanwhile, in July 2018 Brooklyn quit his New York photography course at the world-renowned Parsons School of Design because he 'missed' his family in the UK.

He told pals months before that he wanted to leave  according to the Mirror, but decided to stick it out to the end of term.

And Nicola has also been making waves in the creative industries since her role in 2014 movie Transformers: Age of Extinction. She also appeared in Bates Motel.
Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Eun Sung-soo, right, speaks during a parliamentary committee meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, last Thursday. Yonhap



By Anna J. Park



Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Eun Sung-soo's recent comments on the cryptocurrency investment frenzy not only triggered a backlash from investors, but also stupefied those who expected a more insightful perspective on cyber money from the chief financial regulator.



"I don't think it is the right path to jump on the bandwagon of recklessly buying a digital asset that's fluctuating more than 20 percent a day. If the young generation takes the wrong path, it is elders' obligation to correct them and tell them it is wrong," FSC head Eun said during a parliamentary committee meeting held last Thursday.



The comments by the financial regulator were interpreted as sounding both condescending and preachy in tone by cryptocurrency investors here, most of whom are in their 20s and 30s and disillusioned by soaring apartment prices and the dearth of jobs. The comments also reflected his own value judgment that cryptocurrency trading is "wrong."



Many young Koreans were surprised by the apparently simplistic view that the country's top financial regulator displayed toward the burgeoning blockchain-based cryptocurrency sector.



Whether one agrees with his opinion or not, it was a big disappointment to see a lack of deep policy consideration regarding the fast-growing digital asset market.



Furthermore, the FSC chief compared cryptocurrency trading to buying and selling artworks, in order to drive home the point that digital asset investors do not deserve to be protected from potential losses. This remark also left the public puzzled over how the trading of artworks could be compared to investing in cyber money.



Online petition calling for Eun's resignation



Infuriated coin investors are calling for the top financial regulator to step down for making those remarks.



"You said adults should teach young people who take the wrong path. () Please think deeply about who created the wrong path and resign from your position voluntarily, taking responsibility for your comments," read an online petition at the Presidential Office of Cheong Wa Dae, which was uploaded the day after Eun made those comments.



"I wonder if you have any proper understanding about blockchain and the coin market. I cannot help but think this way, as I heard you compare the cryptocurrency market to artworks, making me conclude that Korea's financial system cannot catch up with the level of advanced countries," the petition harshly criticized. The petition drew signatures from 114,028 people  as of 3:30 p.m. Sunday  just three days after it was posted.



Eun's controversial comments were also ridiculed as they were traded as a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) at one ethereum, or around 2.7 million won ($2,416). The NFT was made out of a news article on Eun's comment on Thursday, and it was sold on the NFT market, "OpenSea," last weekend.



Need for constructive discussion



What is oddly bizarre is that the country's financial regulators, as well as the National Assembly, have failed to engage in any constructive policy discussions about cryptocurrency trading or their markets, which have been around for more than a decade now. While government authorities sat on their hands, the digital asset market has grown fast globally, becoming an undeniable part of the financial landscape.



The country's capital market act does not even contain a legal definition of cryptocurrency, while the Moon Jae-in administration plans to start taxing cryptocurrency trading from next year. What the FSC should do is to acknowledge the need to fill the void between the reality and actual policies, rather than making outdated comments.


Exit polls: Tight race in Albanias parliamentary vote View Photo

TIRANA, Albania (AP)  An exit poll for Albanias parliamentary election on Sunday suggests that the ruling Socialist Party is in a tight race with the opposition Democratic Party.

The exit poll run for Euronews Albania from the MRB, part of the London-based Kantar Group, projects that the left-wing Socialists will win about 46% of the vote while the Democrats are expected to capture about 42%. It is still unclear whether Socialists will get 71 seats in the 140-seat parliament to govern alone.

Some 3.6 million eligible voters in Albania and abroad voted to elect 140 lawmakers for a four-year mandate in the Balkan nation.

The process was characterized by a calm situation, security and integrity, said Ilirjan Celibashi, head of the Central Election Commission. He said the winner would be known in 48 hours.

Albania, a NATO member since 2009, is looking forward to launching full membership negotiations with the 27-member European Union later this year and Sundays vote is considered a key milestone on that path.

The hope is that post-communist Albanias 10th parliamentary election will be free and fair. To date, voting always has been marred by irregularities.

Preliminary turnout Sunday was almost 48%, slightly higher than four years ago.

There were some glitches. The electronic identification machines did not operate in 167 out of 5,199 polling stations after no operators to work them were found in those remote areas, according to Celibashi.

A police officer was injured with a knife attack in northern Puke town. The reason why he was attacked by a man at a polling station is not clear.

There were also some efforts to photograph ballots, which is not allowed by law, and a few physical arguments among opposing political supporters.

Prime Minister Edi Rama of the Socialists, who are seeking their third consecutive mandate, wants to boost Albanian efforts in tourism, energy, agriculture and digital projects.

Now lets listen to the people, Rama said after the polls closed. He also claimed victory saying Albania will come out victorious from this process, not only the party that will keep on governing the country.

Lulzim Basha of the Democrats has accused the government of corruption and links to organized crime, and has pledged to lower taxes, raise salaries and provide more social support.

Speaking to supporters Basha claimed that his party had won but said counting should be held in line with the law.

Confrontations between supporters culminated Wednesday in the central city of Elbasan, where a Socialist Party activist died. Police said the victim was shot, allegedly by a member of the Democratic Party, during an argument.

Though officially impartial, President Ilir Meta turned into a strong government opponent, accusing Rama of concentrating legislative, administrative and judicial powers in his hands and running a kleptocratic regime that has bungled Albanias pandemic response and delayed the countrys EU integration.

Scores of foreign observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and Western embassies monitored the vote.

U.S. Ambassador Yuri Kim urged candidates and political leaders to accept the judgment of voters while EU Ambassador Luigi Soreca also urged them to respect the voice of the Albanian citizens.

Albania has seen a significant fall in daily coronavirus cases in the past week despite political rallies being held around the country. More than 400,000 people have received a vaccine jab. An overnight curfew has been enforced with restrictions on gatherings and mandatory mask-wearing.

___

Follow Semini at http://twitter.com/lsemini

By LLAZAR SEMINI

Associated Press
Multiple people with the name Josh duked it out with pool noodles to find out who is the rightful owner of the name Josh in Lincoln, Nebraska on April 24, 2021. Kenneth Ferriera/Lincoln Journal Star via Associated Press

Josh Swain, 22, jokingly messaged dozens who share his name, challenging them to a fight.

A year later, hundreds of Joshes arrived in Lincoln, Nebraska, to fight for the name with pool noodles.

A 4-year-old dubbed "Little Josh" won the event, which also raised money and food for charity.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

What started as an early pandemic joke evolved into a full-fledged spectacle on Saturday as hundreds of people named Josh gathered in Lincoln, Nebraska, to duke it out over their shared name.

An Arizona college student named Josh Swain sent a Facebook message last April to dozens of other people who shared his first and last name.

"You're probably wondering why I've gathered you all here today," the 22-year-old wrote.

"Because we all share the same names...?" another Josh Swain replied.

The original Swain wrote back "precisely," along with a random date, April 24, 2021, and instructions to "meet at these coordinates," which happened to be in Lincoln.

"We fight, whoever wins gets to keep the name, everyone else has to change their name, you have a year to prepare, good luck," Swain wrote.

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The message became a meme, with jokes being made about it on social media, but Swain said it was "entirely a joke" and didn't think anything would come of it, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.

That was until a few months ago, when friends brought it up again and Swain decided to go for it. He bought a plane ticket to Lincoln and messaged the other Joshes, most of which did not reply. Still, he posted details about the event on social media.

Just days before the Josh fight, Swain told the Lincoln Journal Star he still wasn't sure if anyone would show up.

But hundreds arrived to the large greenspace at Air Park for the Battle of the Joshes Saturday, equipped with the pool noodles that Swain invited people to bring.

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Photos and videos shared by the Lincoln Journal Star and on social media showed the fighters wielding their pool noodles, some decked out in Spider-Man- and Star Wars-themed costumes.

Story continues

People not named Josh stood on the sidelines to cheer on their fighters with t-shirts and signs of support that read, "I'm with Josh," "Team Josh," and "Go Josh! Beat Josh!"

One sign had a tournament bracket predicting the outcome of the fight, with "Josh" written on every line.

In the end, 4-year-old Lincoln resident Josh Vinson Jr. was deemed the ultimate josh, local ABC journalist Yousef Nasser reported.

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Vinson was quickly dubbed "Little Josh" and presented with a Burger King paper crown and a trophy. He was lifted up in the middle of the crowd of Joshes and met with raucous applause.

He attended the fight with his dad, Josh Vinson Sr., who told the reporters at the scene that Little Josh would "remember this for the rest of his life."

Josh Swain, who organized the event, declares Lincoln native four-year-old Joshua Vinson Jr., right, the ultimate Josh after the Josh fight. Kenneth Ferriera/Lincoln Journal Star via Associated Press

The original Josh Swain used the Josh fight to raise money for the Children's Hospital and Medical Center Foundation. He also used the event to host a food drive for the Food Bank of Lincoln.

"Thank you so so much to all the volunteers that helped out and the residents of the great city of Lincoln for being so welcoming and making this event incredible," Swain wrote on Twitter after the event. "Still in disbelief at the moment but amazed at the incredible support."

Have a news tip? Contact this reporter at kvlamis@insider.com.

Read the original article on Insider
Christie Wilcox in Quanta:

They are invisible at first. In their Southeast Asian forest homes, they grow as thin strands of cells, foreign fibers sometimes more than 10 meters long that weave through the vital tissues of their vine hosts, siphoning nourishment from them. Even under a microscope, the single-file lines of cells are nearly indistinguishable from the vines own. They seem more like a fungus than a plant.

But when the drive to breed awakens them, the members of the Rafflesiaceae family erupt as immense, stemless, rubbery red corpse flowers covered in polka dots, with a putrid smell like rotting meat designed to draw pollinating carrion flies. The blooms of one species, Rafflesia arnoldii, are the largest flowers in the world  each one can be more than a meter across and weigh a whopping 10 kilograms, roughly the heft of a toddler.

More than a decade ago, Rafflesiaceae parasites caught the eye of Jeanmaire Molina, an evolutionary plant biologist at Long Island University in Brooklyn, who wondered if their genomes were as bizarre as their outward forms.

More here.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Alabama legislators in the closing days of the session will face decisions on gambling, medical marijuana as well as legislation that would ban the use of medications to help transgender youth transition.

House Speaker Mac McCutcheon said he expects all three measures, which have already cleared the Alabama Senate, to get votes in the House of Representatives in the final days of the session. Lawmakers plan to meet for two more weeks and then return to Montgomery for a final day on May 17.

Here is a look at the three of the issues before lawmakers in the closing days of the legislative session:

GAMBLING

The Alabama Senate approved sweeping gambling legislation that would establish a state lottery as well as allow nine casino sites in the state.

But familiar sticking points are emerging as the bill heads to vote in the Alabama House: Where the casinos will be located and how the state will use gambling revenue. If approved by lawmakers, the proposed constitutional amendment would go before voters.

In addition to a state lottery, casino sites would be located in: Jefferson, Mobile, Macon, Greene and Houston counties; a north Alabama site in Jackson or DeKalb county; and the three sites owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

The casino licenses would be put out for bid. However, the existing dog tracks and electronic bingo operations, such as Greenetrack and VictoryLand dog tracks, would be given an opportunity to come in and make a final bid to exceed the highest bidder to win the license in their respective county. The Poarch Creeks will have the right for the final bid for the site in north Alabama.

In trying to muster enough votes for passage, the bill gives an advantage to the largest existing gambling operators, although courts have ruled against the legality of electronic bingo machines, but excludes smaller operators.

Democratic Sen. Malika Sanders Fortier, who has been absent from the session because she is undergoing cancer treatment in Texas, is urging lawmakers to also include an existing bingo operator in Lowndes County, which has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state.

How can we forcibly close the doors of a business that has existed for 20 years (in one form or another) in a small rural impoverished community like Lowndes County?" she said in an emailed statement.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The legislation by Republican Sen. Tim Melson of Florence would allow people with a qualifying medical condition to purchase marijuana after getting a recommendation from a doctor. More than one dozen conditions, including cancer, a terminal illness and chronic pain, would allow a person to qualify.

The bill would allow marijuana in forms such as pills, skin patches and creams but not in smoking or vaping products.

The House has traditionally been more skeptical of medical marijuana proposals. A medical marijuana bill in 2013 won the Shroud Award for the deadest bill that year in the House of Representatives. Melson has expressed optimism about the bills chances this year after years of setbacks.

I think its going to be a close vote. I really do because there are many members who are supportive of the medical aspect. Some feel like it may be an opportunity for marijuana to come into our state and be a gateway drug, McCutcheon said.

TRANSGENDER TREATMENT BAN

Arkansas this year became the first state to ban gender confirming treatments for transgender youths. Alabama could become the second.

The Alabama bill would make it a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, for a doctor to prescribe puberty-blockers or hormones or perform surgery to aid in the gender transition of people 18 years old or younger.

Children arent mature enough to make these decisions on surgeries and drugs. The whole point is to protect kids, bill sponsor Republican Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, said after the Senate vote.

Supporters say they are trying to protect children from decisions that should wait until adulthood. Opponents, including parents and trans youth, say such measures interfere with medical decisions and target trans individuals for the sake of politics.

I ask you to take a look at our family. How am I hurting me or anyone else by wanting medical hormonal treatment? I do not want to be a pawn in a political agenda in which I was never consulted about, Phineas Smith, a 16-year-old transgender boy, told reporters during a press conference.

Opponents say the bill will almost certainly be challenged because it singles out one type of medical decision.
Some of the biggest names in show business will be gathered in Los Angeles on Sunday evening to mark the 93rd Academy Awards. The most illustrious prizes in the movie industry will be dished out for 2020s best films, but the ceremony also holds a more sombre purpose.

The Oscars are produced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the organisation which brings together professionals of the motion picture industry. The agency was estimated to include 9,921 professionals, as of April 2020, with a membership from all around the world.

The Oscars' award ceremonies include an In Memoriam segment where those gathered pay their respects to members of the Agency who have died in the past year. The first such event came in 1978, to mark the 50th edition of the Academy Awards, but it wasnt until 1994 that it become a regular feature.

Former winners will be celebrated in Oscars 2021: In Memoriam

Given the enormous scope of AMPAS it is no surprise to see many legends of the silver screen included in this years In Memoriam segment. One of the most striking deaths of the last year was that of Chadwick Boseman, the late star who was posthumously nominated for Best Actor for his role in Ma Raineys Black Bottom.

There were also a number of former Oscars winners amongst those who passed away in the last year, such as the iconic Sean Connery who died aged 90. Connery was best known for his portrayal of British spy James Bond, which he did for the first seven films based on Ian Flemings novels.

Fellow former winners Olivia de Havilland, Cloris Leachman and Christopher Plummer will also feature in the ceremony on Sunday evening.

Here is the full list of actors, writers and directors from AMPAS who sadly passed away in the last year, with any Oscars they were awarded listed underneath:

Julie Bennett  Actors Branch

Warren Berlinger  Actors Branch

Walter Bernstein  Writers Branch

Chadwick Boseman  Actors Branch

Wilford Brimley  Actors Branch

Allan Burns  Writers Branch

Edd Byrnes  Actors Branch

Lewis John Carlino  Writers Branch

Jean-Claude Carriere  Writers Branch

- 1962 (35th) Short Subject (Live Action)  Heureux Anniversaire (Happy Anniversary)

- 2014 (87th) Honorary Award

Marge Champion  Actors Branch

Sean Connery  Actors Branch

- 1987 (60th) Actor in a Supporting Role  The Untouchables

Linda Cristal  Actors Branch

Olivia de Havilland  Actors Branch

- 1946 (19th) Actress  To Each His Own

- 1949 (22nd) Actress  The Heiress

Brian Dennehy  Actors Branch

Kirk Douglas  Actors Branch

- 1995 (68th) Honorary Award

Marj Dusay  Actors Branch

John Ericson  Actors Branch

Harriet Frank, Jr.  Writers Branch

David Giler  Writers Branch

Stuart Gordon  Directors Branch

Robert Harper  Actors Branch

Ronald Harwood  Writers Branch

- 2002 (75th) Writing (Adapted Screenplay)  The Pianist

Monte Hellman  Directors Branch

Buck Henry  Writers Branch

Richard T. Herd  Actors Branch

Hal Holbrook  Actors Branch

Israel Horovitz  Writers Branch

Peter H. Hunt  Directors Branch

Robert C. Jones  Writers Branch

- 1978 (51st) Writing (Screenplay written directly for the screen)  Coming Home

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Irrfan Khan  Actors Branch

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Cloris Leachman  Actors Branch

- 1971 (44th) Actress in a Supporting Role  The Last Picture Show

William Link  Writers Branch

Kurt M. Luedtke  Writers Branch

- 1985 (58th) Writing (Screenplay based on material from another medium)  Out of Africa

Helen McCrory  Actors Branch

Larry McMurtry  Writers Branch

- 2005 (78th) Writing (Adapted Screenplay)  Brokeback Mountain

Terrence McNally  Writers Branch

Loring Mandel  Writers Branch

Malcolm Marmorstein  Writers Branch

Jiri Menzel  Directors Branch

Alan Parker  Directors Branch

Christopher Plummer  Actors Branch

- 2011 (84th) Actor in a Supporting Role  Beginners

Kelly Preston  Actors Branch

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Carl Reiner  Actors Branch

Gene Reynolds  Actors Branch

Allan Rich  Actors Branch

Peter Mark Richman  Actors Branch

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Cicely Tyson  Actors Branch

- 2018 (91st) Honorary Award

Max von Sydow  Actors Branch

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Stuart Whitman  Actors Branch

Fred Willard  Actors Branch
Khloe Kardashian took to her Instagram Story on Saturday to commend President Joe Biden for recognizing the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

The 36-year-old reality television personality thanked the nation's leader for his bold move in formally referring to the mass killing as a genocide.

Biden is the first U.S. leader to use the term to describe the massacre, as past presidents shied away from labeling the event as such in an effort to maintain amicable relations with Turkey.

Speaking out: Khloe Kardashian took to her Instagram Story on Saturday to thank President Joe Biden for officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide; she is pictured in January of 2020

Kardashian began her message by writing: 'In 1915, over 1.5 million Armenians were slaughtered and tortured. Thank you President Biden for recognizing the genocide that happened 106 years ago.'

The social media powerhouse specifically thanked the president for 'honoring the stories, the pain, suffering and loss.'

She also shared two shots from her 2015 visit to Armenia's capital city, Yerevan, with her older sister, Kim.

On Saturday, the 78-year-old issued a statement where he laid out his thoughts on the matter and asked the American people to join him in working to ensure that such an event never happens again.

Making it clear: On Saturday, the 78-year-old politician released an official statement where he referred to the events of 1915 as a genocide; he is seen earlier this month

Sending a message: In her Story post, the social media personality thanked President Biden for 'honoring the stories, the pain, suffering and loss of the Armenian people.'

Biden's release began with: 'Each year on this day, we remember the lives of all those who died in the Ottoman-era Armenian genocide and recommit ourselves to preventing such an atrocity from ever again occurring.'

The politician noted that the recognition was made 'so that we remain ever-vigilant against the corrosive influence of hate in all its forms.'

The leader also noted that, regarding the family members of those affected, 'we honor their story. We see that pain. We affirm the history. We do this not to cast blame but to ensure that what happened is never repeated.'

Biden's statement's concluded with: 'Let us renew our shared resolve to prevent future atrocities from occurring anywhere in the world. And let us pursue healing and reconciliation for all the people of the world.'

Purpose: In his statement, Biden noted that the release was published in an effort to 'recommit ourselves to preventing such an atrocity from ever again occurring'

Not mincing words: The politician also noted that the statement was made 'not to cast blame but to ensure that what happened is never repeated'

Kardashian has supported the recognizance of the Armenian Genocide in the past and has worked to raise awareness for the cause.

In 2015, the social media personality and her sister Kim flew to Armenia and visited Tsitsernakaberd, the memorial to the victims of the atrocity.

In October of last year, she publicly denounced Azerbajian's involvement in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and spoke out in support of the Republic of Artsakh.

The reality television star later appeared on a telethon for Armenia Fund and encouraged her followers to donate in support of Armenian soldiers involved in the conflict.

Making a difference: Kardashian has advocated for Armenian-related causes in the past, most recently during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War; she is pictured in 2019

Shortly after her shared visit to Tsitsernakaberd, Khloe's older sister wrote an opinion piece for Time and noted that she had hoped that former president Barack Obama would have referred to the events of 1915 as a genocide.

'Its very disappointing he hasnt used it as President. We thought it was going to happen this year. I feel like were closebut were definitely moving in the right direction,' she expressed.

The reality television star also called on the government and citizens of Turkey to confront the events of the past in an effort to begin a period of reconciliation.

'I think if they recognize it and acknowledge it, everyone can move on. I believe in moving on and looking toward a brighter future, but you cant move on unless you acknowledge the past. To not do so is an act of disrespect,' she wrote.
Vice President Kamala Harris said Sunday the US government will focus on helping Central American farmers affected by climate change in an effort to address a root cause of migration.

Harris has been tasked with spearheading President Joe Biden's bid to resolve the long-running problem of uncontrolled migration over the US-Mexican border.

The US department of agriculture "is going to increase our focus and our resources around helping farmers in that region who have been devastated by crisis in terms of climate and drought," Harris told CNN's "State of the Union."

Harris pointed to climate change as one of the root causes of the migration surge, due to extreme weather conditions such as drought devastating the Central American agricultural industry.

"A residual point is not only about the economic devastation and what we need to do to assist with economic development and relief, but it's also they've got extreme hunger there and food insecurity," Harris said.

"If parents and children cannot literally eat, if they cannot have the basic essential things that everyone needs to live, of course they're going to flee."

Harris will meet virtually with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei on Tuesday and with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on May 7.

She also confirmed to CNN she intends to travel to Central America to meet with the two leaders in person.

"We're working on the plan to get there. We have to deal with Covid issues, but I can't get there soon enough in terms of personally getting there," she said.

The schedule raises the profile of Harris on one of the toughest-to-resolve issues facing the new Biden administration.

Unlike Republican Donald Trump, who emphasized physically stopping would-be immigrants from crossing the border, Biden and Harris have pledged to help regional governments address the poverty and violence driving people to make the difficult journey north in the first place.

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There are moments, rare and hugely memorable, when a photograph captures something far greater than simply the subject in front of the lens.

When the story it encapsulates is so much bigger than what we immediately see.

The picture of the Duchess of Cambridge looking out from the windows of the black car taking her to St George's Chapel, Windsor, for Prince Philip's funeral is such an image  potent and fascinating. We can see the future.

Royal photographer Chris Jackson has captured an unusual degree of engagement from the Duchess who rarely, apparently on the advice of Philip himself, looks directly at the camera so the emphasis is on what she does, not what her eyes tell us.

The picture of the Duchess of Cambridge looking out from the windows of the black car taking her to St George's Chapel, Windsor, for Prince Philip's funeral is such an image  potent and fascinating. We can see the future

Jackson's portfolio is filled with numerous (generally happy) pictures of the Cambridge family at home and abroad  on their tours of Canada and India, and countless touching moments with the children.

Intriguingly, he is also the husband of Natasha Archer, the Duchess's long-time fashion adviser, who has helped her find a modern and increasingly distinctive signature style.

Of course, funerals are not fashion shows but an occasion as important and emotional as this ceremonial farewell to the Duke of Edinburgh  watched by millions across the world  was not the time to throw on any old black thing, grabbed from the back of the cupboard.

It is now some years since she and I first met, when I was editor-in- chief of British Vogue and she was a recently engaged Kate Middleton. At the time I remember being impressed by her height and poise as she stood in front of a fireplace at Clarence House, smiling and friendly but even then with unusual grace

Once the Duke was hospitalised, Catherine, along with the whole family, would have suspected that such an event might sadly be looming and would have had plenty of opportunity to consider what she would wear when the day finally arrived.

Her outfit bears all the hallmarks of the look that she has made her own. A chic, black 1,605 Roland Mouret dress, narrowly tailored to emphasise her slim figure, long-line, which her height allows her to carry off, softened by the asymmetric bow at the neckline.

Accessorised with some of the staggeringly beautiful jewellery she is able to borrow from the Queen's Collection  in this case the Japanese pearl choker, featuring four strands of pearls and a diamond clasp, and Bahrain pearl diamond drop earrings  she looked, well, perfect.

Black became the colour of mourning only when Queen Victoria adopted it after the death of her beloved Albert.

Because she was grieving for so many years, and since, in those days, the Court followed her lead and what the Court adopted was then followed by the general public, it became practice to wear black across the empire.

But it remains a shade that can be drab and draining  pitfalls Catherine spectacularly avoids. Instead, she looks powerfully full of life, clear of purpose and duty as she travels alone to the church while her husband walks behind his grand-father's coffin.

It is now some years since she and I first met, when I was editor-in- chief of British Vogue and she was a recently engaged Kate Middleton.

At the time I remember being impressed by her height and poise as she stood in front of a fireplace at Clarence House, smiling and friendly but even then with unusual grace.

I had expected somebody a bit more Sloaney and boisterous, rather than this still, somewhat serious young woman.

We were talking about what she might wear for her wedding and I was struck by how eager she was to listen to what I had to say and process it  asking intelligent questions and then offering considered replies.

That willingness to enquire and engage has been a marker of her behaviour during her life with Prince William and has no doubt been one of the qualities that have led her to become the extraordinarily adept and compelling wife of the future King that she is today.

In this picture we see the years of experience she now has of being a member of the Royal Family.

Not someone born into the strictures and structures of that clan  in fact, quite the opposite  but someone who has made it her business to learn how to deal with the demands that will be made and expectations that will be had, no matter whether she is seen larking around with the children and a puppy or, as here, on an occasion of historic solemnity.

That willingness to enquire and engage has been a marker of her behaviour during her life with Prince William and has no doubt been one of the qualities that have led her to become the extraordinarily adept and compelling wife of the future King that she is today

A death in anyone's family is difficult and upsetting. Previously ingrained roles shift, an unfamiliar emptiness appears in a place once filled.

No doubt over the weeks since the Duke's death, as well as coping with her own sadness, she would have been trying to support her husband. And explain to their children, George, Charlotte and Louis, that they will no longer be able to see their great-grandfather, with whom they would frequently spend time around the Sandringham estate.

And, of course, the Duchess would be having to deal with the presence of Prince Harry for the first time since he and his wife threw the family under the bus in the Oprah Winfrey interview  not least with Meghan targeting her personally. This picture shows the Duchess taking on board the responsibility not only of her place in her family but of her Royal role, a responsibility which has become just that much greater as the family adapt and move on.

What is striking here is the strength in those clear hazel eyes, as always immaculately made up with her favourite deep brown shadow and liner, beneath strong dark brows.

The lower half of her face is covered by her mask (an unusually attractive one that reveals her sculpted cheekbones) which just meets the small net veil through which she looks. The combination both conceals and attracts in a potent mix that adds to the image's allure.

But, as appealing as the jewels, the veil, the make-up and the glossy chignon are, they are not the story of this picture.

No, that is something quite else. The coming of age of our future Queen. A glimpse of what is ahead for us as a nation. We see a woman confidently in possession of a unique space and destiny.

She is very clearly no longer a young Royal like the others present on the day  Beatrice and Eugenie, Zara Tindall or Louise Mountbatten-Windsor  nor a member of the older generation of women represented by Princess Anne and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The woman looking out from that cream leather back seat appears a different figure from the one I worked with in 2016 to shoot a cover for the centenary issue of Vogue.

That Catherine saw herself as a young mother nesting in the country as she learnt how to hold the Royal reins.

She didn't want to be photographed by a high-gloss Vogue photographer such as Mario Testino or Patrick Demarchelier who had taken such beautiful pictures of her late mother- in-law Princess Diana.

She didn't want to be seen in ballgowns and tiaras.

She chose to give the opportunity to a lesser-known British fashion photographer, Josh Olins, and dressed in dungarees, jeans and checked shirts, similar to the clothes she arrived in at the makeshift studio, an empty Norfolk cottage.

The cover shows her smiling unaffectedly in a trench coat leaning on the handlebars of a push-bike.

Of course, those photographs showed what she wanted to show and were the result of a collaboration between a magazine team and the Duchess and her advisers, and so in their own way they were a fictional construct.

This picture here, despite the grandeur of the surroundings, the clothes and occasion, is far more real.

It's both a snapshot in time and a portrait of the future of majesty and monarchy.
Hyderabad, April 25 : The Telangana government on Sunday declared summer holidays for schools and junior college from April 27 to May 31.

Announcing the measure, Education Minister P. Sabitha Indra Reddy said the decision was taken after Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao reviewed the situation at a meeting with the Chief Secretary and Education Department officials.

The minister said in view of the surge in Covid cases across the state, Class 10 exams were already cancelled on the direction of the Chief Minister, and 5,21,392 students were declared passed. Similarly 53,79,388 students of Class 1 to 9 were promoted to the next class.

The minister said that the decision on reopening schools and colleges will be taken on June 1 after a review of the Covid situation. She said April 26 will be treated as the last working day of the current academic year.

Director, School Education, Syed Omar Jaleel on Sunday issued orders declaring holidays for all schools and junior colleges in the state from April 27 to May 31.

Concerned over the spike in Covid-19 cases, the state government had shut down the educational institutions from March 24.

The schools were shut down in the interest of the health of students and teachers and also keeping in view the requests from the parents. However, online classes continued for students.

Schools for classes 6 and above reopened in the last week of February while classes 9 and above had reopened on February 1.

On April 15, the government decided to cancel the annual exams of Class 10 and promote the students of Intermediate first year (11th) without exams in view of the surge in Covid-19 cases.

The SSC exams were scheduled to be held from May 17. The department has also decided to promote all students of Intermediate first year without exams.

It also postponed Intermediate second year (Class 12) exams scheduled from May 1 to May 19. The department will review the situation in the first week of June and future dates will be announced with at least 15 days notice for the exams.

All Intermediate second year students having backlogs will be given minimum passing marks for the backlogs only, says an order issued by the Higher Education Department.

This is the second consecutive year that the authorities have cancelled the exams of SSC and Intermediate first year.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
A 19-year-old man was killed in a Saturday crash in New Bedford.

Troopers responded just before 2:30 a.m. to a report of a car in the woods next to the off-ramp from Route 140 northbound to Braley Road in New Bedford.

A 2019 Kia Optima sedan with a Massachusetts registration crashed off the ramp, struck a metal post and then hit a tree partially into the woods, Massachusetts State Police said.

Three bystanders were providing medical aid to the victim, a 19-year-old New Bedford man, when first responders arrived. The man, who has not been identified publicly, was rushed to St. Lukes Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Evidence indicates the victim had been ejected in the crash, state police said. The facts and circumstances of the crash, including whether another vehicle was involved in the crash and fled the scene, remains active.
Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, 20 (pictured) has been hailed a hero after it was learned he was one of two people who dived into the water just after midnight on April 24 to save the woman, but sadly drowned in the process

A heartbroken father has paid tribute to his 'angelic' son who died after jumping into the River Thames to rescue a woman who fell from London Bridge and says he should be honoured for his bravery.

Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, 20, has been hailed a hero after it was learned he was one of two people who dived into the water just after midnight on April 24 to save the woman, but sadly drowned in the process.

Emergency services were able to pull the woman and the other man who jumped in from the river alive, but were unable to find Mr Olubunmi-Adewole.

It has since emerged that Folajimi was also connected to the charity Malcolm's World Foundation, which was set up by the parents of his cousin Malcolm Mide-Madaiola, a pupil from the same school who was murdered at the age of 17 in 2018 for protecting a friend near Clapham Tube station.

The body of a man, known as Jimi by his friends who identified him on social media as being the person who died in the incident, was found six hours later after an extensive search and rescue effort on The Thames.

Police marine units and the coastguard recovered Jimi's body from the water at around 6am on Saturday.

It emerged later that the Nigerian-born Briton was a former pupil at the Harris Academy in Peckham, South East London, according to My London.

Jimi's father Michael Adewola, 63, and his mother Olasunkanmi Adewole, 54, said they are proud of their son for trying to save another person's life - but they are devastated by his death.

Jimi's father Michael Adewola (left), 63, and his mother Olasunkanmi Adewole, 54, (centre) said they are proud of their son (right) for trying to save another person's life - but they are devastated by his death

Pictured: A police boat on the River Thames with London Bridge in the background during the search for the man who jumped into the river to save a woman

Pictured: Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, known by friends as Jimi

Mr Adewola told The Sun: Jimi was a very nice, kind young man, he was the heart of our family.

'He was full of live, he had his life to live, he was ambitious and he was so gifted.

'He was a previous boy, and so respectful and pure-hearted. Sometimes I don't know how these boys are like this together, he was just something else.'

The grieving father also said he believes his son should be rewarded for his bravery.

'We want justice for him,' he said. 'We want his life to mean something, it will always mean something to us, but he should be rewarded for the bravery he showed, he deserves a medal for what he did.

'He is a very unique and angelic soul, and I am proud him, so proud, and I want to know the world he is the deepest and most wonderful man.'

At around 3 p.m. on Saturday, the charity Malcom's World Foundation appeared to confirm that Jimi was the man who died in the incident, tweeting a message along with a picture.

'Sad this family just lost another hero Folajimi Olubunmi- Adewole who died saving the woman [...] in River Thames yesterday,' the tweet read.

'Pure-hearted soul. Great helper. Loving boy. RIP #JimiTheHero,' it added.

Officials are yet to confirm how or why the woman fell into the River Thames.

A man who jumped into the River thames to rescue a woman who fell from London Bridge has died. Pictured: London Bridge

Mr Adewola confirmed that Jimi was on his way home from working at fine dining restaurant The Cinnamon Club in Westminster when he spotted the woman on the bridge. After he saw her fall into the water, he and his colleague dived in to try and save her.

He said: 'Him and his friend were coming from work together, and they called the police, and saw what was happening. They wanted to help and tried to speak to her but wanted to leave it to the police.

'He is a hero, and always will be, I can't bring him back but I want him to be remembered forever for what he did, it was just like him to want to always try and help others.

'He would help anyone that needed it.

'I am proud of my son, he is amazing, but as a family we are devastated. We are just glad the woman is alive too.

'I don't think I would be able to do it, I might be able to call the police, but I don't know if I could do it, but this was Jimi, you can't even describe the kind of heart he had.'

Tributes poured in on social media from friends and strangers alike after Jimi's identity was revealed.

'Very sad to hear he died while bravely trying to save another person. He was a hero and should be remembered for his act of bravery. Sorry for his familys loss,' one person wrote on the social media site.

'So very sad, What an Amazing young man .. RIP Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole,' another tweeted.

A third person wrote: 'This is incredibly sad. What a brave and selfless man Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole was to sacrificed his life to save a woman. May he sleep peacefully. My thoughts and prayers are with his heartbroken family.'

Jimi's uncle, Olumide Wole-Madariola, 53, and Malcolm's father told The Sun: 'It's the kind of person he was, both him and Malcolm were the same.

'He was just coming back from work, and he saw the woman and he just felt 'no this can't happen' it's just Jimi for you. It's typical of both of them to want to help others.

'At home, it's what he displays the affection, he's always been ready to do anything to help people, he's kind, he's caring, he's loving, and he was amazing.

'This is so devastating right now, we are all heartbroken.'

Tributes poured in on social media from friends and strangers alike after Jimi's identity was revealed

Speaking about the relationship between the two cousins, he said: 'They are besties, they were besties.

'Jimi even had a tattoo of Malcolm's name and his date of birth, that's how close they are, and now it's like they both died the same way.

'Malcolm died tried to save a younger person, and Jimi tried to save another person too.

'It's so painful for the whole family, but we are glad that the woman is alive, but I think the parents need all the support in the world.

'But what were they both were thinking, I think of Malcolm and Jimi. When Malcolm stopped his friend, and the same with Jimi when he jumped in the water, what was going through his mind.'

'He is a hero, a true hero, and every part a hero.'

It comes as the search for another person who fell in the Thames this week  a 13-year-old schoolboy  continues.

A City of London Police spokesperson said: 'We were called at 12.12am on Saturday April 24 to reports of a woman in the River Thames close to London Bridge.

'Two men, who had witnessed the woman fall from the bridge, entered the river to try and save her.

'The Coastguard and Metropolitan Police Marine Units were able to rescue the woman and one of the men.

Police have launched a search for a 13-year-old boy who went missing after falling into the River Thames from Tower Bridge on his way to school (emergency services at the scene)

'Sadly, following an extensive search involving police helicopters, marine units, LFB, LAS and City Police officers, the missing man was not located.

'At 6am the same morning, a body was found believed to be that of the missing man.

'His next of kin have been made aware and are being supported by officers from the City of London Police.'

Witnesses say there was at least one police boat on the Thames and around six police cars and an ambulance were sent to the scene.

The tide was high and the water was rough and choppy at the time.

River police, firefighters, the RNLI (pictured) and a police helicopter were also involved in the search for the youngster

It was the second incident of someone falling into the Thames this week, after a hero woman jumped into the River Thames to try and save a 13-year-old boy.

She heard screams when he fell from Tower Bridge on his way to school on Tuesday, according to witnesses.

The pupil was wearing his full uniform when he got off a bus as he made his way to The Ark Globe Academy in Southwark, London, at around 8am.

He and a friend had boarded the bus together but the youngster got off near Tower Bridge  ahead of his usual stop in Elephant and Castle  before falling into the river, the school's principal said in a letter to parents.

Emergency services (pictured on the River Thames) including the river police, firefighters, the RNLI and a police helicopter were all involved in the search

Witnesses described hearing screams before one woman jumped into the water to try and save the boy.

Despite using a life-float to swim into the Thames, she was only able to recover his school jacket and school bag.

City of London Police confirmed officers have launched an 'intensive search' for the boy involving helicopter and marine searches but he has not yet been found.

The boy is thought to have celebrated his 13th birthday only last week.

Police confirmed officers have launched an 'intensive search' for the boy involving helicopter and marine searches but he has not yet been found (emergency services at the scene)

The 13-year-old boy went missing after falling into the River Thames from Tower Bridge (police at the scene) as he was on his way to school, his headteacher said

Officers have launched an 'intensive search' for the boy involving helicopter and marine searches but he has not yet been found (teams at the scene)

A spokeswoman for City of London Police told MailOnline: 'City of London Police is leading an investigation into a missing person, working alongside our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police Service.

'We believe this is linked to an incident where a child fell into the Thames from Tower Bridge.

'Despite an intensive search by City of London Police, the police helicopter and marine units, this person has not yet been found.

'We ask anyone who witnessed anything on Tuesday 20 April at 8.09am, to call us on 020 7601 2999, quoting reference 21000215310.'
She's had a successful week after landing the covers of two international publications - Vogue Paris and GQ Korea.

And Hailey Bieber looked every inch the star as she headed to dinner in a skimpy outfit in West Hollywood on Saturday, ahead of the Oscars.

The model, 24 showcased her endless, bronzed legs in a tiny candyfloss pink and gold embroidered mini dress as she strutted.

Wow: Hailey Bieber looked every inch the star as she headed to dinner in a skimpy outfit in West Hollywood on Saturday, ahead of the Oscars

The wife of Justin Bieber displayed her svelte physique in the scanty number, which boasted gold glitter stripes.

She boosted her height with a pair of matching wraparound sandals and accessorised with a pink handbag.

Her tresses were pulled into a sleek updo while her pretty features were enhanced with a radiant palette of make-up.

Taking precautions amid the coronavirus pandemic, she wore a black face mask.

Stunning: The model, 24 showcased her endless, bronzed legs in a tiny candyfloss pink and gold embroidered mini dress as she strutted

Leggy display: The wife of Justin Bieber displayed her svelte physique in the scanty number, which boasted gold glitter stripes

Glow: Her tresses were pulled into a sleek updo while her pretty features were enhanced with a radiant palette of make-up

Safe: Taking precautions amid the coronavirus pandemic, she wore a black face mask

Pretty: The star looked amazing in her glittering dress for the evening

Only recently, Hailey posted a YouTube video called My Skincare Routine where she extolled the virtues of the Biba Los Angeles Plant Stem Cell Peptide Serum.

'I'm going to start with an oil cleanser because I have a lot of make-up on and I don't use make-up wipes,' the daughter of Stephen Baldwin revealed, sharing that 'It's honestly made the biggest difference in my skin.'

Hailey quipped: 'My standard when I go to bed at night is that if I'm not getting into bed looking like a glazed doughnut, then I'm not doing the right thing.'

Toned: Hailey revealed her supermodel frame in the stunning pink number

Strut: Only recently, Hailey posted a YouTube video called My Skincare Routine where she extolled the virtues of the Biba Los Angeles Plant Stem Cell Peptide Serum

The showbiz legacy advised her fans: 'Find yourself a moisturizer that helps you look like a glazed doughnut at the end of the day.'

Her latest magazine shoot went public after new footage emerged of her and Justin's recent visit to California State Prison in Los Angeles County.

They visited the prison last month and in a clip originally obtained by TMZ he is seen performing his song Lonely about the turmoil of being a celebrity for the inmates.

Breathtaking: The beauty was every inch the star as she walked along to her car

One inmate could be seen moving his head to the beat as Justin sang: 'Cause I've had everything but no one's listening and that's just f***ing lonely.'

After paying a visit to the prison Hailey, who like her husband is a devout Christian, described the experience as a 'life changing day.'

A California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesperson told TMZ that Justin visited the prison in aid of religious initiatives.
NORWALK  A former state probation officer in Superior Court in Norwalk is one of more than a dozen state employees to have his pensions revoked in Connecticut.

Twenty-six individuals have had cases brought against them to either revoke or reduce their pension payments after involvement in criminal activity related to their jobs since a 2008 law went into effect. Thus far, three cases were denied, two led to reductions in pension payments and three others are still pending.

The former probation officer, Alphah East, lost his pension in a ruling a several years ago. The Connecticut Attorney Generals office pursued a case against East after he was arrested in 2010, eventually pleading guilty to a bribery charge.

In a complaint filed against East while he was serving a sentence at MacDougall Walker Correctional Institution in 2016, then Attorney General George Jepsens office asked the courts to reduce or revoke Easts state pension.

East would have been eligible to begin receiving $390 per month for life in 2043  or nearly $4,700 a year, according to the complaint.

In 2010, a father of one of Easts clients told his attorney he was being shaken down for money, according to authorities. The attorney called the chief states attorney and lodged a complaint.

Soon after the call, authorities set up a sting at a local coffee shop in Norwalk. East was arrested on site after allegedly accepting the cash in exchange for terminating a three-year probation sentence for the mans daughter, according to authorities. The man had previously made several loans to East totaling $13,500, and authorities said that East promised the additional $5,000 would get the probation sentence terminated.

East, who was charged with receiving a bribe, told investigators he owed $50,000 in credit card bills and was addicted to OxyContin after being prescribed the medication for back and foot issues.

In 2016, East took a plea deal instead of risking a potentially longer jail sentence if his case went to trial. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

When trust is broken by a public official that trust has to be restored and repaired in some way, which is what makes him different from other individuals, Assistant Attorney General Kevin Shay said during Easts sentencing. He was in a position to do a lot of good, but he also was in a position to do a lot of harm to the people's faith in our system.

But Easts attorney Daniel Ford described his client as a talented college athlete who found employment in the courts after graduating from Quinnipiac College, as the university was known at the time.

Up until then it looked like he had the world on this on a string, Ford told the court at sentencing.

Then in 2008, East injured his back, Ford said. He was prescribed an opiate pain medication and that is the day I believe that his life began to leave the rails.

At the time he was charged, East did not realize the hole in which he was digging himself, Ford said of his client.

After his arrest, Easts wife divorced him, Ford told the court. Following his release on bond, East spent several months homeless before a police officer found him on the street and had him call his mother, after which he checked into a treatment program.

In a brief statement during the sentencing, East apologized for his actions. I understand I took an oath and I needed to abide by that. I was in the depths of addiction trying to balance things. I was overwhelmed, he said.

Judge Richard Comerford ultimately gave East a five year sentence suspended after 18 months, along with paying restitution to his former clients father.

This is not a breach of peace case. It's not a disorderly conduct case. This is the real deal. We have breached the public trust, Comerford said.

After the attorney generals office filed the complaint seeking the revocation of Easts pension, the office filed a motion seeking a default judgement against East because he failed to enter a plea. That motion was later denied, but a judge granted a default judgment for Easts failure to appear, records show.

East would later claim in a court filing that he had filed an appearance and that his lawyer had never told him that by pleading guilty he could lose his pension.

In December 2017, a judge ruled East should have his pension revoked, writing that his crime was a substantial breach of public trust.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021

Zepp-LaRouche: The Biggest Threat Is Not Climate Change, but Nuclear War and Indifference

April 24 , 2021 (EIRNS)The following is translated from Helga Zepp-LaRouches lead article in the German weekly Neue Solidaritat:

The virtual summit on climate change initiated by the Biden administration, in which more than 40 heads of state took part, was intended to increase diplomatic pressure on their states to achieve the so-called climate targets for reducing greenhouse gases even more quickly. More fundamentally, however, after the four years of Trumps America First policy, it was to establish once again the global leadership role of the U.S. in a rule-based world order, defined by itself. Far from being able to force all participating heads of state into submission to this world order by means of a Malthusian-motivated climate panic, it revealed nonetheless how strongly the climate issue is being exploited for geopolitical purposes.

American Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at the conference: The climate crisis is a profoundly destabilizing force for our world. As the Arctic melts, competition for resources and influence in the region increases. Closer to the Equator, rising temperatures and more frequent and intense extreme weather events in Africa and Central America threaten millions with drought, hunger, and displacement.

A paper published on the same day by the Pentagons Climate Action Team goes in the same direction, highlighting this geopolitical competition for resources. For several years now, the various strategy papers of the Pentagon have been defining the climate crisis as a strategic priority, which has such an affinity with the goals of the Malthusian lobby that it should make even the most clueless of our contemporaries suspicious.

Neither the Russian nor the Chinese government should have missed the fact that just two days earlier, the U.S. Strategic Command (Stratcom), which is responsible for the U.S. nuclear arsenal, had published the following tweet: The spectrum of conflict today is neither linear nor predictable. We must account for the possibility of conflict leading to conditions which could very rapidly drive an adversary to consider nuclear use as their least bad option.

Stratcoms commander, Adm. Charles Richard, announced in February that he had instructed the Pentagon to upgrade the likelihood of nuclear war from almost impossible to very real possibility. Anyone who expected that such a momentous statementwhich is not taking place in a vacuum, but in a climate of escalation, of rampant sanctions, expulsions of diplomats and military maneuvers against Russia and Chinawould lead to an international outcry was disappointed. While hundreds of thousands took to the streets during the medium-range missile crisis at the beginning of the 1980s, because they rightly feared the perhaps even accidental outbreak of a Third World War, people today seem to be largely numb to the danger of war.

A survey comes to mind from years ago, taken among people who lived below a dam. Those who lived a long way from the dam felt little threatened by the possibility of the dam breaking. Those who lived closer, but still some distance away, felt very threatened. But those who settled directly under the dam were amazed why anyone could suspect a danger at all.

This denial of reality, a condition which afflicts astonishingly many of the inhabitants of the Western community of values, does not apply to Russia, China, or the many countries that are exposed to the sanctions policy of the United States, Great Britain or the EU.

Given this strategic panorama, the speech of President Xi Jinping, who first addressed the summit, presented a perspective that virtually all sane people could agree on: We must commit to green development, said Xi. Green mountains and rivers are gold and silver.... We have to give up development models that damage or undermine the environment, and we have to say no to short-sighted methods that aim for short-term development successes that are at the expense of the environment.

However, these words have a completely different meaning than what the typical Western lifestyle greens understand. Because in China the awareness has long been established that the environmental mistakes that were imposed on China by the Western multinationals during the first phase of reform and opening policy, when it saw the creation of special zones and cheap production as the only possible avenue for overcoming underdevelopment, must not be repeated. Meanwhile, China has launched unprecedented modernization programs for its industry and transportation to remedy past environmental damage and to ensure clean water and air.

In contrast to the Greens in the West, China insists on the same rights for all developing countries and, above all, on sustainable economic and social development worldwide. Significant for the difference is above all Xis formulation: We have to act with a sense of responsibility and uniformity, and work together for a community of life for people and nature. Here, nature and the environment are not glorified at the expense of people, but it is about the harmony of both.

During the summit, Xi presented a six-point proposal on how such a community could be built, of which the sixth describes the principle of shared but differentiated responsibility. What is essentially meant by this is the claim of the developing countries to real economic development, which must not be sacrificed on the altar of the climate crisis.

The Global Times is even clearer with regard to what that means. The developed countries have completed their industrialization, so climate change is now one of their priorities. The developing countries have only just begun this process, the standard of living is still low, so for them, the right to sustenance is defined differently than it is for the developed countries. These states must be vigilant against attempts by Washington to enforce its position by force. In the most extreme case, if the world were to try to force carbon neutrality, the gap between developed and undeveloped countries would become permanent. The deterioration in the international climate is just as evident as the U.S. strategic intrigues to contain China. It must therefore be a matter of promoting the common interests of all humanity, rather than that of a handful of countries.

Even more explicit was the president of the Copenhagen Consensus Center Bjorn Lomborg, who warned in an article in China Daily that the promise of the rich countries to end the use of fossil fuels in 29 years, and to pass the unbearable costs on to the poor countries, could only end badly. The rich countries have developed incredibly far because of these fossil fuels, and 6 billion people now also wanted access to cheap and plentiful energy to overcome hunger, disease and poverty. However, the policy of the Paris Climate Agreement is damaging to the developing sector and would massively increase the number of poor by 2030, leading to enormous resentment against the rich countries, and would furthermore destabilize the rich countries themselves, because the social coherence in these countries would be destroyed by the decline in living standards.

Given the warnings from David Beasley, head of the World Food Program, that 270 million people are at risk of starvation this year alone, and from Cardinal Zenari that 90% of the population in Syria has fallen below the poverty linenot principally due to the effects of the pandemicit is moral imbecility if the supporters of a global climate dictatorship want to enforce their murderous ambitions.

The horrific indifference with which not only the lifestyle greens, but the majority of the population, react to the already existing hunger of hundreds of millions of people, is nothing other than the implicit support for the genocide that would result from these policies. Wanting to pass the costs for a scientifically completely untenable climate policy on to the affected countries can only be explained by the fact that the conscience of these people died long ago, and has therefore become green.

Which is worse, indifference to the threat of nuclear war, or indifference to genocide in developing countries? That is a question that Germans must ponder if they seriously consider Mrs. Baerbock, the Green Party candidate, as an option for Chancellor.
Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on April 24, said that they had agreed on a plan with Myanmars military junta chief to end the crisis in the country, but he did not explicitly respond to demands to halt the killings. Speaking in the aftermath of the meeting, Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin asserted that although Min Aung Hlaing agreed that the violence must stop, he advocated that it is the other side causing the turbulence in the state.

We just stressed that the violence must stop. For him, its the other side thats causing the problems. But he agreed that violence must stop, Yassin told reporters.

During the highly anticipated meeting, ASEAN leaders reportedly wanted a commitment from the military leader to restrain the Tatmadaw as well as release all the political prisoners arrested till now. While Hlaing did not reject the proposal of restricting the countrys security forces, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed scepticism on the actual implementation of his commitment. No further discussion was made on the release of the political prisoners.

He said he (Min Aung Hlaing) heard us, he would take the point in, which he considered helpful, the Singapore Prime Minister told reporters. He was not opposed to ASEAN playing a constructive role, or an ASEAN delegation visit, or humanitarian assistance, he added. However, he said that the process would take time because it is one thing to say you will cease violence and release political prisoners, it is another thing to get it done

'Five-Point Consensus'

On the situation in Myanmar, the leaders reached consensus on the following:

First, there shall be immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and all parties shall exercise utmost restraint. Second, constructive dialogue among all parties concerned shall commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people. Third, a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair shall facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the SecretaryGeneral of ASEAN. Fourth, ASEAN shall provide humanitarian assistance through the AHA Centre. Fifth, the special envoy and delegation shall visit Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned.

Later in a statement, Brunei, which is currently chairing the group, said that a consensus was reached on five points - ending violence, constructive dialogue among all parties, a special Asean envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar. There was no mention of releasing political prisoners in the statement.

The ASEAN Leaders' Meeting took place at the #ASEAN Secretariat today, presided by Brunei Darussalam - ASEAN Chair 2021. All member states discussed about ASEAN Community building, external affairs & regional developments. More on the Chairman's Statement: https://t.co/z0sFvwT61p pic.twitter.com/AtS72fHeX7  ASEAN (@ASEAN) April 24, 2021

According to a Rights group AAPP, 748 have been killed by the military in Myanmar since the conflict began on February 1. Meanwhile, 4429 have been arrested, 3389 currently detained/sentenced while another 1138 are evading arrest warrants.

DAILY UPDATE 24/04



748 killed by this junta



4429 total arrested since coup



3389 currently detained/sentenced



1138 evading arrest warrant



brief https://t.co/yIB082BVVa

detained https://t.co/nSc54N7opS

fatalities https://t.co/6RYToTUcVG

released https://t.co/33kAOfaGz7 pic.twitter.com/kF0efq5AQI  AAPP (Burma) (@aapp_burma) April 24, 2021

(Image Credits: AP)
The search for the missing Indonesian submarine has ended as navy crew members located the vessel and confirmed all 53 people on board have perished.

The Indonesian navy located its missing submarine, KRI Nanggala, on Sunday night in three pieces at a depth of almost 840m beneath the sea after the vessel submerged for a torpedo drill at 3am on Wednesday.

Military commander, Hadi Tjahjanto said the wreckage of the 44-year-old submarine was found following the arrival of ships with more sophisticated detection technology.

Indonesian missing submarine found with all 53 crew members declared dead after vessel went missing on Wednesday

Underwater photo released Sunday April 25, 2021, by Indonesian Navy shows parts of submarine KRI Nanggala that sank in Bali Sea, Indonesia.

Indonesia's military on Sunday officially admitted there was no hope of finding survivors from a submarine that sank and broke apart last week with 53 crew members aboard (pictured: parts of submerged submarine)

Air Chief Marshal Tjahjanto said the equipment had captured images of the safety clothes of crew members, the vessel's rear vertical steering wheel and anchor.

'Based on this authentic evidence, we can conclude that the Nanggala 402 has sunk and that all the crew members are dead,' he said.

'Due to that, with great sadness, as military commander I declare the 53 crew members of Nanggala are dead. The best soldiers have died while carrying out their duties in waters north of Bali.'

He offered his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and confirmed that all crew would be rewarded posthumously for their military service.

Indonesian military officer shows the ripped crew escape suit from sunken Indonesian Navy submarine KRI Nanggala 402

Indonesian military confirmed has found the sunken Indonesian Navy KRI Nanggala 402 Submarine in the depth of 839 Meter below sea level that had broken into three parts

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton wrote in a Tweet on Sunday that he was deeply saddened at the loss of Naggala402 and the 'brave sailors' who were on board.

The grim news comes as rescuers found several items including parts of a torpedo straightener, a grease bottle believed to be used to oil the periscope and prayer rugs, according to Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono on Saturday.

He said: 'With the authentic evidence we found believed to be from the submarine, we have now moved from the sub miss phase to sub sunk.'

Officials said oxygen supply on the KRI Nanggala-402, which vanished as it prepared to conduct a torpedo drill, ran out early Saturday.

Rescuers found several items including parts of a torpedo straightener, a grease bottle believed to be used to oil the periscope and prayer rugs from the submarine

Debris thought to be a torpedo straightener (left), piping (centre) and a bottle (right) from the missing submarine are pictured at the press conference

An American reconnaissance plane, P-8 Poseidon, landed early Saturday and joined the search, along with 20 Indonesian ships, a sonar-equipped Australian warship and four Indonesian aircraft.

Indonesia military spokesperson Djawara Whimbo previously said: 'We keep doing the search until we find it and whatever the result.'

The submarine lost contact after its last reported dive off the resort island.

Indonesia's navy says items have been found from a missing submarine, indicating the vessel with 53 crew members has sunk, according to Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Yudo Margono

A member of Indonesian Navy personnel walks past a map of the searching area for the submarine KRI Nanggala-402

A military officer looks at pictures of the crew members on the missing KRI Nanggala which is feared to have ran out of oxygen

An Indonesian air force pilot said six tonnes of equipment had been flown to a base to help with the search including underwater balloons to help lift a vessel.

The country's navy previously said it was investigating whether the submarine lost power during a dive and could not carry out emergency procedures as it descended to a depth of 600-700 metres, well beyond its survivable limits.

The devastating announcement that all 53 crew members have died in the nation's first submarine disaster has dashed the hopes of their mourning family members.

Ratih Wardhani, the sister of 49-year-old crewman Wisnu Subiyantor, had said: 'The family is in a good condition and keeps praying. We are optimistic that the Nanggala can be rescued with all the crew.'

Indonesian SAR Agency (BASARNAS) vessel arrive at pier Tanjung Wangi for the search of submarine KRI Nanggala 402

Indonesian Navy's KRI Karel Satsuitubun-356 is seen while preparing to dock at Tanjung Wangi port, as it is being prepared for rescue operation of the KRI Nanggala-402

The KRI Alugoro seen yesterday as it helped search for the missing submarine which is feared to have been lost with all hands

Ratih Wardhani, the sister of 49-year-old crewman Wisnu Subiyantor, had said: 'The family is in a good condition and keeps praying. We are optimistic that the Nanggala can be rescued with all the crew.'

Berda Asmara, the wife of crew member Guntur Ari Prasetyo, 39, who has sailed on the Nanggala for 10 years, said: 'I hope that they will be found alive. We had a video call. He told me that he would go sailing and asked me to pray for him.'

Indonesian President Joko Widodo had ordered all-out efforts to locate the submarine and asked Indonesians to pray for the crew's safe return.

The submarine was conducting a torpedo drill in waters 60 miles north of the island of Bali

The cause of the disappearance is still uncertain. The navy has said an electrical failure could have left the submarine unable to execute emergency procedures to resurface.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Thursday the 'United States would do everything possible to support Indonesia's search and rescue effort,' a spokeswoman said.

Indonesia operates five submarines - two German-built Type 209s including Nanggala and three newer South Korean vessels.

The military said it picked up signs of an object with high magnetism at a depth of between 165 and 330 feet (50 and 100 metres)

Despite hopes for a miracle, an oil spill (pictured) spotted where the submarine was thought to have submerged pointed to possible fuel-tank damage

Berda Asmara is married to Guntur Ari Prasetyo, 39, who had been expected to return home from the submarine training mission at the weekend

Indonesian marines are out in full force to track down the submarine that has sparked an international rescue operation

Indonesia's navy said it was possible an electrical failure occurred during the dive, causing the submarine to lose control and become unable to undertake emergency procedures that would have allowed it to resurface.

French navy vice admiral Antoine Beaussant has warned that the submarine was not built to withstand such a depth.

'If it went down to rest at 700 metres the likelihood is it would have broken up,' he said. 700 metres is around 2,296ft. The submarine is only built to withstand depths of up to 820ft below sea-level.

Missing Naggala 402 Age: 44 years after being built in 1977. Top speed: 25 knots (46 km/hr). Range: 8,200 nautical miles (15,200 km). Maximum diving depth: 843ft. Weight: 1,395 tons. Length: 65 yards. Fuel: Powered by four electric diesel engines. Armaments: 14 torpedoes located in eight tubes. It is also equipped with a CSU-3-2 suite type sonar. Built in: Lubeck, Germany. Advertisement

Frank Owen, secretary of the Submarine Institute of Australia, also said the submarine could be at too great a depth for a rescue team to operate.

'Most rescue systems are really only rated to about 1,970ft (600m),' he said. 'They can go deeper than that because they will have a safety margin built into the design, but the pumps and other systems that are associated with that may not have the capacity to operate. So they can survive at that depth, but not necessarily operate.'

Owen, a former submariner who developed an Australian submarine rescue system, said the Indonesian vessel was not fitted with a rescue seat around an escape hatch designed for underwater rescues.

He said a rescue submarine would make a waterproof connection to a disabled submarine with a so-called skirt fitted over the rescue seat so that the hatch can be opened without the disabled submarine filling with water.

Owen said the submarine could be recovered from 1,640ft (500m) without any damage but couldn't say if it would have imploded at 2,300ft (700m).

The Malaysian Navy have provided a submarine rescue ship, the MV Mega Bakti, to help find the KRI Nanggala near the island of Bali

The marines (above) patrolling the waters will be supported by ships from Singapore and Malaya
Beijing, April 25 : China has named its first Mars rover 'Zhurong' after the traditional fire God, the media reported China National Space Administration (CNSA) as saying on Saturday China's Space day.

Zhurong is the god of fire in ancient Chinese mythology, which echoes the Chinese name of the red planet, Huoxing (meaning the planet of fire), the Xinhua reported.

Fire brought warmth and brightness to the ancestors of humankind, and fire lit up human civilisation. Naming China's first Mars rover after the God of fire signifies igniting the flame of China's planetary exploration, Wu Yanhua, Deputy Director of the CNSA, was quoted as saying.

Literally, Zhu (meaning wish) expresses the good wishes for humankind's exploration of the universe. Rong (meaning integration and cooperation) reflects China's vision of the peaceful use of space and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Wu said.

The name is another example of Chinese aerospace workers' scientific romance as they have named spacecraft, including Tianwen, Chang'e and Beidou, after Chinese traditional culture, which also shows the Chinese people's spirit of exploration and cultural confidence, he said.

China launched its Mars probe -- Tianwen-1 -- on July 23, last year. The spacecraft, consisting of an orbiter, a lander and a rover, entered the parking orbit of Mars on February 24 this year..

The orbiter is equipped with seven kinds of scientific instruments: two remote-sensing cameras, Mars-Orbiting Subsurface Exploration Radar, Mars Mineralogy Spectrometer, Mars Magnetometer, Mars Ion and Neutral Particle Analyzer and Mars Energetic Particle Analyzer.

The six-wheel solar-powered rover, looking like a blue butterfly with a mass of 240 kg, carries the Terrain Camera, Multispectral Camera, Mars-Rover Subsurface Exploration Radar, Mars Surface Composition Detector, Mars Magnetic Field Detector and Mars Meteorology Monitor.

The Tianwen-1 aims to map the morphology and geological structure, investigate surface soil characteristics and water-ice distribution, analyze the surface material composition, measure the ionosphere and the characteristics of the Martian climate and environment at the surface and perceive the physical fields and internal structure of Mars, the report said.
The annual search to find the country's best personal finance teachers begins tomorrow.

Wealth manager Interactive Investor is launching its Personal Finance Teacher of the Year Awards to recognise those individuals who are finding the best ways to teach children about money.

A prize pot of 25,000 will be shared among the winning teachers' schools, and the first 250 teachers who enter the awards will receive a 50 Amazon shopping voucher. Good lessons in personal finance at school can be invaluable and help set young people's attitudes to money for life.

Savvy saver: Good lessons in personal finance at school can be invaluable and help set young people's attitudes to money for life

Yet many schools do not teach it or roll it up in other lessons such as maths. Of the children who do learn about money in schools, only a quarter enjoy it, according to a survey carried out for the Bank of England last year.

The Personal Finance Teacher of the Year Awards celebrate the teachers who find innovative and engaging ways to spark up their lessons. Guy Acres, a teacher at Joseph Hood Primary School in South West London, won one of last year's awards. He used his origami skills, acquired while teaching in Japan, to encourage his ten and 11-year-old students to set up a paper aeroplane business.

The students had to borrow money for paper, pay interest on the loans and taxes on profits, and grapple with the challenge of marketing internationally and the perils of moving exchange rates.

Darren Collins, another winner and teacher at The Sittingbourne School in Kent, held an imaginative series of online assemblies during the first lockdown.

He taught his pupils how the stock market works, the power of compound interest and the importance of disciplined saving. Moira O'Neill, head of personal finance at Interactive Investor, says: 'I never cease to marvel at how creative teachers can be in putting together ambitious lesson plans that drive lifelong personal finance messages home.'

Parents and pupils can nominate teachers by emailing teacher@ii.co.uk  providing the teacher's name, as well the name and address of the school. The deadline is July 2. The teacher will then be asked to submit a lesson plan and supporting statement by July 15. Teachers can also nominate themselves.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ATHENS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th April, 2021) Russian tourists arriving in Greece will no longer be required to undergo mandatory quarantine starting April 26, provided they have both a negative PCR test and a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, a relevant decision was published by the Government Gazette on Saturday.

Greece began to partially reopen its borders to tourists on Monday, lifting the 7-day COVID-19 quarantine for travelers arriving from the European Union and five countries  Israel, Serbia, the UAE, the UK, and the US  if they have a negative PCR test or a vaccination certificate. The government's fresh decree adds more countries to the list  Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Rwanda and Singapore.

The government has also extended the permission to enter the country for up to 4,000 Russian citizens per week until May 3, with tourists allowed to arrive in Greece via airports in Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Chania, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Mykonos and Santorini.

Greece started to allow entry for up to 500 Russian citizens per week last September. The entry permission has since been extended several times.

Russian nationals arriving in Greece must also fill out a Passenger Locator Form, providing all the contact information for their stay in Greece.

Greece remains under a COVID-19 quarantine with a nighttime curfew. Tourists will not be able to travel between Greek regions or dine in places outside their accommodation. Leaving the declared accommodation without notifying the Greek authorities will be punishable with a 300 euro fine ($360).

Greece will reopen for tourists from across the globe in mid-May. Until then, the government plans to gradually drop the restrictions for travelers from eligible locations.
Press Release

April 25, 2021 Drilon blames appeasement policy for undeterred China 'Hindi na tayo pinapakinggan ng China,' Drilon laments The appeasement and accommodation policy on China only emboldened China which remains undeterred by the country's filing of diplomatic protests and the demand made by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana for the Chinese military "to leave the country's sovereign territories and abide by international law," according to Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon. "Ang problema natin, hindi na tayo pinapansin dahil pinabayaan natin iyan noon. Iyan ay resulta ng appeasement and accommodation policy natin sa China. Kaya patuloy na hindi tayo papansinin dahilan sa policy na iyan," Drilon said in a radio interview. "What we see now are the fruits of the policy of appeasement and accommodation towards China," stressed Drilon, citing, as examples, the continued incursion of around 160 Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea. He also cited the growing COVID-19 cases in the country, which, he said, could have been prevented had the country immediately banned travelers from Wuhan, China, where the virus began in January 2020, similar to what Vietnam and Taiwan immediately did. Drilon stressed the need for the country to get the support of the ASEAN, particularly countries with claims on the South China Sea to strengthen our stance on the West Philippine Sea issue, saying "bilateral talks with China on the maritime dispute does not work in the country's favor." "Apart from the protests, which I support, we should, as an objective, get the other nations to confront China, including our allies - United States, Japan and Australia. We must unite against the unlawful Chinese incursion in the West Philippine Sea," Drilon stressed. Drilon said it is the President who should initiate the move to present a united front with other claimants in the WPS, including Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, "in order to make China realize that what it is doing is wrong and against international laws." He added the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in favor of the Philippines is the basis of the government in rightfully and forcefully asserting the country's claims on the WPS. The case was initiated by former President Benigno Aquino. The award is based on the UNCLOS, which both China and the Philippines ratified. Drilon said it is high time to abandon the policy of appeasement and accommodation. Meanwhile, Drilon said that the alleged "verbal fishing agreement", which some sectors cited as a possible reason why Chinese vessels refuse to leave the country's exclusive economic zone, is "invalid" if it indeed exists. "To me, any verbal agreement is invalid. Any agreement between two nations, whether in the form of an executive agreement or a treaty must be in written form, otherwise it cannot be enforced," Drilon said. If indeed a verbal fishing agreement exists, Drilon said the Filipino people and the Senate must be informed of the exact parameters of the agreement. Drilon further stressed any agreement should be in accordance with the Constitution, our sovereignty and must conform with the international tribunal decision. "We are bound by Article XII, Sec. 2 paragraph 2 of the Constitution which says that 'The State shall protect the nation's marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens,'" he added. "The Senate, as the President's partner in foreign policy making, has to know what the agreement is, to determine whether or not it is consistent with the Constitution, or if it can be ratified," the former justice secretary said.
People over age 75 receive the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at a vaccination center in Daegu, Friday. Yonhap



Gov't secures additional Pfizer doses for 20 million people



By Lee Hyo-jin



The government's immunization plan against COVID-19 depends on the timely delivery of vaccines without any delay, according to medical experts, even though the country has signed contracts to acquire enough doses for nearly double the entire population.



The administration announced Saturday that it had reached a deal with Pfizer for additional doses for 20 million people, which would allow it to vaccinate 99 million with the total amount of vaccines "secured."



This is 1.9 times Korea's total population and 2.75 times the 75 percent of the people  36 million  that need to be vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity.



Through separate deals with five pharmaceutical companies, the government has already signed contracts for vaccines from Pfizer for 33 million people, AstraZeneca for 10 million, Johnson & Johnson for 6 million, and Moderna and Novavax for 20 million people each.



In addition, the country will receive vaccines for 10 million people through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) program, a global initiative for vaccine production and distribution.



The government stated that this abundant supply may enable the provision of booster shots  an additional dose to bolster the recipient's immunity  or be used when the nationwide vaccination program is expanded to those under the age of 18.











Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong speaks during a briefing on the government's latest deal with Pfizer, which will provide it with additional vaccines for 20 million people, at the Government Complex Seoul, Saturday. Yonhap
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face being 'ditched' from the Royal family by Prince Charles as he streamlines the Monarchy, an expert has predicted.

Royal biographer Angela Levin said the Prince of Wales is set to 'cut the monarchy down' to save money.

She thinks this could be the point at which the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - who currently live in an 11million mansion in California with their son Archie - are cut loose.

Both Prince Charles and Prince William were set to discuss the future of the Monarchy - including which family members should be working Royals - following Prince Philip's death on April 9.

A smaller-sized 'Firm' could see just Charles, Camilla, William, the Duchess of Cambridge, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte as senior royals.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (left) face being 'ditched' from the Royal family by Prince Charles (right) as he streamlines the Monarchy, an expert has predicted

Other royals could be encouraged to take on paid work to help support themselves - and may lose their titles and patronages.

Ms Levin said on talkRADIO: 'Prince Charles has wanted for a very long time to cut the monarchy down to save costs and to make people be worth the money that they got from the taxpayer.

'I imagine that might be when Harry and Meghan are ditched from being members of the Royal family.

A smaller-sized 'Firm' could see just Charles, Camilla, William, the Duchess of Cambridge, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte as senior royals. Pictured: The Royal famil

'I think the outer edge, which the Queen has wanted to keep together for a very long time for sentimental reasons, which at her age she didn't really particularly want change which I think is understandable.

'But he wants to change and I think he will do that.'

Rumours of Harry and Meghan facing the chop come as the couple's biography Finding Freedom is set to be released this summer, once more raking over royal rifts and addressing the couple's explosive Oprah Winfrey interview.

A new version of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's biography Finding Freedom is set to be released this summer, once more raking over royal rifts and addressing the couple's explosive Oprah Winfrey interview

The first edition, by authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, was published on August 11 last year and painted a flattering picture of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from when they met in 2016 to their departure from the Firm in early 2020.

It is now being updated with new chapters, covering their tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey last month, the allegations that Meghan, 39, bullied royal staff - which she denies - and the death of Prince Philip, reports The Sunday Times.

The new version, which is also expected to discuss their multi-million pound deals with Netflix and Spotify, their new life in California and the Queen's decision to strip them of their royal patronages including Harry's military roles, will go on sale on August 5.

It was hoped that Harry and his brother William would start to build bridges following the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, but the reissue of Finding Freedom is only likely to aggravate tension between the Sussexes and the Firm, it has been claimed.

'The Oprah interview detonated a bomb under the Royal Family and most of them are still reeling in shock. The book will not help,' a senior courtier told the publication.

Another senior royal source added: 'After Oprah, what else is there to say?'

Harry, 36, returned to the US on Tuesday, having flown in for Prince Philip's funeral - his first trip back to Britain in a year and the first time he saw his family since making explosive allegations about royal racism during the interview with Oprah, in which he also claimed his father and brother are 'trapped in the system'.

Harry, 36, returned to the US on Tuesday, having flown in for Prince Philip's funeral - his first trip back to Britain in a year and the first time he saw his family since making explosive allegations about royal racism during the interview with Oprah (pictured)

The Duke missed the Queen's 95th birthday on Wednesday and is believed to have met only once with Charles and William, with the rift caused by his decision to emigrate and pour his heart out to the chat show host still seemingly unresolved.

After the emotional funeral William and Harry took 'baby steps' towards healing their relationship when they walked back to Windsor Castle from St George's Chapel together after being pushed together by peacemaker Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.

Later there was a face-to-face meeting within the grounds of the castle between the brothers and their father Prince Charles. Harry had been widely reported to have been planning to stay for the Queen's birthday, although sources said he was 'conflicted' about the decision and wanted to get home to Meghan, who is pregnant with their second child, a girl.

Finding Freedom, which was spotted on sale for 99p in January just five months after its release at 20, raised eyebrows for its gushing praise and intimate knowledge of Harry and Meghan, but the couple claimed they were not interviewed and did not contribute to the book.

Finding Freedom, by journalists Omid Scobie (left) and Carolyn Durand (right), raised eyebrows for its gushing praise and intimate knowledge of Harry and Meghan

It was declared a bestseller, with 31,000 copies sold in the UK in the first five days of its release, according to figures from data provider Nielsen Book.

The book offers a window into Meghan and Harry's lives during their time as senior royals, and is full of details on their shock exit from the royal family.

It addresses the alleged rift between brothers Harry and William - with the former being 'p****d off' by his 'snobbish' sibling's suggestion he take 'as much time' as he needed to get to know Meghan before proposing, as well as the relationship between their wives.

The book alleged that Meghan was 'disappointed' that Kate, 39, wasn't 'welcoming enough'.

Scobie said that while they did not interview the couple, 'many' friends gave them insights - providing 'a lens to the couple through their friends and their circle of aides'.

After the emotional funeral William and Harry took 'baby steps' towards healing their relationship when they walked back to Windsor Castle from St George's Chapel together

Royal expert Katie Nicholl said the authors may be the 'only winners' from the publication of Finding Freedom.

Writing in Vanity Fair, she asked if the book was 'worth it for Harry and Meghan' before adding: 'The irony of Finding Freedom is that, locked down in their rented mansion in LA, the Sussexes have less freedom than they did when they lived in Windsor.'

Meanwhile she added that the book's authors write that the monarchy had lost two of its greatest assets.

She concluded: 'They, perhaps, might be the only winners in this rather sad story.'
Graphic imagined scenes of Carrie Symonds giving birth have been cut from an upcoming TV drama about the Prime Minister's first year in office.

Michael Winterbottom, the Labour-supporting writer of the programme titled This Sceptred Isle, created a fictitious storyline showing Boris Johnson's fiancee 'on all fours, screaming and biting Boris's hand' in a delivery suite at a London hospital.

But after The Mail on Sunday revealed the plan last month, sources close to the production now understand that the scene will not be included in the five-part series after all.

First Exclusive pictures of Ophelia Lovibond playing Carrie Symonds, while Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson in new Sky series 'This Sceptred Isle'

Graphic scenes of Carrie giving birth cut from TV drama after MoS report. (Pictured, Boris Johnson and fiancee Carrie Symonds)

Preparations to film Kenneth Branagh, who plays Mr Johnson, and Ophelia Lovibond, who has been cast as Miss Symonds, arriving at University College Hospital London, where the Prime Minister's 33-year-old fiancee gave birth to their son Wilfred, have also been abandoned.

The scenes were to have been filmed on Thursday evening, but did not go ahead. Instead, the drama will show Mr Johnson and his fiancee leaving their Downing Street flat and returning with their baby.

The controversial production has been beset by problems, including the departure of Mr Winterbottom as director of the project and the drafting in of Julian Jarrold, whose previous work includes episodes of The Crown.

It is thought that Sky Atlantic, the broadcaster which bought the show from production companies Revolution Films and Fremantle, were anxious to restore credibility to the project.

The network said that Mr Winterbottom, a close friend of actor Steve Coogan, was stepping down due to ill health. Other sources claim he was unhappy at changes being made to his original idea that would have delivered a broadside against Mr Johnson and the Tories.

'It's extraordinary that Michael Winterbottom would know what took place in the delivery suite,' said a source. 'It was the most private of times for Boris and Carrie, yet he thought it was OK to have a guess, and then prepare to show what he thought happened, happening. It's just gross.'

The film-maker had also planned to show Miss Symonds's waters breaking, while another scene is due to show Mr Johnson changing baby Wilfred's nappy as he watches the Queen address the nation about the coronavirus crisis.

Also portrayed are three of Mr Johnson's former lovers  Petronella Wyatt, Jennifer Arcuri and Helen Macintyre  his second wife Marina and two of their adult children.

The drama invents a fictitious ex-boyfriend for Miss Symonds, of whom Mr Johnson is suspicious, and includes a plotline revealing her concerns about the Prime Minister's closeness to his female physiotherapist.

The script has Mr Johnson talking to a girl given the name Sally, who is believed to be a portrayal of a lovechild with one of his mistresses. It is not known whether these will feature in the finished film.

Last night, a spokesman for Sky Atlantic said: 'This Sceptred Isle is currently in production and is due to air in autumn 2022. As with any drama, the inclusion or not of any scenes will be decided as part of the editing process once production concludes.'

Meanwhile, the wardrobe expert tasked with choosing Miss Lovibond's clothes for her portrayal of Miss Symonds can be revealed as Anthony Unwin, who it appears is no fan of Mr Johnson either.

He last year retweeted a video of Hassan Akkad, a Syrian refugee who was working as a cleaner in London's Whipps Cross Hospital, lambasting Mr Johnson for not allowing foreign NHS workers to join its Covid-19 bereavement scheme.
Oregonians can now get shots of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine again after a key group of experts concluded the vaccines benefits far outweigh its risks.

The roll-out of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was abruptly put on hold April 13 amid concerns about blood clots as a rare but potentially fatal side-effect.

Federal health officials lifted the pause Friday, and a scientific review group that Oregon and three other states defer to  the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup  declared Saturday that it agreed with the federal governments conclusions.

Full statement from Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup

With this thorough scientific review by leading state and federal doctors, scientists, and health experts, Oregonians can be confident that this vaccine is safe and effective, and that the benefits of vaccination against COVID-19 far outweigh the risks of this exceedingly rare adverse effect, Gov. Kate Brown said in a statement.

Brown is among those who have been inoculated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Oregon announced 830 new cases Saturday and eight new deaths.

The Oregon Health Authority on Saturday told health care providers statewide they could start administering Johnson & Johnson doses again, provided patients were informed of the vaccines benefits and risks in their primary language.

The news comes even as health officials investigate whether the Johnson & Johnson vaccine caused or contributed to an Oregon womans death in April. Within two weeks of her injection with a dose, the woman showed symptoms of a rare but serious blood clot and then died, the health authority has said.

During their 11-day pause, federal officials ultimately found 15 blood clot cases among nearly 8 million people who got a shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. All were women and most of them were under 50. Three died.

Of the approximately 2,754,000 doses administered in Oregon so far, about 92,000  3%  were Johnson & Johnson doses.

While comprising a small portion of all doses, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is important because it requires only one dose for maximum immunity, unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which require two. Getting one dose is less of a burden for needle-shy people and those who might have a hard time making a second appointment, such as the homeless.

-- Fedor Zarkhin

503-294-7674; fzarkhin@oregonian.com
This idyllic two-bed cottage on the outskirts of the famed town of Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare sits on over an acre of land with beautiful views of Slieve Elva is on the market for just 120,000.

With working fireplaces in every room, original flag floor and a wood burning stove in the sitting room, and a a back boiler that generates heat for the whole cottage - the descerning buyer can enjoy the rustic charm of the property or modernise accordingly.

Click the 'Next >' above or 'Next Story' below to browse through the gallery of pictures

The property has a detached, insulated cabin at the rear, constructed of timber with a wood burning stove which is ideal for a home office. Situated on the edge of the Burren on the N67 and just a few minutes drive from the Cliffs of Moher, Fanore, Lahinch and Ballyvaughan, and ideally located along the Wild Atlantic Way with all amenities and facilities easily accessible.

It is listed with an asking price of 120,000. For more information or to view the full ad, click here.
WASHINGTON  The Biden administrations top medical adviser on the pandemic says the U.S. is actively looking at ways to boost aid to India as it grapples with surging coronavirus cases.

Dr. Anthony Fauci told ABCs This Week that several measures are being considered, including sending over oxygen supplies, COVID-19 tests, drug treatments and personal protective equipment.

U.S. COVID NEWS: Houston COVID-19 expert concerned about early stages of virus' fourth wave

The outbreak in India adds to the pressure on President Joe Biden to provide vaccines to other countries. Biden has said the U.S. wont begin doing so until it has enough supplies at home.

Fauci said Sunday that the U.S. would review how to help increase Indias vaccine supply, such as by sending them doses or helping them to essentially make vaccines themselves.

He said, quote: Bottom line, its a terrible situation thats going on in India and other lower middle-income countries, and there is more we can do.

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THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:

 Europe reopens but virus patients still overwhelm ICU teams

 Indias crematoriums overwhelmed as virus swallows people

 Merkel urges Germans to accept tough virus restrictions

 Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has suggested that the army might be called into the streets to restore order if lockdown measures against COVID-19 that he opposes lead to chaos.

 While much of the world remains hunkered down, the band Six60 has been playing to huge crowds in New Zealand, where social distancing isnt required after the nation stamped out the coronavirus.

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Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

ROME  Italys health minister on Sunday signed an ordinance forbidding entrance into Italy to anyone who has been in India in the last 14 days.

However, Minister Roberto Speranza added that Italian residents could return if they take a COVID-19 swab test when they depart India and again when they reach Italy and then quarantine.

Anyone who entered from India  where numbers of new coronavirus infections have been surging  in the two weeks before the ordinance was issued must also be tested and contact Italian health authorities.

Our scientists are at work to study the new variant of the virus found in India, the minister said. We cannot lower our guard, Speranza said, noting that India in last week had recorded daily totals of new confirmed cases in the hundreds of thousands.

Italys vaccination rollout has been picking up its pace in recent days. As of Sunday, just under 21% of Italys population had received at least one vaccine dose.

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WASHINGTON  West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito says fellow Republican senator Ron Johnsons recent statement that Americans shouldnt care if their neighbors get the coronavirus vaccine was unhelpful.

Johnson, of Wisconsin, questioned the need for widespread COVID-19 vaccinations during an interview last week with conservative talk radio host Vicki McKenna. He said theres no reason to be pushing vaccines on people, particularly very young people, at a moment when the federal government is trying to counter hesitancy among some Americans over getting inoculated.

Public health officials around globe are urging people to get vaccinated as soon as possible, saying that reaching herd immunity is the best shot at stopping the uncontrolled spread of the virus.

I disagree with my fellow senator, Moore Capito said on CNNs State of the Union. She added: I definitely think that comments like that hurt.

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ORLANDO, Fla.  Shots using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have resumed at federally supported mass vaccination sites throughout Florida, state emergency officials said.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management tweeted Sunday that it was resuming the Johnson & Johnson shots at the vaccination sites in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami after reviewing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.

The federal agencies on Friday called for the 11-day pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to be lifted after federal regulators reviewed data on blood clots and assessed risks associated with the vaccine.

Out of nearly 8 million people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 15 women developed these blood clots. Johnson & Johnson vaccine providers will now provide information about the risk and information about symptoms to watch for after vaccination.

Each of the mass vaccination sites in Florida should be able to administer 3,000 of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson shots each day, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

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BERLIN  Germany is considering sending emergency assistance to India to help the country cope with a surge in COVID-19 cases that threatens to overwhelm the countrys hospitals.

The German Defense Ministry said Sunday its examining the possibility of providing a mobile oxygen generator and other aid to India.

Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier expressed her sympathy to the people of India and said Germany was urgently preparing a mission of support.

The German military has so far conducted 38 support missions for other nations or international organizations during the coronavirus pandemic.

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BERLIN  Germanys Health Ministry says sharp increase in vaccine deliveries over the coming months means it will likely be able to begin offering the shots to all adults from June.

Like most countries, Germany currently prioritizes vaccination of people who are most vulnerable to serious illness from COVID-19 due to their age, preexisting conditions or exposure to potentially infected people.

In a briefing document issued by the Health Ministry ahead of a Cabinet meeting Monday, officials say that pending further delivery commitments from AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, it should be possible to end the prioritization by June at the latest.

They caution that not everyone will immediately be able to get a shot, however, and that the vaccination campaign will likely continue over the summer as planned.

By Friday, almost 23% of Germanys 83 million inhabitants had received an initial dose of coronavirus vaccine. At least 7% of the population had received both doses.

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CAIRO  Egypts president has received his first dose of coronavirus vaccine, although his office did not say what type of vaccine was used. Egypt in general uses China's Sinopharm or the AstraZeneca vaccines.

Abdel Fattah el-Sissi got the dose as part of the national vaccination campaign, his office said in a Facebook post Sunday.

El-Sissis vaccination appeared aimed to encourage more people to get vaccinated, particularly health care workers.

Health Minister Hala Zayed on Saturday called for health workers to register to be vaccinated. She said only 50% of the targeted health care workers have signed up.

Egypt, the Arab worlds most populous country with over 100 million people, has reported at least 221,570 confirmed cases, including some 13,000 deaths.

However, the actual numbers of COVID-19 cases, like elsewhere in the world, are thought to be far higher, in part due to limited testing.

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ISLAMABAD  Indias rival Pakistan is offering to send essential medical supplies to its neighbor thats in the grip of a devastating coronavirus surge that has depleted oxygen stocks and other hospital needs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that as a gesture of solidarity with the people of India, Pakistan has offered to provide relief support including ventilators, oxygen supply kits, digital X-ray machines, PPE and and related items.

It said authorities of both countries can work out modalities for a quick delivery of the items and can also explore possible ways of further cooperation to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The offer came a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan in a tweet prayed for the speedy recovery of the Indian people affected by the virus.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says Pakistan, believing in a policy of humanity first, made the offer to India and is awaiting a response.

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BANGKOK  Thailand on Sunday reported 2,438 new cases and 11 deaths, as Bangkok braced for the closure of entertainment and sport venues as part of measures health care workers say are not enough to relieve overburdened hospitals.

The Thai capital has seen a rapid rise in infections since early April, and its governor, Aswin Kwanmuang, announced the two-week closures starting Monday.

They include gyms, public parks, zoos, exhibition and meeting centers, nurseries and boxing stadiums. Those not wearing masks in public face penalties.

Shortages of hospital beds, stemming from a regulation that everyone testing positive for COVID-19 must be treated in a hospital, are causing frustration. Media reported two people died in their homes after they were turned down by hospitals.

Some health workers are calling for a general lockdown, saying the governments hospital admission policies have exhausted the system.

The Thoracic Society of Thailand wrote an open letter demanding the government restrict the movement of people to reduce the number of new cases.

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TOKYO  Japans department stores, bars and theaters shuttered Sunday as part of emergency measures to slow a surge in infections.

The 17-day restrictions are declared for Tokyo, Kyoto, Hyogo and Osaka, ahead of the Golden Week holidays, when Japanese usually travel extensively.

Theres doubt about the effectiveness of the effort, which focuses on eateries and theme parks staying closed or limiting hours. Trains and streets remain as packed as ever, and schools will stay open.

Japan has already declared three emergencies over the coronavirus. The vaccine rollout has been slow, with barely 1% of its population inoculated.

One setback is that Japan requires additional testing for vaccines approved overseas, and only the Pfizer vaccine is now in use.

Experts say the unfolding wave of infections includes more deadly variants. Japan has attributed about 10,000 deaths to COVID-19, among the worst in Asia. A domestically produced vaccine is not expected until next year or 2023.

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LOS ANGELES  A panel of public health experts from California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington was meeting to discuss potentially lifting the pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a spokesman for the California Department of Public Health said Saturday.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles County public health officials went ahead with telling vaccine providers they could resume administering Johnson & Johnson doses on Saturday, if they give out an updated fact sheet about the vaccine to recipients.

Dr. Paul Simon, chief science officer for the countys Department of Public Health, said the county has been working on developing additional materials to explain the rare blood clotting issue that prompted the J&J vaccine pause on April 13.

Those will include what we think is really important information about what to look for--the signs and symptoms if you were to have this, again, very rare reaction, he said. And we are going to underscore that this is a very rare reaction.

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RIO DE JANEIRO  Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has suggested that the army might be called into the streets to restore order if lockdown measures against COVID-19 that he opposes lead to chaos.

In a television interview Friday night with TV Criticia in the Amazon city of Manaus, Bolsonaro repeated his frequent criticism of restrictions imposed by local governments to curb infections -- measures he claims do more harm than good.

That lockdown policy, of quarantine, is absurd. If we have problems ... we have a plan of how to act. I am the supreme head of the armed forces, Bolsonaro said.

Health experts urged Bolsonaro this month to impose a national lockdown after the nations daily toll of COVID-19 deaths reached new peaks. The Ministry of Health says theres been more than 386,000 confirmed coronavirus deaths in Brazil.

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TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras  President Joe Biden has highlighted how the United States has administered 200 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine before his first 100 days in office.

Hes also signaled its time for the U.S. to begin sharing its surplus of doses. The staggering inequality of vaccines is clear throughout the Americas, Africa and parts of Asia. China and Russia have aggressively pushed their homegrown vaccines around the world.

But the U.S. just shared its first 4 million doses last month with Canada and Mexico. Biden has said those countries would be targets for additional doses, and so too would countries in Central America.

Honduras has obtained only 59,000 vaccine doses for its 10 million people. Similar gaps in vaccine access are found across Africa, where just 36 million doses have been acquired for the continents 1.3 billion people, as well as in parts of Asia.

In the U.S, more than one-fourth of the population  nearly 90 million people  has been fully vaccinated. Some states are turning down planned shipments from the federal government.

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AUSTIN, Texas  State health officials say more than 1.7 million COVID-19 vaccine doses are headed to Texas next week.

The Texas Department of State Health Services say more than 708,000 first doses are headed to 928 providers in 129 Texas counties, while more than 570,000 second doses also have been ordered.

About 470,000 first and second doses have been allocated to pharmacies, federally qualified health centers and dialysis centers.

So far, more than 23.4 million doses have been distributed to Texas, and more than 36% of the states population has received at least one dose, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 24% of the population has been fully immunized.

Also, with the federal pause on the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine now lifted, the government is expected to make doses of that vaccine available soon.

There have been more than 2.8 million confirmed coronavirus cases and 48,946 confirmed deaths in Texas since the start of the pandemic.

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NEW YORK  Several states have resumed use of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine on Saturday, after receiving the green light from federal health officials.

Arizona, New York, Virginia, Missouri, Michigan, Tennessee and Virginia were among the states ordering or recommending a resumption. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is giving free J&J vaccinations to anyone 18 or older.

Those moves came swiftly after U.S. health officials said Friday evening they were lifting an 11-day pause on vaccinations using the J&J vaccine. During the pause, scientific advisers to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention decided the vaccines benefits outweigh a rare risk of blood clots.

There were 15 vaccine recipients who developed a highly unusual kind of blood clot out of nearly 8 million people given the J&J shot in the U.S. All were women, most under age 50. Three died and seven remain hospitalized.

Advisers to the CDC say warnings could help younger women and their doctors decide if they should use that shot or an alternative.

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PARIS  France and other countries in Europe are preparing to relax coronavirus restrictions while still pouring medical, financial and technological resources into keeping thousands of COVID-19 patients alive.

Inside one of Paris biggest hospitals, state-of-the-art artificial lungs are giving the most critical patients a last-ditch shot at survival. Outside, healthy people are planning getaways and drinks with friends as the country embarks on the perilous process of easing out of its latest lockdown.

French President Emmanuel Macron is reopening elementary schools on Monday and allowing people to move about more freely again in May.

Some frontline caregivers in hospitals see the easing as premature. Intensive care unit admissions at French hospitals remain stubbornly higher than at any point since the pandemics first deadly surge.

In France, Greece and elsewhere, governments are using ramped-up vaccinations to bolster arguments to ease restrictions. However, just one-quarter of adults in Europe have received a first dose.
Hyderabad, April 25 : Actor Naveen Polishetty's new Telugu film "Jathi Ratnalu" has received good reception since its release on OTT, but the actor has bigger plans for his pan-India following. Naveen, who made his Bollywood debut playing 'Acid' in the 2019 Sushant Singh Rajput-starrer "Chhichhore", says he wants to deliver good films in as many languages as he can.

"The idea is to be part of films across the country, wherever there is a story I find exciting and wherever there is a filmmaker who wants to cast me. I just want to be the Google translator actor, function in multiple languages. I want to be the 'Google translator actor', where the director says, 'okay, speak in Hindi now' or 'okay, deliver dialogues in Telugu or Tamil now', and I can switch and be able to do it," Naveen tells IANS.

The actor gained immense popularity with his 2019 Telugu release, "Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya", so much so that fans had started addressing him as Agent. He feels that the success of his films have opened doors for good stories.

"What 'Jathi Ratnalu', 'Chhichhore' and 'Agent...' have done is basically open doors for so many interesting stories across industries," he says.

After its theatrical release, "Jathi Ratnalu' released digitally. "'Jathi Ratnalu' is being seen by filmmakers, audiences across India, thanks to Amazon. That divide has been broken. So now if you are a great actor, you can be part of a film from anywhere in India. That's a great space to be in where audiences are also consuming content from everywhere. A great story can come from any film industry," says Naveen.

"That's the beauty of our country that we have such creative minds all across. We are going through the golden age of cinema that creative people can make a great film in any language and with people from any part of the world," says Naveen, dropping hint that he'll soon be seen in a Hindi film that is expected to go on floors later this year.
An Australian scientist who says he created Bitcoin won the backing of a London court to pursue the mystery owners of the bitcoin.org website for allegedly infringing his copyright over the worlds largest cryptocurrency.

Craig Wright can serve a lawsuit on Cobra, the operator and owner of bitcoin.org, outside of the U.K. that would require the site to remove the seminal 2008 white paper that sparked the currency, Wrights lawyers said in a statement citing an April 21 ruling from Londons High Court. Wright doesnt know the identity or identities of Cobra, according to his legal claim.

Multiple people have claimed to be Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonym for the person or people who worked on the software for the peer-to-peer currency. Bitcoins back story adds to a rollercoaster ride that saw it rocket to new record highs this year as big financial players introduced funds that made it easier for investors to add crypto to portfolios.

Also read: Bitcoin tumbles below $50,000, other cryptos sink over Biden tax plans

Wright is involved in several court cases that could help prove or disprove his claim to be Satoshi. He registered in 2019 for U.S. copyright for the white paper and early computer code underlying Bitcoin.

Bitcoin.orgs Cobra has refused to recognize Wright as Satoshi, saying he hasnt provided a known PGP public key which would make it cryptographically possible for someone to verify themselves to be Satoshi Nakamoto, according to a January blog post. Wrights claims are without merit, Cobra said.

Wrights legal claim quotes an expletive-laden Twitter direct message from Cobra saying Bitcoin.org isnt based in the U.K. and Craigs copyright claims over the whitepaper can be easily verified to be false.

Wright is seeking a declaration that he owns the copyright to the Bitcoin white paper, according to the statement. He does not want to restrict access to the white paper which he has posted on his blog, it said.

Written by Aoife White.
APATZINGAN, Mexico  The town of Aguililla, situated deep in one the Mexicos most lawless regions, made news this month when eight headless bodies were dumped there.

Three weeks later, it is at war. Hardly anybody enters or leaves  at least not without the permission of rival gangs that have blocked the roads.

In telephone interviews and in social media postings, trapped residents described a community living in terror of armed thugs who stroll the streets and shoot at one another. Some shops remain open, residents said, but the food supply is dwindling and there is no access to hospitals.

If the groups want to keep fighting among themselves, thats their problem, said Father Gilberto Vergara, the parish priest. But this situation is suffocating us.

The priest has publicly called on the gangs to let townsfolk travel to the nearest city  Apatzingan, a two-hour drive northeast  for food, medical care and gasoline, and to be able to sell their produce and cattle.

At the root of the mayhem is a struggle for control of a large segment of the narcotics trade in strife-ridden Michoacan state, and a government that has been powerless to prevent cartels from taking over large swaths of the nation.

In recent years, Aguililla, population 15,000, branched out from tomato farming, cattle ranching and marijuana cultivation to become a strategic hub for the manufacture of methamphetamine bound for the booming U.S. market.

ENRIQUE CASTRO/AFP via Getty Images

Authorities say that dozens of illicit production facilities scattered in the nearby countryside process precursor chemical smuggled from Asia into the Pacific port of Lazaro Cardenas, 175 miles to the southwest.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of residents have fled the violence, some to the United States but many more to other parts of Mexico.

I worked in Aguililla all my life. I have plots of tomatoes, corn, chile.  But we had to leave it all behind out of fear, said Victor Arnoldo Aguaje, 68, who left last June with 14 relatives for Uruapan, the second-largest city in Michoacan.

In Aguililla, one lives with a constant fear that you may be killed or kidnapped at any moment, he said.

The conflict demonstrates how gangs have infiltrated regional governance in much of Mexico. Authorities blame two cartels for the turmoil.

One, known as United Cartels, is a confederation of various mobs, including the Michoacan Family, the Knights Templars and Los Viagras, that U.S. prosecutors say is led by Adalberto Fructoso Comparan Rodriguez, 57, a former mayor of Aguililla.

He was arrested in Guatemala last month at U.S. behest for his alleged part in a scheme to smuggle more than 1,100 pounds of Mexican methamphetamine into Florida hidden inside concrete tiles and dissolved in five-gallon buckets of house paint.

The competing group is the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of Mexicos largest syndicates, known for its expansionist bent and lurid social media displays of armored vehicles and military-grade weaponry.

Its leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes  who is called El Mencho and once peddled heroin in bars in San Francisco  is wanted in both Mexico and the United States. He is reportedly a native of Aguililla.

El Mencho wants to control the area where he grew up, said Mike Vigil, former head of international operations for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Its part of his big plan to move into strategic areas where he can control various criminal activities.

Many in Aguililla are calling on the Mexican government to intervene.

Of course we want the military to come and fight the criminals, Maribel Lopez, 53, a nurse, said by telephone. Is it too much to ask that they at least open up the roads to Apatzingan?

Her diabetic aunt died a few weeks ago because the roadblocks prevented relatives from getting her to the hospital, Lopez said.

ENRIQUE CASTRO/TNS

There is a widespread belief in Aguililla that security services and the military collaborate with the cartels. Footage on social media showed townsfolk jeering Mexican national guard units as they retreated from the town.

A Mexican military base of 200 soldiers is situated in Aguililla, its troops re-supplied by helicopter, but forces have avoided direct conflict with the warring gangsters.

A Pentagon official recently estimated that cartels control about one-third of Mexican territory. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador disputed that figure at a recent news conference but declined to provide his own.

For more than a decade, Mexico waged a war on drugs that led to tens of thousands of deaths but did little to weaken organized crime  an approach that Lopez Obrador abandoned in favor of avoiding direct conflict while providing economic opportunities for poor youth to keep them out of gangs

But the strife in Aguililla is severely testing his strategy in the run-up the national midterm elections in June.

The approach of the current administration to insecurity, to the whole armed conflict, has been silence, said Falko Ernst, a senior analyst in Mexico with the International Crisis Group, a nonprofit that researches conflict. Their political calculation is that its better not to talk about it.

Lopez Obrador has defended his decision to hold back from a military assault on Aguililla.

If we take towns and use force, invade with police, with soldiers, well that will lead to nothing good, Lopez Obrador told reporters this month. We have to call to everyone for serenity, for tranquility, to look for peace. No to violence.

In 2019, 14 state police officers were killed in an apparent cartel ambush in Aguililla. This past week state police dispatched to Aguililla were attacked by at least one cartel drone armed with explosives. Authorities said two officers suffered minor injuries.

The president backed dialogue in hopes of resolving the situation there.

But Silvano Aureoles, the governor of Michoacan, said that a solution was elusive without the deployment of federal forces.

One can dialogue with communities in conflict, with social groups, but to dialogue with criminals is another matter," Aureoles told Mexicos Milenio news outlet.

Not that his own efforts have fared any better.

The governor flew into Aguililla in a military helicopter earlier this month in a much-hyped display to show that security had improved.

Accompanied by heavily armed body-guards, he was met by several protesters in the towns central square who hoisted handwritten signs demanding that authorities restore the peace and open the roads. I want to live free in my pueblo, read one placard.

The people dont believe in the government  we have no security or tranquility, said Fernando Padilla, 43, a teacher in Aguililla, who brought his 10-year-old son to the protest.

The government comes here to make a show, says the situation is tranquil, but its not true.  We are at the mercy of the criminals, we are trapped here. This is not a life.

Video footage from the scene showed the governor approaching the protesters and shoving Padilla as security guards grabbed two of the protesters signs.

After the shove went viral on social media, the governor asserted on Facebook that he had been confronted by hostile cartel lookouts.

Padilla, who has been a teacher for 20 years in Aguililla, denied any links to drug traffickers.

The governors characterization of the protesters as mob lookouts, he said, had put their lives in further danger. He said his salary was suspended after the incident  a move he viewed as retaliation for his protest  but was later restored when he complained to local press.

Ominously, Padilla said, armed men have been passing by his house.

One doesnt know anymore if this is normal or whether these delinquents are coming for me, he said. The people of Aguililla are stuck in a living hell, trapped and governed by criminality.



(Los Angeles Times special correspondents Sanchez and Liliana Nieto del Rio contributed from Apatzingan, Mexico.)
Americans like their lingerie to be risque, Europeans prefer it more classy, and Chinese remain a bit shy but are opening up. But the biggest order of all came from North Korea.

So goes the street-corner discussion in Guanyun, a sleepy coastal county that for generations followed the rhythms of wheat and rice cultivation, but today concerns itself with global preferences on sensual wear.

The flat farming region between Beijing and Shanghai is China's self-proclaimed "Lingerie Capital", where sewing machines hum in village-level micro-factories to meet up to 70 percent of the fast-growing domestic demand.

Millions more items are exported annually in a textbook example of the ability of internet-enabled Chinese entrepreneurs to profit from even the most off-the-wall idea.

The man widely credited with lighting the spark is Lei Congrui, a lanky 30-year-old with a ponytail and cap who would look at home on a skateboard. It all happened almost by accident.

As a teenager, Lei began making extra cash by hawking various consumer goods on China's rapidly growing e-commerce sites 15 years ago.

"Customers kept asking if we have any lingerie. I had never heard of it before, but I just said 'yes' and then looked up what it was," he said.

Lei "figured out a way" and now employs more than 100 workers who push lacy black and red panties and bustiers through stitching machines. His brands such as "Midnight Charm" pull in more than $1.5 million in annual revenue, he said.

The success of early movers like Lei inspired an industrial revolution.

Guanyun's government says there are now more than 500 factories employing tens of thousands and churning out more than $300 million worth of lingerie annually.

- 'Attitudes are catching up' -

Loosening Chinese sexual attitudes made it all possible.

Communism left a prevailing legacy of modesty. Pornography is banned and authorities launch periodic crackdowns on anything deemed "vulgar".

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But prolonged exposure to more open foreign attitudes is liberating a younger generation, especially women.

Market consultancy iiMedia said Chinese online sales of sex-related products grew 50 percent in 2019 to $7 billion. It predicted a further 35 percent growth in 2020 despite pandemic disruptions.

"Youth attitudes are catching up and bringing sensuality into the home. (Lingerie) is becoming popular," said Li Yue, a local lingerie factory worker.

When Lei first started, most buyers were over 30 and many had lived abroad or had some other exposure to foreign ways.

But by around 2013, volumes soared as younger Chinese consumers began discovering their sensuality, Lei said. Most buyers are now between 22 and 25.

Initially, loose-fitting, not-too-revealing designs were favoured in China. Today, semi-transparent, "body-hugging" numbers dominate.

- 'Everyone loves lingerie' -

Guanyun's industrial reinvention didn't happen overnight. Early pioneers found it hard to hire squeamish local staff.

"When they first came in contact with these things, they didn't quite understand," said Chang Kailin, 58, who runs a factory and is Lei's uncle.

"But after the industry got bigger and stronger, people could make money and shake off poverty."

"Now everyone loves it."

Lei exports 90 percent of his output, mostly to the United States and Europe.

Significant volumes also go to South America, where sales indicate role-playing costumes rule the bedroom.

Middle Eastern buyers - favouring longer, more modest items - are also surprisingly active, as are Africans, who like a splash of colour. Southeast Asia is growing fast as well.

But Lei's biggest single order, worth $1 million, came from a mysterious North Korean buyer in 2012. The customer abruptly backed out without explanation and the merchandise was sold elsewhere.

- 'Ready to play again' -

Lingerie has transformed Guanyun, with factories sprouting up next to wheat fields, and newfound wealth displayed in new homes and cars.

Previously, many of the county's roughly one million inhabitants left for the hard life of a migrant worker in far-off factories. No more, said Li, the garment worker.

"Working away from home, you get homesick," said the mother of two.

"These companies allow us to come home to work. It's not easy out there."

Guanyun is feeding its golden goose.

It has broken ground on a $500 million, 1,700-acre (690-hectare) lingerie-themed industrial zone that will "integrate R&D and design, fabric accessories, e-commerce operations, warehousing and logistics".

Pandemic lockdowns last year hit output. It has since roared back, but demand remains tepid in overseas markets still struggling with the coronavirus while home-bound consumers are concentrating spending on basic household necessities, said Lei.

"After these problems are solved," he says with a smile, "they will be ready to play again."

dma/apj/gle/qan
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The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries reached a five-point consensus Saturday on the situation in Myanmar, calling for "constructive dialogue" among all parties concerned.

According to the chairman's statement issued after an in-person leaders' meeting held in Jakarta, ASEAN leaders had a close discussion on the recent developments in Myanmar and expressed deep concern on the situation in the country.

A five-point consensus attached to the statement said there shall be immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and all parties shall exercise utmost restraint.

According to the consensus, constructive dialogue among all parties concerned shall commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interests of the people.

"A special envoy of the ASEAN Chair shall facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the Secretary-General of ASEAN," it said.

In addition, ASEAN will also provide humanitarian aid through the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Center).

The meeting is participated by leaders of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and chair of the country's newly-formed State Administration Council Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines attended the meeting as representatives.

Around 4,400 police personnel have been deployed at 51 points across the Indonesian capital to ensure security. Roads around the ASEAN Secretariat, where the meeting was held, were temporarily closed.

ASEAN said in a chair's statement released at the Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on March 2 that it was ready to assist Myanmar in a positive, peaceful and constructive manner.

Established in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Christmas came several months late for twin four-year-old girls in Kansas who released their wish list on balloons - one of which drifted hundreds of miles before it was discovered by an elderly couple who set out to make the kids' dreams come true.

Luna and Gianella Gonzalez attached their requests for Santa Claus to pink balloons and sent them off into the sky in Liberal, Kansas, in December.

But instead of heading for the North Pole, Luna's balloon took a turn south and landed in Grand Cane, Louisiana, where Alvin Bamberg spotted it on a hunting trip later that month.

'I saw that balloon and God spoke to me,' Bamburg told CNN. 'He said: "You need to get this, and, second of all, you need to get the trash out of the woods.

'When I got it I noticed a folded yellow piece of paper sealed with a red star, and it was a Christmas list from a girl named Luna.'

He and his wife Lee Ann Leopard Bamburg made it their mission to track Luna down and make sure she got everything she wanted for the holidays.

Christmas came several months late for twin four-year-old girls Luna and Gianella Gonzales, who released their wish lists on balloons in December in Kansas before one of them was recovered hundreds of miles away in Louisiana by Alvin and Lee Ann Leopard

Alvin Bamburg discovered this balloon with Luna's list for Santa in a tree while deer hunting in Grand Cane, Louisiana, in late December

Luna's balloon traveled over 650 miles from Liberal, Kansas, to Grand Cane, Louisiana

Bamburg posted about his discovery on Facebook and asked for friends to help find the source, writing: 'Would love to know when it was launched. Looks like it traveled over 600 miles. Feel free to share.'

The post went viral and ultimately reached Luna and Gianella's mother, Leticia Flores-Gonzalez.

'When we found out someone actually found Luna's balloon, we were just in shock,' Flores-Gonzalez told CNN. 'We couldn't believe how kind people were; we were overwhelmed with love. That's what really mattered.'

Luna's list, penned in her mom's handwriting but with the girl's signature, asked for candy, a Spiderman ball, a Frozen doll, a puppy and a My Little Pony.

Gianella's list, which was shared by her mom after Luna's went viral, requested Santa candy, stickers, a My Little Pony, flowers and earrings.

Flores-Gonzalez said when she shared the family's address they were suddenly showered by gifts from kind-hearted strangers.

The biggest gift came from the Bamburgs, who drove six hours to meet the twins in mid-April.

The couple brought the final item on Luna's list: a dachshund puppy named Max.

Luna and Gianella are pictured with the dachshund puppy the Bamburgs delivered to them this month - along with Luna's Christmas list balloon

Luna and Gianella were overjoyed when they met their new puppy named Max

Luna and Gianella were inundated with gifts are their mother, Leticia Flores-Gonzalez, shared their wish lists (pictured) on Facebook

'We had texted, talked, and FaceTimed before we even met, and it was clear we had a connection,' Bamburg said. 'When we met, it was just like meeting family.'

Flores-Gonzalez said: 'To us, it isn't the amount of gifts or the value that the girls are receiving. It's the love they received. It meant the world to us we see their smiles, and the lifelong friendship we have made with Alvin and his wife.'

The mother said she came up with the idea to launch the balloons as a happy memory after a difficult year.

'It was important doing something special for my girls because of the hard year we had during the coronavirus pandemic. I wanted them to feel like 2020 was another year spent with mom making beautiful memories,' Flores-Gonzalez said.

'It was never with the purpose someone would find the balloon. I thought it would deflate and would just disappear somewhere in a tree nearby.'

Bamburg said he hopes the heartwarming story will inspire others to engage in unlikely acts of kindness.

'There's so much sadness in the world right now, the world is a freaking mess,' he said.

'It's really not hard to spread kindness, and you can never underestimate the impact even just a smile will have on someone's day.'

Luna and Gianella are pictured with their balloons before they released them in the sky
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday communicated with US Council on Foreign Relations via video link.

Wang said that the two heads of state had mapped out the general direction to develop ties between the two countries. However, the US policy toward China has not yet overcome its misunderstanding of China, and the country has not found the right path to deal with China.

He put forward five suggestions to the United States on how to view the China-US relations from a strategic perspective.

First, the United States should understand and view China's development objectively and rationally.

Second, the United States should work with China on a new path of peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

Third, the United States should respect and tolerate the path and system that China has independently chosen.

Fourth, the United States should practice multilateralism in real sense.

Fifth, the United States should not interfere in China's internal affairs.

The Chinese wisdom goes that "a country practicing hegemonism is doomed to fail," rather than "a country will definitely seek hegemony when growing stronger," according to Wang.






The number of active cases of COVID-19 has decreased again in Massachusetts as the state continues to vaccinate residents 16 and older.

There are currently 29,717 active cases of the coronavirus, down from 30,262 on Friday, according to data from the state Department of Public Health.

Officials have announced 1,386 new cases of the virus and 12 more deaths. So far through the pandemic, at least 639,314 Massachusetts residents have tested positive for COVID and 17,193 have died, according to DPH.

Saturdays new cases are based on 106,144 new molecular tests. The seven-day average of positive cases is 1.89%, per DPH, which is slightly down from 2.03% on Friday.

There are 633 people currently hospitalized with the virus, including 144 patients in the intensive care unit and 90 who are incubated. On Friday, 644 patients were hospitalized.

DPH data shows that the seven-day average number of COVID-related deaths has been trending downward, particularly since the beginning of April. On Friday, the seven-day average number of deaths was 8, the lowest value observed through the pandemic.

Earlier this week, the state opened up vaccination appointments to all residents who are 16 and older.

As of Saturday, at least 2,282,392 Massachusetts residents are fully vaccinated, according to DPH data. There are 3,323,355 people who have received at least one dose of the two-shot Pfizer and Moderna vaccinations. Massachusetts has used 84.7% of the total vaccine doses shipped to the state.

The state on Saturday started notifying providers they may resume administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccination. The federal government had put a pause on the use of the J&J shot after 15 vaccine recipients developed a rare kind of blood clot. All were women and most are younger than 50. Three died, and seven remain hospitalized. Nearly 8 million people have received the J&J shot.

In Massachusetts, 204,580 people have been inoculated with the J&J vaccine.

As of this week, 48 Massachusetts communities have been labeled by DPH as high risk for spreading the virus.

Here is the total number of COVID-19 cases by county:

Barnstable County: 13,387

Berkshire County: 6,182

Dukes County: y: 64,046

Dukes County: 1,230

Essex County: 94,589

Franklin County: 2,418

Hampden County: 49,906

Hampshire County: 8,882

Middlesex County: 130,965

Nantucket County: 1,468

Norfolk County: 53,156

Plymouth County: 47,248

Suffolk County: 90,111

Worcester County: 74,587

Related Content:
Realme introduced the Realme 8 5G in India a few days ago, and on the occasion of the launch, we spoke with Mr. Madhav Sheth - Vice President of Realme and CEO of Realme India and Europe - allowing us to learn more about the company's ambitions for 2021, the success of the number series, plans for affordable laptops and tablets, and the positioning of the Realme 8 5G. You can read the interview below for all the details.

Mr. Madhav Sheth - Vice President of Realme and CEO of Realme India and Europe

Going purely by the specs, the 8 5G feels like a downgrade compared to the 7 5G - does that mean that it will be positioned differently, or should we be looking for upgrades on the software side?

We didnt launch Realme 7 5G in India, but yes, we launched in some other countries with commercialized 5G. The price is also far more affordable. Realme aims to be a 5G leader in India and globally to democratize 5G to the masses. So yes, its the most affordable 5G smartphone in the market and yet stands out as a holistic powerful offering with the latest mid-range 5G processor, falling short of nothing.

In terms of software upgrades, yes. First is Realme 8 5G comes with Realme UI 2.0 out of the box! Another significant upgrade is the new Dynamic RAM Expansion Technology (DRE) that converts storage/ROM into virtual RAM. As per the test data, with DRE, 4GB can turn to 5GB and 8GB turns into 11GB - all of which are virtual ROM conversions. At this price point, I believe it offers a significant value-add to the consumer, with a great mid-range experience and enhanced 5G capabilities.

With India still not having a commercially available 5G network, do you feel the 8 5G will be at a disadvantage? Will it still be able to compete with one of its key features voided by the slow rollout?

1. 5G is, no doubt, the future trend and this year Realme aims to be the leader of 5G and democratize it to the masses. For the X series, we think it should be definitely 5G while for products in the INR 10~20k mid-range, there is mixed demand from consumers. So you will notice there may be simultaneously 4G and 5G models for one product. For us, there are two different product lines, while for consumers, we are happy to provide them with both options so that they can pick as per their preferences. Yes, due to the higher cost of 5G, which concentrates the latest R&D of processor manufacturers, there may be some difference in specs. But at Realme, we never compromise on the experience. We will make sure the comprehensive experience is still top-of-class and there is no compromise in its segment. We believe to leave a variety of best possible options to consumers and let them pick.

2. As you can see, for commercially viable 5G networks, the industry is putting in a lot of effort, including leading Indian telcos, smartphone brands, etc, and we can anticipate 5G networks to roll out as soon as perhaps next year.

3. A 5G smartphone also offers the power of the latest nanoscale 5G processor which brings enhanced power management, display optimization, camera support, gaming performance, etc, combined with Realmes gene of design, technology & quality. Realme has equipped the Realme 8 5G with MediaTek Dimensity 700, dual SIM dual standby 5G processors which support most mainstream 5G bands and make sure that your phone is protected from obsolescence for the next five years. The Indian consumer looks for a long-lasting, superior ownership experience and Realme believes in equipping them.

If we accept that 5G is more about futureproofing than usefulness right now, can you commit to long-term software support for the 8 5G? Or any other incentives to make people keep the phone long enough so they can take advantage of its NR support?

As a leading brand, Realme committed 2-year software support for Realme smartphones and is the only brand in the industry to push regular updates to assure the best experience every month. Realme also started the Real Upgrade Program so that users can always update to the latest Realme 5G phones in the program with only 70% of the price.

How's the number series faring compared to the rest of the Realme lineup - either as specific numbers or as a percentage of total sales?

The Number series, our Youth Flagship, has always been a crowd-puller, with its evolved propositions of camera experience, display, fast charging capabilities, and design. To date, we have garnered 19MN+ Number series users in India. In 2020, more than 40% of our sales came from our number series, as per IDC.

When we spoke at the end of last year, you mentioned that we'll be seeing fewer auxiliary cameras - the 2/5MP macro and depth sensors that contribute little to the overall photography experience. And yet here we are with each of the 8 series having a couple of those - are we nearer to the point where those will be omitted in favor of better main/ultrawide cameras, or have plans changed?

As of now, as per our survey in the community, there are still some users who specially like macro features. We would still like to keep options for them for some time while simultaneously we will keep on improving our main camera. Actually, these two are not contradictory to each other.

Last year, the COVID pandemic thwarted your MWC debut - do you plan on attending this year?

We are evaluating this basis current situation. You will hear more from us on this soon.

With more and more people working and studying from home during the pandemic than before, do you plan on launching affordable laptops and tablets aimed at this audience? Especially tablets since there are limited options in this category right now on the Android side.

We have received much interesting feedback from our Realme community, including laptops. We dont want to comment on this right now as the time is too soon. But, we do feel glad that our media friends and fans trust Realme as their preferred brand to empower them with fresh new products. Meeting the technology needs of a large number of populace, who are working and studying from home, with differentiated products is going to be a key requirement for brands and we have several exciting developments lined up. Stay tuned!

What are Realme's ambitions for 2021 - in terms of product lineup and market share? Any specific goals that you have set beyond continuing your impressive growth?

If 2020 saw us growing as a Disruptor from a Challenger brand, 2021 will see us growing in strength.

Firstly, Realme aims to be the TOP 3 Smartphone brand and No.1 Online smartphone brand by clocking 25-30 million in sales in smartphones in CY2021. However, the stock issue will continue for the whole industry. Hence, we will make the best effort to deliver at least 25-30 million devices to cater to the market demand, however, this will be evaluated every quarter basis in the actual case.

Secondly, 5G is a key growth driver for us and we are ramping up our 5G-enabled smartphone portfolio. Half of our portfolio will be 5G phones, and all product lines above INR 20k will come with 5G chipsets.

From a product-specific point of view, this year, we are penetrating deeper into the premium segment with our X series, Ultimate Flagship, and are aiming 15% market share in the INR 20-30k category. Besides this, we have plans to capture 10-15% market share in the mid-range 4G market and 25% market share in the entry-level segment with the Realme C series.

Lastly, as you know, AIOT is another springboard of massive growth and we have set our sights to become the No. 1 Audio / Wearable / Smart TV brand with 15MN AIOT users in India and build Realme TechLife eco platform with Realmes own product and partner brand.
DAB-ing with the Ruark R1 Deluxe Bluetooth Radio By Mahesh De Andrado View(s): View(s):

Bluetooth speakers are a staple in most peoples lives, especially if youre a techie and you love music (much like me). So when I got the opportunity to look at a high end Bluetooth speaker, I was intrigued. After all, what exactly makes a high end Bluetooth speaker high end? Well, I was about to find out. The device in question was the Ruark R1 Mk4.

The Ruark R1 Mk4 is not just a Bluetooth speaker.

Its actually a Radio with built-in Bluetooth connectivity. So whats all the fuss about a radio, you might ask? Well, to answer that question, youll have to come along with me to the year 2006. This is when Ruak launched the initial R1. Classified as a Deluxe Bluetooth Radio, the R1 immediately brings a sense of style to the table (whatever table that might be). Now, 14 years later, the R1 Mk4 has stuck close to its roots, with some polishing up over the years with each new iteration. Its aimed at those who consume Podcasts, whether it be as you wake up, during your morning tea/coffee or throughout the day.

The R1 Mk4 measures 175130135mm (HxWxD) and weighs in at around 1.5KG. The body is made up of a contoured polymer enclosure that is acoustically treated to provide superior audio quality. The top of the device houses what Ruark calls the Rotodial.

Its basically a dial that can be used to control volume levels and cycle through the various options and settings in the R1. A large, high contrast OLED panel displays information such as date, time, and playback details. Below the panel is a hand crafted wood grille behind which the primary speaker driver rests.

Located at the back of the R1 Mk4 are a number of different ports. These include a USB-C charge and shuffle playback port, A DC power input for the included power adapter, a 3.5mm line out as well as a line in so that you can connect stereo headphones to the former and connect an external device to the latter. The device also has a removeable telescopic aerial antenna to take care of the radio aspect of the R1 Mk4.

This speaker can DAB

The main highlight of the Ruark R1 Mk4 is that it has a DAB or Digital Audio Broadcasting tuner as well as an FM tuner in it. This basically means that just like you have high-definition television, you also have high-definition radio. It basically allows radio stations to broadcast a digital audio radio service in supported countries. For example BBC Radio has its own podcasts, all of which are picked up on the R1 Mk4. The R1 quickly scans for all available radio channels and you can save upto 10 of your favorites as presets.

Trust me when I say this. Listening to the radio even via FM tuner, has never felt and sounded better. There is virtually no distortion in sound. It sounds so crisp and clear, you would think the person on the radio was just speaking to you in the same room. Truth be told, Im not much of a radio person (Apple Music FTW), but the first few minutes of listening to the R1 Mk4 completely blew me away.

Mind you, this is only via local radio where we are not yet on digital wavelengths. I can only imagine what the quality would be like if DAB and DAB+ were available in Sri Lanka.The R1 Mk4 also supports RDS (Radio Data System) so supported channels can display information such as whats currently playing via the R1s OLED screen. Because of DAB and DAB+ being marketed as the R1 Mk4s main selling point, you may forget that it also has bluetooth connectivity. Setting up and pairing the speaker is effortless. Just press the power button on the Rotodial, search for the speaker via your smartphone, tablet or laptop, initiate the pairing request, and youre good to go.

Once paired to your device, you can control playback from the Rotodial itself. Here again, the OLED screen displays whats currently playing and you can play/pause, as well as skip tracks. At max volume the R1 Mk4 does tend to be a bit distorted but I doubt anyone would be listening to anything at that level of volume. The device also amplifies the quality of whatever is played back, so if the source file or music is of a low bitrate, then its pretty obvious that the output will be garbled/muddy as well.

I spent about a good 1-2 days just playing a wide genre of music to see how the R1 Mk4 would handle it, and handle it, it most certainly did. Youd think given its dimensions, that the audio would be okay or acceptable, but thats where youd be mistaken. The bass was punchy and deep, the mids were very well brought out and the highs were far from being shrill or overpowering. Overall, regardless of what I threw at the R1 Mk4, it reproduced it beautifully.

Just how much is the R1 Mk4?

Ruark lists the R1 Mk4 at 229.99 which is around LKR. 65,000/-. But hear me out. This is not just another radio or a Bluetooth speaker. These types of devices are aimed at the elite man and woman who want a step up in the world of audio.

Ruark is known for their high-fidelity loudspeakers and the R1 Mk4 pays homage to exactly just that. Can another speaker match up to it in terms of quality and features? Probably yes, but thats not the point here. Rather, it is that Ruark makes high end audiophile equipment for those who seek it. Its a luxury, but you get exactly what you pay for.
(Newser)  Body camera footage and 911 audio released late Friday appeared to show that an unidentified Virginia deputy mistook a cordless house phone held by a Black man for a gun before the deputy shot him repeatedly, per the AP. Family members said Isaiah Brown, 32, was in intensive care with 10 bullet wounds following the shooting outside a home in Spotsylvania County early Wednesday, WRC-TV reported. The body camera video shows the deputy arriving at the scene and yelling at Brown to show his hands. The deputy then yells, drop the gun, multiple times and appears to say over his radio, hes got a gun to his head. The deputy then yells, stop walking towards me, stop walking towards me and stop, stop before firing at least seven shots.

story continues below

The deputy had earlier given Brown a ride home after his car broke down. At some point later, 911 was called. Isaiah Brown is heard on the call saying his brother wont let him into his mother's room in the house. Brown then says, alright, give me the gun to which his brother is heard in the background saying, no. The dispatcher asks whats going on, and Brown replied Im about to kill my brother." The dispatcher says dont kill your brother, and asks Brown multiple times if hes armed. He says no. The deputy arrived shortly after and can be heard yelling at Brown on the 911 audio. After the shots are fired, the deputy is heard rendering aid to Brown and instructing the brother to get a first aid kit out of his patrol vehicle. Its unclear whether the deputy knew Brown told the dispatcher he wasnt armed. The deputy has been placed on administrative leave. (Read more Isaiah Brown stories.)
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky have been travelling between Sydney and Byron Bay while they both work on projects in the Harbour City.

On Sunday, the actor, 37, and his Spanish wife, 44, flew in style aboard a helicopter.

The couple were taken from the heliport at Sydney Airport on what was Anzac Day.

Travel: On Sunday, Chris Hemsworth (left) and Elsa Pataky (right) flew in style aboard a helicopter

Elsa looked ready to take to the skies in a camouflage shirt, blue jeans and a pair of workman's boots.

The star carried a hat in her hand, as well as a folder which may have contained a script.

Elsa, who until recently was blonde, wore her newly reddish, brunette hair down loosely around her face, and appeared to go makeup free.

Off they go: The couple flew from the heliport at Sydney Airport. Elsa, who until recently was blonde, wore her newly reddish, brunette hair down loosely around her face

Dressed down: Elsa looked ready to take to the skies in a camouflage shirt and jeans, and appeared to go makeup free

Chris meanwhile dressed down in a comfortable zip-up sweatshirt, and a cap in a matching olive tone.

He added a pair of black jeans and sneakers, and shielded his eyes with a pair of sunglasses.

The couple walked side by side on the way to the helicopter before jumping in together.

Distracted: Chris checked his phone while the pair waited to take off

Killing time: Elsa was soon distracted by her own phone, checking hers too

Take a sip! Elsa supped from a brown water canister as Chris adjusted his ear protection

Hard at work: Both Chris and Elsa have been working on films in Sydney

Chris and Elsa moved to Bryon Bay with their children, daughter India Rose, eight, and twin sons Sasha and Tristan, seven, in 2014.

They live in the suburb of Broken Head, a 20-minute drive from central Byron, in a mega-mansion estimated to be worth $30million.

They spent years renovating their home, which sits on 4.2 hectares of land, with the help of Sydney-based MCK Architects - but the development faced some resistance from locals, who compared it to a multi-storey car park or shopping centre.

Sun safe: The star carried a hat in her hand, which she did not put on before boarding

Light reading? Elsa carried a folder which may have contained a script

Casual: She appeared to go makeup free, and wore her newly brunette hair down loosely around her face

The property features a 50-metre infinity pool, a large Indigenous mural, two bars and a gym complex including steam, sauna and massage rooms.

Chris is currently preparing to shoot a Mad Max sequel, after working on Thor: Love and Thunder.

Elsa meanwhile has been shooting her new action movie Interceptor, for streaming service Netflix.

Comfortable: Chris meanwhile dressed down in a comfortable zip-up sweatshirt, and a cap in a matching olive tone

Cool customer: He added a pair of black jeans and sneakers, and shielded his eyes with a pair of sunglasses

The actress recently told The Sydney Morning Herald that there are downsides to moving from the laid-back seaside enclave of Byron Bay to the big smoke in Sydney.

She said: 'It's a whole new experience... I can't dress down as much as I do in Byron Bay  we hope to get back there on the weekends.'

Elsa added at the couple's three children will be schooled in the city for the time being.

All aboard: The couple walked side by side on the way to the helicopter before jumping in together

Moves: Chris and Elsa have been travelling between Sydney and Byron Bay while they both work on projects in the Harbour City

The actress went on to say that living in Australia has been the right decision for the previously LA-based family.

'Byron has been beautiful. We made the right decision in 2014 to leave LA and come to Australia  it's been great for the kids to be in nature, enjoy animals and go horse riding,' she said.

Luckily the move to Sydney is only temporary, while the pair work on their separate projects in Sydney.
China National Space Administration (CNSA) announces the name of China's first Mars rover in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

by Xinhua writers Liu Yiwei and Yu Fei

NANJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China's first Mars rover has been named Zhurong, announced the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Saturday, China's Space Day.

Zhurong is the god of fire in ancient Chinese mythology, which echoes with the Chinese name of the red planet, Huoxing (meaning the planet of fire).

Fire brought warmth and brightness to the ancestors of humankind, and fire lit up human civilization. Naming China's first Mars rover after the god of fire signifies igniting the flame of China's planetary exploration, according to Wu Yanhua, deputy director of the CNSA.

Literally, Zhu (meaning wish) expresses the good wishes for humankind's exploration of the universe. Rong (meaning integration and cooperation) reflects China's vision of the peaceful use of space and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Wu said.

The name is another example of Chinese aerospace workers' scientific romance as they have named spacecraft, including Tianwen, Chang'e and Beidou, after Chinese traditional culture, which also shows the Chinese people's spirit of exploration and cultural confidence, he said.

China launched its Mars probe, Tianwen-1, on July 23, 2020. The spacecraft, consisting of an orbiter, a lander and a rover, entered the parking orbit of Mars on Feb. 24.

A Mars probe is launched on a Long March-5 rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in south China's Hainan Province, July 23, 2020. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

The most challenging part of the mission will be the soft landing in May, an autonomous process of the probe lasting seven to eight minutes. The probe will use its aerodynamic shape, parachute and retrorocket to decelerate and buffer legs to touch down, according to the CNSA.

Chinese space engineers and scientists have chosen a relatively flat region in the southern part of the Utopia Planitia, a large plain, as the potential landing zone.

Earlier research showed the potential landing site might be the edge of an ancient ocean or lake in the early history of Mars. Chinese scientists are looking forward to finding more evidence of water-ice.

The scientific goals of Tianwen-1 include mapping the morphology and geological structure, investigating surface soil characteristics and water-ice distribution, analyzing the surface material composition, measuring the ionosphere and the characteristics of the Martian climate and environment at the surface and perceiving the physical fields and internal structure of Mars.

The orbiter is equipped with seven kinds of scientific instruments: two remote-sensing cameras, Mars-Orbiting Subsurface Exploration Radar, Mars Mineralogy Spectrometer, Mars Magnetometer, Mars Ion and Neutral Particle Analyzer and Mars Energetic Particle Analyzer.

The six-wheel solar-powered rover, looking like a blue butterfly with a mass of 240 kg, carries the Terrain Camera, Multispectral Camera, Mars-Rover Subsurface Exploration Radar, Mars Surface Composition Detector, Mars Magnetic Field Detector and Mars Meteorology Monitor.

China National Space Administration (CNSA) announces the name of China's first Mars rover in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 24, 2021. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

The global campaign of naming the rover kicked off last July. Netizens at home and abroad were invited to vote for their favorite among 10 candidates from Jan. 20 to Feb. 28.

Last month, three possible names emerged, with Zhurong topping the list.

In 2016, China set April 24 as the country's Space Day to mark the launch of its first satellite "Dongfanghong-1" into space on April 24, 1970.

Nanjing, the capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province, hosted the main events marking this year's Space Day in China.

The various activities on Space Day have become a window for the Chinese public and the world to better understand China's aerospace progress.

(Li Chen also contributed to the story.)

[ Editor: WXY ]
They've been inseparable since meeting on Married At First Sight back in 2019.

And on Saturday, Martha Kalifatidis and her boyfriend Michael Brunelli looked as loved up as ever as they stepped out in Bondi.

The 32-year-old reality TV star cosied up to her beau as they visited the local markets for fresh fruit and vegetables.

Loved-up! Married At First Sight star Martha Kalifatidis looked casual-chic as she cosied up to her boyfriend Michael Brunelli during a shopping trip in Sydney on Saturday

Martha looked effortlessly chic in blue jeans, a tiny white crop top and a long white jacket.

She teamed the ensemble with a pair of blue sneakers and held a small Louis Vuitton bag in her hand.

The bombshell left her short locks out and appeared to be wearing a neutral palette of makeup for the outing.

Out and about! The couple looked as loved up as ever as they stepped out in Bondi. Martha looked effortlessly chic in blue jeans, a tiny white crop top and a long white jacket

Meanwhile, Michael dressed casually in black shorts, a grey T-shirt and a bright blue jumper.

He accessorised the outfit with a grey cap and wore comfortable black sneakers as he held several shopping bags.

The couple were also seen holding hands as they strolled to the markets.

Staying close: The couple were also seen holding hands as they strolled to the markets

Martha and Michael fell in love and remained together ever since filming wrapped on the 2019 season of MAFS.

In a recent unfiltered interview with Stellar, they admitted they weren't each other's type when they first met at the altar two years ago.

Their outing comes as Martha prepares to make her debut on the upcoming season of Celebrity Apprentice Australia.
Contributed / Clinton Police Department

CLINTON  Police are investigating after a motorcyclist was airlifted to Yale New Haven Hospital on Saturday afternoon following an accident.

Clinton police were called to Killingworth Turnpike and Glenwood Road around 3:32 p.m., according to Cpl. Spencer Mangs.
She's no stranger to getting dressed up for a red carpet event.

And Elizabeth Hurley ensured to still put on a glamorous display as she got ready to attend Elton John's first-ever virtual fundraiser for the Elton John Aids Foundation at Rosewood London on Sunday.

The actress, 55, who spoke from home, flaunted her ample cleavage in a plunging gold dress which was adorned with sequins for the virtual showbiz event.

Sizzling: Elizabeth Hurley stunned in a plunging gold dress as she attended Elton John's first-ever virtual fundraiser for the Elton John Aids Foundation at Rosewood London on Sunday

Elizabeth looked sensational in a short clip shared to Instagram, shot as she posed behind her bar and cradled a drink ahead of the star-studded event kicking off.

The brunette beauty wore her long locks down and perfectly styled into loose curls, letting her glossy tresses cascade over her shoulders.

She ensured all eyes were on her show-stopping gown and phenomenal figure by going without any jewellery.

Always one to look her best, Elizabeth completed her Oscars party look by rocking a full face of makeup including a slick of eyeliner and pink lipstick.

Stunning: The actress, 55, who spoke from home, flaunted her cleavage in a plunging gold dress as she shared a short clip encouraging others to join her at the virtual event to Instagram

Get involved! Elizabeth told fans they could also take part in the infamous showbiz event, which will see Neil Patrick Harris hosting and Dua Lipa performing, for just 14.99

Speaking to the camera, Elizabeth told her fans: 'Come with me tonight to Elton's legendary Oscars party and help raise money for Elton John AIDS foundation.'

Elton has been hosting his famed Oscars viewing parties since 1992 and this year he has opened up the experience to everyone for the price of $19.99 (14.99).

The Foundation's first-ever virtual gala featured a stripped back performance by Dua and Elton, as well as appearances by Cynthia Erivo and the cast of It's a Sin.

The 60-minute pre-show - produced by Fulwell 73 and powered by Cisco Webex - saw New Rules hitmaker Dua sing her hit tracks Levitating, Pretty Please, Hallucinate and Don't Start Now, before performing Bennie and the Jets and Love Again.

All stocked up for the night? The beauty was surrounded by dozens of bottles in the video

Cheery: The businessman appeared in great spirits as he posed for snaps with his husband David Furnish from the five-star hotel

On the event, Elton said: 'We haven't missed a year yet and we certainly weren't going to miss our 29th annual Oscar Party to benefit my Foundation  even if it meant going virtual.

'It was so much fun to perform with the gorgeous Dua Lipa and open up our Party to supporters all over the world.

'I'm so grateful to Neil for hosting, everyone who attended and all my friends who participated so that we could continue this legendary event to raise vital funds to end the AIDS epidemic.'

Ahead of Sunday's annual Academy Awards ceremony - celebrating the best and brightest in film - Elton, 74, hosted a pre-show special on Tik Tok.

In a fun clip shared on Thursday, Elton mimicked the mood of the globe by posing in a dressing gown and slippers while asking people if they were bored of lockdown.

Come along! This year Elton opened up his Oscars viewing party to everyone for the price of $19.99 (14.99) as he hosts his first ever virtual event

Elton, who was joined by his husband David Furnish in the video, then clicked his fingers and was suddenly dressed in an elaborate floral suit as he invited his followers along to the virtual viewing.

There were a number of surprise guests at the virtual event on April 25, the proceeds of which will support Elton's AIDS Foundation.

Elton explained: 'This year, we are bringing our Oscar Party into people's homes for the first time virtually for an unforgettable evening with David, myself, our dear friend Neil Patrick Harris and the incredible Dua Lipa plus many fabulous surprise names.

Covid times: Ahead of Sunday's annual Academy Awards ceremony - celebrating the best and brightest in film - Elton, 74, hosted a pre-show special on TikTok

'Now more than ever, we need to ensure that one pandemic does not override another, and we cannot forget the 38 million people living with HIV globally who need our care, love and support so we hope everyone joins us for this special one of a kind Oscar Pre-Party.'

Since the annual event's inception, The Academy Awards Viewing Party has supported his charities' efforts to raise millions for their lifesaving work.

With its presence across four continents, the Foundation is committed to overcome the stigma, discrimination and neglect that keeps us from ending AIDS.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone in unimaginable ways, but the Foundation is committed to ensure that one pandemic does not override another.

7 PM GMT on April 26 in the U.K.; 7 PM AEST on April 26 in Australia and New Zealand; and an optional repeat at 7 PM PT on April 26 in the U.S.

Covid-19 precautions: The Oscars are adapting to the pandemic by having only 170 attendees at LA's Union Station (pictured as preparations got underway on Friday)

Last year, Elton raised an incredible $6.4 million to help end the AIDS epidemic at his annual Academy Awards viewing party.

Oscar winner Elton  who picked up the Best Original Song prize for I'm Gonna Love Me Again from the Rocketman soundtrack  was joined by a host of famous faces including Heidi Klum and Sharon Stone.

The Foundation's Academy Awards Viewing Party benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation raising millions for their lifesaving work since the party began in 1992.

It works across four continents to provide treatment, testing, care and support to people at risk of or living with HIV, especially marginalised groups that are disproportionately affected.

Celebrated musician Elton has won a Tony Award and five Grammys, and only needs an Emmy to join the elite clubs of EGOTs.
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BANYUWANGI, Indonesia  Indonesias navy on Saturday declared its missing submarine had sunk and cracked open after finding items from the vessel over the past two days, apparently ending hope of finding any of the 53 crew members alive.

Military chief Hadi Tjahjanto said the presence of an oil slick as well as debris near the site where the submarine last dove Wednesday off the island of Bali were clear proof the KRI Nanggala 402 had sunk. Indonesian officials earlier considered the vessel to be only missing, but said the submarines oxygen supply would have run out early Saturday.

Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Yudo Margono said at a press conference in Bali, If its an explosion, it will be in pieces. The cracks happened gradually in some parts when it went down from 300 meters to 400 meters to 500 meters.  If there was an explosion, it would be heard by the sonar.

The navy previously said it believes the submarine sank to a depth of 600-700 meters (2,000-2,300 feet), much deeper than its collapse depth of 200 meters (655 feet), at which point water pressure would be greater than the hull could withstand.

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With the authentic evidence we found believed to be from the submarine, we have now moved from the sub miss phase to sub sunk,' Margono said at the press conference, in which the found items were displayed.

The cause of the disappearance was still uncertain. The navy had previously said an electrical failure could have left the submarine unable to execute emergency procedures to resurface.

Margono said that in the past two days, searchers found parts of a torpedo straightener, a grease bottle believed to be used to oil the periscope, debris from prayer rugs and a broken piece from a coolant pipe that was refitted on the submarine in South Korea in 2012.

Margono said rescue teams from Indonesia and other countries will evaluate the findings. He said no bodies have been found so far.

An American reconnaissance plane, a P-8 Poseidon, landed early Saturday and had been set to join the search, along with 20 Indonesian ships, a sonar-equipped Australian warship and four Indonesian aircraft.

Singaporean rescue ships were also expected Saturday, while Malaysian rescue vessels were due to arrive Sunday, bolstering the underwater hunt, officials said earlier Saturday.

Family members had held out hopes for survivors but there were no sign of life from the vessel. Indonesian President Joko Widodo had ordered all-out efforts to locate the submarine and asked Indonesians to pray for the crews safe return.

The German-built diesel-powered KRI Nanggala 402 had been in service in Indonesia since 1981 and was carrying 49 crew members and three gunners as well as its commander, the Indonesian Defense Ministry said.

Indonesia, the worlds largest archipelago nation with more than 17,000 islands, has faced growing challenges to its maritime claims in recent years, including numerous incidents involving Chinese vessels near the Natuna islands.

___

Tarigan reported from Jakarta, Indonesia. Associated Press writer Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, contributed to this report.
Louisiana State Senator Troy Carter, a Democrat, will win the special election runoff for Louisiana's 2nd congressional district, The Associated Press projects. He will succeed former Democratic Congressman Cedric Richmond, who left the seat to take a role as a White House senior adviser.

"I want to be clear  I welcome everyone to our tent because the election is over and I represent everyone," Carter said during his victory remarks. "Now I want to go to Washington to be your voice."

Carter was backed by Richmond and House Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn. He beat Democratic state Senator Karen Carter Peterson in Saturday's runoff after winning 36% in the March 20 primary while Peterson received 23% of the vote.

"The work continues," Peterson said after conceding to Carter. "I'm going to continue to fight for a progressive agenda. We're going to hold our leaders accountable for that agenda."

Louisiana's 2nd district encompasses New Orleans and a portion of Baton Rouge.

Carter pitched himself as someone who would have Richmond's, and thus the White House's ear. He also said he would work with the Republicans who represent Louisiana in Congress.

"When you're elected, you're elected to represent the entire district. Republicans, Democrats, independents and others," he said Thursday during a debate Thursday.

"They recognize that in order to get things done, they need to send someone to Washington who can build bridges, not walls. [Who] can establish relationships that mean something, not kick rocks because you don't get your way. Not spew lies because you're losing," Carter said.

Peterson was backed by New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and national progressive figures such as Senator Elizabeth Warren, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacy Abrams.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, congratulated Carter on his win.

Story continues

"Louisiana now, more than ever, needs bold advocates to fight for the many needs of our great state in Washington, D.C.," he said. "I am confident that Troy will dutifully fill this role along with the rest of our current delegation, and I look forward to continuing to work with him."

Carter's victory now fills a seat that has been left vacant since mid-January, but it does not change the makeup of the House.

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They may not be able to attend the Oscars in Los Angeles.

But Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen are still celebrating the 93rd Academy Awards in Australia.

The couple glammed up in the early hours of Monday morning (AEST) and posed for a selfie in front of the iconic Sydney Harbour, before hitting the red carpet at a special screening of the awards show.

Oscars, Sydney style! Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen attended a screening of the 93rd annual Academy Awards on Monday morning in Sydney

The Wedding Crashers star, 45, showed off her cleavage in elegant low-cut black Dior gown, which she accessorised with a stunning diamond choker necklace and matching earring by Bulgari.

Her signature red hair was coiffed in loose waves and she added a pop of colour with some bright red lipstick.

Meanwhile, Borat star Sasha, 49, looked dapper in a handmade mocha suit from Ralph Lauren Purple Label and matching bow tie, a white shirt and cream trousers.

The looks of love! Isla beamed at her husband as they posed lovingly on the red carpet ahead of the screening

Stunning: The Wedding Crashers star, 45, showed off her cleavage in elegant low-cut black Dior gown, which she accessorised with a stunning diamond choker necklace and matching earring by Bulgari

Celebrating abroad: While they were unable to attend the Oscars in Los Angeles, they marked the occasion in Sydney

Dapper: Borat star Sasha, 49, looked dapper in a handmade mocha suit from Ralph Lauren Purple Label and matching bow tie, a white shirt and cream trousers

The British actor, who was nominated for his role in The Trial of the Chicago 7 and his screenplay for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, also wore some brown linen loafers on his feet.

The awards show will be very different as it will be a socially distanced event held not in Hollywood but in downtown Los Angeles at Union Station with only 170 people and not the usual 3,000.

But there will still be a red carpet, even if there will be much less people on it and very few cameras.

Doting wife: Isla playfully used a lint roller to spruce up her husband's jacket

Nominations: The British actor, who was nominated for his role in The Trial of the Chicago 7 and his screenplay for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, also wore some brown linen loafers on his feet

The presenters list is small but includes many big named such as Halle Berry, Angela Bassett, Regina King, Renee Zellweger, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Marlee Matlin, Laura Dern, Joaquin Phoenix and Harrison Ford.

The event may be one of the least seen Academy Awards of all time due to the lack of celebrities attending the event.

And there are also claims the Oscar for Best Picture is set to be handed to the lowest grossing top movie in the award show's 93 year history. The night's top prize is widely expected to go to Chloe Zhao's Nomadland starring Frances McDormand

Sign of the times: The awards show will be very different as it will be a socially distanced event held not in Hollywood but in downtown Los Angeles at Union Station with only 170 people and not the usual 3,000. Isla and Sasha are celebrating at a special screening in Sydney

Selfie time: Isla snapped some selfies as Sasha posed on the media wall

Selfie: The couple posed for a selfie in front of the Sydney Harbour ahead of the screening

Across the pond: Isla and Sasha relocated from Los Angeles to Sydney late last year

Golden girl! British actress Carey Mulligan (L) and husband US-British musician Marcus Mumford are seen posing on the red carpet at the Oscars at Union Station in Los Angeles

This year, the series will adapt to the demands of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic for a socially distanced show that attempts to follow safety recommendations while steering clear of the virtual format other award shows have adopted.

To underscore the changes due to the pandemic, there will be no host, no audience, nor face masks for nominees attending the ceremony at Los Angeles' Union Station  this year's hub for a show usually broadcast from the Dolby Theatre - though they will have to mask up when not on stage. And there will be COVID-19 testing as well as temperature checks.

And guests - Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon and Zendaya have been secured - are not able to bring guests.

There will only be about 170 attendees in all, which is far less than the 3,000 that normally attended the Oscars pre pandemic.

Happy couple: Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon held hands as they walked the carpet ahead of the ceremony

In contrast with the largely virtual Golden Globes, Zoom boxes have been closed out  though numerous international hubs and satellite feeds will connect nominees unable to travel.

Due to the pandemic, the audience will be significantly capped at the venues, with only 170 attendees allowed inside Union Station, according to the Los Angeles Times.

That's compared to the usual 3,000 people that the Dolby Theatre can accommodate.

'As soon as you open the door beyond nominees, their plus-one and the presenters, you cant control it,' said filmmaker and first-time Oscars producer Steven Soderbergh at a press conference last week.

Big night out! Leslie Odom Jr. and Nicolette Robinson attended the event just four weeks after welcoming a baby boy

'And so that was not even a question for us. Like, this is how it has to be done. [Disney executive] Bob Iger wont be there. That is just where we are at, and that is how we are being allowed to do it this way.'

In order to keep things moving smoothly, the show will have a bevy of rapid Covid-19 testing and temperature checks on site.

'We are treating the event as an active movie set, with specially designed testing cadences to ensure up-to-the-minute results, including an on-site Covid safety team with PCR testing capability,' the Oscar producers wrote in a letter to nominees last month.

In order to cut down on risks, attendees have been asked to skip going to crowded places like gyms or restaurants for the 10 days prior to the ceremony.

It doesn't hurt that California now has the lowest coronavirus case rates in the continental United States.

Meanwhile, Isla and Sasha relocated from Los Angeles to Sydney late last year.

And while it's been widely speculated that they moved Down Under to escape the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the US, new reports claim they were actually fleeing America's tumultuous political climate.

'They didn't want to raise their kids in Trump's America,' an insider told The Sydney Morning Herald of the couple's decision to move to Australia on Sunday.

The couple relocated to Australia in December, and have since enrolled their three children at a school in Sydney.

Feeling blue: Legendary actress Glenn Close was vision in a blue dress worn over black trousers as she walked the red carpet
Guwahati, April 25 : The security forces have seized a huge cache of arms, ammunition and other warlike stores from along the India-Myanmar border, officials said on Sunday.

A Defence spokesman Lt. Col P. Khongsai said that based on the specific intelligence inputs about the movement of insurgents in Manipur's Phaikoh and Kamjong areas, along the India-Myanmar frontiers, an operation was launched and seized the arms and other warlike stores late on Saturday.

The recovered arms and ammunition included two Lathode launchers with three rounds, one Chinese carbine, two rifles, four 9mm pistols, five rocket propelled grenades and two radio sets.

The seized items were handed over at Chassad police authorities, the spokesman said.

Khongsai said that in a separate operation in Nagaland, the security forces in a joint operation with police apprehended a cadre of Nikki Sumi faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland from General Hospital Colony at Athibung in Peren district on Friday.

One point 32 pistol with magazine, two rounds of point 32 live ammunition and one mobile phone were recovered from the militant, who along with the recovered items has been handed over to Athibung Police Station for further investigation.
Over 86 lakh voters in West Bengal will decide the political fate of 284 candidates on Monday, when 34 assembly constituencies, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's home turf Bhabanipur, go to polls in the seventh phase, amid a raging second wave of COVID-19.

Security measures have been heightened in view of the violence in the previous phases, particularly the death of five people in Cooch Behar in the fourth round of polling on April 10, an Election Commission official said.

The poll panel has decided to deploy at least 796 companies of central forces in the seventh phase to ensure free and fair voting, he said.

It will also put in place measures to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols during the voting process, the official said.

West Bengal on Saturday registered its highest-single- day spike of 14,281 cases, which took the tally to 7,28,061, and at least 59 more people succumbed to the infection, pushing the toll to 10,884.

Voting will be held at 12,068 polling stations spread over nine assembly constituencies each in Murshidabad and Paschim Bardhaman districts, six each in Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda and four in Kolkata, the official said.

All eyes will be on the Bhabanipur constituency, of which the TMC supremo is the sitting MLA and a resident.

Banerjee, however, has opted for Nandigram to contest the elections this time and reposed faith in veteran politician and state power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay to make a hat-trick of wins for the party from Bhabanipur.

Chattopadhyay is pitted against a seasoned actor but a greenhorn in electoral politics, Rudranil Ghosh, who left the ruling party a few months ago to join the

State minister Firhad Hakim is also seeking re- election for a third consecutive term from the Kolkata Port constituency, while the fielded Lt General (Retired) Subrata Saha from the Rashbehari seat in the metropolis.

Campaigning for the seventh phase has been a low-key affair, following curbs imposed by the EC in the wake of the second wave of COVID-19 cases in the state.

Following the surge in cases across the country, the EC has banned roadshows and vehicle rallies in the state and noted that the COVID safety norms were being flouted in West Bengal during campaigning.

It also disallowed any public meeting with more than 500 people.

The Election Commission has curtailed daily campaign hours and extended the "silence period" from 48 hours to 72 in each of the remaining three phases of the assembly polls in view of the Cooch Behar violence and the rising COVID-19 cases.

The TMC chief and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who is the party MP, cancelled all their scheduled rallies and held them on the virtual platform as did Prime Minister on April 23.

Polling for two assembly seats in Samserganj and Jangipur in Murshidabad district has been declared void following the deaths of two candidates there.

The Election Commission has fixed May 16 for the polling in these two 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.)
Australian and New Zealand officials took part in a small Anzac Day memorial ceremony in Canakkale in Turkey on Sunday.

The event at the Anzac Cove memorial marked the 106th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign of World War I.

Officials and visitors left wreathes on memorials and waved their countries' flags at the coast.

New Zealanders Matthew Henry and Tom Letty were also there to pay their respects to the memorials and graves on the Anzac Coast, despite not being able to take part in the official memorial ceremonies.

Henry, the grandson of a World War 2 veteran, recounted his feelings while they were playing the "Last Post Bugle" at the Last Pine Cemetery to honor the fallen, "It was a pretty heartfelt experience. Actually standing there in the cemetery and thinking about what these guys must have gone through over a hundred years ago."

Tom Letty added that the ceremonies on Sunday were very different than the ones they had seen in 2019, where the grass were full of people.

Letty described the mood as somber because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 25 April, 1915, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and other Allied troops waded ashore on the peninsula.

Their aim was to take control of the peninsula in order to weaken the Ottoman Empire.

The landings marked the start of a fierce battle that lasted for eight months and left around 44,000 Allied troops and 86,000 Ottoman soldiers dead.

Sunday's sombre memorial was kept small due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
What some have called the mobile advertising Armageddon is finally upon us. Starting on Monday, Apple Inc. will put in place new privacy protocols that will make it much harder for apps to gather user data for personalizing digital ads. The change will have vast ramifications for how the app economy works and alter the dynamics of power among the major platforms, advertisers and app developers. But it also comes at a pivotal moment for the industry: Just when governments around the world are looking to clamp down on the rising dominance of the largest technology companies, Apples latest initiative could further strengthen the hand of those same giants at the expense of smaller rivals.

Apple revealed on Tuesday that its next software update for iPhones, rolling out next week, includes its AppTrackingTransparency requirement. The long-awaited privacy feature will for the first time force all apps to request permission to track a users activities across other companies apps. Some analysts project more than half of consumers will decline tracking. Several companies have also expressed their uncertainty over the issue. Online dating app Bumble Inc. cautioned in its prospectus that more than 80% of users may decide to opt out, while Snap Inc. acknowledged on Thursday that Apple's changes were an important milestone and could significantly affect how they work with advertisers.

Also read: Apple has big plans of growing its advertising business

This is a big deal. For those users who opt out, app makers will no longer be able to share the kind of information on activity  such as search topics, types of items purchased and interests  that has allowed developers to compile detailed personal profiles for targeting ads effectively. Advertisers, too, will be at a disadvantage because they will be less able to see which ads led to an online sale or app installation, hurting their ability to measure campaign performance. Ad prices may drop as a result.

Apple, which counts more than 1 billion active iPhone users and has control over half of the U.S. smartphone market, believes it is the right time to move forward on a issue that has drawn scrutiny from regulators, lawmakers and consumer advocates. (For its part, Google is exploring an alternative for its Android operating system, according to Bloomberg News, which cited people with knowledge of the matter.) Technology companies control and use of valuable personal data is a big reason Big Tech has been under fire, and Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook has acknowledged that the industry hasnt done enough to respect the privacy of consumers nor been fully transparent on how they exploit their data. And yet, even as this move would seem to be a victory for consumers, the reality is it may increase the dominance of the biggest platforms.

Apple may stand to benefit the most. As mobile ads in general become less effective, that may spur developers to charge up front for apps or implement paid subscriptions. Either of those options would increase Apples profitability because of the as much as 30% commission it takes for any digital content sold on its platform (its App Store is already the subject of antitrust efforts). The privacy push could also help the companys device sales, convincing consumers it cares more about protecting their data. It may even help Apples own advertising business. The Financial Times reported on Thursday the company plans to add a second advertising slot on its App Store search page later this month just as app makers will be looking for other alternatives.

Facebook may turn out to be a winner too, despite its prominent position in the mobile-ad market. Bank of America research estimates Apples changes will decrease the social media companys revenue by only 3% after accounting for its ad network business exposure to iOS and likely lower rates for app installation ads. Last month, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg explained why the development could make the company stronger over time. He said it would compel more businesses to buy advertising and sell goods on their platforms as targeted ads elsewhere become less effective. Im confident that we are going to be able to manage through that situation, he said as a guest on the Clubhouse show PressClub. Well be in a good position.

Also read: Apple to launch program for employees to get Covid-19 shots

Zuckerberg is probably right. Digital advertising dollars will have to flow somewhere, and Apples new policy does nothing to stop companies from tracking user behavior inside their own apps and eco-systems. So the assets of incumbents Facebook and Google parent Alphabet Inc.  both of which have unrivaled quantities of internal data on what the billions of users on their platforms buy or are interested in  become even more valuable for advertisers. Marketers will now pay more to buy an Instagram shopping ad if they can see it led to a direct sale inside an Instagram e-commerce Shop.

A similar dynamic is likely to play out in the world of mobile gaming apps. Big companies  including Candy Crush-maker Activision Blizzard Inc.s King and Zynga Inc.  will have an easier time pinpointing the big spenders, or whales, among their hundred million-plus players bases, putting them at an advantage. But the smaller developers that do not have the luxury of large captive gamer communities will suffer as they have relied on external ad-targeting to find their best customers in the past.

There is no doubt Apples move will have positive effects on the privacy practices for the entire industry. That should be applauded. But on the inequality front, where a handful of technology behemoths grow more dominant while increasingly stifling the competition  this move may only exacerbate the problem.

Written by Tae Kim.
Shirley Ballas' father, George Andrew Rich - known as Andy - has passed away suddenly aged 83.

The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 60, revealed the sad news over Instagram on Sunday as she shared fond memories and a series of pictures of them together.

She paid tribute to her father's wife of over 40 years, Liz, who she described as 'the love of his life' and admitted she was struggling to 'find the right words' in her grief.

Sad news: Shirley Ballas revealed on Sunday that her father, George Andrew Rich - known as Andy - has passed away 'suddenly' aged 83

Shirley wrote: 'With sadness and a heavy heart my father George Andrew Rich fondly known as Andy, has passed away suddenly.

'My heart goes out to his wife Liz the love of his life who was with him for over 40 years and to all who knew him.

'Its hard to find the right words at this moment, my father lost two sons in his lifetime and I hope you can all find each other in the after life.

'So many things left unsaid, RIP Dad you will be missed but not forgotten.'

Family: The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 60, paid tribute as she shared fond memories of them together on Instagram, as she beamed in the snaps along with other family members

In the pictures she shared on her page, the Strictly star beamed with her late father and other family members.

Shirley was born in Wallasey in the north of England, to parents Audrey and George, and her father left home when she was two years old.

She reconnected with him following the death of her brother David, who took his own life aged 44, in 2003, after a battle with depression.

In a previous interview with the Radio Times, she revealed: 'My dad wasn't part of my life until David died, when we grew closer. Now I love him to bits.'

Tragedy: Shirley's father left home when she was two but she reconnected with him following the death of her brother David, who took his own life aged 44, in 2003

Grieving: She paid tribute to her father's wife of over 40 years, Liz, who she described as 'the love of his life' and admitted she was struggling to 'find the right words' in her grief

Shirley has had a tough few weeks as she recently got COVID-19, despite getting the vaccine back in February.

The dancer is now in her seventh week of her recovery and has revealed she's been feeling so 'exhausted' since getting coronavirus that she now has to go to bed at 7pm.

Speaking on BBC's Morning Live which she guest hosted last week, Shirley said: 'Lots of people recovering from COVID, including myself, feel tired.

'I've had it for weeks, I'm going into week six. I'm normally a sprightly person going morning until night.

'I'm exhausted, I'm tired. And sometimes by seven o'clock, to be quite honest, I just have to go to bed.'

Tough: The Strictly judge is in recovery from COVID-19, but the virus has left her 'tired' and needing to go to sleep much earlier than she used to (pictured getting vaccine in February)

On the show Dr Vanessa Apea advised Shirley to speak to her GP if the tiredness 'persists for longer, getting up to three months', and told her to 'be kind to herself' during her recovery.

Shirley admitted she has been 'worrying' about 'keeping moving', but she now plans to take it easy.

She added: 'I think a key there is 'be kind to yourself'.

'I'm always worrying about keeping moving, but I think that - be kind, take it easy.'

In February, Shirley had the first of her coronavirus jabs, and she encouraged people 'young and old and everyone in between' to take the vaccine.

Health: In February, Shirley had the first of her coronavirus jabs, and she encouraged people 'young and old and everyone in between' to take the vaccine

She said: 'At last my turn has come to get my vaccine. I'm totally impressed with my clinic. Straight in, totally organised helpful in every way possible.

'A little quick jab didn't hurt at all. Friendly atmosphere with everyone on the same journey. I urge everyone young and old and everyone in between to take the vaccine. If we all do this together we can get back to some sort of normality We are all in this together.'

Last month Shirley admitted she turned to her counsellor for support after being inundated with messages from people struggling with their mental health during lockdown.

Honest: Speaking on BBC's Morning Live which she guest hosted on Friday, Shirley said: 'Lots of people recovering from COVID, including myself, feel tired'

The judge returned to therapy in 2020 after feeling 'overwhelmed' while writing her warts-and-all memoir, Behind The Sequins: My Life.

And she admits to using her sessions for advice on how to help others after receiving a flurry of desperate messages from followers across social media.

Appearing on Morning Live, she explained: 'Some are kind of in a bad place, they can't handle lockdown, they become suicidal and one thing after another.

'So I thought that I would get some more counselling, to learn some more tools, put my own feelings aside and then try to help the other people who are direct messaging me, which I love by the way, and I feel I've steered many people in the right direction.'
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted and seized consignments of heroin and khat with a street value of over N10 billion, according to a statement by the agency.

The statement by the agencys Director Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday, in Abuja, said the seizures were made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano, respectively.

According to him, during cargo examination at Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) Import Shed, at the MMIA, a freight agent had presented a cargo from South Africa.

This, he said, was with an Ethiopian Airline flight ET 3901 and an Airway Bill no: 071-40689003, for examination by NDLEA operatives attached to the beat.

The officers subsequently conducted a search of the cargo, during which a suspected brownish substance was discovered concealed inside a red bag popularly called Ghana-must-go.

During a preliminary interview of the suspect, it was gathered that another freight agent sub-contracted the clearing job to him.

Eventually, six suspects have so far been arrested in follow up operations, while the substance had tested positive to heroin, with a total weight of 24.05kg.

Another consignment in the consolidated cargo also proved to be methamphetamine with a weight of 1.25kg, bringing the total weight of illicit drugs seized in the cargo to 25. 3kg.

Although the cargo arrived at the airport in the evening of 16th April, properly searched the following day, 17th, follow up operations leading to a number of arrests lasted till this weekend,  he said.

Mr Babafemi quoted the Commander, MMIA Command , Ahmadu Garba, as saying that the heroin and methamphetamine consignments were tagged under different names to deceive the officers, who were vigilant in uncovering them.

In a similar development, the MAKIA Command of the Agency in Kano has also intercepted and seized a consignment at its cargo shed, meant for export to Manchester, United Kingdom.

Mr Babafemi said that a sample of the suspected substance in the consignment was sent for laboratory analysis and the result came out positive for Khat, weighing 36kg.

This brings the total weight of illicit drugs seized at the two international airports to 61.3kg,  he said.

Mr Babafemi quoted the Acting Commander, MAKIA, Kano, Mohammed Ajiya, as saying that further investigations were still ongoing to ascertain the true owners of the illegal consignment.

In the meantime, the Chair, NDLEA, Buba Marwa, has commended the officers and men of the Lagos and Kano airport Commands of the Agency, for stopping the illicit substances from escaping, under their watch, either into Nigeria or to foreign jurisdictions.

Mr Marwa, a retired brigadier general, assured them that he would continue to do his best to improve their welfare and take the anti-drug law enforcement agency to an enviable height.

(NAN)
She told me it was over the VHS tape and I had to make her repeat it because I thought, This is insane, Ms. Davis said. This girl is kidding me, right? She wasnt kidding.

Ms. Davis could not be immediately reached on Sunday.

On April 21, prosecutors dropped the embezzlement charge against Ms. Davis in consideration of the best interest of justice, according to court documents. KOKH Fox 25 had contacted prosecutors the previous day about the charge.

Greg Mashburn, the district attorney for Cleveland, Garvin and McClain Counties in Oklahoma, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday.

Tim D. Kuykendall, who was the district attorney when the warrant was issued, said the policy at the time was not to file charges unless the merchant had tried everything possible, such as phone calls and certified letters, to try and collect. He said his office also usually called and sent a letter before filing charges.

Sandi Harding, the general manager of the worlds last Blockbuster video store, in Bend, Ore., said in an interview on Sunday that bringing criminal charges for an unreturned movie seemed overly punitive.

Weve definitely not sent out a warrant for anybody for that, she said. Thats a little bit crazy to me.

Blockbuster assesses daily late fees of 49 to 99 cents for overdue videos up to 10 days. After that, the store charges customers up to $19.99 to replace one of its DVDs or Blu-ray discs, Ms. Harding said.
(Natural News) Officials within the European Union (EU) on Wednesday, April 21, proposed legislation to limit the use of facial recognition technology and other high-risk applications of artificial intelligence (AI). The bill was proposed by the European Commission, the main executive body of the EU.

The EU is attempting to lead the world in creating and enforcing regulations aimed at keeping the excesses of big tech companies in check, especially when it comes to the potential dangers of new technologies such as facial recognition and artificial intelligence.

Our regulation addresses the human and societal risks associated with specific uses of AI, said European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager. We think that this is urgent. We are the first on the planet to suggest this legal framework.

The proposed legislation would ban certain high-risk applications of artificial intelligence technology within the EU, including those that exploit vulnerable groups, deploy subliminal techniques or those that score peoples social behavior, like the social credit system in China.

The proposal would also prohibit law enforcement from using real-time facial recognition technology and other remote biometric identification systems in public spaces. Real-time facial recognition involves using this technology to track live a persons whereabouts.

Exceptions to this prohibition include times when the technology is used to prevent a terror attack, find missing children or tackle other serious public security concerns. These exceptions will only be allowed for limited period, and a judge or another national authority figure needs to approve it. (Related: Washington state LEGALIZES facial recognition for police and government agencies, creating a high-tech police state.)

Other applications of artificial intelligence that are deemed to be high-risk because they may endanger the safety or legal status of other people  including using AI for self-driving vehicles and to sort through employment or asylum application decisions  have to undergo thorough checks of their systems before they can be deployed within the EU.

After their deployment, the companies that use them have to abide by other obligations, such as the use of high-quality datasets, requiring human oversight to minimize risk and ensuring the traceability of results. Failure to comply with these requirements will most likely result in fines.

The legislation will apply to both developers and users of so-called high-risk artificial intelligence systems. Breaking the law can result in fines of up to six percent of the corporations entire revenue, although such a steep penalty will rarely be used as EU officials arent likely to serve the maximum punishment.

EU divided over proposed legislation

The European Commissions proposal comes as many privacy advocates, politicians and regular EU citizens have become very vocal about their desire to regulate the use of live facial recognition and other dangerous forms of artificial intelligence. At present, the EU has no clear rules regarding how and when certain high-risk technologies can be used on the general public.

The introduction of this proposal has already ignited debates. Many groups who side with the tech industry were relieved to find out that the draft legislation wasnt more draconian, such as the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), an international lobbying group that advocates for tech companies like Amazon, Facebook and Google.

The CCIA welcomed the EUs attempt to regulate high-risk uses of artificial intelligence, while allowing for other AI systems to proliferate. Its positive that the commission has taken this risk-based approach, said CCIA Vice President Christian Borggreen.

Digital rights activists have also applauded the legislation, but many within their ranks have argued that the Commissions proposal is much too vague and offers far too many loopholes that corporations can exploit.

European Digital Rights (EDR), an international privacy and digital rights nonprofit, is concerned with how often the bill allows law enforcement agencies to use facial recognition technology.

The list of exemptions is incredibly wide, said Sarah Chander, senior policy adviser for EDR. Such a list kind of defeats the purpose for claiming something is a ban.

Many other prominent voices aligned with the tech industry argued that the EUs regulation would give Chinese corporations an advantage, since they dont have to deal with the red tape.

Its going to make it prohibitively expensive or even technologically infeasible to build AI in Europe, said Benjamin Mueller, a senior policy analyst at the tech-aligned think tank Center for Data Innovation. The U.S. and China are going to look on with amusement as the EU kneecaps its own startups.

The Commissions proposal is still in the draft stages, and it has to go through multiple consultations with industry, government and civil society groups before it even gets voted on in the European Parliament.

Learn more about the steps governments and organizations around the world are taking to make sure the right to privacy is upheld by reading the latest articles at PrivacyWatch.news.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

Bloomberg.com

ArsTechnica.com
I spent last week in Louisville, Ky., enjoying the company of my fully vaxxed brother and parents, doing yard work for my mom and staying at my father's house as my stepmother vacationed with her daughter. She left behind her copy of Blake Bailey's new biography of Philip Roth  it's a doorstop at 812 pages plus notes, not a good tome for travel.

Having read the generally laudatory reviews (with notable exceptions), I plucked it off the nightstand and dipped in.

I've read a half-dozen Roth novels (including the collection "Zuckerman Bound" during college, "The Counterlife" more recently), but never got around to the reputed classics like "American Pastoral." Bailey's much-admired life of John Cheever, meanwhile, has sat on my bookshelf unread for more than five years.

On Wednesday night, my father and I were watching the Cincinnati Reds blow a ninth-inning three-run lead when a news alert on my phone informed me that W.W. Norton was pausing the printing of Bailey's Roth bio in light of allegations that its author had sexually assaulted two women and "groomed" female students from his previous career teaching English at a New Orleans middle school once they had reached adulthood. Bailey has denied the allegations, including the charge that he raped Valentina Rice, a publishing executive, one night in 2015 when she and Bailey were overnight guests at the home of Dwight Garner, the New York Times book critic.

The Times had only a week earlier profiled Bailey in an article that went into great detail about Roth's decision to dump Ross Miller, a friend and literary scholar who had initially been tapped as his official biographer. The pair had fallen out in large part due to Roth's belief that Miller was both incompetent and a "scandal monger"  an insult used in the title of a book-length but unpublished broadside Roth wrote assailing his would-be chronicler.

Considering the centrality of sex and gender power dynamics to so much of Roth's fiction, the notion that his handpicked biographer would be brought low by charges of sexual misconduct, criminal or otherwise, represents a pitch-black form of irony. It's akin to an Ernest Hemingway biographer who dies after being simultaneously gored by a bull and eaten by a lion.

The dead body here is Bailey's very large book, which having been read initially for its examination of Roth's life and career will now be re-examined by critics in the light of the new allegations against its author. Based on even a cursory reading like mine, there is much to cringe over.

Consider page 340, which describes Roth's tenure teaching English at the University of Pennsylvania by quoting the writer and former student Lisa Scottaline's praise for his genius as well as his "distance" in the classroom (he was always Mr. Roth, and addressed students in kind). Or maybe consider page 341, which offers Roth's longtime friend Joel Conarroe  who met Roth when the two young writers were in residence at Yaddo in Saratoga Springs  admitting with what Bailey describes as "some retrospective rue" to having served, in Conarroe's words, as Roth's "pardon the expression, pimp" by stocking his friend's classes with only the most attractive coeds.

"Everything seems to be in good shape for your courses next year," Conarroe wrote to Roth in an April 30, 1971, letter (50 years ago this week). "We gave the illusion of being utterly democratic in choosing your students, but in fact picked the same ones any totalitarian dictator would have picked." Ew. The letter goes on to leeringly describe the department chair's encounter with one such supplicant, who had an affair with Roth despite his being in a long-term relationship at the time.

"As for Conarroe's efforts on Roth's behalf at Penn, well, it was a different time to be sure," Bailey writes. Conarroe would go on to serve as dean of Penn's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, president of the PEN American Center, chair of the National Book Awards, and president of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.

Were the 1970s a different time to be sure? In many ways, yes  but I'd like to know what other Penn faculty members thought then or think now of Roth's behavior and Conarroe's winking procurement work.

One can go too far in drawing parallels between Roth's gross but consensual affairs with female students half his age and what Bailey is alleged to have done to Valentina Rice and Eve Peyton, a former student who also has accused him of rape. In an email Bailey sent Peyton last year, the biographer claimed he had been suffering from mental illness at the time of the alleged incident, which occurred when she was 22.

But the controversy surrounding Bailey will likely serve as the lens through which we view Roth's career until a new authoritative biography comes along. Whether that's fair to the author or not is kind of an academic question, quite literally, that pales in comparison to the damage Bailey is alleged to have done.

In a sense, the book's fate is similar to the current publishing limbo in which thousands of copies of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's COVID memoir "American Crisis" currently reside. Like Norton, Cuomo's publisher Crown has ceased printing and promoting the governor's book after sexual misconduct allegations and more began swirling around the Executive Chamber, and it's likely neither "American Crisis" nor "Philip Roth" will see a paperback edition  the same fate that befell Cuomo's first memoir, "All Things Possible," though that book was sidelined by something more prosaic than allegations of beastly behavior: lousy sales.

cseiler@timesunion.com
'A putrid threat': China's persecution of Christians 'intensified' in 2020: report

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Religious persecution in China intensified in 2020, with thousands of Christians affected by church closures and other human rights abuses, according to a new report from ChinaAid.

ChinaAids research on persecution in China last year documented nine church demolitions carried out by Chinese Communist Party authorities, affecting more than 5,000 members and attendees.

Overall, CCP authorities persecuted 100% of house churches, the study found, with police summoning and questioning every churchs main leader.

Under the direction of Chinese President Xi Jinping, CCP officials also worked to more fully control religion, ordering Christians in both official, state-run churches as well as in house churches to fly the Chinese flag, and sing patriotic songs in services. Authorities also directed ministers and priests to Sinicize sermons, or alter them to conform to CCP ideology.

According to the report released this week, CCP authorities also invaded Christians' homes, raided family gatherings, and interfered with parenting decisions. In numerous instances, authorities sued Christians for homeschooling their children or sending them to church-run schools.

ChinaAids research for 2020 confirms that Chinas persecution of Christians and of those professing any belief again exceeded incidents reported for the previous year, the report says.

As suppressed facts have emerged from dark, secret places, the fallout from the CCPs persecution, like results from the unchecked Covid-19 pandemic, present a potent, putrid threat to challenge the outside world to pay attention.

The group said it publishes its annual report to not only increase awareness of religious persecution in China, but to promote religious freedom for all.

ChinaAids findings come on the heels of the 2021 annual report from The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom that identified China as an egregious violator of human rights, specifically toward Christians and Uyghur Muslims.

The report notes that CCP authorities continued their unprecedented use of advanced surveillance technologies to monitor and track religious minorities last year.

Although the CCP has long repressed religious freedom, in recent years it has become increasingly hostile toward religion, the report says.

The Commission recommended that the U.S. redesignate China as a country of particular concern, or CPC, for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.

Previous reports reveal that schools in China have been teaching children that Christianity is an evil cult, while children are being taught to oppose religion, encouraged to question the beliefs of family members and report those closest to them to authorities.

USCIRF Commissioner Gary Bauer commented: Communist China doesnt only deny its citizens basic human rights, including the right to seek and worship God. It is also asserting itself as a new authoritarian model for developing nations around the world. It is actively engaged in undermining international human rights standards. It utilizes its growing military power to intimidate and threaten its neighbors.

Open Doors ranks China at No. 17 on its World Watch List of 50 countries where Christians are most persecuted.

Boyd-MacMillan, director of Strategic Research at Christian charity Open Doors, recently told Express UK that the CCP is becoming increasingly concerned about the Christian population's growth and is cracking down on religion as a result.

"We think the evidence as to why the Chinese Church is so targeted, is that the leaders are scared of the size of the Church and the growth of the Church, Boyd-MacMillan said.

"And if it grows at the rate that it has done since 1980, and that's about between 7 [percent] and 8 percent a year, then you're looking at a group of people that will be 300 million strong, nearly by 2030. And, you know, the Chinese leadership, they really do long term planning, I mean, their economic plan goes to 2049, so this bothers them. Because I think if the Church continues to grow like that, then they'll have to share power."
WindForce to acquire waste management project, start solar plant in Senegal By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s):

WindForce PLC, which started trading on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) on Thursday, will venture into waste management in addition to starting renewable energy businesses in East Africa.

Manjula Perera, Managing Director WindForce, on the sidelines of the bell ringing ceremony to mark the start of trading, told the Business Times that waste management is a line of business the company is looking at. The discussions are at an advanced stage to acquire a waste management project. As one of the first players in solar power generation locally, WindForce has diversified into the full range of the renewable energy space.

Akbar Brothers (Pvt) Ltd, Hirdaramani (Pvt) Ltd and Debug Investments (Pvt) Ltd are the promoters of the company and with strong relationships in over 15 markets will see WindForce leveraging access into new overseas renewable energy opportunities.

WindForce is geographically diversified and has operations in Ukraine with a 9 mega watt (MW) solar power plant, Uganda with two hydro power plants generating 10.3 MW and a 10 MW solar plant and two solar plants in Pakistan generating 68 MW. The company is working on a solar project in Senegal, East Africa. The shares have been listed on the Main Board of the CSE under the Utilities sector and follows a remarkable Initial Public Offering (IPO) by the company recording the largest capital raising since 2011, through which it raised Rs. 3.2 billion through a share issue of 202.6 million at an issue price of Rs.16.00 each. This IPO after a decade saw an oversubscription of approximately eight times within the first day of its offer. On the first day of trading WindForce saw foreign buying of Rs. 527.7 million. At an average price of Rs. 18.28 for the day, this gives an estimated net foreign buying of 28.9 million shares for Thursday.
Kim Kardashian applauded President Joe Biden for acknowledging the killing of more than a million Armenians by Ottoman Turks more than a century ago as genocide.

After news broke Saturday, the 40-year-old reality star shared a lengthy statement via Instagram.

'After more than a century of fighting for truth and acknowledgment, today the Armenian people received the recognition we have all been hoping and praying for, with president Biden declaring the massacre in 1915 a genocide,' the mom-of-four began.

Thankful: Kim Kardashian applauded President Joe Biden for acknowledging the killing of more than a million Armenians by Ottoman Turks more than a century ago as genocide; seen in 2019

She continued: 'This has been a long journey for the Armenian community, and every year I felt we were getting closer and closer to recognizing the genocide as what it was. Finally that day has come.'

Her final post directly thanked Biden for having the 'courage to speak the truths other chose not to.'

Biden is the first U.S. leader to use the term to describe the massacre, as past presidents shied away from labeling the event as such in an effort to maintain amicable relations with Turkey.

About time: Biden is the first U.S. leader to use the term to describe the massacre, as past presidents shied away from labeling the event as such in an effort to maintain amicable relations with Turkey (pictured this week)

Kardashian began her message by writing: 'After more than a century of fighting for truth and acknowledgment, today the Armenian people received the recognition we have all been hoping an praying for, with president Biden declaring the massacre in 1915 a genocide'

Her sister, Khloe Kardashian, also praised Biden for being the first US president to officially recognize the massacre of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire as a genocide.

'In 1915, over 1.5 million Armenians were slaughtered and tortured. Thank you President Biden for recognizing the genocide that happened 106 years ago,' she wrote on her Instagram Story, not long before Kim posted her statement.

The social media powerhouse specifically thanked the president for 'honoring the stories, the pain, suffering and loss.'

'This has been a long journey for the Armenian community, and every year I felt we were getting closer and closer to recognizing the genocide as what it was. Finally that day has come,' she continued

Step forward: Her final post directly thanked Biden for having the 'courage to speak the truths other chose not to'

She also shared two shots from her 2015 visit to Armenia's capital city, Yerevan, with her older sister, Kim.

On Saturday, the 78-year-old issued a statement where he laid out his thoughts on the matter and asked the American people to join him in working to ensure that such an event never happens again.

Biden's release began with: 'Each year on this day, we remember the lives of all those who died in the Ottoman-era Armenian genocide and recommit ourselves to preventing such an atrocity from ever again occurring.'

Sending a message: Khloe Kardashian also thanked President Biden for 'honoring the stories, the pain, suffering and loss of the Armenian people'

Purpose: In his statement, Biden noted that the release was published in an effort to 'recommit ourselves to preventing such an atrocity from ever again occurring'

The politician noted that the recognition was made 'so that we remain ever-vigilant against the corrosive influence of hate in all its forms.'

The leader also noted that, regarding the family members of those affected, 'we honor their story. We see that pain. We affirm the history. We do this not to cast blame but to ensure that what happened is never repeated.'

Biden's statement's concluded with: 'Let us renew our shared resolve to prevent future atrocities from occurring anywhere in the world. And let us pursue healing and reconciliation for all the people of the world.'

Making a difference: Kardashian has advocated for Armenian-related causes in the past, most recently during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War; she is pictured in 2019

The Good American Founder has supported the recognizance of the Armenian Genocide in the past and has worked to raise awareness for the cause.

In 2015, she and Kim flew to Armenia and visited Tsitsernakaberd, the memorial to the victims of the atrocity.

Last October, she publicly denounced Azerbajian's involvement in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and spoke out in support of the Republic of Artsakh.

Purpose: After her 2015 visit to Armenia, Kim Kardashian wrote a piece for Time where she referred to the denial of the Armenian Genocide as an 'act of disrespect'; she is seen in 2017

The reality television star later appeared on a telethon for Armenia Fund and encouraged her followers to donate in support of Armenian soldiers involved in the conflict.

Shortly after her shared visit to Tsitsernakaberd, Khloe's older sister wrote an opinion piece for Time and noted that she had hoped that former president Barack Obama would have referred to the events of 1915 as a genocide.

'Its very disappointing he hasnt used it as President. We thought it was going to happen this year. I feel like were closebut were definitely moving in the right direction,' she expressed.

Homeland: Kim and older sister Kourtney also took a family trip to Armenia at the end of 2019

The reality television star also called on the government and citizens of Turkey to confront the events of the past in an effort to begin a period of reconciliation.

'I think if they recognize it and acknowledge it, everyone can move on. I believe in moving on and looking toward a brighter future, but you cant move on unless you acknowledge the past. To not do so is an act of disrespect,' she wrote.

Kim and older sister Kourtney most recently returned to Armenia at the end of 2019.

Heritage: The Kardashians are proud of their Armenian heritage, which flows down their late father, Robert Kardashians' side of the family

The Kardashians are proud of their Armenian heritage, which flows down their late father, Robert Kardashians' side of the family.

His family emigrated to the United States from an area that now lies in Turkey in the early 1900s.

The celebrity lawyer died in 2003 just eight weeks after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

Unforgettable: During the trip, Kim and Kourtney had dinner with the President of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, and his wife, Nouneh Sarkissian, at the Presidential palace

In memory: They also laid flowers at the Memorial Complex in Yerevan to pay tribute to the victims of the 1915 genocide, in which 1.5m Armenians lost their lives

He passed on his pride in his heritage to his family, who have been vocal about their Armenian roots.

During the trip, Kim and Kourtney had dinner with the President of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, and his wife, Nouneh Sarkissian, at the Presidential palace.

They also laid flowers at the Memorial Complex in Yerevan to pay tribute to the victims of the 1915 genocide.
I think we could certainly do that, but I would just question why we would pursue that unless the city is very serious about working with Caltrans to relinquish the right-of-way to the city, Miller said. Because Caltrans is just going to continue to push back on any type of capacity expansion.

Oro, for his part, said he disliked hearing no, no, no, not from Caltrans, but from the NVTA. He criticized the NVTA for using such terms as fatal flaws instead of fighting for a widening idea he said is wanted by the community.

When I read this packet and saw this, it makes me kind of livid, Oro said.

The proposed Highway 29 widening is about more than adding capacity, he said. It includes removing power lines, adding bike lanes and sidewalks and making other improvements.

Its about beautification of a highway for a community thats long been ignored here in Napa Valley in terms of what it could be in potential, Oro said.

Mayor Leon Garcia wondered why, if Caltrans opposes capacity-increasing projects, theres a proposal to add lanes to nearby Highway 37. Adding capacity makes sense in some places and American Canyon is one of them, he said.
Call it a classic tale of Jersey politics.

It all began with a criminal justice movement to change decades-old policy that forced thousands behind bars for long periods of time, even if judges or prosecutors preferred more lenient punishment: New Jersey law mandating minimum prison sentences for a wide range of crimes.

A bi-partisan commission Gov. Phil Murphy formed when he first took office recommended reforms that were drafted in a bill and moved through the Democratic-controlled state Legislature.

But then a powerful lawmaker, state Sen. Nicholas Sacco, D-Hudson, quietly added official misconduct  a crime that includes political corruption  to the list of offenses that would no longer be subject to mandatory minimums.

It was something the commission never recommended. But it also had the potential to help the son of Saccos longtime girlfriend.

Murphy warned he wouldnt sign the legislation with the amendment. State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, no fan of Murphy, advanced it anyway. The governor conditionally vetoed the bill Monday, saying the Sacco amendment must be removed. Within hours, lawmakers reintroduced the exact same legislation.

So theres yet another standoff between Sweeney and fellow Democrat Murphy, in an election year for both the governor and the Legislature, no less.

But the Murphy side had another move to make.

Just as the governor announced his veto, state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal immediately issued a directive that would end many of the mandatory minimum sentences. Prosecutors can waive mandatory minimum terms associated with any non-violent drug offense, and it applies retroactively for people currently serving sentences. So much of the intent of the bill goes into effect, with the five-year mandatory minimum for political corruption and other official misconduct crimes intact.

End of story? No way. Grewals action is not codified in law, which means a new administration could swiftly revert to old practices. And that has some furious.

It should not have been hijacked for political purposes and to have included that amendment, said U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-12th Dist., who advocated for ending mandatory minimums during her 17 years as an assemblywoman.

I dont understand how that amendment was even allowed to go forward, but to include that amendment that would have eliminated mandatory minimums for politicians and law enforcement, and people of that ilk, when you think about whats happening in this day and age, I thought that that was just very wrongheaded, Watson Coleman told NJ Advance Media.

She also slammed opponents of Murphys conditional veto on social media.

We mustnt allow this work to be hijacked by efforts to shield elected officials or their friends from accountability for dirty dealings.

Taking into account the unethical amendment slipped into the bill, I agree with @GovMurphy's decision to veto it.https://t.co/z03gbMv8Wc  Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) April 21, 2021

Murphy and other proponents of the reform have said the intention of the sentencing commission was to rectify the disparity in the states criminal justice system, where more than 80% of inmates serving mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses are either Black or Hispanic, according to the states public defenders office.

Official misconduct is sometimes used to prosecute politicians, police officers and other public workers. The son of Saccos girlfriend is facing an official misconduct offense for allegedly submitting false timesheets in North Bergen, where Sacco is the mayor.

Sacco declined through a spokesman to talk to NJ Advance Media about his original amendment to the bill, which was first reported by Politico NJ. But he said in a tweet on Friday that if Watson Coleman was concerned about criminal justice reform, she should support the reintroduced bill to remove all mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent crimes, adding: Anything less falls short.

If @RepBonnie is concerned about criminal justice reform she should publicly support the new bill by @SandraBCunningh and @SenatorScutari to remove ALL mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent crimes. Anything less falls short https://t.co/c65dcof8bh  Nicholas J. Sacco (@NicholasJSacco) April 23, 2021

Sweeney, who controls which bills are voted on by the full Senate, said in a statement Monday that while he welcomed the attorney generals action, it falls far short of the goal of eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for all nonviolent offenses.

Sweeney didnt return a message for comment. Neither did the bills prime sponsor, state Sen. Sandra Cunningham, D-Hudson.

Proponents of the bill Murphy rejected have said the original legislation didnt have enough support to pass in the Legislature. But the votes were there after Saccos amendments were added.

They also argue its wrong for lawmakers to remove mandatory minimums for one crime and to keep them for another, said state Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who also works as a city prosecutor.

I have the longtime experience with these two types of things, lawmaking and prosecuting, he said. Were making a good law better. If youre against mandatory minimums, youre against mandatory minimums.

Scutari added: Sometimes theres a difference of opinions that need to be rectified. (Lawmakers are) the ones that have to deal with the long-term effects of the decisions that we make.

At least one advocacy group that wants to get rid of mandatory minimums agreed with Scutaris argument.

If (mandatory minimums) dont work for one category of crimes they shouldnt work for any category of crimes, said Amol Sinha, the executive director of the ACLU-NJ.

The ACLU-NJ supported the announcement from the attorney general. But the group was also disappointed by Murphys veto and supports the legislation.

Its a shame that we have a unanimous consensus from the bipartisan Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission and we have years of legislative advocacy here only to see it not to come to fruition, he said.

Watson Coleman, overall, isnt buying it.

I would suggest to my former friends and current friends, and former colleagues, to look into your hearts and to look into the reasons for the introduction of this bill in the first place and ask yourself: Was it really to make sentences lighter and justice more jaded when it came to political corruption, law enforcement corruption and other public corruption? she said. I dont think so.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com.
Les membres du gouvernement pont pris note quil y aura un Fact Finding Committee sur les deces des patients dialyses a la New Souillac Hospital, de la signature dun MOU entre la RDA et la Commission for Public Infrastructure, Transport and Water Resources de la Rodrigues Regional Assembly, de la creation dun Government chatbot entre autres.

1. Cabinet has agreed to the setting up of a Fact Finding Committee, chaired by Mrs Deviyanee Beesoondoyal, former Judge, to enquire into the recent death of renal dialysis patients at the New Souillac Hospital. The Fact Finding Committee would comprise two other Assessors.

2. Cabinet has agreed to the Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance promulgating the Captive Insurance (Amendment of Schedule) Regulations 2021 and

the Insurance (Amendment) Regulations 2021. The Schedule to the Captive Insurance Act and the Insurance Regulations 2007 would be amended in order to exempt all International Organisations falling under the International Organisations and Conferences (Privileges and Immunities) Act from the need to seek a licence from the Financial Services Commission to operate any activity covered by these two pieces of legislation.

3. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Road Development Authority and the Commission for Public Infrastructure, Transport and Water Resources of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, on a framework for collaboration and mutual cooperation. The main objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding are to:

(a) share project information and data to streamline design, construction standards, construction methodologies and ways of conducting supervision, in order to transfer knowledge and experience between technical staff of both organisations;

(b) set up an Exchange Programme for Engineers and Technicians from Rodrigues to come over to Mauritius and vice versa, such that the technical officers benefit from appropriate on-site training, especially on major projects being implemented by the Road Development Authority;

(c) provide assistance to the Commission in the design, procurement and supervision of projects in Rodrigues, for a term of two years as from the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding;

(d) set up a road classification system in Rodrigues; and

(e) formulate a Strategic Master Plan for the road network in Rodrigues, taking into consideration future sustainable developments on the island.

4. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation implementing a project for the development of a Government chatbot, an intelligent virtual assistant, which would be a state-of-the-art solution to respond to citizens queries. Chatbots are meant to streamline interactions between people and services through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. They interpret queries using Natural Language Processing, an advanced form of artificial intelligence, to come up with reliable answers or solutions. The implementation of the chatbot would prove to be a major milestone as:

(a) citizens would have access to instant responses to their queries;

(b) the service would be available 24/7 from anywhere;

(c) with customer feedback, the services would be continuously improved;

(d) citizens would be relieved of administrative hassles such as emails or phone calls;

(e) it might become one of the main point of contact for agencies or citizens to interact with Government; and

(f) a Whole-of-Government knowledge base would be created through inputs from Ministries and Departments, leading to enhanced public service delivery.

5. Cabinet has taken note that a Joint Public-Private Sectors Working Group has been set up, under the chair of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism, to formulate recommendations for the re-opening of borders of the Republic of Mauritius and relaunching of the tourism sector. The terms of reference of the Joint Public-Private Sectors Working Group are to:

(a) determine the optimal conditions for the early reopening of borders in a safe environment; and

(b) recommend specific measures therefor.

Three Sub-Committees have also been set up to work on the following topics:

(i) entry requirements and health protocols;

(ii) air connectivity; and

(iii) destination marketing

6. Cabinet has agreed to the implementation of the COVID-19 Artists Support Plan 2021 for the Cultural and Creative sectors by the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage to mitigate the effects of the confinement following the recent resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic and also to revitalise these sectors. The main objective of the Support Plan is to offer a financial support to the actors of the cultural and creative sectors, who due to gathering restrictions are experiencing loss of revenue, whilst at the same time giving them an incentive to further develop their artistic talent and create new art productions.

The Plan would be implemented as from the current financial year and would be valid up to 30 September 2021. The Plan comprises schemes in various artistic disciplines, namely music, books, production of short stories, painting, sculpture, film making, photography and other forms of art.

7. Cabinet has agreed to the implementation of the Design-Build/Turnkey for Purging of Rock and Provision of Rock Net at Maconde Cliff project. The Black River/Savanne Coast Road at Maconde is prone to rock fall due to the weathering erosion and other environmental conditions of the cliff. The Road Development Authority would implement the following works under Phase II of the project:

(a) design of rock nets, including liability for the whole assembly;

(b) removal of loose rocks located in the area, that is purging of the unstable rocks where rock net would be installed;

(c) traffic diversion and management scheme; and

(d) procurement and complete installation of rock nets of approximately 3,600 m2, with all necessary fittings, cables and anchors, amongst others.

8. Cabinet has taken note that the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has submitted its report entitled Reigniting the Engine of Growth: A Forward-looking Business Model for the Mauritian Tea Industry which was commissioned to identify the required dynamic transformative actions for a sustainable Mauritian tea industry. The Report focuses on a forward-looking business model and proposes strategies for a thriving and sustainable tea sector in a highly competitive global tea market. The main recommendations are, inter alia:

(a) the setting up of a Mauritius Tea Industry Development Agency;

(b) the improvement of tea field productivity;

(c) the reduction of factory and processing cost;

(d) the improvement of quality of green leaf and made-tea; and

(e) the promotion and branding of the Mauritian tea.

A Committee, comprising officials of the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, other relevant stakeholders and the FAO National Correspondent has been set up to implement the recommendations.

9. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security would avail of the funding under additional support for green and inclusive economy under the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) which is an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) providing support targeted to a green economic recovery. The initiative of the UNDP aims at assisting countries in the formulation and implementation of policies, capacity building and financing for inclusive green economy transitions, and is tailored to each countrys needs. The project activities include:

(a) modelling exercise to forecast green jobs in the agriculture and food sectors, and assess the impacts of the economic stimulus on the recovery of the sector;

(b) development of a rapid assessment diagnostic toolkit for scaling up public and private finance for nature based and climate-smart agriculture;

(c) creation of an enabling environment and incentives to boost the agro-processing industry;

(d) development of the Farm to Fork strategy based on Collaborative Framework for Food Systems Transformation approach in the context of COVID-19 recovery;

(e) strengthening collective national ownership of green recovery plans; and

(f) capacity building on green and inclusive recovery in all sectors involved in food production, and distribution, including hotels, restaurants and bars to reduce food waste.

10. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the first Steering Committee meeting in the context of the revamping of the Mauritius National Identity Card System chaired by the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation. The terms of reference of the Steering Committee are to:

(a) advise Government on any aspect of the Mauritius National Identity Card project;

(b) monitor and review the Mauritius National Identity Card project;

(c) undertake such project management duties as may be required;

(d) ensure the timely completion of tasks in connection with the Mauritius National Identity Card project;

(e) ensure the involvement of appropriate resources for the timely completion of the project; and

(f) coordinate the Mauritius National Identity Card project.

11. Cabinet has taken note that Mauritius has been elected to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council on 03 March 2021. The four-year term took effect as from 01 January 2021. The ISA is mandated under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to organise, regulate and control all mineral-related activities in the international seabed area.

12. Cabinet has taken note that the Minister of Health and Wellness would promulgate the Dental Council (Examination Fee) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 and the Medical Council (Registration of Registered Medical Practitioners) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 to revise the quantum of fees payable for Dental Registration Examination and Medical Registration Examination to Rs13,500.

13. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the 4th round of technical negotiations between the European Union (EU) and Eastern and Southern Africa States (ESA-5: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe) on the deepening of the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement, held virtually. Out of the 13 areas agreed for negotiations between the EU and the ESA-5, the Parties have so far covered eight issues including Rules of Origin; Customs and Trade Facilitation; Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary measures; Technical Barriers to Trade; Agriculture; Trade and Sustainable Development; Trade in Services, Investment Liberalisation and Digital Trade; and Economic Development Cooperation. A Protocol on Mutual Administrative Assistance which sets the parameters for cooperation between the customs authorities of the Parties was concluded.

The EU took note of the request of the ESA-5 to continue to fund the coordination hub.

The next round of technical negotiations has been scheduled for July 2021 and would cover, inter alia, Agriculture, Technical Barriers to Trade, Intellectual Property Rights and Government Procurement.

14. Cabinet has taken note of the various activities being organised by the Ministry of Public Service, Administrative and Institutional Reforms to mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work celebrated on 28 April. The following activities would be organised:

the e-Newsletter for April 2021 would be dedicated to Occupational Safety and Health Management;

a virtual exhibition would be launched on 28 April 2021 to sensitise employers, employees and the general public on the preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The different measures taken by Government to control the spread of Coronavirus would also be depicted; and

a webinar would be organised by the Civil Service College Mauritius on safety and health issues at the workplace with the participation of panellists from both the public and private sectors.

The theme chosen for this years celebration is Anticipate, Prepare and Respond to crises  Invest Now in Resilient Occupational Safety and Health Systems.

15. Cabinet has taken note of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic prevailing across the world. With regard to Mauritius, as at 23 April 2021, 1,225 cases (including imported cases) of COVID-19 had been registered since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020. There were currently 137 active cases of COVID-19 in Mauritius, out of which 128 were local cases and nine imported cases. Contact tracing exercises and random testing are being carried out in accordance with the established protocol. The public should observe strict sanitary precautions.

Cabinet has also taken note of progress in the implementation of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and arrangements being made to administer the second dose of vaccine.

16. Cabinet has taken note that the Anti-Influenza Vaccination Campaign 2021 started on 22 April 2021 in the regions of Rose Hill, Beau Bassin and Grand Bois and 1,977 elderly persons have been vaccinated in those regions. As from Monday 26 April 2021, the campaign would be carried out in five localities per day and as from Thursday 29 April 2021, it would be extended to six localities per day.

17. Cabinet has taken note of the main causes and impacts of flooding in the South and South East regions which occurred on Friday 16 April 2021 and also of the short and long term measures identified to mitigate flooding in those regions. Some 404mm of rainfall was recorded within 24 hours at Plaisance. This phenomenon caused flash floods and impacted on a number of localities in those regions.

The Land Drainage Authority carried out an assessment of the flooding in those regions. With a view to mitigating the impact of flooding, the following measures have been identified for implementation in the short term:

(a) cleaning and desilting of rivers and watercourses;

(b) cleaning of existing drainage infrastructure and culverts; and

(c) cleaning of road side drains, repairs to handrails and patching works by the Road Development Authority.

The National Development Unit was also constructing drains along Doolar Lane, near the Naval Museum in Mahebourg and Mon Desert Road in Plaine Magnien. The Land Drainage Authority has commissioned a national study, with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme, on flooding risks arising from overland flows from agricultural land and mountain slopes.

Cabinet has also taken note:

(i) of the actions taken by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre with regard to the flash floods;

(ii) that following the Torrential Rain warning in the South East of Mauritius on 16 April 2021, three Evacuee Centres, namely Carreau Esnouf Community Centre, St. Hilaire Community Centre and Cite La Chaux Social Welfare Centre were opened to accommodate evacuees. The Evacuee Centres at Carreau Esnouf Community Centre and St. Hilaire Community Centre accommodated 10 families comprising 26 persons. There were no evacuees at Cite La Chaux Social Welfare Centre. The Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity made arrangements for the evacuees who spent the night in the centres to be provided with the basic necessities; and

(iii) that a Loss Assessment Exercise was currently being conducted by Officers of the Agricultural Services, Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute and the Small Farmers Welfare Fund to determine the degree of loss incurred in fields so as to compensate small planters who have adhered to the Crop Loss Compensation Scheme (CLCS) and the Agricultural Calamities and Solidarity Scheme (ACASS) with a view to cater for the loss incurred in terms of seeds, fungicides, fertilizers and other inputs. In respect of sugar cane planters, a rapid assessment has been carried out by the Mauritius Cane Industry Authority and no major damage has been noted. However, compensation for damage, if any, would be dealt with by the Sugar Insurance Fund Board at the end of the harvest period.

Cabinet has further taken note of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre operations in connection with the rainy event on 23 April 2021.

The National Emergency Operations Command (NEOC) Level II since 21 April 2021 was on-going with deployment of the Police, the Special Mobile Force, the National Coast Guard, the Special Supporting Unit and the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service. Special prepositioning of composite teams at several regions were effected as from 04 00 hours on 23 April 2021, including special patrols during the night by the Special Mobile Force along the south-east coastal road and the National Coast Guard along the southern coastal roads. All road networks were practicable. No evacuees were reported.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 18:37:56|Editor: huaxia

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An event marking the Anzac Day is held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia, April 25, 2021. Australia has paused to pay tribute to those who have served the country in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. Thousands of people across the country on Sunday morning attended dawn services to mark Anzac Day, the national day of remembrance for troops in Australia and New Zealand. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)

CANBERRA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Australia has paused to pay tribute to those who have served the country in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Thousands of people across the country on Sunday morning attended dawn services to mark Anzac Day, the national day of remembrance for troops in Australia and New Zealand.

It is the first time Australians have been able to gather publicly on Anzac Day since 2019 after services were limited in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"This time last year, like so many other times in our history, we faced a defining moment as a nation, a moment of uncertainty and danger, when the future seems so uncertain, masked by fog," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a crowd of thousands at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Sunday marked the 106th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli in World War I, during which more than 8,000 Australians were killed.

Morrison used his speech to thank the more than 39,000 Australians who have served in the country's "longest war" in the Middle East.

It comes after he announced in April that all Australian troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan by September after 20 years.

Similar activities were held in some other Australian cities as well. Enditem
Indonesian Navy's ships at the Tanjung Wangi port as the search continues for the missing KRI Nanggala-402 submarine in Banyuwangi, East Java Province, Indonesia, on April 25, 2021. (Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana/Reuters)

Indonesia Declares 53 Crew of Lost Submarine Dead After Wreckage Found

DENPASARA missing Indonesian submarine has been found, broken into at least three parts, deep in the Bali Sea, army and navy officials said on April 25, as the Indonesian president sent condolences to relatives of the 53 crew.

Rescuers found new objects, including a life vest, that they believe belong to those aboard the 44-year-old KRI Nanggala-402, which lost contact on April 21 as it prepared to conduct a torpedo drill.

Based on the evidence, it can be stated that the KRI Nanggala has sunk and all of its crew have died, military chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto told reporters.

Navy chief of staff Yudo Margono said the crew were not to blame for the accident.

The KRI Nanggala is divided into three parts, the hull of the ship, the stern of the ship, and the main parts are all separated, with the main part found cracked, he said.

President Joko Widodo earlier confirmed the discovery in the Bali Sea and sent the families of the victims his condolences.

All of us Indonesians express our deep sorrow over this tragedy, especially to the families of the submarine crew.

An Indonesian navy patrol ship returns after a search operation for submarine KRI Nanggala that went missing while participating in a training exercise on April 21, off Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, on April 25, 2021. (Achmad Ibrahim/AP Photo)

Search teams said on April 24 that they had found objects including prayer mat fragments and a bottle of periscope lubricant near the submarines last known location, leading the navy to believe the vessel had cracked.

Margono said on April 24 that a sonar scan had detected a submarine-like object at 850 metres (2,790 feet), beyond the Nanggalas diving range.

More than a dozen helicopters and ships are searching the area where contact was lost, with the United States, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and India providing assistance.

Residents of the East Java town of Banyuwangi, which hosts the naval base from where search and rescue operations are being conducted, joined nationwide calls to accelerate the modernization of Indonesias defense forces.

This can be a learning point for the government to advance its military technology and be careful in how it uses its [existing] technology, because its peoples lives are at stake, said 29-year-old resident Hein Ferdy Sentoso.

Members of the Indonesian navy hold a morning briefing on their ship before the search for submarine KRI Nanggala that went missing while participating in a training exercise on Wednesday, off Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, on April 25, 2021. (Achmad Ibrahim/AP Photo)

Southeast Asias most populous country has sought to revamp its military capability, yet some equipment is still old, and there have been fatal accidents in recent years.

Indonesia had five submarines before the latest accident: two German-built Type 209s including Nanggala and three newer South Korean vessels.

By Nilufar Rizki and Sultan Anshori
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An additional 9,255 people received their first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria

on Saturday.

This brings the total number of vaccinated people in the country to 1,167, 837.

As of today, April 24, 1, 167, 837 eligible Nigerians have so far been vaccinated with first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) said on Twitter Saturday evening.

According to the data, Lagos, the epicentre of the disease in Nigeria, takes the lead with 226,993 persons already vaccinated.

This is followed by Kaduna with 60,659 persons vaccinated, Kano  60,258, FCT  57,190 and Ogun with 53,465vaccinated persons.

Nigeria has recorded over 160,000 infections and 2,061 fatalities from the COVID-19 virus. The country has, however, recorded no death from the virus in the past 12 days.

The Nigerian government had said it plans 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 in four phases.

The current phase of vaccination covers health workers and other frontline workers although Nigerians from other groups are also getting vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the head of NPHCDA, Faisal Shuaib, said the inoculation of frontline health workers in some states has been completed, and attention has shifted to older adults, aged 65 and above.

Mr Shuaib urged everyone to get vaccinated when they can, saying the vaccine is safe and efficacious.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual state of the nation address at The Federal Assembly at The Manezh Exhibition Hall in Moscow on April 21, 2021. (ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Putin: Unfriendly Embassies May Face Russian Hiring Bans

MOSCOWRussian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing the country to limit the number of Russians employed at embassies of countries determined to be unfriendly, or to ban their employment entirely.

The measure, announced by the Kremlin on Friday, comes amid a flurry of expulsions of Russian diplomats from the United States and European countries and Moscows retaliatory expulsions.

The decree directs the government to draw up a list of countries determined to be unfriendly. It would affect not only those countries embassies, but consular offices and offices of state institutions.

The United States last week expelled 10 Russian diplomats in connection with interference in the 2020 U.S. presidential election and for involvement in the SolarWinds hack of federal agencies.

An information board on the building of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Slovakia is seen, in downtown Bratislava, on April 22, 2021. (Vladimir Simicek/AFP via Getty Images)

The Czech Republic last week expelled 18 Russian envoys they labeled as spies, prompting Russia to send 20 Czech diplomats home. That devastated Czech Embassy operations in Moscow, prompting Czech authorities on Thursday to order 63 more Russian diplomats to leave so that both countries had the same number of staff in their respective embassies.

Poland last week said it was expelling three Russians and Moscow expelled five in retaliation. The Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia ordered a total of four Russian envoys to leave.
(Newser)  Three Michigan State University scientists have been let in on a secret that has persisted since 1879: the location of buried glass bottles that make up an experiment that has gone on for more than a centuryand will likely continue until the dawn of a new century. NPR reports on the experiment started in the late 19th century by botanist William Beal, who had a question: How long do seeds stay viable underground? It likely originated from a real-world headache: If farmers regularly weeded their plots, how long would weeds keep popping up due to seeds already present in the dirt? To get at an answer, he buried 20 glass bottles that contained sand and 50 seeds from each of 21 different weed species, explains MSU plant biology professor Frank Telewski, the current caretaker of the experiment.

story continues below

Beal returned to the location known only to him every five years, dug up a bottle, and determined whether the seeds inside would still germinate. He handed off the experiment to a colleague in 1910, and over the years the intervals at which a bottle was unearthed were extended to every 10 and then every 20 years. The New York Times reports that only one seed is still reliably germinating: Verbascum blattaria. About half those seeds in the bottle dug up in 2000 sprouted. This year, Telewski looped three younger colleagues in on the secret. Marjorie Weber was one of them, and marveled at finding the bottle. "The last person to touch it was professor Beal, 140 years ago, you know, this person who was writing letters to Darwin," she says. Once back in the lab, the seeds were scattered onto potting soil, and they're now just waiting. Four bottles remain buried, meaning the last will likely be put to the test in the year 2100. (Read more science experiment stories.)
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are one of Hollywood's hottest couples, but the Gossip Girl star joked she may have found someone 'better.'

The 33-year-old actress trolled her husband in a social media post celebrating longtime pal Gigi Hadid's 26th birthday.

'Happy Birthday @gigihadid... I think you and I make a much better couple,' she captioned a snap of the three on her Instagram Story.

Trolling: Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are one of Hollywood's hottest couples, but the Gossip Girl star jokes she may have found someone 'better.' The 33-year-old actress trolled her longtime husband in an social media post celebrating Gigi Hadid's twenty-sixth birthday

The photo was taken when the group attended their friend Taylor Swift's Reputation tour in 2018.

In another slide, Lively shared some throwback footage of Hadid busting a move in the audience of the concert.

'Too bad youre just super hot and no fun at all. Birthday girl got allllll the goods,' she quipped on top of the clip of her dancing to Taylor's King Of My Heart.

The supermodel reposted the Story in response, sharing her reaction to the dig: 'BAHA ily B.'

'Better couple': 'Happy Birthday @gigihadid... I think you and I make a much better couple,' she captioned a snap of the three on her Instagram Story

'Super hot': In another slide, Lively shared some throwback footage of Hadid busting a move in the audience of their friend Taylor Swift's concert. 'Too bad youre just super hot and no fun at all. Birthday girl got allllll the goods,' she quipped

Blake and Ryan, 44, are often seen seen playfully taking jabs at each other on their respective social media accounts.

The most recent occurrence was earlier this month when the Deadpool actor tried to turn their Covid-19 vaccine outfits into a competition.

After receiving substantial teasing for his pink beanie, the star asked fans to compare his look with a photo of his wife from the film The Rhythm Section, in which she wore a blue beanie and looked uncharacteristically grungy.

'Who did it better?' he teased, while the poll results were nearly divided down the middle with 52 percent of votes cast in his favor, just four percent more than Lively.

Teasing: Blake and Ryan, 44, are frequently seen playfully taking jabs at each other on their respective social media accounts. The most recent occurrence was earlier this month when the Deadpool actor tried to turn their Covid-19 vaccine outfits into a competition

Poll: After receiving substantial teasing for his pink beanie, the star asked fans to compare his look with a photo of his wife from the film The Rhythm Section, in which she wore a blue beanie and looked uncharacteristically grungy

Upon discovering his post, Blake shared a screenshot of the same poll to her own account with a sassy caption.

'...my husband tryin' to troll me, while he's lookin' like a Bernie meme and Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou had a hot a** offspring,' she wrote over the poll. 'Good luck with this one.'

On Valentine's Day, the Free Guy performer referred to his wife as his 'forever Valentine for the foreseeable future.'

She responded with a clip of him coloring her hair with the caption: 'That time I f*d my hairdresser.'

Playful jabs: On Valentine's Day, the Free Guy performer referred to his wife as his 'forever Valentine for the foreseeable future.' She responded with a clip of him coloring her hair with the caption: ' That time I f*d my hairdresser'; the couple are seen in 2019

Bday mocking: In October, the Shallows starlet mocked her hubby for his choice of birthday celebrations: on Instagram: '1) Who is the lost soul that selects birthday PIE. 2) What ANIMAL eats their cake (pie) without first blowing out the candles. @vancityreynolds thats who'

In October, the Shallows starlet mocked her hubby for how he chose to spend his birthday.

'1) Who is the lost soul that selects birthday PIE. 2) What ANIMAL eats their cake (pie) without first blowing out the candles. @vancityreynolds thats who,' she captioned Instagram photos of his celebratory treat. 'Happy Birthday. I honestly cant believe were still married.'

As they continue their good-natured back-and-forth, a source revealed in December that the couple are 'more committed to their marriage' than ever.

'Blake and Ryan have had their ups and downs like any couple, but overall, theyre very solid. They enjoy being parents more than anything. When Ryan is shooting a movie, Blake and the kids always come with him, the same goes for Blake. They like to keep their family together as much as possible,' the insider exclusively told Us Weekly.

The A-listers met while filming the 2011 superhero flop Green Lantern and wed in September 2012. They share three daughters: James, six, Inez, four, and Betty, 18 months.
Lucknow, April 25 : The Islamic Madrasa Modernization Teachers Association of India has written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seeking conversion of all of the state madrasas into Covid facilities.

They have offered the services of teachers as corona warriors in the field.

The letter states that the decision was taken in view of the bed crisis for Covid-19 patients in the state and country.

"There are several madrasas in each district which can be converted into Covid facilities. Madrasa teachers are willing to work as covid warriors too, so their services can be used for the state and the country," the letter stated.

The teachers' association has said that madrasa teachers are also ready to work as Covid warriors to save lives of people and be of any other use in the crisis to the government.

The request sent to the chief minister is awaiting a response but the association is hopeful the space and service from them can be helpful to society at large.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coastal day-trippers could have a long drive home this evening, with many of the main routes from popular beauty spots reported to be very busy.

Traffic is heavy on roads around Kinsale, while there are long delays on the N71 from Bandon to Innishannon.

Roads are also busy further west, with delays reported around Clonakilty.

Traffic in East Cork is also busy in places, with traffic on the N25 slow towards Midleton from Castlemartyr.
Grace Church School head denies criticizing school's curriculum as 'demonizing white people'

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The head of a private Episcopal school in Manhattan has denied that he ever acknowledged that his school has adopted a curriculum demonizing white people for being born.

The Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, a new organization formed this past Martin Luther King Jr. Day, made public a March 2 conversation between Grace Church School Head George P. Davison and Paul Rossi, a teacher at the school who has since been relieved from his position after writing an op-ed criticizing the schools new curriculum, which he described as a repressive ideology.

The conversation was made public after Davison informed the Grace Church School community of Rossi's dismissal. He also denied making comments that Rossi had attributed to him in an email.

Davison disputed quotes Rossi attributed to him in an email he sent to the head of the school earlier in the day after he circulated a letter announcing Rossis dismissal. According to the New York Post, Davison told Rossi in a Monday email that You misquoted me and attributed to me things that I had never said nor would never say to the press.

Grace Church School serves 770 students in Junior Kindergarten-Grade 12. A years tuition at the school costs more than $57,000.

I think theres something very different about having a single experience where you make sense of it, and having a teacher, an authority figure, talk to you endlessly, every year, telling you, that because you have whiteness, you are associated with evils, all these different evils, Rossi told Davidson in the conversation, which was released on Twitter Tuesday. These are moral evils, its not the same as taking  a physical thing, because it doesnt affect  your moral value. Thats the problem.

Davison responded, The fact is, that Im agreeing with you, that there has been a demonization that we need to get our hands around, in the way in which people are doing this understanding.

Rossi then asked Davison if he agreed that were demonizing kids.

Grace Church says Paul Rossi misquoted him. It doesn't sound like it. Listen to these clips:https://t.co/laExNH21rUpic.twitter.com/2wEF6hAkF4  Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR) (@fairforall_org) April 20, 2021

Were demonizing white people for being born, Davison acknowledged.

When Rossi inquired as to whether some of the schools students were white people, Davison answered in the affirmative.

Were demonizing white kids. Why dont you just say it? Rossi asked.

We are using language that makes them feel less than, for nothing that they are personally responsible for, Davison said. He then indicated to Rossi that he had grave doubts about some of the stuff that gets spouted at us, in the name of antiracism.

When asked to elaborate, Davison expressed concern about the demonization of being white  and the attempt to link anybody whos white to the perpetuation of white supremacy.

Rossi further warned that advocates of antiracist curriculum were going to hollow out Grace and theyre gonna move on to the next institution. To which, Davison responded, I think that theyve hollowed out a bunch of other ones ahead of us.

Rossis dismissal comes in the wake of his April 13 op-ed titled, I Refuse to Stand By While My Students Are Indoctrinated. According to Rossi, children are afraid to challenge the repressive ideology that rules our school. Thats why I am.

My school, like so many others, induces students via shame and sophistry to identify primarily with their race before their individual identities are fully formed, he lamented. Students are pressured to conform their opinions to those broadly associated with their race and gender to minimize or dismiss individual experiences that dont match those assumptions.

The morally compromised status of oppressor is assigned to one group of students based on their immutable characteristics. In the meantime, dependency, resentment, and moral superiority are cultivated in students considered oppressed, Rossi added.

Rossi noted that he raised questions about this ideology at a mandatory, whites-only student and faculty Zoom meeting. He alleged that his questions were shared outside this forum, which led to him facing a reprimand for acting like an independent agent of a set of principles or ideas or beliefs as opposed to acting on behalf of the greater good and higher truth.

A few days later, the head of school ordered all high school advisors to read a public reprimand of my conduct out loud to every student in the school, Rossi recalled.

In an April 18 letter, Davison informed the Grace Church School community that Rossi had been relieved of his teaching duties and will not be returning in the fall. He cited the school communitys response to Rossis lapses in professionalism, his conduct during the Feb. 24 meeting, and the decisions that he has made sense as the reasons for his dismissal.

We find it regrettable that Paul Rossi chose to air his grievances with the school in the press, especially with an account that contains glaring omissions and accuracies, Davison wrote. On Monday, one day after Davison sent out the letter informing the school community of Rossis dismissal, Rossi wrote an email to the head of school pushing back on that contention.

Rossi took issue with Davisons choice to reaffirm Graces commitment to antiracism as consistent with our identity and mission, reminding him of the statements he made during their March 2 conversation. He suggested that Davisons refusal to admit to making the statements stems from the fact that he knows exactly what happens to people who do raise such concerns. It is what is happening to me right now, he added.

Reacting to Davisons allegation that he chose to air his grievances with the school in the press, Rossi insisted that speaking publicly about this was hardly my first choice.

Over the course of several years, I have made my specific concerns clear, not only to you, but the head of the high school, and the assistant head, he explained.

"These concerns centered on the impact of this doctrinaire ideology on our students," Rossi continued. "Even when I have simply tried to expose our students to alternative points of view in the classroom, I have been repeatedly shut down. The schools response to my efforts to raise these concerns internally left me no choice but to speak about them publicly.

As The Christian Post previously reported, Grace Church Schools new Inclusive Language Guide sparked considerable backlash for advising students and staff to avoid using terms such as boys and girls, mom and dad, and even Happy Holidays. Instead, members of the Grace Church School community were encouraged to use gender-neutral terms such as people and parents and embrace the phrase have a great break over Happy Holidays.

The guide also rejects the idea that people can be colorblind as it pertains to race, arguing that we see the skin tones of people and assumptions are made about how someone identifies racially. Additionally, the guide includes a glossary of identity and shared value terms including antiracism, equity, institutional racism, intersectionality, microagression and race.
MASON CITY, Iowa  COVID-19 vaccinations will be offered to veterans, their spouses, and veteran caregivers ages 18 and above at the Mason City Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).

Appointments to receive the Moderna vaccine will be available from 12:30 to 4 pm on Monday and 8:30 am to 4 pm on Tuesday.

This opportunity is open to all who were recently made eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs after the SAVE LIVES Act that was signed into law by President Biden on March 24, 2021. This includes those Veterans who were unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from the VA due to previous eligibility criteria. Non-enrolled Veterans are required to bring in their DD214 and fill out the 1010EZ form. For those Veteran spouses/caregivers interested in receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine through the VA, you are encouraged to download the SAVE LIVES Vaccination Worksheet.

Please call the Mason City CBOC at (641) 494-5000 to be scheduled for an appointment.
Mayfield Man Arrested on Counterfeiting Charge

By West Kentucky Star Staff

responded to a local business after a report that a man was paying with a counterfeit bill. Officers identified the man as Ronald Dieck. Police said Dieck was also found in possession of illegal drugs.



Dieck was arrested and lodged in the Graves County Jail. He's charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to notify the Department of Transportation of an address change.

MAYFIELD - A counterfeit currency investigation led to a Mayfield man's arrest on Friday.The Mayfield Police Department said officers
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  The School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe has put together a new initiative to support intergenerational learning and creativity.

The institution developed SAR Learns!, which is aimed to inspire new work and assist with knowledge transmission specifically within the context of the ongoing pandemic.

The program will distribute $50,000, utilizing redirected grant funds, that will enable 16 artists to launch or complete a variety of proposed projects.

As the pandemic continued to progress over the course of the last year and opportunities to sell work continued to be limited, said Elysia Poon, director of SARs Indian Arts Research Center (IARC). It became increasingly apparent how much the artist community, especially the Native artist community, was struggling. From our conversations with artists, we saw how this, in addition to the stress of the pandemic impacting Native communities at higher rates, heightened the need to respond in a direct way.

According to Meredith Schweitzer, SAR director of public programs and communications, the idea stemmed from artists losing out on events such as Indian Market and the institution wanted to help.

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They asked all of our former SAR Native artists fellows to submit ideas for projects, Schweitzer said. They had a series of applications and they were able to fund all but one of the applications in some capacity. Being able to support the community is part of our mission.

The selected artists will be utilizing COVID-safe measures through the duration of their projects.

SARs IARC hosts three Native American artists each year for a residential fellowship. Over 80 artists have participated in these fellowships.

Poon said the new project is much needed.

The resiliency and strength of the artists and communities we work with is immense, Poon said. It is a true privilege to be able to support so many projects during these trying times, and we are thankful to our funders for their willingness to work with us to redirect our restricted programmatic funding to better assist and more immediately serve the current needs of Native artists.

The awardees are as follows:

 Venancio Aragon (Dine) will be creating a lending library of weaving materials, equipment and educational literature for the benefit of his community.

 Nanibaa Beck (Dine) will record interviews with her paternal relatives in Pinon, Arizona.

 Aric Chopito (Zuni Pueblo) will work with his twin sons to create a full-size Pueblo turkey-feather blanket.

 Brent Michael Davids (Stockbridge-Munsee Band of the Mohican Nation) will research and compose a new movement of his large work, Requiem for America. This new movement will focus on the Navajo Long Walk, as well as the genocidal exploits of Kit Carson.

 Max Early (Laguna Pueblo) will be working with a small group of Laguna community members, ages 5 to 85, on a pottery class.

 Jason Garcia (Santa Clara Pueblo/Tewa) will be working with his parents and teenage daughter to transfer the knowledge of pottery making within his family.

 Louie Garcia (Tiwa/Piro Pueblo) will be teaching a virtual Pueblo weaving class for roughly 10 pueblo youth to further expand the intergenerationality of Pueblo weaving traditions.

 Wayne Nez Gaussoin (Dine/Picuris Pueblo) will engage youth in oral history projects with their own families.

 Melissa Henry (Dine) will create a Navajo-language version of her film This Is a Hogan (originally in English) and also turn it into an e-book.

 Harold Littlebird (Laguna/Kewa Pueblos) will record his unpublished poetry into CD format, which will be his fourth recording.

 Estella Loretto (Jemez Pueblo) will be working with her daughter and granddaughter to create a piece that involves their thoughts about love, strength, family traditions, and values.

 Jonathan Loretto (Cochiti/Jemez Pueblos) will be working with multiple generations in his community to create a three-panel room divider that reflects the situation we currently face.

 Duane Maktima (Laguna Pueblo/Hopi) will be researching Southwest mosaic shell and beadwork jewelry.

 Nora Naranjo-Morse (Santa Clara Pueblo/Tewa) will create a series of five one-hour interviews, podcast style, to record the life experience of Pueblo elders who are teachers, artists, and thinkers.

 Ulysses Reid (Zia Pueblo) will be mentoring his daughter and niece in the process of making traditional Zia pottery.

 Kathleen Wall (Jemez Pueblo) will conduct community-based research on the historic events, cases, and trials relating to the land claim for the Valles Caldera.
A new study shows a disparity in the ranks of minorities in the health care workforce given how much of the general population they represent, and it suggests that making improvements could lead to high-paying careers for people who might be missing out on opportunities.

Just 12 percent of all South Carolina medical professionals identify themselves as Black, though they make up more than a quarter of the state's population, according to a report by the S.C. Office of Healthcare Workforce, a division of the state-funded Area Health Education Consortium.

Several of the selected professions are 90 percent White, the analysis shows, even though White people make up 64 percent of the state's population.

Certain other professions fare better, including licensed practical nurses, internal medicine physicians and psychiatrists, to name a few.

Katie Gaul, director of the office, said there is a strong economic argument for improving the diversity of the health care fields, where employment is relatively stable and which tend to pay higher average wages.

Also important from a medical perspective, Gaul said, is having equilibrium in race and ethnicity between patients and their care providers because people are sooner to trust someone who looks or speaks like them.

"It's that notion of concordance, that really helps promote communication and trust between the patient and the provider," she said.

Gaul said the office plans to research whether the divide holds true in rural parts of the state. It uses self-reported data collected from license applications and renewals submitted to the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

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The problem is not limited to South Carolina.

A study from George Washington University published March 31 looked at 10 health care professions and found Black, Hispanic, and Native American people were underrepresented in all of them.

The South Carolina brief made three key recommendations along those lines. First, more should be done to reach more students and encourage them to seek degrees or training in a health care profession. Second, colleges and universities should revisit their admissions policies and place greater weight on factors other than test scores. Third, researchers wrote that the diverse faculty at institutions of higher learning should receive full support.

Lara Hewitt, vice president of workforce and member engagement for the S.C. Hospital Association, said the COVID-19 pandemic strained the state's health workforce and exposed some of the existing staff shortages, especially at hospitals.

Also, the extra stress that came with the crisis has encouraged many workers to retire, Hewitt said. But she added that schools have reported surging enrollment numbers for health care courses.

"Now is when we really need all these people coming into health care," she said.

Hewitt said students often choose to go into the profession because they are exposed to the health sciences in school. She added expanding the pipeline could be as simple as connecting schools with the right mentors.

"There are accessible pathways," she said. "You can fund your education locally, you can do your education locally and you can work locally."
Ms. Ruel managed to get the Pfizer dose at yet another Walgreens the next day. But she said many people in her situation probably wouldnt have tried so hard. All you need is hassles like this, she said.

In the Chicago area, for example, pharmacists at two Walgreens locations said the problem was causing headaches. They said that Walgreens appointment system was sending each pharmacy anywhere from 10 to 20 customers a week who need a second Pfizer shot, even though both pharmacies stock only the Moderna vaccine.

It is not clear how widespread the Walgreens dose-matching problem has been or how many people have missed their second doses because of it.

Jim Cohn, a spokesman for Walgreens, said that the problem affected a small percentage of people who had booked their appointments online and that the company contacted them to reschedule in alignment with our vaccine availability. He said that nearly 95 percent of people who got their first shot at Walgreens have also received their second shots from the company.

Walgreens has also come under fire for, until recently, scheduling second doses of the Pfizer vaccine four weeks after the first shot, rather than the three-week gap recommended by the C.D.C. Pharmacists have been besieged by customers complaining, including about their inability to book vaccine appointments online.

In other cases, though, access to vaccines is not the sole barrier; peoples attitudes contribute, too.

Basith Syed, a 24-year-old consultant in Chicago, nabbed a leftover Moderna vaccine at a Walgreens in mid-February. But when the time came for his second shot, he was busy at work and preparing for his wedding. After the first shot, he had spent two days feeling drained. He didnt want to risk a repeat, and he felt confident that a single dose would protect him.
They opened extra mass hubs this week, but those clinics make no difference to somebody who cant get to Jeffs Shed anyway or has complex medical needs, she said. The doses should be distributed to general practices like ours. The troubling disparity in vaccine supply has emerged again a day after COVID-19 logistics chief Jeroen Weimar revealed the state was delivering only a fraction of the vaccines it was capable of despite six state-run mass vaccination hubs now open to the public. Fewer than 150 people had received a vaccination at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre by lunchtime on Saturday. The site is set up to vaccinate 5000 people each day. Mr Weimar told Victorians aged over 70 on Saturday it was your duty to get vaccinated, either with their GP or at a large-scale centre.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Karen Prices own clinic is also having to put patients on vaccine waiting lists. Weve got a clinic of 20 doctors and nurse vaccinators with 10,000 patients and were getting 50 doses a week, the Melbourne GP said. The very elderly and those with chronic complex conditions want to go to their own doctor, which is completely understandable. This remains a big problem. There is a real gap. Other medical practices with only one nurse vaccinator and fewer patients were getting vastly more doses, Dr Price said. Weve got a whole floor downstairs that can be used as a vaccination clinic, but we just dont have the supply, she said.

Melbourne woman Berenice de Silva, who is one of Dr Humes patients, relies on her walker to move around. She has been put on the waitlist for September after opting against travelling to a mass clinic. The thought of having to travel to one of those big clinics makes me feel stressed because with my mobility issues, its almost impossible for me, Ms de Silva said. The process is also a little frightening. There has been a lot of talk on the television about the risks ... I would prefer Sarah, who knows me well and always puts me at ease, to be there when it happens. Meanwhile, GP Nathan Pinskier, who runs six clinics, had more than 700 vaccine doses in the fridge last week. About 400 doses were delivered to his Bentleigh medical centre, but only about 50 doses to his Clayton clinic. About 250 people were vaccinated at the Bentleigh clinic in the past few days, a third of whom were patients from Clayton. At some of his other clinics, including one in Chadstone, patients over 70 are on month-long waitlist for their vaccines.

Demand for the vaccine has also plummeted at his clinics following reports of six Australian cases of very rare blood clots associated with the AstraZeneca, including a 48-year-old woman who died in a NSW hospital earlier this month. Last week, many people cancelled their jabs or did not show up for appointments, prompting Dr Pinskiers staff to send out text messages to patients. The interest was almost non-existent, Dr Pinskier said. We followed up with phone calls to ask them whether they received the SMS because we had received virtually no response and we thought there was a problem with the technology. Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid backed a system like the influenza vaccination program where medical practices could order more doses if they required them. He said GP clinics which had demonstrated that they could use their allocation should be prioritised. A federal Health Department spokeswoman said general practice would continue to be the primary model of vaccine delivery for Australians over 50.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (File Photo)

Berlin [Germany], April 25 (ANI): Expressing solidarity with the people of India amid the record surge in COVID-19 cases, German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday said that they are preparing a "mission to support" to aid India's fight against the pandemic.

"To the people of India I want to express my sympathy on the terrible suffering that COVID-19 has again brought over your communities. The fight against the pandemic is our common fight. Germany stands in solidarity with India and is urgently preparing a mission of support," Merkel said in a message shared on Twitter by her spokesperson Steffen Seibert.

India recorded 3,49,691 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike since the pandemic broke out last year. According to the Union Health Ministry, the country has recorded 2,767 new deaths due to COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

Merkel's show of support comes days after her criticism of the slowdown of vaccine exports from India against the backdrop of a record spike in coronavirus infections in the country.

Earlier today, the European Union (EU) has said it will do its utmost to support India, amid a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country which has led to shortage of hospital beds and medical-grade oxygen in some parts of the country.

"The EU together with its Member States will do its utmost to support India in this difficult moment," said Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India and Bhutan.

Janez Lenarcic, the European Emergency Response Coordinator today informed that the EU has activated its Civil Protection Mechanism to help India with the COVID-19 crisis.

As India announced a grim record -- the highest daily coronavirus infection tallies in a single country, several US lawmakers have voiced their concerns and have heaped pressure on the Biden administration to extend assistance, release vaccines and other raw materials critical for India.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday had said that the US is working closely with its partners in the Indian government to deploy more supplies and additional support amid the spike in COVID-19 infections in the country.

Several other countries including Iran, Russia, Australia, Bhutan, and the EU have extended support to India. (ANI)
Indonesia says missing submarine found, all 53 crew killed The search for the KRI Nanggala submarine involved warships and reconnaissance aircraft

All 53 crew aboard an Indonesian submarine that disappeared last week were killed, the military said Sunday as it confirmed the vessel had been found in pieces on the seafloor.

Authorities said that they picked up signals early Sunday from a location more than 800 metres (2,600 feet) deep -- far below what the KRI Nanggala 402's steel hull was built to withstand.

They had used an underwater submarine rescue vehicle supplied by neighbouring Singapore to get visual confirmation of the stricken vessel.

"It was broken into three pieces," said Navy Chief of Staff Yudo Margono.

More parts from the doomed submarine were also retrieved, including an anchor and fluorescent orange safety suits for emergencies, authorities said.

The discovery comes a day after the navy had first confirmed the retrieval of fragments from the submarine and declared that it had sunk, effectively ending any chance of finding survivors.

Among the earlier items recovered were a piece of the torpedo system and a bottle of grease used to lubricate periscopes.

They also found a prayer mat commonly used in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation.

Warships, planes and hundreds of military personnel had led a frantic search for the submarine since it disappeared this week during training exercises, hoping for a miracle rescue before its known oxygen reserves ran out.

But on Sunday, Indonesian military head Hadi Tjahjanto said there was no chance of finding any of the crew alive.

"With deep sadness, I can say that all 53 personnel onboard have passed," he told reporters.

- 'Folding accordion' -

Relatives of First Lieutenant Muhammad Imam Adi, a 29-year-old father of a young son, clung to hope earlier Sunday.

"My wish now is that my son and all the crew can be found," Adi's father Edy Sujianto said from his home on Java island.

"My son had wanted to become a soldier since he was a child. That was his dream."

Story continues

President Joko Widodo described the sailors as Indonesia's "best patriots".

"All Indonesians convey their deep sadness over this incident, especially to the families of the submarine crew," he said.

Authorities have not given an explanation for the accident, but said that the submarine may have suffered a blackout that left its crew unable to resurface.

They discounted an explosion, however, saying Saturday that the evidence suggested the submarine came apart as it was crushed by massive water pressure in the vast depths.

"Submarine hulls are pressurised... but when they're breached then water would come flooding inside," said Wisnu Wardhana, a maritime expert at Indonesia's Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology.

"Can you imagine if water with that kind of pressure hits people?"

Retired French vice-admiral Jean-Louis Vichot earlier told AFP that a submarine's hull could collapse "like a folding accordion" if it hits depths way beyond its limits.

- Salvage operation -

Any salvage operation would be risky and difficult, navy chief Margono said.

"We'll discuss it to make a decision on how to lift the submarine in this condition," he said Sunday.

"I want to lift it, but how do we bring it up from (these depths)?"

Neighbouring Malaysia, as well as the United States, India and Australia, were among the nations helping in the hunt.

Search vessels, reconnaissance aircraft and submarine rescue ships had been deployed to scour a zone of about 10 square nautical miles (34 square kilometres).

The submarine -- one of five in Indonesia's fleet -- disappeared early Wednesday while it was scheduled to do live torpedo training exercises off Bali.

The crew asked for permission to dive. It lost contact shortly after.

Later, search teams spotted an oil spill where the vessel was thought to have submerged, pointing to possible fuel-tank damage, and a catastrophic accident.

The submarine -- delivered to Indonesia in 1981 -- was seaworthy, the military said.

The model has been used by more than a dozen navies around the world.

But investigators would look at the Indonesian submarine's age as a potential factor, analysts have said.

The disaster was among a string of fatal submarine accidents over the past few decades.

Among the worst was the 2000 sinking of the Kursk, the pride of Russia's Northern Fleet.

That submarine was on manoeuvres in the Barents Sea when it sank with the loss of all 118 aboard. An inquiry found a torpedo had exploded, detonating all the others.

Most of its crew died instantly but some survived for several days before suffocating.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin may hold a summit with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden in June, a top Kremlin aide said on April 25.

Biden earlier this month proposed a face-to-face meeting with the Russian leader amid spiraling tensions between the two countries.

The Kremlin has suggested it views the summit offer positively and initial discussions with Washington are under way.

Putin's top foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov, said that a final decision on the meeting had not been made but it could happen in June.

"June is being named, there are even concrete dates," Ushakov said on state-run television channel Rossiya-1.

"We will take a decision depending on many factors," said Ushakov, a former Russian ambassador to the United States.

Separately on April 25, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the summit proposal has been positively perceived and is being considered now.

A June meeting could potentially coincide with Bidens planned trip that month to Britain for a G7 summit and the NATO and EU summits in Brussels. The White House has said any Biden-Putin summit would likely be held in a neutral country in Europe, with both Austria and Finland expressing interest in hosting the two leaders.

Tensions between Russia and the United States have continued to worsen over the conflict in Ukraine, new sanctions on Moscow over alleged cyberattacks and election interference, the status of jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny, and a host of other issues.

In March, Russia was enraged after Biden agreed when asked in an interview if he thought Putin was a "killer," prompting Moscow to recall its ambassador to Washington for consultations.

U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan returned to the United States this week for consultations after Moscow recommended that he temporarily leave.

That came as Russia this month declared 10 employees at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to be personae non gratae in what it called a "mirror" response to Washington's expulsion of 10 Russian diplomats and wide-ranging sanctions as it moved to hold the Kremlin accountable for actions against the United States and its interests.

Biden has repeatedly stated that while he will be tough on Russia over any hostile policies, he is also seeking to cooperate where the two sides have mutual interests. This includes on such issues as nuclear proliferation, climate change, the Iran nuclear deal, North Korea, and fostering peace and stability in Afghanistan.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and TASS
(@FahadShabbir)

The first cases of the new Indian strain of coronavirus have been reported in the Czech Republic and Switzerland on Saturday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th April, 2021) The first cases of the new Indian strain of coronavirus have been reported in the Czech Republic and Switzerland on Saturday.

"The Indian strain of COVID-19 has been detected in the town of Hradec Kralove, where it appears to have been brought by a student from India," Czech Health Minister Petr Arenberger told reporters.

The official added that all contacts of the student had been traced, which prevented the new strain from spreading.

The Federal Office of Public Health of Switzerland (FOPH) reported the new strain on the same day.

"The first case of the Indian variant of COVID-19 was discovered in Switzerland.

We are talking about a passenger who had arrived through a transit airport," FOPH said on Twitter.

The agency noted that consultations were underway whether India should be added to the list of epidemiologically unsafe countries.

Earlier in the week, Vinod Scaria, a researcher at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research's Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology in New Delhi, said that a new strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus had been found in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. The strain, called B.1.618, is a triple mutant variant, which is believed to be more infectious.
Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, signs "Idas law", a new law requires the state to coordinate with feds to gather information and data about missing and murdered Indigenous people in Oklahoma.
Maggie Green was raised among horses in a southwestern Pennsylvania mountain valley. She died among horses, too, along with 13 other people during Sunday's bridge collapse in Oklahoma.

Green, a professional barrel horse racer who had lived in San Antonio for more than 20 years, was driving a truck with fellow barrel racer Gail Shanahan, 49, when their vehicle and a trailer with four horses crashed into the Arkansas River.

An out-of-control barge had struck the Interstate 40 bridge in Oklahoma, knocking out a 500-foot section of highway and sending about a dozen vehicles plunging 62 feet into the river.

It was Green's 47th birthday.

"It was really hard to believe that my sister was on the bridge," said Green's sister, Pauline King of Boswell, Somerset County. "I saw the news on Monday morning and I said, 'Look at all those poor people.' And then about two hours later, I learned my sister was on the bridge."

Green was one of six children raised in a home along Route 711, south of Ligonier. King said she last saw her sister at their father's funeral in July.

Green, a 1973 graduate of Ligonier Valley High School, married her high school sweetheart, Ray Green of Latrobe, shortly after graduation.

"It's quite devastating on all of us," King said. "It was hard to grasp at first.  We understand it was an accident and there's not anything we could have done."

In recent years, the couple raised and trained horses at their ranch in San Antonio.

Green's husband and their daughter, Tracey Abbott, 28, and two granddaughters, Kelcey, 4, and Kacey, 2, were waiting at the ranch Sunday for a birthday celebration.

The family planned a memorial service Saturday at the Church of Christ in Floresville, Texas.

The San Antonio Barrel Racing Association plans to hold a service for both Green and Shanahan on Monday night at the Rose Palace in San Antonio.

Green also is survived by three brothers, Franklin M. of Washington, Pa., Howard of Ligonier, and Karl T. Glessner of Punxsutawney; and a sister, Wanda Miller of San Antonio.
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India's surging Covid second wave still has two weeks to run before it reaches the peak of 500,000 infections a day, a senior virologist has warned as the country set a world record for daily infections for a fourth day in a row.

Shahid Jameel, director of biosciences at Ashoka University, said virus models suggest case numbers will continue to rise despite vaccination efforts.

India recorded 349,661 infections and 2,767 deaths in the past 24 hours, with hospitals across the country turning away desperate patients after running out of oxygen.

The figures are thought to be even higher due to limited testing capacity and the US and Pakistan have offered to assist with sending medical supplies.

Dr Jameel told The Sunday Times: 'You will find two, sometimes three patients in one bed in some government hospitals. I've never ever seen anything like this.'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: 'Our hearts go out to the Indian people in the midst of the horrific COVID-19 outbreak. We are working closely with our partners in the Indian government, and we will rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India and India's health care heroes.'

India's rival Pakistan has also offered to send essential medical supplies to its neighbouring country in a gesture of solidarity.

India has set a world record for the highest number of daily Covid infections for a fourth day in the row with 349,691 infections as the country struggles to contain the surging second wave

People cremate the bodies of victims of the disease at a crematorium ground in New Delhi on Saturday amid thousands of ne Covid deaths

Family members stand in a queue to refill medical oxygen cylinders for coronavirus patients at an oxygen refile station amid shortages

A woman receives oxygen inside a car provided by a Gurdwara, a Sikh house of worship, in Delhi on Saturday

An oxygen tank is loaded into an aircraft to supply hospitals in India running out of supplies amid the huge second wave

The United States has faced criticism in India for its export controls on raw materials for vaccines put in place via the Defense Production Act and an associated export embargo in February.

The Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's biggest vaccine maker, this month urged U.S. President Joe Biden to lift the embargo on U.S. exports of raw materials that is hurting its production of AstraZeneca shots.

Others such as U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi urged the Biden administration to release unused vaccines to India. 'When people in India and elsewhere desperately need help, we can't let vaccines sit in a warehouse, we need to get them where they'll save lives,' he said.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that as a gesture of solidarity with the people of India, it has offered to provide relief support including ventilators, oxygen supply kits, digital X-ray machines, PPEs and and related items.

It said authorities of both countries can work out modalities for a quick delivery of the items and can also explore possible ways of further cooperation to mitigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The offer came a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan in a tweet prayed for the "speedy recovery of the Indian people affected by the virus."

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says Pakistan, believing in a policy of humanity first, made the offer to India and is awaiting a response.

In the last month alone, daily cases have gone up eight times and deaths by ten times in India.

People were arranging stretchers and oxygen cylinders outside hospitals as they desperately pleaded for authorities to take patients in, Reuters photographers said.

'Every day, it the same situation, we are left with two hours of oxygen, we only get assurances from the authorities,' one doctor said on television.

The surge is expected to peak in mid-May with the daily count of infections reaching half a million, the Indian Express said citing an internal government assessment.

V.K. Paul, a COVID-task force leader, made the presentation during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state chief ministers and said that the health infrastructure in heavily populated states is not adequate enough to cope, according to the newspaper.

The surge is expected to peak in mid-May with the daily count of infections reaching half a million, the Indian Express said citing an internal government assessment

People wearing face masks wait to be vaccinated at the Madhyamgram Rural Hospital in Kolkata

Relatives of a person who died of the infectious disease perform rituals at the confluence of rivers Ganges and Yamuna in Prayagraj

Experts said India became complacent in the winter, when new cases were running at about 10,000 a day and seemed to be under control. Authorities lifted restrictions, allowing for the resumption of big gatherings.

India's current fatality rate per 100,000 cases is 1.14 per cent, meaning if the nation reaches this anticipated peak there is the potential for 5,700 deaths per day.

At least 20 coronavirus patients died overnight at New Delhi's Jaipur Golden Hospital on Friday as the 'oxygen pressure was low,' the hospital's medical superintendent Dr Baluja said.

He added: 'Our supply was delayed by seven-eight hours on Friday night and the stock we received last night is only 40 per cent of the required supply.'

Elsewhere, at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, some 25 Covid-19 patients died on Thursday with reports suggesting low oxygen supplies were again the cause of the fatalities.

As overburdened hospitals were forced to turn away patients, Indian Air Force planes and designated Oxygen Express trains were deployed in a bid to speed up the supply of this crucial medical gas.

Harrowing images from a makeshift crematorium in New Delhi on Saturday illustrated the extent of the pandemic in India, with Sky News correspondent Alex Crawford describing the situation as the 'tip of an iceberg' to a much larger crisis.

The crematorium was set up outside a hospital in the capital by desperate people who 'cannot cope' with the number of dead - and were forced to say goodbye to their loved ones in mass services at ad hoc sites.

As she spoke, men pulled firewood into the site, with Ms Crawford explaining the dead had been arriving at the crematorium 'virtually every second' amid what she described as a 'slightly chaotic' vaccine roll-out.

A man performs the last rites of his relative who died of the Covid-19 coronavirus disease as other funeral pyres are seen burning during a mass cremation in New Delhi

Medical staff and relatives help a Covid-19 coronavirus patient to get in a car at a hospital in New Delhi

Harrowing images from a makeshift crematorium in New Delhi today illustrated the extent of the pandemic in India, with Sky News correspondent Alex Crawford describing the situation as the 'tip of an iceberg' to a much larger crisis

The crematorium was set up outside a hospital in the capital by desperate people who 'cannot cope' with the number of dead - and were forced to say goodbye to their loved ones in mass services at ad hoc sites

India's current fatality rate per 100,000 cases is 1.14 per cent, meaning if the nation reaches this anticipated peak there is the potential for 5,700 deaths per day

It comes as the High Court in New Delhi, which is home to some 30million people, today met to impose a strict ruling that if anyone is found to be restricting oxygen supplies to hospitals they 'will be hanged'.

Delhi Chief Arvind Kejriwal had complained that desperately needed supplies were being obstructed on state borders before entering New Delhi, crucially delaying delivery to beleaguered hospitals.

Several medics have appealed for help on social media in recent days as the shortage worsened, with Max Healthcare and Fortis Hospital at one point both warning they could run out of supplies within an hour.

Max, which runs hospitals in northern and western India, said on Twitter: 'We regret to inform that we are suspending any new patient admissions in all our hospitals in Delhi until oxygen supplies stabilise.'

Delhi needs at least 480 metric tonnes of oxygen to affectively treat its Covid-19 patients, according to the Hindustan Times. On Friday, the capital received only 297 metric tonnes of the medical gas.

Dr Jameel told Radio 4 that India desperately needs to contain the sudden surge by 'treating as many people as possible at home.'

He added the government needs to do 'everything possible' to speed up the supply of oxygen and medicine to those in need, revealing the harrowing plight of families desperately searching for supplies.

People have been begging for oxygen or medical help on social media, and crowds have gathered outside hospitals, with some dying on stretchers as they wait.

On Wednesday, 22 patients died at a hospital in Maharashtra when their oxygen supply ran out after a leak in the tank. Yesterday 13 Covid patients died when a fire broke out at a Mumbai hospital.

'My family has gone through a harrowing experience in the past week, we had a cousin into hospital who passed away two days back and every 24 hours there was a threat of cut-off of oxygen,' Dr Jameel said.

A Covid-19 patient gets oxygen on the spot provided by Sikh Organization at Gurdwara in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, today

A son looks for the last time to his mother who died due to COVID-19 disease duirng her last rites in Guwahati Assam today

A man mourns the death of his father due to Covid-19 at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, today

People wait to refill their medical oxygen cylinders for Covid-19 patients at an oxygen refilling station in Allahabad today

Health workers carry bodies of people who were suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), outside the Guru Teg Bahadur hospital, in New Delhi, today

Hospitals across India are buckling under the strain of a ferocious second wave, with some running out of oxygen and turning away patients due to overcrowding. Pictured: New Delhi today

A family member of a Covid-19 victim is seen carrying an oxygen cylinder in West Bengal

Desperate families wait at an oxygen refilling shop in India as they attempt to secure supplies

Medics carry Covid patients outside the ICU at Guru Teg Bahadur hospital, in New Delhi, India

A health worker takes a nasal swab sample to test for Covid-19 in Jammu, India, today

'In the end he didn't make it, but the mental torture of relatives searching for oxygen was just unbearable. Unfortunately the situation is very bad, we let down our guard and that's why we're in this situation.'

India is recording one in three of all worldwide Covid-19 cases, despite its Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying in February that the nation was 'inspiring the world' with its Covid fight.

Pictured: Dr Shahid Jameel, the director of the Trivedi School of Biosciences at Ashoka University

'In a country which is home to 18 per cent of the world population, that country has saved humanity from a big disaster by containing corona effectively,' he said.

Ministers had declared a victory when there were around 11,000 cases a day.

But health experts say a downward trend in infections late last year lulled authorities into complacency, as they failed to plug the holes in the ailing health care system that had become evident during the first wave.

They also blame politicians and government authorities for allowing super-spreader events, including religious festivals and election rallies, to take place as recently as this month.

'It's not the virus variants and mutations which are a key cause of the current rise in infections,' Dr. Anant Bhan, a bioethics and global health expert, said.

'It's the variants of ineptitude and abdication of public health thinking by our decision makers.'

The surge has also been fuelled by a 'double mutant' variant, thought to be more infectious, but Dr Jameel believes 'too much' has been made of the mutation.

Instead, he claims the spiralling infection rates were impacted by the lack of messaging for people to take vaccinations in January and February when case numbers were down.

He added: 'In all the euphoria, in all the patting of our backs that we have done so well, we are out of it, we weren't. We were just as susceptible as anybody else.

'So if there is a lesson here to be learned, it's that you have to be on your guard. You have to prepare. We should have been stocking up on oxygen.

'We should have been messaging clearly for people to take vaccines in the months of January and February when the cases were down.

'If that happened at scale at that time, then we wouldn't be facing this situation today.

A person walks past funeral fires of those who died from Covid-19 at a crematorium in New Delhi on Saturday

A Covid-19 patient gets oxygen on the spot provided by Sikh Organization at Gurdwara in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, today

A man performs the last rites of his relative who died of the Covid-19 coronavirus disease as other funeral pyres are seen burning during a mass cremation

A priest who helps performing last rites, runs while covering his face amid the multiple burning funeral pyres of patients who died of the Covid-19

'So many things have gone wrong but instead of crying over spilled milk I think it's important to learn some lessons, get some good data, and plan for the future because this is not the end of it.''

Last week, the Supreme Court told the Indian government to produce a national plan for the supply of oxygen and essential drugs for the treatment of coronavirus patients.

Ministers said today they would exempt vaccines, oxygen and other oxygen-related equipment from customs duty for three months, in a bid to boost availability.

In addition, Modi's emergency assistance fund, dubbed PM CARES, in January allocated some 19million ($27million) to set up 162 oxygen generation plants inside public health facilities in the country.

But three months on, only 33 have been created, according to the federal Health Ministry.

Despite this, the Defense Ministry is set to fly 23 mobile oxygen generating plants into India from Germany within a week to be deployed at army-run hospitals catering to Covid-19 patients.

Each plant will be able to produce 2,400 litres of oxygen per hour, a government statement said yesterday.

The percentage change in daily Covid infections by Indian state today compared to at their peak, most of which were recorded last year

Funeral pyres of victims of Covid-19 burn at a ground that has been converted into a crematorium for mass cremation in New Delhi, India, today

Workers check medical oxygen cylinders to be transported to hospitals amid the Covid-19 pandemic at a facility on the outskirts of Chennai today

A man carries an oxygen canister to his car in West Bengal, India, amid the crisis today

The latest comes as Boris Johnson pledged to support India in its battle against the devastating Covid surge which has brought the country to its knees.

The UK is 'looking at what we can do to help' after India reported a record-breaking number of new cases in a single day for four days in a row.

Mr Johnson said: 'We're looking at what we can do to help and support the people of India, possibly with ventilators.

'Thanks to the ventilator challenge, the huge efforts of British manufacturers, we're better able now to deliver ventilators to other countries.

'But also possibly with therapeutics, dexamethasone, other things, we'll look at what we can do to help.'

So far 132 cases of the Indian variant have been detected in Britain, around half of which are in London.

People wait to receive the Covid-19 vaccine outside a vaccination centre In Mumbai, India

Men transport a Covid-19 patient on a stretcher as they leave a hospital in New Delhi today

Health workers are seen outside the casualty ward at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, in New Delhi

People wearing personal protective equipment console the relative of a person who died due to the coronavirus disease

The variant contains two mutations in the virus's spike protein, which could help it spread more easily and evade vaccines.

India was added to the UK's travel 'red list' yesterday, prompting a last-minute scramble for flights to Heathrow.

The Prime Minister has also cancelled a trip to New Delhi this weekend where he had hoped to secure millions of vaccine doses.

Government scientists said border measures are not enough to prevent the spread of new variants, but they can delay it.

One senior source said there were likely to be 'many more' cases of the Indian variant in the UK than the 132 detected so far.

They added: 'It does look like it's more transmissible but we don't know if it is more transmissible than the Kent variant and we don't have any data on vaccine efficacy.'

INDIA'S GROWING OXYGEN PROBLEMS Are hospitals running out of oxygen? The main problem is that medical oxygen is not reaching hospital beds in time. This delay is a product of where production units are located, a stretched distribution network, and what critics have said is bad planning. Several hospitals in Delhi, which has no significant oxygen production capacity, made frantic public calls this week seeking emergency supplies. With COVID-19 cases also swamping its neighbouring states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, oxygen facilities there are over-stretched attempting to meet local demand. To fulfill Delhi's current needs, additional medical oxygen now has to be trucked in from industrial zones in eastern India. Why are oxygen deliveries getting delayed? The facilities from where Delhi will now receive oxygen are spread across seven states, some more than 625 miles (1,000km) away, according to a court document. Given the hazardous nature of the substance, all liquid oxygen must be transported in a limited number of specialised tankers, requiring advance planning to ensure deliveries are made on time, a gas industry source told Reuters. In recent days, as a scramble for oxygen among states worsened, local officials in some regions disrupted movement of tankers in a bid to keep supplies for themselves. In part due to such blockades, Delhi only received about 177 tonnes of oxygen on Wednesday against its allocation of 378 tonnes, an official said. But the industry source said that Delhi had also dragged its feet on planning ahead, without factoring in the time it takes to move oxygen cross-country by road. 'This problem wouldn't have happened if they had acted 2-3 weeks ago,' the source said. Delhi's government did not respond to questions about the planning. Does India have enough oxygen? India has a daily production capacity of at least 7,100 tonnes of oxygen, including for industrial use, which appears to be enough to meet current demand. This week, the government allocated 6,822 tonnes of liquid oxygen per day to 20 of the country's worst-affected states, compared to their combined demand of 6,785 tonnes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office said on Thursday. India's total medical oxygen demand was just 3,842 tonnes as of April 12, as the surge in cases really took hold. States are typically allocated supplies by an inter-ministerial group of bureaucrats mandated to monitor and facilitate the flow of essential medical kit during the pandemic. Modi's office has noted that the availability of liquid medical oxygen had increased by about 3,300 tonnes in the past few days, with steel plants and other industrial units diverting their production. What is India doing to solve the crisis? The federal government has activated the Indian railways to move multiple tankers from refilling plants to where it is most needed. Working with industrial gas major Linde India and others, the government is also using the Air Force's cargo planes to fly empty tankers to production hubs. Refilled oxygen tankers will then move back by road. The armed forces are importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany. Several other industries are offering oxygen to hospitals, while salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group is importing 24 specialised containers to transport liquid oxygen. The government has issued orders to convert argon and nitrogen tankers into oxygen ones. But as some experts predict a trebling of daily infections in a few weeks, India will have to dramatically ramp up both oxygen production and distribution systems. Advertisement

Dying Covid sufferers lie on stretchers outside Indian hospitals while other medical centres stop accepting patients as the country sees ANOTHER record number of infections and deaths

Dying coronavirus patients have been left to lie on stretchers outside Indian hospitals as doctors were today forced to turn patients away amid another record-breaking rise in cases and deaths.

Daily infections hit 332,730, up from 314,835 on Thursday when India surpassed a grim record set by the United States in January.

Another 2,263 deaths were reported - though the true figure is believed to be up to ten times higher.

Delhi recorded more than 26,000 new cases and 306 deaths, or about one fatality every five minutes, the fastest since the pandemic began.

Doctors in the city of 29 million have no more beds left and police have been deployed around hospitals to prevent oxygen from being looted as infections stand at more than treble their peak last year.

Sky News captured images of dozens of people lying on stretchers outside one overcrowded hospital in the capital. In the minutes of the short live report, at least three dead bodies were seen being wheeled out of the front doors of the medical centre.

Patients lie on stretchers outside a hospital in Delhi during a live TV broadcast. Sky TV said during its report that they saw dozens of dead bodies being wheeled out of the hospital while they were there, while others wait with oxygen tanks rigged up beside outdoor stretchers for those who are unable to get inside

People stand in a queue to refill oxygen in cylinders in Delhi on Friday. Police have been deployed at hospitals in the city to prevent oxygen from being looted as people are prepared to pay thousands of rupees to fill up cylinders

A patient, wearing an oxygen mask, sits outside Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, one of India's largest facilities for coronavirus disease, in Delhi today

But while northern states like Gujurat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are experiencing coronavirus infection rates which are more than quadruple what they were in the first wave, others to the south, like Andrha Pradesh, and in the far northeast, like Assam, have not yet experienced a second wave and aren't under lockdown rules.

This suggests that though the overall numbers for India are colossal, they could still climb higher, putting further strain on the country's overwhelmed healthcare system which is running short of basic anti-viral medications.

Britain banned travel from India today amid fears that a new variant is causing the virus to spread faster and hitting young people harder.

Prof James Naismith, of the University of Oxford, told MailOnline: 'What is happening in India is stark illustration of the havoc that rapid spread of the virus does; healthcare overwhelmed and vulnerable people suffocating to death in ambulances waiting for help.

'This might be an appropriate point for those who so blithely advocated ending the UK lockdown in the autumn and winter to reconsider their analysis.

Relatives carry the body of a man who died from coronavirus during his funeral in Delhi on Friday

Bodies of Covid victims are burned in funeral pyres at a cremation ground in Mumbai on Friday

A fire in a hospital in Virar, on the outskirts of Mumbai treating Covid 19 patients killed 13 people on Friday, the latest accident in the overcrowded health system. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it 'tragic,' approving payouts for the victims' relatives (pictured: the ICU ward of the hospital is inspected after the blaze)

'The UK has avoided the fate that has befallen India (and many other countries who we do not see on our TV) because of the action of our governments and every one of us who wore a mask, distanced, washed our hands and isolated when sick. Vaccination now means that we will not ever see such scenes from Covid-19 here.'

It comes as a fire broke out at a packed hospital outside Mumbai on Friday, leaving 13 people dead.

Narendra Modi called it 'tragic' as he approved payouts for the victims' relatives, but the PM faces growing criticism for staging election rallies despite hospitals running out of beds and oxygen tankers being escorted by armed guards.

On Wednesday, 22 patients died at a public hospital in Maharashtra state when their oxygen supply ran out after a leak in the tank. At least nine coronavirus patients died in a previous hospital fire in Mumbai on March 26.

As well as a lack of oxygen and even basic medicines, free beds have become scarce, with major hospitals putting up notices saying they have no room for any more patients and police being deployed to secure oxygen supplies.

Health workers shift a patient after a fire in Vijay Vallabh hospital in Virar, near Mumbai on Friday

Worshippers offer Friday prayers at a mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Amritsar in Punjab, northern India

The burnt out inside of the intensive care ward at the hospital, which is just north of Mumbai, the latest accident in the country's overwhelmed hospitals amid a colossal second wave of Covid. On Wednesday, 22 patients died at a public hospital in Maharashtra state when their oxygen supply ran out after a leak in the tank. At least nine coronavirus patients died in a hospital fire in Mumbai on March 26.

Atul Gogia, a front line doctor in Delhi, told Radio 4 this morning: 'It's really, really very hectic, both physically mentally emotionally, it's a challenging day. Everything is full we are over-pressed, staff is catching the disease so we are short of staff as well.

'We do have oxygen but it's now on a day to day basis. We got some oxygen last night, so we have some oxygen now.

'There is such a huge surge we do not have places in the emergency room. We do not have enough oxygen points, patients are coming in with their own oxygen, others without, we want to help them but there are not enough beds or oxygen points, and not enough oxygen to supply them even if they are were.'

Saswati Sinha, an intensive care doctor in Kolkota, said the situation in the city was similar to Delhi, though perhaps lagging around two weeks behind.

'But we are already overwhelmed,' he told the BBC. 'All of our wards, all of our critical care beds are already at capacity.

'We are getting direct calls from our patients, from our friends, from our neighbours, pleading with us to make some space for their next of kin.

'In 20 years of working in intensive care I have never seen anything like this in the past. It is completely emotionally, physically and mentally exhausting.'

A policeman inspects a burnt-out room at the Vijay Vallabh Hospital in Virar, on the outskirts of Mumbai

The burnt out hospital in Virar, north of Mumbai, after a fire killed 13 Covid patients, in the latest accident in the country's overcrowded hospitals

A patient suffering from the coronavirus disease is evacuated from the hospital after it caught fire in Virar, on the outskirts of Mumbai

Max Healthcare, which runs a network of hospitals in northern and western India, posted an appeal on Twitter on Friday for emergency supplies of oxygen at its facility in Delhi.

'We regret to inform that we are suspending any new patient admissions in all our hospitals in Delhi ... till oxygen supplies stabilise,' the company said.

Similar desperate calls from hospitals and ordinary people have been posted on social media for days this week across the country.

Bhramar Mukherjee, a professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at the University of Michigan in the United States, said it was now as if there was no social safety net for Indians.

'Everyone is fighting for their own survival and trying to protect their loved ones. This is hard to watch,' he said.

In Delhi, people losing loved ones are turning to makeshift facilities that are undertaking mass burials and cremations because funeral services have been swamped.

A man walks past burning funeral pyres of people, who died due to the coronavirus disease at a crematorium ground in New Delhi, India, on Thursday

A mass cremation of victims who died due to the coronavirus disease is seen at a crematorium ground in Delhi yesterday evening

A body lies on a gurney as funeral pyres burn at a mass cremation ground in Delhi on Wednesday evening

Amid the despair, recriminations have begun.

Health experts say India became complacent in the winter - when new cases were running at about 10,000 a day and seemed to be under control - and lifted restrictions to allow big gatherings.

'Indians let down their collective guard. Instead of being bombarded with messages exhorting us to be vigilant, we heard self-congratulatory declarations of victory from our leaders, now cruelly exposed as mere self-assured hubris,' wrote Zarir F Udwadia, a pulmonologist and a member of the Maharashtra state government's task force, in the Times of India.

Modi's government ordered an extensive lockdown last year in the early stages of the pandemic.

But it has been wary of the economic costs and upheaval to the lives of legions of migrant workers and day labourers of a reimposition of sweeping restrictions.

New more infectious variants of the virus, in particular a 'double mutant' variant that originated in India, may have helped accelerate the surge, experts said.

Canada has banned flights from India, joining Britain, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and New Zealand in blocking arrivals.
Wang Yi Briefs CFR Forum on Need for Focusing on Cooperation and Managing Differences

April 24 , 2021 (EIRNS)Chinas State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended an international virtual dialogue with members of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) today, explaining Chinas policy and his view on U.S.-China relations. Under the title, Focusing on Cooperation and Managing Differences: Bringing China-U.S. Relations Back to the Track of Sound and Steady Development, Wang Yi presented Chinas policy and the principles on which it bases its policy, and steadily countered the misconstrued views of the United States, but without for a moment withdrawing the hand of peace, cooperation and mutual development. His remarks were posted to the Foreign Ministry website.

Wang began by congratulating the CFR and its President Richard Haass, my old friend, on its centenary: First of all, let me take this opportunity to express warm congratulations on the Councils 100th anniversary. Over the century, the CFR has witnessed the vicissitudes of the world and made important contributions to China-U.S. relations. Given the current difficulties in bilateral relations, we hope that the CFR will uphold an objective and just position and continue to play a constructive role in bringing China-U.S. relations back to the right track...

The Presidents of the two countries had an important phone conversation on the eve of the Chinese New Year, charting the course for the relationship. The Anchorage dialogue kicked off face-to-face interactions at the high level in the context of COVID-19. Our two countries recently issued a Joint Statement Addressing the Climate Crisis. Yesterday, President Xi Jinping attended the Leaders Summit on Climate at the invitation of President Joe Biden, demonstrating the sense of responsibility of our two countries in joining hands to tackle global challenges. At the same time, we have noted that the new U.S. administration has described China as its most serious competitor. The United States still interferes in Chinas internal affairs, including Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong-related matters. To be frank, the United States, in shaping its China policy, has not stepped out of the shadow of the previous administration, has not got over its misperception of China, and has not found the right way to engage with China. With this in mind, Id like to share with you the following points from a strategic perspective.

The Foreign Minister proceeded with five points:

First, we hope that the United States will view Chinas development in an objective and rational way. China is committed to a path of peaceful development, one that underlines peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation with countries around the world. China never seeks global hegemony.... Second, we hope that the United States will work with China to explore a new path of peaceful co-existence and mutually beneficial cooperation. China and the United States should uphold the spirit of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, and actively explore a way of peaceful co-existence between two major countries with different social systems.... China-U.S. relations are at a new crossroads. The key is whether the United States can accept the peaceful rise of a major country with a different social system, history and culture, and in a different development stage; whether it can recognize the Chinese peoples right to pursue development and a better life. The future of China-U.S. relations largely hinges on the answer of the United States to these two questions.... Third, we hope the United States will respect and accommodate the path and system China has chosen for itself. What has happened shows that Chinas socialist path with its own characteristics has not just leveled up the 1.4 billion Chinese people from poverty and backwardness, it also marks another major contribution of the Chinese nation to human progress. No one is entitled to negate the development paths of other countries, and no country will mold its system to others liking.... Fourth, we hope that the United States will practice true multilateralism.... Fifth, we hope that the United States will not interfere in Chinas internal affairs. Sovereignty and territorial integrity are a countrys core interests. Like any other country, China has no room for compromise on such a major issue of principle. The United States should not repeatedly challenge Chinas rights and interests on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and at the same time expect China to cooperate with it on issues of its own concern. The Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations. ... Reunification is the historic trend. We will continue to work with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts to strive for peaceful reunification. At the same time, we firmly oppose any separatist activities for any form of Taiwan independence. We hope that the United States will abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and not send any wrong signals to the Taiwan independence elements, or try to challenge, still less cross, Chinas policy red line. The Xinjiang-related issues are not about human rights, ethnicity or religion. They are about fighting violent terrorism, separatism and extremism. Faced with a grave situation of violent terrorism in Xinjiang a few years ago, the Chinese government acted to strike down on terrorist activities in accordance with law. It has taken a series of de-radicalization measures and resorted to education to remove the breeding ground for terrorism. These efforts have paid off. There hasnt been a single terrorist attack in Xinjiang for over four years. People of all ethnic groups now live a safe and happy life.... With regard to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR enacted last year and this years decision to improve Hong Kongs electoral system both serve to improve the system of One Country, Two Systems, ensure the sound and steady implementation of One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong and a high degree of autonomy, and achieve long-term security in Hong Kong....

Wang concluded:
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming). Getty

Rep. Liz Cheney was chastised by several male GOP colleagues following her vote to impeach Trump.

Rep. Norman of South Carolina told Cheney that she had "a defiant attitude," according to The Times.

Cheney refused to apologize for her vote and the caucus decided to keep her in leadership.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

This past year, GOP Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming has been tested by the most conservative elements of her party.

As the No. 3 House Republican, Cheney's has a huge platform to influence the direction of the party.

However, after Cheney decided to join nine other Republicans and every House Democrat to impeach former President Donald Trump of "incitement of insurrection" for his role in the January 6 Capitol riot, her stock within the party sank among many members.

By going against the reigning leader from her own party, her position in leadership was quickly imperiled.

After the contentious vote, House Republicans discussed Cheney's fate during the party's Feb. 3 conference meeting.

Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, gave a deeply personal speech, saying she was "deeply, deeply concerned about where our party is headed," according to The New York Times Magazine.

"We cannot become the party of QAnon," she stressed. "We cannot become the party of Holocaust denial. We cannot become the party of white supremacy. We all watched in horror what happened on Jan. 6."

On that fateful day, Trump blasted Cheney in his speech to his supporters that gathered near the Capitol before many of them stormed the Capitol building.

"The Liz Cheneys of the world, we got to get rid of them," he said.

The former vice president called his daughter to let her know that Trump called her out by name during his speech, according to The Times.

During the Feb. 3 GOP conference meeting, several members asked Cheney to apologize for her vote to impeach Trump, but she refused.

Story continues

"I cannot do that," she said.

Read more: Prosecuting Trump does not look like a DOJ priority under Biden's attorney general. But watch Georgia and New York.

A contingent of members lined up to speak about the subject, with about half of the speakers indicating that they would support removing Cheney from leadership, according to The Times.

Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina said that he was disheartened by Cheney's vote before critiquing her personality, according to The Times.

"The other thing that bothers me, Liz ... is your attitude," he said. "You've got a defiant attitude."

Rep. John Rutherford of Florida said that by Cheney casting such a consequential vote against Trump, she was not acting as a "team player."

According to The Times, Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania even compared Cheney's actions to a jilted girlfriend rooting for another team.

"You look up into the stands and see your girlfriend on the opposition's side - that's one hell of a tough thing to swallow," he said.

A female GOP colleague loudly said: "She's not your girlfriend!"

Many Republican women in Washington were shocked by the statement.

"We emailed that around, just horrified, commenting in real time," said former GOP Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia.

Cheney was reportedly unmoved by the heated discourse, only responding to direct questions.

When House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California sought to move past the issue, Cheney insisted that a vote on her status within the party be held that day.

In a 145-61 vote, the GOP caucus decided to keep Cheney in leadership.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Entering the critical period of spring sowing, farmers are all busy transplanting rice, sowing cotton and spraying pesticides among the fields. With the help of agricultural modernization, the pace of spring ploughing and sowing are greatly accelerated.

Photo taken on Apr. 1, 2021 shows villagers driving the transplanter to demonstrate the transplanting operation in Agricultural Machinery Cooperative of Shanggai Village, Xiajiang County, Ji'an City, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Chen Fuping/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Apr. 7, 2021 shows the cotton farmers using Beidou satellite navigation technology to sow cotton at the cotton fields of Kudailik Village, Bohu County, Bayinguoleng Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Nian Lei/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Apr. 16, 2021 shows the self-propelled wide-spray pesticide sprayer carrying out the second operation of "one spray and three defenses" on wheat to prevent and control wheat scab comprehensively at Huayanghe Farm in Susong County, east China's Anhui Province. (Li Long/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Mar. 18, 2021 shows farmers operating drones to spray pesticides on fruit trees in Hele Village, Chang'an Town, Rong'an County, Liuzhou City, south China's Guangxi Province. (Tan Kaixing/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Apr. 1, 2021 shows the field observation activity of unmanned operation test in the whole agricultural process held in Xiaosi Village, Ruyang County, Luoyang City, central China's Henan Province. (Kang Hongjun/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Mar. 19, 2021 shows farmers driving agricultural machinery to spray pesticides on winter wheat at Minxiang Liangfeng Family Farm in Dachang town, West Coast New District, Qingdao City, east China's Shandong Province. (Yu Fangping/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Mar. 28, 2021 shows farmers driving agricultural machinery to plow, rake, grind and laid plastic film among the farmland in Xingou Village, Jing'an Township, Ganzhou District, Zhangye City, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Yang Yongwei/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Mar. 12, 2021 shows villagers using R150 unmanned plant protection vehicles to fertilize rape fields at Datian Smart Farm, Jiangxiang Town, Nanchang County, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Xu Zheng/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on Mar. 9, 2021 shows farmers driving agricultural machinery to carry out spraying comprehensive prevention operations during spring ploughing. (Liang Zidong/Guangming Picture)

[ Editor: WXY ]
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Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition.

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Produce over pollution

Regarding Fighting for his farm, (A1, April 22): The produce of Wood Duck Farm and Van Weldon reminds me of my childhood when vegetables had flavor and I could breathe the summer air in Houston without wheezing. Wood Duck Farms vegetables are simply the best that the Urban Harvest Farmers market has to offer.

In a world where we are actually witnessing the effects of mans assault of the natural world in real time, San Jacinto County is opting to trade the highest quality produce in the region for a few bucks.

The special waste in this big, disgusting pile of trash could potentially pollute the irrigation water for Weldons farm and his delicious vegetables would be no more.

If we run all the small farms out of business, we will be rushing headlong into a dystopian future in which all we have to eat is Soylent Green. (Spoiler alert: Soylent Green is people.)

Susan Miller Jackson, Houston

Bipartisan? Really?

Regarding What is the secret of Bidens success so far?, (A19, April 21): For a candidate who had 74 million votes cast against him while garnering 51 percent of the popular vote, President Biden seems to be ignoring those 74 million. Our southern border with Mexico is in shambles. Washington D.C. is being pushed toward statehood. The Supreme Court may be expanded and would lose the credibility it now has. The proof of his move away from being a moderate was summed up in Paul Krugmans column, the obsession with bipartisanship is also gone. He is my president but an effort to work with all to continue to improve our country would be appreciated.

Michael Spiech, Sugar Land

Curiosity and compassion

Regarding Friends miss Floyd away from cameras, (A13, April 22): Kudos to Ana Goni-Lessan for helping us better understand what it feels like to lose someone so close to you in such a public way. I have lived in the Third Ward for 35 years and often lamented that journalists failed to report important stories from our community. Or, when they did, the coverage was superficial. Theyd parachute in, get a sound bite and leave. Goni-Lessan has been on location for the past 11 months, listening to friends and neighbors of George Floyd and getting the story right. This requires commitment, curiosity and compassion. Such embedded reporting is journalism at its best.

Warren Holleman, Houston
Nabbing a big overnight ratings number may be pivotal for most new television shows, but not for ABC KIDS and ABC ME titles.

For Libbie Doherty, ABC Head of Childrens Production, the focus is all about ABC iview -and who can blame her when you break down the numbers?

We are 60% of iview, for childrens content combined. Its the power behind iview. Its where were pivoting the creation of content, she tells TV Tonight.

Our dramas and comedies are much more narrative. In the old days we used to have episodic shows where we just put them anywhere in the schedule. Now we want things that have an arc.

I think the kids channels have moved quicker because the audience is already there, more than say, the main channel, which has got a bigger audience to serve across a broad range of ages. Whereas were very conscious that (digital) is where the kids are, which is why they have their own apps, theyve got iview, Kids Listen, which has its own app, a YouTube channel, a Facebook page for parents.

It just astounds me that they dont see that

ABCs focus on kids content comes at a time when commercial networks are laregly reducing their Childrens output. Seven has publicly stated it would prefer to vacate the space entirely.

It blows my mind, considering 60% of iview is childrens and its the same on every streaming platform. So it just astounds me that they dont see that, says Doherty.

Ludo Studios produced Bluey is unquestionably the superstar on iview (as well as multichannels and Timeshifting) but not the only local title drawing eyeballs. ABC recently launched The Wonder Gang and in December animated series Kangaroo Beach.

People loved the whole water-safety element. Were hearing people are telling their parents how to be water safe, she continues.

We just launched Space Nova and 100% Wolf launched. Animations all take a little bit longer to make. Were just working through whats going to come next on the animation slate, but its a core part of the audience. Strange Chores series 2 is a Ludo show in production, so that will come out next year.

A second season of award-winning Hardball is due soon with more Bluey later this year. BMX series Maverix, currently filming in Alice Springs and spy comedy, Parent Up, will screen next year.

L to R: Libbie Doherty, Chika Ikogwe

Coming in May is scripted factual series Mikki vs the World. It stars Nigerian-Australian actor Chika Ikogwe as psychologist Mikki exploring a variety of mental health issues experienced by ABC MEs teen audience: Resilience, Toxic Friends, Peer Pressure, ASD, Sibling Rivalry, Identity Crisis, Social Media Addiction, Depression and more.

ABC producers collaborated with Australian counselling service for young people, Kids Helpline, to develop the series.

Theres kind of the science and the emotional but cleverly done through song and dance in silly costumes. The Depression episode has a panda character who represents depression but its very playful, Doherty explains.

Hiding the vegetables in the bolognaise

It does exactly what we like to do all the time: hiding the vegetables in the bolognaise, so kids dont know

All of that strategy is sitting behind whats presented to kids, which is a really fun show. Because otherwise theyd run a mile.

It gives parents some strategies for kids.

Next on the horizon for ABC Kids titles is family viewing and co-viewing.

Well move into the comedy / family space, in the next half-year plan, she reveals.

Were trying to do different things. Language content is something that were really interested in. If youve got a family dynamic everyone speaks English at school, but there might be a specific cultural language at home.

Kids are watching English language programs with subtitles so were going to just lean heavily into that in the 8+ area.

Mikki vs the World premieres 5pm Sunday May 9 on ABC ME.

Related
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Ron Johnson is in an uncomfortable class of his own.

The Wisconsin Republican is the only senator in his party facing reelection next year in a state that backed Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential race. But rather than moderate his politics to accommodate potentially shifting voter attitudes, Johnson is focusing even more intently on cultural issues that appeal to his party's overwhelmingly white base.

He has said the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd distracted journalists from covering immigration. He has lent credence to the white supremacist great replacement" theory. And he said he was less concerned about the predominantly white mob that staged a deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in January than he would have been if they were Black Lives Matter protesters.

Johnson has not committed to seeking a third term in 2022. But his seat probably will be among the most fiercely contested in a campaign year that will decide control of Congress and the future of Biden's agenda. Johnson's tactics offer a window into how Republicans may approach the midterm elections, with a focus on turning out the base and steadfastly dismissing any criticism, especially when it comes to issues of race.

I know how just about anything any Republican or conservative will say will get taken out of context and exploited, Johnson told The Associated Press recently, responding to a question about his comment on the Capitol riot. And I understand exactly how the left plays the race card all the time. I understand that. But there was nothing, nothing racial in my comments at all.

Johnson is hardly the only Republican taking this approach.

Donald Trump centered his presidential reelection campaign last year on a law and order message that was intended as a counter to racial justice protests, some of which turned violent, that swept the nation. While Trump lost to Biden, he won more than 10 million additional votes than he did in 2016, which may have helped the GOP narrow its gap in the House.

Story continues

More recently, House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California introduced a measure to censure Rep. Maxine Waters, a Black Democratic congresswoman from California, for urging people to stay on the street to pursue justice for Floyd. And a memo linked to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., proposed an America First Caucus hailing Anglo-Saxon political traditions and warning of immigration's threat to the country's unique culture.

For Johnson, much of the controversy began when he said he wasnt concerned for his safety during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot because I knew those were people who love this country. The crowd was overwhelmingly white.

Had the tables been turned, and President Trump won the election, and tens of thousands of Black Lives Matter and antifa stormed the Capitol, I might have been a little concerned, Johnson said during the interview on nationally syndicated conservative radio show. Antifa are far-left, anti-fascist protesters who have joined Black Lives Matter advocates at demonstrations.

GOP pollster Whit Ayres said that inartful doesn't begin to describe Johnson's comment, which represents the broader challenge of defining the party's core principles.

The challenge for the center-right political party is figuring out a constructive way to respond to these changes, rather than simply fomenting outrage and anger, said Ayres, who has done extensive work in racially diverse Southern states.

But Johnson hasn't backed down.

Days after his comments about the Capitol, he suggested the news media was distracted from an influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border by the Chauvin trial in Minneapolis. And last week, Johnson nodded to the great replacement, a conspiracy theory promoted by white supremacists that holds that people of color are replacing white people in the West, enabled by Jews and progressive politicians.

Fox News host Tucker Carlson complained that he, a white man, had less political power because (Democrats) are importing a brand new electorate.

Johnson appeared to spur such beliefs during a Fox interview with Larry Kudlow, a former economic adviser to Trump, by asking, Is it really that they want to remake the demographics of America so they stay in power forever? Is that whats happening here?

This is not the obvious path for someone who was first elected to the Senate in 2010 as a policy wonk more concerned with cutting spending than fanning culture wars. Some Wisconsin Republicans note a project he spearheaded to place unemployed inner-city Milwaukee workers in jobs, a program that helped some Black residents.

But others point to doubt that he cast about Biden's victory as then-chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee as yet another example of undermining minority voices. Johnson, one of Trumps staunchest supporters, had signed on to objecting to Arizonas Electoral College vote, but reversed course after the Capitol riot.

Johnson may not be spitting on Black people, said Brown University professor Juliet Hooker, who is writing a book on the politics of white voter resentment. But he certainly seems committed to pushing the idea there was widespread fraud in the 2020 election, allegations centered on majority Black or multiracial cities. The implication of that is votes by people of color are suspect.

Democrats have seized on the scrutiny. Prospective Democratic Senate challenger Tom Nelson, county executive in Johnson's Outagamie County home, has paid for a billboard in Oshkosh featuring Johnson's picture, with the word resign over his mouth, and the text: Racism has no place in Wisconsin.

Johnson, however, is an astute businessman, playing to a politically active audience by bemoaning mainly during conservative media interviews his treatment by other news outlets, said Charlie Sykes, a former conservative radio host in Milwaukee.

He picks up on what is playing in that world, and Ron Johnson is right there, right now, said Sykes, a devout Trump critic.

The senator also is stoking a theme that has soaked disproportionately into Republicans: that white Americans face widespread discrimination. It stems from the economic decline in rural, white, working-class communities who don't feel the effects of white privilege racial justice advocates describe, Ayres and others say.

A Pew Research Poll conducted last month showed that 14% of all Americans say theres a lot of anti-white discrimination. The figure among Republicans was 26 percent.

Conservative media stoke the outrage by offering Johnson and others the opportunity to paint themselves as victims, Sykes said.

Any accusation of racism must be in bad faith, they say, and is an attempt to cancel you, silence you and make you a victim, which then becomes a great way of getting attention from your base, he said.

The issue could shadow Johnson's campaign, should he seek a third term next year.

Turnout in Milwaukee, where more than one-third of residents are Black, was flat last year compared with 2016, though Biden carried Wisconsin as narrowly as Trump did four years earlier.

Johnson's racially fraught statements could spark higher Black turnout, said Wisconsin Rep. Gwen Moore, a Milwaukee Democrat. Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who is Black, is weighing a Democratic campaign for Senate.

If Johnson dares to run, hell be kindling for the fire that his candidacy will bring in terms of inspiring Democrats, especially voters of color," Moore said. Hes made it quite clear hes totally Trumpian.

Trump has heartily endorsed Johnson even though he hasn't yet announced his reelection plans.

He is brave, he is bold, he loves our Country, our Military and our Vets, Trump said in a statement before a Republican fundraising gathering this month in West Palm Beach, Florida. He has no idea how popular he is. Run, Ron, Run!

___

Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa.




Haiti - Agriculture : FAO contributes to the repopulation of small goat farming and the treatment of diseases





The long period of drought that hit most of Haitis departments from 2019 to mid 2020 caused water scarcity and affected the availability of fodder, its access and its use for livestock.



During this period, most animals fed on waste with a high risk of contamination. Poor agro-pastoralists were also at risk of losing their livestock, a key source of income for many.



To increase the resilience of domestic animals to these disease risks, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has supported the efforts of the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture through the training of 150 veterinary agents, the supply of medicines and the organization of mobile clinics which have made it possible to treat more than 25,000 sick animals in the departments of Grand'Anse, Nippes and North-West.



In addition to these veterinary clinics, FAO distributed 3,000 goats to 1,000 women heads of vulnerable households in the North-West (400 goats in the North-West and 600 in Grand'Anse) for the repopulation of their herds affected by the lack. water and fodder, or sold to cope with food insecurity.



It should be noted that these activities were financed by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and FAO own funds.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















From a giant statue towering over Moscow to a more modest monument on the Sakhalin Island in the Pacific Ocean, dozens of memorials across Russia commemorate Yuri Gagarin the cosmonaut who became the first person in space 60 years ago.

Gagarins 108-minute mission took the Space Age to a new level and marked a historic achievement for the Soviet Union which beat the United States in a tight race to launch a man beyond Earth's atmosphere.

For the Soviet people, Gagarins spaceflight was a triumph comparable to the victory over the Germans in World War II. It has remained a source of national pride since April 12, 1961, a symbol of the countrys bravery and technological prowess.

Gagarin died seven years after he orbited the planet. The first monuments glorifying him and his pioneering achievement were erected while he still was alive.

A titanium obelisk depicting a starting rocket and dedicated to the first Soviet cosmonauts was unveiled in Moscow in 1964. Standing 107 meters high, (351 feet), it includes a Gagarin relief. The Cosmonauts Alley near the Conquerors of Space monument that opened in 1967 features bronze busts of Gagarin and other Soviet cosmonauts.

Another towering monument built in 1980 also became a Moscow landmark: a titanium statue of Gagarin standing on a pedestal formed to resemble rocket exhaust. It is 42 meters (138 feet) high and weighs 12 tons.

After Gagarin died in a training jet crash in March 1968, he was buried near the Kremlin Wall alongside former Soviet leaders. The field near Moscow where his plane crashed also got a memorial.

Other Gagarin monuments include a statue in Star City, home to the spaceflight training center just outside the capital where Gagarin and many other cosmonauts lived.

Dozens of others are spread across Russia, including one in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, on the far-eastern Sakhalin Island.

A statue of Gagarin also marks the Baikonur space launch facility, the place he blasted off from in then-Soviet Kazakhstan. After the Soviet Union's collapse, Russia leased Baikonur for both piloted space missions and satellite launches.

A field near the Volga River where Gagarin landed after his historic 1961 flight bears an obelisk and a Gagarin statue added later. A theme park was set up there to mark the 60th anniversary of his flight.
An NHS podiatrist has been struck off after charging a patient for her services and then claiming the woman had been 'very confused' when she was challenged about the indiscretion.

Ceri Eccles asked for 15 to cut her patient's toenails during a home visit and subsequently lied about the incident, a tribunal was told.

She has now been struck off by a disciplinary panel for dishonesty.

NHS chiropodist Ceri Eccles has been struck off for dishonesty after she was discovered charging a patient for her services (file pic)

A hearing at the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service was told Ms Eccles had worked full time at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust for 18 years.

She had in the past treated private clients outside the NHS occasionally.

In a witness statement, a physiotherapist said that that she visited the patient - identified only as Patient A - on March 20, 2018 and noticed her toenails needed cutting.

The NHS worker said that she happened to see Ms Eccles at another patient's house a week later.

She said that Ms Eccles mentioned just visiting Patient A and when she later visited the patient herself, she noticed her toenails had been cut.

The panel heard that while carrying out her work she commented that Patient A's nails had been done and her partner said that they were really pleased with them, they complimented Eccles and said she had been 'lovely'.

A hearing at the Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service was told Ms Eccles had worked full time at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust for 18 years

In her witness statement, the physiotherapist said she then asked if Eccles was the person who had performed the treatment, and her partner confirmed it was.

She said that the partner added that they were surprised the service cost 'only 15'.

However, the panel then heard a witness statement from Ms Eccles' line manager about a conversation the pair had had, in which Eccles lied about ever having treated Patient A.

When she was shown proof that she had, Ms Eccles admitted she did remember her, but said she had been 'very confused'.

The panel - held remotely - concluded that she should be struck off for dishonesty.

'The Registrant (Eccles) had been dishonest in the course of her employment,' it said. '(We have) received no assurance that she would not repeat her dishonest conduct.'
COVID-hit tourism industry battles new Act View(s):

The privately-led tourism industry is fighting tooth and nail to ensure the authorities do not force the new Tourism Act on the sector.

In this respect, they have already stated their refusal to accept the adoption of a new Tourism Act stating that the existing Tourism Act 2005 was an initiative of the private sector to assist the Sri Lanka Tourist Board to reduce the financial burden on the government by raising funds from the private sector industry members with the main objective of promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination globally.

A letter dated April 2 was sent by The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators to Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga in reference to the recommendations requested from them for the new Tourism Act.

As a result the private sector agreed on a financial commitment from its stakeholders by way of a 1 per cent tax on turnover and in this respect, the Act envisaged having private sector representations on all four boards to work with the public sector for the benefit of the industry, the letter stated.

It further noted that while the tourism industry is totally private sector owned it also played a pivotal role in the growth of tourism in the country and served as an ideal model of private public partnership.

However, despite the introduction of the Tourism Act and the funds raised, the industry was unable to get an effective global campaign due to the governments procurement guidelines.

In a bid to be more effective on the boards, what is required is a change in the operational aspects of these boards that can be achieved by a structural change within the framework of the existing Act rather than an amendment to the Act itself.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Holberton , the software engineering education company, announced today that it has partnered with SAYNA, an online education company in Madagascar, to offer affordable, high-quality tech education in the country.



Holberton will work with SAYNA to create three, tailored, full-stack web curricula using Holbertons OS of education , a set of tools that enable organizations to quickly create courses or curricula on their own.

We are delighted to work with such an innovative education company in deploying our OS of education to create opportunities for students to join the digital revolution that is sweeping the world, said Julien Barbier , Holbertons CEO.

The Republic of Madagascar is the worlds second-largest island country, located in the Indian Ocean about 250 miles West of Africa. With a population of nearly 30 million, per capita annual income of $450 and GDP of $13 billion, Madagascar has been a surprising hotbed of recent technology innovations, with high local demand for software engineering talent. The worlds first 3D-printed school is being built in Madagascar.

The Holberton-SAYNA curricula in Madagascar include:

The Fighter program: a 12-month, flexible, part-time program to become a web developer;

The Student program: a 24-month, full-time program to become a software engineer;

The Executive program: a 9-month program for developers to specialize in new technologies.



SAYNA gives its students the opportunity for real-world work experience through micro projects sponsored by companies such as Capgemini (global systems integration firm), Generali Group (finanial services), Societe Generale (banking) and Orange (telecommunications). Students not only learn through these projects but earn money as well. The better students perform in their studies, the more access they have to these micro projects and future employment.

As elsewhere in 2020, online education boomed In Madagascar as many people lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic and sought retraining. Meanwhile, Madagascars demand for software developers has exploded.

With this partnership, Sayna expects to train 500 new software developers this year alone and hopes for exponential growth from there.

Giving everyone in Madagascar access to high-quality software engineering training will help Madagascars economy, says Matina Razafimahefa, CEO of SAYNA. That growth will also develop the local startup ecosystem.

Are you in Madagascar and interested in becoming a software developer and participating in creating the future? Apply here !

About Holberton

Founded in Silicon Valley in 2015, Holberton s innovative and flexible delivery of the OS of Education provides a unique portfolio of tools, auto-graded tailored curricula and teaching methods to help its customers - education institutions, universities, corporations and franchisees - successfully train the next generation of digital talent at scale.

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About SAYNA

Founded in Madagascar in 2018, SAYNA , which means intelligence in Malagasy, is Africas first technology education and micro job platform. SAYNA links a community of developers it has trained with IT projects that have been broken down into micro tasks. SAYNA has already trained more than 200 students, and works with more than 150 qualified freelancers and more than 60 companies, including Groupe AXIAN, Orange Madagascar, World Bank, Access Bank and others.
A selection of recent media releases, and news stories is available in the database below and can be searched for by year and month.

Sunday 25 April 2021

His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland, today delivered the 2021 ANZAC Day Dawn Service of Remembrance speech at Brisbanes ANZAC Square.

The Governor used the occasion to particularly focus on the contributions of the Royal Australian Air Force to Australias defence, in the RAAFs centenary year.

This year we celebrate the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force, and we pay homage to its men and women.

Over the past 100 years, the planes and technology have changed beyond recognition. What hasnt altered, is Air Force personnels commitment to service and their country.

In World War 2, Queensland played an integral part in Australias air defence of the Pacific  and of our own shores.

Horn Island, off the northern tip of Queensland, was attacked by Japanese aircraft on at least eight occasions  the second hardest hit Australian region after Darwin. Townsville and Mossman would also come under direct attack.

In its centenary year, while we pause a little longer in acknowledgement of the RAAF, our gratitude and unalloyed respect belong to all who have served, all who are serving.

We further turn our minds to those personnel who, for the moment, are still deployed in Afghanistan. They will return to a nation grateful for their service, and a nation very much aware of the human cost of our longest war  42 Australian lives lost, and many more physically and mentally wounded.

Our ANZAC Day commemorations are unique to Australia and New Zealand.

They are unique, because people want them, not because the government or the RSL ordains them. They are people led.

Read the full speech here.
Company Owners Who Have a Number of People Working Remotely Due to COVID-19 Can Use the App to More Effectively Keep Track of their Employees' Time

COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU, INDIA / ACCESSWIRE / April 25, 2021 / The founders of HRAPP, an established Coimbatore based startup, are pleased to announce the launch of a new app that is designed to monitor the productivity of employees.

To learn more about the new app and/or to schedule a demo, please visit https://hrapp.in/.

As a company spokesperson noted, the founders know that because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, more employees than ever are now working from home. To allow employers to keep tabs on their now-remote team and be sure that everyone is pulling his or her weight, they were inspired to create and launch the new app.

In addition to the app, which the spokesperson said should help save busy company owners and HR personnel a great deal of time, HRAPP also offers employee productivity monitoring software that can compete with its Western counterparts.

"HRAPP is proud to feature special employee productivity monitoring software that employers can use to hire, pay, engage, retain and monitor employees," the spokesperson noted, adding that the employee monitoring solutions offer everything required to build an efficient workspace.

"We are aware that it is a data-driven world where people expect everything at their fingertips. So, why not an employee monitoring solution? Our HR and payroll solution, as well as our new app, offers every employer a unique opportunity to keep tabs on their employees."

As a customer noted in a review, "HRAPP has helped us make data-driven decisions on retaining and remunerating the best talent. The analytics and statistics we get from the app are accurate and focus more on people than business. It helps us easily manage payroll by keeping track of leaves, working hours and expenses."

The Press Release is powered by Digital SEO, the Digital Marketing Company in Chennai that is also behind the design and development of the user-friendly and creative website.

About HRAPP:

HRAPP, a top HR management platform, is a 360-degree solution that has everything employers need to build a happier, efficient and better workforce. Their solutions allow companies to process human resource, payroll and other administrative purposes smoothly. The company provides efficient solutions for onboarding and offboarding, payroll and expenses, employee monitoring, time tracking, managing leaves and holidays and more. To learn more, please visit https://hrapp.in/.

HRAPP

1/424, Avinashi Road

Chinniyampalayam,

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641062

Contact:

Contact Person: Mr. Chandrakumar

Phone: +91-7338816663, +91-9600106664 and +91-7904544626

Email: sales@capricetech.com

SOURCE: HRAPP

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/642121/HRAPP-Announces-the-Launch-of-a-New-App-that-is-Designed-to-Monitor-the-Productivity-of-Employees
Robert Price is a journalist for KGET-TV. His column appears here Sundays. Reach him at RobertPrice@KGET.com or via Twitter: @stubblebuzz. The opinions expressed are his own.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 25) -- National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. on Sunday assured there is no misuse of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict's funds following calls from some lawmakers to realign its budget.

"Why take back the BDP (barangay development program) that was allotted for communities that need it the most?" said Esperon, who also acts as task force vice chairperson, in a statement.

The NTF-ELCAC has a 19-billion budget for 2021, with around 16 billion to be spent for its BDP as incentives for barangays that were cleared of insurgency threats.

Esperon said defunding the national anti-communist task force would affect its anti-insurgency efforts in communities.

"We at the NTF-ELCAC have nothing to gain from the BDP apart from the fulfillment of our legal mandate," said Esperon. "The failure to deliver this program would not just mean frustration among us at NTF-ELCAC and the principles that we stand for. Rather, the failure to deliver the barangay development program to the formerly conflicted communities that need it the most is tantamount to abandoning their aspirations for a dignified life."

Calls to defund the NTF-ELCAC stemmed after two of its spokespersons were criticized for red-tagging community pantry volunteers and organizers. Esperon has already imposed a gag order on Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade and Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy.

According to Esperon, the BDP's core programs and projects seek to develop farm-to-market roads, classrooms, water and sanitation systems, health stations, and livelihood projects.

"As the vice chair of the NTF-ELCAC, I take cognizance of the pronouncements not just of our good senators and honorable representatives in Congress but also of the calls of the general public elsewhere on the BDP," said the military official. "Allow me to reassure the public that the package of programs under the BDP is released following the stringent evaluation of the government agencies concerned."

As of April 3, a total of 525 out of 822 barangays nationwide have already endorsed their respective anti-insurgency programs and projects to the Department of Budget and Management.

"It is fairly easy to make speculations thus far on misuse of the BDP funds, but to substantiate allegations is a matter that requires comprehensive investigations altogether. Nevertheless, I implore all the concerned stakeholders and the general public to understand the import of what the NTF-ELCAC and the BDP seek to accomplish," said Esperon.
KABUL, Afghanistan  The U.S. military has begun its complete withdrawal from Afghanistan, the top American commander there said Sunday, marking what amounts to the beginning of the end of the United States nearly 20-year-old war in the country.

I now have a set of orders, said Gen. Austin S. Miller, the head of the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan, to a news conference of Afghan journalists at the U.S. militarys headquarters in Kabul, the capital. We will conduct an orderly withdrawal from Afghanistan, and that means transitioning bases and equipment to the Afghan security forces.

General Millers remarks come almost two weeks after President Biden announced that all U.S. forces would be out of the country by Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that propelled the United States into its long war in Afghanistan.

Mr. Bidens announcement was greeted with uncertainty in Afghanistan, as it prepares for a future without a U.S. and NATO military presence despite a Taliban insurgency that seems dead set on a military victory despite talks of peace.
Homeowners in parts of south Charlotte and Upstate South Carolina said a pungent odor continued wafting into their neighborhoods in recent days, infiltrating their homes and causing headaches and sore throats.

Im nauseous from this, a Clover, S.C., woman reported this week on a Facebook page dedicated to the odor. The page had 971 members as of Saturday morning.

The smell has filled my house and woken me up out of my sleep this morning, a Rock Hill, S.C., resident reported on the site Saturday morning. Smells like soured laundry.

South Carolina environmental health officials believe a paper mill in Catawba, S.C., is the likely culprit. But company officials have denied the claim, and state regulators on Friday said their investigation continues.

Meanwhile, residents as recently as Saturday morning said the odor continues to gag them.

On Saturday, an administrator of the Facebook page urged everyone to file an online report about what theyre smelling to South Carolina Gov. Henry McMasters office. We need him on board, she said.

In recent months, residents have filed reports about the odor with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Department officials said theyd received more than 5,000 reports by early April from residents of York and Lancaster counties, S.C., and neighboring areas in North Carolina.

Residents reported odors of rotten eggs, sewage/sewer gas, cabbage, paper mill smells, chemical, etc., Renee Shealy, chief of the S.C. Bureau of Environmental Health Services, wrote to New-Indy on April 9.

S.C. investigators found that the New-Indy Containerboard plant in Catawba is a significant contributor to the odors, Shealy wrote.

Tony Hobson, New-Indy vice president of manufacturing, disputed the claim.

New-Indy hired an outside firm that found no chemical compounds in any meaningful concentration that would equate to intense odors, Hobson wrote on April 16 to Myra Reece, the state director of environmental affairs, according to a copy of the letter reviewed by The Charlotte Observer.

Story continues

Weston Solutions personnel did not detect off-site, mill-type odors, but did detect odors from a fire, and sewage-related odors, Hobson wrote,

On a state website dedicated to the odor, South Carolina officials said some of the odor reports indicated smoke was in the air. That smoke is likely from prescribed burns to control forest fires, official said.

Also, North Carolina environmental regulators have ruled out sewage plants in the state as a cause of the odor, S.C. officials said.

DHEC and local partners continue to work to resolve this concern, S.C. regulators said in a statement Friday. DHEC takes odor concerns very seriously and remains committed to providing information to those affected by these odors.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  St. Therese Catholic parish in Albuquerque knows too well the scourge of clergy sexual abuse.

Eight of the 79 priests and other clergy members on the archdiocese list of those credibly accused of molesting children worked at the North Valley parish over a 32-year period. The first priest was assigned in 1959, five years after the current church was built.

The eight included Jason Sigler, one of the few priests who worked in New Mexico who were criminally charged and who went to prison after being convicted of sexually abusing a minor.

Across the U.S., many survivors of clergy abuse served as altar boys in the church or belonged to parish youth groups when they were molested.

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The Archdiocese of Santa Fes website says it has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on clergy sexual abuse, and says there have been no substantiated cases involving diocesan priests since 2005.

Court records in New Mexico show that in the past, prior archdiocese leaders simply transferred priests to other parishes when allegations of sexual abuse arose and that parishioners werent told of their priests history.

During the 1970s, five priests now on the credibly accused list were assigned to St. Therese, with one offending priest replaced by another.

There is an entire generation of men here in the parish (now in their mid-50s) who were from faithful, active practicing Catholic families and who were abused, the Rev. Vincent Paul Chavez said in an email to the Journal last week. They will have nothing to do with the Church while their sisters might still remain active in the Catholic Church and at the St. Therese Parish.

Chavez, who has been pastor at the parish since 2004, said he became dedicated years ago to helping victims seek justice in their legal claims so they might have a mere semblance of peace and healing.

Journeying with victims most of my near 30 years in the priesthood, Chavez said, I get the devastation of their lives and extreme challenges.

He said he also offers pastoral counseling for survivors of abuse.

Victims have serious challenges entering into adult trusting relationships. If you cannot trust your father, uncle or parish priest  then who can you trust?
MILAN (Reuters) - Italy has joined other countries by imposing restrictions on travel from India to avert the spread of a COVID-19 variant as the Asian nation struggles with a surge in infections.

Italy's Health Minister Roberto Speranza said on Twitter he had signed an order barring foreign travellers who have been in India in the past 14 days from entering the country.

India, which is facing a health crisis, is battling a "double mutant" strain of COVID-19. On Sunday, the country posted the world's highest single-day increase in cases for a fourth day.

Italian residents will be allowed to return from India with a negative test result at their departure and one at their arrival and then have to go into quarantine, the minister said.

Those already in Italy and who travelled from India in the past 14 days were requested to undergo a swab.

"Our scientists are at work to study the new Indian variant," Speranza said.

(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari; Editing by Edmund Blair)
Xi promotes joint efforts to control malaria with developing countries

Xinhua) 15:23, April 25, 2021

BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The world marked Malaria Day on Sunday, highlighting the global effort and positive results in jointly combating the serious disease.

The following offers a glimpse of Chinese President Xi Jinping's efforts in promoting anti-malaria cooperation with developing countries over the past few years.

Dec. 4, 2015

Xi attended the second summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which grouped China, 50 African countries that have established diplomatic ties with China, and the Commission of the Africa Union.

-- On the sidelines of a China-Africa summit, then Comoros President Ikililou Dhoinine said his country is grateful for China's long-term assistance, especially the program against malaria that has greatly benefited the Comoros people.

Jan. 9, 2017

Xi attended China's top science award ceremony, presenting award certificates to physicist Zhao Zhongxian and pharmacologist Tu Youyou for their outstanding contributions to scientific and technological innovation.

-- Tu won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her discovery of artemisinin as a treatment for malaria.

Sept. 3, 2018

Xi delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the FOCAC, during wich he said that China was to launch a health care initiative.

-- China has decided to upgrade 50 medical and health aid programs for Africa, particularly flagship projects such as the headquarters of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention and China-Africa Friendship Hospitals. Exchange and information cooperation will be carried out on public health. Cooperation programs will be launched on the prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases, schistosomiasis, HIV/AIDS and malaria, Xi said.

-- "China will train more medical specialists for Africa and continue to send medical teams that better meet Africa's needs," he said, adding that more mobile medical services will be provided to patients for the treatment of cataract, heart disease and dental defects. And targeted health care services will be provided to women and children of vulnerable groups in Africa.

Nov. 16, 2018

Xi paid a state visit to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting, during which he met with then PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.

-- During the meeting with Xi, O'Neill said that the PNG thanked China for its long-term and precious support in the country's economic and social development, the Chinese medical team for its help with malaria control and prevention in remote areas, and the Chinese side for its assistance in disaster relief and reconstruction after a recent earthquake.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
The stakes are high because there is only one vaccine authorized in the United States that is given as a single shot. The use of that vaccine, made by Johnson & Johnson, was paused this month after it was linked to a very rare but serious side effect involving blood clotting. Federal health officials on Friday recommended restarting use of the vaccine, but the combination of the safety scare and ongoing production problems is likely to make that vaccine a viable option for fewer people.
The 7th Image Shanghai Art Exhibition will be held in September

By:Liu Xutong | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-04-25 14:19

The 7th Image Shanghai Art Exhibition will be held at the Shanghai Exhibition Center from September 23-26, 2021.

In 2021, the exhibition will launch the "Film Screening" unit for the first time, discussing how to restart connections. The exhibition not only focuses on the frontiers of international photography and video art, but also strives to continuously strengthen the close connection in our current lives.

Pang Jie, president of Branding Shanghai, said that the theme of the exhibition will be planned around "urban images", so as to guide the public and feel the charm of Shanghai. At the same time, they will also actively use the exchanges established by exhibition, the platform transports the outstanding masterpieces of Shanghai local artists to the international stage.
People with breathing problems arrive to receive oxygen support for free at a Gurudwara (Sikh temple), amidst the spread of coronavirus disease, in Ghaziabad, India, April 24, 2021. Picture taken April 24, 2021. REUTERS-Yonhap



India set a new global record of the most number of coronavirus infections in a day, as the United States said it was racing to send help to the country.



India's number of cases surged by 349,691 in the past 24 hours, the fourth straight day of record peaks, and hospitals in Delhi and across the country are turning away patients after running out of medical oxygen and beds.



"Our hearts go out to the Indian people in the midst of the horrific COVID-19 outbreak. We are working closely with our partners in the Indian government, and we will rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India and India's health care heroes," U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on twitter.



The United States has faced criticism in India for its export controls on raw materials for vaccines put in place via the Defense Production Act and an associated export embargo in February.



The Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's biggest vaccine maker, this month urged U.S. President Joe Biden to lift the embargo on U.S. exports of raw materials that is hurting its production of AstraZeneca shots.



Others such as U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi urged the Biden administration to release unused vaccines to India. "When people in India and elsewhere desperately need help, we can't let vaccines sit in a warehouse, we need to get them where they'll save lives," he said.











A patient breathes with the help of oxygen provided by a Gurdwara, Sikh place of worship, inside a car in New Delhi, India, Saturday, April 24, 2021. AP-Yonhap
If Ashli Babbitt had been a liberal activist protesting abortion, the American public might know the name of the officer who shot her, and he might be facing criminal charges for killing an unarmed woman, according to Sgt. Betsy Smith, spokeswoman for the National Police Association.

Smith expressed concern about the lack of public information about the killing of 35-year-old Babbit, a U.S. Air Force veteran, who, while she was unarmed and surrounded by armed Capitol police standing nearby, attempted to climb through a smashed door pane into the House chamber during the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. She was shot in the neck by a plainclothes officer from inside the chamber. Babbitt was the lone person killed that day by lethal force.

The American public, Smith said, deserves to know the details about the circumstances of her death.

Appearing on NTD Televisions The Nation Speaks last Saturday, Smith primarily discussed the officer-involved shooting of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, on April 11 and the unrest and violent riots that have broken out in response to Wrights death and that of George Floyd last May.

Source:The Christian Post
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Iowa has asked the federal government to withhold more than one-quarter of its allotment of coronavirus vaccines this week because demand for the shots has waned across the state.

The Iowa Department of Public Health said Saturday that the state declined to accept 18,300 of 34,300 doses of Moderna vaccine it was slated to receive this week, and 3,510 of 46,800 doses of Pfizer vaccine.

Governor Kim Reynolds said Wednesday that 43 of the states 99 counties had declined all or part of their weekly vaccine allocations for the week of April 26.
Do you know which permits and licenses you need when you are about to start your business? After the initial excitement of starting your own business, the real work begins and this includes getting the right permits and licenses. The webinar, Steps to Start Your Business is going to help you navigate the logistics of launching a business by removing the seemingly daunting tasks to get you up and running.

Nellie Akalp, CEO of CorpNet.com and Anita Campbell, Founder and CEO of Small Business Trends will be on hand to lend their years of experience in this particular process of starting a business. Even though different states have different rules in place, there are certain steps in the process of starting a business that is universal across states and even countries.

This includes:

Which business permits and licenses may be needed

How to check the availability of a business name

The importance of selecting the correct business entity

Why a business bank account is necessary

Once you have this information, you can then go into the next phase of your entrepreneurial journey, including figuring out the right business structure for you and the best state to incorporate in. And by the way, those are two of the topics Akalp and Campbell will be addressing in other webinars.

Click on the red button and register now for the Oct. 20, 2021, at 2 p.m. (Eastern) webinar.

Register Now

Featured Events, Contests and Awards

WEBINAR: What Business Structure is Right for You?

June 17, 2021, Online

Picking a business structure is usually the first big legal decision for a new business owner and one of the most confusing. However confusing, it is an essential step to protecting your personal assets from any liabilities of the company. In this webinar, Nellie Akalp CEO of CorpNet.com, will share insight on business entities to help guide you to the best decision for your new venture.

WEBINAR: Best State to Incorporate

July 28, 2021, Online

Some say Delaware, others say Nevada while someone else may say your home state. What is the best state to register a business in? What if your business is expanding into new territory? At what point should you Foreign Qualify? Nellie Akalp, CEO of CorpNet.com, will go in-depth to answer these questions and more in this webinar.

WEBINAR: Steps to Start Your Business

October 20, 2021, Online

Starting a business can be an exhilarating time, where everything seems full of potential and purpose. But navigating the logistics of launching a business can be daunting. In this webinar Nellie Akalp, CEO of CorpNet.com, will outline the steps necessary to legally start a business and get up and running on the right foot.

See Also: Why Analytics Are the Hot Topic at This Small Business Conference

More Events

More Contests

This weekly listing of small business events, contests and awards is provided as a community service by Small Business Trends.

You can see a full list of events, contest and award listings or post your own events by visiting the Small Business Events Calendar.
FUZHOU, China, April 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The 4th Digital China Summit will be held in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, from April 25 to 26, 2021. It is set to beco-hosted by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, and the Fujian Provincial Government. It will be organized on the ground by the Fuzhou Municipal Government and other pertinent authorities.

Fuzhou's scenery in the welcome MV Beautiful Fuzhou, a Blessed Land

Fuzhou's scenery in the welcome MV Beautiful Fuzhou, a Blessed Land

For broadcast quality video and high-res images, please visit the Multimedia News Release: http://news.medianet.com.au/xinhua-news-agency/4th-digital-china-summit-held-fuzhou

The Organizing Committee of the Summit, which is themed unleashing greater dynamic of data elementsCembarking on a new journey of digital China, explains that this summit is a platform for the release of China's informatization development policies, for highlighting the latest achievements in the digitalization of China, for exchanging experiences in e-government and digital economy theories and practices, and an opportunity to bring global forces together to promote Digital China and the Digital Silk Road.

Fuzhou has an ancient culture; it is a green city with a health ecology; it's an innovative city full of vitality; and it's a city with a pleasant lifestyle, and one that is friendly and welcoming to businesses. The Fuzhou Government expends great effort in managing everything about the city-from gardens and green areas to ecological parks and inland river systems - in an efficient and effective manner. In so doing, it markedly improves the ecological environment, and it renders Fuzhou an exemplary eco-friendly and livable city that is fresh and natural. It really showcases Fuzhou's beauty and charm. Indeed, Fuzhou is a picture of harmonyand happiness everywhere. During the Digital Summit, visitors will be welcomed by the music video Beautiful Fuzhou, a Blessed Land, which is a popular video across China. Fuzhou is sending an invitation to the world: hope to see you in Fuzhou!

Story continues

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View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-4th-digital-china-summit-to-be-held-in-fuzhou-fujian-province-301276214.html

SOURCE The Organizing Committee of the 4th Digital China Summit
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The police in Lagos have dismissed one Jonathan Kampani, an inspector of police, for firing and killing a man at Ogombo, Sangotedo Lagos.

In a statement on Sunday by Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, the ex-officer will also be charged to court.

Mr Kampani allegedly fired one Jelili Bakare at Quilox Lounge on March 18 at about 11:30 p.m.

The victim and the ex-officer had an argument which led to the fatal shooting.

Immediately after the incident, the Inspector fled but was eventually arrested by the Divisional Police Officer Ogombo Division, Lagos State, the police said in an earlier statement.

Mr Adejobi, a chief superintendent of police, said the police commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, immediately ordered the arrest and orderly room trial of the inspector after the incident.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu and other top police officials also visited the family of the deceased at their residence at Ajiran land, Eti-Osa after the incident occurred.

During the visit, Mr Odumosu assured the grieving family that the police would do justice in the matter.

Giving update on the incident on Sunday, Mr Adejobi said the officer who shot the victim dead has been dismissed from the police force.

The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed one AP No 278055 Inspector Jonathan Kampani, attached to Mounted Troop of the Nigeria Police Force, for firing and killing one Jelili Bakare at Quinox Lounge, Sangotedo Area of Lagos State, on 18th March, 2021.

The Command has conveyed the dimissal of theerring Inspector from the Nigeria Police to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State CID, Panti, Yaba via letter numbered AR. 3100/LS/ SPM/vol.2/321 dated 16/4/2021, for prosecution as advised by the Department of Public Prosecutionof the Lagos State, Mr Adejobi said.

The police boss urged the general public, especially the family members of the deceased to be patient and have trust in the police and the judiciary as the matter will be given necessary attention and commitment it requires.

Mr Odumosu also reiterated the zero tolerance of the police command for professional misconducts and inappropriate behaviours among police personnel in the state.
Brazen double standards. That was the verdict last week of many Woodford Equity Income fund investors who contacted me in response to the Government's announcement of the compensation it will pay savers who lost money as a result of the failure of mini-bond provider London Capital & Finance.

On the one hand, they expressed delight that the Government will pay these bondholders 120million in compensation as a result of the City regulator's abject failure to protect their financial interests. The compensation will result in some 10,000 investors receiving 80 per cent of the value of their original investment, capped at 68,000.

On the other, they are seething that so far there appears no inclination to compensate them for the losses they have suffered as a result of the failure of the same regulator (the utterly useless Financial Conduct Authority) to ensure Woodford Equity Income (and its manager Neil Woodford) was abiding by the rules before it was suspended in June 2019. As things stand, their only route to financial justice lies through class action lawyers fighting their corner.

Anger: The FCA failed to ensure Woodford Equity Income (and its manager Neil Woodford) was abiding by the rules

It's hard not to be sympathetic towards these Woodford investors. Compensation for LC&F bondholders was triggered by a hard-hitting independent review into the Financial Conduct Authority's regulation of LC&F.

Conducted by retired judge Dame Elizabeth Gloster and published late last year, it concluded: 'Bondholders, whatever their individual personal circumstances, were entitled to expect, and receive, more protection from the regulatory regime in relation to an FCA-authorised firm (such as LC&F) than that which, in fact, was delivered by the FCA.'

Yet, much to the anger of many Woodford Equity Income investors, no similar independent review has so far been ordered into the regulator's role surrounding the suspension and demise of the fund they were invested in.

Indeed, the only 'investigating' that has taken place (and I use that word very loosely) has been by the FCA itself. As of today  22 months after promising to look into the issue  it has yet to utter a single word about what it intends to do. Maybe, its silence stems from the fact that the FCA knows it is as guilty as others involved in this sorry investment debacle.

Said one Equity Income investor last week: 'It's an outrageous injustice that one set of victims of regulatory failure [LC&F savers] is being compensated by the Government while another [WEI investors] has to resort to class action lawyers to fight their corner. It's an egregious example of double standards.'

Absolutely, it's time for the Government to order an independent investigation into the regulation of Woodford Equity Income. I can think of no better person to conduct this than Dame Elizabeth Gloster.

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Talking of compensation, I was contacted last week by a victim of the Equitable Life scandal (sadly, he has also lost money in Woodford Equity Income). He wanted to know whether any more compensation would be paid to people like him whose savings were savaged as a result of the near collapse of the insurer in 2000.

The answer, I am afraid to report, is a big 'no'. Last week, Treasury officials told the Public Accounts Committee that all records of Equitable Life compensation claims had now been destroyed by NS&I  the organisation responsible for overseeing compensation payments of 1.5billion ordered in 2010 by former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne. They said this had been done because they considered the compensation scheme closed.

For the enquiring reader, it means he will have received a fraction of the compensation he thought he would get to cover his losses. And he's not alone  hardened Equitable Life campaigners believe the shortfall in full compensation ordered by the Parliamentary Ombudsman in 2008, stands at around 2.6billion.

Conservative MP Bernard Jenkin, a member of the PAC, said at last week's session that the records being destroyed 'doesn't strengthen public confidence, certainly when in the minds of many there is unfinished business'.
India in talks with Guyana for long-term crude supply - minister FILE PHOTO: Oil tankers are seen parked at a yard outside a fuel depot on the outskirts of Kolkata

By Neil Marks and Nidhi Verma

GEORGETOWN/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India, the world's third-largest crude consumer and importer, has approached Guyana's government about a possible long-term deal to buy the South American country's oil, a Guyanese official said.

India has expressed interest in buying one of the 1 million-barrel cargoes Guyana's government is entitled to in order to test the crude in its refineries, according to Guyana's Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat. If the crude is compatible, the parties could begin talks on a long-term arrangement.

India's oil demand has risen by 25% in the last seven years, more than any other country, and officials there have pledged to use the country's position as a leading purchaser as a "weapon" in an effort to keep prices low.

New Delhi is already exercising its growing clout in the crude market. It viscerally opposed a decision by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known as OPEC+, to extend production cuts that have lifted the price of oil, and is seeking to diversify its purchases away from top producer Saudi Arabia.

State refiners plan to buy 36% less oil from Saudi Arabia in May than normal, sources told Reuters, and the country is now attempting to swap out Saudi supply with new origins like Guyana.

Private Indian refiner HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd purchased India's first-ever cargo from Guyana this month, but the talks have taken place on a government-to-government basis.

"India is interested in taking Guyana's share of its crude, based on mutual agreements, as part of its crude source diversification across the world," said one source with knowledge of the talks, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The two parties are still negotiating pricing, said the person, adding that the crude would be processed by state-owned refineries in India.

Bharrat said pricing was the "most important" factor for Guyana in any potential deal.

Story continues

"First and foremost is us getting the best price for our crude," he told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Guyana has become the world's newest energy hotspot after a consortium led by Exxon Mobil Corp began to produce light crude at the offshore Stabroek block in late 2019.

But with no domestic refining nor state oil company, Guyana has relied on private companies like Hess Corp and Royal Dutch Shell PLC to market its share on a spot basis. President Irfaan Ali's government has relaunched a search for a long-term partner to market its share, but has not yet selected a firm.

Bharrat said the government planned to re-launch the search for a marketing firm "soon." He said there was no guarantee the government's next cargo - which he said is due in June but may be delayed due to mechanical issues that have reduced production levels - would go to India.

Long term oil export deals negotiated between governments have been common in some South American oil-exporting countries in recent decades. Venezuela and Ecuador, for example, have supplied large quantities of crude to China under such long-term deals.

Guyana and India have strong historical and cultural ties. A large portion of Guyana's population of around 750,000 is of Indian descent, and Ali's People's Progressive Party - which won parliamentary elections last year - is traditionally associated with the Indo-Guyanese population.

(Reporting by Neil Marks in Georgetown and Nidhi Verma in New Delhi; Additional reporting and writing by Luc Cohen in Caracas; Editing by Marianna Parraga and Marguerita Choy)
Light mag. 3.9 earthquake - Western Mediterranean, 31 km northeast of Bejaia, Bejaia, Algeria, on 25 Apr 3:07 pm (GMT +0) -

Light magnitude 3.9 earthquake at 30 km depth

25 Apr 15:10 UTC: First to report: EMSC after 3 minutes.

25 Apr 15:22: Magnitude recalculated from 3.8 to 3.9. Epicenter location corrected by 51 km (32 mi) towards SSE.

25 Apr 17:50: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 10.0 to 30.0 km (from 6.2 to 18.6 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 23 km (15 mi) towards NW.

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Magnitude Depth Location Source 3.9 30 km NORTHERN ALGERIA EMSC 3.9 km MEDITERR, Algeria IGN unspecified n/a Near Jijel, Jijel, Algeria VolcanoDiscovery

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Send your own user report! Jijel (46.7 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s : everything shaked for 2 secondes | 5 users found this interesting. Bejaia / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Une soucouse de 3,9 | One user found this interesting. 51.3 km ESE of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s Oui je l'ai ressenti un peu | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s Bejaia algeria / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 15-20 s : Sad | One user found this interesting. Jijel kaous / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating : Jijel kaous | One user found this interesting. Jijel cirque, Algeria (47 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt Non ressenti au 2eme etage | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app Mon neveu Kheireddine l'a senti. / not felt Bejaia (16.2 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : balancoire | One user found this interesting. 34.9 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Scary | One user found this interesting. cartier seghir (33.3 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : j'ai mis mes chaussures | One user found this interesting. bejaia (57.9 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt : nothing | One user found this interesting. Bejaia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Shaking | One user found this interesting. Bejaia, Algiers (33.5 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s 35.2 km SSW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s 31.6 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s 34.4 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) Jijel (28.2 km N of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) JIJEL 0.5 second vibrated (47.3 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / very short Scary | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / very short Bejaia (34.5 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s Ouzellaguen - Bgayet / not felt 34.9 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Scary Cite rabta, Jijel / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / very short Setif bni aziz (67.2 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) Bejaia / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short : Weak shake Jijel (47.3 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s : weak shaking 78.2 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt 33.9 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) Bejaia city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s BEJAIA / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s 49.1 km S of epicenter [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) Bejaia / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 1-2 s Bejaia / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s Jijel (43.7 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s Bejaia / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s Bejaia city / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s bejaia / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / very short Bejaia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s Tinebder (28 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / very short Bejaia (34.6 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s 35.9 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s bejaia / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe / 2-5 s Bejaia ville / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 2-5 s 34.6 km SW of epicenter [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s Bejaia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Bejaia (36.6 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s bejaia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s 67.2 km SSE of epicenter [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) Bejaia (33.8 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

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"The Bund Fengjing" night market returns on May 1

By:Liu Xutong | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-04-25 14:16

One of Shanghai's night market "The Bund Fengjing" will return on May 1st, with the theme of Spring Recreation Party as a result of the blocks recent renovation, and a new upgraded immersive atmosphere experience.

From June 2020 to January 3, 2021, the "The Bund Fengjing" night market received 5.82 million visitors during the weekend. This year will continue with street magic, live bands, pop-up dances, themed parades, and will also invite independent illustrators to create and sell works of art on the spot.

People who have visited the night market have always been impressed by the food offered. There will be many new delicacies in May: sugar-free raw chocolate drink, seaweed pork floss cake, Swiss Movenpick ice cream, popular Japanese snow top beer, and Starbucks' first domestic food truck.
Click here to read the full article.

Natalia Almada, who won best director at Sundance this year for her mesmerizing film Users, is eager to continue the cinematic journey she began in that work with plans to next explore the boundaries of human endurance and the desire to discover the unknown.

Users, which is screening at the Copenhagen Documentary Film Festival (CPH:DOX) and Visions du Reel in Switzerland, is a visual essay about technology and progress, their often disastrous impact on the world, the wonders of nature and questions about what the future may hold. It is also a cinematic letter to her children.

Becoming a mother was one of the inspirations behind the film  to examine the changes that it brought to her life and the ways it made her look at the world differently, Almada says.

Having spent much of her childhood growing up on a farm in Sinaloa, Mexico, she never imagined having children in Californias Silicon Valley, where she lives with husband Dave Cerf, who also worked on Users as composer and sound designer.

Users is Almadas first film not made in Mexico, and while theres not a lot of dialogue, its also her first English-language pic.

While the filmmaker had previously shot all of her previous documentaries herself, she teamed up with her brother-in-law, cinematographer Bennett Cerf, on the visually ambitious Users.

Hes amazing at moving the camera and doing things I never would have done on my own, she says. He really kind of pushed me.

Compared with her own more static style, with Bennett it was suddenly three-dimensional in a really great way.

Its a gamble to work with family, its risky, and yet for me it felt like it gave us an opportunity to know each other not only as family, she adds.

Almada was encouraged to take on the challenging project after having made her first fictional feature film, the award-winning Todo lo demas (Everything Else).

I think making fiction kind of took away any fear I might have had, so I suddenly had this sense of possibility in terms of what I can do with the image.

Almadas husband Dave also did the sound design and music on Todo lo demas but he was much more involved in Users, she notes.

I feel this was more his than the other one. Todo lo demas is set in Mexico; its about a woman in her 60s. Its Mexico City 100% and that wasnt his world, whereas this is really his world.

Working closely with Bennett and Dave made Users much more of a collaborative effort. Even the ideas behind the film, the sensibility, I think they bring a very unique sensibility because of their experience.

Almada also managed to work with renowned flutist Claire Chase and the Kronos Quartet, who came onboard for the music, which was recorded at Skywalker Sound.

That was kind of a COVID blessing because they couldnt travel and theyre San Francisco based. Skywalker has this massive soundstage, so we could work there socially distanced. We got super lucky. And then Dolby came on board to do the Atmos mix, which we could also do at Skywalker with [Oscar-winning sound mixer] Lora Hirschberg.

Among the many themes Almada explores in Users, landscape and environment are of particular significance.

She recalls how her grandfather in Sinaloa built the first irrigation system in the region. They would have thought, We made land that was dry green. And that would have been thought of as progress and amazing and life. Yet maybe it wasnt all great, she adds. Maybe it had a negative environmental impact. You could think the same about pesticides. Pesticides come along and its the cure. It allowed us to do something we couldnt do and people didnt foresee that it might be damaging in any way.

Theres something about [Californias] Central Valley that reminds me of Sinaloa. You see these very green, full-of-life areas that shouldnt be that way. So then you think, where does that water come from? And then looking at those landscapes covered with solar panels. Again, you think, thats amazing, thats fantastic. We need renewable energy, but is that our new landscape?

Its not about whether its right or wrong, its about the ambiguity.

That ambiguity is also at the heart of Almadas film, whose images are often beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

On the one hand we have this progress and we solve problems and were inventive and theres imagination. Technology represents so much of the amazing thing about humankind and what we can do.

And then theres also this kind of humility we have to have, in the sense that, we dont always foresee what the consequences might be. Some forces are bigger than us. The force of the fires  we cant beat the fires. How do we negotiate those things and hold those contradictory things together and kind of think about them and both create responsibly the new technologies, and also consume responsibly?

Almada is set to continue her visual exploration of environment and the human desire to discover and push limits in her next project. She also plans to continue her collaboration with Bennet, Dave and Kronos. Its such a great mind challenge to work on a film like this. Theres something about that that I think I want to push further.

Ive been looking at the edges of things, the limits, a lot around the environment. Ive been interested in space and the Mariana Trench, and also the barefoot Tarahumara runners and the deep-sea divers  pushing to the limits of what we know is possible.

Again thinking of her children and the future, she asks, What will they have to discover?

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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

For most rural communities, economic drivers are often agricultural or based on natural resources.

But in some rural New Mexico communities, the economic driver can be something very different. Correctional facilities in rural towns often serve as the biggest employers and economic players. Recently, the New Mexico Department of Corrections announced it is considering preliminary plans to close the Springer Correctional Center, a womens prison located in Colfax County in the rural northeast corner of the state.

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Eric Harrison, public information officer for the department, said the department doesnt choose where prisons are located. He said any decisions about prison locations were made by previous administrations, and no one in the department could speak to how prison locations are chosen.

In 2017, the state closed the Torrance County Detention Facility in Estancia. This closure prompted considerable public outcry from area residents who depended on the facility for its economy.

After the facility left, the town saw all manner of effects on the local community, said Grace Philips, general counsel for the New Mexico Association of Counties. She said the towns bank and grocery store ended up closing. When prisons close in rural areas, theres a domino effect throughout the community, she said.

The Torrance County Commission voted two years ago to reopen the former prison as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. Since then, the community has been recovering slowly.

But not everyone agrees with using prisons as a way to boost an economy.

Prisons and jails are a heinous way to generate economic development, Steven Robert Allen, director of the New Mexico Prison & Jail Project, said via email. The Project is a nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of incarcerated people.

He said that, at a bare minimum, the prison-industrial complex in the country needs to be dramatically downsized.

As we do this, state and federal governments may need to step in and help some communities as they transition to economies that are not dependent on mass incarceration and all the atrocious injustices that go along with it, he said.

Philips agrees that, as jail and prison populations are reduced, its important for the state to consider the broader impacts of those decisions. She said there is potential to transfer from an incarceration-based employment model to other alternatives, but it doesnt happen overnight.

As fewer people are incarcerated, she said the state needs to look at substitute industries for areas where prisons might be closed so that communities arent unnecessarily devastated.

Springer is one of these communities.

Springer Mayor Boe Lopez said he thinks the town is a good location for a correctional facility because its limited in how it can diversify. He said Springer isnt a part of the state with oil and gas, a dairy industry or other economic drivers.

Springer is very rural in nature, he said, and the things it can come up with to help drive the economy are limited. That said, Springer isnt dependent just on the facility. Lopez said the electric company and schools are strong in their community, but due to the rural economy, everything is intertwined.

He gave the example of a teacher coming to Springer for employment and her husband gets a job at the correctional facility, or vice versa.

And so its just turned into that; its not like we were just solely dependent or relying on the correctional facility, Lopez said. (But) one leans on the other, so, as far as it goes, it has become a large employer within the community.

When the facility transitioned from a boys school to a prison, Lopez said the town did lose people to other parts of the state because fewer people were employed at the facility. Nonetheless, in a town of 800 to 900 people, 100-150 jobs is a big deal.

Agriculture is another big industry in Colfax County, he said, but a ranch is only going to hire a few people at a time.

Colfax County Commissioner Bobby Ledoux said Springer has been dependent on a correctional facility for a long time. He said losing it would turn the community into a ghost town.

Ledoux said that a lot of dependency issues have arisen tied to correctional employment. Prisons dont require the amount of backup or support that other businesses do, he said.

A prison isnt dependent on interstate commerce, transportation issues, educational supplement backup and other things, he said. Also, Springer knows how to support this type of industry because the town has been doing it for nearly a century.

We lost our mining, we lost our oil fields, we lost our racetrack and now theyre taking away the prison infrastructure, Ledoux said. And its, like, what do we have? I mean, farmers and agriculture can absorb only so much of the economy.

Otero County could be facing the same fate.

Otero County currently owes about $58 million in bonds for two correctional facilities, the Otero County Prison Facility and the Otero County Processing Facility. Both are privately operated and recently proposed legislation would have prevented the county from continuing to operate the facilities, ultimately leaving them with a big debt to pay.

The legislation failed, but the debate around the two facilities closing is ongoing.

State Rep. Willie Madrid, D-Chaparral, said he doesnt believe the county can do without these facilities right now because of the outstanding bonds. He said it would be detrimental to shut them down.

Madrid said talk surrounding private prisons has come up before and the most recent conversation in the legislative session didnt consider the financial impact on local economies.

To shut down these private prisons, while I  think we have to get to that point, I just dont think we can do it right now, he said.
On Christmas day in 2009, Nigerias Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, aged 23, having been born December 22, 1986, attempted to detonate plastic explosives that were hidden in his underwear. He had boarded a Northwest Airlines Flight 253 heading from Amsterdam to Detroit, Michigan, with 289 passengers on board. Providence however rescued those souls as the explosives refused to explode, burning instead Abdulmutallabs laps and genitalia. About three years after, on February 16, 2012, a United States federal court convicted him on eight counts bordering on his criminality. These included an attempt to unleash a weapon of mass destruction. Abdulmutallab got a term of sentencing for life and another 50 years without parole. Since then, he has been sequestered at the ADX Florence federal prison in Colorado, America.

I will return to this grisly narrative presently.

Whenever the west cites the 64 AD example of Nero fiddling while Rome was burning, Nigeria goes into historical kitty to flaunt hers. The fiddling Nero is a classical example of governmental neglect of duty and focus on frivolities. Or trivialities. Nigerias own Nero is the story of the first and only Prime Minister in the history of Nigeria, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. As Muhammadu Buhari sits cross-legged and picking his teeth in search of some interloping strands of meat, 57 years ago, Balewa did same. Separated by several kilometers in their places of ancestry, Balewas Bauchi several Sahelian deserts away from Buharis Daura, both leaders are however tragically united by their gross insouciance to raging matters of state. Nigeria is today literally being consumed by a ball of fire in form of ricochets of guns booming in virtually every state of the country. Buhari is however not aware. As Baal, god of the Sidonians, lapsed into bothersome silence, even as 450 of its prophets invoked its spirit on Mount Carmel, Buhari has slid into his characteristic sleep, dead to the tinder of fire that is burning Nigeria.

Backtrack to 1963 and 1964 Nigeria. The national census and the 1964 Federal Elections had thrown the country into a bedlam. This was garnished by blood flowing from the orgy of killings in the Western Region. Balewa however chose to little the acrimonious and vengeful spillage of blood. In June, 1964, as he toured Benin, just like Buharis hirelings placed the blame of the Nigerian conflagration on the media, Balewa too said he could not judge the intensity of lawlessness in the West on account of newspaper reports of the brigandage. Balewa was unworried and unconcerned about the slide. As he departed Nigeria for Accra to attend an OAU meeting in October, 1965 at the Ikeja airport, the Prime Minister cynically told a reporter who asked if he wasnt bothered by the fire raging through the western region that, Ikeja is part of the West and I cannot see any fire burning. Exactly two and half months after that statement, specifically on January 15, 1966, that fire he couldnt see consumed him in Nigerias first military coup which ended his life.

As it is, Isa Ali Pantami, Nigerias Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, is the fire burning Nigeria now that Buhari too cannot see. Or is pretending not to see. Though with his governments overt pampering of violence, bandits and insurgents, no one in their right senses expected Buhari to do away with or prosecute Pantami over a truckload of allegations of his insurgency-baiting words in recent past, the way the presidency diffidently told Nigerians to go jump inside the river last Thursday was however benumbing. The cusp it hung its arguments was so baffling that you would wonder if we were indeed not in Balewas First Republic. In a release defending Pantami, Buhari, through his Senior Special Assistant, Garba Shehu, said that because Pantami had been leading the charge against illegal data deductions and pricing revolutionized governments virtual public engagement to respond to COVID-19 and save(d) taxpayers money established ICT start-up centres to boost youth entrepreneurship and create jobs changed policy to ensure locally produced ICT content is used by ministries(and) deregistered some 9.2 million SIMs  ending the ability for criminals and terrorists to flagrantly use mobile networks undetected, therefore, allegations that he was hands-in-gloves with insurgency and authored views not different from Abubakar Shekaus are immaterial. How I wish my late teacher, Prof Campell Shittu Momoh, were here to spank Shehus irreverent buttocks for that ill logic and assault on the god of symbolic and deductive logic.

Buhari then leapt into indefensible cants. In doing, this, he made claims that were either deliberately misleading or demonstrative of a government that hypocritically has two different value systems. The release canvassed that, since Pantami made the said violence-baiting words in the early 2000s, when the minister was a man in his twenties and next year, he will be 50, Nigerians should know that time has passed and he should not be made to answer for those words. That is decidedly an arithmetic of deceit. If Pantami canvassed those extremist views in the early 2000s and next year, he will be 50, a la the presidency, then Pantami made the statements in his thirties in selfsame the early 2000s. In very unmistakable manner, that release must have convinced doubting Thomases who didnt believe that in Buharis reckoning, no northern Moslem can do any wrong, in the name of region or religion.

In law, 18 years is the age of responsibility. At that age, a person is deemed to be old enough to carry the cross of his actions, inactions and deeds. But because the Buhari government is so grossly consumed by the hail of nepotism and justification of violence in the name of region or religion, Pantami had not crossed that consequential age of responsibility.

If you place Abdulmutallab  the lad whose painful story I narrated above  and his extremist views beside acidic views alleged to have been uttered by Pantami, they share same crimson colour, both united by extremism. For instance, Abdulmutallab had said, The Koran obliges every able Muslim to participate in jihad and fight in the way of AllahI carried the device to avenge the killing of my Muslim brothers and sisters  He called the failed explosives laden to his underwear on that flight blessed weapon and claimed the motive for wanting to bomb 289 people in the flight as due to the tyranny of the United States. Flip to Pantamis and tell me the difference in them.

What the Buhari justification of Pantamis extremist views means is that if Abdulmutallab were to have been in Buharis Nigeria, his blossoming youth would not be cancelled as the US did of Abdulmutallab. All he needed to do, according to Buhari, through Shehu, was to promise he will not repeat them and publicly and permanently condemn(ed) his earlier (action) as wrong and he would be in the clear.

Buharis sense of justice is one of the weirdest in human history. While this sense of justice advocates rehabilitation for repentant insurgents, it leaves his victim to wallow in pains. It is this same skewed sense of justice which got Buhari to seek the 36 state governments lands and water belts for Fulani herdsmen involved in commercial pastoral venture while it is less bothered by the travails of Nigerian poultry farmers whose business is today in comatose due to governmental neglect, in the name of region and religion.

Today, terrorism is Nigerias major national challenge; of course, spurned by absence of leadership. There is no doubt that Nigeria is bleeding from all her major arteries. The number of people who have been killed in the last six months should rival the casualty figures in any major war. Nowhere is safe. A couple of days ago, three children among kidnapped students of Greenfield University, Kaduna, were killed like chickens. Bandits are killing in scores in Zamfara. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, claimed that about 65,000 Nigerians were propelled to flee the country following an April 14 series of attacks by armed groups on Damasak, a town located in the north-eastern part of Borno State. Eight people were reported killed with many injured. Same UNHCR claimed that an upsurge of violence that has held the jugular of the Lake Chad Basin has so far uprooted 3.3 million Nigerians from their homes, a figure that includes about 300,000 Nigerian refugees and excludes about 2.2 million others who have been displaced in north-eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. In the first quarter of last year, Global Rights Nigeria, an organization that keeps tabs on Nigerias cadaver harvest, said that at least 1,416 lives were lost to violence within that period. It is apparent that a quadruple more of that figure has since died. But for Buharis defence of region and religion, those people may still be alive today.

To say that Nigeria is a killing field is an understatement. The twin evils of audacity of spillage of blood in major parts of the northern part of Nigeria and the absence of government have lionized renegades in other parts of the country to unleash their terror on defenceless people. Violence has been effectively democratized in all the nooks and crannies of the country, with all the regions competing to outdo one another in the violence roulette. Nigerias Southeast is not left in the orgy of violence. While IPOB inflicts its anger and fury on the Nigerian state, a state of fear grips our compatriots in that enclave. Unidentified anarchists set prisoners free, burn police stations and kill policemen, blinded from the fact that the victims are their own kin. On Thursday last week, the city of Enugu was a bedlam. The New Artisan area had been set on fire. Soldiers from the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army literally took over the Coal City. They strewn up the Otigba Junction Roundabout, even amidst an evening downpour. You would think that there was a coup. Again on Saturday, news came in that the country home of Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo State, had been set ablaze by suspected hoodlums. They reportedly threw petrol bombs into the house located in Oru East local government area of the state. Sorrows, tears and blood, apologies to Fela Anikulapo Kuti, are the regular trade mark in the Nigeria under Buhari.

While violence has become a recurring decimal in the globe, world leaders are taking steps to track and tame the incubus. Here in Nigeria, there are manifest feelings that the body language of the northern ruling elite, including that of the president, is in support of violence and agents of violence, in the name of region and religion. Right from the days of Goodluck Jonathan, there have been claims that the outlawry that has claimed thousands of lives of Nigerians is being given vent and funded with millions of dollars by powerful men in government who cover their outlawry in wide babanriga. Pantami is the first major identifiable link that Nigeria has had so far to that high-level allegation. The whole world must be laughing itself silly on account of Nigerias Albert Camus absurdity under Buhari. How can a man with such toxic views, which he claimed to have reneged but with scant public evidence, be in charge of Nigerias sensitive data ministry:? Christians whose data are in the hands of such a man who advocated their killings in the name of God are as vulnerable as a man who rubbed gasoline on his body and standing beside the mai suyas red hot iron gauze.

A man who, in the early 2000s, a la Buharis Shehu, who was then in his twenties but allegedly superintended over the killing of a final year student of a university, on allegation that he distributed Christian tracts; who openly expressed a voyeur attraction for Osama bin Ladens bloodsucking evangelism; who allegedly had dalliance with terrorists and expressed extremist views, is not one you embrace and give a pat in the back, even when he claims he had repented of them. Or even if his brilliance took your country to the moon. The biblical Saul example that is being hoisted by some felons here is Satanic and inappropriate. Repentance not only comes with genuine confession, sobriety and contriteness, the repentee (pardon my invention) is still not unaccountable to the repentor (again, pardon, please) which in this case is the Nigerian state, for the crime of his past, once he is within the radius of the age of crime liability. As exhibited in the sentencing of the policeman who killed Americas George Floyd last week, the arc of the universe is tilted towards justice. Nigerias shouldnt tilt towards bloodshed and mindless justification of blood-baiting felons, in the name of region and religion.

Rather than come out with a blanket shawl covering Pantami, the first step of a government that is not allied to blood-letting should be to ask its minister accused of wearing an apparel soaked in blood of innocent people to step aside for thorough investigation. Many have said that, judging by alleged health challenge of the president which necessitates proxy governance of Nigeria, many of the governmental decisions attributed to him, including the Garba Shehu release on Pantami, Buhari is everything but aware of them. They might have been decisions taken by powerful proxies, Buhari having retreated into his inscrutable and inaccessible world.

There is no doubt that, as Garba Shehu argued, powerful conglomerates and persons might have escalated the Pantami riddle because his ministerial decisions took oily morsels from their throats. When such victimizers unleash a mob on their victims, only God can come to their rescue. However, Pantami is not denying many of these blood-dripping claims. The presidency may argue in favour of the timing of the hail of allegations against its anointed ministerial son but not its veracity, nor the age of responsibility for crime. It is not judicially empowered to so do.

By this wooly shawl spread round Pantami to cover the blood oozing out of his hands, Buhari is audaciously saying, 57 years after Balewa: Ikeja is part of the West and I cannot see any fire burning. Well, he will have his Pantami retained as minister. The carnage on innocent Nigerians will continue. History reveals however that when leaders like this think it is peace and safety, destruction sidles in at night like a fox. Blood is spiritual and shedding of its corpuscles is like water, it will find its course. Everyone who aids and abets it will be answerable to its burning fury. Blood devours like foxes do to chickens in their pen, leaving in its trail blood, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Festus Adedayo is an Ibadan-based journalist.

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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union has called for the restoration of the constitutional order in Chad following the death of President Idriss Deby Itno last Tuesday and the formation of a transitional military council to rule for 18 months
CAIRO, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 25th Apr, 2021) His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and President of Egypt Abdel Fatah el-Sisi, today reviewed in Cairo the deeply rooted fraternal relations between the two nations and prospects of accelerating cooperation and consolidating joint action across all fronts.

This came as the Egyptian president welcomed Sheikh Mohamed and his accompanying delegation here today, where they deliberated the latest regional and international developments of interest in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the latest developments of the global battle against COVID-19 and the two countries' efforts to stem the fallout of the pandemic.

At the beginning of the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed and the Egyptian president exchanged Ramadan greetings, and prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the peoples of the two countries and the rest of the Arab and Islamic world, and humanity at large, with more peace and prosperity.

Sheikh Mohamed conveyed to the Egyptian president the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, wishing him continued good health and wellbeing and more progress and prosperity to the people of Egypt.

Sheikh Mohamed re-affirmed the UAE's determination to maintain continual channels of coordination and discussions with Egypt regarding ways of addressing regional issues and crises.

For his part, the Egyptian president emphasised on Egypt's commitment to its firm and principled position toward the security of the Gulf and its rejection of all practices that threaten its stability.

He added that Sheikh Mohamed's visit gives further impetus to the longstanding and strategic relations between the two countries and consolidates their joint action to the best interest of their peoples and their ambitions for more development and prosperity.

El-Sisi hosted an Iftar banquet in the honour of Sheikh Mohamed and his accompanying delegation, who comprised H.H. Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Crown Prince's Court of Abu Dhabi, and Dr. Hamad Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed left Cairo following the meeting and was seen off by the Egyptian president.
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10 BILLS TO WATCH IN 2021

House Bill 1250

Sponsors: Reps. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, and Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, D-Denver

What it does: Clarifies some of the language from SB 20-217, the law enforcement accountability bill that ended qualified immunity for unlawful actions.

Status: Passed House Judiciary, April 21

House Bill 1251

Sponsors: Herod, Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Thornton

What it does: Limits the use of the tranquilizer ketamine

Status: Passed House Judiciary, April 21

Senate Bill 174

Sponsors: Sens. John Cooke, R-Greeley, and Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins

What it does: Requires a law enforcement agency to provide a credibility disclosure notification to a district attorney's office if a peace officer's credibility is called into question by an internal investigation, an allegation, or a sustained finding.

Status: Awaiting action from Senate Appropriations

Senate Bill 62

Sponsor: Sen. Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs

What it does: Limits the use of cash bail; authorizes peace officers to issue a summons and complaint for most offenses rather than an arrest.

Status: Awaiting action from Senate Appropriations

House Bill 1030

Sponsors: Reps. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Hugh McKean, R-Loveland

What it does: Expands the types of law enforcement agencies that can access a state grant program for mental health resources.

Status: Awaiting action from Senate Appropriations

House Bill 1122

Sponsors: Reps. Meg Froelich, D-Greenwood Village, and Colin Larson, R-Littleton

What it does: Sets up a commission to improve first responder interactions with those with developmental disabilities

Status: Passed the House on April 19, 53-10, now heads to the Senate

Senate Bill 31

Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Bridge, D-Greenwood Village

What it does: Prohibits state and local government agencies from deeming protests unlawful unless a significant number of people pose an imminent threat of using force or violence to cause personal injury or significant property damage.

Status: Awaiting its first hearing in Senate Judiciary, despite being introduced more than two months ago. Bridges said he is continuing to work with law enforcement and the bill will look substantially different from its introduced version. No hearing date scheduled.

House Bill 1085

Sponsors: Larson and Rep. Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon

What it does: Creates service system for counties to transport those in behavioral health crises.

Status: Awaiting action from House Appropriations Committee

House Bill 1142

Sponsor: Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver

What it does: Requires law enforcement agencies that use showups (face-to-face identification between a witness and a suspect) to report the technique used, date, gender and race of the suspect, and whether the technique led to identification of a suspect. Also prohibits use of showup identification in certain circumstances.

Status: Awaiting action in House Appropriations

House Bill 1211

Sponsor: Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder

What it does: Bans the use of solitary confinement in jails with at least 400 beds and for those confined due to mental health issues.

Status: Assigned to Senate Judiciary; passed the House on 40-25 vote on April 12.
New Delhi: The complete COVID-19 lockdown in Delhi which is in effect till Monday (April 26, 2021) morning is likely to be extended further due to the deteriorating situation.

The lockdown could be extended as the coronavirus situation in the national capital remains grim with several hospitals reporting a shortage of medical oxygen.

"The idea behind the brief lockdown was that it will control the cases and give time to boost the health infrastructure, but the situation has gone from bad to worse. In such a situation, extending the lockdown, by maybe another week, is a possible option," a source in the Delhi government told PTI news agency.

On Saturday, the national capital recorded 24,103 new COVID-19 infections and 357 deaths, the highest single-day toll for the city since the pandemic broke out. Delhi's positivity rate now stands at 32.27 per cent and its COVID-19 caseload has now climbed to over 10 lakh with the total number of active cases nearing one lakh. The city currently has 93,080 active infections.

Delhi has also witnessed 13,898 coronavirus-related fatalities.

Delhi Health Bulletin - 24th April 2021#DelhiFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/OT0Wju9hjj  CMO Delhi (@CMODelhi) April 24, 2021

Delhi has reported nearly 2,500 deaths due to the deadly virus in the last 12 days. Since the lockdown, Delhi saw 277 deaths on April 20, 249 on April 21, 306 on April 22 and 348 casualties on April 23.

The number of containment zones in Delhi has also increased from 22,000 to 24,802.

The complete COVID-19-induced lockdown was imposed in Delhi on April 19 to contain the spread of the raging fourth wave of coronavirus in the national capital. In a press conference address, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said, "Delhi's health system is unable to take more patients in big numbers."

The AAP supremo had stated, "If a lockdown isn't implemented now the situation will go beyond control."

            | Press Conference | LIVE https://t.co/zAECIEcZ53  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 19, 2021

Earlier on Friday, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) had asked the Delhi government to extend the lockdown in the national capital. They also decided to shut markets for one more week.

"As and when the situation is improved, the lockdown can be lifted," the confederation said in a statement.

In view of the deteriorating #COVIDEmergency, Delhi traders are willing to take a voluntary decision to keep markets closed for one more week (26th April- 2nd May) incase @LtGovDelhi @CMODelhi @ArvindKejriwal do not extend #delhilockdown. @CAITIndia SG Shri @praveendel explains. pic.twitter.com/WKTRSph15z  Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) (@CAITIndia) April 24, 2021

(With inputs from agencies)

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Al Salem Johnson Controls (York), a leading provider of integrated solutions in HVAC equipment, fire and security and building management systems, said work is nearing completion on its new factory coming up over a 203,783 sq m area within King Abdullah Economic City.



Once the work gets over in the second quarter of 2021, Al Salem York will be shifting its entire base to the KAEC facility .



The new plant will play a role in transforming Saudi Arabia into a leading industrial destination, as it will be the largest York factory in the Middle East, said the statement from Al Salem York.



Saudi-based Al Salem Group had joined forces with Yorks mother company Johnson Controls, a leading multi-industrial company and a pioneer provider of integrated solutions that incorporate HVAC equipment, fire and security systems, building management systems and controls, for the residential, commercial and industrial sectors, in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt and Yemen.



Through this factory, the company seeks to expand local manufacturing by doubling its production lines, and raising the percentage of locally made product exports to regional and international markets.



The move is in line with the kingdoms plan to localize the industry, aiming to raise the quality of the local products and paint a positive image about locally made products to grow the sense of pride of local consumers, it added.



Dr Mohanad AlShaikh, CEO of Al Salem Johnson Controls (York) in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and Yemen, commended HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Saudi Export Development Authority Bandar Alkhorayef, for the launch of the "Made in Saudi" programme, which aims to support national products at the local and global levels, and increase non-oil exports.



Expressing appreciation for the new initiative, Dr AlShaikh said that the programme is in line with Vision 2030, and will contribute to starting a new era for the Saudi industry, enabling and increasing the competitiveness of the national product locally, as well as increase production for export.



He stressed that the company aspires to localize the manufacturing of HVAC Units, in line with Kingdoms directives to manufacture high-efficient products, as one of the key pillars of the national non-oil economy.



Furthermore, the company will work towards attracting Saudi engineers and technicians, who will play an active role in achieving the goals of the "Made in Saudi" Program.



Over the past 20 years, since the opening of its Jeddah York Factory, Al Salem Johnson Controls (York) has manufactured over 95,000 HVAC Units, in addition to designing and manufacturing the Units corresponding control panels, certified by Johnson Controls International.



This makes the company one of the local manufacturing pioneers, transferring and localizing the latest global technologies.



The company aims to carry on toward achieving the "Made in Saudi" Programs goals, and to contribute to raising the Saudi non-oil exports from 16% to 50% by 2030.



Al Salem Johnson Controls (York) has succeeded in exporting 30% of its Saudi-made Units to more than 20 countries in the region, as part of several strategic projects, including: Abu Dhabi International Airport, Hurghada International Airport, Atlantis Dubai, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Bahrain International Circuit, Patchi factory in Lebanon, and Microsoft offices in India.
Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 79F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
HOLYOKE  The state is moving to claim ownership of the former Mount Tom quarry to stop the current owners from converting the 16-acre site into a clean-fill operation in which truckloads of soil would be dumped in the massive crater on the side of the mountain over the next 20 years.

Officials with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation are laying claim to the title for the quarry parcel under terms of the states 2002 purchase of 144.7 acres of the former Mount Tom Ski Area for $1.3 million. They want to see the land preserved in its natural state and protected for future use for outdoor recreation.

Under terms of the deal, the Mt. Tom Companies Inc., then known as the Mt. Tom Ski Area Inc., was allowed to retain ownership and to extract rock for a 10-year period. Once it ceased being an active quarry, the state was entitled to claim ownership of the property at no cost. The quarry has been dormant since 2012.

The takeover is part of the long-term goal of (the Department of Conservation and Recreation) acquiring land at the mountain for everyones benefit, said the states secretary of energy and environmental affairs, Kathleen Theoharides, who oversees the conservation agency.

On Dec. 7, the state gave Mt. Tom Companies the required 90-day notice of its intent to assume ownership of the site.

Also in December, the state had to relinquish rights to acquire additional acreage on the mountain that had been owned by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke. A lawyer for the state has said inaction by the Holyoke City Council caused a deadline to be missed, and the land is now owned by Mt. Tom Companies. The company purchased the property, assessed at nearly $1 million, from the club for $100,000.

Mt. Tom Companies, meanwhile, on March 25 filed for federal bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11. That move brought everything to a standstill until the bankruptcy request is resolved in court. The filings show the corporation owes the city of Holyoke more than $300,000 in back taxes delinquent to 2013.

Theoharides, who notes the bankruptcy filing came the same day the state was due to take ownership of the property, said the Chapter 11 proceedings may delay but will not stop the takeover. A hearing is set for April 30 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Springfield.

(The state) looks forward to completing the transfer of the quarry property abutting Mount Tom State Reservation in order to create a continuous protected landscape that benefits wildlife and improves outdoor recreational opportunities, said Olivia Dorrance, a spokeswoman for the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The state hopes to enact long-term management and safety plans around the quarry, including warning signs and a perimeter rope along the top edge of the quarry crater to warn hikers, as well as installing gates to limit vehicle access to the floor below.

In this file photo from February, state energy and environmental affairs secretary Kathleen Theoharides speaks at an event at Riverland Farm in Sunderland. Theoharides is leading the states effort to stake its claim on the former Mount Tom quarry to expand the Mount Tom State Reservation for conservation and recreation. (Hoang Leon Nguyen / The Republican)

Theoharides said the state has always had an interest in acquiring the quarry, but the interest took on a new urgency last spring when it learned that Mt. Tom Companies was interested in converting the dormant quarry into an active clean-fill site. Trained as a field biologist, Theoharides is familiar with the Mount Tom reservation, having grown up in Western Massachusetts. She graduated from Minnechaug Regional High School before attending Dartmouth College.

Matthew L. Donohue, who along with Timothy P. Kennedy owns Mt. Tom Companies, said they are not conceding ownership of their property nor their plan for it. Corporate filings with the state identify their corporation as a real estate and management company.

That plan is to fill in the quarry crater, a hole that is hundreds of feet deep and covers approximately eight acres, with noncontaminated soil from construction projects around the region. The plan would be almost Keynesian economics brought to life. Where the company once made money digging a hole, now it wants to make money by filling it in. The project would take an estimated 20 years.

Were not talking about soils that are contaminated or dirty, Donohue said. Its clean soil.

Once the quarry is filled in, the mountain would return to its original slope, and the land then deeded over to the state, according to Donohue.

The quarry is a blemish on the mountain, he said.

Donohue and Kennedy purchased the majority of shares in Mt. Tom Companies in 2019 with the idea of filling in the quarry as a commercial venture. The company was once headed by Mary Rose OConnell, whose family for years operated the ski area.

Donohue said there was, at the time, a growing demand in the market for clean-fill sites and the quarry seemed ideal. He and Kennedy, who are both Holyoke residents, are interested in restoring the mountain to its original condition and in removing the danger of people falling off the quarrys edge.

It would minimize the fall risk, bring back the mountain to its natural state, and make us some money hopefully, Donohue said.

He cites a 2016 ecological assessment of Mount Tom by the Conway Schools graduate program in landscape design, which includes a recommendation that the quarry be filled in and reclaimed. The study says the quarry site is neither safe nor inviting for people, and the barren landscape is not suitable for many plant or animal species.

Making the quarry area safer and establishing more visible management will make many more acres of land and trail available to the public, the study notes.

Kellen Powers and Anna Price, both from Holyoke, enjoy the view from the top of Bray Tower at the Mount Tom State Reservation in Holyoke on March 24. The state Department of Conservation & Recreation is seeking to expand the reservation through acquisition of the former quarry on the mountainside in Holyoke. (Don Treeger / The Republican)

At the same time they took over Mt. Tom Companies, Donohue and Kennedy formed another company, Site Reclamation, which on Dec. 30 purchased a 24-acre parcel next to the quarry site from the Boys & Girls Club. Under the 2002 deed, the state had a right to make an offer on that property, but when it failed to do so within a required 180 days, the sale to Site Reclamation went through.

Site Reclamation, according to its 2019 certificate of organization filed with the state, is in the business of property reclamation and restoration utilizing soils and other materials to accomplish the same and any other lawful purposes.

Theres roughly eight acres of habitat that was lost to the quarry, and it was our idea that we were going to reestablish that, Donohue said.

Environmentally speaking, such action would be a horrible idea, according to Theoharides. She predicts it would be a disaster for the many species of plants and animals that live there, as well as for those who enjoy hiking Mount Tom and for the Holyoke residents who live in the vicinity.

Since the land ceased being an active quarry, it has become home to several species, and protecting their habitat is important, the secretary said. There are peregrine falcons that nest on the ledges, plants grow in the crevices on the rock face, and wood frogs and salamanders breed in the vernal pools on the quarry floor.

Nature adapts, she said.

The secretary said Mt. Tom Companies has failed to keep the property safe, especially in the immediate area around the quarry where anyone hiking might not realize they are standing at the edge of a nearly 200-foot cliff.

A bankrupt company had control over the site, and it didnt offer any safety measures to protect the public from accidents, she said.

She also cited the large amounts of noise, dust and truck exhaust the proposed clean-fill operation would generate and the dangers posed by the number of trucks winding along the narrow access road to walkers and hikers who regularly use it.

We estimated there would be 23 trucks a day  for 20 years  driving to and from the quarry, Theoharides said.

In these photos from 2015, vandalism had been widespread at the former Mt. Tom Ski Area, owned by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke since 2002. The property has now been sold for $100,000 to a company, Site Reclamation, that wants to fill in the old quarry located on neighboring property. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

Donohue and Kennedy filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in order to restructure more than $400,000 in debt, including $327,263 in property taxes owed to the city of Holyoke and a $93,000 loan from their limited liability corporation, Site Reclamation, they said. (The city had first placed a lien on the property on Oct. 22, 2013, for $23,791 in unpaid taxes at that time, according to records provided by the city.)

Also listed in the bankruptcy filing, although not assigned a dollar amount, is the states option to acquire the property.

The latest developments with the quarry site are just the latest chapter, albeit a confusing one, in the ongoing debate about the future of Mount Tom.

After the privately owned ski area shut down 1998, the 397-acre site on the side of the mountain was carved up. Some 381 acres were sold for $3 million to a coalition of state, federal and nonprofit organizations intent on keeping the site undeveloped.

The state Department of Management, a precursor of todays Department of Conservation and Recreation, purchased 144.7 acres for $1.3 million, adding to the 1,800-acre Mount Tom State Reservation. The quarry was part of that property transaction that included giving the ski area corporation (which evolved into the company now led by Donohue and Kennedy) the rights to mine it for 10 years then hand it over the state.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service purchased 140 acres for $1.1 million, with the property being managed as part of the Silvio Conte National Wildlife Refuge.

The nonprofit Trustees of the Reservation purchased 73.5 acres for $300,000.

And the Boys & Girls Club purchased 21.7 acres at the bottom of the former ski slopes where the ski lodge and wave pool used to be. That is the property purchased by Site Reclamation in a deal that was signed on June 20 and became official on Dec. 30.

With the purchase of the Boys & Girls Club property, which is adjacent to the quarry, Donohue and Kennedy own two parcels totaling 40 acres that are landlocked by properties owned by federal, state, local or nonprofit entities.

A review of documents on file with the courts, the Hampden County Registry of Deeds and in minutes of governmental meetings reveal a degree of intrigue not normally associated with a massive hole in the side of a mountain.

In these photos from 2015, vandalism had been widespread at the former Mt. Tom Ski Area, owned by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke since 2002. The property has now been sold for $100,000 to a company, Site Reclamation, that wants to fill in the old quarry located on neighboring property. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

The $100,000 purchase price that Site Reclamations paid to the Boys & Girls Club was far less than the $300,000 the club paid for the property in 2002. It was also significantly below the citys assessed value of the property, $988,300.

Matthew Mainville, vice chairman of the clubs board of directors, who handled negotiations for the sale, said the price received was fair. Mainville led the negotiations because the clubs CEO, Eileen Cavanaugh, is Donohues sister.

Mainville, who is also director of the Holyoke Housing Authority, said the club was seeing no potential buyers coming forward to offer the assessed value for the site. The club marketed the property via public solicitation and word-of-mouth, he said.

Site Reclamation offered, according to Mainville, to pay to raze several structures on the property that had been damaged by vandals and by fire over the years. The company also offered to make an annual donation to the club for five years. He declined to give the amount of the annual gift, saying it is the practice of the club not to disclose specific terms of private giving agreements.

Combining the $100,000 with the annual donations and the amount saved in demolition costs puts the total worth at around $300,000, he said.

Mostly, Mainville said, the club was relieved to no longer own the property. It purchased it with the best of intentions, he said, eying creating a summer camp for children or even zip lining on the property.

The club did meet with several developers who had ideas for outdoor activities there, but each one eventually backed off because of restrictions on use for the site and state concerns about the impact on possible endangered species there, according to Mainville.

We are satisfied we met our fiduciary responsibility, he said.

Mainville said the club notified the state and had meetings with representatives of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife as well as the agencys Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program about the impending sale.

Under the 2002 deed, the state was to be given 180 days notice of any pending sale of the property and was granted the right to make a counteroffer. The state has said it received notice of the impending sale on June 8.

In this photo from December 1986 when the Mt. Tom Ski Area was still operating, Santa drives a snow groomer on one of the trails. (Dave Roback / The Republican file photo)

The 180 days passed without a counteroffer, and the sale of the property to Site Reclamation proceeded. One of the reasons no counteroffer was made appears to result from a state law requiring any state agency intending to purchase property to give the municipal government 120 days notice before the sale. This required notice would extend past the 180-day period to make a counteroffer.

This was apparently overlooked, because in November the Department of Conservation and Recreation requested Holyoke waive the 120-day requirement in this case. Instead, the City Council on Dec. 1 voted 12-1 to send the matter to the Development and Government Relations Committee for review.

When the committee met five weeks later, the state withdrew the waiver request because the sale had gone through and the matter became moot. In a Jan. 22 email received by the committee and read during a Jan. 25 meeting by Ward 3 City Councilor David K. Bartley, Marguerite E. Reynolds, assistant general counsel for the Department of Conservation and Recreation, said her agencys right to acquire the parcel expired as a result of the delay (by the council), and the property has been sold to a third party, which we understand was known to at least several council members.

City Council president Todd McGee said the council chose to delay the waiver on the 120-day notice because councilors were hearing about it for the first time and had questions. There were questions about the validity of the request and whether the council was opening itself for legal action by going along with the request, he explained.

The council was not taking any position, pro or con, by sending it committee, according to McGee. He said he had not been aware the state was under such a tight timeline. We wanted to make sure we were doing our due diligence, he added.

McGee added that he had heard talk about the owners of the quarry planning a fill operation at the site, but no formal request or proposal had ever come before the council for consideration. He also said he had not heard about the state taking steps to claim the quarry until contacted by The Republican.

Donohue said he and Kennedy bought the Boys & Girls Club site as part of their plan to establish a clean-fill site at the quarry. When they first floated the concept, officials with the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlifes Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, also under the umbrella of the energy and environmental affairs secretariat, suggested it.

For projects that would be disruptive to wildlife habitats, the state likes areas of at least the same size to be set aside and left undisturbed, he said. Donohue said their plan was to buy the Boys & Girls Club property and then deed it to the state at no cost in exchange for the clean-fill project getting the go-ahead.

And once the quarry was filled and capped in 20 years, that property would also be given to the either state or to the Friends of Mount Tom, he said.

Its a good project on many levels, Donohue said. At the end of the day (the Department of Conservation and Recreation) would be adding just over 40 acres, and eight acres would be reestablished better than they are currently because the quarry really doesnt have a lot of environmental significance.

Aerial photo of the cliff face at the former Mt. Tom quarry. Note the hiking path that goes along the cliff. DCR officials want to install warning signs and a rope to prevent people from falling.

Marion E. Larson, spokeswoman for the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, said her agency discussed the quarry-filling project with Site Reclamation in early 2020. The idea about acquiring the Boys & Girls Club property to minimize the ecological impact of the project was proposed by Site Reclamation, not by state officials, according to Larson.

She added that officials with Natural Heritage conceptually agreed it could be a net benefit, but only on the condition that a conservation and management permit be obtained, which has not happened.

Larson said there have not been any other substantive discussions about the project with anyone from Site Reclamation since last summer. She notes that the state does not endorse any project before the completion of a regulatory review process.

Kathleen Fournier, of the state Department of Environmental Protections Springfield office, recalls officials with her agency having attended a preliminary meeting and site visit in either 2019 or 2020. No official proposal nor any sort of planning document for the property was ever filed, according to Fournier.

Donohue said during a City Council meeting that the states move to claim title on the quarry so soon after it was shut out of acquiring the Boys & Girls Club parcel seemed retaliatory. In an interview with The Republican, he backed off from that position, but said the timing was coincidental.

We this far have not had a lot of meaningful conversations, he said, but were hoping that in the very near future we can.

He acknowledged Mt. Tom Companies has the issue of outstanding taxes.

Were not disputing the fact there are taxes owed, Donohue said. Taxes dont get forgiveness, so if the project goes forward, those taxes will have to be paid.

Theoharides said that once her agency gains control over the title for the quarry, it would be interested in acquiring the former Boys & Girls Club property from Site Reclamation. That acquisition, she said, would be the final piece in creating a continuous landscape across Mount Tom to ensure its conservation for outdoor recreation and as habitat for plants and animals.

Were not unreasonable people, Donohue said in response. He said he continues to hope there will be some discussion or negotiation with the state on the future of the two parcels. In the meantime, he and Kennedy are trying to proceed with the clean-fill project.

Were going forward on our track, and it sounds like (the state) is going forward on their track, he said. Maybe we were naive. We thought (our project) benefits the state, the city and us. We believed it was something great. I guess we were wrong, but I dont know why we were wrong because they wont tell us where we were wrong.

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I see trees of green Red roses too I see them bloom For me and for you And I think to myself What a wonderful world

Or so sang Louis Armstrong over five decades ago. What a beautiful, life-affirming sentiment from a beautiful, life-affirming man. For those of you who are young, Louis Armstrong was Black. Yet Louis, even back then in the turbulent 60s, was an ebullient person, filled not with a sense of victimhood and entitlement, but with a sense of wonder, appreciation, and gratitude. All of the things which lead to a life of happiness and contentment.

Louis Armstrong in 1955 (public domain photo by Herbert Behrens)

So, he sang.

I see skies of blue

And clouds of white The bright blessed day

The dark sacred night

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world

Compare these sentiments to whats taught now. Higher education, the hate-America media, Big Tech, the heads of giant multi-national corporations, Hypocritical Hollywood, and the rest of the secretly self-hating but virtue-signaling effeminate elites in government and elsewhere virtually force all but the strongest, smartest and most independent of young people to despise their country, eschew religion, and mock the concepts of gender, traditional morality and knowable truth. Thus, todays so-called social justice warriors and BLM/Antifa types are attempting to destroy the nuclear family and the society that has all too tolerantly allowed them to riot in the streets virtually unchecked for almost a year now.

Neither they nor their elite puppet-masters give a rats ass about the staggering numbers of Blacks killed by other Blacks in Democrat-run major cities across the formerly United States. It is clear that, to them, All Black Lives Dont Matter. In fact, No Lives Matter would be a better slogan and moniker.

So, instead of What A Wonderful World, they bellow:

I see whites are obscene

Black folks are screwed

Trans, gay, and pangender too

And I scream out to all

I hate you too

And think to myself

What an effed-up world

Which world view is closer to the truth? Which leads to happier and more productive lives? Satchmos or BLMs?

What if we appreciated colors instead of letting ourselves be trapped and defined by them? What if we treated everyone equally before the law instead of allowing elites and thugs  whether individuals or giant corporations  to dictate outcomes? What if we all focused on our blessings rather than on our burdens? What if we took the words that Martin Luther King spoke -- and Louis Armstrong sang -- to heart, rather than mocking them with our actions? What a wonderful world it would be.

I hear babies cry

I watch them grow

They'll learn much more

Than I'll ever know

And I think to myself

What a wonderful world Yes, I think to myself

What a wonderful world

Ooh yeah

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
There was a gruesome ending to the Chris Weidman vs Uriah Hall fight at UFC 261, as the former broke his leg while kicking his opponent.

Immediately, Weidman's leg snapped and he had to be stretchered out of the arena in Jacksonville, Florida. He was, though, able to wave to the fans who were in the stands.

UFC president Dana White took to Twitter to post a video of the incident, stating that this was the first time a fighter had won a bout without throwing a single strike.

In the previous fight, another injury impacted the bout as Jimmy Crute had to concede to Anthony Smith after nerve damage in his leg.
How to keep them poor? View(s):

I was amazed to see that when an average Sri Lankan farmer earns US$ 3,160 for the countrys GDP, an average Israel farmer contributes over $107,523 to Israels GDP, according to World Bank data. It is the value-added share of the agriculture sector which makes up part of the GDP. I converted it to monthly earning: A Sri Lankan farmer earns $263 a month, compared to $8,960 a month earned by an Israel farmer. In principle, what is produced determines what is earned.

We dont need any more evidence to understand the difference in living standards between a Sri Lankan farmer family and an Israel farmer family. An average farmer in Israel is rich as he earns a colossal income from his agriculture produce so that his family can live well. The Sri Lankan farmer is poor and thus he and his family cannot thrive from agriculture, although they may survive from that income.

Over the past few years, I had a couple of meetings and many communications with the former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel, Sarath Wijesinghe who has served there from 2013-2015. More recently, I had the opportunity to contribute to his edited book on Foreign Policy Perspectives: Port City Colombo and International Financial Centre. This week, I met him again to sit together for a panel discussion over the Port City at the Media Centre for National Development. As he shared some valuable information from his knowledge of Israel agriculture, I was inspired to bring it to our discussion today.

Israel and Sri Lanka

There are other valid reasons to justify my thoughts of bringing an economic insight from Israel, especially with its agriculture development, to our discussion. Modern Israel was created as a country in 1948 in the same year when Sri Lanka received Independence from Britain. Compared to the Sri Lankan heritage from Britain, Israel began from zero; it was a barren country with rocky deserts which had no water or any resource. The naturally arable land was less than a quarter of the country.

Israel is a small country of 22,000 square km with 9 million people; it is even smaller than Sri Lanka which has 62,000 square km occupied by 21 million people. There are about 1.5 million acres of agriculture land in Israel while Sri Lanka has about 6.5 million acres allocated for agriculture. And we feel even that is not enough and accordingly with the support of the politicians we further try to extend it to the deep jungles squeezing wildlife and starting even chena cultivation.

With the declaration of Israel as the country of the Jewish nation, there came the Israel-Arab wars that continue to exist even today. Thus, Israel is also a country in West Asia surrounded by many enemies in addition to its internal conflict between Israel and Palestine.

In the midst of all that, Israel has prospered over the past 73 years in almost every sector, including nuclear technology and war technology. As per 2009 data from the dairy industry, annual milk production per cow exceeds 10,000 kg in Israel, compared to 5,600 kg in Australia, 6,100 in the EU, and 1,200 in India. They produced fruits, vegetables, cereals and flowers. Israel farmers dont water the soil and add fertilizer to the soil; rather they water the roots of the plants with fertilized water. Although Israel was a water-scarce land, which led the nation to use desalinated expensive water for everything, today the country even exports water to some of the neighbouring countries.

Colonial heritage

Compared with the harsh beginning of Israel, Sri Lanka received an independent country with a thriving plantation economy, established welfare system, basic infrastructure covering the entire country, a civil administrative system, a judicial system with law and order, a democratic political system, and finally a peaceful transfer of power from Britain to national leaders. What else do you need to start a journey of a nation? Anyway, that is not my topic today.

Lets forget everything else, and just focus on my opening comment  an average Israel farmer earns $8,960 a month on average; how come a Sri Lankan farmer is still struggling after 73 years to feed his family by earning just $263 a month?

Some of us might think that its the agriculture productivity difference between the two countries. True, but why cant our farmers be as productive as Israel farmers? Certainly, it is not the natural productivity of the arable land, because Sri Lankan soil is naturally more arable than Israel soil. Nevertheless, its worthwhile noting that on average Israel land productivity is about three-times the Sri Lankan land productivity.

Some of us might think that it is the technology which has increased the land productivity in Israel. Absolutely; but the question is why are Israel farmers capable of inventing and innovating new technology, whereas the Sri Lankan farmers are incapable of doing that. By the way, I must also say that we have taken care of our rural agriculture much better with governments extensive assistance for agriculture sector with administered prices, protection from imports, and agriculture subsidies.

Too many people

I did some exploration, and here is what I found: Only 1 per cent of the workforce in Israel is occupied in agriculture, whereas in Sri Lanka more than 25 per cent of the workforce is in agriculture. One per cent of the workforce in Israel makes up to less than 40,000 farmers in Israel while in Sri Lanka there are 2.2 million farmers: A good point as to how less farmers make agriculture more productive!

It is the size of the land per farmer or, in other words, the average farm size. In Israel, the average farm size is 33 acres, compared with just over 1 acre in Sri Lanka, excluding the plantation sector. In other words, the Sri Lankan agriculture problem is that too many farmers produce too little output and thus they remain poor.

When the unit of production is too small, and its income is too little, the farmers are incapable of doing anything beyond survival  they have no capacity and resources to spend on introducing new technology and neither an interest to engage in such activity rather than trying with more agro-chemicals to push the boundaries of survival little more.

It is true that there have been research institutes carrying out inventions and innovations, extension services bringing new knowledge to people, extensive government support and protection throughout history; I am sure they have benefitted agriculture. But the fundamental issue  too many people producing too little output  continues to remain the same. The problem of our approach to agriculture is that we focus on too little output and not too many people.

Fundamental question

We shouldnt think that there are so many people in the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka because we Sri Lankans love to pick it as our occupation; absolutely not. Majority of our farmers has become farmers not because they like it, but because they didnt have any other option. I must exclude those Colombo-based middle-class professionals who hold 10  20 acres of land in the village with coconut, rubber, tea or paddy; I also have a couple of friends who love it, but they are not farmers by occupation. They also love to visit their farmlands once in a while as a hideaway place leaving the hectic Colombo life.

The majority of rural farmers that we talk about was just slipped into agriculture because of under-performing economic progress. Otherwise, they would have chosen more-rewarding jobs in non-agriculture sectors. If we understand this point, here is the key to solve the issue  pave the way for educated rural youth to move into non-agriculture sectors.

I dont think Sri Lanka needs more than 500,000 farmers to get the output that they produce now. In fact, then they will produce even more, because they will have the capacity, resources and interest to produce much more.

(The writer is a Professor of Economics at the University of Colombo and can be reached at sirimal@econ.cmb.ac.lk

and follow on Twitter @SirimalAshoka).
Local veterans of Americas longest war in Afghanistan have mixed opinions on President Joe Bidens decision to end the conflict later this year.

Ricky Quijano is the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Laredo and served in Afghanistan. He believes there are always going to be positives and negatives to these decisions.

A positive side of having service members being pulled out of Afghanistan is that there will be no more deaths of troops in Afghanistan, he said. No wife, husband, mother, father or child should hear that their loved one died. No more injured soldiers coming back home. There have been around 2,300 service members that have been killed in Afghanistan, and we do not need more American soldiers killed.

Despite the risks involved, other veterans did not approve of the abrupt end to the conflict. Among them is Josh Alvarez who served during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn and believes the commitment should be seen through to its conclusion.

We should have never been there in the first place, but because we were there, and we had made promises and agreements, he said. And we handed it out to a government that was not prepared to have so much infrastructure leave so quickly.

Alvarez fears the Afghani government will not be able to fend off any major offenses by the Taliban or other groups as they have lost land in the past. According to Alvarez, who served during the transition of the Obama Administration and the Trump Administration, he saw a loss of about 90% of the land that the American-led forces had under their control because of a change of policy.

He said he saw more combat action during the last 30 days of his deployment than the previous 11 months combined. He said the increase in combat was due to the pulling out troops and a lack of air support for ground forces.

Alvarez said many service members from other countries died in the skirmishes. He worked closely with Romanian service members as an intelligence analyst, and he said 117 of them died while protecting American interests in the area.

We saw a lot of bloodshed, a lot of civilians get killed as I was there during the sacking of the Women Internationals college, Alvarez said. They were not ready for transition, but we transitioned for political reasons stateside as we pulled out for politics here. Ground level over there, a lot of the local governments were upset. They did not protest, but there were a lot of gatherings begging us to not take our equipment, to not take our troops.

Alvarez is not alone in thinking it is a mistake. Alejandro Martinez is a retired military sergeant who served in both the Vietnam War and again in Afghanistan at the age of 59 during the beginning of the conflict following the Sept. 11 attacks. He led a combat unit and is also a retired Laredo Police Department officer. Martinez said the troops leaving the country means the United States lost the war.

I think that it is just wrong, because I lost a lot of friends over there, and I think we should have won that war, Martinez said. Actually, we feel that we lost the war because we are leaving the Afghani government trying to take care of themselves, which they cant. Believe me, they cant.

Martinez said a similar thing is happening to when the U.S. left Vietnam. As someone who served in both conflicts, he is saddened by seeing history repeat itself.

The Vietnam people could not take care of themselves, and we left them out in the cold, Martinez said. The Taliban are then going to come on strong in Afghanistan. Once we leave, they are going to take over the place, and all the bloodshed that we did is for nothing.

Alvarez also draws parallels between the decision to withdraw from Vietnam to the withdrawing of troops from Afghanistan.

Im going to say the same thing that we said during Vietnam; we didnt lose the military engagement, we lost the political engagement, Alvarez said. Yeah, we lost the war. We dont just lose a war because of ground actions. You dont just lose a war by fighting. A nation loses a war when it decides that it loses a war.

Our nation decided that we lost the war, and I dont think that is a controversial statement at all, and I dont think that is a political statement at all. Our own country teaches our students that we lost our war, as I am going to TAMIU, and they teach us that we lost the war that I fought in.

Alvarez said he is disappointed to think about thousands dying in vain. However, he feels they saw some successes as he witnessed people smiling and feeling protected even if it was for a short time. He knew about families that finally sent their first children to school and college.

Quijano, who has a more positive outlook about the end of the war, shared similar fears of the country becoming destabilized once American troops withdraw.

When the U.S. leaves, it will leave the country destabilized, Quijano said. Will the Afghanistan government be able to fight the Taliban? But, we must also remember if one looks back at the history, who made the Taliban and Al-Qaeda what they are? We did, the American government that is.

The veterans of the war shared what they did during their missions and how it shaped their views on the war and on the country.

I was assigned to what is called an attack unit, so our main objectives were to help the farmers and all that as we were providing security for their people and their villages, Martinez said.

Quijano enjoyed being around the people of the country and the beautiful scenery the country had to offer.

The people in Afghanistan are great people and wanted Americans to be there protecting them when I was there, Quijano said. For the parts that I also saw, Afghanistan is a beautiful country.

According to Alvarez, one of the main things he liked about the country was the people. While there were people against their presence in the country, he said many tribes were friendly, provided them with food and gifts and eventually thanked them for their presence.

There were some tribes that I loved. There were some tribes that we would go to their village, and they would feed us and tell us their stories, their kids would be in our laps, Alvarez said. I am Hispanic, I grew up in McAllen, and you felt like you were home, you felt like you were accepted. Those people wanted to make you feel that you were welcomed.

Although the conflict may be coming to an end, Alvarez believes it will not mark the end of the war. He believes American troops will eventually return as the country becomes destabilized.

We are already deploying the National Guard to the country in what we are calling humanitarian aid to aid in the destabilization caused by the pullout, Alvarez said. A country should be more specific about what it wants when it goes to war.

jorge.vela@lmtonline.com
Cindy Crawford is mourning the loss of her grandmother Ramona Crawford.

The 55-year-old supermodel took to Instagram with a beautiful series of photos from a few years ago and a heartfelt post honoring her grandma's life.

She noted that Ramona had a 'loving and meaningful life' before toasting to 'a life well lived' as she said goodbye to the matriarch on social media.

Somber: Cindy Crawford is mourning the loss of her grandmother Ramona Crawford

Cindy shared a throwback when she proudly posed alongside her grandmother for a Mother's Day photo shoot from 2018.

'Saying goodbye to my beautiful grandmother Ramona Crawford today. She had a long and meaningful life,' she captioned a series of photos. 'She was one of eight sisters to popcorn farmers in Minnesota  my great grandparents Frank and Hazel Hemingway.

'She made the best grilled cheese sandwiches on her electric skittle and always had our favorite chocolate chip cookies in a Folgers coffee can in the freezer. She was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Cindy shared a throwback when she proudly posed alongside her grandmother, Nanny, and her mom Jenny for a Mother's Day photo shoot from 2018.

Helping hands: The 55-year-old supermodel took to Instagram with a beautiful series of photos from a few years ago and a heartfelt post honoring her grandma's life

'On our last trip together, she came with me to Europe on my ancestor trip for "Who Do You Think You Are?" She and I made up a drink we called the Whisper vodka with just a "whisper" of cranberry juice.

'Ramona... I am raising a glass to you today on a life well lived. You are loved and will be missed. I love you!'

On an episode of Who Do You Think You Are in 2013, Cindy traveled back to England to trace her ancestry and found out she was a descendant of Charlemagne.

'On our last trip together, she came with me to Europe on my ancestor trip for "Who Do You Think You Are?" She and I made up a drink we called the Whisper vodka with just a "whisper" of cranberry juice.

Cindy's 21-year-old son, Presley Gerber, also honored his great-grandmother as he shared his mother's post on Instagram.

Cindy's 21-year-old son, Presley Gerber, also honored his great-grandmother as he shared his mother's post on Instagram.

'Bye grandma 'mona,' he wrote with a few peaceful flying dove emojis. 'Till we meet again ... I hope you have a good journey.'

Cindy's roster of celebrity friends paid their respects to her grandmother, with Christy Turlington nothing 'she sounds like an amazing woman.'

Linda Evangelista wrote: 'So sorry for your loss Cindy. My condolences to you and your family. Sending love.'

Later, Cindy's daughter Kaia Gerber shared an image with her great grandmother and a sweet note telling her to 'rest with the angels.'
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Ukraine has offered Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu to mediate in negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.

Ambassador of Ukraine to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk said this in an interview with i24NEWS TV channel, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

We have already asked the Israeli Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] to be involved as a possible intermediary in this scenario [negotiations between Ukraine and Russia]. Because he has good relations with both Mr. Zelensky and Mr. Putin. I'm glad to say that he didn't say no. He said he will try his best, the ambassador said.

Korniychuk added that Ukraine is very glad that Mr. Netanyahu did not deny this mission; on the contrary, he showed his interest and willingness to help.

As Ukrinform reported, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu wrote a letter to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in which he said that Ukraine and Israel had significant prospects for further cooperation.

ish
CDC says children can get within 3 feet at summer camp

Children attending summer camp can get within 3 feet (1 meter) of each other but should wear masks to limit the spread of Covid-19, according to fresh guidance issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC's updated recommendations for camps, issued on Saturday, have been eagerly awaited by parents as the end of the school year approaches. The agency said its camp guidance aligns with its evidence for social distancing at schools, with at least 3 feet between children - and at least 6 feet (2 meters) when eating and drinking. Camp counselors and other adults should stay at least 6 feet from children and each other, the CDC said.

Summer camp activities should be held outdoors as much as possible, and if indoors, doors and windows should be left open when possible, the CDC said. Group events and large gatherings should be avoided, it added.

Covid-19 vaccinations have ramped up across the country, but younger children are not currently authorized for the three shots approved in the United States. Pfizer and BioNTech SE's Covid-19 vaccine is authorized for use starting at age 16, with approval now being sought for children ages 12 to 15.

Moderna Inc and Johnson & Johnson are studying their vaccines in children. The CDC said that while fewer children have gotten sick with Covid-19 compared to adults, they still can be infected with the coronavirus and spread it to others and sometimes can have severe outcomes themselves.
Millions of Americans are not getting the second doses of their COVID-19 vaccines, and their ranks are growing.

More than 5 million people, or nearly 8% of those who got a first shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, have missed their second doses, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is more than double the rate among people who got inoculated in the first several weeks of the nationwide vaccine campaign.

Even as the country wrestles with the problem of millions of people who are wary about getting vaccinated at all, health authorities are confronting an emerging challenge of ensuring that those who do get inoculated are doing so fully.

The reasons vary for why people are missing their second shots. In interviews, some said they feared the side effects, which can include flulike symptoms. Others said they felt that they were sufficiently protected with a single shot.

Those attitudes were expected, but another hurdle has been surprisingly prevalent. A number of vaccine providers have canceled second-dose appointments because they ran out of supply or did not have the right brand in stock.

Walgreens, one of the biggest vaccine providers, sent some people who got a first shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to get their second doses at pharmacies that only had the other vaccine on hand.

Several Walgreens customers said in interviews that they scrambled, in some cases with help from pharmacy staff, to find somewhere to get the correct second dose. Others, presumably, simply gave up.

LYNDON FRENCH/NYT

From the outset, public health experts worried that it would be difficult to get everyone to return for a second shot three or four weeks after the first dose. It is no surprise that, as vaccines are rolled out more broadly, the numbers of those skipping their second dose have gone up.

But the trend is nonetheless troubling some state officials, who are rushing to keep the numbers of partly vaccinated people from swelling.

In Arkansas and Illinois, health officials have directed teams to call, text or send letters to people to remind them to get their second shots. In Pennsylvania, officials are trying to ensure that college students can get their second shots after they leave campus for the summer. South Carolina has allocated several thousand doses specifically for people who are overdue for their second shot.

Mounting evidence collected in trials and from real-world immunization campaigns points to the peril of people skipping their second doses. Compared with the two-dose regimen, a single shot triggers a weaker immune response and may leave recipients more susceptible to dangerous virus variants. And even though a single dose provides partial protection against COVID, it is not clear how long that protection will last.

Im very worried, because you need that second dose, said Dr. Paul Offit, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the Food and Drug Administrations vaccine advisory panel.

The stakes are high because there is only one vaccine authorized in the United States that is given as a single shot. The use of that vaccine, made by Johnson & Johnson, was paused this month after it was linked to a very rare but serious side effect involving blood clotting. Federal health officials on Friday recommended restarting use of the vaccine, but the combination of the safety scare and ongoing production problems is likely to make that vaccine a viable option for fewer people.

The CDCs count of missed second doses is through April 9. It covers only people who got a first Moderna dose by March 7 or a first Pfizer dose by March 14.

While millions of people have missed their second shots, the overall rates of follow-through, with some 92% getting fully vaccinated, are strong by historical standards. Roughly three-quarters of adults come back for their second dose of the vaccine that protects against shingles.

In some cases, problems with shipments or scheduling may be playing a role in people missing their second doses. Some vaccine providers have had to cancel appointments because they did not receive expected vaccine deliveries. People have also reported having their second-dose appointments canceled or showing up only to find out that there were no doses available of the brand they needed.

Some people can be flexible about being rebooked. But that is harder for people who lack access to reliable transportation or who have jobs with strictly scheduled hours, said Elena Cyrus, an infectious disease public health researcher at the University of Central Florida.

Walgreens booked some customers for their second appointments at places that did not have the same vaccine that they had received for their initial doses. The company said it fixed the problem in late March.

Susan Ruel, 67, was scheduled to get her two vaccine doses at different Walgreens stores in Manhattan. She said she got her first Pfizer dose without incident in February, but when she arrived for her second appointment, she was told that the store only had Moderna doses in stock.

A Walgreens pharmacist told Ruel that there was another Walgreens pharmacy less than 2 miles away with Pfizer doses in stock. While Ruel was waiting for the subway to take her there, she got a phone call: That Walgreens store had run out of Pfizer doses, too.

Ruel managed to get the Pfizer dose at yet another Walgreens the next day. But she said many people in her situation probably would not have tried so hard. All you need is hassles like this, she said.

In the Chicago area, for example, pharmacists at two Walgreens locations said the problem was causing headaches. They said that Walgreens appointment system was sending each pharmacy anywhere from 10 to 20 customers a week who need a second Pfizer shot, even though both pharmacies stock only the Moderna vaccine.

It is not clear how widespread the Walgreens dose-matching problem has been or how many people have missed their second doses because of it.

Jim Cohn, a spokesperson for Walgreens, said that the problem affected a small percentage of people who had booked their appointments online and that the company contacted them to reschedule in alignment with our vaccine availability. He said that nearly 95% of people who got their first shot at Walgreens have also received their second shots from the company.

Walgreens has also come under fire for, until recently, scheduling second doses of the Pfizer vaccine four weeks after the first shot, rather than the three-week gap recommended by the CDC. Pharmacists have been besieged by customers complaining, including about their inability to book vaccine appointments online.

In other cases, though, access to vaccines is not the sole barrier; peoples attitudes contribute, too.

Basith Syed, a 24-year-old consultant in Chicago, nabbed a leftover Moderna vaccine at a Walgreens in mid-February. But when the time came for his second shot, he was busy at work and preparing for his wedding. After the first shot, he had spent two days feeling drained. He did not want to risk a repeat, and he felt confident that a single dose would protect him.

I didnt really feel the urgency to get that second dose, Syed said.

By early April, his schedule had calmed down a little, and he went looking for a second Moderna shot. But by then, the Walgreens where he had gotten his first shot was only offering Pfizer shots. He could not find slots at other Walgreens stores. Syed is no longer actively looking for a second shot, though he still hopes to eventually get one.

The CDC said there is limited data on the vaccines effectiveness when shots are separated by more than six weeks, although some countries, including Britain and Canada, are giving shots with a gap of up to three or four months.

Syeds experience is part of a broader shift in Illinois. When vaccines were mostly being given to health care workers, residents of long-term care facilities and people older than 65, almost everyone was getting their second shots. In recent weeks, though, the number dipped below 90%, though it has since rebounded slightly, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

In Arkansas, about 84,000 people have missed their second shots, representing 11% of those eligible for those shots, said Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, the state public health researcher. Workers recently began calling people who are due or overdue for their second shots.

College students pose a particular challenge. Many recently became eligible to be vaccinated and are getting their first shots, but they will have left campus by the time they are due for their second doses.

In Pennsylvania, health officials have instructed vaccine providers to give second doses to college students even if they did not receive their first doses from that location.

Some vaccine providers have put on special clinics for people who need a second dose. In South Carolina, the health system Tidelands Health started a program specifically for people who received their first Pfizer doses more than 23 days earlier but had not been able to find a second shot. The state health department sent the health system 2,340 doses for the effort.

Demand has been strong, and Tidelands only has a few hundred doses left. The majority of takers have been people who were having difficulty navigating all the various scheduling systems and providers, said Gayle Resetar, the health systems chief operating officer.

In many cases, vaccine providers had canceled second-dose appointments because of bad winter weather. It was up to the individual to reschedule themselves on a web portal or web platform, and that just became difficult for people, Resetar said.

There are rare cases in which people are supposed to forgo the second shot, such as if they had an allergic reaction after their first shot.

Zvi Ish-Shalom, a religious studies professor from Boulder, Colorado, had planned to get fully vaccinated. Then, an hour after his first shot of the Moderna vaccine, he developed a headache that has not gone away more than a month later.

There is no way to know for sure whether the vaccine triggered the headache. But after weighing what he saw as the risks and benefits of a second dose, Ish-Shalom reached a decision about how to proceed.

At this point in time, I feel very clear and very comfortable, given all the various elements of this equation, to forgo the second shot, he said.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 22:15:58|Editor: huaxia

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A health worker is seen at an isolation ward of a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, April 26, 2021. The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nepal crossed the 300,000-mark, Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population said Sunday. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

KATHMANDU, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nepal crossed the 300,000-mark with 3,122 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours, Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population said Sunday.

Nepal also reported 28 new deaths from the coronavirus epidemic on Sunday, a record high in nearly five months.

According to data released by the health ministry, a total of 300,119 people have so far been confirmed with the novel coronavirus in the Himalayan country, which is suffering a second wave of the epidemic.

On Sunday, Nepal detected 3,032 new cases through PCR tests and 90 new cases through antigen tests. "Along with the rise in testings, confirmed cases also surged," Dr. Hemanta Chandra Ojha, chief of Zoonotic and Other Communicable Diseases Control Section at Epidemiology and Disease Control Division under the health ministry, told Xinhua on Sunday.

In the last 24 hours, 9,292 PCR tests and 786 antigen tests were conducted in Nepal, according to the health ministry.

Due to the high number of hospitalized patients, the hospital beds particularly in 15 worst affected districts by COVID-19 in the country are mostly occupied, said Ojha.

The resurgence of COVID-19 infections started from early April in Nepal. "In fact, the virus misled us to believe that the situation is under control before the second wave hit us hard," said Ojha. Enditem
China National Space Administration (CNSA) announces the name of China's first Mars rover in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, April 24, 2021. China's first Mars rover has been named Zhurong, announced the CNSA on Saturday, China's Space Day. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

NANJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China's first Mars rover has been named Zhurong, announced the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Saturday, China's Space Day.

Zhurong is the god of fire in ancient Chinese mythology, which echoes with the Chinese name of the red planet, Huoxing (meaning the planet of fire in Chinese).

Fire brought warmth and brightness to the ancestors of mankind, and fire lit up human civilization. Naming China's first Mars rover after the god of fire signifies igniting the flame of China's planetary exploration, according to Wu Yanhua, vice administrator of the CNSA.

Literally, Zhu (meaning wish in Chinese) expresses the good wishes for mankind's exploration of the universe. Rong (meaning integration and cooperation in Chinese) reflects China's vision of the peaceful use of space and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, Wu said.

The name is another example of Chinese aerospace workers' scientific romance after they have named spacecraft, including Tianwen, Chang'e and Beidou, after Chinese traditional culture, which also shows the Chinese people's spirit of exploration and cultural confidence, he said.

China launched its Mars probe, Tianwen-1, on July 23, 2020. The spacecraft, consisting of an orbiter, a lander and a rover, entered the parking orbit of Mars on Feb. 24.

The most challenging part of the mission will be the soft landing in May, an autonomous process of the probe lasting seven to eight minutes. The probe will use its aerodynamic shape, parachute and retrorocket to decelerate and buffer legs to touch down, according to the CNSA.

Chinese space engineers and scientists have chosen a relatively flat region in the southern part of the Utopia Planitia, a large plain, as the potential landing zone.

Earlier research showed the potential landing site might be the edge of an ancient ocean or lake in the early history of Mars. Chinese scientists are looking forward to finding more evidence of water-ice.

The scientific goals of Tianwen-1 include mapping the morphology and geological structure, investigating surface soil characteristics and water-ice distribution, analyzing the surface material composition, measuring the ionosphere and the characteristics of the Martian climate and environment at the surface, and perceiving the physical fields and internal structure of Mars.

The orbiter is equipped with seven kinds of scientific instruments: two remote-sensing cameras, Mars-Orbiting Subsurface Exploration Radar, Mars Mineralogy Spectrometer, Mars Magnetometer, Mars Ion and Neutral Particle Analyzer, and Mars Energetic Particle Analyzer.

[ Editor: WXY ]
World Veterinary Day was on April 24 and The Incredible Dr. Pols Dr. Jan Pol recently took the opportunity to acknowledge the important day.

The Netherlands-born Pol is proud of his Nat Geo Wild program and career, but he gladly ceded the spotlight to honor veterinarians everywhere in a recent post.

Dr. Jan Pol of The Incredible Dr. Pol | Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

World Veterinary Day is April 24

The last Saturday in April is World Veterinary Day and its set aside to honor veterinarians around the world for their dedication to their communitys animals, which they tirelessly serve.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the theme for this years observance of the day is veterinarian response to the COVID-19 crisis, which changed life as we know it and significantly affected the global human and animal populations.

And yet, through this challenging time, veterinary medicine meaningfully and rapidly evolved, demonstrating veterinarians ability to cope, adjust, and adapt; and to continue in their role as leaders of animal health and welfare and public health.

Dr. Pol was born to be a veterinarian

2021 is a special year for Dr. Pol and his staff as it marks his 50th anniversary serving as a veterinarian in his rural Michigan community. The doctor was raised on a dairy farm, where his father put him in charge of many of the familys animals.

Dr. Pols son Charles told National Geographic about his fathers innate gift for the caring of animals.

Holy Moses! 2021 marks #DrPol's 50th year in veterinary medicine We are so excited to kick off this special year with all of you! Join the celebration to get all the updates and fun surprises along the way.

https://t.co/anZI5G6ANk  #DrPol50 pic.twitter.com/YwSzCjtvdQ  Dr. Pol (@DrPol) January 11, 2021

RELATED: The Incredible Dr. Pol Said These Are the Only Small Animals Hes Never Treated

My dad, Jan Pol, was born in the Netherlands and grew up on a farm, Charles said. Initially, he wanted to be a farmer. But there isnt much farmland left in the Netherlands, so its nearly impossible to do. When he was nine years old, his brother called the local vet to help them deliver a litter of piglets. My dad helped the vet, and from that moment on, he knew what he wanted to do.

Dr. Pols look back for World Veterinary Day

#FlashbackFriday In honor of #WorldVeterinaryDay tomorrow, we bring you this photo which was taken before #DrPol started university as a young vet school student. Never give up! pic.twitter.com/IQsMHPQzDS  Dr. Pol (@DrPol) April 23, 2021

In his recent social media post, Dr. Pol took a look back at the start of his career, sharing a photo of himself as a much younger man before he began his veterinary education  with a bit more hair on his head.

He wrote, #FlashbackFriday In honor of #WorldVeterinaryDay tomorrow, we bring you this photo which was taken before #DrPol started university as a young vet school student. Never give up!

In his memoir Never Turn Your Back on an Angus Cow: My Life as a Country Vet, Pol recalled one of the basic tenets he learned as a veterinary student at Utrecht University in the Netherlands: One of the things they told us at Utrecht was to use all of our senses when were trying to figure out whats going on. Look at it, touch it, listen to its heartbeat and its breathing, smell its breath, even use your sense of taste.

Its good instruction that we see Dr. Pol still using in his care for animals in need, from large farm animals to house pets on The Incredible Dr. Pol.
OPINION | The image of the US matters; our family matters
Damascus, April 25 : Syria on Saturday received a batch of Covid-19 vaccines donated by the Chinese government to help combat the pandemic.

Syrian Health Minister Hasan al-Ghabash and Deputy Foreign Minister Bashar al-Jaafari, as well as Chinese Ambassador to Syria Feng Biao, attended the reception ceremony at the international airport in the Syrian capital Damascus, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Boxes of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccines were unloaded from the plane transporting them from China at the airport.

Al-Ghabash said that the long cooperation between China and Syria was crowned with the delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine, "which has passed the three testing phases and has been proven to be effective and safe." The minister also expressed gratitude and thanks to the Chinese government for their ongoing support to Syria and the distinctive relations, which he hopes to continue for the interests of both countries and peoples.

For his side, Feng said that sending the vaccines to Syria is a tangible step in delivering on the China's promise to make the Chinese vaccine a global public product.

"We are confident that it will help Syria to build a defense line against the pandemic and play a positive role in protecting the Syrian people and restoring normal life," the Chinese ambassador said.

Before this donation, China had already provided batches of medical supplies to Syria and held online meetings attended by medical experts from the two countries to share China's anti-pandemic experience since the Covid-19 outbreak in Syria last year.

Syrian health officials said the priority of the vaccination in Syria will be for the medical workers and elderly people, as well as those suffering from chronic illnesses.

The Covid-19 cases in Syria are on the rise amid the third wave of the pandemic. Syrian Health Ministry said that the total number of Covid-19 cases in the country hit 21,999 on Saturday, including 15,731 recoveries and 1,526 deaths.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Mumbai, April 25 : Veteran actor Kabir Bedi on Sunday took to social media to remind netizens about the importance of washing their hands at a time when India is battling a raging second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bedi also requested netizens to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

"Let's fight Covid together. Mask. Distance. Wash your hands. GET VACCINATED ASAP.

PLS DON'T FORGET TO WASH YOUR HANDS WHEN YOU COME HOME, if you have to go out. Or else, all else may come to nought.

It's the ONE thing that you do WRONG that gets you, even if you do all the rest RIGHT. STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY. Keep your family safe. #covid #covid_19 #covidindia," Kabir Bedi posted on Instagram on Sunday.

Reminding everyone about new mutations of the virus which are spreading rapidly, he also tweeted: "India is suffering its worst health crisis. New mutations of the #COVID19 virus are spreading like wildfire. No healthcare system in the world can cope with 2 million new cases a week. But our doctors are fighting it valiantly. Each one of us must join this fight to end it."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Dozens of Israelis protested in Jerusalem's Zion Square on Saturday night against the recent uptick in violence that has seen Jewish extremists holding anti-Arab marches and Palestinians clashing with police.

Palestinians are angry about Ramadan restrictions and tensions have spiked in Jerusalem, which has long been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and is home to holy sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims.

The unrest began when police placed barricades outside the Old City's Damascus Gate, where Muslims traditionally gather to enjoy the evening after the daytime fast.

The clashes intensified Thursday evening when hundreds of Palestinians hurled stones and bottles at police, who fired a water cannon and stun grenades to disperse them.

Dozens of Palestinians were wounded.

At the same time, a far-right Jewish group known as Lahava led a march of hundreds of protesters chanting "Arabs get out!" toward the Damascus Gate.

The group, led by a disciple of the late racist rabbi Meir Kahane, is allied with elements of a far-right party elected to Israel's parliament last month.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Even with Canadas third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic flaring, the countrys airlines are banking on vaccination rates providing a path towards recovery for the industry battered by the pandemic.

Even with Canadas third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic flaring, the countrys airlines are banking on vaccination rates providing a path towards recovery for the industry battered by the pandemic.

Today, low-fare carrier Swoop, a subsidiary of WestJet, returns to servicing Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport after suspending flights to the city last year.

"Were focusing, to start, on essential travel only. And for that reason, were flying just two flights a week to both Hamilton and Abbotsford from Winnipeg, and then laying the groundwork for expanding that service, when its safe to do so," Charles Duncan, president of Swoop told the Free Press.

Duncan said the plan is to add flights between Winnipeg and Kelowna in June, should it be safe to expand service at that time.

"It was really a difficult decision a year ago, to stop flying to Winnipeg," Duncan said.

"If the (vaccination) rates continue, it will really get us much closer to normal by this summer. So, we kind of have our sights on that."

Duncan said that the hunger for travel, especially domestic travel, is likely to pick up as more Canadians are vaccinated  the same trends have been witnessed in Europe and the United States. But in order to prepare for that, some return to service must start now.

"Were certainly not focusing on leisure or trying to undercut or undermine government directives and those kinds of things. We very much want to follow them and be good citizens," Duncan said.

Karl Moore, an airline industry expert and an associate professor at McGill Universitys business school, said the return of low-fare carriers to the Canadian market is not surprising as there is enormous potential for profits in that segment of the industry.

"Now, low-fare carriers may do better. Because when you look at Air Canada, a big part of the profitability comes from business class," Moore said.

"And thats great, except for business travel is way down. And working from home, and less business travel will probably be the future But theres a huge pent-up demand for you and I going, We want to go somewhere. Family travel. And if youre traveling by yourself or with your family, youre more apt to go on a budget airline."

Earlier this month, Air Canada received $5.4 billion in loans from the federal government, along with a $500 million equity investment to help the company recover from financial losses suffered during the pandemic.

Moore said this deal is something that WestJet is definitely watching closely, so its also possible theres a political motivation for WestJet and Swoop to return service to cities where it was disrupted.

They saw with Air Canada what the government wanted: resuming flights, and paying back money to people who had not been refunded, Moore said.

Base fares for one-way Swoop flights to Abbotsford and Hamilton are priced under $100.

sarah.lawrynuik@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @SarahLawrynuik
DANBURY  At Danbury Hospital, far fewer people have been dying from COVID-19.

Its an intermittent phenomenon here, said Dr. Jeffrey Nicastro, chief medical officer for Nuvance Health, which includes Danbury, Norwalk and New Milford hospitals. We still have an occasional death with COVID. There is no doubt.

The state reported one death of a Danbury resident on Wednesday  the first death in the city since April 12. Thirteen towns surrounding Danbury have not reported any deaths since April 12, when the state recorded four for the area.

Comparatively, the Danbury area saw 37 deaths linked to COVID-19 on April 15, 2020.

Deaths are down substantially because cases have fallen and vaccinations have increased, especially among senior citizens, Nicastro said.

While both [deaths and cases] are down, I think its very important for people to understand that the disease is still with us and it can be quite severe, even in younger patients, he said.

The older population that used to make up the bulk of hospitalizations and deaths has largely been vaccinated, so hospitals are seeing more COVID patients and deaths in younger age groups, Nicastro said.

At Stamford Hospital, Dr. Maher Madhoun has noted a similar trend.

A year ago, there were deaths occurring nearly very day at the hospital, said Madhoun, an infectious disease specialist and member of Ridgefields COVID task force. Were not close to what we were seeing. Were not having them on a daily basis. Its become less frequent for sure.

Danbury Mayor Joe Cavo urged residents to still be cautious.

The problem I see with the virus is it's so unpredictable, he said. What happens with it and how it affects people is so unpredictable. I don't know that anyone wants to take that chance to see if theyd be the next statistic.

H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media

Why have deaths declined?

The state has surpassed 8,000 COVID deaths, but the death rate has slowed considerably. Connecticut went from 6,000 to 7,000 deaths in less than a month, but took about 11 1/2 weeks to go from 7,000 to 8,000 deaths. The state hit 1,000 deaths a month after the first death last March.

Deaths have fallen because treatment has gotten better and because the older, high-risk population has been largely vaccinated, doctors said. About three-quarters of people 65 and over are fully vaccinated, compared to 56 percent of people 55 to 64, 32.1 percent of the 45 to 54 age group, 21.9 percent of the 35 to 44 age group, 18.4 percent of the 25 to 34 group, according to state data.

The older people, over the age 65, have done a very good job getting vaccinated and protecting themselves, while the younger age group lags behind, Madhoun said.

As younger age groups get vaccinated, the death rate should decline, Nicastro said.

More Information Danbury area total COVID deaths Bethel: 51 Bridgewater: 0 Brookfield: 17 Danbury: 186 Kent: 0 New Fairfield: 5 New Milford: 32 Newtown: 66 Redding: 19 Ridgefield: 61 Roxbury: 1 Sherman: 3 Southbury: 60 Washington: 2 Danbury area total: 503 *Per the state Department of Health data as of April 21 See More Collapse

A number of COVID patients in the hospital have not been vaccinated, but some have had only a single dose or are not two weeks after their second shot, when the vaccine is in full effect, said Dr. Kevin D. Dieckhaus, chief of the division of infectious diseases with UConn Health.

There may be some partial immunization in the latter cases, he said.

The answer to that is vaccinate more and vaccinate more quickly, he said.

Improved treatment methods have helped health care workers save lives.

Over the course of the last 14 months, we have learned a lot more about this disease, Nicastro said. Part of the continued decrease in deaths and death rate is as a result of early application of certain therapies that can be helpful.

Hospitals no longer rely on ventilators and use different methods to provide oxygen to sick patients. Steroids, medications like Remdesivir, convalescent plasma from former COVID patients and medicines to treat blood clots help, doctors said. Keeping patients in the prone position when supplying oxygen is also more effective.

There is always going on be a defined mortality rate, but we're pushing against that, Dieckhaus said. The type of care weve been able to advance has been on multiple fronts.

Contributed photo / Hearst Connecticut Media

Why are people dying?

Yet, treatment isnt perfect.

Better care is not necessarily a cure, said Dieckhaus. Were still dealing with a pretty significant viral illness.

Younger age groups in the hospital may get just as ill as older people did, Nicastro said.

Those who are (in the hospital) are as sick as those who we saw before, he said.

There are just fewer of them, Nicastro added.

But Dieckhaus said he has seen younger patients do not get as sick as older ones, on average.

There is just an incredible amount of variability in terms of how one individual will respond to this, he said.

Experts are not sure why some people get sicker than others.

Everyones immune system is slightly different and people all respond to the same stimuli differently, Nicastro said. Its one of the areas of continued investigation, not just in COVID, but generally.

The biggest problem for COVID patients is respiratory failure, he said.

People with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity or bad asthma often get sicker, Madhoun said.

That's putting you at risk because your immune system is not going to be able respond as well, he said.

Healthy people are discharged quickly and recover, he said. Some people with no prior health issues have gotten severely ill or died, but thats become less common, he said.

Its unclear why, Madhoun said. Last year, because I think it infiltrated the population so much in the spring, it really affected a wide net of people.

Social distancing and mask wearing have protected people, he said. The virus variants are more contagious and have led to increased spread, but have not been linked to more severe illness and death, Madhoun said.

Residents 45 and over have had more time to get their vaccines than those 16 to 44, who became eligible on April 1. But Madhoun does not expect to see an increase in hospitalizations from those in their 20s and 30s. That age group is more likely to spread the virus to their parents, he said.

Doctors said they dont know what COVID deaths will look like over the long term. Itll depend on how many people get vaccinated, including with potential booster shots, and whether variants emerge that the vaccine is ineffective against.

It will become a viral illness that we live with, Nicastro said.

People refusing to get the vaccine could lead to outbreaks, as has occurred with the measles and polio, Dieckhaus said. The lag in distribution worldwide is another problem, he said.

Were not all safe until everybody is safe, he said.

But the decline in deaths has been a relief for health care workers.

The mood is much better, Madhoun said. We were feeling helpless last year because people were dying no matter what we were doing, and now there is at least some sort of accomplishment that were not in that mentality.
JERUSALEM, April 25 (Reuters) - Israel's Health Ministry said on Sunday it is examining a small number of cases of heart inflammation in people who had received Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, though it has not yet drawn any conclusions.

Pfizer said it has not observed a higher rate of the condition than would normally be expected in the general population.

Israel's pandemic response coordinator, Nachman Ash, said that a preliminary study showed "tens of incidents" of myocarditis occurring among more than 5 million vaccinated people, primarily after the second dose.

Ash said it was unclear whether this was unusually high and whether it was connected to the vaccine.

Most of the cases were reported among people up to age 30.

Related: Pfizer less effective in S African variant: Israel

"The Health Ministry is currently examining whether there is an excess in morbidity (disease rate) and whether it can be attributed to the vaccines," Ash said.

Ash, who spoke about the issue in a radio interview and during a news conference, referred to it as a "question mark", and emphasized that the Health Ministry has yet to draw any conclusions.

Determining a link, he said, would be difficult because myocarditis, a condition that often goes away without complications, can be caused by a variety of viruses and a similar number of cases were reported in previous years.

Pfizer, asked by Reuters about the review, said it is in regular contact with Israels Health Ministry to review data on its vaccine.

The company said it "is aware of the Israeli observations of myocarditis that occurred predominantly in a population of young men who received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine".

"Adverse events are regularly and thoroughly reviewed and we have not observed a higher rate of myocarditis than what would be expected in the general population. A causal link to the vaccine has not been established," the company said.

Story continues

"There is no evidence at this time to conclude that myocarditis is a risk associated with the use of Pfizer/BNT COVID-19 vaccine."

Israel has been a world leader in its vaccination rollout, with close to 60% of its 9.3 million population having received the Pfizer vaccine. Its nationwide database has already showed the vaccine to be highly effective in preventing the symptoms and severe illness associated with COVID-19.

Since January, shortly after the vaccine campaign began, daily infections dropped from a peak of more than 10,000 to just 129 before the weekend.

Nadav Davidovitch, director of the school of public health at Israel's Ben Gurion University, said that even if a correlation between the myocarditis cases and the vaccine were established, it did not appear to be serious enough to stop administering the vaccine.

"It's a situation that should be looked into, and we need to wait for a final report, but in an interim analysis it seems the risk of getting sick from COVID-19 is much higher than from the vaccine's adverse events, and the risk of peri/myo-carditis following the vaccine is low and temporary," he said.

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch and Steven Scheer Editing by Frances Kerry)
Florida McDonalds Paying People $50 Just to Show Up for Job Interview, Still Struggling to Find Applicants

A McDonalds franchise owner in Tampa, Florida, said he is paying people $50 just to show up for a job interview and is still struggling to find applicants.

Blake Casper, the franchisee who owns the McDonalds location, told Business Insider that a general manager and supervisor created a plan for paying would-be employees to show up for the interview after telling them to do whatever you need to do to hire more workers.

At this point, if we cant keep our drive-thrus moving, then Ill pay $50 for an interview, said Casper, who owns 60 McDonalds restaurants around Tampa.

Twitter users have uploaded photos of signs outside McDonalds locations in the area advertising the move: Get $50 for interview.

The Epoch Times has contacted McDonalds for comment.

Casper said that the enhanced federal unemployment benefits that were extended after Congress passed a sweeping pandemic relief bill may be contributing to the lack of people seeking jobs. Speculating further, he said that more businesses at the moment are looking to hire.

Its a perfect storm right now, Casper said in the interview, published about a week ago.

Youve got a lot of people with a lot of money, and theyre out there shopping, he added. And then, on the flip side, were scrambling for help.

Casper said that due to the labor shortage, he and other franchise operators are forced to raise wages for employees. He added that hes considering allowing starting wages from $12 to $13, far above Floridas minimum wage.

The biggest challenge out there is the federal government and the state government are going to continue with this unemployment, because that is truly creating the incentive to not work right now, Casper added, echoing concerns voiced by GOP lawmakers last year about prior pandemic bills. And, how do you blame somebody? You can make more money on unemploymentand so, weve got to be at least above that.

The National Federation of Independent Business group said that a survey found that 42 percent of small businesses have said they had job openings they couldnt fill, also blaming the expanded unemployment benefits for the phenomenon.

Owners continue to have difficulty finding qualified workers to fill jobs as they compete with increased unemployment benefits and the pandemic keeping some workers out of the labor force, according to the survey. A net 28 percent of owners reported raising compensation (up three points) and the highest level in the past 12 months.

It added, A net 17 percent plan to raise compensation in the next three months, down two points. Seven percent of owners cited labor costs as their top business problem and 24 percent said that labor quality was their top business problem. Finding eligible workers to fill open positions will become increasingly difficult for small business owners.
Four Incredibly Cool Places to Play 'n Stay, Central Oregon Coast

Published 04/23/21 at 5:55 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Lincoln City, Oregon)  Venturing down the central Oregon coast, tempting beach accesses and expansive glimpses of ocean whiz past as you drive even at slower speeds, popping into view and then, poof, theyre gone. Yet just as fleetingly theyre replaced with another and yet another, and so on.

All that scenic barrage starts at Lincoln City, usually where you first enter the Oregon coast after that long drive along Highway 18. By now, youre chomping at the bit for a good look, at the very least, of something oceanic. Bu this where the brief beaches are few and far between from this part of Highway 101. So, its even more of a tease.

Then, finally, a huge burst of beach and sea as you enter the D Sands area. Its here where your sampling of four outstanding, cool and cajoling places to play and stay begin.

The D River beach access is smack dab in the middle of Lincoln City, where seasonal surprises are many. The river of the same name meets the sea here: well, mostly. There are times it literally dries up a little east of here and all you see is a sandy, pebbly path underneath the bridge. Thats often in late summer or early fall. While winter is known as agate-hunting season in general along the Oregon coast, this place can have them with periodically in summer as well. Its trippy, man.

Then when winter comes, sometimes so do the massive wave warnings. For a beach thats often quite broad, every once in awhile even the parking lot shuts down during really high wave events. Those gargantuan breakers have been known to toss large objects onto parking spaces. Scary.

Staying here?

Across the street from this famed Oregon coast spot sit two fab hotels with equally fab features. These have had new life breathed into them in recent years, and unless you're looking carefully, you may not notice the outstanding new vibes that are present.





Ocean Breeze Hotel and Inn at Lincoln City sit paired together  two adorable spots for different reasons.

Ocean Breeze Hotel offers up beautiful ocean views and lake view rooms with comfy, brand new mattresses that ensure a pleasant night's stay. Spry pastels cover the exterior with gleaming whites on the interior, all the while providing glimpses of whatever mood the ocean is in or the inimitable D River as it wanders lazily past.

The entire hotel is pet-friendly, 100 percent smoke free and since it's less than a block away from the beach it's in full sight of the famous kite flying festivals as well as all that agate hunting. 070 SE 1st St. Lincoln City, Oregon. (541) 992-0063. Ocean Breeze website.

The Inn at Lincoln City first presents a soothing exterior with glistening modern edges, giving way to interiors with bold, fascinating colors. Starting with the public lobby, there's a wild, multi-colored fireplace. The hallways are decked out in a hypnotizing blue and a carpet with engaging patterns.

There's riverside fun on the outdoor deck, and a firepit adds an ethereal spice to twilight or just after dark. Engage in cooking s'mores or watching kayakers and paddleboarders. 1091 SE 1st Street. Lincoln City, Oregon. (541) 996-4400. Website here. - Hotels in Lincoln City - Where to eat - Lincoln City Maps and Virtual Tours





Farther south, between Depoe Bay and Gleneden Beach, sits the myriad wonders of Fogarty Beach, an intricate place of jagged rock features and curious sands. Ever wondered about that lovely hotel up top?

The views from The Surfrider Resort are unmatched in the area. Sitting right on a cliff over the Pacific Ocean, this hotel is a combination of restaurant and luxury resort. The Surfrider Resort is a hidden gem, coming with its own direct beach access and a restaurant with a panoramic view of all things oceanic. Whales live in the waters below the resort year-round so guests have a front row seat. Surfrider website here. - Hotels in Depoe Bay - Where to eat - Depoe Bay Maps and Virtual Tours





Continue a bit farther south on the central Oregon coast and just before you get to Newport you'll encounter the Moolack Shores Inn. Sitting above the mesmerizing, fascinating Moolack Beach, you're privy to more whales (plenty of resident whales live between here and Lincoln City), and the dramatic winter storms that rip up the famed beach.

It's an historic inn, with a captivating old timey vibe that runs headlong into the future with plenty of modern touches. Shimmering polished woods and soothing whites dominate some of the interiors, and each room has a different decor and look, many with a mix of soft whites and bold, super fun colors.

A new firepit is a beautiful spot to watch the sun go down over the Pacific Ocean. 8835 North Coast Highway, Newport, Oregon. (541) 265-2326. Moolack Shores Website here. - Hotels in Newport - Where to eat - Newport Maps and Virtual Tours





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Flames engulfed a Baghdad hospital for COVID-19 patients late Saturday, killing at least 82 people. The run-down hospital, located in one of Baghdads poorest neighborhood, had no sprinklers or smoke detectors. Preliminary reports suggest the fire, which also injured 110 people, began with and exploding oxygen cylinder. Video showed a chaotic scene at the Ibn Al-Khatib Hospital as people rushed to try to evacuate as many patients as possible while flames overtook the building. Of the total, 28 of the patients killed had been on life support.

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The government declared three days of national mourning, suspended key health officials, including the health minister, after the fire as it vowed to investigate. Iraqs prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, said negligence by health officials was to blame. But the fire was immediately seen as yet another example of how Iraqs health care system is struggling to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. Iraq is now at the worst stage of the pandemic and lacks the resources to treat all the patients amid a financial crisis. A shortage of staff means Iraqi hospitals require a relative to help look after a patient, even in wards reserved for COVID-19 patients.

Doctors have long warned that aging health care infrastructure was a deadly risk. Staff at the hospital said the same fire could have taken place at any other government hospital. They all have the same ceilings, the same faulty electric wires, one doctor tells the Washington Post. Theres no fire-escape plan, no fire extinguishers. President Barham Salih said fire was a result of the accumulated destruction of state institutions due to corruption and mismanagement, in a post on Twitter.
Japan is considering operating large-scale COVID-19 vaccination centers capable of administering shots to 10,000 people per day, as part of efforts to speed up a vaccine rollout that is trailing other countries, government sources said Sunday.

Such centers, which will be separate from vaccination facilities operated by local governments, are slated to be set up in Tokyo and Osaka, with the central government also considering utilizing medically certified Self-Defense Forces personnel to help administer shots.

The Nikkei business daily reported that the Tokyo site could open as early as next month.

In accordance with Japans vaccination law, local governments have been responsible for setting up vaccination sites and securing doctors to administer the vaccine. But there are concerns that there will be a shortage of venues and vaccinators once the rollout hits full tilt.

The government plans to allow dentists to administer COVID-19 vaccines to address the dearth of doctors.

Vaccinations must generally be administered at the municipality where the resident is registered, but to improve convenience people will also be able to get vaccinated at the state-run centers if they are in possession of pre-distributed inoculation coupons, the sources said.
Senator Lindsey Graham insisted Sunday that systemic racism 'doesn't exist' in the US - pointing to the elections of President Barack Obama and VP Kamala Harris as proof - before telling Joe Biden to stop criticizing America for historic wrongs.

The South Carolina Republican was responding to President Biden's comments that George Floyd's murder 'ripped the blinders off for the whole world to see the systemic racism' that has become a 'stain on our nation's soul.'

Asked by Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace is systemic racism in the police and other American institutions, Graham said: 'No, not in my opinion. We just elected a two-term African-American president; the vice president is of African-American and Indian descent. So our systems are not racist.'

He continued: 'America is not a racist country. Within every society, you have bad actors. The Chauvin trial was a just result.'

Lindsey Graham says systemic racism isn't an issue in America because Barack Obama and Kamala Harris were elected pic.twitter.com/PqRdoeWmHW  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 25, 2021

Lindsey Graham told Fox News Sunday that he did not believe systemic racism existed in America

The Republican went on to criticize 'this attack on police and policing, claiming that Democrats suggest officers 'are all racist'.

Concluding his comments, Graham added: 'America's a work in progress but it's the best place on the planet. And Joe Biden spent a lot of time running the place down. I wish he would stop it.'

Following Chauvin's conviction by a jury on all counts - second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter - on Tuesday, Vice President Harris said Floyd's death represented the 'racial injustice that black Americans have known for generations'.

Biden said afterwards: 'We can't stop here. It was a murder in the full light of day and it ripped the blinders off for the whole world to see the systemic racism the vice president just referred to.'

He then made a plea for 'concrete reforms' in policing and for the elimination of racial bias from the nation's criminal justice system.

Responding Sunday to the president's comments, Graham expressed hope that a bipartisan deal on policing reform could be done by May 25, as long as a consensus could be reached on qualified immunity - which gives officers protection from legal action.

'Qualified immunity is a very big deal. If you want to destroy policing in America make sure every cop can be sued when they leave the house,' he said.

'So there's a way to find qualified immunity reform, take the cop out of it. You sue the department rather than the officer if there's an allegation of civil rights abuse or constitutional rights abuse.

'We can solve the issue if there's a will to get there and I think there is in both parties right now.'

The South Carolina Republican was responding to President Biden and VP Harris' comments on Tuesday that George Floyd's murder proved that the police are institutionally racist

President Barack Obama giving his inaugural address in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2009

Asked by Wallace if a deal could be reached by May 25, he said: 'I hope so'.

Grahams belief that police departments should be sued rather than individual officers are in line with Senator Tim Scott (R., S.C.), who is leading Republicans in police reform negotiations.

On Wednesday, White House Press Secretary dodged a reporter's question and cut him off abruptly when she was asked if President Joe Biden plans to address his role in systemic racism while a senator for more than three decades.

'To what extent does President Biden acknowledge his own role in systemic racism and how does that inform his current policy positions?' New York Post reporter Steven Nelson asked Psaki during her briefing Wednesday.

He noted that Biden is 'an architect of multiple federal laws in the 1980s and 90s that disproportionately jailed black people and contributed to what many people see as systemic racism.'

Instead of noting any of his potential role in exacerbating the issue in the past, Psaki decided to list his steps toward relieving that.

Biden said after the guilty verdicts: 'We can't stop here. It was a murder in the full light of day and it ripped the blinders off for the whole world to see the systemic racism the vice president just referred to'

'One of the president's core objectives is addressing racial injustice in this country, not just through his rhetoric but through his actions,' Psaki deflected.

'And what anyone should look to is his advocacy for passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, for nominating leaders to the Department of Justice to address long outdated policies, and to ask his leadership team here in the White House to prioritize these issues in his presidency, which is current and today and not from 30 years ago.'

The reporter tried to push Psaki on the issued with: 'Do you believe it's important for him to accept his own culpability '

But he was cut off.

'I think I've answered your question,' Psaki tersely quipped before calling on another reporter to ask a question.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 68F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Los Angeles police officers have shot dead a man wearing body armour after he backed his vehicle into a police car and confronted police, the department has confirmed.

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said in a statement on Saturday that there had been an officer-involved shooting on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.

At around 2.35pm, officers were heading to a radio call with their lights and sirens on when a car pulled in front of them, stopped suddenly, and reversed into the police car, police said.

"At that time the driver of that vehicle exited as did the driver and passenger of the police car, LAPD Detective Meghan Aguilar told reporters.

She added: The driver of that car that had reversed back into the police officer was wearing body armour and was holding his right hand behind his back.

"The officers gave him commands which he did not follow, and he started counting down, saying three two one as he started to pull his hand from his back to the front."

The man was struck by gunfire and pronounced deceased at the scene, the department confirmed. An investigation is still ongoing and detectives are conducting interviews and gathering evidence

WRC-TV reported that there was a lot of blood on Sunset Boulevard as the body was being covered up with a white sheet.

The broadcaster said that a black vehicle with several stickers had its back bumper making contact with an LAPD vehicle, and that that vehicle had a damaged drivers-side window.

Sunset Boulevard was temporarily shut down in both directions near Fairfax Avenue, with a large police presence with streets in the area remaining shut down as of 6pm on Saturday.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press
New Delhi, April 25 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday extended the lockdown in the national capital for one more week till May 3 amid the surge in the coronavirus cases.

The situation is far from normal in Delhi due to which the Delhi government has extended the lockdown for another week.

"Aovid-19 has wreaked havoc in Delhi. A lot of deliberation has been done on extending the lockdown for another week. The lockdown has been imposed in Delhi till May 3, 5 a.m.," Kejriwal said.

"During the lockdown we saw that the infection rate has gone up to nearly 36 per cent... till date, we have not seen such an infection rate in Delhi. It has come down in the last two days... on Sunday, it is nearly 29 per cent." Due to Covid-19 infections in Delhi, 357 people have died in a single day while more than 24,000 new cases were reported. The rate of persons infected with Covid-19 in Delhi is 32.27 per cent.

Earlier, the Delhi government had imposed a six-day lockdown in the national Capital from 10 p.m. on April 19 till 5 a.m. on April 26.

Despite the lockdown, Delhi has not seen a decline in Covid cases during this week but the data indicating the number of deaths from the infection has risen due to lack of availability of oxygen.

Most of Delhi's trader organisations were also in favour of further extending the lockdown in the city. The apex traders' body, Confederation of All India Traders Association (CAIT), on Friday had urged the Delhi government to further extend the lockdown in the Capital to control the spread of the Covid-19 infection.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
BARRY COUNTY, MI - An 18-year-old Bellevue man was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Barry County Saturday afternoon, police say.

Deputies with the Bay County Sheriffs Office responded around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24, to M-66 and M-79 for a two-car fatal crash in Maple Grove Township, southeast of Grand Rapids.

A preliminary investigation showed a 2012 Chrysler headed west on M-79 neglected a stop sign and was hit by 2000 Jeep headed north, according to a Barry County Sheriffs Office news release.

The driver of the westbound vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police identified the driver as Michael Moskun, 18, of Bellevue.

Everyone else involved with the crash was taken to nearby hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. The fatal crash remains under investigation.

Michigan State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit, Nashville Fire Department, Mercy EMS, Barry County Central Dispatch, Michigan Department of Transportation, and the Barry County Medical Examiner Investigator assisted deputies with the incident.

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Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 20:13:09|Editor: huaxia

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Family members gather in front of the Ibn al-Khatib Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, April 25, 2021. The death toll from a huge fire that broke out in the Ibn al-Khatib Hospital treating coronavirus patients in Baghdad rose to 82 killed and some 110 wounded, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said on Sunday. (Photo by Khalil Dawood/Xinhua)

BAGHDAD, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a huge fire that broke out in a hospital treating coronavirus patients in Baghdad rose to 82 killed and some 110 wounded, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said on Sunday.

"The fire of Ibn al-Khatib Hospital resulted in the killing of 82 patients and health workers and the wounding of 110 others," Khalid al-Mahana, spokesman of the ministry, told the official Iraqiya channel.

"Many of the wounded are still in critical conditions," al-Mahana said.

The incident occurred late on Saturday night when several oxygen cylinders exploded, setting a huge fire at Ibn al-Khatib Hospital, which is dedicated to treating coronavirus patients on the eastern side of the capital, said a statement released by the country's civil defense.

Civil defense teams and firefighting vehicles arrived at the scene to put out the fire and were able to prevent the fire from reaching the upper floors, the statement said.

They also rescued some 90 patients and health workers who were surrounded by flames in the building, the statement said.

"Many patients were affected by the cut of oxygen cylinders during their evacuation from the hospital, and others suffocated by the smoke," the statement added.

A statement by the media office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said that al-Kadhimi has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and that the families of the victims should be compensated and treatment is provided for the wounded.

The incident came hours after the country's Health Ministry reported 6,967 new COVID-19 cases, taking the national tally to 1,025,288.

It also reported 43 new COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the national total to 15,217. Enditem
100 years ago  1921

Saint Clair:

A meeting of the advisory board of the Salvation Army will be held here on Friday evening of this week.

75 years ago  1946

HAZLETON  The governing body of Pennsylvanias 75,000 anthracite miners today laid down general contract demands for an unspecified wage boost with decreased working hours and authorized filing of a 30-day strike notice.

50 years ago  1971

Terry A. Lieb, son of Alfred Lieb, Lavelle, has been elected president of the 1971-72 senior class at York College. Lieb is an honor student majoring in behavioral sciences on an academic scholarship.

25 years ago  1996

Instead of watching Animaniacs before heading off to school, Jesse Strausser plays games with his sister. Jesse says that is one way he intends to get through a week without television. Sometimes in the morning, if I get up early in the morning, I play cars until its time to get ready for school, said Strausser, a first-grader at Blue Mountain Elementary School West. Since Monday, Jesse and more than half of the pupils at the Friedensburg school have voluntarily stopped watching the tube as part of Turn Off Your Television Week, which runs through Sunday. Were really trying to promote reading, said Gwen L. Wehr, the schools reading specialist. Thats my main job. I need to motivate students to be life-long readers. Because if you cant read, you cant do anything.
(Corrects paragraph 4 to show Serbia, Israel, UAE already exempt)

ATHENS (Reuters) -Greece will lift quarantine restrictions on coronavirus-free visitors from more countries including Australia and Russia from Monday as it extends exemptions ahead of formally opening up to tourists on May 15, the transport ministry said on Sunday.

The change, which came as Greece crossed the threshold of 10,000 deaths from COVID-19, follows a move this month to lift restrictions on visitors from EU countries, the United States and Britain, among other countries.

Visitors from these countries are allowed into Greece without spending a week in quarantine as long as they are vaccinated or test negative for the coronavirus.

As well as Australia and Russia, Greece will lift restrictions on visitors from New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Rwanda and Singapore, the ministry said in a statement. Visitors from Serbia, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are also exempt from quarantine requirements following the earlier changes affecting the EU and other countries.

Greece, which emerged from the first wave of the pandemic last year in much better shape than many other countries in Europe, has been hit badly in recent months, with rising numbers of patients putting hospitals under severe strain in many areas.

However, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said last week the pandemic was showing signs of stabilising and he confirmed plans for a May 15 opening of the vital tourism sector, which accounts for a fifth of economic output.

Despite a stuttering start to vaccinations in the European Union, the Greek government says it is better placed this summer than last year thanks to widespread testing, quarantine hotels and vaccination drives on small islands and among tourism workers.

Authorities reported 1,400 new cases and 57 deaths from COVID-19 on Sunday. The pandemic has now caused a total of 333,129 infections in Greece and 10,007 deaths.

(Reporting by Lefteris Papadimas; Editing by Susan Fenton)
For beginners, choosing the best camera probably means looking for a camera that offers ease of use, the ability to grow skills, and of course, an affordable cost.

If you have only just begun a photography hobby, the budget might be limited. You might want to learn more before investing a huge amount. Luckily, there are plenty of cameras in the market for you. They are not only affordable but are also simple to use. These cameras have a combination of both fully automatic and manual modes. So, today, we are providing you with a list of the best cameras in Nepal that beginners or amateur photographers can purchase in Nepal.

8. Canon EOS 4000D

Photo: Canon.co.uk

Starting our list is Canon EOS 4000D. When it comes to the camera, Canon has always been one of the most trusted brands in Nepal. It is easy to use and the build is quite good as well. The newbies will have no problem settling down with the settings of the camera.

Canon EOS 4000D is compact and lightweight, making it extremely portable to carry around. The camera provides plenty of features for its price, which will be sufficient for beginners. With the right lens, the camera clicks pretty decent photos and videos. Connectivity to smart devices is also possible via the Canon Camera Connect app.

Specifications

Camera weight 436 grams (body only) Screen 2.7-inch TFT screen Image sensor 22.314.9mm, 18MP Image resolution Up to 5184 x 3456 pixels Video resolution Up to [email protected] 30fps Viewfinder Eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage ISO Range 100-12800 Shutter speed 1/4000-30 seconds Shooting modes Scene intelligent auto, creative auto, portrait, landscape, close-up, sports, food, night portrait, programme AE , Shutter-priority AE, aperture priority AE, manual, movie mode Stabilisation Optical image stabilisation provided on compatible lens Flash In-built, but also supports external flash Mount type EF/EF-S Connectivity Wifi, Type c Mini HDMI connector, high-speed USB Battery life Up to 500 shots

The price for Canon EOS 4000D is Rs 56,000

7. Nikon D3500

Photo: nikonusa

Nikon D3500 is one of the most user-friendly cameras that beginners have no problem handling. It is an update from the Nikon D3400, but there are no such features that differentiate them except for the battery life. It provides pretty decent photos and videos which should be adequate for beginners. Nikons free SnapBridge app is compatible with smartphones and the photos you click will appear right there on the smartphone. You can even use the smartphone or tablet to remotely trigger the D3500 to take pictures.

Specifications

Camera weight 415 grams (body only) Screen 3-inch TFT screen Image sensor 23.515.6mm, 24 MP Image reolution Up to 6,000 x 4,000 pixels Video resolution Up to [email protected] Viewfinder Eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage ISO range 100-25600 Shutter speed 1/4000-30 seconds Flash In-built, but also supports external flash Mount type Nikon F DX Connectivity Bluetooth, Type-C mini HDMI connector, micro USB 2.0, 3.5mm headphone jack Battery life Up to 1,550 shots

The price for Nikon D3500 is Rs 53,000 in Nepal.

6. Nikon D5600

Photo: nikonusa

The Nikon D5600 is another entry-level device in Nikons lineup that flaunts a 24MP CMOS APS-C sensor with no optical low-pass filter (OLPF). For greater user convenience, the new lineup of the Nikon camera comes with the SnapBridge technology for file sharing with the smartphone and tablets. This app makes it easy for the user to communicate and share files to/from smartphones/tablets.

The camera has a touch display from where the users can swipe, pinch, zoom and even set focus with fingertips, just like a smartphone. Nikon D5600 also includes the vari-angle or fully articulating display that allows the photographers to compose the shots easily from all angles.

Specifications

Camera weight 465 grams Screen Fully articulating 3.2-inch TFT screen Image sensor 23.515.6mm, 24MP Image resolution Up to 6,000 x 4,000 pixels Video resolution Up to [email protected] Viewfinder Eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage ISO Range 100-25600 Shutter speed 1/4000-30 seconds Flash In-built, but also supports external flash Mount type Nikon F DX Connectivity Bluetooth, Type-C mini HDMI connector, micro USB 2.0, 3.5mm headphone jack Battery life Up to 820 shots

The price for Nikon D5600 is Rs 68,000

5. Sony Alpha A6000

Photo: B&H

Sony has always been one of the most trusted and renowned brands in electronics in Nepal. It is also one of the most innovative brands when it comes to the camera. Also, it is the one to hype up the now trending mirrorless cameras.

Sony Alpha A6000 is probably the most affordable mirrorless camera in the market right now. Though the updated version Alpha A6100 is also available in the market, there is no huge significant change in the features. For beginners, the A6000 should do just fine. Along with real-time tracking, the camera also has reliable auto-focus and clicks decent lowlight images. There is also a one-touch remote and one-touch sharing option that lets the user transfer photos and videos from the camera to the smartphone.

Specifications

Camera weight 284.91 grams Screen 3-inch TFT LCD Image sensor 23.515.6mm, 24.3MP Image resolution Up to 6,000 x 4,000 pixels Video resolution Up to [email protected] Viewfinder In-type electronic ISO Range 100-25600 (expandable up to 51200) Shutter speed 1/4000-30 seconds Flash In-built Mount type Sony E-mount Connectivity Wi-Fi, NFC, Type C mini HDMI connector, micro USB 2.0, microphone jack, no headphone jack Battery life Up to 325 shots

The price for Sony Sony Alpha A6000 is Rs 70,500 which includes a kit lens.

4. Canon EOS M6

Photo: usa.canon

Canon EOS M6 is one of the mirrorless camera series of Canon. The camera has a compact and lightweight body that is impressible and is very portable. The camera comes with electronic stabilisation to suppress the shakes and vibrations while capturing videos. Some of the key features of Canon EOS M6 are a 24MP APS-C sensor with a max ISO of 25600, a dual pixel on-sensor PDAF, electronic video stabilisation combined with in-lens IS to give 5-axis IS, electronic video stabilisation combined with in-lens IS to give 5-axis IS and wi-fi with always-connected Bluetooth.

Specifications

Camera weight 390 grams Screen 3-inch TFT fully articulating Image sensor 22.314.9mm, 24.2MP Image resolution Up to 6,000 x 4,000 pixels Video resolution Upto [email protected] Viewfinder Optional electronic Shooting modes Scene intelligent auto, hybrid auto, creative assist, SCN (self-portrait, portrait, landscape, close-up, sports, food, panning, handheld night scene, HDR backlight control), creative filters (grainy B/W, soft focus, fish-eye effect, art bold effect, water painting effect, toy camera effect, miniature effect (stills and movie), high dynamic range), programme AE , shutter priority AE, aperture priority AE, manual exposure, custom (x2), movie (movie auto exposure, movie manual exposure, time-lapse movie) ISO Range 100-25600 Shutter speed 1/4000-30 seconds Flash In-built, but also supports external flash Mount type AII EF*/EF-S, M lenses Connectivity Wi-fi b/g/n, Bluetooth, Type C mini HDMI connector, micro USB 2.0, 3.5mm headphone jack Battery life Up to 395 shots

The price for Canon EOS M6 is Rs 75,990 with 15-45mm kit lens.

3. Canon EOS M50

Photo: canon.usa

Canon EOS M50 is another innovation in the mirrorless series of Canon cameras. Just like the M6, this is also a pretty lightweight and portable camera. But, there are lots of upgrades in M50 from M6. Thanks to its powerful DIGIC 8 processor, the image processing is very fast. The camera also records cinematic videos in 4K. The camera has a 24.1 APS-C sensor that can shoot continuously at 10 fps. The camera also has dual pixel CMOS AF which is fast, accurate and has precise tracking. Canon EOS M50 can quickly connect to smart devices and PCs for easy image sharing on social media or cloud backup with wi-fi, Bluetooth and automatic image sync and transfer.

Specifications

Camera weight 390 grams Screen 3-inch TFT, fully articulating screen Image sensor 22.3 x 14.9 mm, 24.1MP, CMOS, APS-C Image resolution Up to 6000 x 4000 pixels Video resolution Up to 4k @25fps Viewfinder Electronic, 95% coverage Shooting Modes Scene intelligent auto, hybrid auto, creative assist, SCN (self-portrait, portrait, smooth skin, landscape, sports, close-up, food, panning, handheld night scene, HDR backlight control, silent mode), creative filters (grainy B/W, soft focus, fish-eye effect, water painting effect, toy camera effect, miniature effect, HDR art standard, vivid, bold, embossed), Programme AE, shutter-priority AE, aperture-priority AE, manual exposure, movie (movie auto exposure, movie manual exposure, time-lapse movie) ISO Range 100-25600 Shutter speed 1/4000  30 seconds Flash In-built, but also supports external flash Mount type EF/EF-S, M lenses Connectivity Wi-fi b/g/n, Bluetooth, Type-C mini HDMI connector, micro USB 2.0, 3.5mm headphone jack Battery life Up to 235 shots

The price for Canon EOS M50 with 15-45mm Kit lens in Nepal is Rs 89,990.

2. Nikon D7200

Photo: nikonusa

Though released back in 2015, Nikon D7200 is still one of the best entry-level cameras in the market. It was the first Nikon device to flaunt wi-fi and NFC connectivity. The build quality is still hardly matchable by its later generation competitors. Though it does not have a touchscreen display and 4K recording option, it has all the feature a beginner would ask for. The D7200 has a more accurate viewfinder, larger battery life, has environmental sealing that allows shooting in tough conditions, a higher resolution screen, a top LCD for viewing and changing settings easily and two storage slots.

Specifications

Camera weight 675 grams (camera body only) Screen 3.2-inch TFT, 1228.8k dots, fully articulating screen Image sensor 23.5 x 15.6mm, 24.2MP, CMOS, APS-C Image resolution Up to 6000 x 4000 pixels Video resolution Upto [email protected] Viewfinder Eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage Shooting modes Auto mode, sports mode, shutter priority, auto flash off, close-up, programme AE, portrait, night portrait, landscape, manual, child, aperture priority ISO Range 100-25600 Shutter speed 1/8000  30 seconds Flash In-built, but also supports external flash Mount type Nikon F DX Connectivity Wi-fi, NFC, Bluetooth, Type-C mini HDMI connector, micro USB 2.0, 3.5mm headphone jack Battery life Up to 1,110 shots

The price for Nikon D7200 with 18-140mm lens is Rs 124,000

1. Sony Alpha a7R

Photo: Sony

Topping our list is the Sony Alpha a7R. It is the only camera that mounts a full-frame sensor. Upon launch, the Alpha a7R was the first camera in Sonys lineup to possess a sensor with a whopping 36MP resolution. And there is no optical low pass filter (OLPF) which aids in the resolving power and increased image details.

Due to its high-resolution sensor without an AA filter, a7R is really focused on still image quality. It is also quite adept at video recording. It records at 1080/60p and 24p, with manual exposure control, headphone and mic ports, audiometer, zebra pattern, XLR support (via adapter), and live, uncompressed HDMI output. It also boasts features like dust and moisture resistance, tiltable LCD screen, fast intelligent autofocus, gapless on-chip lenses and many more.

Specifications

Camera weight 465 grams Screen 3-inch TFT, no touchscreen, articulating display Image sensor 24 x 35.9 mm, 36.4MP, exmor CMOS, full frame Image resolution Up to 7360 x 4912 pixels Video resolution Up to [email protected] Viewfinder Electronic, 100% coverage ISO Range 100-25600 Shutter speed 1/8000  30 seconds Flash Supports external flash Mount type Sony E Mount Connectivity Wi-fi, Type C mini HDMI connector, micro USB 2.0, headphone port, microphone port Battery life Up to 340 shots

The price for Sony Alpha a7R in Nepal is Rs 110,000 for body only.
A unit of C&T is considering investing $673 million in building solar power plants in Texas, aiming to start commercial production in December 2023, documents reviewed by Reuters showed.

The solar facilities will be located in the Milam county, Texas, the documents showed. The county is less than a two-hour drive to Electronics' chip factory in Austin where the South Korean firm is considering building a new $17 billion chip plant.

With a combined capacity of about 700 megawatts, the solar power factories will start construction in June 2022, according to the documents.

A C&T official told Reuters that it is currently "proceeding approval procedures with the state" but there are no current discussions with Samsung Electronics regarding the project.

The appeal of solar and wind power is growing quickly as countries around the world transition from fossil fuels to cleaner renewable sources of power to stop global warming.

President Joe Biden's administration wants all U.S. power to come from non-carbon-emitting sources like nuclear and renewables by 2035. South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Thursday pledged to end all new financing for overseas coal projects and would soon set a more ambitious schedule for slashing carbon emissions.

Samsung C&T Corp in October said it decided to halt any new coal-related investments and projects.

Chipmakers like Samsung Electronics, Intel and TSMC have pledged to boost use of renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint.

Chip manufacturing, which requires large amount of energy as well as gases and chemicals, accounts for most of the carbon output attributable to data centers and mobile phones, according to a research by Harvard University, Facebook Inc. and Arizona State University.

Samsung Electronics and other chipmakers earlier this year suffered from plant suspensions as a result of winter storm and power crisis in

(Reporting by Hyunjoo Jin and Heekyong Yang; Editing by Michael Perry)
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Stars were busy getting ready for the 93rd annual Academy Awards on Sunday afternoon.

The awards show will be very different as it will be a socially distanced event held not in Hollywood but in downtown Los Angeles at Union Station with only 170 people and not the usual 3,000.

But there will still be a red carpet, even if there will be much less people on it and very few cameras.

The presenters list is small but includes many big named such as Halle Berry, Angela Bassett, Regina King, Renee Zellweger, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Marlee Matlin, Laura Dern, Joaquin Phoenix and Harrison Ford.

Scroll down for a list of nominees...

Getting ready: Reese Witherspoon, who will serve as a presenter at the glitzy event which honors the top achievements in filmmaking, was seen at home the day of. The Little Big Lies actress had little makeup on with her hair down and a hoodie on that read Oscars 2021

The event may be one of the least seen Academy Awards of all time due to the lack of celebrities attending the event.

And there are also claims the Oscar for Best Picture is set to be handed to the lowest grossing top movie in the award show's 93 year history. The night's top prize is widely expected to go to Chloe Zhao's Nomadland starring Frances McDormand.

Reese Witherspoon, who will serve as a presenter at the glitzy event which honors the top achievements in filmmaking, led her social media followers through the stages of getting prepped for the live telecast.

The Walk The Line Oscar winner first posted to Instagram wearing a hoodie that read 'Oscars 2021'.

'It's #Oscars Sunday! Who's tuning in tonight?' she wrote in her caption.

All hands on deck: Later, Reese shared behind the scenes images as she got the full glam treatment ahead of the live telecast

Sophisticated look: She swapped her hoodie for a stunning red Christian Dior gown belted at the waist

'Safety first': Then, ready for the show, she had to have another COVID-19 test. Only those testing negative were allowed to enter the venue at Union Station in LA

Later, she shared behind the scenes images as she got the full glam treatment ahead of the live telecast.

Reese swapped her hoodie for a stunning red Christian Dior gown belted at the waist.

Then, ready for the show, she had to have another COVID-19 test. Only those testing negative were allowed to enter the venue at Union Station in LA.

'Safety first...' she shared on Instagram.

All good! Reese's Big Little Lies costar Laura Dern, who will also present at the Oscars, was seen getting a COVID-19 test while in the comfort of her home

There in spirit: Another Big Little Lies alum Nicole Kidman wasn't at the event, but shared this photo showing herself sitting on the floor watching the telecast once it got underway

Her Big Little Lies costar Laura Dern, who will also present at the Oscars, was seen getting a COVID-19 test while in the comfort of her home.

The Wild At Heart star was on the patio as she held a cotton swab.

She later met up with Reese after their respective glam sessions before setting off for the show venue.

Another Big Little Lies alum Nicole Kidman wasn't at the event, but shared a photo showing herself sitting on the floor watching the telecast once it got underway.

Things to talk about: Laura later met up with Reese after their respective glam sessions before setting off for the show venue

Bringing the style: The two stars were a study in contrasts with their respective designer ensembles

Glenn Close posted an image of her feet getting some tender loving care.

The nail expert worked on her feet, including a massage for the beloved Fatal Attraction actress.

Dressed in a black top and mask with worn in jeans, she was far from ready for the big night.

Cheers! Glenn Close was in a gray robe as she held up a drink while her hair and makeup was getting done inside a hotel room

Healing hands: Close posted an image of her feet getting some tender loving care. The nail expert worked on her feet, including a massage for the beloved Fatal Attraction actress

Set to go! Presenter Marlee Matlin, who won an Oscar for her work in 1987's drama Children Of A Lesser God, shared an image of her hoodie and cap that was stamped Oscars 2021. All that could be seen of the actress, 55, were her nicely manicured hands and large diamond wedding rings. She was holding what appeared to be an invitation

Sparkly: Later, Marlee showed off her three tickets to the Oscars after getting dressed up in a sequin studded off-the-shoulder black gown

Presenter Marlee Matlin, who won an Oscar for her work in 1987's drama Children Of A Lesser God, shared an image of her hoodie and cap that was stamped Oscars 2021.

All that could be seen of the actress, 55, were her nicely manicured hands and large diamond wedding rings. She was holding what appeared to be an invitation.

Halle Berry shared a photo to Instagram showing a pile of cut hair lying on the floor.

The meaning became clear when she debuted a striking new look to go with her beautiful Oscar dress.

She showed off her blunt cut bob with baby bangs as she posed with boyfriend Van Hunt for another Instagram snap.

Shorn: Halle Berry shared a photo to Instagram showing a pile of cut hair lying on the floor. The meaning became clear when she debuted a striking new look to go with her Oscar dress

Eye-catching: The actress showed off her blunt cut bob with baby bangs as she posed with boyfriend Van Hunt for another Instagram snap in a very revealing gown

Intimate scenes: Halle also shared photos showing her checking her look in a mirror and fixing her boyfriend's tie

Actor Jamie Foxx, who won a best actor Oscar for the 2004 biopic Ray, posted to Instagram that he is keeping his fingers crossed for a win for Disney/Pixar animated feature Soul

Meanwhile actress nominee Amanda Seyfried shared a funny photo of a spoof award

Actor Jamie Foxx, who won a best actor Oscar for the 2004 biopic Ray, posted to Instagram that he is keeping his fingers crossed for a win for Disney/Pixar animated feature Soul.

Meanwhile, actress nominee Amanda Seyfried shared a funny photo of a spoof award.

Regina King, who won an Oscar last year for If Beale Street Could Talk, posed in a gorgeous blue gown for a photo posed to the official Vogue Instagram.

Ready to go: Regina King, who won an Oscar last year for If Beale Street Could Talk, posed in a gorgeous blue gown for a photo posed to the official Vogue Instagram

Wow: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm star and nominee Maria Bakalova posed in a jaw-dropping slashed-to-the-navel white Louis Vuitton gown with diamonds on the bodice

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm star and nominee Maria Bakalova posed in a jaw-dropping slashed-to-the-navel white gown with diamonds on the bodice.

The 24-year-old shared with Vanity Fair that the Louis Vuitton creation featured 'layer after layer after layer' of tulle, adding: 'It's modern, but it's timeless. And it's magical. It's princessy and it's still romantic.'

Alan Kim, eight, from the nominated movie Minari found time to walk his dog before heading to the awards show, looking cute in a tailored jacket and shorts from designer Thom Browne.

Alan Kim, eight, from the nominated movie Minari found time to walk his dog before heading to the awards show, looking cute in a tailored jacket and shorts from designer Thom Browne

Behind the scenes: Colman Domingo arrived to his glam session wearing a mask and shared an image of getting prepped before changing into his awards show garb

Lights, camera, action: Giuliana Rancic, a host for E!, was seen on getting dolled up before she hit the red carpet for rehearsals

The A team at work: The star was in a beige and black floral top as she credited Emma Willis and Ashley Sarah on her team

A behind the scenes look at a very unusual carpet: And here the reality TV star wore a green sweater as she checked out the carpet before the stars arrived

Giuliana Rancic, a host for E!, was seen on getting dolled up before she hit the red carpet for rehearsals. The star was in a beige and black floral top as she credited Emma Willis and Ashley Sarah on her team.

Zanna, a correspondent for E! News, also shared several images from behind-the-scenes of her do-over for the Oscars.

The perky blonde was seen in her bathroom as she had her hair done into a floppy and fun updo.

'It takes a village,' she said as she added her glam team members for the red carpet look such as Traci Garrett for hair.

Le look: Zanna, a correspondent for E! News, also shared several images from behind-the-scenes of her do-over for the Oscars

So much to juggle: The perky blonde was seen in her bathroom as she had her hair done into a floppy and fun updo

Village people: 'It takes a village,' she said as she added her glam team members for the red carpet look such as Traci Garrett for hair

The look: Preparations continue for the 93rd Oscars at Union Station in Los Angeles

This year, the series will adapt to the demands of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic for a socially distanced show that attempts to follow safety recommendations while steering clear of the virtual format other award shows have adopted.

To underscore the changes due to the pandemic, there will be no host, no audience, nor face masks for nominees attending the ceremony at Los Angeles' Union Station  this year's hub for a show usually broadcast from the Dolby Theatre - though they will have to mask up when not on stage. And there will be COVID-19 testing as well as temperature checks.

And guests - Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon and Zendaya have been secured - are not able to bring guests.

There will only be about 170 attendees in all, which is far less than the 3,000 that normally attended the Oscars pre pandemic.

Covid-19 precautions: The Oscars are adapting to the coronavirus pandemic by having only 170 attendees at LA's Union Station this year, while Zoom appearances are banned; Union Station seen being prepared for the ceremony on Friday

In contrast with the largely virtual Golden Globes, Zoom boxes have been closed out  though numerous international hubs and satellite feeds will connect nominees unable to travel.

Due to the pandemic, the audience will be significantly capped at the venues, with only 170 attendees allowed inside Union Station, according to the Los Angeles Times.

That's compared to the usual 3,000 people that the Dolby Theatre can accommodate.

'As soon as you open the door beyond nominees, their plus-one and the presenters, you can't control it,' said filmmaker and first-time Oscars producer Steven Soderbergh at a press conference last week.

What a difference: The Dolby Theatre, where the Academy Awards are normally held, can accommodate up to 3,000 people; Brad Pitt seen in February 2020

Taking it seriously: Steven Soderbergh and other Oscars producers told attendees in a letter that the show is being treated 'as an active movie set' with 'an on-site Covid safety team with PCR testing capacity'; seen in 2019 in NYC

'And so that was not even a question for us. Like, this is how it has to be done. [Disney executive] Bob Iger won't be there. That is just where we are at, and that is how we are being allowed to do it this way.'

In order to keep things moving smoothly, the show will have a bevy of rapid Covid-19 testing and temperature checks on site.

'We are treating the event as an active movie set, with specially designed testing cadences to ensure up-to-the-minute results, including an on-site Covid safety team with PCR testing capability,' the Oscar producers wrote in a letter to nominees last month.

In order to cut down on risks, attendees have been asked to skip going to crowded places like gyms or restaurants for the 10 days prior to the ceremony.

It doesn't hurt that California now has the lowest coronavirus case rates in the continental United States.

Blessing: It doesn't hurt that California now has the lowest coronavirus case rates in the continental United States

Oscar's Best Picture winner is set to be the category's LOWEST-grossing in the award show's 93 year history after the pandemic shuttered theaters: 2009's The Hurt Locker holds current record at $17m The Oscar for Best Picture is set to be handed to the lowest grossing top movie in the award show's 93 year history on Sunday evening. The night's top prize is widely expected to go to Chloe Zhao's Nomadland starring Frances McDormand. Should it be victorious, it will become the lowest grossing Best Picture ever after making around $2.5 million Deadline reports. That's a record currently held by Kathryn Bigelow's 2009 title The Hurt Locker which grossed $17 million. It will also be one of the lowest budget best-picture winners ever. Zhao's film, populated by mostly nonprofessional actors, was made for less than $5 million. Her next film, Marvel's Eternals, has a budget of at least $200 million. Even if it does not take home the top gong, the other movies nominated in the category also saw low returns at the box office. The biggest ticket-seller of the best picture nominees is Promising Young Woman, with $6.3 million in box office. Judas and the Black Messiah is said to have grossed $5.4 million, Minari $2.57 million and The Father $1.6 million. Mank, The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Sound of Metal were each given short theater runs before streaming on Netflix and Apple. The night's top prize is widely expected to go to Chloe Zhao's 'Nomadland,' starring Frances McDormand, pictured. Should it be victorious, it will become the lowest grossing Best Picture ever after making around $2.5 million Deadline reports That's a record currently held by Kathryn Bigelow's 2009 title The Hurt Locker which grossed $17 million. Director Kathryn Bigelow accepts her Oscar with presenter Barbara Streisand during the 82nd Annual Academy Awards in 2010 in Hollywood The lowest grossing Best Picture winners 1. The Hurt Locker (2009): $17,099,352 2. Moonlight (2016): $28,962,945 3. Hamlet (1948): $31,841,433 4. All The King's Men (1949): $36,699,117 5. Marty (1955): $37,246,865 6. An American in Paris (1951): $43,192,038 7. Birdman (2014): $44,633,117 8. It Happened One Night (1934): $46,558,582 9. Spotlight (2015): $47,438,998 10. The Artist (2011): $49,560,089 11. The Great Ziegfeld (1936): $53,860,575 12. 12 Years a Slave (2013): $60,709,583 13. Gigi (1958): $63,036,131 14. The Shape of Water (2017): $63,842,519 15. Crash (2005): $69,713,284 As reported by Goliath; figures are adjusted for inflation Advertisement The pandemic pushed several anticipated movies out of 2020. Most North American theaters weren't open for six months straight through the summer season, which typically accounts for around 40% of the year's profits. That means for the first time, Hollywood's most prestigious awards will overwhelming belong to films that barely played on the big screen. Award show ratings have also cratered during the pandemic, and this year's nominees - many of them smaller, lower-budget dramas - won't come close to the drawing power of past Oscar heavyweights like 'Titanic' or 'Black Panther. Lately, with vaccinations expanding, signs of life have begun to show in movie theaters - most of which are operating at 50 per cent capacity. Warner Bros.' 'Godzilla vs. Kong' has made around $400 million worldwide, which theater owners point to as proof that moviegoers are eager for studios to again release a regular diet of big movies. Right now, the date circled on cinema calendars is May 28, when both Paramount's 'A Quiet Place Part II' and Disney's 'Cruella' arrive in theaters - though 'Cruella' will simultaneously stream for $30. And this weekend at movie theaters featured something not seen for a while: a genuine box-office battle. Warner Bros. 'Mortal Kombat' reboot and the Japanese anime film 'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train' both vied for the top spot. The two releases fueled the best weekend for movie theaters during the pandemic, with an estimated $54.2 million in ticket sales overall, according to data firm Comscore. The 93rd Academy Awards will begin at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC. There will be no host, no audience, nor face masks for nominees attending the ceremony at Los Angeles' Union Station - this year's hub for a show usually broadcast from the Dolby Theatre. Last year's Oscars, when Bong Joon Ho's 'Parasite' became the first non-English language film to win best picture, was watched by 23.6 million, an all-time low. The show appears to be trying to downplay the use of masks, as presenters won't wear them when on camera, but they will be required to have them on during commercial breaks. Soderbergh has been cagey about the use of masks, but he suggested they might play some kind of prominent role for the ceremony during his news conference. 'Here is our quote on that: Masks are going to play a very important role in the story of this evening,' he said. 'And if that is cryptic, it's meant to be. But that topic is very central to the narrative.' He also tried to tamp down on fears by adding that the film industry has had 'a lot of practice' in finding safe ways to work amid the pandemic. A view of the red carpet appears before the start of the Oscars on Sunday It is guaranteed to be an Oscars like no other: broadcast live from a train station, honoring films few saw in movie theaters, and reuniting Hollywood's A-listers for the first time in more than a year due to Covid-19 Advertisement

'This industry was at the forefront of creating protocols to get people back to work safely,' he continued. 'I'm in the middle of shooting my second film during COVID. We know how to approach situations like this. It's incredibly labor intensive. It's incredibly complex logistically, and it's expensive.

'There is no universe in which we are going to ever put anybody at risk. And so we are hoping to combine safety with a show that feels like a glimpse of what is going to be possible when most people are vaccinated and, you know, rapid, accurate, cheap testing is the norm. So COVID is going to be there because it's everywhere, but we want to put it in its place and then sort of move forward,' he explained.
The clam farms in Thai Binh Province are attracting many visitors and photographers thanks to their pure beauty.

Dong Chau Beach which lies some 30 kilometres from Thai Binh City boasts many large clam farms.





Although the beach is not suitable for bathing, it still attracts lots of visitors who want to see and learn about clam farming.

Clams are usually raised over 15 months.







Many small watchtowers are set up on the farms. They look beautiful in the sunset.

Farms are divided into small sections.

The breath-taking beauty of the farm during sun-rise.







Farmers work depending on the tide. Clam harvesting begins as tide falls.

Dtinews
Denton, TX (76205)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely late. Low 69F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
When Army veteran Larry McCoys apartment complex threatened to evict him in May 2019, he didnt know where he would live.

He served nine years during Desert Storm and later became a sheriffs deputy. McCoy now relies on Social Security income. To afford rent, he gets a housing voucher of about $800 a month from Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing.

In July 2019, after multiple apartment complexes told him it was their policy not to accept housing vouchers, McCoy became homeless. He slept in Haven for Hopes courtyard until nonprofit My City Is My Home stepped in and found him the perfect spot, a one-bedroom apartment on the Northwest Side.

McCoy feels at peace in his apartment, saying it is exactly what I want.

San Antonio hopes to create more affordable housing options for low-income residents through Proposition A on next Saturdays election ballot. The proposition would change the city charter to allow the City Council to float bonds and raise millions of dollars for housing.

By any measure, San Antonios housing affordability plight is growing more acute. Wages havent kept up with rising housing costs for the past decade. Too many households spend too much of their income on their rent or mortgage, experts say. And high construction costs have driven homebuilders to focus on building pricier homes.

By one estimate, San Antonio needs to build or fix up 48,000 housing units within the next seven years to create more affordable housing.

Proposition A, proponents argue, would provide a much needed funding source to help accomplish that mission.

Its not a silver bullet, said District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino, who backs the measure. But we need everything that we can get to help.

If voters approve the proposition, the city could use bond money to buy land, invest directly in the construction of houses and apartment complexes aimed at needier households and fix up existing run-down homes.

Voters will likely see a housing bond on the May 2022 ballot if Proposition A passes. How much the bond would cost and how many housing units it would pay for havent been hashed out.

A piece of the pie

Some see trouble ahead.

Typically, the city  with voter approval  takes out bonds for infrastructure projects such as street improvements, flood control, parks and city buildings like fire and police stations.

Allowing the city to pursue bonds for housing means those other needs will have a smaller slice of the bond pie, District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry said. The city already has an estimated $3.6 billion in needed repairs on that front, he said.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

If we continue to whittle away on our infrastructure projects or the money thats available for infrastructure projects, well never get it done, Perry said. Itll just continue to climb.

The way the charter reads now, the city can use bond dollars for public works. The proposal before voters would make a subtle but substantial tweak  the city could take out bonds for permanent public improvements or for another public purpose.

Under that language, the city could use bonds to fund economic development incentives such as grants to companies or improvements to privately owned buildings.

My fear is that economic development could squeeze out the importance of affordable housing through this process, District 9 Councilman John Courage said during a February briefing on the proposal. Conceptually, I think we do need to give ourselves more flexibility, but too much flexibility also I think can distract us.

Bond proposals go through a rigorous vetting process before they land in front of the City Council and, ultimately, the voters, city officials have said. Austin, Arlington, Dallas and Fort Worth have nearly identical language in their city charters.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

San Antonio can already put bonds toward housing, but there are limitations.

Voters gave their blessing to a $20 million housing bond in 2017, which aided a trio of housing developments that produced 500 units for households making less than the citys median income. Those funds could pay only for costs such as surrounding infrastructure improvements and preliminary land development but not actual construction of the buildings.

Its been challenging, said Veronica Soto, director of the citys Neighborhood and Housing Services Department. (Construction) hasnt been as quick because of those limitations.

The push for Proposition A came out of a set of recommendations from Mayor Ron Nirenbergs Housing Policy Task Force nearly three years ago as housing costs soared.

The crisis has shown no signs of abating. The median value of a San Antonio home grew 35 percent over the last decade  from $108,600 in 2010 to $146,400 in 2019. The median rent grew at a similar rate in that time  to $992 in 2019 from $748 nine years earlier.

In that stretch, the median household income rose 22 percent. That figure stood at $52,455 in 2019, compared with $43,152 in 2010. In some years, incomes fell.

The most a family of four making the citys median household income can afford to spend on renting a two-bedroom apartment is $1,344, according to a recent city analysis. But the current market average rental rate for a two-bedroom is $1,576.

That same family could afford to pay $200,000 for a home. The current average sale price is $311,604.

Subsidizing housing

For much of the past decade, San Antonio officials didnt focus on creating less expensive housing and affordable apartments.

Instead, they subsidized market-rate housing in and around downtown  a policy born from former Mayor Julian Castros Decade of Downtown effort to bring residents, retailers and employers back to the urban core.

The city incentives helped build at least 6,500 downtown housing units. But the programs took heat from community activists and some council members for funding luxury housing developments such as the Cellars at Pearl complex.

That history drives some skepticism among housing advocates that bond dollars will go toward projects that are truly affordable.

I would just hate to think that the pain that people have felt because of our housing crisis locally somehow translates into a windfall for more of our for-profit developers, said Sofia Lopez, a former San Antonio Housing Authority commissioner.

Housing advocates Jessica Guerrero, Rebecca Flores and Monica Cruz are mainly concerned about displacement of residents when new developments come in. As members of the For Everyone Home initiative, they want to require an impact study for incoming developments to determine how they would affect existing neighborhoods.

The city is still so slow to acknowledge the accountability, said Guerrero, who chairs the citys Housing Commission. One example was the rezoning and sale of Mission Trails mobile home park, which displaced 107 households.

Cruz said there is a disconnect between what officials have identified as the need and what is being built.

What theyre building is not really addressing that need, Cruz said. We have a big gap and a need here, yet we continue to provide tax breaks to developers who are building market rate housing.

Cruz and Flores feel they are being priced out of their homes with their rising property taxes. Additionally, they are constantly getting offers for their homes from developments that disproportionately target older neighborhoods with higher concentrations of poverty.

Hiring a housing czar

Since October 2019, city housing officials have been chipping away at a plan to implement the recommendations of the mayors task force  figuring out what kind of housing needs to be built or repaired and which income levels must be targeted, among other needs.

That plan, scheduled to be completed this summer, would form the backbone of any housing bond program, Soto said.

Lets say this does pass and we have a housing bond for affordable housing: That definition of affordability would be the guiding principle when it comes to this, Soto said.

The task force estimated San Antonio needs more than 18,000 affordable housing units, a mix of apartments and houses, by 2028. That means either fixing up older homes or financing the construction of new homes targeted at those making lower incomes.

City officials say theyre on track to meet those numbers in the next two years, though they didnt provide updated figures showing how many units have been produced or repaired.

Now, the city is eyeing loftier goals of nearly 48,000 units by 2028  a figure arrived at after officials realized the need for affordable housing was greater than initially estimated. Some 40,000 people, for example, are on the San Antonio Housing Authoritys wait list for public housing.

The City Council has pumped more money into affordable housing in the past three years than it did previously. The council set $8 million aside for housing in 2017. Last year, it plugged $27.5 million into affordable housing.

The city also created an emergency fund to help people facing displacement from their homes  which during the pandemic became the citys $133.5 million emergency housing assistance program.

Still, there are shortcomings.

The city hasnt hired a chief housing officer to oversee the regions disparate, acronym-laden agencies that deal with housing as part of one large coordinated system  three years after the task force made the recommendation.

Before the pandemic, the city had searched for someone to fit the bill, but it hasnt found the right person, Soto said. City Manager Erik Walsh has said he wants someone in the job who can also tackle homelessness policy.

Christine Drennon, Trinity University urban studies professor, sees a continued lack of a strategic approach among the citys housing entities.

Do we need somebody whos a great cheerleader to come in and make us do that? Drennon said. Or can we just pull up our little socks and do it with some decent leadership?

For her part, Soto said city housing officials and leaders of the various housing entities  like the San Antonio Housing Authority and the San Antonio Housing Trust  are communicating more frequently than they did before, though a formal coordinate system doesnt quite exist.

If we dont have it yet, we are very close, Soto said.

Dropping barriers

Rich Acosta, president of My City Is My Home, a nonprofit that helps homeowners and renters, said theres plenty of money for affordable housing but that policies have to catch up.

The problem is discrimination, he said. Weve got a bunch of housing barriers that are in the way.

Acosta and other advocates have been working to pass the Source of Income Anti-Discrimination ordinance, which would prohibit future developments that get city funding from denying housing vouchers for rent.

Acosta applauded the San Antonio Housing Trust, which started a resident and tenant protection policy March 30. Now, any developments working with the Housing Trust need to have written selection policies and grievance procedures, protect tenants from income discrimination, and place less emphasis on an applicants past evictions.

We need this, Acosta said, but fight just as hard to get good housing policy passed as well.
Hugh Hefner's widow Crystal added further insight into the ongoing feud between former The Girls Next Door stars Holly Madison and Kendra Wilkinson.

'I understand that Holly is probably finding healing by speaking about her experience, for sure,' the 34-year-old theorized about Madison's recent interview detailing sexual expectations at the Playboy Mansion on an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast.

'I noticed because Im trying to find my own healing as I reflect back. I know Holly went through some very hard things at the mansion. I think some of the things I went through are harder,' she added during an interview with US Weekly on Friday.

Insight: Hugh Hefner's widow Crystal (seen here in 2012) added further insight into the ongoing feud between former The Girls Next Door stars Holly Madison and Kendra Wilkinson

After the 41-year-old star upset Wilkinson by claiming that all women had to sleep with Hugh before moving into the mansion (which she previously denied), Crystal now says she understands why there's tension between the two former co-stars.

'I can understand the contention between Holly and Kendra, especially because Kendra was kind of more checked out. And so, she had to deal with less, like, psychologically at the mansion. And I think that might be a source of bitterness with Holly,' she told the publication.

Crystal was married to the late Playboy mogul from 2012 until his death on September 27, 2017, at the age of 91.

She also confessed that she sympathizes with Holly: 'I can completely understand Holly there because I was in the position that Holly was in. I became Hefs wife. I was with him all the time. I became just so invested in his life almost to the point of losing myself, so I can understand her perspective.'

Claims: After the 41-year-old star upset co-star Wilkinson (here in 2006) by claiming that all women had to sleep with Hugh before moving into the mansion (which she previously denied), Crystal now says she understands why there's tension between the former co-stars

Understanding: 'I understand that Holly is probably finding healing by speaking about her experience, for sure,' the 34-year-old said about Madison's recent interview detailing sexual expectations at the Playboy Mansion on Call Her Daddy

The Down The Rabbit Hole author had seemingly called into question Wilkinson's previous claims that she had not been intimate with Hugh prior to when she moved into the famed mansion at the age of 18.

'I had to sleep with him first,' Madison said. 'I'm not trying to slut shame anybody or anything, but nobody ever got asked to move in unless they had slept with him.'

Crystal had previously taken Wilkinson's side in the women's reignited feud with a post on the social media platform MeWe: 'I was at the mansion for a DECADE almost four years ago now and these ladies and their drama were there years before that. I side with Kendra here.'

The Playboy model continued: 'Not sure why these women who shared an incredibly uncommon and rare experience (that will never be repeated in our lifetimes) can't get along?'

Called in question: The Down The Rabbit Hole author had seemingly called into question Wilkinson's previous claims that she had not been intimate with Hugh prior to when she moved into the famed mansion at the age of 18; the group is here in 2007

Taking sides: Crystal had previously expressed frustration over the women's reignited feud with a post on MeWe : 'I was at the mansion for a DECADE almost four years ago now and these ladies and their drama were there years before that. I side with Kendra here'

She also went on to reveal that Madison and fellow former Playmate Bridget Marquardt, 47, 'despise' her 'for absolutely NO reason.'

'I hope one day we can all get along and compare experiences,' she admitted, nearly four years after Hugh's passing.

Crystal is launching her own podcast in June and elaborated on the Holly-Kendra divide: 'We are all so different. It is so interesting how different we are. All of us are so unique.'

'I have not had a conversation with Holly at all. Theres just been things in the media, like subtle digs at me. I try and understand her reasoning, but its probably the things I mentioned. Maybe theres some more things, but she said things in the past that have been hurtful in the media, and Ive always tried to not do that back to her. I think Kendra is more happy-go-lucky, shes more healed. Shes more go with the flow. I think thats the big difference between them,' she continued.

Widow: Crystal was married to the late Playboy mogul from 2012 until his death on September 27, 2017, at the age of 91; the couple are here in 2013

Moved on: Wilkinson, 35, first responded to the claims in a reply to an E! News Instagram post about Holly's appearance, saying, 'Dude... it's 2021. Times have changed, I forgive and have kids to love and focus on'

Wilkinson, 35, first responded to the claims in a reply to an E! News Instagram post about Holly's appearance, saying 'Dude... it's 2021.'

The San Diego native, who shares children, Hank IV, 11, and Alijah, seven, with ex-NFL Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Hank Baskett, 38, made it clear she did not harbor any ill will amid the controversy.

'Times have changed, I forgive and have kids to love and focus on,' the mom-of-two said.

While on I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! in 2014, Wilkinson said she was naive to the dynamics of the Playboy Mansion when she had moved in.

Family: The San Diego native shares children, Hank IV, 11, and Alijah, seven, with ex-NFL Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Hank Baskett, 38

Adorable: The adorable family helped luxury plant-based skincare line Evereden celebrate the launch of their new clean kids line on Saturday. She planted a series of sweet kisses on each of her kids as they struck a pose for the event photographers

'I moved in and weeks went by, and I didn't know "sex" was involved... because I knew nothing about Playboy - I had just graduated high school,' she said on the show, ET reported.

Clearly not letting these new comments disrupt her daily life, the reality television star was seen with her two kids at a skincare event in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The adorable family helped luxury plant-based skincare line Evereden celebrate the launch of their new clean kids line.

She sported a far more conservative look than her days as a Playboy Bunny in a high-cut white t-shirt and black boyfriend blazer.

Conservative look: She sported a far more conservative look than her days as a Playboy Bunny in a high-cut white t-shirt and black boyfriend blazer

Darker tresses: Kendra completed her ensemble with a pair of relaxed feet jeans and white booties. The former blonde bombshell donned a much darker hair color as she pulled her waves back into a sleek ponytail

Kendra completed her ensemble with a pair of relaxed feet jeans and white booties. The former blonde bombshell donned a much darker hair color as she pulled her waves back into a sleek ponytail.

She planted a series of sweet kisses on each of her kids as they struck a pose for the event photographers.

The outing comes after a source told Us Weekly in August that Wilkinson is getting along better with her ex-husband.

'Kendra and Hank have been very cordial and are in a really good spot with co-parenting,' a source told the publication after the former pair officially divorced in February 2019.

'Hank is out of the picture in terms of a romantic relationship, but they have a good thing going when it comes to the kids. They switch off week to week with them,' the insider added.
Farmers markets help Stohrs introduce goat dairy products to SD

Stohr Diary invests in the dairy goat industry. Helps grow awareness to the benefits of goat dairy within South Dakota.
Kharagpur:

An engineering student of the IIT Kharagpur died after falling off the terrace of a hostel, the police said on Sunday.

Nikhil Bhatiya, a final year student of mining engineering, was found in a pool of blood on the ground of the Lal Bahadur Hall of the campus in the morning yesterday.

Soon the seriously injured 23-year-old student was taken to the campus hospital and later to a private hospital where he was declared brought dead.

An enquiry is on whether Bhatiya fell off accidentally or pushed by somebody. The suicide angle is also being probed, they said.

IIT officials said Bhatiya was a brilliant student, but lately found depressed. His parents, residents of Mumbai, had already been informed about the incident.

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Barclays is poised to report a jump in profits.

It comes as investors wait for the outcome of an investigation into its chief executive's ties to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The bank is booking higher profits as it no longer needs to set aside billions to cover the cost of bad loans due to the pandemic.

Boost: The bank is booking higher profits as it no longer needs to set aside billions to cover the cost of bad loans due to the pandemic

It is tipped to announce that its profits rocketed 66 per cent to 1.4billion for the first three months of the year, according to analysts.

Revenues are forecast to fall 10 per cent to 5.7billion.

Chief executive Jes Staley is under pressure amid an ongoing probe by the Financial Conduct Authority, which is investigating whether he accurately disclosed his ties to Epstein.

During his time at JP Morgan, Staley was Epstein's private banker. The pair stayed in touch until 2015  seven years after Epstein was convicted of soliciting a child for prostitution. In late 2015, Staley visited Epstein's island just months before taking the job at Barclays. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Staley.
Apple has now announced that it will be starting a vaccination program at its offices to allow its employees to get a voluntary jab of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Reuters

Reported first by Reuters, this announcement was made by an Apple spokesperson today.

The spokesperson revealed that the Cupertino giant will be working with popular drugstore chain Wallgreens Boots Alliance Inc to offer the vaccines to its employees.

Apple has also announced that it would soon open a website where it would ask its workers to sign up for appointments, according to the aforementioned spokesperson.

Also Read: Apple Offers Employees Paid Time-Off For COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments

Just a few weeks ago, Apple had announced that it was offering paid time off to its employees who have COVID-19 appointments in order to encourage them, and not be worried about getting sick due to side effects.

This announcement came right after the state of California announced eligibility for vaccination of people over the age of 16 years starting April 15. This will soon be expanding to other states of the nation.

Apple earlier had revealed plans to have more of its staff work at its corporate office in June this year as revealed by CEO Tim Cook at a town-hall meeting conducted in December last year.

This makes Apple the first tech company in Silicon Valley to commence a program that would allow its employees to get vaccinated. As of now, no other tech company has come forward with a similar initiative.

Also Read: Apple Donates 100% Of Product Red iPhone Sales To Fight COVID-19 Till June 2021

Reuters

However, Apple isnt the first company to start such an initiative. During the early days of April, Deutsche Banik AG announced that it would offer its employees in the New York office vaccinations at its offices.



Even Amazon had announced last month that it is going to commence on-site vaccinations for its frontline employees that are responsible for making deliveries across the nation. The vaccinations commenced at Amazon facilities in Missouri, Nevada and Kansas.
Palmer was charged with aggravated assault after hitting a juvenile fast-food worker with her car during an argument, police said. (Clayton County Police Department)

Georgia Woman Accused of Hitting Fast-Food Workers With Car After Drive-Thru Argument

A Georgia woman was arrested after hitting three teenage fast-food workers with her car in the midst of an argument, said officials.

The Clayton County Police Department said in a news release last week that officers responded to an undisclosed fast-food restaurant about 20 miles south of Atlanta.

There, they found that there was an argument between 36-year-old Chelyria M. Palmer and the workers. Security camera footage showed the juvenile workers arguing with Palmer, who was in her car.

Upon arrival, officers learned a verbal altercation occurred between three juvenile employees of the incident location and the customer in (the) drive-thru line, Clayton police said in the release.

When the workers walked away, Palmer drove onto the curb of the business and hit one of the juvenile workers, who was then hospitalized, officials said.

Palmer was charged with aggravated assault after being arrested, Clayton County police said.

Other details about the incident, including the ages or identities of the victims, were not provided.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, officials said the incident took place at a Zaxbys location on Tara Boulevard near Southlake Mall after 10 p.m.

Palmer was being held Friday at the Clayton County Jail. Her bond had not been set yet, and its not clear if she has an attorney, the paper reported.

Atlanta-area fast-food restaurants have been plagued by crime and violence in recent days. In the past month alone, around Atlanta, two people were shot at the DeKalb County Cook Out, Chick-fil-A customers disarmed an alleged armed robber in midtown Atlanta, and a woman fired shots after she was choked at an area McDonalds location.
California and Texas, the countrys two most populous states, have taken radically different approaches to the pandemic and the vaccination campaign to end it.

California has trumpeted its reliance on science and policies it says are aimed at improving social equity.

Texas state officials have emphasized individual rights and protecting the economy, often ignoring public health warnings but encouraging vaccination  while calling it a personal choice.

Yet Californias commitment to equity doesnt appear to have put the state ahead of Texas in vaccinating Latinos, who make up roughly 40% of the population in both states. Latinos have suffered disproportionately from COVID-19 because the poorest tend to live in crowded housing, get less quality health care and have been more likely to work outside the home.

In California, 22% of Hispanics had been vaccinated as of April 12; in Texas, 21%.

Texas, in general, has done much better than California at reaching highly vulnerable groups during the first months of vaccine distribution, according to a recent analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Texas was seventh on the list; California was fifth from last.

Overall, however, Californias pandemic metrics have been better. As it opened vaccine eligibility to all ages on April 15, 49% of Californians 16 and older were either partially or fully vaccinated, compared with 43% of Texans.

The two states were neck and neck until a harsh winter storm in February knocked out power for a week in much of Texas. We never really recovered after that, and exactly why, beyond our size, is not entirely clear, said Dr. Peter Hotez, dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

California is also doing much better when it comes to driving down infections. The states seven-day average is 52.7 cases and 1.8 deaths per 100,000 as of April 15, with a seven-day average positivity rate of 1.5%. Texas, meanwhile, is at 73.3 cases and 1.5 deaths per 100,000, with a seven-day average positivity rate of 7%.

The states leaders have reacted differently to those metrics. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has set June 15 as the day to end most pandemic restrictions, barring major setbacks, but he plans to continue to require mask-wearing in public and in high-risk workplaces. Meanwhile, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on March 10 allowed all businesses to fully reopen and lifted a statewide mask mandate.

The concept of individual freedom plays well in Texas politics and has been front and center throughout the pandemic and the vaccine rollout. While encouraging Texans to protect themselves against the spread of the coronavirus, state officials at the same time have fought local authorities efforts to enforce such measures.

While Newsom instituted one of the earliest and strictest state lockdowns in the country on March 19, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton initially called local mask mandates and business restrictions unlawful and unenforceable. Abbott finally instituted a mask mandate and other restrictions in July after a surge of the disease. Those measures met opposition within his own party, with Texas Republican Chair Allen West leading a protest outside the governors mansion in October.

Against this tense political backdrop, Texas state leaders have been softer in their vaccination messaging compared with California. Both governors received their vaccinations on live TV, but each has offered different messaging about how their constituents should view the shots.

In an April 8 tweet, Abbott celebrated the states reaching 13 million vaccinations, adding, These vaccine shots are always voluntary. That soft-pedaled message also comes through in Abbotts stance on masks. Despite lifting the order in early March, the governor still urges residents to use them.

Public health experts in Texas have been frustrated by what they see as a half-hearted endorsement of public health measures. Its psychotic to have to listen to two very different messages, said Dr. Andrea Caracostis, CEO of the Hope Clinic in Houston, which serves minorities and immigrants. Vaccines were not made just for your individual protection. They were made for community benefit. It is a message that has been lost in our society.

Newsom, on the other hand, talks about vaccines in terms of responsibility to others. Getting vaccinated is a vital step we can take to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our community, and brings us that much closer to ending this pandemic, said Newsom on April 1, when he received his vaccination.

Newsoms oft-repeated north star value is equity  the notion that the well-being of those hurt most by the pandemic should be essential to the battle against it. Starting March 4, his administration allocated 40% of its vaccines to neighborhoods that have seen 40% of COVID-19 cases and deaths. California has also invested $52.7 million to fund more than 300 trusted messenger community organizations to do outreach on vaccines. He didnt make the general public eligible for vaccination until April 15 in order to prioritize more vulnerable and at-risk groups. Texas, meanwhile, fully opened the vaccine spigot on March 29.

Californias struggles to vaccinate racial and ethnic minorities and the most vulnerable, despite intense public health investment and attention to these communities, raises questions about the states vaccine eligibility decisions, said Elizabeth Wrigley-Field, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota.

Both Texas and California, like many states, first vaccinated health care workers and long-term care residents, populations that are majority white. But in Texas, people with underlying medical conditions  like Type 2 diabetes, sickle cell disease or obesity  also became eligible for a shot Dec. 29.

In California, people with underlying medical conditions werent added to the eligibility list until mid-March, and the list of underlying conditions was much more stringent than Texas guidelines.

That gap between January and mid-March, thats kind of the story to me, Wrigley-Field said.

California officials decided Jan. 13 to prioritize people over 65. Many over-65 whites were at substantially lower risk than younger people of color, said Wrigley-Field, who argues that that age-based eligibility benefited older, white populations at the expense of younger people of color who were more at risk of hospitalization and death.

Prioritizing those over 65 immediately put Hispanics at a 2-to-1 disadvantage to whites, concluded Thomas Selden, based on research conducted with co-authors at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (their conclusions dont necessarily represent AHRQ). Priority tiers for those with certain diseases and essential workers would have benefited the poor and Hispanics, respectively, and pushing them down the list could be one of the factors why were seeing lower rates for these groups, he said.

Hispanics ages 20-54 in California were 8.5 times more likely to die of COVID-19 than whites of the same age from March to July, according to a University of Southern California study.

In mid-February, first responders and workers in education, food and agriculture became eligible for vaccination in California. County health departments were permitted to set their own schedules, however, and in Los Angeles these essential workers werent eligible until March 1 due to limited vaccine supply.

In effect, from December until March there was no eligibility tier that prioritized groups that were predominantly Latino or Black in the states largest county and the epicenter of the states COVID-19 cases and deaths.

The states approach harmed efforts to reach out to Latinos, some county health departments say. In Kern County, Latinos make up 53% of the population and 57% of COVID-19 cases, but got only 36% of the vaccines administered as of April 15. Confusion over the essential-worker eligibility tiers caused many to think it wasnt their turn, said Brynn Carrigan, the county public health director.

Dr. Tomas Aragon, state public health officer and director of the California Department of Public Health, defended the states initial age-based approach and said it was a strategy to make sure Latinos were prioritized. He noted that while Latinos accounted for 48% of the states COVID-19 deaths, the majority of those deaths occurred in people over 65.

We are in a significantly better place today than many states, not just because our vaccine strategy saved lives and kept people out of hospitals, but also because we focused on proven public health interventions, such as masking, distancing, hand washing and tracing, Aragon said in an emailed statement.

Vaccine hesitancy among racial and ethnic minorities has faded as educational outreach has ramped up, access has improved, and more people see friends and neighbors safely get the shot. Vaccine hesitancy instead appears high among Republicans, particularly white evangelicals, according to several polls.

But confidence in vaccines is growing even among Republicans, according to a poll recently conducted by Frank Luntz and released by the de Beaumont Foundation. It showed that 38% of Trump voters and 48% of Biden voters were more likely to get vaccinated than they were in March.

While some experts said consistent messaging from politicians would be helpful, time and experience watching friends and family safely receive vaccinations as well as communication with trusted individuals  particularly personal doctors  is the most effective way to overcome lingering concerns about the shots.

Whats going to change that is getting vaccine more readily available to primary care providers  who they trust and get their questions answered, because I think they are vaccine-hesitant versus anti-vaccination, said Dr. David Lakey, chief medical officer at the University of Texas System.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.
PORTLAND, Ore. _ (AP)  Police in Portland say one person was killed early Saturday after being struck by a TriMet train.

Officers with the Portland Police Bureau say they found the body of the person who had been struck shortly after arriving to the scene.

TriMet temporarily stopped its service during the investigation.

Authorities didn't immediately release the name of the person killed so they could notify family members.

Police have not released any additional details, but said officials with TriMet and the Oregon Medical Examiner would update their findings when they are available.
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Western Australias Premier has signalled he will extend aspects of his states COVID-19 lockdown after Monday as he lashed the federal government for allowing people to travel too freely overseas and return to endanger Australians.

Mark McGowan also on Sunday maintained his message that WAs hotel quarantine system was not sustainable, after saying on Saturday he was getting to the end of my tether with the Commonwealths refusal to help states by quarantining some returning travellers at facilities such as Christmas Island.

Mark McGowan has indicated some restrictions will be extended beyond Monday. Credit:Peter de Kruijff

This is why my request to the Commonwealth government to reduce the international arrivals cap is vital, he said. If we are going to crush this virus ... we need to slow the flow of returning travellers.

Mr McGowan said it was wrong that some Australians were allowed to go abroad for weddings, athletics meetings and funerals.
Given its an outdoor event, I dont know how they can fit 85,000 in the MCG and it be OK and only 1400 here, he said. Its quite ridiculous. His friend Alex, who also served in Iraq and East Timor, said he felt lucky to have been able to get a ticket. Rosyln Devlin pays her respects at the dawn service in Melbourne. Credit:Chris Hopkins He intended to use his time at the Shrine to pause and remember and reflect. Inside the fence, among those huddled in silence around the Eternal Flame was Roslyn Devlin, who came from Carlton proudly wearing her fathers WWII medals.

We try [to come every year], she said. Last year I was in my driveway with my torch. At 6.04am, with the Shrine illuminated in red, a bugler played The Last Post. The years pass, but not the lessons, said the Governor of Victoria, Linda Dessau AC, before she laid a wreath within the Shrine. Kyal and Andrea Rode, who both served for 10 years and were deployed to the Middle East, brought their children Lily, 7, and Michael, 10. Ms Rode said they wanted their children to come to the service each year with them to learn what Anzac Day meant.

Its to teach them the respect and carry out traditions, she said. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video And its also about learning, so they know what its all about. Weve done many dawn services but getting them up nice and early, its a lot for them and to stand here and be nice and quiet and wonder why we are quiet. A total of 1400 people pre-registered to attend the dawn service this year, while around 4000 people took part in the Anzac Day march. In 2019, pre-COVID, 25,000 people attended the dawn service and 12,000 marched. Many others chose to commemorate Anzac Day at smaller, local ceremonies this year, due in part to confusion around arrangements for events in the CBD and the risks associated with the pandemic.

Shine of Remembrance CEO Dean Lee said he welcomed the return of veterans and Victorians to the Shrine for Anzac Day. He confirmed it was the Shrines decision to erect fencing, in line with the states public event framework. We were asked in return to accept some limitations to protect lives, he said. Kyal and Andrea Rode with Lily (10) and Michael (7) at the Anzac Day Dawn Service. Credit:Chris Hopkins RSL Victoria CEO Jamie Twidale said he heard a number of veterans say they would have preferred the fence was lowered or moved. Theres been fair bit of commentary about COVID rules, but were not in Perth and didnt have to lock down, so it was great day, Mr Twidale said.

People have really gotten back to things that matter to them - commemorating and spending time with their loved ones. Loading I understand why the average punter is not across why there can be a larger crowd at the MCG [than the dawn service]. They see the numbers and it doesnt make sense. [But at the MCG], each zone is only quite small, so its not the same thing. The Anzac Day march was also affected by crowd caps, but those were extended after initial backlash and confusion about changing arrangements for the event, which was initially cancelled in February.

Melbourne veteran Bobby Harrison, 76, said it was extremely important to continue Anzac Day traditions and have veterans pass their stories on to younger generations. Mr Harrison, who was in his early 20s when he fought in Vietnam in 1967, reflected on the lifelong friendships he had made during his service. Bobby Harrison, who served in Vietnam, marched alongside thousands in Melbourne on Sunday. Credit:Chris Hopkins You become family, he said. You made some terrific friendships that lasted right till today. I spoke to quite a few on the phone yesterday. Sadly theyre starting to feel their years and ill health is catching up with them. He said it was nice to see crowds back at Anzac Day.
The government is launching a new advertising campaign urging people under 50 years old to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

Television adverts will begin from Monday showcasing health workers involved in the vaccination programme  as well as those who have already been jabbed.

It comes as the programme moves into the next phase, with 33.5 million people having received their first dose of the vaccine  over 63 per cent of the UK population.

Over 22 per cent  around 12 million people  have now been given both doses.

The adverts will stress that the vaccination programme is a collective effort and are said to feature a poignant soundtrack.

In a bid to combat disinformation they will also encourage people to get information about the vaccine only from the NHS website and their GP, so that they can make informed and evidence-based decisions.

Royal Mail is also planning to run a special postmark from 6 to 7 May supporting the campaign, while Google, LinkedIn and YouTube will carry the ads free of charge.

Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, described the programme as the biggest and fastest vaccination programme in NHS history, while vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said it had so far saved thousands of lives, protecting our loved ones and bringing down infection rates to a point where we can see normality on the horizon.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said: The UK vaccination programme will go down in history as a phenomenal national effort in the battle against COVID-19.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 18 May 2021 An employee stands before a costume for the Queen of Hearts by Bob Crowley on display at the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London PA UK news in pictures 17 May 2021 Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport after the ban on international leisure travel for people in England was lifted following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 16 May 2021 Emergency workers at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Ave Heysham which caused 2 houses to collapse and badly damaged another PA UK news in pictures 15 May 2021 Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters let off smoke flares, wave flags and carry placards during a demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause as violence escalates in the ongoing conflict with Israel, in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 14 May 2021 Member of staffs tighten screws and paint a Marlin skeleton, before it goes on display at the Natural History Museum in London, as the museum prepares to reopen to the public on 17 May, following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 13 May 2021 A worshipper at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Mordon, south London, ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The celebration marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting, called Ramadan. PA UK news in pictures 12 May 2021 A couple have wedding photos taken in Westminster, London Getty UK news in pictures 11 May 2021 The sun rises on Coquet Island, off Amble on the Northumberland coast, where as many as 35000 seabirds cram onto this tiny island to breed PA UK news in pictures 10 May 2021 Newly elected for a second term Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during his signing in ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Londons Southbank PA UK news in pictures 9 May 2021 People mill around St. Michael's tower on top of Glastonbury Tor as it is seen through blooming yellow rapeseed on a day of mixed weather in Glastonbury, Somerset PA UK news in pictures 8 May 2021 Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford elbow bumps newly elected MS Labour candidates Elizabeth Buffy Williams, Rhondda, left, and Sarah Murphy, Bridgend & Porthcawl Labour, right, as they meet in Porthcawl, Wales PA UK news in pictures 6 May 2021 A group of five Sisters from Carmelite Monastery in Dysart cast their vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election at Dysart Community Hall, West Port, Dysart PA UK news in pictures 5 May 2021 Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer (centre) with West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Liam Byrne (far right) and Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner (far left) during a visit to Birmingham, whilst on the election campaign trail PA UK news in pictures 4 May 2021 Artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey stand within 100 oak saplings which form part of a living art installation entitled Beuys' Acorns by the UK-based artist duo, outside the Tate Modern in London PA UK news in pictures 3 May 2021 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie feeds the Gentoo penguins during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 6 PA UK news in pictures 2 May 2021 Chelsea players celebrate their fourth goal during the Womens Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, at Kingsmeadow Stadium in south west London. The Blues won the game 4-1, (and the tie 5-3 on aggregate) sending them through to their first Champions League final AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 1 May 2020 Demonstrators during a march through London during a 'Kill the Bill' protest Angela Christofilou UK news in pictures 30 April 2021 Shoppers queue outside Primark in Belfast as shops reopen and hospitality is able to open outdoors in Northern Ireland where lockdown restrictions have begun to gradually ease PA UK news in pictures 29 April 2021 Specialist operators at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, near Telford, Shropshire, clean the Hawker Hunter aircraft displayed within the museum's National Cold War Exhibition, during annual high-level aircraft cleaning and maintenance PA UK news in pictures 28 April 2021 Millions of tulips in flower near Kings Lynn in Norfolk, as Belmont Nurseries, the UK's largest commercial grower of outdoor tulips, offers socially-distanced visits to its tulip fields at Hillington to raise funds for local charity The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House PA UK news in pictures 27 April 2021 Paula Laughton checks one of the newly installed Lego models in the new Lego Mythica land at Legoland Windsor Resort PA UK news in pictures 26 April 2021 A red panda rests on a tree at Manor Wildlife park, which reopened its doors as lockdown restrictions continue to ease, in Tenby, Wales Reuters UK news in pictures 25 April 2021 Sheep climb the hillside as flames from a moor fire are seen on Marsden moor, near Huddersfield AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 24 April 2021 Supporters protest against Manchester United's owners, outside English Premier League club Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium in Manchester AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 23 April 2021 People enjoy the warm weather at City Hall near Tower Bridge in central London PA UK news in pictures 22 April 2021 Uyghurs during a demonstration in Parliament Square, London, which is being held ahead of a House of Commons debate, bought by backbench MP Nus Ghani, on whether Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang province are suffering crimes against humanity and genocide PA UK news in pictures 21 April 2021 People walk at the Taihaku Cherry Orchard in Alnwick REUTERS UK news in pictures 20 April 2021 People stand in front of anti Super League banners outside Anfield as twelve of Europe's top football clubs, including Liverpool, launch a breakaway league Reuters UK news in pictures 19 April 2021 Women enjoy sunny weather in Greenwich, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in London, Britain, Reuters UK news in pictures 18 April 2021 Stephen Maguire (right) of Scotland interacts with Jamie Jones of Wales during day 2 of the Betfred World Snooker Championships 2021 at The Crucible, Sheffield PA UK news in pictures 17 April 2021 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburghs coffin, covered with His Royal Highnesss Personal Standard arrives by Landrover Defender at St Georges Chapel carried by a bearer party found by the Royal Marines during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle Getty Images UK news in pictures 16 April 2021 Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, checks the teeth of "Dentosaurus" during a visit to the Thornliebank Dental Care centre in Glasgow, as she campaigns ahead of the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary Election AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 April 2021 Myanmar's former ambassador to the UK, Kyaw Zwar Minn, outside his residence in north west London. The ambassador has been barred from entering the Myanmar embassy in Mayfair after he was removed from office PA UK news in pictures 14 April 2021 People take part in coronavirus surge testing on Clapham Common, south London. Thousands of residents have queued up to take coronavirus tests at additional facilities set up after new cases of the South African variant were found in two south London boroughs. 44 confirmed cases of the variant have been found in Lambeth and Wandsworth, with a further 30 probable cases identified PA UK news in pictures 13 April 2021 The core of the Milky Way becomes visible in the early hours of Tuesday morning as it moves over Bamburgh Lighthouse at stag Rock in Northumberland PA UK news in pictures 12 April 2021 Rebecca Richardson (left) and Genevieve Florence, members of the Aquabatix synchronised swimming team, during a practice session in the swimming pool at Clissold Leisure Centre in north London, which has reopened to the public. Many facilities have reopened in the latest easing of lockdown include pubs and restaurants who can serve outside, non-essential shops, indoor gyms and swimming pools, nail salons and hairdressers, outdoor amusements and zoos PA UK news in pictures 11 April 2021 A pub staff pins up a sign announcing the reopening of the Fox on the Hill pub on Denmark Hill in London EPA UK news in pictures 10 April 2021 The Death Gun Salute is fired by the Honourable Artillery Company to mark the passing of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at the The Tower of London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 9 April 2021 A man arrives to lay a bunch of flowers outside Buckingham Palace in central London after the announcement of the death of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. - Queen Elizabeth II's husband Prince Philip, who recently spent more than a month in hospital and underwent a heart procedure, died on April 9, Buckingham Palace announced. He was 99. AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 8 April 2021 Cousin Pascal ridden by James King clears the chair on their way to winning the 4:05 Pool via REUTERS UK news in pictures 7 April 2021 Deliveroo riders from the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain outside Deliveroo headquarters in London, as they go on strike in a dispute for fair pay, safety protections and basic workers rights PA UK news in pictures 6 April 2021 Waves crash over the walls next to Seaham Lighthouse in Durham PA UK news in pictures 5 April 2021 Lusamba Katalay (third from left), the husband of Belly Mujinga joins activists at a vigil at Victoria station in London to mark the first anniversary of the death of railway worker Belly Mujinga who died with Covid-19 following reports she had been coughed on by a customer at London's Victoria station PA UK news in pictures 4 April 2021 People spend Easter Sunday at Hengistbury Head, Bournemouth Jake McPherson/SWNS UK news in pictures 3 April 2021 A woman looks into the camera as she attends a 'Kill the Bill' protest in London EPA UK news in pictures 2 April 2021 Members of the Bamburgh Croquet club play a game following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Northumberland, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 1 April 2021 A family walks in St Nicholas' Park in Warwick, the hot weather which baked much of the UK this week is set to give way to a chilly Easter weekend. PA UK news in pictures 31 March 2021 A woman adds a heart to the National Covid Memorial Wall in London EPA UK news in pictures 30 March 2021 Jamie Klingler from Reclaim These Streets speaks to the media in Clapham Common, south London, after a review by the Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Thomas Winsor concluded that Metropolitan Police officers did not act inappropriately or in a heavy-handed manner at the vigil PA UK news in pictures 29 March 2021 An aerial photo shows people playing tennis at the Mersey Bowman Lawn Tennis Club in Liverpool northwest England on March 29, 2021, as England's third Covid-19 lockdown restrictions ease, allowing groups of up to six people to meet outside. - People in England rushed outside Monday to enjoy sports, picnics and other previously prohibited activities, as the nation entered the second phase of its coronavirus lockdown easing thanks in large part to a successful vaccination drive AFP via Getty Images

Vaccines are helping us get back to doing the things we have missed  they protect you and those around you.

This campaign is a remarkable and poignant reminder of everything weve been through as a country and everything we have to look forward to  as well as the tireless efforts of our volunteers, NHS heroes, and the British people.

Every vaccination gives us hope and I urge everyone to take up the offer of a vaccine when it comes, as we continue on the path back to normality.
Mainly Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province & Ringing Trips to Bahrain
The United States White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated on Sunday that the US is "deeply concerned by the severe COVID outbreak in India". India is currently dealing with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic which has proved to be much more devasting than the first. India has been recording more than 3 lakh fresh cases of COVID-19 for the past four days. Amid all this, statements of concern for India have been pouring in from outside.

Sullivan wrote on Twitter, "The U.S. is deeply concerned by the severe COVID outbreak in India. We are working around the clock to deploy more supplies and support to our friends and partners in India as they bravely battle this pandemic. More very soon".

The U.S. is deeply concerned by the severe COVID outbreak in India. We are working around the clock to deploy more supplies and support to our friends and partners in India as they bravely battle this pandemic. More very soon. - Jake Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) April 25, 2021

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken also tweeted, "Our hearts go out to Indian people in the midst of the horrific COVID outbreak. We're working closely with our partners in the Indian govt, and we'll rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India & India's healthcare heroes."

Our hearts go out to the Indian people in the midst of the horrific COVID-19 outbreak. We are working closely with our partners in the Indian government, and we will rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India and India's health care heroes. - Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) April 25, 2021

Earlier, Anthony Fauci, the leading US expert on disease control, had stated, "it is a dire situation that we're trying to help in any way we can we just have to see how things go. And obviously, they need to get their people vaccinated because that's the only way we're going to turn that around."

These comments of concern and support come amid growing calls to the Biden administration to send spare COVID-19 vaccines and to lift the embargo on raw materials for the vaccine.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki had stated on Friday that the United States is working closely with the Indian government officials at both expert and political levels in order to identify ways to address the crisis.

While State Department Deputy Spokesperson Jalina Porter had stated that the United States continues to work with the Indian government in order to facilitate the movement of essential supplies.

French President Emmanuel Macron also offered his support. He said, "I want to send a message of solidarity to the Indian people, facing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. France is with you in this struggle, which spares no-one. We stand ready to provide our support,"

India recorded 3,49,691 cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, according to a Union Health Ministry update issued on Sunday morning. After adding the fresh cases registered in the past 24 hours, the country's total COVID-19 caseload has risen to 1,69,60,172.(Edited by Mohammad Haaris Beg)

Also read: Support pours in from countries amid India's devastating second COVID-19 wave

Also read: COVID-19 second wave: Ladakh makes RT-PCR test mandatory for passengers at Leh airport

Also read: COVID-19 crisis: India reports over 3.46 lakh cases; 13.83 crore vaccines given so far
Eighty metric tonnes of liquid



oxygen has been diverted to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and this should be halted in view of increase in oxygen demand, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Oxygen allotment for Tamil Nadu under the national plan is 'inadequate' and 'wrong' and the diversion of oxygen could lead to a 'major crisis,' he said.

The medical oxygen requirement is on the rise due to high level of oxygen dependant active COVID-19 cases and there is hence a need to ensure adequate oxygen availability in Tamil Nadu, he said.

The state government is taking all efforts to reduce the positive cases but considering the current trends, TN would require 450 MTs (Metric Tonnes) shortly.

And, it would be more than the state's production capacity of 400 MTs, the Chief Minister said in a letter to Prime Minister Modi.

As compared to the maximum active cases of around 58,000 during the previous surge in 2020, the active caseload has already crossed one lakh, Palaniswami pointed out adding this has increased the oxygen demand.

When this was the scenario, the allocation for Tamil Nadu under the latest National Medical Oxygen allotment plan has however been fixed at 220 MTs (Metric Tonnes).

Based on this 'wrong allotment,' 80 MTs of liquid oxygen has been diverted from the manufacturing facilities located at Sriperumbudur near here to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

"This is based on the wrong position that the existing oxygen consumption in TN is lower than the manufacturing capacity."



The oxygen consumption in Tamil Nadu has already reached 310 MTs as against the 'inadequate allotment' of only 220 MTs, he said citing the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisations (PESO) data on consumption.

Also, the states to which the allotment has been made have lower active cases than Tamil Nadu and have major steel industries too within their territory or close to their states.

"Hence, the diversion from Sriperumbudur plant which supplies to Chennai city with the second biggest caseload in south India seems to have no justification. This needs to be immediately corrected."



Tamil Nadu never imposed any restrictions so far and is always ready to support other States. However, such mandatory diversion of liquid oxygen from TN 'can lead to major crisis' in Chennai and other districts.

"Hence, I request that diversion of 80 KL (Kilo Litres) from Sriperumbudur plant, in Tamil Nadu may immediately be cancelled.

(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.)
Items found in the waters are seen on desk during a press conference for the missing Indonesian Navy submarine KRI Nanggala at Ngurah Rai Military Air Base in Bali, Indonesia on Saturday, April 24, 2021. AP-Yonhap



A missing Indonesian submarine carrying 53 people is believed to have sunk in the Bali Sea after search teams found debris floating around the vessel's last location, a navy official said.



"With the evidence we found believed to be from the submarine, we have now moved from the 'sub missing' phase to 'sub sunk'", Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Yudo Margono told reporters, according to Indonesian media Tempo.



The exact location of the 44-year-old submarine was unknown but its presence had been detected, he said.



Footage of the press conference showed officials holding debris that had been found including fragments of prayer mats and a bottle of grease used to lubricate the submarine's periscope.



Several Indonesian officials, including Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, posted condolences to the families on social media.



The KRI Nanggala-402 lost contact on Wednesday as it prepared to conduct a torpedo drill. "We are still carrying out the search ... the depth of the sea we have detected is at 850 metres (2,790 feet), which is very tricky and presents many difficulties," Margono told reporters, adding that he expected the dive taken by the vessel had led to cracks.









Rescuers have sent more than a dozen search helicopters and ships to the area where contact was lost, with the United States, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and India providing assistance.





Indonesian navy ship Oswad Siahaan sails to join the search for submarine KRI Nanggala that went missing while participating in a training exercise, off Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, Saturday, April 24, 2021. AP
May Day dampened for third straight year By Kasun Warakapitiya View(s): View(s):

Despite a government call to drop plans for May Day rallies and processions, some political parties are preparing to hold celebrations on May 1.

For the third successive year, parties are being forced to hold back from carrying out their traditional May Day activities. In 2019, the Easter Sunday bombings caused rallies to be called off, and last year the COVID-19 lockdown prevented public gatherings.

This year, the country is again confronted with a sudden surge of COVID cases, prompting the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPC) to cancel May Day rallies and processions.

There has been a mixed response from parties.

The major parties representing the government such as Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP), and the main Opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) cancelled plans to host major events and are considering events that do not attract crowds.

The SLPP is considering a virtual May Day celebration, having cancelled its main rally, which was to be held at the Colombo Municipal Council grounds, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said.

The SJB had been planning a grand celebration, its first such event. It is discussing holding a small event at its headquarters at E.W. Perera Mawatha, Etul Kotte.

The government has asked us not to have huge events. We, as a responsible party, have decided to cancel major events that require large gatherings as a measure to stop COVID-19 from spreading, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said.

Sri Lanka Freedom Party General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera said the party has asked for proposals from affiliated trade unions for an alternative and unique May Day celebration.

The United National Party (UNP) will hold a celebration at the grounds situated behind party headquarters, party General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said.

There was originally to have been a major rally and procession at Hyde Park Corner with affiliated trade unions.

Our party leaders will hold a small ceremony and will limit the invitees, Mr. Bandara said.

Small leftist parties are adamant about marking May Day despite the restrictions.

The Janatha Vimuthi Peramuna (JVP) is preparing to hold its celebrations at Hyde Park Corner despite the warning from the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO).

Party spokesman Vijitha Herath said the event would begin at 4pm on May 1 and that maximum precautions would be undertaken.

We will have our event with the participation of trade unions, party leaders and party members, he said. The size of crowds allowed to gather would be considered according to the development of the pandemic situation.

Three other leftist parties have decided to go ahead with May Day rallies despite the pandemic.

The secretary of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, D.E.W. Gunasekera, said the party would have a less flamboyant ceremony than usual at their headquarters at Kotta Road, with only 500 people invited.

The Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and the Democratic Left Front are expected to join. Traditional processions have been cancelled.

The National Freedom Front (NFF) has cancelled its rally and is discussing an alternative, party secretary P.A. Sarath Wijesiri said.
Astronauts are about to board the Crew Dragon spacecraft at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral of Florida, the United States, April 23, 2021. NASA and SpaceX launched four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) early on Friday, the third crewed mission of the U.S. commercial rocket company in less than a year. The Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying four astronauts from three countries has safely reached orbit a few minutes after the liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at 5:49 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (0949 GMT), according to NASA's twitter. It was the first time that Elon Musk's SpaceX reused a capsule and a rocket to launch astronauts. The spacecraft is due to arrive at the ISS early Saturday following a flight of over 23 hours. The four-member team includes U.S. astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, France's Thomas Pesquet, and Japan's Akihiko Hoshide. (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani/Handout via Xinhua)

WASHINGTON, April 23 (Xinhua) -- NASA and SpaceX launched four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) early on Friday, the third crewed mission of the U.S. commercial rocket company in less than a year.

The Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying four astronauts from three countries has safely reached orbit a few minutes after the liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at 5:49 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (0949 GMT), according to NASA's twitter.

It was the first time that Elon Musk's SpaceX reused a capsule and a rocket to launch astronauts. The spacecraft is due to arrive at the ISS early Saturday following a flight of over 23 hours.

The four-member team includes U.S. astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, France's Thomas Pesquet, and Japan's Akihiko Hoshide.

"It has been an incredible year for NASA and our Commercial Crew Program, with three crewed launches to the space station since last May," said NASA Acting Administrator Steve Jurczyk.

"This is another important milestone for NASA, SpaceX, and our international partners at ESA (European Space Agency) and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and for the future of scientific research on board the space station. It will be an exciting moment to see our crews greet one another on station for our first crew handover under the Commercial Crew Program," he said.

During Crew Dragon's flight, SpaceX will command the spacecraft from its mission control center in Hawthorne, California, and NASA teams will monitor space station operations throughout the flight from Mission Control Center at the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The Crew-2 mission is the second of six crewed missions NASA and SpaceX will fly as part of the agency's Commercial Crew Program.

The Crew-2 members will conduct science and maintenance during a six-month stay aboard the orbiting laboratory and will return no earlier than Oct. 31, according to NASA.

The launch was postponed for about one day due to unfavorable weather conditions.

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[ Editor: WPY ]
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 14:35:39|Editor: huaxia

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Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attends and makes a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth Digital China Summit in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

FUZHOU, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official on Sunday stressed the importance of pursuing self-reliant, innovation-driven and high-quality development in advancing the construction of a digital China.

Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth Digital China Summit in Fuzhou, capital city of east China's Fujian Province.

Huang said efforts should be made to strengthen science and technology to provide strategic support for the promotion of opening up, and innovation to energize all factors and resources.

It is necessary to advance the development of new forms of infrastructure, deepen the integration of the digital economy with the real economy, and foster a healthy digital ecosystem, the official noted.

Huang called for the development of smart cities and digital villages to provide more inclusive, convenient, high-quality and efficient digital services so that people can share the fruits of informatization. Enditem
Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below.

P.M. writes: I am enquiring about the Choices Bond, yielding a fixed 7 per cent a year. Have you heard of these people and are they any good?

Avoid: Your Options simply baits the hook, reels you in, then passes you on to someone else

Tony Hetherington replies: The sales pitch you copied to me is hugely misleading. It comes from a company called Your Options Limited, based in Halifax and run by Ashley Parkin-Beacher, and it tells you: 'There are few opportunities in the current marketplace that match both the returns and the security the Choices Bond offers.'

In what it calls 'a simple comparison', the Choices Bond Isa which it is promoting promises 7 per cent interest compared to 'the average Isa returns from the ten largest high street banks at just 0.25 per cent.'

But this is a false comparison. A Cash Isa with a bank is completely secure, while the scheme offered by Your Options is an Innovative Isa which lends your money to businesses with the risk that they may not be able to repay you.

Your Options claims: 'We are experts who specialise in the field of financial services.' It adds: 'We are whole of market providers for Isas and pensions, with access to a myriad of providers.'

And it reassures clients, saying: 'We plan an investment strategy to achieve your personal requirements.'

You might think from all this guff that you were dealing with a genuine firm of fully authorised financial advisers, approved by the Financial Conduct Authority. Wrong. Small, faint print explains: 'Please note, we do not give financial advice.'

Your Options simply baits the hook, reels you in, then passes you on to someone else.

Its advertising reassures investors that FCA-authorised 'Northern Provident Investments will oversee any investments throughout their duration.' And NPI 'have all of the relevant protections and permissions needed to facilitate Isa investments and savings'.

What it fails to spell out is that this does not mean you can claim compensation if the value of your Isa shrinks.

A clearly annoyed NPI boss Paul Crawford told me: 'We have no involvement with Your Options and have not provided any kind of approval to them. We will be contacting Your Options immediately to demand that they cease the misuse of our name and that they withdraw any promotional collateral that refers to us.'

Your Options and Ashley Parkin-Beacher did not respond to repeated invitations to comment.

Company records describe Your Options as a 'market research and public opinion polling' business, with no mention of financial expertise.

It seems likely it works on commission, drumming up business for some middleman, but its claims are too flawed to be trusted. Steer clear.

A voucher from easyJet won't help me rebook

D.W. writes: In February last year, I booked a package holiday to Rhodes, to celebrate my 80th birthday in September.

After the pandemic hit, easyJet altered our flights two weeks before we were due to travel, which was not acceptable.

They offered a 12-month voucher in place of the 692 I had paid, but I have since found most tour operators, including the one for our Rhodes trip, will not accept the voucher.

Tony Hetherington replies: EasyJet was providing the flights for your package holiday, but accepting a voucher means that in effect you now have to put together your own package deal, booking flights to an easyJet destination and making your own arrangements for hotel accommodation and travel between there and the airport, with no courier. You have told me that at your age, and with health issues, this is an unlikely scenario.

I asked easyJet to reconsider and the airline explained there may have been some confusion as you dealt through a travel agent and not directly with easyJet, which may have been simpler and cheaper. EasyJet has now refunded your 692 in full.

WE'RE WATCHING YOU Company bosses alleged to be responsible for cheating investors out of many millions of pounds are facing fraud charges following a lengthy international investigation. Spot Option, owned by Israeli businessmen Pini Peter and Ran Amiran, is said to have been behind a worldwide network of scam firms that marketed binary options as investments. Peter, who was convicted of fraud, forgery and money laundering in Israel in 2005, later became a prominent businessman and charity patron, with links to the country's government which gave Spot Option grants of over 200,000 to expand abroad. Links: Pini Peter, right, with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Spot Option's investments, dressed up to look like genuine trading in shares, currencies and commodities, were actually a spin of a coin. If the value of the investment rose above a certain point, the investor won, but if it fell, the investor lost everything. And the coin was allegedly rigged to spin in favour of the binary options firms that marketed the scam, according to court filings. Spot Option, based in Ramat Gan in Israel, licensed firms to use its scheme, training them in how to operate under their own names, giving the appearance of genuine investment businesses. One of the biggest of those businesses was Banc de Binary, which cheated British investors out of tens of millions of pounds. The Mail on Sunday repeatedly warned against Banc de Binary, starting soon after it began targeting British victims in 2013. We exposed the company's claim to be based in London offices as false. Its only real representative in Britain was Mattison PR, a London public relations firm that issued a stream of false claims on behalf of the Israeli cheats. The bad news for victims is that the fraud charges against Spot Option, which showed Banc de Binary how to run the scam, are not being brought in Britain, but in the US by its financial watchdog, the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). Last Monday, the SEC unveiled court documents alleging that Spot Option showed its offshoots such as Banc de Binary how to raise obstacles preventing investors from withdrawing their money. Spot Option is said to have assured its offshoots that the average investor would lose 80 per cent of their money within five months, producing huge profits for the cheats. In contrast to the SEC, which succeeded in forcing Banc de Binary out of America, our own Financial Conduct Authority assisted the cheats. It included Banc de Binary on its public register of authorised investment firms. In 2014, it told me it was compelled to do this because the company was licensed by the Cypriot regulator, and an EU directive meant the Cyprus licence had to be respected. In 2020, it admitted this was wrong. The FCA did have the power to kick Banc de Binary off its register, but by then, trusting the FCA, British victims had lost millions of pounds. The SEC has asked a court in Nevada to order Spot Option to refund investors, with added interest. If the court grants the order, the beneficiaries will be American investors. No similar action has been taken in Britain against Spot Option, Banc de Binary, or any of the companies' bosses.

If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TS or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned.
(Natural News) Johnson & Johnson is coming under scrutiny from investors over CEO Alex Gorskys pay package, with critics complaining that the healthcare company is shielding executives from the legal costs of their poor business decisions.

In calculating stock awards to top executives, the company excluded costs related to some of the major lawsuits Johnson & Johnson has been involved in recently, including one claiming the company fueled Americas opioid crisis and another involving people who got cancer from the asbestos in its talc baby powder. Including these legal costs, which amount to around $9 billion, would have weighed on Gorskys compensation, which rose 17 percent from 2019 to reach $29.6 million in 2020.

Although Johnson & Johnson has said it always excludes certain one-time litigation costs in calculating executive stock awards, proxy adviser Glass Lewis said that shareholders should cast their ballots against the pay package when a non-binding resolution goes up for a vote at Johnson & Johnsons annual general meeting this month.

Glass Lewis said: In our opinion, the adjustments related to well-documented legal actions essentially shield executives compensation from the detrimental impact of their decisions for the company.

Institutional Shareholder Serves (ISS) joined rivals Glass Lewis in recommending the compensation deal be rejected. According to ISS, Johnson & Johnsons corporate governance is poor. They rated it at 7 on a scale where 10 is the worst and 1 is the best. They also gave them a score of 9, which is close the lowest score possible, on compensation alone.

Meanwhile, the state of Illinois, several religious organizations, and the charitable organization Oxfam have all filed letters with the Securities and Exchange Commission in opposition of Gorskys pay. The letters echo Glass Lewiss call for shareholders to vote against the pay.

The state of Illinois owns shares of Johnson & Jonson in its municipal retirement fund. They are calling on the firm to cut the CEOs pay by at least $2 million.

One of the companys few victories in recent years, the development of a COVID-19 vaccine that gained FDA approval for emergency use, has also turned out to be a disaster, with the vaccine being put on hold while the link to serious blood clots is investigated.

J&J being hit with thousands of lawsuits, so why is their CEO being rewarded?

Gorsky has been in charge of the company during the opioid crisis, which the CDC reports has claimed almost 450,000 American lives from 1999 to 2018; 50,000 people died from opioid-related overdoses in 2019 alone. Johnson & Johnson paid out $4 billion for its role in the opioid epidemic. The company was one of several manufacturers of opioid-based pain medicine, although they have denied any wrongdoing in the overdose deaths.

They have also set aside another $4 billion for litigation related to claims that asbestos in its popular talc powder caused cancer. They are still facing a rising number of personal injury lawsuits related to the baby powder; the number of lawsuits stood at 25,000 in January. It emerged in 2018 that the company had known for years that its baby powder contained asbestos, a known human carcinogen. An expose by Reuters prompted a stock selloff that saw the companys market value drop by around $40 billion in one day.

Talc is often mined near asbestos, and the company reportedly knew about the potential asbestos sine the 1970s, yet they continued to market and sell the product. In fact, they did not stop selling it in the U.S. and Canada until May 2020. Johnson & Johnson is also appealing a verdict from the Missouri Court of Appeals that asked the company to pay $2.1 billion to a group of women who said the powder caused their ovarian cancer.

Its appalling to think that someone can run a company that is acting so dishonestly  selling products it knew were unsafe and enjoying the profits gained by contributing to a deadly overdose epidemic  and be rewarded with a hefty pay raise.

Sources for this article include:

CBS17.com

BusinessInsider.com
The coronavirus-inspired murals on the external walls of a house in Hanoi are still the apple of local reasidents eye even after the COVID-19 crisis has raged around the world for more than a year.

Le Long, a street artist, secured the house owners consent to paint his murals in late March 2020, when Vietnam was resolutely battling COVID-19.

The wall paintings remain to command the full attention of passers-by at the Van Phu residential quarter in Ha Dong District, Hanoi.

Everyone stops to have a look at the coronavirus, vaccine, or earth imagery whenever they go past the four-story building.

Long spray-painted all the images in order to convey the message Stay Strong  Lets Stay Home.

He had searched for information and images on the Internet and transformed them into colorful murals.

He even hired a crane to reach the walls as high as 20 meters on the top floor.

'Stay Strong  Lets Stay Home' is what Le Long, a street artist, wants to convey via his spray-painted murals on the walls of a house at the Van Phu residential quarter in Ha Dong District, Hanoi. Photo: Ha Thanh

Colorful coronavirus-inspired murals are displayed on the walls of a house at the Van Phu residential quarter in Ha Dong District, Hanoi. Photo: Ha Thanh

A Vietnamese house sits on the earth in a mural on the wall of a house at the Van Phu residential quarter in Ha Dong District, Hanoi. The painter says this artwork promotes Vietnamese unity in the fight against COVID-19. Photo: Ha Thanh

A colorful coronavirus-inspired mural is displayed on the wall of a house at the Van Phu residential quarter in Ha Dong District, Hanoi. Photo: Ha Thanh

Colorful coronavirus-inspired murals are displayed on the walls of a house at the Van Phu residential quarter in Ha Dong District, Hanoi. Photo: Ha Thanh

A man looks at a mural on the wall of a house at the Van Phu residential quarter in Ha Dong District, Hanoi. Photo: Ha Thanh

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell grinning with Bill Clinton during a VIP tour of the White House has been revealed in new photos.

The paedophile is seen smiling and shaking hands with the president as Maxwell looks on during the visit in September 1993.

The pair were VIP guests of Clinton and they toured his residence and the East Room during a lavish reception for donors.

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell smiling with Bill Clinton during a VIP tour of the White House has been revealed in new photos

The president is seen shaking hands with the billionaire financier as they engaged in conversation at the party

The pair were VIP guests of Clinton and they toured his residence and the East Room during a reception

Epstein had donated 7,820 for the refurbishment of the Oval Office and was rewarded with the White House bash hosted by Clinton and his wife Hillary.

The financier was convicted for the first time in 2008 for procuring a girl under 18 for prostitution after an investigation which was launched in 2005.

The Clinton administration would not have been aware of any criminality at the time of their White House meetings.

A source told The Sun on Sunday: 'The photos show just how close Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein got to one of the most powerful men in the world  in the most powerful building.'

Maxwell and Epstein befriended Clinton and took him on a tour in the billionaire's 'Lolita Express' jet after the politician left the White House.

They were believed to have been invited to the White House three times during Clinton's presidency according to The Daily Beast.

The 1993 party was held for people who contributed towards the 290,000 Oval Office renovation via the White House Historical Association.

Epstein had donated 7,820 for the refurbishment of the Oval Office and was rewarded with the White House bash hosted by Clinton and his wife Hillary

Epstein died in his jail cell after he was arrested for a variety of sex charges relating to young girls

The White House social secretary, Ann Stock, was the reception's point of contact and was listed in Epstein's little black book.

Clinton has always denied knowing about Epstein's crimes.

It comes after Maxwell pleaded not guilty to two more counts of sex trafficking on Friday as she appeared in court for the first time since her arrest.

The British socialite was arraigned in a Manhattan courthouse on new sex trafficking charges added to an indictment three weeks ago.

Her lawyer entered a not guilty plea Friday and a padlocked black sedan believed to be carrying Maxwell was seen driving to the Brooklyn prison.

Appearing frail with graying hair after months behind bars, Ghislaine Maxwell pleaded not guilty in her first in-person hearing since her arrest last year. Her sister Isabel is seen sitting behind her wearing a beret in a court sketch

'Yes, your honor,' and 'I have, your honor' were the only words Maxwell said when answering the judge before waiving to have the charges publicly read.

Maxwell's signature short black haircut was grown out long, showing off the gray at the roots as she appeared noticeably more frail than her last hearing in July.

But there was no sign of the hair loss her lawyers claimed she had experienced in prison and no sign of her husband Scott Borgerson who was anticipated to show up to support her.

Sources close to Maxwell's family told The Telegraph that her appearance in court was about Maxwell wanting to 'face her accusers head on', as well as being free from her prison cell for a while.

A rewritten indictment lodged against the 59-year-old British socialite last month added sex trafficking charges to allegations that Maxwell recruited three teenage girls from 1994 to 1997 for then-boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse.

Ghislaine Maxwell pleaded not guilty to new sex trafficking charges added to an indictment three weeks ago. Pictured: A courtroom sketch of Maxwell from today, April 23, 2021

New charges involving the sex trafficking of a minor stretched the conspiracy to 2004.

According to the new indictment, the woman was sexually abused multiple times by Epstein between 2001 and 2004 at his Palm Beach, Florida, residence, beginning when she was 14 years old.

Maxwell's lawyers have claimed that she had lost weight and her hair was falling out because of her poor treatment while in custody.

They alleged she is becoming a 'shell of her former self' because she is being woken up every 15 minutes with a a flash light.

Her lawyers claimed the conditions were more fitting for Hannibal Lecter, the fictional serial killer from the movie The Silence of the Lambs.

Maxwell's trial is set for July 12 on charges alleging she recruited and groomed teenage girls from 1994 to 2004 to provide sexual massages to her one-time boyfriend.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

India's capital New Delhi on Sunday extended its lockdown, as the country's COVID-19 crisis grew with infections and deaths hitting record highs.

The healthcare system has struggled to cope with the huge surge, with reports of severe oxygen and medicine shortages and patients' families pleading for help on social media.

India recorded 349,691 fresh cases and 2,767 deaths in the last 24 hoursthe highest since the start of the pandemic.

The northern megacityhome to 20 million people and the worst hit in Indiahad imposed a week-long lockdown on Monday.

"We have decided to extend the lockdown by one week," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.

"The havoc of corona(virus) continues and there is no respite."

Delhi on Saturday reported just over 24,000 new caseswith more than one-quarter of those tested returning positive resultsand a record-high 357 deaths.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a monthly radio address Sunday that India had been shaken by a "storm" as he called on people to get vaccinated and not "get swayed by any rumour about the vaccines".

The country has administered almost 141 million vaccine shots so far, but experts say the mass inoculation programme needs to be significantly stepped up in the nation of 1.3 billion people.

There has been growing criticism of Modi's government over allegations it was caught underprepared ahead of the surge.

On Sunday, Twitter confirmed it withheld dozens of tweets critical of the crisis after a legal demand from New Delhi.

"If (the content) is determined to be illegal in a particular jurisdiction, but not in violation of the Twitter rules, we may withhold access to the content in India only," the social media giant said in a statement.

Some tweets included comments, including from regional opposition lawmakers, about the overwhelmed healthcare system.

The IT ministry told AFP it asked Twitter to remove 100 posts, adding that there was "the misuse of social media platforms by certain users to spread fake or misleading information and create panic about the COVID-19 situation in India".

International assistance

Shocking stories of patients dying outside hospitals have spurred promises of support from the international community.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday tweeted that the administration "will rapidly deploy additional support to the people of India".

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen tweeted that the organisation was "pooling resources to respond rapidly to India's request for assistance".

Arch-foe Pakistan offered medical equipment and supplies after Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted prayers for a "speedy recovery".

Other countries imposed travel restrictions.

Neighbouring Bangladesh, which shares a 4,000-kilometre (2,500-mile) border with India, will halt land crossings for two weeks, Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen told AFP on Sunday.

Oxygen crisis

The Indian Express reported Sunday that Vinod K. Paul, a member of government advisory body NITI Aayog, warned in a presentation to the prime minister and state leaders Friday that daily cases could rise to as high as half a million by mid-May.

Some states and territories have imposed curbs on movement and activities, with Indian-administered Kashmir on Saturday announcing a weekend lockdown.

Ambulance sirens echoed through empty streets in the northern city of Lucknow in India's most populous state, badly hit Uttar Pradesh, during its weekend lockdown.

"No one's answering... calls. Where do I take the patient to?," Abhishek Gaurav, 40, told AFP as he searched for a hospital bed for his friend in Lucknow. His pleas were echoed by others.

In Delhi, there were chaotic scenes outside some hospitals.

"He was gasping for air, we removed his face mask and he was crying and saying 'save me, please save me'," Mohan Sharma, 17, said of his father, who died outside a northeast Delhi hospital.

"But I could do nothing. I just watched him die," Sharma told AFP.

The government said Sunday that more than 500 oxygen-generation plants were to be set up in hospitals. Oxygen supplies were also being bolstered through special trains and airlifts of containers from other countries.

Explore further Follow the latest news on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

 2021 AFP
U.S. advocacy groups, Chinese business community call for concrete actions to tackle anti-Asian hate

Xinhua) 08:20, April 25, 2021

People march to protest against anti-Asian hate crimes on Brooklyn Bridge in New York, the United States, April 4, 2021. A big "Stop Asian Hate" rally and march was held here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

"Only through coordinated action can we prevent further acts of bias-motivated violence and hurtful scapegoating."

NEW YORK, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Multiple advocacy organizations and the Chinese business community in the United States are calling for actions to cope with the historic rise of hatred, violence and xenophobia targeting Asian and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the country.

The United States reported a spurt of anti-AAPI crimes during the pandemic. According to Stop AAPI Hate, a California-based nonprofit social organization, it received nearly 3,800 reports of attacks or abuse against people of Asian descent between March 2020 and February 2021 and the real number of such incidents is believed to be far more than that.

In response to the horrific scenario, the U.S. Senate on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill combating surging hate crimes against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While acknowledging such a gesture, the minorities in the United States are calling for concrete actions to protect them from hate crimes.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (2nd R) speaks at a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the United States, April 22, 2021. The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill combating surging hate crimes against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

ACTION NOW

A coalition of advocacy groups on Thursday voiced their appeals to the U.S. law enforcement, elected officials, and government agencies to ensure a holistic response to the Anti-Asian hate problem, and recognize the urgent need to take concrete actions.

In particular, the U.S. Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Justice should set up a task force to specifically investigate and combat increased violence directed towards the AAPI community, stated a release by the Committee of 100, a non-profit organization of prominent Chinese Americans, which organized the action.

The coalition also called on the U.S. Department of Justice to revisit its China Initiative, which instigates U.S. judicial confrontations with China, and examine whether the program has caused the spike in prosecution of innocent Chinese American scientists.

Senior executives and those in leadership positions should ensure that the AAPI community has a voice at the table, including in the boardroom, stressed the coalition.

"This coalition across communities showcases the strength and impact we together possess ... Collectively, we can work to put these horrific incidents in the past and move forward as one nation," said Zhengyu Huang, president of the Committee of 100.

More than 10 advocacy groups in the United States joined the coalition, including the 1990 Institute, the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs, the Committee of 100, Council of Korean Americans, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Partnership With Native Americans.

Those organizations would meet on a quarterly basis to continue discussions of joint programs, activities and advocacy to combat anti-AAPI hate, said the release.

"Silence is unacceptable. Unity in combating hate is absolutely imperative," said David Harris, chief executive officer (CEO) of the American Jewish Committee.

"Only through coordinated action can we prevent further acts of bias-motivated violence and hurtful scapegoating," said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, CEO and national director of the Anti-Defamation League, the world's leading anti-hate organization.

California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis attends a rally to protest against anti-Asian hate crimes in Millbrae, California, the United States, April 17, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

BUSINESS COMMUNITY PLAYS A ROLE

Meanwhile, the Chinese business community is also working to fight anti-AAPI hate and violence.

"I would say we shouldn't really feel that we need to be fearful about what's going on ... You should be able to feel that you're at home," said Ni Pin, president of Wanxiang America Corporation, an automobile component designer and manufacturer based in Illinois, at a webinar organized by the China General Chamber of Commerce-USA (CGCC) on Friday.

Speaking of the China Initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice, Ni said, "under that initiative, many people got a screening, which really is hurting American interests, American competitiveness, and for sure is gonna hurt the Asian American community."

The business community should take the lead in fighting anti-Asian hate and violence as the companies have resources, funds and laptops, according to Ni, who is also the chairman of CGCC Chicago.

As much as 86 percent of companies feel that the business community has the responsibility to support the fight against anti-Asian hate and violence, according to a survey by CGCC Chicago.

AAPI small businesses are not able to operate safely and need assistance now, said Chiling Tong, president and CEO of the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE).

The National ACE calls on its partners to join in responding to the ongoing violence against the AAPI small business community by helping to educate employees, customers, and the public to intervene to halt these deplorable acts.

Asian American employees need a special space to talk about the hate issues right now as a lot of them are hurting and that's affecting their work, according to John C. Yang, president and executive director of the Asian Americans Advancing Justice, an advocacy for Asian Americans' civil and human rights.

As for the business community, "the next step is also to engage in these interracial conversations and think about how we show up for each other," said Yang.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Bianji)
Under former President Donald Trump politicization of the U.S. Supreme Court became more blatant and extreme than it had been in many years.

The selection process was commandeered by conservative think tanks who fell in line with Sen. Mitch McConnell, who was then the powerful majority leader, resulting in the appointment of three judges with identifiable conservative leanings.

President Joe Biden's reaction has been to create a special commission to study the court. It will likely not come up with new information nor findings or a recommendation that will appeal to anyone.

The real answer to the current general dissatisfaction will be for the president and Senate to respect the court, which means not trying to appoint justices who come from particular political backgrounds and who would be expected to follow the doctrines of a particular party or point of view.

The role of the court is to decide controversies fairly and impartially, without regard to politics. The Senate is where things have gone off the rails with McConnell being blatantly partisan. That disrespects the court as an institution and the judges who are considered for it.

It is interesting that it seems the three recent Trump appointees have been fair and impartial after having been appointed by a president and confirmed by a Senate that had expectations of favoritism. That is what we want and that it was we should get, regardless of who is doing the appointing and confirming.

After years of disrespect, the high court deserves better treatment and we must demand it from our elected officials.

Louis-Jack Pozner

Albany
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-26 00:45:51|Editor: huaxia

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JUBA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Newly appointed United Nations (UN) top envoy for South Sudan on Sunday expressed strong hope for durable peace in the country.

Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, said the UN is strongly committed to working with South Sudanese to secure stability and eventual prosperity for the country.

"As partners in that process, the UN will continue to work with South Sudanese as well as regional and international partners to provide stability and, ultimately, secure prosperity for all citizens," Haysom said in a statement after arriving in Juba.

He arrived in Juba on Sunday to take up his role as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Haysom said South Sudan is entering a new phase and people's expectations are high, noting that there is real hope for progress in the implementation of the peace agreement and, ultimately, achieving a more durable peace.

The UN official said after completing mandatory quarantine in compliance with local COVID-19 protocols, he will begin a busy schedule of meetings with South Sudan's leaders, the diplomatic community, and other key stakeholders in the peace process.

"It is a privilege to continue my relationship with South Sudan by serving in this new role, leading UNMISS in its peacekeeping and peacebuilding work," said Haysom.

The UN envoy said the UN priority is to support all efforts to push the peace process forward with a focus on key areas such as constitution-making, security, justice and economic reforms, and assisting preparations for elections.

"I am very much looking forward to serving and supporting the people of this country so that they can enjoy the much brighter future that they deserve," Haysom said.

He said UNMISS will also continue to search for new ways to magnify the impact of its own activities and improve its performance in carrying out its mandated work to protect civilians and build peace. Enditem
Built by Voyager Boatyard, in collaboration with Plymouth Boat Trips, the University of Plymouth and several other partners, the e-Voyager is a pioneering concept turned into reality. With green technology becoming one of the biggest trends in boat manufacturing, most companies are looking at building ships that can contribute to reducing harmful emissions. From commercial, heavy-duty ships to passenger vessels, boats are heading toward a green future.The e-Voyager project was funded by the Department for Transport (DfT), as well as the University of Plymouth and the University of Exeter. In fact, this electric passenger boat is the result of an interesting cooperation between University scientists and manufacturing companies.One of e-Voyagers main innovations is that it only uses repurposed Nissan Leaf batteries, which have the added benefits of low costs for companies and no maintenance. Its also equipped with FBW (fly-by-wire) electronic controls that can also be used for several other types of commercial vessels. Voyager Boatyards electric ferry is the first of its kind to be fully designed and produced in the UK.The recently launched e-Voyager will be one of the boats to participate at the Green Tech Boat Show . The Show is set to take place at Queen Annes Battery, Plymouth, June 19-20. UKs first electric passenger boat will serve as a great example for other manufacturers in the industry who are interested in switching to electric vessels.According to MDL Marinas organizers, The show is specifically designed for boat owners wishing to make the switch to greener options, and prospective owners whod like to start their boating journey in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
Colleagues who email Coles chief executive Steven Cain after hours might be in for a shock.

If he gets an email after 7pm hell often call that person and say, What were you doing working at 8.30pm? Is everything OK? Cains human resources chief Kris Webb says. Hes trying to change the culture of the business.

Coles meat supply planner Alex Roewer enjoys working flexibly at home but also appreciates limits that let him disconnect. Credit:Joe Armao

Alex Roewer, a 20-year Coles veteran who works in its meat division, has taken advantage of the flexibility to go running at lunchtime (and be on his bike during meetings) as well as coaching his sons soccer team after work without returning to a bevy of missed calls.

If he sends an email after work, he doesnt expect a reply out of hours. During my time, thats my choice, Roewer says.
Vietnam has joined many multilateral and bilateral trade agreements in recent years. The question is what the country receives from these trade relations.

Foreign trade statistics show that Vietnam has always gained a trade surplus with the United States, the EU and Japan while the countrys trade with China and South Korea has constantly been in deficit and this trend has been growing. In 2010, Vietnams trade deficit with China was US$12.5 billion. In 2019, the figure was US$34 billion, 2.7 times higher against 2010. The deficit with South Korea also rose from US$6.6 billion in 2010 to US$27.3 billion in 2019.

Vietnams trade surplus with the United States was US$10.5 billion in 2010 and US$47 billion in 2019. The trade surplus with the EU increased from US$5 billion in 2010 to US$26.6 billion in 2019, and the trade surplus with Japan also rose. Consequently, in 2019, Vietnam enjoyed a trade surplus of US$74 billion with the United States, the EU and Japan while the country suffered a trade deficit of US$61.3 billion with China and South Korea(1).

According to estimated figures in 2020, Vietnams trade with the EU fell slightly, with exports to the bloc down by 15% and imports from the bloc down about 2%. Exports to the United States increased strongly, at 26%, but imports dipped about 5%, so the trade surplus with the states in 2020 soared 35% from 2019, from US$46.9 billion to US$63.1 billion.

Meanwhile, the trade deficit with China and South Korea in 2020 increased about 3% from 2019, from US$61.3 billion to US$63 billion. As a result, the trade surplus with the United States equals the trade deficit with China and South Korea.

Vietnams exports to the United States and the EU are mainly sub-contracted goods. Telephones and components account for about 15% of total exports to the states and end-consumption products like textiles, garments and footwear 35%.

A rough calculation from the inter-country input-output model for Vietnam, the EU, the United States and China with figures from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) shows the ripple effect of end-products and final demand of each country on the production value of that country and countries with which it has trade relations.

One of the preliminary results shows that exports of sub-contracted goods and essential goods for end-consumption do not have much ripple effect on the production and the added value of Vietnam but on the production and the added value of countries from which Vietnam imports input materials for the sub-contracted goods. Of note, about 60% of Vietnams import value from China over the past many years has gone to spending for intermediary costs, 30% to gross capital formation and only 10% to end-consumption of the Vietnamese population.

It can be observed therefore that Vietnams trade surplus with the United States and the EU can have a strong ripple effect on the production and the income of China. As a matter of fact, it is what to export that counts and is worth mentioning as an achievement. Exports do not have much significance if they are merely sub-contracted goods for other countries, and the country that benefits from Vietnams export achievement can be China or South Korea.

The General Statistics Office is conducting an in-depth study into this issue to find quantitative evidences and suggest policy recommendations for economic restructuring towards harmonious, sustainable growth.

SGT
As state lawmakers in Austin wrap up the latest legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday threatened to withhold their pay by vetoing a line item in the states budget because a Democratic walkout killed his priority elections bill. No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities, Abbott tweeted. Should the governor veto Legislature funding?

You voted:
British-led allies who fought in the battle of Gallipoli were honoured on Sunday during a ceremony in Turkey at the New Zealand Memorial, also known as Chunuk Bair.

The Chunuk Bair memorial is one of four permanent memorials on the Gallipoli peninsula.

A few dozen soldiers lined up to pay their respects and lay wreaths.

The memorial gatherings observed the 106th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign.

Soldiers from Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India, Newfoundland, South Africa and France fought and died during the international operation that started with landings on the peninsula on April 25, 1915.

Turkey and France held separate remembrance ceremonies for their fallen soldiers.

All memorial events were kept small this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Police have arrested four teenage boys after two girls, aged 16 and 17, were stabbed in broad daylight this afternoon.

Officers were called at about 4.40pm to a road in Lambeth, south east London, where the two victims, who are known to each other, were found with stab wounds.

Both were rushed by ambulance to a hospital in south east London.

The incident happened at about 4.40pm this afternoon in West Norwood Road, south east London

An investigation into the incident has been launched by police who called the crime 'unacceptable violence'

Earlier officers had described the older girl's condition as life-threatening, although she is now said to be serious but stable.

The younger victim's injuries are not life-threatening.

Four boys, all aged between 16 and 17, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and are in police custody.

Detective Sergeant Rob Merrett, Central South Command Unit, said: 'This is a shocking incident involving two young female victims, one of whom remains seriously ill in hospital. It has understandably caused considerable alarm in the community.

Four teenage boys aged between 16 and 17 have tonight been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

Officers have urged members of the public with information to come forward as soon as possible

'Officers responded immediately when the 999 call was received. Two boys were quickly apprehended near the scene, and urgent enquiries led to two other males being arrested later on at addresses in Lambeth.

'All four are now in custody and my team are conducting a thorough investigation to establish what has led to this unacceptable violence.

'I urge anyone who has information, pictures and video that could assist us to make contact immediately. It is imperative that we work with the community to fully establish what has happened here and bring any offenders to justice.'
NEW YORK, April 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) between July 6, 2020 through March 31, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 18, 2021.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Emergent BioSolutions securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Emergent BioSolutions class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2081.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 18, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience or resources. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020 founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuits, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Emergent BioSolution's Baltimore plant had a history of manufacturing issues increasing the likelihood for massive contaminations; (2) these longstanding contamination risks and quality control issues at Emergent BioSolution's facility led to a string of FDA citations; (3) the Company previously had to discard the equivalent of millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines after workers at the Baltimore plant deviated from manufacturing standards; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' public statements about Emergent BioSolution's ability and capacity to mass manufacture multiple COVID-19 vaccines at its Baltimore manufacturing site were materially false and/or misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Emergent BioSolutions class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2081.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

Related Links

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It is a mystery that has puzzled art experts for decades.

How did 16 masterpieces vanish into thin air from the Bellas Artes national museum in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires in 1980?

Now, a British academic has come up with a startling new theory. She believes the art heist was staged by Argentina's own military government  in order to pay for their 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands.

And she claims the junta probably stole the 1.8 million worth of paintings  including works by Cezanne, Degas, Gauguin, Matisse and Renoir  to pay for arms from Taiwan for their 1982 bid to wrench the islands from British rule.

One of the stolen works  Renoir's Portrait Of A Woman - is pictured above. The collection resurfaced in 2001 in the hands of a Taiwanese arms dealer, when a branch of Sotheby's in Taipei was asked to value 16 Impressionist works and contacted the British organisation the Art Loss Register

'The burglars had not been in a rush,' comments Anja Shortland, a professor of political economy at King's College London, who describes the theft in the book Lost Art: The Art Loss Register Casebook Vol 1 as 'more of a walk-in than a break-in'.

Taking advantage of workmen's ladders left lying around, the thieves slipped in through a hole in the roof left by builders.

They opened glass display cases with blowtorches, then carefully removed the 16 paintings from their frames.

State security forces would later arrest two security guards and beat them up, but no one was charged for the theft.

The paintings had been donated to the museum by the widow of the wealthy Argentine rancher Antonio Santamarina  but only reluctantly, says the author.

A British academic has come up with a startling new theory. She believes the art heist was staged by Argentina's own military government  in order to pay for their 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands. Stanley is pictured above

The collection resurfaced in 2001 in the hands of a Taiwanese arms dealer, when a branch of Sotheby's in Taipei was asked to value 16 Impressionist works and contacted the British organisation the Art Loss Register  an initiative between insurers, art dealers and auction houses to protect the market from theft  to check whether they had been stolen.

The ALR confirmed the paintings had come from the Bellas Artes. Yet when it approached the museum about returning them, it declined the offer, saying the recovery was a 'very political problem'.

ALR chairman Julian Radcliffe eventually tracked down the mysterious arms dealer in Taiwan.

'He told me that the paintings could not be released without the consent of the Taiwanese ministry of defence,' he told The Mail on Sunday.

'I was amazed by this. Why would the Taiwanese defence ministry have control over paintings stolen from a museum in Argentina?

'But in the run-up to the Falklands invasion, there was an embargo on selling arms to Argentina, which Taiwan had not signed up to.'

In the end, only three of the paintings were returned to Buenos Aires. The whereabouts of the rest remains unknown.

'There were rumours an army truck had waited near the museum that night and the junta had been involved,' writes Prof Shortland.

Her conclusion is that we will probably never know who 'decided to press-gang a grieving widow to hand over her late husband's art collection to the national museum, to have it stolen, to blame and beat up the innocent security guards, and then use the art works to buy weapons for a futile war'.

l Lost Art: The Art Loss Register Casebook Vol 1, by Anja Shortland, is published by Unicorn on June 10.
Police searching for the "Big Bird Bandits" who allegedly stole a "Sesame Street" costume from an Australian circus have arrested and charged two men.

The yellow Big Bird costume -- valued at tens of thousands of dollars, according to CNN affiliate 7 News -- disappeared earlier from a circus area on Bonython Park, Adelaide, this week, but was returned early on Wednesday morning.

The "Sesame Street" costume was dumped back at the circus by an electricity box, with an apology note in the beak, South Australia Police said.

"We are so sorry!!! We had no idea what we were doing, or what our actions would cause" the note read.

"We were just having a rough time and were trying to cheer ourselfs (sic) up.

"We had a great time with Mr Bird. He's a great guy and no harm came to our friend. Sorry to be such a big birden (sic).

"Sincerely, the Big Bird Bandits."

Two men aged 26 and 22 were on Friday charged with theft and being unlawfully on premises, police said. The men have been granted bail and will appear at Adelaide Magistrates Court on 30 June.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler sought the help of his constituents in assisting the authorities to stop the violent protests that continue in the city. Wheeler asked the public's help on Friday in identifying the members of the "anarchist mob" who have participated in vandalism and violence in Portland, Fox News reported.

The said violent protests have damaged the city since the Black Lives Matter Riots have erupted last spring, New York Post noted. Apart from the call for the public's participation, Wheeler also announced that the city would extend its state of emergency on Monday.

READ NEXT: Portland Police Pleading for Public's Help to End Shooting, Murder Spree

Portland Mayor Asking the Public to Help Authorities

Portland has contended with months of violent demonstrations and clashes since the death of George Floyd in the previous year.

"They want to burn, they want to bash, they want to intimidate, they want to assault," said the Portland mayor. Wheeler also added that like BLM leaders, the community should also stand against the ones responsible for the "criminal intimidation and violence."

Wheeler also mentioned the need of the community to resume their lives. However, "self-described anarchists" are against things opening up and recovering, Mail Online reported.

Meanwhile, the extension of the city's state of emergency happened amid concerns of the potential unrest, following the trial of Derek Chauvin, the law enforcement officer from Minneapolis who was found guilty on all charges of death against George Floyd.

"Together we can make a stand," said Ted Wheeler while asking for the help of the public in taking the city back.

The news conference that happened on Friday also unveiled the Portland Mayor's support on using all legal strategies in stopping violent protesters. One of these methods is "kettling" in which officers will surround a crowd and keep them in a particular area.

"Our job is to unmask them, arrest them, and prosecute them," Wheeler said pertaining to the violent protesters who wreak havoc in their city. The city mayor also encouraged anyone who has information to contact the police.

Portland and the Violent Protesters

Mail Online shared that photos have surfaced showing officers emerging from clouds of tear gas while people dressed in black throwing fireworks at officers and rows of businesses.

Also on Friday, a riot has sparked that included fires and gunshots. Broken windows were reported at the First Christian Church along with anti-police graffiti at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

In the previous month, a protest turned violent in the city's Pearl District when police used the controversial "kettling" method. About 100 people were reported to march through the area while smashing windows and barricading the street using chairs and tables from outdoor dining areas.

Another incident broke out on a Monday night where protesters nearly caused $20,000 worth of damage to a local Boys and Girls Club. Over the summer, demonstrations were held for more than 100 straight days.

Meanwhile, Fox News noted that two people were arrested by the authorities when protesters began damaging buildings in the northeast part of Portland. The riot happened hours within Ted Wheeler's public plea.

READ MORE: No Legal Charges for Arrested Portland Protesters Under New Policy

WATCH: Portland Police declare riot in Northwest Portland - from KOIN 6
PegaWorld, the annual event put on by Pega, a leading customer engagement and process automation platform provider, will be taking place virtually on May 4th. And earlier this week my CRM Playaz co-host Paul Greenberg and I had the opportunity to hold a LinkedIn Live conversation with company founder and CEO Alan Trefler to talk about the event a lot more leading up to the event.

Actually, a lot more may be an understatement when it comes to speaking with Trefler as there are so many areas you can delve into with him. Not only is he still at the helm of the company he founded back in 1983, hes having a lot of fun while also leading Pega to cross $1 billion in annual revenues for the first time last year. He credits a lot of Pegas success to the lessons he learned working in the familys restoration business  which will be celebrating its 100th year anniversary next year. Hes also a chess master and an accordion player.

Interview with Alan Trefler of Pegasystems

So Paul and I covered a lot of bases in our time with Alan, including what it takes to thrive in business for so long, and whats in store for this years PegaWorld. Below is an edited transcript of a portion of our conversation. To hear the full discussion click on the embedded SoundCloud player.

Transitioning Organizational Focus While Keeping the Corporate Narrative

Paul Greenberg: Early on Pega was known for being process-oriented and focused on operational efficiency, but lately youve been focusing on customer engagement and behaviors  how a customer is thinking and how to better interact with them. Youve gone from a left brain to a right brain, so to speak. But the thing that blew me away the most, and its consistently done this is that you never lost a beat in your corporate narrative from year to year. I mean, typically when a company makes lets say a public change that dramatic looking, they lose customers. They churn, because the customers say, well, theyre not serving us anymore. You guys, your churn rates almost zero, right? Its probably six, seven, eight years, even ten maybe, youve made this transition, but it went from like mechanical to CRM-ish to CRM to customer experience to customer engagement, never missed a beat. How did that thinking even evolve? What was on your mind, in the mind of your team to get there without losing any customers?

Alan Trefler: Well, thank you for that. One of the things that Im really proud of is that my first two customers who went live in 1984, are still customers to this day. The Bank of America and Citibank and much larger customers. Were still doing the stuff we did for them originally though, literally in both cases, many dozens of other things as well. I think part of it was the understanding that there was a continuum that reaches out from the core skill set we had at being able to get work done, to touching the actual clients and touching what the clients are aspiring for and trying to do. And with the introduction over the years as we have of being able to do the front office CRM type things, but understanding it really wants to be hooked in to being able to do things end to end, and then adding the AI capabilities and a lot of the adaptive analytics and other things that literally got you into the mind of your customers or their customers.

I think there is a continuum there and weve been very careful unlike a lot of companies in this business to not just go out and acquire a bunch of crap, but when we buy something as a company, its because its consistent with that end to end vision. And I think that its very important because what were looking to do is create a holistic vision for our customers and thats whats kept us, I think, honest and really engaged.

Drawing on lessons learned working in the family business

Brent Leary: So how has that vision you have for your customers and how you interact with them, how has this pandemic hows the last 12, 13 months affected that image? And how did working in the family restoration business early on in your life help shape your perspective?

Alan Trefler: Its interesting because in the coming year, that business which is the restoration business is going to have its 100th anniversary.

Brent Leary: Wow.

Paul Greenberg: Wow.

Alan Trefler: Thats a family business. So Im a first generation American on my fathers side. He came after having survived the war. He started that business and that business is very dear because literally with his hands, my father who, never actually graduated high school, was able to put two kids through college and build a pretty amazing life for himself. But it also gave me an opportunity to work in close proximity with customers. And though I wasnt really terrific at the restoration, so it was never going to be a business I was going to be skilled enough to go into, it did provide me a lot of access to individual customer interactions from a very young age and I think that was pretty important to my early development and to the values I think we have as a company.

See Also: 28 Percent of Obamacare Customers are Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

Pandemics impact on digital transformation efforts

Brent Leary: So you mentioned that the acceleration of digital transformation. I think thats across the board almost every company that Ive heard from. But how has your customers changed the definition of what they viewed the digital transformation as? Yeah, they know they had to speed up, but what did they have to change in order to kind of stay afloat in whats going on here?

Alan Trefler: So its interesting because I think there are some aspects of this that are going to have ramifications long after the pandemic is done and I think we all recognize this. But one of them is a lot of companies realized that the way they were digitally transforming wasnt going to be the long-term vision for how they should do it. That there was just too much bailing wire, too many things that were unsustainable. And whats happened and whats interesting is some of them clearly have changed their long-term agendas. So its not even whats happening in the moment for us or over the last 12 or 18 months. Its really, they understand that theyre going to have to look differently at how they connect their customers, their front offices, the customers intent. We talk sometimes about moving from customer engagement that is reactive, which is the way its historically been, to proactive and even preemptive. How do you figure out, even ahead of your customer, knowing what your customers going to want so that you can really do an extraordinary job of meeting their needs?

Executing on your corporate vision

Paul Greenberg: How do you take effectively your vision and bring it to life? Thats something a lot of companies fail to do so their vision just ends up being more or less science fiction, right?

Alan Trefler: We try to balance being visionary and being very pragmatic and some people see this as a contradiction. We just see it as a continuum. I think the most important part is having lots of other visionary people with you. So its not my vision, but its really a collective vision so that were able to progress and were able to challenge ourselves and each other to try to come up with the right nuances to keep ourselves on course. And its been interesting because so much has changed frankly in the last 30 something years. But the thing that hasnt changed is the way most companies use technology is just too primitive and too backwards. The way businesses and IT work together is more like they typically dont work together.

I actually think that computer science thats my background has been enormously disappointing. And a big part of what were trying to do is actually realize I see you nodding Brent, let me give you an example of what I mean. If you look at other industries, for example, look at computer aided design and manufacturing. So you look at the creation of actual goods. Its come unbelievably far in the last 35 years, right? You have people now will draw a wire frame of something they want connected to a 3D printer. You get to go from concept, to specialization, to actual realization instantly and continuously. Take a look at what Pixar does, where they create models of characters and create brilliant, just brilliant movies, literally by getting the computer to do the hard work of execution so people can think about needs, desires, goals, et cetera. In software, its all BS. In software its the opposite, right?

Weve made it harder and more complicated to engage customers or build backend systems or hook it all together. The world of the cloud, which we love, right? Were all in? But you go take a look at AWS or Azure or the Google Cloud platform, all of which we run on. You go take a look at their catalogs of whats available. It is mind blowingly complex. And it is so different from how a business person thinks about how they want to serve a customer or how they want to fulfill a product promise. Our mission is how do we create an approach based on models that lets us do in the customer experience and in the software realm, what youve seen so successfully done in other industries.

Low Code and the Lotus Notes Redux

Brent Leary: Were hearing a lot about things like low-code/no-code platforms and robotic process automation (RPA) these days. Where does these fit into the mix?

Alan Trefler: A lot of this low code stuff is really just the next generation of Lotus Notes.

Lotus Notes was going to be the great liberator of the business, and it turned out to be the great creator of technical death. Those are people, frankly, who were over-obsessed on how do I create a couple of forms and how in a low code way I push them through something. So, that mistake is being replicated almost perfectly by a lot of the low code stuff.

The other delusion has to deal with the thought that dropping little robots, RPA robots in my back office to cut and paste between systems is somehow going to make my business customer oriented. We used to call it screen scraping 25 years ago, 20 years ago, right? All youre doing is to have a little software program like Rumba that would go and cut and paste from this system to this system.

Neither of those are really focused on outcomes. We say look, what is the business trying to do? How do you find that as a business person, independent of channels, and independent of whether you drop a little robot in someplace, which were not anti-robot, theyre just not going to revolutionize your business. You need a brain in your business. All the work weve done with AI is to make that brain adaptive and not just powerful, but also smart in terms of changing.

Last year, the industry came up with a couple dozen new computer languages. Who the hell needs more computer languages I mean, the reality is we need to make things clearer and simpler and more business effective. The software industry has just become too enraptured with complex cloud architectures, data scientists, all sorts of other folks who we should be working to simplify, but instead are almost celebrating their complexity.

Virtualizing PegaWorld

Brent Leary: PegaWorld is coming up on May 4, and I thought last years was the first virtual industry event that started to take advantage of what virtual had to offer, while the first batch of events basically just tried to replicate their physical event online. So whats in store for folks this year?

Alan Trefler: We were fortunate to have people like Don Schuerman (Pega CTO) and Mike Brenner (Pega VP of Client Experience) that knew we had to do things differently. The first thing I think they decided is we dont want to hold people hostage for days. I think a lot of folks decided that they were just going to take their talking heads and take their multi-day events and just put them online which was a disaster, right? I mean, if you actually look at the Though, some people are still doing this. They realized that they had to cut it down to be about two and a half hours. That we were going to have to get really compact. We were going to try to use the medium to perhaps both dive deeper, but also stay more conceptual. And I think especially given the timeframe, they did a terrific job of orchestrating that transition and deserve enormous credit for that.

This year were trying to take it up to a whole other level again. So actually moving it to Im not going to give anything away, but lets just say were trying a different mode of engagement and a style that is also different from what weve seen other shows do. And were going to both try to make sure we can operate conceptually, so there are always ideas that are important and sort of elevate the conversation. But then at the same time, be able to punch through, to answer questions, like what is conversational AI about? How do you actually bring AI into the conversation of an organization and their customer and do that at the next level, and actually be able to demonstrate concepts as it relates to AI, as it relates to customer engagement, and as it relates to intelligent automation? To providing the real end to end approach to customer service and acquisition.

This is part of the One-on-One Interview series with thought leaders. The transcript has been edited for publication. If it's an audio or video interview, click on the embedded player above, or subscribe via iTunes or via Stitcher.
As the country lurches back to normal, there are still COVID-19 threats out there, warned Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical advisor to the President and the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, this morning on This Week With George Stephanopoulos. Although he was optimistic about the vaccine distributionand feels the restarted J&J vaccine is a worthy additionhe said things were still "precarious." Read on for his 5 key pieces of advice about how to stay safeand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs Your Illness is Actually Coronavirus in Disguise.

1 Dr. Fauci Warned Cases are Currently at a "Precarious" Level

Two professional doctors in blue medical uniform standing in front of each other in hospital corridor and looking thoughtful

Stephanopoulos asked Fauci if we're getting pretty close to normal. "You know, in some respects we are George," Fauci answered. "It really is a challenge. We have vaccines. Now, the more we take a look at the data, as it accumulates, we see it is even more effective than what the initial numbers of the clinical trial. And we're doing very well. You know, we now have more than 30% of the adult population fully vaccinated. More than 50% of the adult population is getting at least one dose, which gives them certainly some protection until they get the next dose. So," he says, we're getting closer to normal. "But the only issue, George, that is something we need to pay attention to is that we're having still about 60,000 new infections per day. That's a precarious level. And we don't want that to go up."

2 Dr. Fauci Warned of "Serious Consequences" for Young People Right Now

Group of friends sitting around a table at house party

Stephanopoulos played Fauci some remarks from Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin on a radio program: "The science tells us the vaccines are 95% effective. So if you have a vaccine, quite honestly, what do you care if your neighbor has one or not?"

"Well," said Fauci in response, "the fact is that people who have been infected in this country now and have died, if you look at the numbers, there's been about 570,000 Americans [that] have died. We have a highly efficacious and effective vaccine. That's really very, very safe. That is the reason why you want everyone to get vaccinated. So I don't understand the argument. If I get vaccinated, George, and I'm protectedthat you, George don't have to get vaccinated? It doesn't make any sense. The more people you get vaccinated, the more people you protect. And there is the issue. When you get a critical number of people vaccinated, you really have a blanket of protection over the entire community. So to get vaccinated, you have a responsibility to yourself to protect yourself. But also, even if you're a young person who may not get any symptoms, you don't want to get infected, you may think it doesn't make any difference, because you may not get any symptoms, but you may inadvertently and innocently pass the infection onto someone else who could have a serious consequences."

Story continues

3 Dr. Fauci Says the Risk is "Miniscule" Outdoors if You're Doing This

Dr. Fauci said the CDC would soon be releasing advice about wearing masks outdoors. "I don't want to get ahead of them, George, but I think it's pretty common sense now that outdoors, the risk is really, really quite low, particularly if you were a vaccinated person wearing a mask outdoorsI mean, obviously the risk is miniscule. What I believe the country is going to be hearing soon is updated guidelines from the CDC. The CDC is a science-based organization. They don't want to make any guidelines unless they look at the data and the data backs it up. But when you look around at the common sense situation, obviously the risk is really very low, particularly if you're vaccinated."

RELATED: Most COVID Patients Did This Before Getting Sick

4 Dr. Fauci Said He Felt the J&J Vaccine is Safe

Syringe Injection placed against Johnson and Johnson logo

The Johnson&Johnson vaccine will now be distributed again, after a pause to examine any danger of blood clots; it was deemed, by the CDC and FDA, to be minimal. Dr. Fauci said stopping it briefly was the right call, because now the public knows "that the CDC and the FDA are the gold standard for both safety and the evaluation of efficacy. I think in the long run, what we're going to see, and we'll probably see it soon, is that people will realize that we take safety very seriously. We're out there trying to combat the degree of vaccine hesitancy that still is out there. And one of the real reasons why people have hesitancy is concerned about the safety of the vaccine. And I think if you make the argument that we take safety really very seriously, and there was a pause, it was examined. And now we're going ahead with it."

5 Dr. Fauci Said India Was in a "Terrible Situation"

Gateway of India at morning, Mumbai, India.

Dr. Fauci said the US could be doing more to help India, which hit a new COVID infection record for the fourth straight day, with hospitals overwhelmed. "I mean, I don't think you can walk away from that," he said of the crisis in that country. "And we are right now, even as we speak, there's discussions about really ramping up what we can do on the groundoxygen supplies, drugs tests, PPE, as well as taking a look in the intermediate and long run about how we can get vaccines to these individuals both immediately now, as well as in the situation where you help them to be able to essentially make vaccines themselves." He said maybe we could send them some AstraZeneca vaccines, which we have stockpiled but not approved in the USA. "So bottom line, George, it's a terrible situation in India and other low and middle income countries. And there is more we can do." As for yourself: Get vaccinated when it becomes available to you, and to protect your life and the lives of others, don't visit any of these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.
Beats of One Nation  Season Two View(s):

Despite the several challenges posed by the pandemic, Sri Lanka Unites (SLU) was able to host the second season of Beats of One Nation (BOON) recently. Adapting to the new normal and keeping in line with the health precautions implemented by the authorities, SLU creatively managed to conduct the concert  live streaming it via Facebook and YouTube. Six songs that were created originally for BOON Season 2 were performed on the day. SLU invites you to watch the live concert on their Facebook page or even listen to the songs individually!

The organisers were also able to have special guest appearances by Danu Innasithamby, who hosted the event, and the Singing Potatoes who graced the audience with their incredible performance. A special mention must also be made of Randhir Witanawho performed at the concert but more importantly serves as the Music Director at SLU, heading the music department.This project was also supported by Ken Lappen who produced the album and dedicated his time to the young artists, training them for the live performance. The artists were backed by his band The Outlaws at the launch.

Beats of One Nation (BOON), as a project, is a grant awarded by the U.S. Embassy to Sri Lanka and The Maldives under The Small & Mighty Grants Programme which is quite unique in nature. SLUbelieves that music has the capacity to bring the various communities in Sri Lanka together. SLU has 14 years of experience in engaging over 3500 student leaders from all 25 districts at our annual conferences and has proven to be a great pilot for this theory. Young men and women of various backgrounds have had their first positive experience across ethnic or religious lines, often as a result of the music and arts section at our conference.

SLU looks to engage the broader audience across the nation.We believe that initiatives such as BOON, with celebrity musicians and diverse local talent, will attract a new audience that may not usually attend a reconciliation event  thereby giving us the ability to reach youth who are at a higher risk of engaging in violent extremism. It is also important to note that in developing countries like Sri Lanka, parents mainly emphasise on academia and fashioning a career out of traditional choices like commerce, science, medicine and law. Music and arts are often not options to pursue. We believe that an initiative that helps them experience the possibility of a career in the arts will also have a positive impact on society.

For each season, SLU invites youth from across the nation to apply for an opportunity as we select one from each province. This time, SLU held auditions in all nine provinces where Sri Lanka Unites has its offices.A total of 178 contestants participated in the same, from which seven fresh talents were discovered representing all ethnic and religious groups in Sri Lanka.

For those of you who do not know about Sri Lanka Unites, please visit our website www.srilankaunites.orgor follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get updates on all our initiatives and programs.
New Delhi, April 25 : While hospitals continue to raise alarm over shortage of oxygen, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute has said it would not admit new patients.

Sending SOS alarm, the hospital said it is left with oxygen for just one hour.

Tweeting a picture of notice placed outside the hospital, Cardiologist at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute Dr Nishith Chandra said, "Things are turning very grim. This is the situation of my hospital Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, at New Delhi, One of the most premier cardiac hospitals of India." The picture of notice, Dr Chandra tweeted read, "We had timely escalated this impending situation to all authorities and are waiting for promised supplies since yesterday. At the moment we are out of options and suspending new admissions and ER services till the situation improves. We are trying to manage admitted patients to the best of our abilities".

Around 100 patients are on Oxygen support at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute.

At around 11 a.m., another hospital in the national capital, Pentamed Hospital said that it had left with one hour of oxygen. "Pentamed Hospital out of oxygen supply. Almost 50 Covid Patients on oxygen support. Delhi Government, please make arrangements," the Hospital tweeted.

Earlier, hours after raising an SOS alarm about depleting oxygen around midnight, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) received five tonnes of oxygen in the early morning at 4 a.m. As the crisis escalated and stock of oxygen dropped, 221 cubic meter was around 11.40 p.m. last night, local MLA Raghav Chadha had arranged one ton of oxygen past midnight as immediate help.
As more Americans every day are inoculated, a tiny but growing number are contending with the disturbing experience of getting covid despite having had one shot, or even two. In data released Thursday, the CDC reported that at least 5,800 people had fallen ill or tested positive for the coronavirus two weeks or more after they completed both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.
TASHKENT (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd April, 2021) Uzbekistan on Friday received the first batch of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19, the country's Health Ministry said.

"Today the first batch of Sputnik V vaccine was delivered to our country. The delivery was carried out in cooperation with the Russian Direct Investment Fund," the ministry said on its Telegram channel.

The Russian vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute, was approved for mass use in Uzbekistan on February 17.

"The certification process began only after receiving the necessary materials from the developer, in particular, the results of phase 3 of clinical trials of the vaccine," the statement said.

Uzbekistan launched mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19 on April 1. People over 65 years old and medical workers are the first to receive their shots. The Central Asian country is currently using the vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and China's Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical company. In March, Uzbekistan received 1.6 million doses of these vaccines and by now nearly 490,000 nationals have been inoculated.

The Uzbek authorities plan to vaccinate up to 7 million people or 20 percent of the population by the end of 2021.
Britain's Secretary of State of International Trade Liz Truss - REUTERS

The UK looks set to complete a trade deal with Australia at the G7 summit in Cornwall after making a major breakthrough, as the Government moved closer to securing a place in one of the worlds fastest-growing trade blocs.

Liz Truss, the International Trade Secretary, confirmed on Friday that the two countries had reached consensus on the vast majority of elements.

Whitehall sources said the UK now hoped the agreement would be signed in June, when leaders of the G7 meet in Cornwall for talks hosted by Boris Johnson.

A bilateral trade deal between the two nations is expected to boost UK exports to Australia by around 900 million.

Ministers see the deal as a stepping stone to joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)  the 9 trillion free trade area in which Australia is a key player.

Striking a UK-Australia deal would pave the way towards eventual British membership of the trading bloc, which is viewed as a crucial counterweight to China and its trade practices.

Ms Truss said: We have made major breakthroughs over the past few days and an agreement is now in sight. I want to thank Dan personally for the contribution he has made and for his desire to get this deal done.

We will spend the next few weeks ironing out details and resolving outstanding issues, with a view to reaching a deal by June.

It comes after negotiators held talks over two days, led by Ms Truss and her Australian counterpart, Dan Tehan.

Australia's Minister for Trade Dan Tehan - AAP

Talks got off to a shaky start after allies of Ms Truss told The Telegraph Mr Tehan was inexperienced and said Australia had been slow to move on key UK demands since he took up his role in December.

A source close to the Trade Secretary said Mr Tehan  who served as a diplomat between 1999 and 2001, and helped negotiate Australias free trade deal to the US in 2004  was inexperienced compared to Liz.

They added she planned to put Mr Tehan in the Locarno Room [in the Foreign Office] in an uncomfortable chair, so he has to deal with her directly for nine hours.

The comments prompted bemusement in Canberra, with an Australian minister accusing the UK of sledging and saying the comments were just the Brits gobbing off.

However, the pair were later seen smiling together as they began the latest round of talks in London, with the two negotiating teams dining together over Vietnamese food on Thursday and fish and chips on Friday.
The Pentagon finally explains why a small business in Florida was given control over 175 million IP addresses.

The long-dormant IP addresses, which are about 1/25th, or almost 6% the size of the current internet, were handed over as soon as President Joe Biden took office on Jan. 20, 2021.

Pentagon and Florida's Mysterious Global Resource Systems

Florida's Global Resource Systems LLC (GRS), a private company just outside Fort Lauderdale, announced shortly after Biden's inauguration that they have started managing an undisclosed number of unused IP address spaces owned by the Department of Defense.

According to Washington Post's report on Saturday, Apr. 22, the small company soon got a hold of additional 56 million IP addresses owned by the Pentagon, and then the number increased to 175 million three months later.

This brings GRS to the top of the list of telecommunications giants who control the internet, beating the likes of AT&T, Verizon, and China Telecom.

What baffles experts in the field is that the GRS was only founded in September 2020, and never had any publicly reported federal contracts or a public-facing website.

Moreover, GRS's announcement about managing Pentagon's IP addresses was only made through the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) - a messaging system that gives Internet companies instructions on how to route traffic throughout the world.

The news shocked cybersecurity experts, with some speculating that the Pentagon may be using the announcement to draw hackers, or looking to set up a dedicated infrastructure to scour traffic for suspect activity.

"As to why the DoD would have done that I'm a little mystified, same as you," said Paul Vixie, an internet pioneer who designed the Domain Name System (DNS) protocol and procedure.

Also Read: Slow Internet? FCC Complaints Now Open for All Internet Connection-Here's How to Report

Pentagon's Response

Pentagon's Defense Digital Service (DDS), the government agency's elite unit that reports directly to the secretary of defense, holds the key as to explain the puzzling GRS entrance in the cybersecurity field.

Created in 2015, the "SWAT team of nerds" was tasked to solve emergency problems for the Department of Defense (DoD) as well as conducting experimental work to make big technological leaps for the military.

DDS's director Brett Goldstein explained that his unit gave GRS the authority to publicize the IP addresses owned by the Pentagon, AP reported on Apr. 24.

"This pilot will assess, evaluate and prevent unauthorized use of DoD IP address space," said Goldstein. "DoD IP address space," Goldstein said. "Additionally, this pilot may identify potential vulnerabilities."

He added that the "pilot effort" is one of the many projects of the DoD that focuses on continually improving the U.S.'s cyber posture and defense in response to advanced persistent threats.

Pentagon's most recent decision to involve a mysterious company to manage the valuable virtual real estate is just one of the many perplexing decisions the Defense Department had made.

In 2016, the Defense Department issued an open challenge to "Hack the Pentagon" to identify vulnerabilities in the department's security.

The challenge managed to gather hundreds of vulnerabilities from more than 250 participants, one of which is a teenager who has just graduated from high school.

Related Article: Once the Internet is Down Forever, What Will Happen?

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Written by Leigh Mercer

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
BRANFORD  Dressed as Godzilla and waddling his way through downtown, AJ waved at beeping cars as they passed by on Thursday.

AJ, of Chaz & AJ in the Morning radio show on Milford-based WPLR, was there to celebrate his fans donating to Make-A-Wish for Seth Plourde, 4, who has undergone three heart surgeries, the first of which when he was 5 days old. Since Godzilla is Seths favorite character, AJ wore the costume to walk the streets with the boy and his family on Thursday.

Seths Wish is to go camping with his family, said AJ, who does not disclose his last name due to privacy concerns. So we raised (more than) $10,000. The generous Chaz & AJ Tribe all kicked in and raised the money, so now Seth and his family can go in an RV and go up and down the coast.

AJ said his listeners have always come through and helped with important causes. To thank his listeners and those who supported the event, AJ donned a T-Rex suit and braved the gusty winds as he marched through Branford.

With condensation fogging up his view-port, and high winds nearly blowing him over in the tall costume, he and the family marched through town to some of Seths favorite places, including the fire and police stations.

Carole Plourde, Seths mom, said AJs walk in the costume was supposed to be a two-day fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish event, but listeners donated all the money in advance  in just 24 hours  after hearing about it on the show.

Plourde said her son was born with a congenital heart defect that required open heart surgeries at 5 days old, 4 months old and 3 years old.

It was a long journey. The first year of his life, he spent several months in the hospital, she said, noting that Seth had vocal cord paralysis that left him mute for the first 19 months of his life. He should be done with his surgeries by now, and its just follow-up.

Plourde said the family wants to take an RV trip to the southern United States so the family could enjoy outdoor activities together.

We just wanted family time together and we thought that that would be a great way to do it, she said. Just hop in a vehicle and head down to the mountains and beaches and spent quality time that has been long overdue.

At the Branford Police Department, AJ and the family were able to meet the police chief. AJ said Seth locked him in a cell to show him who was leader. They then walked around town before eating pizza at the town green.

There are no words I could use to describe how beautiful it is to get that kind of support, Plourde said.
Even as a special freight train, Express, carrying 51,000 litres of medical in three tankers arrived in Uttar Pradesh from Bokaro on Saturday, problems continue for patients in home isolation.

The state government has made it mandatory for patients in home isolation to produce doctor's prescription before they can buy cylinders.

Lokendra Tripathi, who needs oxygen for his father, 83, and mother, 79, "I need to keep oxygen for an emergency situation and no doctor is ready to give a prescription even though they verbally advise me to keep a cylinder at hand. Both the parents are Covid positive though they are asymptomatic at the moment."

Meanwhile, the Oxygen Express has brought some relief to the pandemic-battered state. The supplementary supply will provide a more than a 48-hour buffer for over 1,000 patients with low oxygen saturation, sources said.

Indian Medical Association, Lucknow head, Dr. Rama Srivastava, said, "We were told 38,000 litres has arrived in Lucknow. The supplementary supply will be a lifesaver for 800-1,000 patients with critical oxygen saturation levels in Lucknow. A Covid patient with poor oxygen saturation easily consumes 50 litre of jumbo cylinder in 24 hours. More O2 tankers are in queue to reach UP."

Bipin Mishra, the additional district magistrate (finance), said: "We expect the supply of O2 delivered to Lucknow will last up to three-four days. The seven O2 plants in city will disburse the life-saving gas to government and private hospitals as well as individuals isolated in their homes after Covid infection."

Divisional Commissioner Ranjan Kumar said: "The oxygen supply from Bokaro has been sent to hospitals in Lucknow and Barabanki. Some supplies have been diverted to patients in home isolation."

Sanjay Tripathi, divisional railway manager of Northern Railways, Lucknow division, said: "Four empty tankers left for Bokaro on Saturday morning prior arrival of refilled three tankers, including two at Lucknow and one in Varanasi."

"Similarly, by evening, at least four more empty tankers were being prepared to dispatch Bokaro."

--IANS

amita/pgh

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Engineering exporters body EEPC on Sunday said imposition of restrictions by states to contain rising coronavirus cases could affect the exports and the worst impacted would be MSMEs. The Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) said while recovery in the last few months of the fiscal year offers a ray of hope for the sector, the rising number of COVID-19 cases poses a downward risk.

"In order to contain the virus spread, many states have imposed restrictions. This could affect exports and the worst impacted would be MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises).

"The government therefore needs to expedite vaccination to lessen the impact of the pandemic," the council said in a statement.

It also said that buoyed by rising global demand and increased economic activities, exports of 32 out of 33 engineering goods categories such as iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, industrial machinery and office equipment recorded positive growth in March, signalling good times for exporters reeling under loss for the past one year due to pandemic.

The US continued to be on the top of the list of major export destinations as engineering exports to America rose to USD 1,152.82 million in March 2021 as compared to USD 917.02 million in the year-ago period, it said adding exports to the US fell down in cumulative terms during 2020-21.

Similarly, exports to China, India's second largest export destination, jumped to USD 553.06 million in March. The UAE retained its third position of largest export destination.

"Region wise, the European Union (EU) ranked as the numero uno destination leaving North America behind with a share of 18.5 per cent of total engineering goods exports in 2020-21. India's exports to North America ranked second with 18 per cent share while ASEAN region accounted for 15.4 per cent," it added.

Also read: Support pours in from countries amid India's devastating second COVID-19 wave

Also read: COVID-19 second wave: Ladakh makes RT-PCR test mandatory for passengers at Leh airport

Also read: COVID-19 crisis: India reports over 3.46 lakh cases; 13.83 crore vaccines given so far
Business travel is back on the agenda for Australian professionals but some of the countrys largest employers say many work trips will be replaced with video calls after they embraced the technology during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Holidaymakers have powered the early recovery of Australias domestic aviation market and lucrative corporate travellers have started to return to airport lounges as well, with Qantas reporting this month that corporate bookings were back to 65 per cent of pre-COVID levels. However, companies are exercising a lot more discretion when it comes to signing off on work-related travel.

Major companies say they expect employees will travel less for work after the pandemic. Credit:Getty Images

Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott said executives and managers at his Perth-headquartered conglomerate (which includes Bunnings, Kmart and a large industrials division) had resumed inter-state travel, with there being no substitute for person-to-person contact to build relationships and monitor how the business was operating .

However, we do expect our previous use of air travel to decrease as a result of the much greater experience and capability we have developed over the past year with other forms of communication... particularly video conferencing, Mr Scott said.
CHANDLER, Ariz.  Neighbors walked by during their morning stroll, passing families waved from their bikes and drivers slowed down long enough to read the hand-drawn sign  Dylans Food Drive.

The poster was taped to two PVC pipes that were stuck inside construction cones for support.

It was a typical scene for 8-year-old Dylan Pfeifer, who has been staging food drives from his home in metro Phoenix in response to the pandemic.

It started because I wanted to give internet to people, he said, explaining that he had transitioned into virtual learning at Chandler Traditional Academys Independence Campus in Chandler. He heard on the news that some students around the U.S. were having a hard time taking advantage of virtual learning because they didnt have internet.

My mom said it was going to be hard to provide internet, so we decided to do food drives, he said.

Each drive is the culmination of hours of work that involves drawing posters, going door-to-door to hand out flyers and working with his mother to post information on Facebook.

Dylan has hosted three drives from his home in Chandler, about 20 miles southeast of Phoenix. He said he is planning his next one in June when summer vacation begins.

I would plan one every day if I could, he said.

Dylan says he has collected more than 1,000 cans and boxes of nonperishable food and more than $900 in donations. On its website, St. Marys Food Bank in Phoenix says it can convert $1 into seven meals, meaning Dylan has been able to provide more than 6,500 meals on just monetary donations.

Its rare that you see kids at Dylans age who have a handle on what the problem is in their community, the people around them who are affected by it, and have the courage to do something about it, said Jerry Brown, director of media relations at St. Marys Food Bank Alliance.

Erin Pfeifer said the best part for her, as his mother, has been watching Dylan grow despite the isolation caused by the pandemic.

Its been hard to interact with people, especially now, so this provides a safe way to do that. I just wanted to provide him a way to make an impact, she said.

His father, Nick Pfeifer, agreed, saying it has been wonderful watching Dylan grow. Younger sister Evelyn Pfeifer also loves to be around the drives. The parents said she spends most of her time playing outside with the neighbors children during the efforts.

After the first two drives, Erin and Dylan Pfeifer have spent time volunteering at St. Marys Food Bank. They attended a couple of food-packing events at the facility where community donations are sorted and packed for residents and families in need.

I volunteer because it helps the community, Dylan said. The hardest part is setting up and waiting. As cars come I always think  does that one have food?

RELATED: Mechanicsburgs Jubilee Day canceled for second year because of COVID-19 pandemic

Dylan could be doing lots of things with his time but chooses to be outside in the sunny Phoenix spring weather waiting for people to stop by, said Denise Sandy-Sanchez, who was Dylans second-grade teacher last year.

It is inspiring because he is just an 8-year-old boy, Sandy-Sanchez said after donating boxes of food at his most recent drive.

I hope you have room in your chest for that growing heart of yours, she told him.

His grandmother Janice McGrew, who volunteered at Habitat for Humanity for more than 10 years, said Dylan comes from a giving family.

I would tell other kids who wanted to host food drives, to just do it! he said.

___

Cheyanne Mumphrey of The Associated Press wrote this story.

One Good Thing is a series that highlights individuals whose actions provide glimmers of joy in hard times  stories of people who find a way to make a difference, no matter how small. Read the collection of stories at https://apnews.com/hub/one-good-thing

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through The Conversation U.S. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
The Anzac Day public holiday will be different depending on where you live with some states - including the nation's two most populous - missing out on the annual long weekend for the second-consecutive year.

Only five of the country's eight states and territories will get Monday off as a public holiday, a day after the national day of remembrance.

That is because some states do not allocate a supplementary public holiday when Anzac Day falls on the weekend like it has occurred this year.

That means most of Australians will have to wait until the Queens' birthday in June for the next long weekend.

An Australian Army soldier stands as people attend the consular corps wreath-laying ceremony commemorating Anzac Day in Sydney. Only some states will mark the Anzac day public holiday on Monday

A veteran walks next to police officers as they attend the consular corps wreath-laying ceremony commemorating Anzac Day in Sydney

Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and the ACT are the five jurisdictions who will give residents the Anzac Day long weekend as they designate Monday as a public holiday if the day falls on a Sunday.

New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania will be back at work on Monday.

While New South Wales observes Anzac Day as a public holiday, there is no supplementary allocation of a day off on a weekday if it falls on a weekend, the same as in Victoria and Tasmania.

Tasmania only offers supplementary public holidays on a weekday when Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Boxing Day and Australia Day falls on a weekend.

Australians on Sunday gathered in the chilly dawn at public ceremonies for the first time since 2019 after the Covid pandemic caused marches to be cancelled last year.

Thousands of rowdy Aussies later took to pubs across the country to sink beers and play a traditional game of two-up as Anzac Day commemorations continue.

A strong presence of police enforced the 1400-crowd limit at an Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne while many others paid their respects behind fences

Alastair Tomkins, joined by his wife Katie and their sons Hugo, 9, (left) and Lyndon, 6, stand in silence after playing The Last Post in their driveway, at dawn, as neighbours stand outside their homes to commemorate Anzac Day in Brisbane

Australian soldiers played the coin toss betting game in trenches and on troopships during World War I. Two-up is illegal to play in NSW on any day other than April 25 due to it being an unregulated form of gambling.

Last year Anzac Day was marked by televised services only and no marches for the first time in more than a century as the pandemic kept people indoors.

Services and marches were back with limited crowds in most parts of the country.

Only services in Western Australia's Perth and Peel regions were cancelled after a hotel quarantine outbreak led to community virus transmission and the imposition of a three-day lockdown.

Sunday marks the 106th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli, a campaign which ultimately cost more than 8700 Australian lives.

Like last year, many Australians paid tribute at home by standing at the end of their driveways at dawn.

Outside of the Sydney CBD, a maximum of 5000 people - excluding spectators - can participate in an outdoor Anzac Day march or dawn service.

People gather on Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast on Anzac Day to watch surf boats perform a burial at sea

Chief of Defence Angus Campbell said current members of the ADF have a lot to be proud of during his Anzac Day address. Pictured: A soldier gathers at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast

Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra that the nation faced a defining moment 12 months ago when the pandemic first reached Australian shores.

'A moment of uncertainty and danger, when the future seems so uncertain, masked by fog,' he said in front of about 3,000 people.

'We could not gather, but we held candles in driveways and on balconies and we played the Last Post on radios and iPhones as some, especially in our west, will do again today.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-04-25 14:45:51|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The world marked Malaria Day on Sunday, highlighting the global effort and positive results in jointly combating the serious disease.

The following offers a glimpse of Chinese President Xi Jinping's efforts in promoting anti-malaria cooperation with developing countries over the past few years.

Dec. 4, 2015

Xi attended the second summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which grouped China, 50 African countries that have established diplomatic ties with China, and the Commission of the Africa Union.

-- On the sidelines of a China-Africa summit, then Comoros President Ikililou Dhoinine said his country is grateful for China's long-term assistance, especially the program against malaria that has greatly benefited the Comoros people.

Jan. 9, 2017

Xi attended China's top science award ceremony, presenting award certificates to physicist Zhao Zhongxian and pharmacologist Tu Youyou for their outstanding contributions to scientific and technological innovation.

-- Tu won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her discovery of artemisinin as a treatment for malaria.

Sept. 3, 2018

Xi delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the FOCAC, during wich he said that China was to launch a health care initiative.

-- China has decided to upgrade 50 medical and health aid programs for Africa, particularly flagship projects such as the headquarters of the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention and China-Africa Friendship Hospitals. Exchange and information cooperation will be carried out on public health. Cooperation programs will be launched on the prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases, schistosomiasis, HIV/AIDS and malaria, Xi said.

-- "China will train more medical specialists for Africa and continue to send medical teams that better meet Africa's needs," he said, adding that more mobile medical services will be provided to patients for the treatment of cataract, heart disease and dental defects. And targeted health care services will be provided to women and children of vulnerable groups in Africa.

Nov. 16, 2018

Xi paid a state visit to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting, during which he met with then PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.

-- During the meeting with Xi, O'Neill said that the PNG thanked China for its long-term and precious support in the country's economic and social development, the Chinese medical team for its help with malaria control and prevention in remote areas, and the Chinese side for its assistance in disaster relief and reconstruction after a recent earthquake. Enditem
Vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Patrick Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Officials in Iowa confirmed they rejected nearly 22,000 vaccine doses from the federal government.

The state rejected 18,300 Moderna vaccine doses and 3,510 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

A state spokesperson told the Des Moines Register Iowa has seen a "slowdown of vaccine administration."

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Officials in Iowa rejected nearly 22,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from the federal government due to waning interest, state officials confirmed to the Des Moines Register.

According to the report, published Saturday, state officials rejected 18,300 Moderna doses of the 34,300 doses the state had expected to receive from the federal government. They also rejected some 3,510 Pfizer doses of the 46,800 they originally anticipated.

"Along with several other states, we are seeing a slowdown of vaccine administration, but we are working with our local partners and community leaders to determine where additional education is needed and to gain an understanding of the needs of each county's unique population," Sarah Ekstrand, a spokesperson for the state health department, told the Des Moines Register.

Read more: Uber and Lyft asked Congress to bail out their drivers. Now they can't get enough drivers to come back to work.

According to CDC data, about 55% of the Iowa adult population is at least partially vaccinated against the disease.

There are growing concerns that vaccine hesitancy will slow the rate of vaccination in the US and prolong the effects of the pandemic. A Monmouth poll conducted earlier this month found 1 in 5 American adults were unwilling to get one of the shots.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses for full efficacy, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires just one shot for full vaccination. There are concerns that some people in the US are skipping out on the required second dose.

The US Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week gave the go-ahead to resume the single-shot J&J vaccinations after a pause that lasted just over a week while regulators examined the vaccine's link to rare blood clots.

Story continues

Health officials said the potential risk of rare blood clots, which impact women under the age of 50, does not outweigh the benefit of the vaccine. The CDC said they found about 15 cases of these blood clots in the roughly 8 million doses of the J&J vaccine that have been administered nationwide.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the longtime director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Sunday that the J&J pause should help people hesitant about all three vaccines believe they are safe because regulators paused the vaccine to investigate a potential safety risk.

In total, more than 200 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the US.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A female relative, a mother to four boys, once told me how conflicted she felt about their family's annual summer holiday to Cornwall.

Photos suggested sunny experiences: a mug of tea overlooking sparkling sea while her offspring surfed. But competing memories were of domestic tedium: sweeping up sand; laundering damp, salty clothing; catering in an unfamiliar kitchen; rainy days, when everyone moaned about the wi-fi.

Even six or seven years ago, they paid a hefty premium for this attractively-located cottage. I dread to think what it is renting for in August 2021; we are all staycationers now.

Over the past fortnight, many have taken advantage of the latest easing of lockdown that opened up self-catering, albeit only to one household. But that single bubble rule put me off. It is not a new set of walks and walls I crave, but hanging out with friends.

Patricia Nicol picked out a selection of captivating books about family staycations, with two recent adult books depicting them as high-stress, even tragic events, including Sarah Moss's Summerwater and Jon McGregor's Reservoir 13

In children's books the best adventures happen when households mix. The high-jinks of Arthur Ransome's Swallows And Amazons take place over a summer in the Lake District during which two groups of children sail, camp and play together. Imagine if they'd had to mess around with masks and hand-sanitiser, rather than just boats?

In two recent British novels for adults, family staycations are depicted as high-stress, even tragic events. Summerwater by Sarah Moss is set in a rundown cabin park in the western Highlands over one long, wet summer holiday day. As rain falls, one mother flees her family lodge early to run, some children bicker by the loch, the music from one cabin keeps everyone else awake; a tragedy slowly unfurls.

In Jon McGregor's Reservoir 13, the worst has already happened: a 13-year-old girl, on a New Year's walking trip to the Peak District, has gone missing. His novel explores the impact on the villagers.

If you have braved new beds and April showers this month, then I hope you had a wonderful holiday. I am holding out for May when hopefully households will be able to mix, and we can finally visit Scotland and grandparents. No sun guaranteed.
Report on Easter bombings: Misconceptions galore View(s):

Failure in Prevention was the tag that marked the thoughts of all with regard to the Easter bombings 2019. That peal still rings sharp; more so with the release of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry Report (PCI -1) which is now in the public domain. The issues in this are many. But failure in prevention takes on many forms  from callous disregard to benign neglect. PCI -1 has even described the failure in prevention as criminal, but does not specify the offence in penal terms. And the reasons for the failure in prevention, even within the PCI -1 report, are varied. They are not of one accord.

The purpose of this article is, therefore, to offer some comments from a law and order perspective. The remarks are brief due to other constraints.

In the PCI report, the malfunction of the Security Council (SC) has been identified as the principal reason for failure in prevention, in this instance. This is a grave misconception on the part of the PCI. The misapprehension occurs notwithstanding the fact that eminent members with competence comprised the PCI.

The SC and any breakdown of the SC are irrelevant to crime prevention. Crime prevention is the total, entire and legal responsibility of the IGP, not the SC. The SC is only an administrative body to deal with related politics and policy. The SC has no executive authority or responsibility. The idea in the PCI -1 report that the breakdown of the SC was the reason for failure of crime prevention is a thought gravely misconceived. It follows even further, perhaps consequentially, that this delusion with the PCI similarly affected the thinking of the IGP and has permeated the judgment of many others.

Secondly, the ensuing recommendation by the PCI that the President, the IGP, and a range of other officers be subject to and brought together for criminal proceedings and action, is a proposal totally misconceived. Criminal liability arises in relation to rights, specifically infringement of rights by executive and administrative action. The IGP and officers under him take executive action which can entail infringement of rights. The others mentioned act only in a non-executive advisory capacity which action is neither administrative nor executive. These others acting in capacities as coordinators, consultants and advisors cannot be held for criminal liability, since they have no actus reus or mens rea in their action.

Thirdly, the law relating to such exercise, such executive or administrative action, is the criminal law. Infringement of rights occurs when the action is not covered by the criminal law. This law does not apply to the President and the many others by the nature of their action. Combining all these categories together to impose criminal liability through criminal proceedings is incorrect.

Nonetheless, the PCI was acting only in the nature of a disciplinary inquiry. A disciplinary inquiry has its own rules and limited purpose. Hence, the PCI was barely different from the Postal and Railway security inquiries which are only an administrative exercise. Criminal consequences cannot follow in their wake. Failure in prevention in this situation cannot be determined by a form of disciplinary inquiry. The need for prevention did not come in April 2019 by the divine, but came by design. The critical nature of that Easter week in April was then not meteoric, from out of the blues. Those circumstances were coming and were long in coming. A disciplinary inquiry cannot figure that out. The PCI had no idea that the problem was coming over some time. The vision of the PCI and the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the PCI were blurred over the whole problem as it sat over the question.

Only a criminal investigation could have worked out that issue. Even by way of criminal investigation, it is clear that a whole area of investigation did not engage the concern of the PCI. Criminal investigation would have been closely focused on crime prevention per se. From that angle crime prevention had first to deal with crime intelligence, followed by crime investigation, followed by prosecution and conviction. Only then could crime prevention have been effectively undertaken. All this action is clearly within the legal duty of the Police. The SC has little competence in this function of the Police.

And even by way of criminal investigation there still remains much to be done. A whole range of incidents have been mentioned in the course of the PCI examination. These have a bearing on the matter of the PCI (inquiry), related to each other and pointing in the direction of a prior conspiracy. Preparation, aiding and abetment, common intent, unlawful assembly, racial rioting and religious misdemeanor are some of the diverse facets of the train of events which took place long before the fateful Easter week 2019. These bore some evidence, admittedly of a loose nature of relevance, which transpired at the PCI inquiry, relevant to its TOR. In short there was something of a conspiracy which presaged the Easter bombing incidents. But the significance of these preordering incidents to the work of the PCI (inquiry) is lost to and not evident in their PCI -1 report.

Whether by reason of the superficial nature of the disciplinary inquiry or whether by reason of a grave misapprehension of the relevance of a criminal investigation, PCI (inquiry) is inadequate. The resulting focus of the PCI on crime prevention is narrow. The recommendations of the PCI are thereby not helpful to answer the question how to prevent a recurrence. Criminal proceedings and imposition of criminal liability on all those mentioned in the PCI are none but born of a grim delusion for the reasons stated above.

The need now, after all these PCI sessions, being to prevent recurrence of such incidents, there is much to do, and much more to have done long before the information was received just during that fateful week in April 2019. The need is to ensure that matters as the Easter bombings do not come from the blues. Failure in prevention has been the simple result of failure of intelligence, of investigation, and of prosecution and conviction, together all of which is none other than failure of law and order. Failure in this respect was coming from a long time before. That aspect was lost to the PCI members. The SC had little to do with failure in prevention of the bombings; that sanction for the failure was to be based on criminal investigation; any other inquiry served little purpose; and prevention of a recurrence required yet another approach.

Parturiunt montes, nascetur ridiculus mus -Horace. (Mountains laboured to give birth to a ridiculous mouse), is an apt appraisal of the PCI report.

Had the intelligence dossier in fact been duly built up over these years, prevention would not have failed, and the Easter bombings averted.

(The writer is a Retired Senior Superintendent of Police. He can be

contacted at seneviratnetz@gmail.com

TP 077 44 751 44)
Kathmandu, April 25

The Nepal Army has defied a directive of the Public Accounts Committee in the House of Representatives about the construction of the Kathmandu-Terai fast track.

The committee on April 1 had directed the army to cancel the bidding process in the second package of the tunnel and bridge construction under the fast track project after reports of irregularities. However, on Sunday, the army called a notice calling the letter of intent from the contractor for the tunnels and bridges.

Earlier, the army had qualified only one company, Poly Changda Engineering Co Ltd of China, among 21 bidders for the construction work. The company has won a contract of Rs 20.85 billion.

Two days after the House directive, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who is also the Minister for Defence looking after the military affairs, had expressed his disagreement over the committees conclusion.

Meanwhile, the army says the House directive was for the government and not for the army.

The Ministry of Defence had asked us about the directive, and we have sent our response back to them. Since the government did not issue any instruction to us to stop the work, we have moved forward the process regularly as per the Public Procurement Act and Regulations, the army spokesperson Santosh Ballav Poudyal says.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 25)  Two spokespersons of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict have been ordered against issuing statements on community pantries.

In a text message, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon confirmed he has issued a gag order on NTF-ELCAC spokespersons LtGen Antonio Parlade and Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy.

"Yes, I did if only to emphasize that NTF-ELCAC or Gen. Parlade or Usec. Badoy are not against bayanihan or community pantries... Lest it be misunderstood, they will desist from making statements on community pantries. And NTF- ELCAC will support, observe and assist CPs, as does the whole of government," said Esperon.

In a forum last week, Esperon said they would not discourage organizers of community pantries and other activities that foster the bayanihan spirit amid the pandemic and denied security agencies were profiling people involved in the popular food-sharing initiative, adding that they were only being observed.

When asked for comment on the gag order, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he had none.

Parlade drew flak after admitting that background checks were being conducted on organizers of community pantries, including leftist groups which he said may have been "engaging in propaganda" through such initiatives.

Several senators are pushing to defund NTF-ELCAC next year following its alleged red-tagging of community pantry organizers, with Senator Richard Gordon saying the task force should instead focus on helping the public.

"Bakit sila nagfo-focus dito sa mga taong tumutulong sa kapwa at nagpapakita ng bayanihan sa ating bayan? I think it's imbecilic, it's stupid and shameful," he said in an interview with CNN Philippines on Thursday.

[Translation: Why are they focusing on people who are simply helping others and showing the country's 'bayanihan' spirit?]

Parlade fired back, saying it was "stupid" on the part of the lawmakers to defund the NTF-ELCAC and "unfair" for the government's program.

As of publishing, neither Parlade nor Badoy has issued a statement concerning the gag order.
A concerning Covid cluster in a Perth hotel appears to have been contained after no new community cases were recorded nationwide on Sunday.

Despite the promising results, Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said Perth will be subject to extended Covid restrictions even if the lockdown ends as planned at midnight on Monday.

The Western Australia capital and neighbouring Peel region were due to emerge from the three days of lockdown, but Mr McGowan has tempered expectations, and is due to provide an update throughout the day.

'I'm sure there will be some further measures that continue,' he told reporters on Sunday.

'What they are, we won't know until tomorrow morning. We'll get health advice ... and I think people should get used to the prospect that there will be some further measures continue beyond Monday.

WA Premier Mark McGowan said Perth will be subject to extended Covid restrictions past an initial lockdown period of three days

The lockdown was sparked by two 'local' transmission cases which have been traced back to a Perth Mercure Hotel used for quarantine

'We need to see more testing completed. Most importantly we need close contacts and casual contacts that is anyone who has visited the exposure locations during the specific times to be tested.

The premier was expecting there to have been more than Saturday's 12,000 Covid tests completed on Sunday, which would help health officials determine the path forward.

'If there's further cases what we do will be more than perhaps there is now. It all depends on the circumstances. I can't predict what will happen. There will be an extension of some form of controls.'

On Sunday the state recorded two new coronavirus cases among returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine. There were no further community-transmission diagnoses.

From midnight on Friday residents in the Perth and Peel region were locked down until Tuesday morning, meaning Anzac Day dawn services were cancelled

The lockdown was sparked by two 'local' transmission cases which have been traced back to a Perth Mercure Hotel used for quarantine.

Late on Sunday authorities continued to search for and test hundreds of close and casual contacts of the confirmed cases.

A man aged in his 40s tested positive on Saturday after dining at a restaurant along with two other confirmed cases. His household contacts have been cleared of the virus, but authorities have extended the list of possible transmission sites, including a childcare centre, based on his recent activities.

On Sunday night, a childcare centre and a busy 'high risk' restaurant were added to the list of venues visited by an infected case.

Late on Sunday authorities continued to search for and test hundreds of close and casual contacts of the confirmed cases

Thai Thyme at Lakeside Joondalup has been re-categorised as a 'high risk' site after an infected case dined there between 6.45pm and 8pm on Thursday.

Anyone at the restaurant at the specified time must get tested and self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.

Thai Thyme joins six other restaurants across Perth listed as 'high risk' exposure sites.

Landsdale Early Learning and Enrichment Childcare in Perth's north appears on four occasions on the updated list of exposure sites released by WA Health on Sunday.

The times of concern are April 20 from 4.45pm-5.15pm, April 21 from 4.45pm- 5.15pm, April 22 from 4.30pm-5pm and April 23 from 5pm-5:30pm.

All affected parents have been contacted as health officials scramble to organise special testing arrangements for children and their families.

Mr McGowan remains locked in a verbal battle with the federal government over management of the states' quarantine schemes.

He wants Canberra to open air bases and Christmas Island to accommodate the travellers, adding that it's the Commonwealth's constitutional responsibility to handle the quarantine scheme.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton says the facilities are not fit for purpose and that states had previously agreed to the quarantine scheme.
In summer 2003, Shahawar Matin Siraj, then 21 and working at an Islamic bookstore in New York, met Osama Eldawoody, a nuclear engineer twice his age. To Mr. Sirajs delight they struck up an unlikely friendship  never before had someone this sophisticated taken him so seriously.

At the older mans encouragement, Mr. Siraj became entangled in a plot to place a bomb in Herald Square subway station. He would later want out of the plan, but it was too late: Mr. Eldawoody, it turned out, was one of thousands of informants recruited by the police and the F.B.I. after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Today on The Sunday Read, did the U.S. governments network of informants create plots where none existed?
It's supposed to be the biggest supply-chain crisis for manufacturers since the global chip shortage, but dwindling supplies of rubber haven't yet hit South Carolina's automakers and tire producers.

"We do not see a widespread shortage, however, as with all things these days, shipments will occasionally be delayed at borders, likely due to COVID-19 regulations," said Kathryn Blackwell, vice president of communications for Continental Tire, which has its Americas region headquarters in Lancaster County.

"There are natural ebbs and flows with this commodity, but short-term no major shortages," Blackwell said.

Numerous news reports in recent weeks have sounded the alarm about shortages of natural rubber grown in places like Southeast Asia. In addition to supply chain bottlenecks, flooding and tree disease are contributing to the low volumes and high shipping costs. Pandemic-related factory shutdowns last year meant growers lost money on the 2020 harvest and didn't have the capital to plant new trees or care for mature crops, according to Rubber & Plastics News.

"(I'm) worried about supply," Ryan Wiener, global head of sustainable development and strategic marketing for rubber grower Corrie MacColl Ltd., told the news outlet. "Years of low prices have allowed demand to outpace growth in supply, and it's time the world realizes that the material, which is so vital in powering humanity's mobility, is scarce."

The rubber shortage has yet to hit the road in the Palmetto State, where vehicles and tires are among the top export commodities.

"We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and do not foresee any impacts to our supply at this time," said Emily Weaver, spokeswoman for Bridgestone Americas, which makes tires in Aiken County. "Our team will continue to monitor this situation and maintain open lines of communication with all of our key stakeholders to ensure adequate supply and overall business continuity."

The story is the same for the state's automakers, which rely on rubber supplies for many of their components.

"So far, our plant has not been impacted from the rubber shortage," said Steve Wilson, spokesman for the BMW Manufacturing plant in Spartanburg County, the German company's largest factory in the world.

The Volvo campus in Berkley County, where S60 sedans are built, also isn't feeling stretched.

"To date, we have not been impacted by rubber-related supply shortages," spokeswoman Stephanie Mangini said.

Meanwhile, reports indicate the situation could get worse before rubber crops rebound.

"It's definitely tightening up," Ann Marie Uetz, a Detroit-based partner at Foley and Lardner, a law firm that represents auto parts manufacturers, told Bloomberg News. "It's nowhere near the level of the chip shortage from our perspective so far, but it's definitely brewing."

Plant expansion

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An electrical contractor and telecommunications firm that specializes in security technology for the defense, healthcare and other industries is expanding its operations in North Charleston.

M.C. Dean Inc. said it will invest $7.3 million into a 25,000-square-foot facility that will create 126 jobs in the Remount Business Park. The new facility will provide office space, engineering, simulation, testing labs and warehousing. It is scheduled for completion in about a year.

Bill Dean, the company's CEO, said the expansion will more than double the site's electrical, electronic security, audio visual and IT systems evaluation, integration and testing lab capacity.

"South Carolinas wealth of technical talent combined with its strong economic development environment make it an attractive location for our ongoing business investment, Dean said.

Engineers, project managers and technicians interested in jobs at the site can visit M.C. Deans careers webpage. The family-owned company is based in Tysons Corner, Va., and employs more than 3,000 workers worldwide.

The S.C. Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved tax credits the company can claim if it meets certain hiring thresholds.

Back and forth

The twisty-turny, years-long international legal battle over whether a parts supplier has the right to interview Boeing Co. workers about a 787 Dreamliner engine fire in North Charleston has taken another twist.

New York-based Servotronics Inc. is accused of making a defective valve for a Rolls-Royce Trent-1000 engine that caught fire during testing in 2016. The blaze caused $12.8 million in damages to the widebody plane, a sum that U.K-based Rolls Royce has already paid to Boeing. The power plant manufacturer now wants to be reimbursed by Servotronics, with a May 10 arbitration hearing looming in London.

Servotronics, which denies responsibility, wants to interview the Boeing and Rolls Royce workers who were on site at the time. The company says those discussions will show the fire was due to "numerous improper, inadequate and incorrect actions and failures to act" rather than any problem with its valve.

That's where things get complicated.

U.S. District Court Judge David Norton of Charleston initially ruled that federal courts can't force discovery for a private, foreign arbitration hearing. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., then reversed that decision and sent it back to Norton for further consideration. A related court decision in Boeing's home state of Illinois, however, called into question the Fourth Circuit's ruling. So Servotronics asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case and settle the matter once and for all.

In the meantime, the Fourth Circuit had remanded Servotronics' appeal back to Norton at the Four Corners of Law. Norton, realizing the Supreme Court would likely hear the case this fall, decided to wait for that ruling, putting Servotronics' request on hold.

So Servotronics went back to the Fourth Circuit, which ordered Norton "to issue, without delay, the subpoenas" to workers for Boeing and Rolls-Royce. Depositions are scheduled for early May.

But that's not the end of it. After Norton agreed to issue the subpoenas, Rolls-Royce last week asked the Supreme Court to put the employee interviews on hold. As of Friday, the nation's highest court had not yet ruled on the Rolls-Royce request.
Indonesian activists hold placards as they protest against Mynamar's junta ahead of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders' meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, 24 April 2021. EPA-Yonhap



People in Myanmar on Sunday criticised an agreement between the country's junta chief and Southeast Asian leaders to end the violence-hit nation's crisis, saying it fell short of restoring democracy and holding the army accountable for hundreds of civilian deaths.



There were no immediate protests in Myanmar's big cities a day after the meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Jakarta, Indonesia, that agreed to end the violence but gave no roadmap on how this would happen.



But several people took to social media to criticise the deal.



"ASEAN's statement is a slap on the face of the people who have been abused, killed and terrorised by the military," said a Facebook user called Mawchi Tun. "We do not need your help with that mindset and approach."



According to a statement from group chair Brunei, a consensus was reached on five points - ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar.



The five-point consensus did not mention political prisoners, although the chairman's statement said the meeting "heard calls" for their release.









ASEAN leaders had wanted a commitment from Min Aung Hlaing to restrain his security forces, which the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) says have killed 748 people since a mass civil disobedience movement erupted to challenge his Feb. 1 coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.





An activist shouts slogans as he is led away by police officers during a rally against the military coup in Myanmar, near the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretariat ahead of a leaders' meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, 24 April 2021. EPA-Yonhap
The Sligo Engineering & Technology Expo at IT Sligo will take place on Thursday 29th April from 10am to 6pm. The Expo, which is sponsored by global healthcare company Abbott, offers potential engineering and computing students the opportunity to interact with leading engineering and technology companies from across Ireland and will also display projects from IT Sligo final year students.

Now in its seventh year, the 2021 Expo will return as a virtual experience due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The event is free to attend and promises to be one of the most engaging virtual events this year.

Head of Faculty of Engineering & Design Una Parsons said While we understand due to the pandemic we are not to be able to welcome attendees in person this year, we are excited about the virtual experience we have created. This allows us to connect with a much wider audience so they can experience the exciting developments and talent in engineering & technology in the northwest.

The Sligo Engineering & Technology Expo will be an interactive information sharing event and is an exciting collaboration between IT Sligo and industry. It has been a challenging year for our students who have been deprived of a normal college life. However, they have shown tremendous innovation and determination and this Expo is an opportunity for them to showcase their ingenuity and skills. This Expo is open to the public and we encourage everyone to log into the virtual event and see the talent here in IT Sligo.

Included in this years Expo will be over 100 final year students showcasing the projects that are the culmination of their education in IT Sligo. These projects include; autonomous vehicles, social robotics and even a wheelie bin washer! The students will be joined by 16 industry leading companies demonstrating the cutting edge in engineering and technology and highlighting the career opportunities available.

Speaking on behalf of expo sponsor Abbott, Trevor Harrison, site director at Abbotts nutrition business in Sligo, said, At our Abbott sites in Sligo and across Ireland, we develop and manufacture products that help people live better and healthier lives. The ingenuity and creativity of engineers is central to helping us create the future of healthcare. We hope this Expo can inspire the next generation of game-changing inventors, and we hope to see some of them join us at Abbott in the years ahead.

Abbott celebrates 75 years in Ireland this year. As we mark the milestone it is important that we continue to give back to our communities. We are passionate about supporting education and helping students build skills for the future. We are proud to have sponsored the North West Engineering Fair in February and to now sponsor the Engineering and Technology Expo.

The virtual expo is free and available to view at www.itsligo.ie/engineeringexpo
Chandigarh, Apr 25 (PTI) Three drug smugglers were arrested after they opened fire at a police team and tried to flee near in Punjab's Pathankot district, police said on Sunday.

Police recovered 265 grams of heroin, a USA-made 7.62mm pistol and five cartridges from them. The accused have been identified as Karandeep Singh, alias Karan; Mandeep Singh, alias Happy; and Hardeep Singh, alias Saba, all residents of Mehma Chak village in Gurdaspur district.

The incident took place at 7.40 pm on Saturday evening when a police team was carrying out special checking near Jhakholahri in Pathankot.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gulneet Singh Khurana said while checking vehicles, the police team stopped a car without a registration number plate coming from the Amritsar side.

One of the three people sitting in the car opened fire at the police team and they tried to escape. "However, they were intercepted by the police team, he said.

The SSP said the preliminary investigation revealed that Karandeep was a history-sheeter and has close links with smugglers in Pakistan.

Karandeep has been facing at least 12 criminal cases, including murder and attempt to murder.

Another accused, Mandeep Singh, has six criminal cases registered against him.

Police have booked them under Section 307 of the IPC (attempt to murder) and provisions of the Arms Act and the NDPS Act. PTI CHS VSD RDK RDK

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
RTHK: Stars come out for an Oscars like no other

Hollywood stars started arriving for the Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday on what could be a historic night packed with surprises, not just around the winners but the event itself.

"Sound of Metal" first-time nominee Paul Raci was among the first to walk a scaled-down red carpet outside the Mission Revival-style Union Station in Los Angeles, which is being used for the first time because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Raci, who plays a mentor to a deaf drummer, used sign language on Sunday as he spoke to reporters and said he hoped the film had called attention to the deaf community.

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" actor Colman Domingo sported a neon pink suit, while songwriter Diane Warren chose a white pantsuit with a sparkling turtleneck.

"I'm here at the Oscars," Warren said. "A more subdued Oscars, but we're still at the Oscars."

Social distancing and travel restrictions forced a complete rethink of the ceremony, which will be attended by just a few hundred nominees and presenters, including Brad Pitt and Harrison Ford, and held both outdoors and indoors. Other nominees will join by satellite from international venues.

After strict testing and quarantine protocols, most celebrities were not wearing masks on the first major live red carpet after months of award shows on Zoom.

"We just want the whole thing, right out of the gate, to announce itself as being different," Steven Soderbergh, one of a trio of producers, said ahead of Sunday's show.

Few of the winners seem to be locked down after an extended awards season, but "Nomadland"  China native Chloe Zhao's slow-burn quasi-documentary about the traveling community of American van dwellers  is seen as the front-runner for taking home best picture.

If Zhao, 39, wins best director, she will be only the second woman and the first Asian woman to clinch the Academy Award in that field.

No Hong Kong broadcaster is showing the ceremony, despite the presence of the SAR's nominee, "Better Days" on the best foreign-language film shortlist. A film on the 2019 protests, "Do Not Split" is up for best short documentary. (Reuters/RTHK)

This story has been published on: 2021-04-26. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Most of us know someone who has found the love of their life online, usually via a dating app.



These apps have flourished especially during the pandemic, but there are also cases where some folks with untoward intentions have misused the platforms.

 Youtube/MBS News

A Japanese man took the concept of dating to a whole new level as he reportedly dated at least 35 women at the same time.



And the insane reason why he did it is both rib-tickling and cringey at the same time.

Turns out, he wished to receive an inundation of gifts from all these women on his birthday. Yup...all that just for gifts!

 Youtube/MBS News

Japan Today reported that 39-year-old Takashi Miyagawa is behind bars now for committing such a crime.



He scammed many women and made them believe he was serious about being together for the long haul, only to receive birthday gifts.

It's also unbelievable that he did receive 100,000 yen in gifts or sometimes gifts including money or clothes.

 Youtube/MBS News

According to reports, Takashi had allegedly given different birth dates to every woman he 'dated'.



One woman said he gave his birth date as Feb 22, whereas another said his birthday was in July and one more mentioned that it was in April.

This method was used by him to keep the flow of the gifts going.

His real birthday whereas falls on 13th November.

 Youtube/MBS News

It is said that Miyagawa worked for a marketing company selling showerheads, which is how he met all these women.



One of these women also mentioned that he kissed her and she wasn't comfortable. She said "I told him, I dont want to do that unless [you] are someone who wants to get married and really be with me in the future. To which he said he is serious about her and would spend the rest of his life with her'

 Youtube/MBS News

It seems that these women ultimately did figure his deceitful behaviour. This is when they all unified and formed a victims association.



There are pictures of Takashi meeting different women at cafes and parks. In some, one can also see birthday cakes.

Here's how the people on Twitter reacted to this bizarre situation.

I'm disappointed in the total value of his haul. $926 total from 35 women. He was getting office secret santa level gifts here.  John Legend (@johnlegend) April 24, 2021

well.. what was he charged with ? pic.twitter.com/wiZDAbi7ZE  fin (@FlllNNNN) April 24, 2021

So I guess he didnt get them birthday gifts too? You can date 20 people, but you cant give 20 birthdays? Same amount of gifts. Maybe he just wanted to share a special day with each sucker, er... lady.  Double C (@MarionTiger) April 24, 2021

Did he not get them gifts too? Im confused pic.twitter.com/NPtFQ0kRwN  Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) April 24, 2021

Is this really a crime in Japan??  Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) April 24, 2021

So if he had told them all his real birthday, and spent about 40 minutes with each of them on that day, it would have been legal?  Jannik R. "Maybe No Brunch Today" Biergans Jr. (@JannikBiergans) April 24, 2021

But wait - isn't he going to have to GIVE 35 gifts on their birthdays? And remember 35 birthdays? Maybe 35 'dating anniversaries'?  y knot (@yknot05) April 24, 2021

I don't get it though, on what grounds can they arrest him for?  Jaison  (@J4i737) April 24, 2021

Cannot imagine wanting to celebrate my birthday every 10 days for an entire year  Arlen Parsa (@arlenparsa) April 24, 2021
Top U.S. health officials sought to reassure Americans on Sunday that the 10-day pause in the use of Johnson & Johnsons vaccine showed how well safety monitoring for the Covid-19 vaccines worked, and should not add to the hesitancy to get shots among some Americans.

What were going to see, and well probably see it soon, is that people will realize that we take safety very seriously, said Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the presidents top medical adviser for the coronavirus, during an interview on the ABC News program, This Week.

Were out there trying to combat the degree of vaccine hesitancy that still is out there, Dr. Fauci said. And one of the real reasons why people have hesitancy is concern about the safety of the vaccine.

On Friday, federal officials lifted a pause that had been recommended on April 13 for the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine because of a few cases of a rare blood clotting disorder that had occurred mainly among younger women. By Friday, experts had identified 15 cases, including three deaths, stemming from the extremely unusual clotting issue. A warning about the risk for the disorder will be included for the companys product.
World Tai Chi Day marked online in Malta

Xinhua) 11:15, April 25, 2021

VALLETTA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The China Cultural Center in Malta organized an online event Saturday to celebrate World Tai Chi Day, attracting many Maltese Tai Chi enthusiasts to participate.

Tai Chi, a centuries-old Chinese martial art characterized by gentle movement exercises, has been widely accepted by people around the world.

The event featured Wang Zhanjun, the founder of a Tai Chi school from central China's Henan province, teaching Tai Chi via the internet, and the school's students presenting shows combining Tai Chi with the dance of Shuixiu, literally Water Sleeves, one of the most skillful stunts in Chinese Peking Opera.

The Malta Tai Chi Yang Family Club, the Malta School of Wushu, the Malta Martial Arts Association and the Mediterranean Traditional Chinese Medicine Center also practiced Taiji for the online event.

"I am a firm believer that Tai Chi has many positive aspects," said Clifton Grima, Parliamentary Secretary for Sports, Recreation and Voluntary Organizations, adding that "we are using online technology in order to ensure that this art gets to the house of people who would like to practice this marvelous art."

"I look very much forward towards further collaboration between our two countries, which, though being located in different continents, are connected due to their historical aspects," he noted.

World Tai Chi Day, which falls on the last Saturday of April, has been celebrated in Malta for 14 consecutive years, according to Yang Xiaolong, director of the China Cultural Center in Malta.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun)
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Mobile County Health Department is holding a second-dose Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine event, with expanded eligibility to individuals 16 years of age and older.

The event is for those who received their first dose on April 5.

The vaccinations will take place 12  4 p.m. April 27 at the Alabama Cruise Terminal, address 201 S. Water St.

According to an April 23 Mobile County Health Department video update, Alabama has just over a million reported cases of COVID-19 thus far during the pandemic, with 10,840 deaths.

Mobile County has reported 40,596 COVID-19 cases and 801 deaths.

Cumulative hospitalizations are at 4,886.

Current hospitalizations are at 27.

Worldwide COVID-19 cases are around 145 million with more than 3 million deaths, according to the Mobile County Health Department.
Singapore, Apr 25 (PTI) Every night, 50-year-old Sugunan Shanthi would wait for a call from her son, a construction worker in Singapore, so that her worries about him contracting COVID-19 would be eased.

Nearing midnight on April 19, her 28-year-old son Sugunan Sudheeshmon called to inform that he was safe and had just got back to his dormitory in Tuas. That was the last time the construction worker spoke to his mother, reported The Straits Times.

Shanthi, 50, was worried about losing her son to COVID-19 but in the end, it was a road accident that took his life.

Hours after their last conversation, Sudheeshmon was travelling on the back of a lorry when it crashed into a stationary tipper truck on the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE). He died on Thursday night.

A distraught Shanthi, who is from the southern Indian state of Kerala, told daily on Saturday morning: "I used to pray 'Please don't let him get a fever,' 'Don't let him get Covid,' and then this happened... He came through all of that only for this to happen." Also a domestic worker in Singapore, the mother added: "I never expected to take him back as a dead body. He had so many dreams; I wasn't expecting them to be shattered." Sudheeshmon, who leaves behind his wife and 18-month-old son, had hoped to make enough money to buy land and build a house that the family could live in, she added.

Shanthi, a widow, had to leave her two sons behind when she moved to Singapore to work 13 years ago. Sudheeshmon was then 14 and his brother, 11. They both lived with an aunt after their mother left.

Sudheeshmon, whose husband died before she came to work in Singapore, said: "I had to leave my children and come here and I didn't want his son to grow up in somebody else's house... He wanted to make enough to build a house and go back and I wanted that family to stay together." Shanthi pawned family jewellery to pay for his broker's fees to join his mother and work in Singapore about two-and-a-half years ago.

The mother and son would meet on their days off, even when COVID-19 restrictions only allowed them to do so for a few hours a week.

Sudheeshmon was married and had an 18-month-old son. Shanthi recalled how her son's roommates would make fun of him because his mother still bought him clothes and food.

At their last meeting a few weeks ago, Sudheeshmon was teased because he insisted on holding his mother's handbag for her.

She recounted how the pair went to a shopping mall to buy lottery tickets.

She said: "He never expected to die here." But at about 6 am on Tuesday morning, he was travelling on the back of a lorry with 16 others to a worksite in Woodlands when the lorry collided into a stationary tipper truck on the PIE towards Changi Airport.

Another worker, Toffazal Hossain, a 33-year-old Bangladeshi, died in hospital on Tuesday. Five other workers remain in hospital.

The lorry driver, a 36-year-old man, has been arrested for careless driving causing death.

Shanthi returns to India with her son's body on Saturday night and is aware she might not be able to return to Singapore soon due to COVID-19 restrictions as at 11.59 pm on Friday, long-term pass holders and short-term visitors who have travelled to India within the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter Singapore. But she has decided to be with her family and her other son.

Following the accident, Shanthi hopes that more can be done to ensure that workers are transported safely.

According to the Land Transport Authority's One Motoring website, lorries are currently allowed to ferry workers between their lodgings and workplace. However, they must not travel faster than the road speed limit, or 60 kmh, whichever is lower.

Among other rules, workers carried on the carriage deck of lorries must be properly seated "in a manner that would not cause them to fall off the vehicle" and the lorry must not carry more people than permitted based on the measure of a minimum deck space requirement of 4 sq ft per seated worker.

She called for the rules to be tightened to protect workers, for example, by making seat belts mandatory.

"I hope they make better measures... so no other mother will have to lose a child like this," she said PTI GS PMS

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The Gallipoli peninsula has been eerily deserted for a second straight year on the eve of Anzac Day as Turkey suffers a coronavirus spike and Australians are banned from overseas travel.

Sunday marks the 106th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli, a campaign which ultimately cost more than 8,700 Australian lives during World War I.

The sacred shores of Anzac Cove were traditionally packed with hundreds of Australians and New Zealand paying their respects at the annual Anzac Day dawn service until the coronavirus pandemic hit 2020.

While many dawn services and marches across Australia went ahead on Sunday for the first time since 2019, the traditional Gallipoli commemoration remains off limits.

Eerie photos of Anzac Cove show deserted World War I cemeteries, battlefields and memorial sites with not a soul in sight, usually swarming with tourists.

Usually packed with visitors paying their respects on the eve of Anzac Day, World War I cemetery Shrapnel Valley cemetery (pictured) in Canakkale was eerily deserted on Saturday

Anzac Cove cemetery, on the site of the World War I landing of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in 1915, was also eerily quiet with no soul in sight on Anzac Day weekend

Crowds of Australians and Kiwis travelled to Gallipoli each year for the traditional Anzac Day dawn service until the pandemic hit. Pictured is the last service in 2019

With Turkey currently in a nationwide lockdown and recording around 50,000 new cases a day, only a few small private ceremonies will be held on the Gallipoli Peninsula on Sunday.

The country has had 4.6 million cases of coronavirus, which has claimed 38,000 lives.

Cancelled Anzac Day services and the loss of tourist crowds has had a devastating toll on the city of Canakkale, the gateway to the Gallipoli battlefields.

The Gallipoli Campaign of 1915 by Allied forces aimed to take control of the peninsula to weaken the Ottoman Empire.

The campaign failed and Allied forces withdrew after eight months of fighting on the ground and some 250,000 casualties on both sides, including more than 8,700 Anzacs.

The streets of Canakkale are normally bustling with Australian and New Zealand visitors but are now deserted during what hotel operators say used to be one of their busiest weeks of the year.

Only a few small private Anzac Day services will be held at Gallipoli on Sunday.

Many of the 8700 Australians killed at Gallipoli during World War 1 are buried here at the Ari Burnu Memorial (pictured), which is eerily crowd-free for a second consecutive year

Turkey is currently in lockdown, leaving Anzac Cove deserted on the eve of Anzac Day

Locals hope their foreign visitors will return in 2022. Pictured are Australian and New Zealanders at the last service in 2019

'Australians are missed here,' Eceabat Mayor Saim Zileli told Nine News.

'Their visits were important not just economically, but also culturally.'

Canakkale Tourism Association's Armagan Aydeger added: 'Australians are one of our most loved visitors.'

'I started tourism from my childhood and we grew up with the Australian tourists. In those terms, we have very good friendships.'

Locals remain hopeful Australians will return for 2022 services.

'They are not like only visitors but very close friends for us and we are all very excited to see them in the next years,' Mr Aydeger said.

The Anzac Cove memorial site at Gallipoli is usually packed with Australians and Kiwis paying their respects at this time of year but has been deserted for a second consecutive year
Portland police say one person died early Saturday after being struck by a TriMet train.

KOIN (6) reports emergency crews responded to the report of a train colliding with a pedestrian at Interstate and Larrabee avenues around 1:30 a.m.

Officers with the Portland Police Bureau found the body of the person who had been struck shortly after arriving.

TriMet temporarily stopped its service during the investigation.

Authorities didnt immediately release the name of the person killed so they could notify family members.

 The Associated Press
(Natural News) Two researchers have launched a study to determine if Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines cause abnormal menstruations after hundreds of women noticed irregularities.

The research is being conducted by Dr. Kathryn Clancy, an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Dr. Katherine Lee, a postdoctoral scholar in the public health sciences division of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.

The two women were inspired to study this phenomenon after receiving their coronavirus vaccines earlier this year. Both women noticed that aside from the side effects they expected to experience from the shot, such as pain at the injection site, their menstrual cycles were also affected.

Both of their periods had either come earlier than usual, felt significantly heavier or just appeared very irregular.

Clancy first mentioned the possibility that the vaccines affected menstrual cycles after she experienced an abnormal period in late Feb. 2021, after she received her first dose of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine. (Related: WHO warns against administering Moderna coronavirus vaccine to pregnant women.)

Im curious whether other menstruators have noticed changes too? she wrote on her personal Twitter account. Im a week and a half out from dose 1 of Moderna, got my period maybe a day or so early, and am gushing like Im in my 20s again.

She wrote an update a day later by saying that she was swapping out overnight sanitary pads several times a day because of her heavy flow. Typical for me at this time is maybe one or two regular pads.

Clancys tweets went viral, and she began receiving hundreds of replies from other women who noticed irregularities with their own menstrual cycles after receiving the coronavirus vaccine. The responses she got inspired her and Lee to conduct a formal study on the matter.

Thousands of women speak up about irregular menstruations after getting vaccinated

Clancy and Lee are currently running a survey to catalog the menstrual experiences women have had after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. As of Monday, April 19, Lee said that more than 25,000 people have answered the survey. Clancy said she was surprised to find a lot of people describing very similar experiences.

One of the people that spoke to Clancy and Lee was Katy Fyksen, a 43-year-old woman from Plainfield, Illinois. She experienced an unusually heavy period several days after she received the second dose of her Moderna coronavirus vaccine. She did not consider that there might be a link until she heard about Clancys own experiences.

Furthermore, she was not expecting a period because she hadnt had one in over a year and a half because of her intrauterine device.

I didnt really think that it was anything until I saw that someone had said that, that it mightve been a symptom or a side effect of the vaccine. It was like, Oh, thats interesting,' she said.

I havent had a period in years and Im about three weeks out of my second shot and Im gushing blood, wrote one person. I freaked out but now I see Im not the only one. This is crazy.

Two weeks exactly after shot number two, my cycle started 12 days earlier and heavier than its been for the last three years, wrote another woman.

Lee said their study will look at the trends, but its limited scope will be unable to determine cause and effect.

Our survey cannot tell us anything about prevalence or the number of people who are affected, explained Lee. What we can do is look for associations and trends that help us direct whatever the next study would be.

Medical community divided over whether vaccines can affect menstruation

Dr. Julie Levitt, an OB-GYN working for Northwestern Medicine, said several patients have already come to her with concerns related to their menstruations after getting the coronavirus vaccines. According to her, the COVID-19 vaccine could be creating a hormonal spike that could trigger bleeding.

A hormone rises, it goes down, you bleed a withdrawal bleed, said Levitt. She warned that people who experience this should contact their trusted physicians, especially if it continues after a few weeks following the administration of the vaccine.

Dr. Rakhi Shah, another OB-GYN working for Northwestern Medicine, disagrees. She does not believe the COVID-19 vaccines could affect menstruation.

I think that theres really no biological mechanism that is plausible in terms of how that could be possible, Shah argued. I think that potentially people are having normal menstrual pain, plus the aches and pains that are associated with post-vaccine, and maybe combining all of that together and associating it.

Dr. Ranit Mishori, a professor of family medicine at Georgetown University, is similarly skeptical of the connection but is supportive of the study.

I really salute the person who is trying to study this, said Mishori. But at this point, there is no rigorous data that shows this is a phenomenon. There is no strong data that this is associated with the vaccine.

Mishori said a survey is a good first step to further studying the link between coronavirus vaccines and irregular menstruations.

Learn more about the potentially dangerous side effects of the coronavirus vaccines by reading the latest articles at Vaccines.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

ChicagoTribune.com
The Grenons were each charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and criminal contempt. If convicted, they could face life in prison, federal prosecutors said.

The church has described itself on its websites as a nonreligious church, federal prosecutors said.

Mark Grenon, described as an archbishop and a founder, has also repeatedly said that the church has nothing to do with religion, and that he founded the institution to legalize the use of the bleach solution and to avoid going to prison, prosecutors said.

The church has promoted the bleach solution for years.

Jim Humble, a church founder and a former Scientologist, has claimed that he is a billion-year-old god from the Andromeda galaxy. Mr. Humble, who was not charged in the case involving the Grenons, said that he asked to be put in the part of the space navy that watched over Earth, according to an investigation last year by ABC7 in Los Angeles.

Jonathan Grenon and Jordan Grenon were arrested last summer on related charges based on a complaint filed by federal prosecutors in Miami. They have been detained since their arrest based on a judges ruling that they posed a risk of not appearing at future court proceedings and were considered a danger to the community.

Mark Grenon and Joseph Grenon are currently in Colombia, prosecutors said. The Grenons, who could not be reached, have previously represented themselves in court.

Federal prosecutors believe that Mark Grenon and Joseph Grenon operate what they call a health restoration center in Santa Marta, Colombia, where they charge consumers about $5,000 a month to stay at the compound and dose themselves with Miracle Mineral Solution, court records show.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed the Executive order allowing the country to limit the number of Russians employed at embassies of countries determined to be unfriendly. The decision of the government comes in retaliation after the expulsions of Russian diplomats from the United States and European countries. The decision of the Russian government was posted on the Kremlin website on April 23.

Russian government counter to other countries

The decree instructs the government to compile a list of countries that have been determined to be unfriendly. It would also affect the embassies of those countries, consular offices and their government offices. The order also mentions that the government will determine the number of individuals in Russian territory with whom the contracts may be signed. The government is tasked to define the number of individuals that can be employed by foreign missions.

"Contracts signed with individuals in excess of the number determined by the Government of the Russian Federation prior to the entry into force of this Executive Order shall be subject to termination", as mentioned by the Kremlin website.

The decision of the Russian government comes a week after the United States expelled 10 Russian diplomats in connection with interference in the 2020 US presidential election. The Czech Republic expelled 18 Russian envoys they labelled as spies, prompting Russia to send 20 Czech diplomats home. The Russian government in retaliation ordered 20 Czech diplomats to leave the country.

The decision prompted Czech authorities on April 22 to order 63 more Russian diplomats to leave so that both countries had the same number of staff in their respective embassies. Poland had last week announced that it was expelling three Russian envoys. The Russian government in retaliation expelled five diplomats of Poland. The Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia ordered a total of four Russian envoys to leave.

(Image and Inputs from The Associated Press)
New Delhi: As the second wave of COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc, the Himachal Pradesh government on Sunday (April 25) decided to impose a night curfew in four districts applicable from April 27 midnight.

The corona curfew will be implemented in four districts of the state, including Kangra, Una, Solan and Sirmour starting from 10 pm to 5 am. The curfew will be enforced from midnight of April 27 till May 10.

Passengers traveling from outside the state will have to take RT-PCR test. Those who fail to produce a negative RT-PCR report will be placed under home quarantine for 14 days.

It was also decided to make RT-PCR tests within 72 hrs mandatory for all visitors visiting the State. It was decided that in case the persons have not undergone RTPCR test, they would have to remain in home quarantine/isolation at the place of their residence for 14 days, ANI quoted the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister's Office (CMO) as saying.

Those placed under home quarantine will be allowed to get tested after 7 days, and if the reports are negative, they can end their isolation.

They would also have the option of getting themselves tested after seven days of their arrival, and in case the test comes negative, they do not require to remain quarantined, the CMO stated.

The decision comes after a high-level meeting was chaired by CM Jai Ram Thakur in the wake of the massive spike in COVID-19 cases.

(With ANI inputs)

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The anxiety reminds me of how I feel as I board an aeroplane, and Im tempted to reach for the Valium I stash for my fear of flying.

But my older sister Susan is as excited as a small child waiting to open her birthday presents. It doesnt make sense. Im not doing anything nerve-racking  shes the one about to go under the knife.

As Susan embarks on yet another round of cosmetic surgery  an eye and brow lift this time  I am feeling both furious and fretful.

Its nearly a decade now since, at the age of 61, she swapped her turkey neck for that of a swan. I refused to listen to the gory details of the two-and-a-half-hour op but I knew it involved several incisions, tightening muscles as well as skin and stitching behind the ear. The only bits I read up on were the complications, such as permanent nerve damage and loss of sensation.

I was horrified at the time and Im horrified now. Even as the less-thandesirable wattles at the front of her neck melted away, I felt the hackles at the back of my own neck rising.

For years, Ive railed in public against the tyranny of trying to look forever young. Perhaps my finest hour as editor of Cosmopolitan magazine in the late 1980s was when I banned the ads for breast enhancement surgery in the classifieds at the back of the magazine.

Linda Kelsey (pictured right) is 69 and hasn't had 'any interventions', apart from Botox in the sole of her right foot to treat a movement disorder called dystonia (pictured left is her older sister Susan Graff)

I insisted to my (male) bosses that our twentysomething readers, already burdened with societys notions of the perfect body, didnt need to be encouraged to self-mutilate. And I havent changed my position since.

Even though my sister emerged from her lower facelift surgery first time around happy and victorious, I persisted in the idea that allowing someone to hack away at her marked her out as a victim.

A victim of the belief that a woman who no longer looks young and beautiful is a woman of no worth. A victim of the idea that ageing is an ugly thing rather than a potentially proud manifestation of having lived a long and productive life. And a victim of the curse of social media and the Photoshopped selfie, which even oldies post these days on their Facebook pages to hoodwink themselves and us.

Thats the fury. The fretfulness is to do with the fact that Susan is now 71, a decade older, and has something called atrial fibrillation, which affects the rhythm of her heart and makes undergoing any kind of operation a bigger deal.

The truth is I hoped that, by now, she would have accepted her age and the face that goes with it.

How wrong I was. Her latest excuse is her droopy eyelids, which will now be tightened and lifted.

Sometimes I wonder how Ive reached my own great age of 69 without any interventions. Not a single filler, other than in my teeth. And the only place Ive had Botox is in the sole of my right foot  to treat a movement disorder called dystonia, which affected my ability to walk and was mercifully cured by regular jabs of botulinum toxin.

But my sister, as always when she makes up her mind, is unstoppable. Honestly, I cried when I saw her bruised post-operative face the first time around.

Yet for all my fury and my fretting, I have to own up to something else. While I genuinely worry for her welfare, it is also possible that Im rather jealous.

Three years my sisters junior, I have always looked younger than her. When we were small, grown-ups were forever telling me how pretty I was, what big eyes I had, and what lovely glossy dark hair.

Linda's older sister Susan, 71, has had cosmetic surgery including a brow lift to banish wrinkles, eye lift for droopy lids and lower face lift for saggy neck (pictured before, left, and after, right)

Could it be that part of the reason why I hate her having all this stuff done is because Im still that little girl yearning for the competitive advantage over my big sister?

Is it possible that, even more than I hate her going under the knife, I loathe the idea that people are going to start thinking Im the badly weathered one with a younger-looking older sister?

Since her first surgery, my face, which held up OK until I was in my 50s, has collapsed. My partner Ronny doesnt pretend he hasnt noticed but says that, as we both age, my wrinkles diminish neither his desire nor his love for me. Im a lucky woman in that respect.

But, some days, I fear my principles are about to collapse in the same way as my face.

I seem to spend half my life pulling at my baggy bits in the bathroom mirror to demonstrate how much better Id look with tighter skin. And, in moments of full honesty, I wonder whether I might actually have preferred Susans course of action to my insistence on clinging to the moral high ground.

It certainly gets ever more difficult to become a tweakment refuser. The feminist author Caitlin Moran once denounced women who have Botox as losers. Now she has hit her 40s, she has embraced the plumping power of Botox to rid herself of facial bunchiness. I am beginning to feel like a dinosaur.

Every time someone I know fiddles with her face, it makes me more self-conscious about my own. Surely a real act of sisterhood, in both feminist and sibling terms, would be to eschew surgery and grow older gracefully together?

Women like my sister are upping the anti-ageing stakes so high, the rest of us look like wrinkled remnants - Lisa Kelsey

But no. Women such as Moran and my sister are upping the anti-ageing stakes so high, the few of us who remain unrestructured resemble the wrinkled remnants of a bygone age. So many of my friends have had tweaks here and there, I am starting to feel like a minority of one. Sad and a bit lonely.

Susan recovers much quicker from this op than she did from her last. Her heart is fine and it is less invasive than the first one. Within two hours, she is sending me frankly frightening selfies, and I have to ask her to stop because they make me feel queasy. Id rather see you in the flesh, I tell her.

The next day she is home and when I visit, shes not looking too battered. And she is cock-a-hoop.

One month later, I admit that having proper eyelids really does make her look a lot better. But then comes a troubling moment. I catch her prodding her undereye bags and lamenting how her lower facelift has worn off. Thats the thing about trying to hold back the years  its a never-ending battle.

Susan Graff (left) said that a boy in Italy told Linda that she had beautiful eyes when she was 10 and Susan as 13, adding: 'It was then that I realised she was beautiful and that men would always be attracted to her' (the sisters are pictured as teenagers, Susan is 19 and Linda 16)

Why I chose to go under the knife

By Lindas sister Susan Graff, a designer and married mother of three.

Occhi bella (beautiful eyes), said the handsome boy who stopped in front of my little sister as we walked along a street in Italy, on holiday. She was ten, I was 13  and it was then that I realised she was beautiful and that men would always be attracted to her.

Today, at 69, she does have a few baggy bits round the jowls and her neck isnt quite what it used to be. But she still has the eyes.

At 71, my eyes were beginning to resemble those of a St Bernard. They had drooped so dramatically, it had become almost impossible to wear make-up. My eyes used to be my finest feature but, lately, Ive been constantly wearing glasses to cover them, even though I dont need to other than for reading.

After about five minutes of deep thinking one morning last November, having had a dispiriting encounter with the bathroom mirror, I made an appointment with a plastic surgeon. All the big decisions in my life are made quickly.

The doctor informed me that it wasnt just the excess skin on my eyelids which needed removing but that, for optimum results, I should have a brow lift as well, as that area was dropping, too. Ten minutes later, I was all signed up.

The problem with ageing and still feeling young and fit is that every time I look in the mirror I get an awful shock. This cant possibly be my face, this is an old persons face!

This is how I felt ten years ago, when I had my first lot of surgery. I had been holding my three-year- old grandson in my arms when he started to fiddle with my neck. Whats this, Grandma? Its nice and soft. To my horror, his new toy had become the skin on my neck.

Id been conscious of my saggy bits for some time, but this really brought it home to me. So I called a friend who knows about these things and asked her to come round immediately.

Do you think I need to have my neck done? I asked her. Without taking a breath, she said, Yes  and I know just the man.

Two days later, we were sitting in his office. He called his nurse to take notes: Lower facelift for Mrs Graff, he said.

Susan said that, like her sister, she 'had always scoffed at this type of surgery' and poured 'scorn' at the faces of the women who had work done when visiting New York to see her daughter (Susan and Linda are pictured in their early-mid 20s)

It was only then that I properly realised what I was letting myself in for. Like my sister, I had always scoffed at this type of surgery and when visiting my daughter in New York, would pour scorn on the stretched faces of the women walking their poodles up and down Madison Avenue. Now I was about to become one of them.

But I had my facelift. It took a couple of hours, as they cut behind the ear as well as making a small incision under the chin. They tightened the neck muscles and skin and somehow stitched it to keep it out of sight.

My surgeon promised that my husband David would never see the scars but my hairdresser might. I stayed in overnight with a mask-like contraption over my face, which blew out cool air to reduce the swelling.

The morning after, a nurse showered me and washed my hair, removing all the clogged-up blood. The lower part of my face was swollen and badly bruised. I had to sit up in bed at night for the first ten days and felt pretty uncomfortable with the tightness round my neck, but no pain.

The surgeon did a good, subtle job and, a month later, I looked fresher and felt more confident. Few people guessed that Id had anything done, although plenty said how well I looked. And, despite what my sister says, the last thing I feel like is a victim.

In fact, I feel empowered.

Ive made my own decision about what to do with my own face. I feel no need to justify myself to friends or family. Being a feminist isnt about reading all the tomes my sister educated herself with, its about making ones own choices. I certainly dont need my husbands permission  Ive worked all my life as a fashion designer and Im financially independent.

That said, I do want him to be happy with my decisions and was pleased he didnt object.

On the day of my brow and eyelid surgery, I have to be at Cromwell Hospital in London by 6.30am. Much to the surprise of the nursing staff, Im totally calm.

For someone who is a control freak, this is the perfect situation  all responsibility has been taken out of my hands, so Im able to relax.

Im told Ill now be having a general anaesthetic, not the deep sedation I was expecting, because there are two processes to the op.

My surgeon draws a new crease line into the fold of my eye where hell make the incision to cut away the excess skin, and then a line above the outer side of my eyebrows where he will do the brow lift. I did have a minor last-minute panic about whether stopping the blood thinners I have to take for atrial fibrillation might provoke a stroke. But I reasoned it was too late to worry now.

Linda said that, even though her sister was happy after her lower facelift surgery, she still 'persisted in the idea' that the surgery 'marked her out as a victim' (Linda and Susan are pictured in Rome in their 20s)

The operation takes two hours. The first time I look in the mirror post-op, I have the face of a boxer who has just gone several rounds with Tyson Fury. Im surprised that all I feel is a bit of soreness. And  yes!  I can see my eyelids. The sides of my eyes no longer resemble curtains. Im elated.

I leave the hospital at 5pm. The doctor tells me to start taking echinacea, use antibiotic cream and cold compresses four times a day for about a week. I have a light supper, go to bed early and am awake all night, having to sleep in a semi-upright position which I find impossible. But there is absolutely no pain or discomfort.

Three weeks later, I meet a close friend in the park. The scars above my eyebrows are practically invisible, so I put on make-up for the first time since the op. My eyelids are a little sore but the change is not far short of miraculous.

My friend cannot get over the difference and says I look ten years younger, which I definitely dont, but her enthusiasm is palpable.

The best thing of all is my husbands reaction. He feels Ive got my old eyes back and somehow he has reclaimed a bit of the young girl he met 50 years ago.

Do I think women should have cosmetic surgery? Absolutely not  we should grow old gracefully, embrace our lines and saggy bits, improve our minds and not be so shallow. But if that doesnt work for you, and unless youre my dyed-in-the wool sister, Id say, go for it. Find a good surgeon, lop off what you dont like and hang on to what you do.

And as for those eye bags Lindas fretting about, well, lets just say anythings possible . . .

Sister Sue And Me, Susan and Lindas no-holds-barred blog about sibling devotion and differences, has just launched at sistersueandme.com.
A protester is holding a 'defund the police' sign at a Black Lives Matter protest in Manhattan, New York City on July 13, 2020. (Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times)

Black Lives Matter Protesters Block Traffic on Brooklyn Bridge, Clash With Police

Black Lives Matter and affiliated protesters blocked traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on Saturday night, leading NYPD officers to make arrests.

Video footage showed the demonstrators crossing the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn into Manhattan before squaring off with officers. Some officers deployed pepper spray.

Other footage showed the demonstrators being told by officers to get off the bridge and pushing the crowd back.

According to officials, no injuries were reported, and about a half-dozen demonstrators were given appearance tickets for obstruction of vehicular traffic, reported the New York Post.

Last week, demonstrators and agitators were seen spray-painting red anti-police messages on a monument at Columbus Circle in Upper Manhattan.

Critics of the Black Lives Matter movement and protests have noted that protesters and agitators frequently vandalize and deface public property, statues, and small businesseslikening the defacement of statues of historical figures to Chinas Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976, where throngs of Red Guards would chant Maoist slogans as they destroyed temples, statues, and other historic buildings as they tried to eradicate Chinese traditional culture.

Meanwhile, in Portland, Oregon, Ted Wheeler called for a crackdown on Antifa anarchists.

Our job is to unmask them, arrest them, and prosecute them. I want to personally thank neighbors, family, friends, and others who have come forward with vital evidence. People know who these criminals are. They know what theyre up to, Wheeler said during a virtual briefing Friday. If you see somebody engaged in criminal activity, and you can safely film it or take a photograph, please do so. To be clear, were asking people to be engaged in a way that is nonconfrontational, that is nonviolent, he said.

Recent Black Lives Matter protests appear to have been linked to the fatal officer-involved shooting of a teen girl in Ohio who was filmed apparently trying to stab another girl. In Portland, Antifa groups and demonstrators have rioted and protested after a recent officer-involved shooting of a homeless man.

Meanwhile, in Brooklyn earlier this month, several NYPD officers were hit with an unknown chemical substance and a molotov cocktail was thrown at them during a traffic stop.

After a car was stopped by officers, the driver threw a lit Molotov cocktail at cops and sped off before crashing, said the NYPD. After the arrest, more Molotov cocktails were discovered, officials said.

Words matter. Earlier this week we said that again after graffiti that proclaimed kill cops. This morning..a Molotov cocktail thrown at an occupied marked police car, NYPD Chief Dermot Shea wrote in a tweet on April 17. Now more than ever is the time to come together, to move forward together.
MasterChef Australia's Superstars Week begins on Sunday, April 25.

And English food writer and television cook Nigella Lawson is set to kick it off with an incredibly challenging pressure test.

In a sneak peek trailer for the episode, contestants' jaws drop in awe at the bombshell recipe Nigella has prepared for the stars to recreate.

Scroll down for video

MasterChef SPOILER: Inside Nigella Lawson's (pictured) bombshell pressure test set to kick off Superstars Week and make jaws drop in the kitchen

From the look of the impressive dessert, the contestants will likely be tasked with creating Nigella's beloved toasted marshmallow and rhubarb cake.

Nigella is heard describing the dish's 'Brulee marshmallow icing' and intricate 'marshmallow meringue' that required expert precision and a blow torch.

'Oh my God!' one contestant reacts, as others look over in shock and disbelief.

MasterChef judge Melissa Leong told News.com.au on Sunday that Nigella's pressure test would cover 'two rounds'.

Chefs at the ready! English food writer and television cook Nigella Lawson is set to kick it off with an incredibly challenging pressure test

Dessert: From the look of the impressive dessert, the contestants will likely be tasked with creating Nigella's beloved toasted marshmallow and rhubarb cake which has 'Brulee marshmallow icing' and intricate 'marshmallow meringue'

The stylish TV personality said the first round would consist of contestants identifying 18 flavours from a box of Nigellas favourite biscuits.

The five lowest scoring contestants will then have 90 minutes to recreate one of Nigellas favourite dishes based on her detailed description - which is believed to be her extraordinary cake.

According to the publication, the task will be made more difficult by the aspiring chefs being given no ingredient list, recipe and visual reference while baking.

'Oh my God!' one contestant reacts, as others look over in shock and disbelief

This year's Superstars Week will also welcome a host of other internationally renown chefs, including Yotam Ottolenghi, Massimo Bottura and Clare Smyth.

Last year Nigella and Heston Blumenthal were forced to miss out on their scheduled appearances due to coronavirus travel restrictions and border closures.

Gordon Ramsay, Curtis Stone and pregnant popstar Katy Perry were able to film separate segments before Australia shut its borders in early 2020.

In 2019, Nigella's pressure test for contestants was to recreate her infamous roast chicken dinner.

MasterChef Australia's Superstars Week starts Sunday from 7.30pm on Channel 10